The Trials of Kishi, the Gray Jedi: Gray Knight

[Bekah]

I hope today was Stellar!

[Kishi]

Guh, work tomorrow and late getting back. Responses later.

 

AX: 3/3

 

Pull Up: 2/3

 

Cleaning: 0/1

 

Lent: 3/3

[Kishi]

Hanlon's Razor may sort of apply?  She may have been so secure in the knowledge that you would cover her shift that she neglected to actually *ask* you to do so. 

 

Great news on the freelance work!  Hope the extra shift helps too.

 

Extra win on the cool workout and lack of tendonitis.  How do you balance continuing to work out and not straining it further?  Just easing off or lots of aftercare?  You're not really much for the whole easing off concept.

 

Have a good visit tonight :-)

 

Ha ha, I see. So, in other words, I've become so reliable that they take for granted that I'll be there. I should pull a Rorschach on them sometime, just to see 'em squirm.

 

Yeah, thanks! I hope it all pans out. We'll see.

 

For me, it actually has been a matter of easing off. After so much time spent trying to push harder and harder and getting nowhere for having done it, I've decided to try it just to see what happens. Mostly, that means spacing the training out throughout the day as opposed to condensing it all down at once. It's worked pretty well, actually, but it also means that there have been some days where I don't get to train as much. Still, I don't think my body minds the extra rest.

 

I did! It was a good visit. He seems to be handling his grief well. That's about the best we can expect at this point, I think.

 

Eck.  I hate miscommunication like that.  I rather things be pretty blunt and clear as well.   But At least you get the extra hours you needed and ooo freelance!  Good luck and congrats!

 

Thanks! And yeah, it wasn't a big deal. It even looks like I might get some more today.

 

I'm glad that the exercise program is giving you enough variety and keeping you challenged. Hope your elbow stays okay with it.

 

That's frustrating that your coworker did not communicate clearly with you. It would have put you in a bad spot if you hadn't found out about it. Nice that you got some extra hours, but that's not the way to make it happen.

 

I hope the freelance work comes through for you.

 

Yeah, actually, it's kinda funny. The guy who designed it is primarily a physical therapist for MLB in addition to his own clients. So he's all about making you strong while keeping you injury-free. I've been pretty impressed. The only real 'injury' so far is a minor piece of DOMS in my right tricep, and it's gone as of this morning.

 

Mhm, that's what I'm saying. And then another girl texted me today and she's like, "Hey, are you working today?" and I think to myself check the damn schedule you silly girl, you're gonna put me in the store for 12 HOURS. I told her I'd take them if she couldn't find anyone else, and then asked her please, please find someone else. I don't think she will.

 

 

I hope today was Stellar!

 

 

*

 

So, uh, yeah. 12 Hour day possibly on the docket. Not happy about that. I can do it, obviously, but I was hoping to spend that time with friends and such instead.

 

Stupid freaking poverty depriving me of my choices.

[BlackTezca]

Yeah, actually, it's kinda funny. The guy who designed it is primarily a physical therapist for MLB in addition to his own clients. So he's all about making you strong while keeping you injury-free. I've been pretty impressed. The only real 'injury' so far is a minor piece of DOMS in my right tricep, and it's gone as of this morning.

 

*

 

So, uh, yeah. 12 Hour day possibly on the docket. Not happy about that. I can do it, obviously, but I was hoping to spend that time with friends and such instead.

 

Stupid freaking poverty depriving me of my choices.

 

Okay, though I know I was intimidated by that workout, I am interested do to the guys experience in preventing injuries.  That is an pretty interesting and cool thing to learn and honestly helps make the program even more worthwhile...Hmmm...dammit, I think I may take it on sometime.

 

12 hours is no fun and no bueno .  I'm sorry Kishi.

 

Here's a lion giving someone a hug, cause I wanna give yas a hug.

[Bekah]

Stupid freaking poverty depriving me of my choices.

Story of my [insert irreverent expletive] life, that and being afraid of failing at being a grown up and being penniless...kinda the same thing. 

Me and Oramac are gonna get a beach house on Anna Maria Island and be roomies, you as a 3rd would be badass AAAAND there is a pretty decent martial arts place here that my son's scoutmaster goes to...and one amazing lifting centric gym. 

[pwallace]

Story of my [insert irreverent expletive] life, that and being afraid of failing at being a grown up and being penniless...kinda the same thing. 

