Tasty's Reckoning: Becoming Bane

[tasty`]

A SPOILER WARNING: THE THINGS THIS THREAD WILL TALK ABOUT INVOLVE STORY LINES FROM COMICS AND THE MOVIE THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. NOT ANY MAJOR SPOILERS BUT THERE MAY BE SOME. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

I recently saw this movie, you may not have heard of it, it's called The Dark Knight Rises. It has the single greatest super villain, Bane, I've ever seen in a movie. Halfway through the film I was saying "Bane is a Bad ass.", "I want to be Bane.", "My next NF challenge is going to be Bane Themed." Without further ado, my goal for this challenge is to become Bane.

First, a little bit about BANE:

Check out the BATMAN Wiki:

Bane is a mercenary allied with the League of Shadows.

He is potent in physical combat and strategic planning.

He is an articulate orator and effective military commander.

Expert Strategist: He is highly devious and a highly gifted strategist and

tactician.

Peak Physical Conditioning: Even without Venom, his physique is in its peak

physical condition and is greater than that of most human level athletes.

Polymath: He is exceptionally knowledgeable in various subjects including

various Sciences, History, Geology, Medicine, and several others.

Eidetic Memory: He has an eidetic memory, which borders on almost total recall

Genius-Level Intellect: He possesses a genius-level intellect and is one of

Batman's most intelligent foes.

Bad Ass BANE quote: "Oh, you think darkness is your ally. You merely adopted the dark.

I was born in it, molded by it. I didn’t see the light until I was already a

man. By then, it was nothing to me but blinding! The shadows betray you because

they belong to me!"

―Bane

Bane is basically the bad guy version of Batman, except stronger. He is a complete bad ass and my goals for this challenge are based on his major strengths. Obviously I'm not going to develop genius level intellect, photographic memory, and superhuman strength, but I'll come damn close!

Goals:

1a: Finish 100 pushups program

1b: Start BANE (actually the Thor workout from How To Get Big and Strong Like a Superhero) workout 3x a week: this will be started upon completion of the 100 pushup program which will also coincide with my return to school

Bane's most noticeable attribute is his strength. These goals will help push me into the man who Broke the Bat

Reward: +4 STR

2: Run 2x a week. This will be my biggest challenge. I have some kind of weird inner phobia of running. Once I start I'm fine, but I just talk myself out of it before I can start. Bane wouldn't do this, and neither will I.

Despite his muscled physique, Bane has excellent conditioning. I don't, and have to work on this.

Reward: +3 STA +1 DEX

3: Meditate 3x a week.

Bane has tremendous mental capacity, and has spent a lot of time in a hell hole of a prison. He has perfect control of his body and his mind. My way of achieving this will be through meditation.

Reward: +3 CON

4: Read 1 Book A week.

Bane is the mental equivalent of Batman. Meaning he is very smart. I'm going to try to vary the books I read to reflect some of the strengths that Bane has.

Book 1: Gravity's Rainbow

Book 2: Art of War

Book 3: Bluebeard

Book 4: TBD

Book 5: The Memory Book: The Classic Guide to Improving Your Memory at Work, at School, and at Play

Book 6: TBD

I'll also take suggestions on what books to read, although there is no guarantee I can get them.

Reward: +3 WIS

BONUS: Do a weekly review every week. This includes measuring weight weekly, taking measurements bi-weekly

Bane is a world class villain. He has to be organized. So do I, especially with school starting.

Now, a little bit about myself.

Stats:

Name: Joe/Coffee/Tasty/ Bane Jr.

Height: 6'2

Weight: 270.6 lbs or 19.3 stones

Race: Large Human

Class: Adventurer, Explorer, Poet, MERCENARY BADASS

Likes: Reading, Writing, Watching Soccer, Cooking, Arnold Palmer and His Drink, THE DARKNESS

Dislikes: Mice, Spiders, Poachers, THE BATMAN

| Str: 6 | Dex: 5.75 | Sta: 5| Con: 5 | Wis: 10 | Cha: 7

neck: 17 in

chest: 47in

belly: 47 in

Hips: 46 in

Thighs: 22| 22 1/2

Calfs: 14|15

Biceps: 13|14

Forearm: 10|10

body fat %:

31.13%

If you read all the way down to here Your Awesome! Thank You

[tasty`]

Before I start the books for this challenge I need to finish Letters and Poems from Ralph Waldo Emmerson. I'm not going to count this towards the challenge though.

