Elsfaire (Re)Discovers the Awesomeness of Nerds

[elsfaire]

I am a nerd. Not quite the stereotypical braces, pocket-protector, and coke-bottle glasses (though I was only saved from the latter by being allowed to get contact lenses at 13 years old), but a nerd through-and-through. Think Hermione (sorry, Hermione Gainser), or Amy Farafowler, and that is me – broad knowledge base and the urge to share it with whoever asks, and sometimes those who don’t ask. Whenever I learn something, I LEARN it. I also see learning as an interesting experience. When I get bored, I have been known to read whatever I can get my hands on (including cereal boxes and instruction manuals), or learn (or at least attempt to learn) some new skill (I do not always stick with it, though). I am fairly confident that I can learn just about anything I would need to use. Though the process is sometimes frustrating, I usually get to the level of knowledge I need.

 

Sounds great, right? Somehow, though, I have gotten the idea over the years that there is something wrong with these (and other) ingredients of who I am. I have spent most of my life feeling very different from the people around me –a feeling which was exacerbated by choosing a non-academic major in college. Those of you who followed my last challenge already know this, but I have decided it is time to tackle this head on. It is time to (re)discover how awesome nerds are!

 

Goal 1: Nerds are Awesome! (+2 WIS, +2 CHA)

At least 5 days per week, post something awesome about myself or about nerds in general. This can be text, pictures, videos, whatever.

 

Goal 2: Nerds like numbers and tracking (+3 STR)

Track (and show improvement) in 5 basic exercises, plus handstands. At least once a week, test myself and log the result in 5 basic exercises (pushups, overhand rows, split squats, V-ups and arm-leg raises) and handstands. Because of the busy time of year, I am not requiring a set number of workouts each week, just to track once a week and see progress.

 

Goal 3: Nerds like science (Fractal endurance training & flexibility) (+3 STA, +2 DEX)
I really want to improve my endurance, but I have a hard time convincing myself that I have time to do a longer workout. So I am going to trick myself.   I will climb up and down our driveway on the following schedule, at least 5 days per week:

Weekly – begin with 1 time up and down the driveway, increasing one time each week until week 6 is 6 times up and down

Daily – Day 1 of each week, I climb the driveway once during the day. Each day, I add one time during the day that I go up and down the driveway that many times.

As an example, on week 2, day 4, I will go up and down the driveway twice, at 4 separate times during the day. This formula isn’t really a fractal, but it reminds me of fractals (which I think are enormously cool) so that is what I am calling it.

I will also do stretches or yoga at least 5 times a week.

 

 

Life Quest Goal: Nerds Rule the World by sharing knowledge they love with others (+2 CON, +1 CHA)

I am finally, after taking a break for about 7 years, beginning to teach childbirth classes again. This goal involves making the progress I need to make so that I feel confident and prepared (and have enough couples) before my first scheduled class begins on August 21 (and continuing for the weekly sessions after that). To make this happen, I will need to spend a minimum of 5 hours a week on my website, marketing, and designing class content (cumulative, not each).

 

 

I hope you will join me on the journey!

 

(Edited - forgot to add stat points and handstands!)

[elsfaire]

Week 1, Day 1

In spite of not having posted my challenge yet, I did actually start yesterday.

 

Baseline test for exercises:

V-ups (to failure): 8

Arm/leg raise (to boredom): 15

Split Squat (to failure): 10 per leg

Floor pushups (to failure): 8

Overhand rows, legs perpendicular to ground (to failure): 6

 

Driveway Fractals:

Walked up and down once

[karinajean]

nerds ARE awesome - and ERGO, you are too. but we knew that.

[Batwoman]

 

Well... hello there.

[Leothil]

Nerds also like this challenge. Subbed!

[SugarRay]

As a maths and physics freak, I approve!

 

Good luck with your challenge! =D

[Twilight]

Allright!

[Varelse]

I like your challenge. First goal is awesome (nerds are awesome, and positivity it's, too). Subbed to your thread!

[RockinRobin]

Math is Magic in itself!  How long is this driveway? Or how steep?  I am picturing quarter mile with 100m incline @elsfaire of the high road!

[elsfaire]

Week 1, Day 2

Quick update on today before bed.

Goal 1: Nerds are Awesome

I did a meditation this morning when I needed it.

(and see below)

Goal 2: Nerds like numbers and tracking

Recovery

Goal 3: Nerds like science (Fractal endurance training & flexibility)

Walked up and down the driveway once, three separate times today

AND hubby and I walked part of the neighborhood

I WILL do yoga tonight, too.

Life Quest:

Worked on updating my website with my class information tonight, and got my first call from a potential student.

Aaaaaaand an awesome nerd post:

[Lara]

Nerds for the win!!

[Batwoman]

Awesome Day 2

[Varelse]

Cool second day!

