[JediNickD] World 2 Level 8: “Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.”

[JediNickD]

Welcome back for another episode of the exciting Adventures of JediNickD! It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away that I joined this site and started my first challenge. Upon my return, I have decided to revisit some of my challenge themes to turn them into lessons as I had been doing more recently.  I feel it is a good way to reflect on my own learning and progress to write about and share these lessons, but I also have another objective. I am cataloging these lessons in a document which is now up to 142 pages. The plan is to use this document as a reference for my personal Jedi training and to pass on for my Padawan training. It isn't just my Nerd Fitness challenges. It includes every Jedi-related writing I have done, training I have worked through, and documents I have collected (which are not protected but have sources noted).

 

 

Challenge Lesson:

"Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future."
-- Yoda, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

 

Yoda is very powerful and knowledgeable in the Force.  Typically, he has the ability to see events well into the future, but it can be clouded by the dark side or the tipping of scales of large decisions.  In this quote, Yoda was specifically referring to the fates of Han, Chewie, and Leia in the hands of Darth Vader on Bespin since Luke's choice to stay or go and his potential to fall to the dark side factored heavily into the events outcome, but Yoda's words carry more weight to it.  Predicting the future is always reliant on current conditions and knowledge.  As things happen and new things come to light, those predictions become more or less likely.  The predictions could drastically change due to new information or occurrences. There are too many unforeseen variables at times.  Being aware of how our decisions can influence the future is important to achieving the future we desire.  Being aware of outside influences and the potential for unpredictable occurrences can help prepare for detours and breakdowns. 

 

 

My Main Quest and Mission:

My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me. As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one. There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow.

 

World 2 Level 7 Challenge:

FITNESS:

• Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 120 weekly.

  DEX +1, STA +2

  The weekly plan is a minimum of two tabata runs with Pokémon Go.  These runs are to include at least 5 sprints of ~50 meters for increased intensity.  It's getting cold outside, so I may move to a treadmill for a few of the runs.  We'll see how it goes.  I'll also have 60 minutes of racquetball on Fridays.  I'd like to do some field or gym training for rugby, soccer, and football footwork and ball work, as well.

   

• Exercise: Stretch and Strengthen - 500 min total, 120 weekly.

  STR +2, DEX +1

  The weekly plan includes 10 minutes of regular stretching each day, two 20 minute sessions of physical therapy exercises and 20 minutes of other strength training each week.  The minimum leaves 40 minutes to make up by the end of the challenge.
   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 500 min total, 120 weekly
  STR +1, DEX +1, STA +1
  Better to count Karate by itself.  It is too difficult to predict or categorize the classes as Cardio or Strengthening.  Plan is 2 classes a week for 45 min each.  Add a third class or a individual practice for the last 30 min.   
   

DIET:

• Weight Control - Lose 2 lbs by end of challenge. Never weigh more than 159.5 lbs. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 4.  Watch portions and make healthy choices for 24 of 28 days.
  CON +2
  Going to eat salad and veggies as much as possible with apples and dark chocolate as my sugary snacks.  Avoid soda, ice cream, and potato chips.  Minimize cheese and nuts.  Most importantly, I have to continue to watch my portions.  I cannot ever have two "large" meals in one day.  Aiming for one small meal and one medium meal a day, keeping breakfast as small as possible.
   

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete 60 Tasks or Projects, with at least 12 a week, from any of the following areas (max for challenge, no more than 3 each per week): Toastmasters Communication Practice (2), Toastmasters Leadership Practice (4), Webmaster Work (6), Mentoring (8), Charity Work (8), Jedi Training (4), Self Preservation (2), Church Work (4), Job Work (8), Household Chores (8), Yard Work (8), Animal Care (8), Home Renovation (8), Auto Maintenance (8), Family Activities (8), Adventuring (6).   
  WIS +2, CHA +2

• No longer worried about diversity.  I want to continue to get the important weekly things done while looking for the neglected areas. 
  I NEED to revisit my IJRS Jedi Training this challenge.  It has been too long. 
  Auto Maintenance will be important to get to before the weather gets too cold and icy.  Same with any Home Renovation and Yard Work. 
  Incorporating a reward and consequence has been really helpful, so I'll keep doing that. 
  REWARD:  For each week I complete 12 or more tasks, I will put $10 aside for buying something just for me.
  CONSEQUENCE:  For any week where I complete less than 12 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash.
  BONUS:  $5 for each IJRS Lesson completed.

 

Major Dates:  Disney World Dec 1st-5th, Christmas Weekend Dec 23rd-26th.  Each of these periods will need to be planned carefully to meet my goals.

[Infinity.Creates]

Disney World! That sounds awesome!

 

And A++ goals and theme, I definitely love the idea of having a challenge lesson to think more closely about.

 

All the best! 

[JediNickD]

Starting Weight: 159.6 lbs... I worked hard to avoid over eating and eating healthy at the park (slipping twice when eating off site at Fuddruckers and Uno's).  I walked long hours, carrying small children at times.  I even woke up early and ran two of the days.  It is unavoidable.  If I am on vacation, then I will gain a couple pounds.  The pounds will come off again as I am back to the grind.