[biracial30]

Christopher Nolan caused me to fall in love with ALL of Batman. I've read Year One, The Killing Joke, The Long Halloween, and Dark Victory in like 5 days. I'm mildly obsessed and I love this. I loved Bane. And Batman. Maybe my goal should be to be Catwoman or Poison Ivy or something. Good luck!

[Slovien]

Books! I love it! I really like how you have an overall theme and everything goes with it. Very creative! Some books you might want to think about are

Sun Tzu - Art of War

Niel Strauss - The Game

Brian Tracy - Eat That Frog - Stop Procrastination

Benny Lewis - Language Hacking Guide

Timothy Ferriss - 4 hour work week or 4 hour body

That's all I can think of off the top of my head that would be more... knowledge oriented rather than pleasure oriented.

[shadowmeldfs]

I love your challenge. As for a book recommendation: http://www.amazon.com/Evelyn-Seven-Day-Reading-Learning-Program/dp/B000M7ZCC2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1344091849&sr=8-4&keywords=evelyn+speed+reading This can help you accomplish more reading if you can get it down. I have a friend who is capable of speed reading after doing this. It helped him out a ton while he was in his grad and phd programs in history.

[tonic]

I love your challenge and can't wait to see you succeed.

[BAGrokWarriorPrincess]

Awesome! I am starting school too and am nervous about keeping organized during this challenge. I loved Dark Knight -Bane is so smart and a real badass!! I'm rooting for ya!

-Emponia

[DylanAilDon]

Excellent challenge. Glad to hear you've found some good inspiration.

I really like the theme and am looking forward to seeing the end results.

Can't wait to see updates on your progress. I'll be watching and cheering you on from the sidelines.

Best of Luck.

[tasty`]

Pre-Challenge:

did week 4 day 2 of 100 pushups

1x25

1x28

1x25

1x25

1x36

killed me

#armsarejellorightnow

[tasty`]

Christopher Nolan caused me to fall in love with ALL of Batman. I've read Year One, The Killing Joke, The Long Halloween, and Dark Victory in like 5 days. I'm mildly obsessed and I love this. I loved Bane. And Batman. Maybe my goal should be to be Catwoman or Poison Ivy or something. Good luck!

Nolan did a great job. Batman Begins is my favorite, but that's just because I love origin stories. I have several Batman books on hold right now because school is starting, but I can't wait to dive in.

Books! I love it! I really like how you have an overall theme and everything goes with it. Very creative! Some books you might want to think about are

Sun Tzu - Art of War

Niel Strauss - The Game

Brian Tracy - Eat That Frog - Stop Procrastination

Benny Lewis - Language Hacking Guide

Timothy Ferriss - 4 hour work week or 4 hour body

That's all I can think of off the top of my head that would be more... knowledge oriented rather than pleasure oriented.

I was thinking Art of War for sure, so I'll add that. I have read both of the ferriss books recently so I'm going to pass on them. I'm going to add Eat That Frog to my to do list because it sounds cool. As for Neil Strauss, I loved Emergency, but I read part way into the Game and didn't like it. Thanks for the suggestions!

I love your challenge. As for a book recommendation: http://www.amazon.com/Evelyn-Seven-Day-Reading-Learning-Program/dp/B000M7ZCC2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1344091849&sr=8-4&keywords=evelyn+speed+reading This can help you accomplish more reading if you can get it down. I have a friend who is capable of speed reading after doing this. It helped him out a ton while he was in his grad and phd programs in history.

I'm currently using this system of speed reading training http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/07/30/speed-reading-and-accelerated-learning/ i try to work on it twice a week, key word TRY haha

I love your challenge and can't wait to see you succeed.

Haha thank you

Awesome! I am starting school too and am nervous about keeping organized during this challenge. I loved Dark Knight -Bane is so smart and a real badass!! I'm rooting for ya!

-Emponia

Thanks for the support! I always love back to school because it gives me an excuse to obsess over planners and notebooks and stuff, I am a bit of an office supply nerd.

Excellent challenge. Glad to hear you've found some good inspiration.

I really like the theme and am looking forward to seeing the end results.

Can't wait to see updates on your progress. I'll be watching and cheering you on from the sidelines.

Best of Luck.

Thank you very much! It's great having some supporters, even though I'm a devious super villain! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

[DylanAilDon]

Thank you very much! It's great having some supporters, even though I'm a devious super villain! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

It can't be helped. Villains are just designed to be more interesting.