[Strickland5]

I dig day 2 ... what's in store for day 3?

[elsfaire]

Math is Magic in itself!  How long is this driveway? Or how steep?  I am picturing quarter mile with 100m incline @elsfaire of the high road!

Not quite that long! I am nerdy enough that I went ahead and calculated it today (I had to resist doing it last night).

 

Driveway distance from perpendicular with corner of the house to the curb at the cul-de-sac: about 215 ft/64.4 meters (I used Endomondo and it only gave 100ths of a mile, so I estimated the calculation. I could have actually measured it, but was being lazy).

Change in elevation: 90 ft/27.4 m

Grade: 24.7%

 

Not a huge driveway, but the sad part is that I get winded walking up it. I hate that, so I am changing it. I have walked up and down it 3 times today already. I wanted to get done before it gets hot.

[Strickland5]

Change in elevation: 90 ft/27.4 m

Grade: 24.7%

Sounds like one heck of a hill ... you'll be doing hill sprints up it soon enough

[RockinRobin]

Nice work @elsfaire, that is an impressive driveway!  Kudo's to you for your driveway fractals

[elsfaire]

Week 1, Day 3

Goal 1: Nerds are Awesome
Positivity accountabilibuddy group posting (works for this goal, too)

One aspect of my body that's awesome at the moment: My belly has gotten flatter again.
    One aspect of my food today that was awesome: I ate a bowl of watermelon and blueberries this morning before my heavier breakfast.
    One good decision I made today: Decided to delay the start date of my classes to give more time to get students.
(and see below)

Goal 2: Nerds like numbers and tracking
Uh, kind of missed it.

Goal 3: Nerds like science (Fractal endurance training & flexibility)
Walked up and down the driveway once, three separate times today (on schedule)


I WILL do yoga tonight, too.

Life Quest:
Went to a "Mommy mingler" at the midwifery practice where I will be teaching, and spoke with some pregnancy moms and some other childbirth professionals. I also worked a bit on updating my website with my class information. 

Aaaaaaand an awesome nerd post for the day

(well, maybe it is not a nerd post, but IMHO it is an awesome thing, and the quote is from a nerd, so there.

[Waanie]

I finally read everything . I'm almost the same kind of nerd you are, with the only difference that I've actually studied math in college . I read a lot of random information, and tend to correct people even when it's not relevant. It's an annoying habit of mine, but otherwise being a nerd is awesome! Also, I don't feel obliged to shave my legs ^^.

 

Good job on the first few days, I hope that your classes will be a great success .

[Varelse]

I finally read everything . I'm almost the same kind of nerd you are, with the only difference that I've actually studied math in college . I read a lot of random information, and tend to correct people even when it's not relevant. It's an annoying habit of mine, but otherwise being a nerd is awesome! Also, I don't feel obliged to shave my legs ^^.

 

Good job on the first few days, I hope that your classes will be a great success .

 

I'm envious of your self-confidence. I don't like shaving my legs (hair removal, in general), but I feel these social pressure upon me and I end up doing it. Apart from that, I like when somebody corrects me - one always learns something new.

[TennisGeek]

...

Life Quest:

Went to a "Mommy mingler" at the midwifery practice where I will be teaching, and spoke with some pregnancy moms and some other childbirth professionals. I also worked a bit on updating my website with my class information. 

Aaaaaaand an awesome nerd post for the day

(well, maybe it is not a nerd post, but IMHO it is an awesome thing, and the quote is from a nerd, so there.

 

Notice my sig? Apple and its influence is all over my life.

I wrote software for Mac a few times too.

 

BTW, where is "your website"?

[elsfaire]

I shave in the summer (well, my calves, anyway. Thigh hair is thin enough to escape notice), but when I start wearing pants regularly in the middle of fall, I stop. That lets me not feel self-conscious, but not waste time with something I really don't believe in for a good part of the year. I believe in being more 'natural' in how I treat my body when possible, but I have to balance that with modern conveniences and social conventions.

I was actually a music major in college (go figure!). My chosen nerddom now is healthy pregnancy and birth, and a bit of parenting. I am trying to re-teach American women to have healthy lifestyles.

[Leothil]

My chosen nerddom now is healthy pregnancy and birth, and a bit of parenting. I am trying to re-teach American women to have healthy lifestyles.

 

That's an admirable quest! I really hope you'll be successful in it as well!

[Waanie]

There's something to say for encountering mainly male nerds in daily life, they really don't care if I shave my legs or not. Usually, it's the critique of other women that makes me feel self-concious. Most of my female friends also don't shave .

 

I love your quest to teach a healthy lifestyle to pregnant women . When you're used to it, a healthy lifestyle doesn't "rob" you of anything, and it makes life so much more comfortable .

[katastrophenkatzchen]

I reeeeaaally love your fractal goal. It makes totally sense to me!