[starpuck]

I took a few months off from challenges, and think I am ready to make my return now.   I've also opted to claim this month as "RESTEMBER" and I've alerted all my friends and family that I am 'taking the month off from all standard commitments'.     I finished up the last of the plans I'd made before hand, and starting now - have nothing on the radar except for the couple things I really really have hype for.   Namely, our still ongoing VtM TTRPG game(s).       Since I tend to do a bit better with challenges when I have a theme, I've thrown up a fitting title/theme that ties in what I need to do for myself, with the VtM lore.

 

 

 

Iron Heart is one of the powers that some Brujah can wield.

- Common among Individualists who quest for self control, Iron Heart fortifies the Brujah against supernatural powers that affect her emotions, her self-control, or her reason, while also allowing her to inspire others to resist such manipulations themselves.

 

I have slacked off so badly with ... everything.  My consistency has flown out the window, and so the idea of questing for self control and mastering emotions seems a fitting connection.

 

What I want:  Better mood consistency, more energy, returned confidence, better health.

What gets me those things:  Lifting weights, getting some general movement, and eating like a sane person, and spending time with music and art.

 

I was hoping to hit the ground running on this tomorrow (9/5), but one, it's zero week.  Two, it's the start of two weeks being short handed at work.  Three -- I'm not feeling 100% today and someone I spent Thur, Fri and Sunday all day with, started feeling sick Sunday night while we were gaming, and tested positive today for the 'vid.   So I'm on standby with that.

 

 

So tomorrow, after some sleep and figuring out what's what - I will come back and set up more measurable goals.   But I promised someone to get this up and going today, so here it is!

 

 

[DarK_RaideR]

It's good to have you back around, Puck.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I'm glad you are here and glad you are resting. 

[sylph]

Here for a RESTFUL puck challenge.

 

We are watching you, ms. over-committed.

 

[Artemis Prime]

Puck! Glad to see you foruming!

 

I do not doubt your Iron Heart, and look forward to the day when you do not doubt it either.

[Elastigirl]

Woohoo, glad to see you around these parts!

[foxinthenorth]

Following 🖖

[starpuck]

Some Goals .... guidelines...

 

 

 

I know the formula that works best for results and numbers- but we're going more after the mental hurdle right now.   Because if the mental fortitude isn't there, the rest can be waylaid pretty easily.

 

Best progress has always been 2-3 strength days and 2-3 move days.   Meaning on any given week I am hitting 5 days of exercise in some form.   Funny how that ends up being what a lot of health care professionals recommend too, hmm.  It also means, I don't have to go 24/7 to get to a better place.   That said, I can't just NOT tell myself to try and get back in these habits, so I am throwing some numbers at the dart board, with a big easy caveat attached.   Aim for these numbers.   But if on a given day I am not feeling it - walk or yoga in place of move or strength.      The kicker is that I don't FEEL like doing these things right now.  So I just have to do something...  at least for a bit, at least 5x a week.   I think once I get moving a bit, I will want to move more and it will right itself.  Start small.

 

Food is the other big thing, and I've been eating myself sick for a while now.  Seriously.   I end up with gut rot after eating too much, or too rich, or too fatty or too sugary and I am having more stomach rumble days than not.   I managed to eat normal portions over the weekend and felt SO MUCH BETTER.   So while tracking calories does net me the best fastest results, right now it's about just not eating like an asshole.  Even if that means only eating half my plate, or splitting things at restaurants, or tossing out the back half of the fries.

 

Music and art, I want to just dive into when the mood strikes me.  But like the other things, if I am feeling lazy (very real habit these days) I have to pick up the acoustic for at least 15 minutes and tootle around with it.  Chances are it will get me in the mood and I'll do some bass or piano after, or the next day.   Goal here is to just not have more than 1 day of nothing in a row on music.  Art.   Not stressing on that right now.  Inktober will probably get my spark for that going again, and by choosing to not stress it this challenge, it gives me more 'Restember' time.

 

And that's it for now.

