Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 So, while holding office hours .... ... I wrote up the next challenge. Well, here we go again. We’re moving. Again. At least, this time, we are moving to a location that I know well and where we already have friends and family. Yes, Virginia, we’re moving home!! The goals for this challenge are to: Change residences and transport our stuff successfully. This shouldn’t be too hard. We’re packing and have movers lined up to do the heavy lifting … literally. Nudge blood pressure down to less than 120/80 Keep weight within 1% of 150 pounds. Keep MIND score above 8.5 each week Prepare for the Trek Pack and tidy up the old house for sale. This is a little hard to measure. We will succeed at it because we must. We might not get all of the spiffing up done before the end of the challenge (or the house sells …), but we will be moved unless something drastic and unforeseeable happens. Travel 240 miles More cardio!!! The distance between our current house and our new house is about 240 miles. I won’t rack up this distance in the 35 days of the challenge (nearly 7 miles per day, which is a lot for a desk worker but not much compared with the D&D assumption of 30 miles per day), but I’m going to set the distance and get as far as I can get …. picking it back up for the next challenge. That also gives me time to do the pre-journey stuff in both the game world and real world. Since cardio helps decrease my stress and blood pressure, this is a strong success contributor. I’ll be counting the distance on my FitBit … so every step counts. If I bike or row, I’ll add that distance separately. Forage for Health Keep tracking on the MIND diet with my Google sheet. This is going well and is pretty easy to maintain without feeling deprived. Has it helped my blood pressure?? Hard to say, but it is arguably a healthy plan no matter what the measurable results. I am maintaining my current weight, and increasing some strength measures. Keep Growing …. Stronger! Strength training is one area at risk during the move. I’ll maintain my gym membership until the end of May, and I have plenty of basement gym equipment, but I need to set a goal to make sure that it doesn’t fall by the way. Ok, 10 strength sessions of any type. Travel with Friends and Meet Strangers MAYBE, I will be able to write some more story episodes as I go. I do have a party of Strixhaven students (including Khrum!) that will be taking the journey with me. They can help battle foes along the way with their various skills. Misc Tools Tracking spreadsheet Hevy app How to Play D&D By Yourself Uncharted Journeys This seems a little light, but it's going to be a busy 6 weeks, and I don't want to stress out and quit because I got overwhelmed with details. 6 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Elastigirl Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 Following! 1 Quote Wisdom 22.5 Dexterity 13 Charisma 15 Strength 21 Constitution-13 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind' Luke 10; 27 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 A move is its own challenge! Anything on top of that is wildly impressive. 1 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Tanktimus the Encourager Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 sarakingdom is right. Following. 1 Quote Current Challenge "By the Most-Righteous-and-Blessed Beard of Sir Tanktimus the Encourager!" - Jarl Rurik Harrgath Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 4 Author Report Share Posted May 4 Tavern Time!!!!! We're not exactly resting during Week 0 here. We finalized the purchase of our new house!!! With a quick dragon ride north, we've signed the paperwork and picked up the keys. Walking around the empty house was helpful as we're figuring out where our stuff will fit. We met some neighbors and had one of our friends (and young son) stop by. In two weeks, the movers will load up our stuff in Iowa and drive north. It's getting real!! (No offers on our old house yet .....) 4 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
TimovieMan Posted May 4 Report Share Posted May 4 Congrats on finalizing the purchase! 1 Quote Active challenges: New(ish) routine | Walk to Mordor - (spreadsheet) | DailyDare | Weight Loss PVP 10/12 lbs in 10/12 weeks - (spreadsheet) 2023 threads: Challenge VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII 2018-19 & 2021 threads: Battle log | Challenge I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 4 Author Report Share Posted May 4 This morning, we'd intended to get up and head back home fairly early so that I could hold office hours, but we were waylaid by a heart-stealing thief in a onesie. So, we ended up having lunch at one of our favorite diners (cheeseburgers and fries) before we left town. I compensated by having grilled chicken on mixed greens for dinner, with iced tea. Overall, we did pretty well. Breakfast today was oatmeal with dried fruit and nuts, a treat for lunch, but a nutritious dinner. Yesterday, we enjoyed our favorite Chinese buffet when we got into town. We'll settle down pretty quickly when we get moved .... great kitchen in the new house, and we'll be cooking for family almost immediately (my son-in-law has to go on a business trip .... so dinner's at our house for the week!!). Tonight, I'm bushed. I should go for a walk, but I just want to sit and plan out clothes to buy for summer, since most of my summer wardrobe is too big!! (Go, me!!!) 6 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 6 Author Report Share Posted May 6 Thursday night, after writing ... On 5/4/2023 at 6:51 PM, Chris-Tien Jinn said: Tonight, I'm