Starpuck Seeks the Assassins

[starpuck]

"I realize now that it will take time. That the road ahead is long and shrouded in darkness. It is a road that will not always take me where I wish to go, but I will travel down it; nonetheless.   For at my side walks hope in the face of all that insists I turn back, I carry on and this...this is my compromise" – Connor Kenway, AC3 [slightly edited]

 

Challenge #6 – Seek the Assassins for Training (placeholder until new challenges go up)

 

The streets have become my maze and the voices of the crowds my lullaby.   To these I am nothing; unseen, unheard, unimportant.   But I watch.  I listen.   And today I saw them- the Assassins.   Perhaps they saw me; perhaps their intent was to let me see them.    I followed them cautiously so as to study them, though careful to try and avoid their notice as best I could.  I felt a draw to this brotherhood.   I had lived on the streets, indulging in every whim and compulsion that struck me.  I stole without bias from any purse that passed my hands, then spent it on drink, rich food and trinket.   I had no discipline, no goals, nothing to strive for… nothing greater than myself to serve.    It was as these thoughts raced through my mind that their leader, Dietrich Aussen, leveled his gaze at me.   Our eyes locked and after what seemed an eternity, he nodded to me.  

 

“Come girl.  You have some potential.† A slight tilt of his head followed as he gauged me.   “Though, you need quite a bit of refinement.   This offer comes only once; if you wish to follow then do not hesitate, and do not look back.â€

 

I glanced only briefly at the alley shadows that blanketed me, then drew up a sharp breath and approached the man.    He nodded to me.

 

“Good.   Come then, we have only a few more supplies to gather and then we return to the manor.   What is your name?â€

 

I answered with the only name I had ever gone by, the one I gave myself when I first took to the streets, “Star.â€

 

Dietrich chuckled, “How serendipitous.  Altair, one of the most revered in our history, shared his name with the brightest star in the constellation Aquila.  That, we will discuss once training begins.    You are certain you wish this path?    It is not an easy one.â€

 

“Yes.  I am sure.  It may not be easy, but it is necessary.â€

 

GOAL

PROVE MY DEDICATION TO THE ASSASSINS AND BE ACCEPTED

AS AN INITIATE OF THE ORDER

 

 

Motivation: To strengthen my body and my resolve, so that I can continue to uphold a lifestyle full of activity, mobility and adventure.

 

Task #1 – Your body is your most vital tool, treat it as such.

“Would you just as soon throw your blades to rest in foul water?   Letting rust overcome them until they grow pitted and weak?  Would you forgo their care; oiling the steel, working the harnesses, sharpening their edges?  No.   Nor shall you give your body such second hand care.â€

• Track Food (Fitbit)
• Cook Clean 1X/Week
• Eat Clean 80/20

 

Task #2 – You must train not just for survival, but for success.

“Your enemies will often be larger and stronger than you.   You must be able to meet these challenges with confidence.  Your strength and endurance must catch them off guard – so these things you must train relentlessly.  Treat it not simply as something you MUST do, but something you wish to do.   Perception can change many things, including one’s own motivations.â€

• Strength Training – 3x/week
• Cardio Workout (hockey permitted to count) 2x/week

 

Training Side Mission – The Eagle’s View

“You have courted the shadows of the alleys and they dance with you as if you were one.   But your eyes, from this vantage point, are as narrow sighted as a horse with blinders.   You must learn to achieve far greater heights where you can see as the eagle does.   I have set markers upon the tops of several buildings in town.   Find them, ascend them and return the markers back to me at the manor.â€

Pull Ups (themed goal to scale buildings)

*Arm length =24†-- 1 pull up = 2’ vertical movement.   A building averages 20’ in height equating to 10 pull ups per building as an estimate.    Total buildings needing to be scaled: 18.3 

(Injuries caused me to miss the final 10 days of the last challenge where I was racing to beat James Vega’s pullup record from Mass Effect 3.  I had been, up to that point, on target to meet that goal.   So this is the same goal of 183 pull ups, re-themed to fit this challenge.)

 

 

Task #3 – Our resources are not unlimited; mind the ledger.

“You have come from a life on the streets; of easy come, easy go – where your actions affected only you.  Our resources can provide more than enough for both a comfortable life and the expenses of our goals, but we must not be frivolous in our spending.   Every week you must account for your coin.   Spend too little on feed and your horse will not carry you when you need it.   Spend too much on game and drink, and you will have none left for ammunition.   Like all things, this must come to a balance.â€

• Rewrite the budget, again!
• Track budget weekly
• Create an envelope for unallocated funds (IE impulse purchases)
• Track EVERY purchase

 

Training Side Mission – The Pistol

“In time, and only should you prove yourself worthy of joining our order, you will be awarded both the hidden blade and the pistol.    Only a fool wields a weapon that she has no proficiency in.    Find a mentor to teach you proper handling, care and technique with the flintlock pistol.   Gain familiarity with the weapon so that the respect you give it is also tempered with the confidence to handle it.â€

• Research local ranges and instructors.
• Check reviews on both.
• Get a quote on class fees, etc.
• Begin setting a budget aside for this project.