Really Starpuck?  That's all you're planning to do?

 

 

[foxinthenorth]

3 minutes ago, starpuck said:

Music and art, I want to just dive into when the mood strikes me.  But like the other things, if I am feeling lazy (very real habit these days) I have to pick up the acoustic for at least 15 minutes and tootle around with it.  Chances are it will get me in the mood and I'll do some bass or piano after, or the next day.   Goal here is to just not have more than 1 day of nothing in a row on music.  Art.   Not stressing on that right now.  Inktober will probably get my spark for that going again, and by choosing to not stress it this challenge, it gives me more 'Restember' time.

Yes! I like this! I'm still trying to finish my novel so I haven't got much of an art or music thing going yet but I want to take this kind of approach once I'm done with this draft. Because it sounds fun, and focuses on doing the thing because it brings joy or relaxation.

[starpuck]

So a sort of challenge update thingus....  huh.  Doing the thing.

 

Today was alright.  Work was a bit rough in spots, but got through it.   I didn't snack unnecessarily on anything, and my meals were nicely portioned.  Win.   Had just 2 cookies as a snack after dinner.   There was no exercise today; but I am still not feeling at 100% and did not feel like the exertion of weight lifting would be wise, nor would being outside in air quality / pollen alert day with high temps.   I don't feel sick-sick.   Just low key under the weather.   Could be pending sharks on top of weather change coming - but at any rate, I didn't feel like pushing activity was a priority.      Played 30 minutes of guitar today and enjoyed that quite a bit.  Got a pack of 60 picks that came in today- and I am happy with the lights to mediums.  Those heavies are crazy firm!    Played a bunch of Palia and watched more LA By Night.    Now time for an earlier than usual bed to try out my new pillow.

 

 

[sylph]

Oooh new pillow. An exciting but also possibly dicey time. Hope it worked out well for you (I am in need of a new pillow but am putting it off because I don't want the WRONG new pillow).

[foxinthenorth]

16 hours ago, starpuck said:

I don't feel sick-sick.   Just low key under the weather.

I get this feeling for a couple of days, every now and then, and it stresses me out 😆 Hope you feel better today after a good sleep!

[starpuck]

On 9/5/2023 at 2:26 AM, DarK_RaideR said:

It's good to have you back around, Puck.

Thanks DR!    Good to be back among long-time friends!

 

On 9/5/2023 at 7:08 AM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I'm glad you are here and glad you are resting. 

Hiiii Tank!    Glad to be here, and enjoying proper day 2 so far of Restember.

 

On 9/5/2023 at 7:38 AM, sylph said:

Here for a RESTFUL puck challenge.

We are watching you, ms. over-committed.

 

Ok, Clooney eyes.  I get it I get it lol      Glad to have ya keeping an eye on me.

 

On 9/5/2023 at 1:26 PM, Artemis Prime said:

Puck! Glad to see you foruming!

I do not doubt your Iron Heart, and look forward to the day when you do not doubt it either.

Thanks Artemis.   It's starting off as iron chunks, it needs to be forged yet.  But the resources are there!

 

On 9/5/2023 at 1:29 PM, Elastigirl said:

Woohoo, glad to see you around these parts!

Thanks Elasti!    I'm excited to follow along on your NW escapades!

 

On 9/5/2023 at 3:45 PM, foxinthenorth said:

Yes! I like this! I'm still trying to finish my novel so I haven't got much of an art or music thing going yet but I want to take this kind of approach once I'm done with this draft. Because it sounds fun, and focuses on doing the thing because it brings joy or relaxation.

Two nights in and I can say I am getting much more joy out of this pattern so far! 

 

12 hours ago, sylph said:

Oooh new pillow. An exciting but also possibly dicey time. Hope it worked out well for you (I am in need of a new pillow but am putting it off because I don't want the WRONG new pillow).

Yeah it didn't go well.  LOL.   So hard to tell.  Short of dropping the pillow on the ground at Target and testing it out haha.    It was a cheap one at least, so ... I ... guess, garbage?  I don't think most places accept PILLOW donations, do they?

