Post-Apocalypse: Ashtree Finds Shelter

[Ashtree]

Introduction:

 

Day 0

There's nothing out here but a wasteland of misery and destruction- and a shit-tonne of dust. I am weak, and ill-prepared. If I am to survive, I will need to find shelter- recover my health, and build my strength.

I shield my bleary eyes and look up to where the sun lays, giant and aggressive at the crest of a cliff, it's unending shower of painful rays strangling out the last shreds of moisture from the choking landscape. I gaze so long I begin to see dots- dark smudges against the backdrop of fierce, fiery orange. Strangely still for a trick of the eyes.

that is when I notice it is not a trick of my vision at all, but an actual, physical object.

A shack, standing strong in the nothingness that surrounds it. It is ramshackle, it will surely need a great many repairs to fortify it, but it is there, and it is real.

Shelter at last. 

 

 

Ashtree's 6 Week Challenge!

 My name is Tree, and this is my first 6 Week Challenge, and my theme is Post-Apocalyptic Shelter Repair!

i.e- I'm gonna clean my garage and turn it into a dance studio/gym!

My long-term goals are fitness and recreation based- in my youth I was a member of a scout-like club called "Pathfinders" and I did so much outdoorsy-fitnessy-healthy stuff, but I have since gone way off the rail. The past 10 years have been a struggle of fighting mental illness and fixing myself emotionally- now that I have it under control (not cured, but controlled) I want to rebuild myself into a greater version of who I was before. Nerd Fitness is how I hope to attain that!

So, without further adieu, my 6 Week Challenge Goals:

Main Goal 1: Clean the garage, turn it into a great studio for fitness.
A good survivalist has priorities: Shelter is one of the highest.
 

 This is something I HAD to do anyway (the cleaning part) so why not make it a goal, amirite? To achieve this, I need to do the following things:  

• Sort and organise camping equipment.
• Find containers or storage for gardening stuff- especially the fuel.
• Sweep the entire garage.
• Debug. Despider (move them outside nicely)
• Purchase and lay-down foam flooring.
• Purchase and set up new "studio mirror" (it's an old dresser with a giant mirror...)
• Set up curtain dividing storage space from studio space.
• Attach power source (no power at the moment)
• Purchase and set up punching bag and frame.
• Set up lighting.

 

This goal will be graded based on how many of the items I complete- 10% per item. 

 

Main Goal 2: Swimming, at least Once a Week!
A good survivalist makes use of accessible resources!
 

Both of my housemates go to aqua-aerobics, and also just plain old swimming, twice a week. I'm not in the financial-space to pay for sessions, but there's no reason I can't go to the pool with them and just swim. I also live near beautiful beaches, with ocean baths- that are free. It's hitting summer here, so I should really make use of those. 
 

Grading wise, I'll assign 10% to each session, which means I *won't* be able to make 100% just by attending. The extra points can only be made by swimming laps while there (I tend to just...float and splash). 5% per lap.

Main Goal 3: See Doctor, Create Weightloss Plan:
A good survivalist takes care of their health:

I am a fats. I have always been a fats. What I have not always been is unfit. As a child, I was involved in everything- camping, hiking, sports, orienteering, canoeing, band camp- if it was an optional activity on a sign-up sheet, I was there.

Since mental illness took over in my late teens, I have neglected myself in a big way. I am no longer able to hike 25km in 2 days with a 15kg pack like I could when I was a teenager. That was something I loved doing and something I miss greatly- as you can see in my "goal bars" below, I want to- however long it takes- get back into the rough scrambler mode I once was, and hike a cumulative 100km with a pack. To get there, I need to get myself in shape- my pack belt doesn't even clip around my waist anymore.

I don't know how much I weigh but it's more than conventional scales can display, so my only step for this goal so far is to see a doctor about my weight, make some plans, find out what I actually weigh and go from there.

100% just for seeing the doc on this one, because I have been putting it off a long long time.

