Jump to content

Neph feels like a room without a roof


Nephaisys

Recommended Posts

Hello little chickens, are we all super?

 

Where have you been, again?

No where really. Last challenge saw me walk the 64 miles from London to Brighton. It was a 30ish hour special kind of hell. A toe-nail loosing, more-blister-than-feet inducing, joint swelling hullapalooza. But it gave me a lot of time to think, and was strangely cleansing. I would say it was a "once in a lifetime" thing... but I've signed up for next year.

 

Wait, so did you level up last time?

Technically, no. But if you followed my journey on facebook, you'll know how hard the walk was for me. I pretty much almost gave up, twice. I went as far as retiring my chip. But... in the end, I kept going. So yeah. Although I didn't achieve everything I wanted in my last challenge (or even update my thread, sorry :/) I feel it was level-up-worthy.

 

So what's this challenge then?

Pretty much the same as the last one. The format worked so well for me (no set meals / workout every day, but points awarded for desirable behaviour. Pavlovian conditioning at its finest). I'm also tracking wake up time, work start time, work finish time, and home time. Why? I want to see if my routine really is as variable as I think it is.

 

Wait, what?

Just look at the darn data-collection sheet here. If I get 5,000 points over the course of the challenge, I will level up. The points system is design meaning I have to achieve 834 points per week, Ideally, this means working out 5 x per week, eating under my calorie allowance and drinking enough water.

 

Makes sense. What's this #100happydays?

It's awesome, is what it is. You can read about it here. These will likely be the daily updates I make to my thread.

 

And that's that! Let's goooooooooooo.

 

 

 

 

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment
#100happydays - Day One.

Today's happy is found in St. Pauls. I work around the corner from it on occasions and always remain inspired by its beauty, but I've never been inside. I sat on the steps people watching when I heard the tourist guide outside mention that Sir Christopher Wren is burried within its walls, and upon it lies the inscription: "Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice" ("Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you"), so I decided to heed Mr. Wrens advice and have a poke around. I then ventured into a coffee shop where I sat next to some old school photographers, and joined in their discussion. We talked the decline of 35mm / 120mm and proper dark room dodge and burn techniques. I finished work at 5pm and had to hang around until 7pm for a train. I'm in love with how events unfolded.
 
10441116_10152237481686553_2720939493320

 

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment
#100happydays - Day Two

Today I flew from Manchester to Dublin. As I was dozing off, I took a peak out of the window, and saw an enormous wind farm in the middle of the sea. It made me smile to see natural, renewable energy being create in such a serene environment. My cabby from Dublin Airport to the office and I had a good chat; he was excited since Thursday was his last ever day at work. He was selling all his worldly possessions, and going drive across America promoting his start up business, which fundamentally helps children become more emotionally aware, and gives them the tools and the language they need to better establish themselves for a life of emotional stability. Hugely inspiring. Finally, on the way home tonight, I had the privilege of catching up with the wonderful Brian Dunning(well, via my iPod) and flexed my critical thinking muscle. This spotting beauty in the ordinary stuff is remarkably fun.
 
10414921_10152239525526553_1912444909496

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment
#100happydays - Day Three.

It's been a long few days. Up at 0500 this morning, traveled to London, started work at 0930, eventually getting home at 2000 this evening. Still facing a couple hours of work ahead of me, I turned on my laptop, flopped on the sofa, and switched on the TV for some background noise. By some miracle, someone in my house had accidentally paused it, just 30 seconds in to the latest David Attenborough visual feast, Micro Monsters. He makes even creepy-crawly bugs look visually stunning, and gives you a real perspective of the hidden world that it's so easy to lose sight of in day to day humdrum. Why does this make the happy list? I hate bugs. But something about the way he and his team shoots his subjects is simply art. He shows genuine love towards the creatures, and provides a fascinating insight into an ordinarily inaccessible world, right below our feet. Secondly, if you ever think you're having a bad day, there's plenty of other creatures out there that are having a considerably worse day.
10313001_10152241566201553_7100372411055

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment
#100happydays - Day four.

Work has been tough this week. So today, I took to sitting for half hour in my favourite airport (Dublin, thanks for asking) watching people and planes, eating raw, dried honeycomb. Surprisingly peaceful and unsurprisingly delicious.
10458670_10152243085191553_5190484306995

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment
#100happydays - Day Five.

I dislike most TV (apart from 24 and Game of Thrones *tips hat to modern pop culture*). The only other thing I've watched recently has been The Island with Bear Grylls and I loved it. Stranding 13 men on a deserted island after a single days worth of survival training for a full 30 days. There's a huge part of me that craves the disconnection, the mental and physical challenge it brings, along with the philosophy of stripping humans back to the very core of what it means to be human.

So today's happy, is the application I made to appear on the show. I seriously doubt I'll get through, but it has to be worth a shot.
 
10469687_10152244446271553_3897416842252

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment

OMG, I can't believe you're going to be on game of thrones. I think you should give yourself a bonus point for every head you cut off.

Or did I not read that right?