 

4 hours ago, foxinthenorth said:

I get this feeling for a couple of days, every now and then, and it stresses me out 😆 Hope you feel better today after a good sleep!

I felt quite nearly 100% today, so that's good!!  I always forget that hormones can run this hell on us too.

 

 

 

[starpuck]

Today was alright again!   Work continues to have it's major downs to go with the ups, but I am getting through it.   Only 7 more business days to go.   (Hmm that does sound better than 'two weeks) actually.  And really, hopefully, some of the annoying / irritated things will be totally fixed up and closed soon and won't keep re-occurring.    I am opting to focus primarily on food and mental space this week, so I didn't push the exercise today (again).    Food was fine though.  Overnight oats for breakfast with a coffee, tuna melt and cucumber for lunch, iced coffee post lunch, jambalaya for dinner, and so far, 1 cookie.   Might have something else as a different snack in like 30 minutes.    I played piano for 30 minutes and that felt nice.  I was working on Linus and Lucy, then shifted the set list hard, grabbed the guitar and did some Metallica Nothing Else Matters and fussed on the strings for another 15-20.   Today's music was all zen and enjoyable.   In fact, once the piano started to fumble up and get a bit irritating, I stopped for the night.   Some other days I might practice and work through a tough spot.  Tonight was about just enjoying the moment.   It was nice.

 

Now for some Northgard, and watching LA by Night streams.   Then some VtM prep for next session - whenever that is.

 

[sylph]

13 hours ago, starpuck said:

Yeah it didn't go well.  LOL.   So hard to tell.  Short of dropping the pillow on the ground at Target and testing it out haha.    It was a cheap one at least, so ... I ... guess, garbage?  I don't think most places accept PILLOW donations, do they?

 

Animal shelter/humane society might?

[JuiceeTarget]

On 9/4/2023 at 8:49 PM, starpuck said:

I was hoping to hit the ground running on this tomorrow (9/5), but one, it's zero week.  Two, it's the start of two weeks being short handed at work.  Three -- I'm not feeling 100% today and someone I spent Thur, Fri and Sunday all day with, started feeling sick Sunday night while we were gaming, and tested positive today for the 'vid.   So I'm on standby with that.

And you've said you are doing away with "standard obligations" which should include this one. 

Get your rest on, queen.

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

On 9/5/2023 at 10:54 PM, starpuck said:

Played a bunch of Palia and watched more LA By Night.

Oooh how are you liking Palia so far? I have played a bit but my computer time is quite interrupted by house stuff currently. It seemed pretty chill and beautiful graphics (though the typical beta bugs) from the time I did get to check it out.

 

23 hours ago, starpuck said:

I was working on Linus and Lucy, then shifted the set list hard, grabbed the guitar and did some Metallica Nothing Else Matters and fussed on the strings for another 15-20.   Today's music was all zen and enjoyable.

Ahhhh nothing else matters is one of my favorites ❤️ those guitar notes just get me every time. Glad your music time was good and that you are feeling better. 
 

also following - good to see you and wish you a productively restful (restfully productive?) challenge!

[starpuck]

13 hours ago, sylph said:

Animal shelter/humane society might?

Oh that's a good thought!  I'll check into that.

 

5 hours ago, JuiceeTarget said:

And you've said you are doing away with "standard obligations" which should include this one. 

Get your rest on, queen.

HEY YOU!  I know the pic - but that's a new name!   Good to see you still poking in!!!  Yaaaay!

I did in fact, drop the obligation.  I've done things I've felt like doing this week.  And that's left me doing much better on food so far!

 

4 hours ago, Rebel Pilot Gar said:

Oooh how are you liking Palia so far? I have played a bit but my computer time is quite interrupted by house stuff currently. It seemed pretty chill and beautiful graphics (though the typical beta bugs) from the time I did get to check it out.