Me and Oramac are gonna get a beach house on Anna Maria Island and be roomies, you as a 3rd would be badass AAAAND there is a pretty decent martial arts place here that my son's scoutmaster goes to...and one amazing lifting centric gym. 

I can be grouds keeper and have small cabin out on beach? I bring puppy!

 

 

Kishi life sucks some times but you aredoing an awesome job kicking butt and taking names at life. way to go man. sorry your coworkers are being dumb I know how you feel.

[Kishi]

Okay, though I know I was intimidated by that workout, I am interested do to the guys experience in preventing injuries.  That is an pretty interesting and cool thing to learn and honestly helps make the program even more worthwhile...Hmmm...dammit, I think I may take it on sometime.

 

12 hours is no fun and no bueno .  I'm sorry Kishi.

 

Here's a lion giving someone a hug, cause I wanna give yas a hug.

 

Do check him out! Also, it might interest you to know that he and a lady coach teamed up to create a female-specific program. Not to tell you what to do, of course! But since you have specific goals that you're shooting for, it might be worth considering.

 

Actually, it turned out okay. I will explain.

 

LION HUG. That is amazing and awesome and I love you for that. Thank you!

 

 

Story of my [insert irreverent expletive] life, that and being afraid of failing at being a grown up and being penniless...kinda the same thing. 

Me and Oramac are gonna get a beach house on Anna Maria Island and be roomies, you as a 3rd would be badass AAAAND there is a pretty decent martial arts place here that my son's scoutmaster goes to...and one amazing lifting centric gym. 

 

I like this plan. We should make this plan happen.

 

I can be grouds keeper and have small cabin out on beach? I bring puppy!

 

 

Kishi life sucks some times but you aredoing an awesome job kicking butt and taking names at life. way to go man. sorry your coworkers are being dumb I know how you feel.

 

PUPPY

 

 

PUPPY PUPPY PUPPY

 

 

But as for work, yeah, man. It's always something. It's always something...

 

*

 

AX: 4/4

 

Pull Up: 2/4

 

Cleaning: 0/1

 

Lent: 4/4

 

So, got up early and trained. Did pretty good, not lagging or anything. Felt like I had more fuel to burn, though. That is not a feeling I like. But I figured, since I had work, I couldn't really rely on training this afternoon.

 

Got to work, let the manager know the situation. "Wait, so you'd be taking her shift on top of yours?"

 

"Yeah."

 

"Well, maybe you could come back and close..."

 

"Well, if I gotta spend my evening here anyway, you might as well just keep me here."

 

"Aw, but I'd hate to do that to you, though! Those are manager hours!"

 

"I'd hate for it to be done. But as it is, I'm trying to prove myself worthy of management anyway, so."

 

"Oh, please, [Kishi], you're doing just fine as it is. I'll see what I can do."

 

And she found someone to take up for me, which was nice. So, no 12-hour day.

 

So instead, I spent my evening catching up on sermons and then went to Bible study for the first time in a while. Ended up hanging out with a girl for a while afterward, and I'm not sure if she was trying to bait and hint me into asking her out (she complimented my beard and said that it was better when I was with people, or at the very least wasn't alone) or if she was talking about dating and such as a general, sisterly thing to do to encourage me to be something better. Hard read, that one.

 

Anyway, need to eat some foodz and get down. One more day of work and then a rare weekend off.

[Oramac]

So instead, I spent my evening catching up on sermons and then went to Bible study for the first time in a while. Ended up hanging out with a girl for a while afterward, and I'm not sure if she was trying to bait and hint me into asking her out (she complimented my beard and said that it was better when I was with people, or at the very least wasn't alone) or if she was talking about dating and such as a general, sisterly thing to do to encourage me to be something better. Hard read, that one.

 

If I had to guess (and it is a guess), I'd say she was hinting at you asking her out.  But I know next to nothing about how womens crazy minds work, so I might be wrong.  

[BlackTezca]

YAY FOR NO 12 HOUR DAY!  Awesome .

 

I've been thinking about your interaction and though I'm leaning towards she was hinting, it could be she was expressing friendship.  The compliment on your beard makes me think she was hinting (back when I was single, I'd express attraction through compliments as well), and women are socialized (unfortunately, really it's super frustrating to me) to try and not be seen as too aggressive, so maybe she was being subtle.  If you have interest in her, it never hurts to ask for a coffee date or something casual . 