 

I like the 100 days of happy thing too, btw. Nice theme.

Level 20 Ferret Demon Scout

STR 43 | DEX 21 | STA 49 | CON 30 | WIS 45 | CHA 21

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

Instagram | Wordpress | Twitter | Linkedin | Goodreads | Facebook: *spits* I despise facebook!

Valeu a pena? Tudo vale a pena Se a alma não é pequena.

Link to comment

Good theme and great photos so far, I can't wait to see what other happy things are in store. :)

Scout 30/Ranger 1 (3 skipped)

Spoiler

"I must not fear. / Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing......Only I will remain."
-Litany Against Fear

Facebook | Twitter | Runkeeper | Strava
Shukar Still Isn't Lion

Link to comment

Welcome back, Neph! Another cool challenge format. Beautiful photos!

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

Thank you - I don't think my photos are beautiful, I think the colour comes off as a little dark! I've become really rubbish at catching up with people on here, but I do consistantly fill out my spreadsheet, even if I don't do write up's here! I will go on a hunt Wednesday for everyone else's thread!

 

That honeycomb looks amazing! *tummy grumbles*

 

Good luck with the application for the island, I hope you get it!

 

I Loooooooooooooooooooove honeycomb. Omg I love it so much. I totally shouldn't. But oooomg.

 

OMG, I can't believe you're going to be on game of thrones. I think you should give yourself a bonus point for every head you cut off.

Or did I not read that right?

 

I like the 100 days of happy thing too, btw. Nice theme.

 

Lmao, I wish! I would be earning the mega-buckz. The Island is the program I applied for. Being stranded on a desert island for 30 days sounds like awesome fun.

 

Good theme and great photos so far, I can't wait to see what other happy things are in store. :)

 

SO MUCH HAPPY OMG. Thank you. I really like my point system, no idea why I haven't thought of it before!

 

Good to see you around these parts, though I have been seeing all your amazing work on facebook.   That walk was insane!

 

Ahahaha! The walk was nuts. Considering I did practically no training, it was hard.core. But do-able. You should totally do an endurance hike!

 

Hi Neph! What's making you happy today?

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

OMG so much happy! I cross-post my happy from Facebook, literally what I'm here to do now!

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment
#100happydays - Day Six.

Todays happy is incredibly simple. Before today, this room was full of boxes, clothes, boardgames, guitars and amps, all in disarray. Furniture was strewn from one edge of the room to the other. It was the dumping ground for "things we don't know what to do with" during the move. We couldn't really even open the door.

Five hours of labour, I now have a fully functioning design studio, weights room, yoga station and cardio corner. BJJ gi's have all been hung up, and there's a cold beer for me on the window ledge. Finally organising parts of my house makes me so happy. Feels like a weight has been lifted, and no beer tastes as good as one that has been earned.
64562_10152246920896553_2510777425198767
  • Like 1

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment

Lmao, I wish! I would be earning the mega-buckz. The Island is the program I applied for. Being stranded on a desert island for 30 days sounds like awesome fun.

OMG, I can't believe you're going to be on Lost... 🐛

Level 20 Ferret Demon Scout

STR 43 | DEX 21 | STA 49 | CON 30 | WIS 45 | CHA 21

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

Instagram | Wordpress | Twitter | Linkedin | Goodreads | Facebook: *spits* I despise facebook!

Valeu a pena? Tudo vale a pena Se a alma não é pequena.

Link to comment
#100happydays - Day Seven.

I'm still not allowed to run. Not for the next two weeks at least, which means I have a big ol' hole in my Sunday where a 10k used to be. Having just moved to the area, I decided to use this time instead to go out and explore. I found this beautiful park, with an amazing trail attached to it. I had no music on me and the only soundtrack was "early morning nature". There was no one else around that time of the morning and honestly, with the warm rain and beautiful foliage, it reminded me of Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. Since there was no one else around, I decided to go on the swings and down the slide (obviously). It would of been rude not to.

Later today, to celebrate Fathers Day, I decided to do some DIY. We have this flimsy old wardrobe, broken and worn down, and we need a new shoe rack. As much as James wanted to throw it away, I've spent my afternoon drilling, sawing, sanding and using the lathe ("lathing"?!) to create a new type of storage. Don't really know what it is - but it's genuinely is a labour of love at this stage!
 
10414916_10152248876786553_5091805938307
 
 
10364023_10152248876711553_2306944306530
 
10458746_10152248876626553_8937626904458
 

10392626_10152248876766553_2767524447866

 

10426631_10152249115496553_8027662639643

 

10436678_10152249115856553_9121854798663

  • Like 1

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment
#100happydays - Day Eight.

Stuck in the vicious circle of "Can't run, so feel sad, feel sad because I can't run", so decided to use the second 10k hole in my week to do something productive again - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Upon putting on my gi for the first time in weeks, I realised it had shrunk, considerably. Thinking I might have put on weight, I put on my gi trousers, which were a full 6 inches too short, and looked like the worst pair of white-skater style trousers ever. Why's this happy?