 

Ahhhh nothing else matters is one of my favorites ❤️ those guitar notes just get me every time. Glad your music time was good and that you are feeling better. 
 

also following - good to see you and wish you a productively restful (restfully productive?) challenge!

I am enjoying Palia as something I can do while watching streams and such.   I don't usually get into those types of games, but the chill has hit the right spot.   I was also playing Spiritfarer before this came out, and I think I might have been enjoying that one a bit more.   Games that have an end, (unless and MMO) usually hold me better.   But yeah!   Thanks for the welcome back.   Feeling pretty hopeful on the task at hand here.

[starpuck]

A pretty solid day.   Nothing out of the ordinary to report.   Food was alright, no excessive snacks or portions.    30 minutes of guitar was had, and my brother in law solved my 'pedal not working' problem.   They have batteries in them!  Who knew!?    Hahahaha.  Now I can get my 90s grunge chorus pedal effects going and play my Schecter more often.  It's a nice break on my hand since I am banging my head against these bar chords.    Super looking forward to tomorrows overnight oats for breakfast.    The weekend is going to be surprisingly extra chill, since all of the friends group is trying to wait out the 'so many days since exposed'.    I'd like to rearrange my room this weekend, and I MIGHT opt for a set up that lets me keep the piano up, but negates the space for Beat Saber.    If I can sort out an arrangement that'll work.

 

Tomorrow is gonna have the potential for crazy at work.   So many people will be out.  So bed now, and all the effort towards waking up and manifesting a good day!

 

[starpuck]

Today was in fact, a stressy day from hell.    I did not stick to food sanity as well as I would have liked, but the day is over and I am ready to make good choices on the morrow.    I wasn't vibing music when I got home, so instead, washed my sheets, cleaned up my room a bit, vacuumed, mined some ore on Palia, then played some Northgard with TheBoy™ and hopped into Bloodhunt with my clan mates for some fun  matches.   It felt really good.   So yeah, a good day.   Going to unwind and hit the sack and see how tomorrow plays out.   MIGHT go to a Civil War Reinactment with my family.   Very 'how I feel in the moment'.   Great thing is... I don't feel at all guilty right now, if I end up saying nah.

 

Restember indeed.

 

[Elastigirl]

Glad you had a good evening, even after a bad work day. Enjoy your weekend!

[sarakingdom]

14 hours ago, starpuck said:

MIGHT go to a Civil War Reinactment with my family.

 

If you do, please win it.

[starpuck]

Some things never change!

 

Starpuck not posting over the weekend - AND not doing well with goals and ideals over the weekend as well!   Hah!    

 

I did have a relaxing weekend.   TheBoy™ got his first symptom on Friday (I had already shooed him away from me 5 days earlier since his roommate got sick) and by Sat was full blown sick and Sunday was positive.   Which means, for reals, my September of rest is like ... a full on break from ALL my normal routines.      Instead of hanging with the Boys all weekend,  I made it a sisters weekend.   We joined the family at the reenactment, but left before the actual 'show' started because, honestly, I am really not into those very much.   But we spent 2 hours walking around the shops and camps and listening to people talk history.  (Again, not my thing.)    It was a super pleasant day though, so that was nice.    We stopped for milkshakes on the way home and then spent the evening painting.    Sunday we skipped church (watched it from the car while getting McDonalds out) and then came back for another day of painting, shopping, tacos and games.      I did two pics this weekend with her, and am pretty okay with how they turned out.   One is a rendition of the photo I took in Nevada from our Airbnb of a beautiful mountain sunset.    The other was a 'Spoopy Season Forest' request from my friend.

 

 

 

 

 

Today, I really need to drag my butt back to the weights and lift them up and put them down.    I will tell myself to at least do bench.  And if I feel like more, do more after that.    I gotta break the lazy habit, but if I go back there totally pissed off about the idea, that's not going to form a good starting point for me.

 

Food should be no trouble today - weekdays are never an issue.  LOL.

 

 

[Elastigirl]

I love the sunset pic!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Puck those paintings are amazing. I'm super impressed.