[tasty`]

Pre Challenge:

did yoga routine and meditated

plowing through some Emerson right now, it looks like I won't be done this book before this challenge starts, looks like i'll be reading 6 1/2 books

fasting to start off the challenge

[Late Shift]

For book ideas I would point you toward any non fiction book by Carl Sagan. Dragons of Eden is a good start.

[tasty`]

Day 1 Update:

Ran! Not very far, but I ran hard for probably .5-.75 of a mile and walked the rest of the way.

have week 4 day 3 of 100 pushups coming up as well as some yoga and meditation

still have to finish Emerson before I start the memory book.

I had resolved to start this challenge off right, and what do you know Steve posts today about dominating Mondays.

It's weird how perfectly today's post fit..

[Seabright]

tasty'...your new avatar is...it's...well...

scary.

GREAT goals for this challenge! You RAN?!? So awesome! You have definitely dominated this Monday!

[tasty`]

tasty'...your new avatar is...it's...well...

scary.

GREAT goals for this challenge! You RAN?!? So awesome! You have definitely dominated this Monday!

Despite his devious looks, and maniacal plans to bring down Gotham City he actually has a heart of gold

and yes! I ran it was ugly and tough but I did it, and plan to do it some more!

Domination complete

Day 1 Update part 2:

completed 100 pushups week 4 day 3

1x29

1x32

1x29

1x29

1x40

these things keep getting tougher

about to snuggle up with some Ralph Waldo Emerson

to make this a productive day 1

[tasty`]

Day 1 Recap:

RAN!

Did Day 3 of Week 4 of 100 pushups, Exhaustion test is coming up next

made minimal progress on Emerson book which I need to finish before I start the book challenge for this challenge. I have about 4-5 essays left.

Great first day of the challenge!

I'm going to the bookstore sometime this week so any more suggestions on Books I should add to the challenge List would be greatly appreciated!

I'm looking for fiction and non fiction so don't be shy

[tonic]

I feel you on the running. I ran on friday to time myself for my challenge and it was not pretty. Have you read 'I will teach you to be rich'? Its a personal finance book, one of my favorites. As for 'fun' books I will have to think of some non girly ones...

Anyway, great job on the first day.

[Slovien]

Fiction too eh? My favorite book right now is probably Patrick Rothfuss The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear. The George R.R. Martin song of ice and fire series is pretty good but long. Ender's Game is a classic. If you're are looking for really long series Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is good as well as Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series.

[citabean]

... wow, you are awesome. Wait, I knew that! The 100 push-up program, good luck! Running, you CAN do it. Books, yay!! I'm inspired by your goals. Kick some butt and take some names!

[tasty`]

I feel you on the running. I ran on friday to time myself for my challenge and it was not pretty. Have you read 'I will teach you to be rich'? Its a personal finance book, one of my favorites. As for 'fun' books I will have to think of some non girly ones...

Anyway, great job on the first day.

Thank You! running is like my biggest weakness Once I start I don't mind but I have a mental barrier stopping me before I go out

I read I will teach you to be rich. I love the systems in it, I read the blog semi regularly too.

Fiction too eh? My favorite book right now is probably Patrick Rothfuss The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear. The George R.R. Martin song of ice and fire series is pretty good but long. Ender's Game is a classic. If you're are looking for really long series Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is good as well as Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series.

I've read A song of Ice and Fire although I want to re read it, but I'll do that after the challenge. I'll have to look into the other books, thanks!

... wow, you are awesome. Wait, I knew that! The 100 push-up program, good luck! Running, you CAN do it. Books, yay!! I'm inspired by your goals. Kick some butt and take some names!

thanks a bunch!

*Kicks a butt, takes a name*

[Hermione Gainser]

I recently saw this movie, you may not have heard of it, it's called The Dark Knight Rises. It has the single greatest super villain, Bane, I've ever seen in a movie. Halfway through the film I was saying "Bane is a Bad ass.", "I want to be Bane.", "My next NF challenge is going to be Bane Themed." Without further ado, my goal for this challenge is to become Bane.

HA! You know you're a rebel when...

If you read all the way down to here Your Awesome! Thank You

Yesssssssssssssss. I love being awesome.

Seriously, great challenge!

[Hermione Gainser]

damn double posts.

[biracial30]

For fiction I just read The Art of Fielding which I enjoyed immensely. Also I highly recommend Batman Year One and the Long Halloween (though Bane isn't in those). The art and storylines are incredible.

[Kirkor]

48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is a must-read, esp. for a super villain!