And now- just for fun-
Side-goal: Just be a little bit tidier in general, geez Tree...
A good survivalist is neat, tidy- with a solid working knowledge of their inventory.

This one is easy- over the next few weeks of this challenge, I just need to progressively tidy up, get rid of stuff I don't need and organise what I do need. I'm about to start a course online, so I need to make sure my work-space is workable. I have to share that room with my housemates, and it's also where I feed my cat- so it *really* needs to be organised. As well as my room. And the bathroom- the sinks have standing water in them that need to be fixed too-

I basically need to make this a livable environment.

Grading? 50% for initial clean of whole house next week, 5% per "upkeep" job thereafter.





I think that's everything covered now- WOO! LET THE APOCALYPSE BEGIN!

-Tree

[Meushell]

Nice story. It's relates well between you and your character.

[BitterOyster]

Love the theme! Super cool intro and it relates really well to your goals.
This is gonna be awesome!

[addertwist]

Oh hell! This is gonna be really exciting to track! Looking forward to seeing how you progress on this - weight loss can be really difficult, particularly when mental illness complicates things. You have my wholehearted support, along with that of the NF community!

[Blaidd]

I love your goals.  We often forget to get our house in order before we start our journeys and along the way we let other things overwhelm us (I am like that). 

 

You might notice that someone has added a tag to your post.  This is not to box you into a corner but rather because your goals or lifestyle have links to the guild you've been tagged and we'd like to bring you to the attention of one of their guild ambassadors. These ambassadors will be able to offer you advice, encouragement and support on your goals.  You don't even have to wait around for them to come introduce themselves to you, you are more than welcome to pop into the Adventurers' board and introduce yourself to the guildies there. I am also around to answer any questions that you might have so do not hesitate to PM me.

 

Good Luck with your challenge

AB xx

[Koaladle]

I think that it's awesome you thought to add seeing the doctor to your quests! The doc will most certainly arm you (and your survivalist) with the knowledge needed to complete your quests. Mental health is a major factor with the weight struggle in much of my family; you are definitely not alone there. I'm glad you've got things under control, and very happy to see that you're here to show off your progress. 

 

I'll be following you, too! Good luck!

[Koaladle]

I think that it's awesome you thought to add seeing the doctor to your quests! The doc will most certainly arm you (and your survivalist) with the knowledge needed to complete your quests. Mental health is a major factor with the weight struggle in much of my family; you are definitely not alone there. I'm glad you've got things under control, and very happy to see that you're here to show off your progress. 

 

I'll be following you, too! Good luck!

[annyshay]

Hello there!  Can I just say, I related with SO MUCH of your intro story.  And I am super jealous of your organizing, cleaning, and dance studio making plans.  Definitely following along to see you kick butt here.

 

 

Also, I'm one of the Assassin ambassadors.  Let me drop in and give you our official invite!

 

You've already found our recruit thread, like a boss.   This is where we keep all the important guild info.

 

This is the Den where all the Assassins hang out, usually with ridiculous gifs.    Sneak on in and say hello (or lurk, you know whatever).  The Assassin phonebook is a cool place that we keep updated with who is working on what.  You can check out their threads or ask questions.

 

I'll be following along, so please please please ask any questions you've got.  And much luck securing your shelter!!!

[Zahirah]

I love your survivalist goals!  And, I can relate somewhat in terms of the mentall illness as well.  It can be difficult to focus on your physical health when trying to heal mentally/emotionally.  Totally here for support

[fffffinn]

You had me at the introduction. I'm going to see how you push this thing through! You have a very detailed plan of action, at least for goal number 1, which CAN be a GOOD thing. I myself (as a hopeless catastrophist) think you'd need a backup plan. Anyway - think about that. Don't lose the steam, though.

 

Now go break the barriers.

[Chelsea0270516]

That sounds like an amazing plan!  

[Ashtree]

THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE!!!!!