[pwallace]

Kishi, 20 seconds beast mode, ask the lady out. DO IT NOW!!!!! I'm cheering for you man

[erosan]

I second the ask her out for coffee motion. if she was hinting at a date, coffee can turn into date (assuming you are interested in dating her). if she was just being friendly, coffee can be ok in that situation too. worst case scenario, you had chance to chat with someone you enjoy the company of for an hour or two over coffee… also, you would be imbibing caffeine. so its a win win

[Teirin]

No 12 hour shift and getting to Bible Study, Yay!  Feeling any better after that?

 

Erosan's point about coffee is a good one.  She apparently likes hanging out with you.

 

That island is sounding good.  Especially with puppies.

 

[Kyellan]

 

Just remember: a puppy may seem like a cute idea for a pet.

 

But they grow up.

 

[pwallace]

 

 

pic of our guard dog on the beach behind the spoiler

 

 

Kishi, If it is getting warmer, I would suggest grab coffee to go then go for a walk, exercise and chatting is always good!

[CourtnieMarie]

puppiiiiies!! and kishi

 

finally caught up! loved that link for bw alternatives to the four big lifts. loved the progressions too! i might actually start getting into squat positions while i brush my teeth now (he mentions it on the pistol page)! the SO's on board too. we have the strangest household sometimes...

[Kishi]

If I had to guess (and it is a guess), I'd say she was hinting at you asking her out.  But I know next to nothing about how womens crazy minds work, so I might be wrong.  

 

Well, and the thing is, it was after Bible Study/community living group, and one of the functions of this is to discuss what weighs upon us and to find counseling in each other. She said all that in the context of her talking a lot about her own struggles with where she is and where she wants to go. We basically spent an hour talking after study and we covered a lot of ground.

 

...

 

Hm...

 

YAY FOR NO 12 HOUR DAY!  Awesome .

 

I've been thinking about your interaction and though I'm leaning towards she was hinting, it could be she was expressing friendship.  The compliment on your beard makes me think she was hinting (back when I was single, I'd express attraction through compliments as well), and women are socialized (unfortunately, really it's super frustrating to me) to try and not be seen as too aggressive, so maybe she was being subtle.  If you have interest in her, it never hurts to ask for a coffee date or something casual . 

 

Awesome? More like

 

 

Yeah, that lack of aggression frustrates me too. I wouldn't even call it aggression, I'd just call it being confident in what she wants. It's like, "I don't speak subtext. You want to go, you gotta tell me, girl." But as I've studied up, I've come to understand, so... I dunno. Murkiness. Feelings. Can't solve it with push ups. Dammit.

 

And the thing is, I dunno if I'm interested or not, you know? I mean, I like her. She's a Catholic, so she loves Jesus and is comfortable with swearing, drinking, and also science. That's, like, a lot of my hangups with religious girls dealt with right there. I dunno, I guess I was just afraid of jumping the gun, and she's freely talked about the fact that she's actively dating other people, so it's not like she's waiting around, you know? So.

 

Kishi, 20 seconds beast mode, ask the lady out. DO IT NOW!!!!! I'm cheering for you man

 

Yeah, I guess that's the only way to get a resolution.

 

I second the ask her out for coffee motion. if she was hinting at a date, coffee can turn into date (assuming you are interested in dating her). if she was just being friendly, coffee can be ok in that situation too. worst case scenario, you had chance to chat with someone you enjoy the company of for an hour or two over coffee… also, you would be imbibing caffeine. so its a win win

 

Depends on the time of day. I will totally go decaf if it's after 4. Unless I need to workout. Then it's caf.

 

No 12 hour shift and getting to Bible Study, Yay!  Feeling any better after that?

 

Erosan's point about coffee is a good one.  She apparently likes hanging out with you.

 

That island is sounding good.  Especially with puppies.

 

 

Yup! Feeling a lot better.

 

She does, she does, and we get along really well. She and I have very different lifestyles, though, and I don't know how that'd mesh. But that's probably thinking a step or three too far ahead.

 

ISLE OF PUPPY

 

 

 

Just remember: a puppy may seem like a cute idea for a pet.

 

But they grow up.

 

 

AW, BUT DUDE. Those dogs are so cool, though. They're a kind of shepherd dog if I remember right. They remind me of Mouse from Dresden Files.

 

 

 

pic of our guard dog on the beach behind the spoiler

 

 

Kishi, If it is getting warmer, I would suggest grab coffee to go then go for a walk, exercise and chatting is always good!