bushed. I should go for a walk, I went for a walk anyway .... about a mile. Friday night, I was truly tired and feeling a bit down. It was raining; so I decided to skip the department picnic and have pizza and wine at home instead of trying to be cheerful at the semi-social event that's really meant to celebrate the graduating seniors. Week 0 has been a good break. We bought the house and managed the quick driving trip. I ate a little bit of fun food without going too far overboard. Next two weeks will be challenging, and I need to sit down each night and think about what spells and feats I can bring to bear on the (figurative) monsters in my way. 6 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 7 Author Report Share Posted May 7 Ok, at the end of Week 0 and assessing the journey in front of me .... Prepare for the Trek We own the new house and have a rumor that we have a potential buyer for the old house .... she just needs to get confirmation that she has the local job. So, the focus is on packing, which is going steadily. Travel 240 miles Ready to start recording. We're planning a hike tomorrow morning since the rain is predicted to start after noon. Forage for Health Score for Week 0 is 10.5. Keep Growing …. Stronger! Plan for the week's workouts .... Sunday: hike Monday: last Pound class 😥 Thursday: Strength training Saturday: run And miscellaneous workouts during the rest of the week. Travel with Friends and Meet Strangers I purchased the Uncharted Journeys rulebook and am still enjoying the planning stage. This coming week, there are a few challenges that might turn into encounters: Monday: committee meeting seems like a swarm of stirges to counter with the Pound class (rogue or bard should take point) Tuesday: department meeting full of zombies that are calling for my artificer to take point on with glazing pottery (which I hope will be out of the kiln and cooled) All week: students are losing their collective minds during the last week of classes. Bandits??? 3 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Snarkyfishguts Posted May 7 Report Share Posted May 7 I am so excited for you!! Following!! 1 Quote Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 7 Author Report Share Posted May 7 “We’re going with you.” Khrum announced as he pulled out a chair at Chris’ table. “No,” the ranger replied without even looking up from the scribbled notes she had laid out on the scarred and slightly sticky table she favored at the Bow’s End. “It will take too long,” she finally looked up to scan the assembled group of students who had gathered around the half-orc this past school term. They were a diverse bunch: an owlin, a forest gnome, and a wood elf. All they seemed to have in common was that they too had started the school year late. But they had all, including (much to Chris’ surprise) Khrum, caught up and excelled in their studies. “I won’t be able to return until well after the next term begins. Several months, at least.” The wood elf stepped forward to stand beside Khrum. Normally graceful and poised, Daena’s shoulders were rounded and she seemed ill-at-ease as she glanced at the others before taking a big sigh. “That doesn’t matter.” She looked down and paused before addressing the top of the table. “None of us have the tuition for next year. We either come with you ….. “ “ …. or we have to go home … “ Kelbar, the gnome finished. Chris-Tien sat back on her bench and looked at the assembled students more closely. They all looked tired and dejected. She knew that they had all passed their first year exams, but with the effort of intensive study, none had found a way to earn extra money. They were truly in a tight spot. “It’s not going to be an easy journey,” she started. As a group, the young people perked up in hope and started pulling extra chairs around the table. Pulling a sketch out of her stack, Chris continued, “It’s nearly a thousand miles to Water Ford.” She indicated the rough path between Strixhaven and her destination. “Most of it is adequately-maintained roads and paths through the deep woods, but we can expect that bandits and worse will be as much a problem up north as they are around Neverwinter. And even if we make it …. “ she paused to look sternly at Khrum and his friends. “ … we still need to face whatever is in the Faerland Barrow.” “Zombies?” ventured Roisenn tentatively. It was hard to read the expression on the owlin’s feathered face, but Chris was pretty sure she was getting through to at least one of the students. “Probably,” Chris replied. “A treasure trove that hasn’t been ransacked is certainly well-guarded as well as well-hidden.” The little gnome, an artificer, if Chris remembered correctly, looked thoughtful. “Treasure?? “ 3 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 9 Author Report Share Posted May 9 Sunday afternoon, our town was hit by a massive hail storm. Hail stones were between golf ball and baseball size. We are very grateful that we were inside and the cars were in the garage. The roof and gutters need to be replaced, but no glass was broken. One grape trellis will need to be repaired, and the tree leaves were just shredded, but they should all recover. As far as I can tell, no one was seriously hurt. We'd had a plenty of lightning as the storm approached, which meant that all of the kids sports teams were already sheltered before the hail started. Prepare for the Trek The hail damage brought out a variety of opportunistic contractors (vultures), but we already had a couple of local companies who came out to review the damage and give estimates. If the insurance adjuster can get out here soon, we might have the work done pretty quickly. No word from the one buyer who seemed hopeful. 