@annyshay AHHH! THANKYOU! Assassins is DEFINITELY where I see myself, and already I'm finding so much support and advice in there. It's gonna be fantastic, not just for my dancing, but also my everything else- as a hiker, rock climbing and scrambling are things that Assassin-style support will be really useful for.

@fffffinn I hear ya, fortunately each of those steps are rather small in and of themselves, and it's all something I had to do anyway, so I'm sorta adding it to my challenge for an easy-win, hehehe. I'll have a bit of help with some of the tasks, though- which is gonna make it even more attainable.

Thanks so much guys! I'm gonna be posting some "before" pics of the space soon!

[Bekah]

Hi I'm Bekah and I saw you had cleaning and weight loss and mental health stuffs and rainbows for your stats, so I wanted to say hi and follow along with your progress I love your garage goal. The detailed plans always end up going well for me too.

[Love_Of_Snuggles]

I love your story. It is very inspirational and encourages me to really develop my character. I wish you the best of luck with the cleaning and organizing. It is something I am a bit of an expert at and have helped many friends over the years. Garages are the worst.  If you ever need a cheerleader, give a shout. I am pretty good an motivational support too.

[Ashtree]

Hi I'm Bekah and I saw you had cleaning and weight loss and mental health stuffs and rainbows for your stats, so I wanted to say hi and follow along with your progress I love your garage goal. The detailed plans always end up going well for me too.

You found the raiiinnbooowsss! tee hee!!

[Ashtree]

Day 1

In order to keep track of time and my mind, I shall keep a journal. At least until such times as the paper serves a greater purpose. For want of companionship, I shall write to you, unknown reader, in what remains of this tattered book I found when I entered this abandoned shack. 

Last night I slept at the base of a large cliff, nestled between two boulders for cover and protection. This morning, as soon as there was enough light to see, I began climbing the wall. Using my only carabiner and a length of rope joining me to it, I commenced picking my way up the rock, fervently hoping in my malnourished and dehydrated daze that I did not make any mistakes.

four hours, with frequent breaks, and I was at the top. Exhausted. I lay there in the heat of the mid-morning sun- I pulled my dusted and dirtied scarf over my head, and did not move until nightfall. I had to be sure the shelter was empty. At dusk, I moved inside. 

Exhaustion prevents me from taking inventory this second, but I will rest more comfortably tonight than last. Now, I will sleep.

DAY ONE

Ok, so the first day of the challenge has come, and I've got some updates. First of all, I'm tackling cleaning the whole house, since I have to wait on finances to get the shed started (I mean, apart from sweeping and stuff). Today I focused on my room, which is also my rat's room (where their cage is). Cleaning their cage is an immense task that takes hours, but today was the last time I'll be cleaning their big cage, as I moved them into the smaller "rattirement villa" to help my boy Chuckie in his old age.

It's actually related to a small setback in my progress- my boy Chuckie is very elderly and has lost a lot of the use of his back legs. He's my longest lived rat at just over 2 years and 7 months old, and without leg use, his life is very basic, and will be very uncomfortable if he develops sores from dragging. I've made the call (to my mother, who will make the call to the vet *for* me) to have my boys put to sleep next week. This is a very upsetting process, even though I've come well to term with it, and have been mentally preparing for a long time.

Chuckie lives with two 18 month old albino boys I rescued earlier this year- they're terrified of humans and adore Chuckie. They are inseparable. They both are developing signs of complicated respiratory infections, which is common in rats, and even more so in rescues. Even though they're only middle-age (in rat years), I've decided it's in their best interests to go with brother Chuckie. This means they'll alll be together in the little hamster crate while the vet gives them "sleepy gas" and it will be their last memory- snuggling together (I'm also giving them chocolate and yogurt for breakfast that day).

NATURALLY this is gonna have an affect on my productivity, but having owned rats for over 10 years, it's a very hard but very frequent journey. This time, though, I'm not adopting more ratties, so that may also be a bit tough for a bit. I've had them constantly. Now it'll just be me and my cat, Wilbur. 

