Skittle's Quest & Achievement Log

[Skittle]

The Lady Lethargy and her Court of Excuses and Distractions are both beautiful and terrible. Unbeknownst to her people, she sends her Court into our lives to keep us subdued and complacent, and we aren’t even aware it’s happening. So we sit for hours on end, at work, at home, while travelling, blindly accepting – nay, anticipating! – our fate, all the while our muscles are turning to mush, our brains to ooze, our bones to dust. We’ve been fooled for so long that we actually believe this is how we WANT to live!

But no more. Up until recently, I reveled in the illusion, just like everyone else. I gave in to the wispy excuses and glittering distractions, and I even sought them out. I welcomed them. I let them convince me that this was as good as I would ever get, that it was all downhill from here, what with my current job as a cube monkey, and my impending marriage and eventual motherhood looming ahead of me. Why fight it? I was well on my way to a fat, sedentary lifestyle. It was so much easier to accept it. It would be too hard to resist it.

But then, back in March, I heard whispers. Whispers of a rebellion. Rebels uniting, not just throughout the country, but throughout the world! People who were convinced there was a different – a better! – way to live! People who wanted to fully embrace life and all the joys and pains it had to offer. People who were planning to rise up against Lady Lethargy in, they said, a war unlike any the world has yet seen.

I was scared. I was weak. I was lazy. Most of all, I was self-sabotaging. I was everything Lady Lethargy had conditioned me to be, and I became one of her greatest weapons against the Rebellion.

And now, eight months later, I no longer count myself among her thralls. This world is burning, and it is my fault. I have the blood of many rebels on my hands. I have seen and learned too much to turn back, and yet how can I possibly continue on?

I fear the rebels know me for the fake I have been, and will not accept me for who I want to become. I am scared. But I will no longer be weak. I will no longer be lazy. And I will sweat out every last ounce of self-sabotaging instinct I have if it kills me.

To escape the Lady’s Lounge will be no easy feat. Excuses horde the yards and gardens, while Distractions crowd the hallways and rooms. And then there is Lady Lethargy herself, who, it is said, has not yet suffered a traitor to live. Not that any have tried. All the thralls here are happy to remain so. It’s a poisonous, contagious environment, and I can’t escape it soon enough.

[Skittle]

So...no. I didn't post the introduction above back in August. But I couldn't figure out how to delete my original thread, so instead I decided to update it with how I am going to progress from here on out, and not be shamed by my lack of progression up to this point

I will probably crosspost this once the new Challenge Threads are up, but I'm super excited about my "backstory" and goals, and just couldn't wait.

I like to think I dance through life (or try to, anyway – I’m kind of a huge spaz, so dancing often looks more like crashing into inanimate objects. Frequently...). Whether it’s a necklace, a pair of earrings, or my favorite Fossil purse, I jingle in some way at least 75% of the time, to the point that I’m actually known for it in my circle of friends. I love to travel, though haven’t had many opportunities recently, and I have a restless spirit; these traits caused a friend to dub me a Gypsy 16 years ago. And I’ve embraced the sentiment ever since.

This was inspired by all y’all’s awesome RP backstories, but specifically by Ocelot's. I was struggling to come up with a backstory that was both (IMHO) amazeballs and relevant, and reading hers helped me figure out exactly what to do and how to merge both my reality and my fantasy.

Goals for My First Challenge - LEAVING THE LOUNGE

Strength: My fiancé and I have an on-going joke that he has to lift heavy objects for me because my arms are noodley. Well, so are my legs. And I’m certain I have a six pack…it’s just covered by three layers of putty and wrapped up in noodles. So goal one is going to be all about building my strength. I can’t hope to escape the Lounge if I can’t even support my own bodyweight. I’ll be continuing the Angry Birds Workout Plan three times a week (typically Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays).

STAT Rewards: +3 STR, +1 STA, +1 CHA

Starting Specs

- Squats - Level 4 (...ok...so apparently my legs aren't ALL that noodley...)

- Push Ups - Level 1

- Back Exercises - Level 2

- Planks - Level 3

Balance: All the strength in the world won’t help me if I slip and fall to my doom running along the top of a wall to escape (like we do). I need to work on my balance and flexibility, both physically and mentally. For this, I’ll be practicing Yoga at least twice per week.

STAT Rewards: +3 DEX, +1 WIS, +1 CHA

Starting Specs

- I can do basic sequences at a moderate pace. I will be working my way through Yoga Journal's 21 Day Challenge for Beginners to build my balance and strength, and to refamiliarize myself with the poses.

Endurance: If I can’t outlast my pursuers, what hope do I have at all? I need to start building endurance by walking. And in doing so, I'll learn the lay of the land better than even the Lady herself. Like Steve says, walking is not only a great way to burn calories and stay active, but it’s an incredible stress reliever and gives you a chance to explore your surroundings in much more detail than through a car window.

STAT Rewards: +1 STA, +1 CON

Starting Specs

- I've started and quit C25K more times than I can count, and finally I've just accepted that frequent running is not for me. But I like excuses to get outside, and I think it will be nice to go for a walk every weekend with my fiance, and just take time for ourselves. This is more to build a habit than anything, as eventually I would love to take part in the Morning Mile Challenge (such as it is).

Life: Finally, I need to plot my escape. I need to figure out where I can lay low and plan my next moves. I know it's going to take a lot of work and sacrifice to win over the rebels's trust, but it's definitely an effort I'm willing to put forth. Hopefully they don't kill first and ask questions later.

STAT Rewards: +2 WIS, +1 CON

Starting Specs

- AKA researching, planning, and booking our honeymoon. I'm getting married in September (YAY) and this task is looming over me like an oppresive rain cloud. It's stressing me out to the point that I can feel the tension coiling in my chest (hence the point in CON for completing this).

VERY excited for my first Challenge

[rabbit]

For the record, your introduction at the beginning is effing brilliant.

[Skittle]

Thank you, rabbit!! I think I was more excited about posting the introduction than I was about actually posting my goals >_>

I really appreciate your compliment! It totally made my day.

[rabbit]

No problem! It's extremely well written, and a brilliant use of metaphor. Maybe part of your progress could be taking that great use of your imagination and gift for the written word and use that as a way to stay on track. When I start to feel lazy and like I don't want to exercise or eat right, I look at myself as the vampire-vampire slayer that I am. If I don't stay on top of my journey the fate of the world will fall apart! Seriously, you're a great writer and I'm sure you'll have great success with this. PM me any time if you need someone to talk to.