😥 We're packing, but the weather has turned rainy and stormy .... so there is minimal opportunity to work on neatening the garden. Travel 240 miles Sunday and Monday, I did more than 5 miles each day. So, I'm on track. Forage for Health This week is more of a stress test of the plan than the ones previous. Keep Growing …. Stronger! Plan for the week's workouts .... Sunday: Didn't happen .... but I did get a walk. Monday: last Pound class 😥 ..... YEAP!! Thursday: Strength training Saturday: run It's both happy and sad to be marking "the last ......" time I do something. Glad to be done with committee meetings, but sad to leave my gym, personal trainer, and friends. But, my CrossFit crew have been encouraging me to find a box in the new city. There is one that is no longer officially affiliated with CrossFit, but the same sort of workouts. I'll check them out right after Memorial Day. Travel with Friends and Meet Strangers The Uncharted Journey rules are fun!! If anyone is a DM and wants to use the journey as a warm up for a dungeon, I highly recommend the book. This week's planned mini-encounters: Monday: a small swarm of stirges. The party dealt with them soundly, but with minimal opportunities to rest (the game argument is that you'd not get a good night sleep while traveling through dangerous territory), injuries and spell slots are a complicating factor. I'm letting my party have a short rest when I get more than 7 1/2 hours of sleep (normal), but only a long rest when I get 8 or more hours of sleep (some weekends). Tuesday: department meeting full of zombies that are calling for my artificer to take point on with glazing pottery (which I hope will be out of the kiln and cooled) All week: students are losing their collective minds during the last week of classes. Bandits??? 4 1 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
TimovieMan Posted May 9 Report Share Posted May 9 Yikes, that hail storm sounds scary. Stones that size are decidedly NOT normal! 😲 1 Quote Active challenges: New(ish) routine | Walk to Mordor - (spreadsheet) | DailyDare | Weight Loss PVP 10/12 lbs in 10/12 weeks - (spreadsheet) 2023 threads: Challenge VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII 2018-19 & 2021 threads: Battle log | Challenge I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII Link to comment
Tanktimus the Encourager Posted May 9 Report Share Posted May 9 43 minutes ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said: . I'll check them out right after Memorial Day. You mean you don't want to try out a new box on the day they do Murph? 2 Quote Current Challenge "By the Most-Righteous-and-Blessed Beard of Sir Tanktimus the Encourager!" - Jarl Rurik Harrgath Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 10 Author Report Share Posted May 10 22 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said: You mean you don't want to try out a new box on the day they do Murph? I didn't even think about that aspect of the decision. I had wanted to do a half Murph this year, but I have not been making progress on my pull ups and push ups. Losing our coaches definitely put a big dent in my training. Reading up on guidelines for deconditioned masters athletes, however, makes me realize that I was working too hard even when we had coaches. They didn't help me with scaling until the owner's wife started coming in to coach. We did warmups, cooldowns, and range-of-motion only occasionally at first and then not at all towards the end. I love the idea of CrossFit, but I need to find a coach who's able to meet me where I am and help me not hurt myself. 23 hours ago, TimovieMan said: Yikes, that hail storm sounds scary. I really worried that we'd lose windows. Many people lost windshields on cars and skylights in houses. Contractors have determined that we need new gutters as well as roof. Some spots on the siding took impressive hits too, but the wood wasn't damaged .... just repaint them. W1D3 of the Journey to Water Ford Packing etc.: We're at that awkward stage where we can't pack the last things because we're using them for another week. Well, there are some bits that we can pack this weekend, but we're nearly done. Trekking: Only did about 2.5 miles of everyday movement and walking Foraging: adequate day with healthy foods. We do go out to a favorite sandwich place every Tuesday .... paninis are heavy on cheese, sauces, and processed meats. But we keep it to once per week as a treat. Get Stronger: rest day. I started glazing some of my remaining pottery pieces. Journey Encounters: the department meeting was about normal (no decisions) and so I had our party fight a group of 6 zombies. Made it, but I sure do hope that I can get a good, long rest this weekend. Spell slots are running low. 3 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 10 Author Report Share Posted May 10 Did CrossFit!!!!! 28 minutes and change .... and scaled, of course. 3 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Elastigirl Posted May 11 Report Share Posted May 11 Woohoo for doing Crossfit! That hail storm sounds freaky. Glad people were inside and safe. 1 Quote Wisdom 22.5 Dexterity 13 Charisma 15 Strength 21 Constitution-13 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind' Luke 10; 27 Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 13 Author Report Share Posted May 13 W1D6 of the Journey to Water Ford Packing etc.: I am looking around at all of the little, last minute things that need to be packed .... and trying not to panic. That's hubby's (Khrum's) job. Weekend will involve me packing the garden stuff: bird feeders and compost bins. Bird baths were victims of the hail storm. Trekking: I got in 5 miles yesterday. Foraging: I am not doing as well this week with the MIND diet. We grilled hot dogs last weekend, and I've been eating those for lunches. I'm in the good zone .... just not as awesomely as the prior week. Get Stronger: Leg day with some core work. Journey Encounters: I've gotten in a couple of nights with 8 full hours of sleep. So, the spell slots are all recharged. The last few days have been rather peaceful and the journey has been uneventful. 