Here's to turning up to something, in the wrong gear, looking like a complete nub, and getting sat on, strangled, bruised and hip-thrown, and loving every minute of it... despite looking like a tool.
10411278_10152251850866553_1113448416991

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment

OMG, I can't believe you're going to be on Lost...

 

Trolololololololololololol...

 

Manchester is a bit smokey...

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment

Very much loving everything about day 7. I mean sorry to hear you can't run of course but if you're going to do something else then those seem like pretty good alternatives.

And how can you do ju-jitsu if you're not up to running, BTW?

Level 20 Ferret Demon Scout

STR 43 | DEX 21 | STA 49 | CON 30 | WIS 45 | CHA 21

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

Instagram | Wordpress | Twitter | Linkedin | Goodreads | Facebook: *spits* I despise facebook!

Valeu a pena? Tudo vale a pena Se a alma não é pequena.

Link to comment

 

#100happydays - Day One.

Today's happy is found in St. Pauls. I work around the corner from it on occasions and always remain inspired by its beauty, but I've never been inside. I sat on the steps people watching when I heard the tourist guide outside mention that Sir Christopher Wren is burried within its walls, and upon it lies the inscription: "Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice" ("Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you"), so I decided to heed Mr. Wrens advice and have a poke around. I then ventured into a coffee shop where I sat next to some old school photographers, and joined in their discussion. We talked the decline of 35mm / 120mm and proper dark room dodge and burn techniques. I finished work at 5pm and had to hang around until 7pm for a train. I'm in love with how events unfolded.

 
10441116_10152237481686553_2720939493320

 

 

The main thing I miss about working near St. Pauls is eating lunch in the churchyard at the back on the benches.

 

oh, and subbed.

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself" -- Tolstoy

Not sure if it was buzz or woody that said it though.

 

Spartan double trifecta progess:

100%
100%

Tough Mudder "10 x Legionnaire":

100.0%
100.0%
"Run ALL the things or die tryin'"
110%
110%

fitocracy Ogre Magi Lvl 16 Ranger STR: 38|DEX: 58|STA: 59|baCON: 34|WIS: 30|CHA: 30

 

Previously Completed: Spartan Trifecta, Enough TM Headbands to make a ski mask

Link to comment

Very much loving everything about day 7. I mean sorry to hear you can't run of course but if you're going to do something else then those seem like pretty good alternatives.

And how can you do ju-jitsu if you're not up to running, BTW?

 

I hate not running. I'm currently giving it a rest on advice of my physio. Years of being so heavy have basically destroyed the the cartilage in my left knee. I've got a couple rounds of physio, attempting to build strength in my muscles to compensate, but I think I'll end up having an operation to repair some of the damage. As for how I can do Brazilian ju-jitsu (BJJ) works on the premise that every fight ends up on the ground. Because I'm a newbie at this club, you start the fight by laying on your back. It's basically the way in which you get from laying on your back, with someone on top of you, to being on top in a dominant position and choking them out / arm / leg barring them.

If I stay in "noobs corner" as I've aptly dubbed it, I'm fine, since it's not repeated, intense pounding on my knee joint. I can officially "graduate" to "big boy fighting" in about ten weeks, in which you start standing up, take someone down to the floor, then repeat as above. Because of my knee, I'm content to stay with my fellow noobs beyond ten weeks and see how it goes. :)

 

Fighting from the ground makes it sound like a cake walk. But when you have a 300lb man straddling your chest and not complying / moving in the way you'd like... it's an incredible cardio work out!

 

Get it with all the power tools and DIY-ing! How exciting :)

 

Haha. I'm so bad at DIY. But I did it, and it made me so ridiculously proud since it was my first attempt! And I did it all by myself ^_^

Level 6 Pirate-Ninja Ranger


“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.†~Maya Angelou


(STR - 12) (DEX - 8) (STA - 12) (CON - 14) (WIS - 12) (CHA - 8)


CHALLENGE 6: Neph Arrives fashionably late.


 


 

Link to comment

300lb man straddling your chest, eh?

*crosses Brazilian ju-jitsu off list of things to try*

  • Like 1

Level 20 Ferret Demon Scout

STR 43 | DEX 21 | STA 49 | CON 30 | WIS 45 | CHA 21

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

Instagram | Wordpress | Twitter | Linkedin | Goodreads | Facebook: *spits* I despise facebook!

Valeu a pena? Tudo vale a pena Se a alma não é pequena.

Link to comment

Hey Neph! While I was down in the L1 forum I met Kiazi and I thought you guys would really get along because you’re both working on running and nutrition with a creative twist this challenge - your photos, her writing :) When you get a few minutes you should go catch up on this thread by clicking here and saying some encouraging words! Remember, it really means a lot to the newer rebels when we take time to check in on them!

Level 7 DINOSAUR Scout
STR: 9 - CON: 12 - DEX: 6 - STA: 10 - WIS: 16 - CHA: 11
Current Challenge
Scouts Base Camp
Scouts Tavern

Link to comment
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

New here? Please check out our Privacy Policy and Community Guidelines