*ok, let's it off, shake off those sads*



um, taylor though, meh.

ANYWHO


I have successfully completed 10% of my Side-Challenge! My room is clean, I got rid of a heap of clothes- which my housemate gladly accepted, so recycling points there- and I even maneuvered a giant 2.5 metre tall cage through our tiny hallways and down a flight of stairs THROUGH a cat-net, while being cried at by my cat from the window (he wanted to be outsides wivs mama). Upkeep of my bedroom will reward me with 2% each week (each room of the house I spot-clean gets me an extra 2% on my side challenge).

Huzzah! Tomorrow, I'm picking up some second hand mirrors for the shed- not studio mirrors, but BIG enough to work in a pinch. I'd eventually like to get some portable full length/width mirrors.

I also have to pack away my camping gear...







 

[ExpectJade]

This sounds like a very achievable and good thought trough plan. I am looking forward to reading about your progres and maybe see some progress pics from the turning from storage to dance studio

[Zahirah]

My deepest condolences on having to put your babies to sleep.

Almost my whole life I have had cats, but I am not willing to adopt an animal in Japan when I know that I will only be here for a few years. It's been hard not having animals around, especially for the emotional support they have always provided.

I hope that Wilbur will be able to help you through it though

[Koaladle]

I'm cuddling my buddy and in tears. I send you hugs to you and your babies.

 

Congratulations on your progress so far! Keep this momentum. <3 

[Meushell]

Great story. I look forward to reading more. Good job on your progress as well.

I'm sorry to hear about your rats. I know how you feel. I've had cats all my life. The last two we had died last August, a week apart. The last one was about nineteen years old. It is sad and strange to have a pet or type of pet for so long, then suddenly no longer. It is too bad your other two rats are so afraid of humans. It sounds like you've given them a better life than they had.

[Ashtree]

Thanks everyone <3

@Mueshel  It is a shame I could handle them a little bit, but I didn't want to stress them out by handling them as often as needed to build trust. I knew they were happy with Chuckie, and Chuckie was VERY happy with them, so I didn't force it. 

As for the Challenge- I'm skipping the RP for a bit, as I'm a bit low spirited.

Update: I've completed two full room cleans, so that's 20% of my side-challenge complete! I've also purchased a large (and quite old) dressing table, still in awesome condition- which came with a VERY BIG MIRROR. If I stand far enough back I can see my entire body in it, even if I move in big steps side to side. This will save me loads of money on BIG STUDIO MIRRORS until such times as I build a proper one (using shrinkable reflective mylar).

This means I'm 20% on Challenge 4 and 10% on Challenge one.

I'm going to be a bit delayed on some of my other challenges this week, as I've come home to my parents' place for the "end of rattie life" stages. My local, trusted vet is where I'd prefer to take them, and they'll be buried all together in a snuggle pile in my parents' yard.

I'm not near the beach now, or a pool and it's raining all week. I could swim in the local creek but it's not the cleanest- so I'm going to swap out swimming this week for a walk, we have some nice nature tracks nearby. Everything else is pretty much on hold until I get back. 

Cheers all!

[Koaladle]

I think that your situation is totally understandable, and I admire your tenacity to flex your quests around your personal life. Well done, and once again my condolences for the ratties.

 

I'll keep checking in to send moar and moar and moar hugs while you're in the midst of all this sadness. 

[Meushell]

@Ashtree I admire anyone who can take in abused animals. It is not a trait I am brave enough to have. It'll be nice to have a place to visit them.

Good for you for keeping up with the challenge. I hope you are having fun, well, probably not the cleaning part, but the setup.

[Koaladle]

How have you been?

[fffffinn]

Hope everything's moving along snappily. Don't worry about adjusting the goals if you need. Hoping to hear back from your post-apocalyptic adventures.