4 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 14 Author Report Share Posted May 14 W1D7 of the Journey to Water Ford Packing etc.: Cleaned out 3 of 4 compost bins, using the results to mix with grass seed. I'm patching up bare sections of lawn. It's been a 4-year project to repair lawn damage from previous owners and renters. Trekking: I did 4.75 miles yesterday, mostly from gardening and general movement. Foraging: The week ended up better than I feared. A score of 10 is still in the good range. The hot dogs were my downfall this week. Get Stronger: I did 3 strength training sessions this week!!! Journey Encounters: All of the hard work yesterday was translated into an encounter with bandits. I subscribed to the Pro version of Hevvy and put in a bunch of WoD routines for beginner level athletes. I need to switch gym memberships over the next two weeks. The good thing is that the new house has a big basement with high ceilings. I'll be able to do some basement workouts during the transition. 4 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Elastigirl Posted May 14 Report Share Posted May 14 I'm impressed with how well you are staying on track, while also getting ready to move! Level up! 1 Quote Wisdom 22.5 Dexterity 13 Charisma 15 Strength 21 Constitution-13 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind' Luke 10; 27 Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 14 Author Report Share Posted May 14 Took a break from gardening, packing, and grading for a "Recovery Wod" I tracked distance but not calories. I can't remember how to change the settings to get calories instead of distance on anything except the Assault Bike. Total distance was 2.68 miles. 3 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Jarric Posted May 15 Report Share Posted May 15 That looks like a fun little workout - quite fancy giving that a go 1 Quote Level 20 Wood Elf Ranger STR: 15 - CON: 21 - CHA: 6 - SAN: 16 - INT: 17 IAgreeWithTank™ "Shit is going down, but I am not." - iatetheyeti Don't say "I don't have enough time", say instead "that's not a priority right now" and see how that makes you feel. Current Challenge: Jarric vs Mountain External: Epic Quest - Instagram - Strava Spoiler Previous Challenges: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 Old Stuff: Battle Log - My Introduction - 2017 Road Map - 2018 Road Map - 2019 Road Map - 2021 Road Map - 2022 road map/wrap-up Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 15 Author Report Share Posted May 15 11 hours ago, Jarric said: That looks like a fun little workout - quite fancy giving that a go It really was fun. I'm going to miss this gym. All of those machines are in a corner so you can easily rotate between them. 1 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 16 Author Report Share Posted May 16 Packing etc.: Nada. I went to the Science Division luncheon and chatted with people. Saying "good bye" is strange, but it is nice to know that I'll be missed. Trekking: About 4 miles of mostly NEAT. A few short walks during the day add up. Foraging: I filled half of my lunch plate with salad greens and then had a little pasta with red sauce and a small piece of bread with butter. And .... very good lemon cake. So, I enjoyed myself but also got in some of the target, healthy foods. Get Stronger*: Did strength training. I had intended to go to yoga this morning, but the room was packed. Classes are being held in a smaller room since the main one was damaged in the hail storm. I probably could have squeeze in somewhere, but it didn't feel comfortable ... so I did a workout after work. Journey Encounters: The journey is currently uneventful. *Upper body workout today: Bench press: 20lb x 20 (warmup), 40 lb x 10, 45 x 10, 50 x 10 Shoulder press (dumbbells): 5lb x 20 (warmup), 8 x 10, 10 x 10, 12 x 10 One-arm tricep extension: 5 x 10, 8 x 10, 10 x 10 Incline bench press (dumbbells): 5lb x 15, 8 x 10, 10 x 10, 12 x 10 Triceps rope pushdown: 25lb x 10, 35 x 10, 45 x 8 I'm aiming to do more free weights than machines now. Squirmy baby will challenge all of the stabilizing muscles soon. 7 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Chris-Tien Jinn Posted May 18 Author Report Share Posted May 18 Discipline is eroding a bit as the week wears on. Almost everything is packed. I have a few things to recycle at the office, but almost everything is ready to go on the moving truck tomorrow. 🤯 Packing etc.: Mostly packed. My office is still a bit of a work in progress, but I'm still working in it .... Trekking: 4.64 miles .... mostly walking breaks between bouts of grading. Foraging: Cleaning out leftovers and eating out. Yea .... decided to have a mule, a greasy sandwich, and French fries for supper. Get Stronger: Rest day Journey Encounters: The journey is currently uneventful. 5 Quote Level 63 Human ... Oath of Ancients Paladin "We are better than we know, if we can be made to see it, [then] for the rest of our lives, we'll be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn STR: 14 | DEX: 14| CON: 17 | INT: 17 | WIS: 17 | CHA: 14 Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.