 

That's a possibility. Maybe hit up a coffeehouse near a park or something...

 

puppiiiiies!! and kishi

 

finally caught up! loved that link for bw alternatives to the four big lifts. loved the progressions too! i might actually start getting into squat positions while i brush my teeth now (he mentions it on the pistol page)! the SO's on board too. we have the strangest household sometimes...

 

Hey, the couple that works out together looks better naked together. Maybe. I dunno. That's what the YouTubez tells me.

 

*

 

AX: 5/5

 

Pull Up: 2/5

 

Cleaning: 0/1

 

Lent: 5/5

 

Ugh. Welp. Stayed late at work, drank some coffee, worked out. Good and beat-up, now, but with me having trainer obligations tomorrow followed by balancing Pathfinder with my folks coming in? Man. This is gonna be rough.

 

Tonight was strength-assessment night. It was tough. New moves and everything. Assuming I survive the test tomorrow, I'll get to push harder and see how much stronger I can get with it next week. Also set a new overhead pressing PR in that this is the closest I've ever got to an HSPU. So, you know, that was exciting.

 

Unfortunately, given that I have professional obligations tomorrow and that I wrapped up late, I've elected to pick sleep over pull ups. Which I wouldn't mind, normally, except that I made a goal of it and it's slipping this week. Hmm. Though, I imagine, when I tally up on Sunday, I'm going to find that I've got more time spent on them in the past three weeks than not. So, process-wise, I think I'm okay. But here in the moment, not so much.

 

And, uh, yeah, that's it. Currently thinking about the Neat routine that I linked to earlier. I'm kinda playing around with a hunch I've got that I could slide Primal Blueprint into the off-days and treat it like a conditioning circuit. That particular formula I remember accomplishing in less than 10-15 minutes, and it includes sprinting. Still need to iron out the nutritional aspect, though, but since the inventor of the program is a Rebel, I'll probably be bugging him before too long about it.

 

Now just have to hold off on that sense of impatience. Fortunately, as I'm doing well on this program here, I don't feel a need to bounce. Just the want.

[erosan]

 

Depends on the time of day. I will totally go decaf if it's after 4. Unless I need to workout. Then it's caf.

 

 

No reason why a great date can't end in a workout...

 

 

But in all seriousness... the most important thing you have to know before you make an approach is not if she wants you to ask her out. It is if YOU want you to ask her out.

 

Figure that out and the rest of the road is easy as running downhill. Anyway, not sure how you feel about strangers giving you unsolicited love advice, so I'm gonna shut up now.

[Kishi]

No reason why a great date can't end in a workout...

 

 

But in all seriousness... the most important thing you have to know before you make an approach is not if she wants you to ask her out. It is if YOU want you to ask her out.

 

Figure that out and the rest of the road is easy as running downhill. Anyway, not sure how you feel about strangers giving you unsolicited love advice, so I'm gonna shut up now.

 

What, you mean like this?

 

'cuz otherwise, I gotta admit, I have no idea what you're talking about.

 

 

But yeah, that's something I gotta figure out for myself. About myself. 'cuz, like, I think there might be something there, but at the same time I have this feeling that it's not really something I want? It's hard to articulate.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will totally take it.

[BlackTezca]

Yeah, that lack of aggression frustrates me too. I wouldn't even call it aggression, I'd just call it being confident in what she wants. It's like, "I don't speak subtext. You want to go, you gotta tell me, girl." But as I've studied up, I've come to understand, so... I dunno. Murkiness. Feelings. Can't solve it with push ups. Dammit.

 

And the thing is, I dunno if I'm interested or not, you know? I mean, I like her. She's a Catholic, so she loves Jesus and is comfortable with swearing, drinking, and also science. That's, like, a lot of my hangups with religious girls dealt with right there. I dunno, I guess I was just afraid of jumping the gun, and she's freely talked about the fact that she's actively dating other people, so it's not like she's waiting around, you know? So.

 

The problem is there is a difference in how women are treated when they are tying to be assertive.  The classic 'assertive' versus 'bossy' and fine balance tightrope dance...you get the picture.  It's B.S.  We'd like to express feelings as well, but I think both sexes are socialized to make sure we express the right feelings the right way. 

 

If you go for asking for a coffee, there is no gun to jump.  Either she expresses more interest in an intimate setting then you two can figure out what you're looking for in each other...or you find out more about her, decide she's not your type and end up closer friends .  A bit of a win win .