 

Official starting weight: 142.6  (bugger!)

Will add grading scale and points shortly.

[Elastigirl]

Fun goal. I love the idea of having pull-ups count toward scaling a building

[UH60guy]

Awesome write up! By the way, what font is that you used for the "Task #..." ? It's a nice touch an an already awesome theme.

 

I totally dig the pull ups tied to scaling buildings. Maybe a side quest to an indoor climbing wall could be a fun diversion too!

[Mikroftt]

I enjoyed the theme, even if this is the rangers  I do enjoy a trip to my local climbing gym on most Fridays.  It provides a nice break from doing workouts at the house. 

[chickie.monkey]

Sub, sub, sub! I love this. You are awesome.

[joedog]

Awesome write up! I love it all. Your side mission appeals to me because my partner and I are getting pistols for Christmas this year. (That's love in the Ozarks, matching Christmas guns.   ) 

[chickie.monkey]

Awesome write up! I love it all. Your side mission appeals to me because my partner and I are getting pistols for Christmas this year. (That's love in the Ozarks, matching Christmas guns.   ) 

ROFL, rednecks!

[starpuck]

Awesome write up! By the way, what font is that you used for the "Task #..." ? It's a nice touch an an already awesome theme.

 

I totally dig the pull ups tied to scaling buildings. Maybe a side quest to an indoor climbing wall could be a fun diversion too!

 

I actually wrote this up in Word and was pleasantly surprised when the font carried over!   The font is called Papyrus.   It caught my eye immediately.   Looove it. 

 

I enjoyed the theme, even if this is the rangers  I do enjoy a trip to my local climbing gym on most Fridays.  It provides a nice break from doing workouts at the house. 

 

I know I know.  I really was considering heading to the assassins for the challenge proper, but I just joined a gym and plan on doing more barbell stuff, so it made more sense to stick here with the folks I love the mostest since my workout regime will be runs and bodyweight and barbell stuff.          I may have to check out a climbing place at some point.   I'm kinda not good with heights, but love scrambling and climbing things -- how this happens, I have no idea.   But I scrambled down to the bottom of the waterfall on my trip, because there were no sheer edges -- so I felt like I was okay going up and down.  Definitely might have to try this once.

 

Awesome write up! I love it all. Your side mission appeals to me because my partner and I are getting pistols for Christmas this year. (That's love in the Ozarks, matching Christmas guns.   ) 

 

Wooo hehe, awesome.  Love it!

[joedog]

ROFL, rednecks!

 

 

I prefer Hillbilly-American, thank you very much. LMAO! 

[Paisley]

Hey there, I've been lurking on your threads for the last couple of challenges, thought I should come out of the shadows.  Your new challenge looks great.  Can't wait to see how it plays out.....and now I've got a total urge to go rock climbing.  Maybe I should look at something like that for this challenge.....Hmmmmm

[Katinka]

Looking good, Starpuck! This may be your best themed challenge yet - I love it!

[CombatBoot]

I love the theme and the goals!

[sicil]

Nice! There's no harm in building up - I just came over from the Assassins as the Rangers better aligned with my goals this time. I like how you're wrapping it into your challenge, and I think you're well on your way! What's the motivation for pistol training?

[alienjenn]

Starry! Love it as always

(sent by the phone. .. all mistakes are the phones fault)

[DirtyLittleSecrets]

Your themes make me feel inadequate. As do your goals lol. Someday, with enough training *sigh*.

Let's see you beat that pull up challenge once and for all

[I-Jo]

I always feel so lazy with my challenge goals/write up after reading hers.

LMAO. 

 

Looking good though. Love the budget goals.  (by love I mean you've guilt-ed me because I need to do that too)

 

SUBBED!

[starpuck]

Aw don't feel bad guys!   I am just a total nerd with pent up creative energy and this site finally gave me someplace to start pouring it out at.    I kinda HAVE to do stuff this nerdy, because, well - it's worked for the past few months!   I have to trick my mind into thinking I am working on something way more epic than just not spending money stupidly or eating healthy because that's what normal, healthy people do. 

 

Besides, it's watching the rest of you kick ass on your goals that inspires me to keep working at mine.   

 

So, in other news.  I was one goal post away from a hat trick last night!   Sooooo close.   I ended up scoring 2 goals, and had 2 assists, for a 4 point night.   And two of those points came in the form of an assist and a goal, within 9 seconds of each other.   Soooooo awesome.   It's got me all hyped up for tomorrows game AND got me motivated to keep get back on track with the food and working out.

 

I think I might pick out some paleo or clean recipes, that are casserole-like, make it tomorrow and eat it for lunches this week at work.

[obax]

Woo to scoring goals! I got my first of the season last night, and I was even playing defense (I actually seem to get more scoring chances when I play defense, it's weird).

 

Love the theme of the challenge, though I may be a bit biased towards assassiny-type things. Can't wait to see how it goes!!

[5C0T]

Very cool write up.  I feel like such a Pull Up N00B when I read your pull up goals. 

 

We're both tracking our expenses this time around.  Cool.

[Terinatum]

I really enjoy your word play. You have a great rhythm in your approach. I suspect you can and will use that creativity to get results during this challenge?! Can't see any reason to answer anything but YES to that question!

Carry On Rebel, Good Luck!

                 

[pwallace]

Following you Star! can't wait to read all about your successes!

[starpuck]

Day One - My training began this morning after several days of exploration and two skirmishes.   My body is tired but my mind is both eager and motivated for the task ahead of me.    I must make a good first impression upon Dietrich; he's giving me a chance that few others would.

 

Last week I spent 4 days on vacation in the Smoky Mountains.  It was a great trip and I was able to hike a few short day-hike trails.   (Laurel Falls was a 2.6 mile round trip trail, and we did some very light rock scrambling at the base of the falls.    Deep Creek Trail was 2.5 miles round trip, included 3 waterfalls, and one heck of an incline to start the party.    Mingus Falls was only a half mile, but all up stairs.  Clingman's Dome was 1 mile round trip, but included a gain of 330 feet in that half mile hike to the tower.  Weather was great, crowds were light, and it was fantastic.)   Here is me playing at the base of Laurel Falls.

 

 

Returned home Wednesday night late, slept, and then lounged about Thursday and Friday during the day.   I had a hockey game Friday night, where we won 4-1 and I had 2 goals and 2 assists.  REALLY good night for me on the scoresheet.   Sunday we had our second game of the weekend and we won 5-0 and I tallied 1 assist but several shots on goal.  (I'm the red jersey.)

 

 

I have reworked my budget, paid my bills (only one credit card carries a balance now) and have set my envelopes for the week.   Stopped for coffee on the way in, because I felt that Day 1 Back-to-Work warranted a coffee.  Recorded the purchase in my 'eating out' envelope.    Grocery shopping at lunch time for some clean eats for the work week.    

 

Meeting after work puts a crimp in my workout plan, maybe.   Will either do some Dance Central at home after the meeting, or still scurry over to the gym and attempt some pull ups.    Pull ups which I am terrified to try because it's been so long since I worked on them.  Sadface.

 

Weather here is killing me.  Been grey and clouds since I got back.  Today we're supposed to get the infamous 'wintery mix'.     Need to find a way to get my mood and energy up.   Naturally.  (I do not like energy drinks at all.)

[joedog]

Sounds like a fun trip! Great pics of you! (I must go see hockey before the boys go on semester break.) 

 

You are off to a kick ass start to this challenge, not that I would expect anything less. You'll be back in charge of pull ups in no time. Don't sweat it! 

 

Wintry mix sounds like a side dish of boiled root vegetables. Snow or do not, there is no mix! They are even calling for flurries here. I'm afraid we're in for a bad winter here. 

[starpuck]

• Tracked all the food bits that entered my mouth today.
• Tracked all my purchases.
• Ate clean 80/20 (Breakfast was a boxed version of egg whites, turkey sausage and cheese & an iced latte.    Lunch was lunch meat, green pepper, hummus and pineapple.    Grapes and almonds as a snack.  Dinner by my sis was Clean Eating Chicken with peanut sauce and sweet potatoes.    Might have a weight watchers brownie and skim milk for bed time snack.   Think only the breakfast bowl and brownie will fall under not clean, so that should work for the 80/20.)
• No workout today- got stuck at work until 6pm and the meeting ended on a sour note.  
• I am cooking tomorrow's dinner, so I am already getting crinkles in my plan for getting 3 strength workouts in.   Wednesday for sure.  (Can either do Friday and Sunday (with doubling up BOTH strength days with hockey games, ugh.  Or go back to back and go Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday. -- That might be the smarter choice.)

 

First week- heck first day! is trying to fight me!  

 

... it ain't gonna beat me though.  *Cracks Knuckles*

[Paisley]

There is no way that week 1 will get you down.  You can do this, and well done on the tracking - that's hard work.