 

Sleep well Kishi!  Sleep is awesome and I need to do the same.

 

[TeaKwonDo]

 

 

 

 

 

Definitely the perfect date. See if she can help you with L-sits!

 

But in all seriousness, even if this is the kind of thing that can't be solved with pushups, at least the pushups will improve the muscles that will eventually need to be used in the future for the thing that that pushup can't solve at that moment.

 

If you get my drift.

[Bekah]

Go for it. I wish I could solve all my problems with push ups too...and yes, just fucking tell me straight, otherwise I'm never gonna know! I you!

[Kishi]

The problem is there is a difference in how women are treated when they are tying to be assertive.  The classic 'assertive' versus 'bossy' and fine balance tightrope dance...you get the picture.  It's B.S.  We'd like to express feelings as well, but I think both sexes are socialized to make sure we express the right feelings the right way. 

 

If you go for asking for a coffee, there is no gun to jump.  Either she expresses more interest in an intimate setting then you two can figure out what you're looking for in each other...or you find out more about her, decide she's not your type and end up closer friends .  A bit of a win win .

 

Sleep well Kishi!  Sleep is awesome and I need to do the same.

 

 

It really is a win win, isn't it. Still gotta get used to this whole being an agent over my life thing.

 

ME SLEP RULLY GOOD

 

 

Definitely the perfect date. See if she can help you with L-sits!

 

But in all seriousness, even if this is the kind of thing that can't be solved with pushups, at least the pushups will improve the muscles that will eventually need to be used in the future for the thing that that pushup can't solve at that moment.

 

If you get my drift.

 

Ooh, L-sits. Those would be cool to get help with.

 

Oh yeah. Push ups and planks are considered functional training for that particular arena.

 

I get the drift just fine.

 

 

*

 

AX: 7/7

 

Pull Up: 2/7

 

Cleaning: 1/1

 

Lent: 7/7

 

Welp. This week crashed in flames at the very end. Folks coming in to town totally wrecked everything and I loved every second of it. Spent yesterday training people and getting lunch with my parents before going off to do some character building for a Pathfinder campaign. And then decided to go ahead and try doing the Test workout, on a belly full of alcohol, with no caffeine, the workout with a history of destroying me like I was a small child.

 

Which it proceeded to do again.

 

Yup. Got whupped on this one. That was, ha, a speakable moment.

 

You might have the impression from reading this that I'm quite terribly positive despite what seems like a setback. Why is this?

 

Well. I got word from my Sensei. He told me two things: one, our leg-check technique has the approval of our cousins in kyokushin, which makes my inner bruiser very, very happy. But two, and way more important: the contractor who was going to do things (build the dojo space in the garage of sensei's house) has flaked out, so he's going to finish the job himself.

 

I'll be helping him with that as soon as he figures out where we start.

 

...

 

...

 

...

 

 

 

 

At last. At last. Feels like going home.

 

So, we're gonna have to change a few things. Karate as we do it is not active recovery. We eat bitter. And I'm going to need to throw myself at it hard. I don't think I'm going to have the energy for AX and recreational pull ups.

 

I think it's time to hit Reset.

 

 

So, I guess it's time to make that leap to the Neat program a bit sooner than expected. Good. Low-rep and low carb will help me with looking shredded and such.

 

Also, I was gifted some birthday money and was specifically instructed to spend it on something I'd enjoy. So I bit the bullet and bought a kettlebell and Pavel's latest book.

 

Now the game plan looks like this:

 

NEAT Routine, 3x/Week

 

Simple and Sinister (KB Work), 3-4x/Week

 

Cleaning and Lent stay.

 

Speaking of which, I have some time before bed. I should do something about a small box...

[Kishi]

Go for it. I wish I could solve all my problems with push ups too...and yes, just fucking tell me straight, otherwise I'm never gonna know! I you!

 

Seriously, if we solved our problems with push ups, the world would be a fitter place...

[BlackTezca]

Seriously, if we solved our problems with push ups, the world would be a fitter place...

 

Can we replace pushups with punches?  I mean on a bag of course not on people...

[Kishi]

Can we replace pushups with punches?  I mean on a bag of course not on people...

 

Punches are also an acceptable solution to problems.

 

 

Oh, right, tally up, forgot. Okay, then.

 

AX: 21/21

 

Pull Up: 12.5/21

 

Cleaning: 3/3

 

Lent: 21/21