 

Disney World was great, though!  We did our big family (wife's side) photo with Chewbacca, which was my wife's idea.  Day one, we hit Epcot, walking around the world, taking the time to visit and see more than before as we were there for 12 hours.  I eyed the Japanese sword that I will one day buy.  Don't think I'll get it there, but I know they have it and I admire it every Epcot visit.  The Japan gift store is just fun to walk through and shop.  Day two, we went to Animal Kingdom doing all the awesome stuff there, then hitting Magic Kingdom in the evening staying until almost midnight.  Easily our longest day with 12 hours at the parks and 2 hours at the pool as a "rest".  We rest hard.  Day three, we spent the morning at Magic Kingdom, hitting our favorites before it got busy, heading back to the resort after lunch for naps and pool time, then closing out the trip with an evening at Hollywood Studios doing Star Wars stuff.  Kylo Ren was pretty menacing asking about the droid.  My sister-in-law-in-law was taking a picture and said "Smile!" and he sternly responded "No."  I almost lost it. 

 

Last night was kids Karate class earning a green stipe for three basic form blocks.  Tonight is Adult class for me.  The kids and wife might go to class too, but they made need a night off.  There is more class on Thursday.

 

This morning I stretched and did some pullups and leg raises.  I attempted a hand stand but my right wrist gave out on me.  I must have over worked it with my chores yesterday.

 

So, I took Tuesday off work to get some chores done around the house.  I had two big items on the list (Christmas lights on the gutters and cleaning the gutters), which I didn't get to because my Labrador caught and maimed one of our chickens.  We had to put the chicken down.  Then I had to repair and reinforce the fence separating the chickens and dogs.  Just rerouted my whole morning, then rain kept me from getting on the roof.  Hopefully, it dries up and I can get the work done this weekend. 

[JediNickD]

I also did laundry and dishes, plus cooked dinner and helped the kids with their homework.  It was a busy night. 

[JediNickD]

Last Night:

Kids and wife weren't feeling it last night, so we took the night off from Karate and watched Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.  My 6 year old cried when the family arrived at the animal shelter only to find that their pets had escaped just moments before their arrival.  That movie holds up real well and was a lot of fun for the kids. 

 

Fixed the duck yard fence where the dog got in. I inspected the fencing all over.  There are a few more weak points which I need to fix soon before the dog finds them.  I haven't seen the rabbit recently which worries me.  The dog has him all spooked out after getting in the pen so many times.  Hopefully, he hasn't/doesn't decide to leave the yard.  I need to fix the shed so he can't hide underneath it and clean up the boroughs.

 

I need to clean the other rabbit hutch, too.

 

I also gave the dog a bath.  He got muddy playing in the yard.

 

Today:

158.6 lbs.  Stretching, physical therapy, stationary bike, and some lifting. 

 

Karate this evening. 

[starpuck]

Catching up on things and glad I found your thread!

Love the plan of attack on this challenge.   So concise and sensible and just all around good!

 

I too just got back from Disney!!  We missed each other by like, a week tops.   I was so thrilled with how much they've done to add to the Star Wars experience at Hollywood Studios.   The Launch Bay was just cool to walk around and immerse yourself in.

 

Following along again my fellow Jedi!

[JediNickD]

2 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Catching up on things and glad I found your thread!

Love the plan of attack on this challenge.   So concise and sensible and just all around good!

 

I too just got back from Disney!!  We missed each other by like, a week tops.   I was so thrilled with how much they've done to add to the Star Wars experience at Hollywood Studios.   The Launch Bay was just cool to walk around and immerse yourself in.

 

Following along again my fellow Jedi!

 

All the Rogue One stuff was pretty cool to see.  Can't wait to see if they added a sequence to the Star Tours ride to incorporate the Rogue One storyline.  Also, we caught the Path of the Jedi featurette.  Since The Force Awakens released, they added Rey's path to it, which is a nice addition. 

[starpuck]

5 minutes ago, JediNickD said:

 

All the Rogue One stuff was pretty cool to see.  Can't wait to see if they added a sequence to the Star Tours ride to incorporate the Rogue One storyline.  Also, we caught the Path of the Jedi featurette.  Since The Force Awakens released, they added Rey's path to it, which is a nice addition. 

That was the one thing we didn't catch.  We caught the Galaxy, Far Far Away show, the 10 minute thing with clips from the movies sensationalized by live characters making stage appearances.   We did the Star Tours ride, which included BB-8 this time, and was a new 'movie' from when I went last year, but no Rogue One tidbits.    I LOVED the First Order marching down the streets though.  That was awesome.

 

 

[JediNickD]

 

16 hours ago, Starpuck said:

That was the one thing we didn't catch.  We caught the Galaxy, Far Far Away show, the 10 minute thing with clips from the movies sensationalized by live characters making stage appearances.   We did the Star Tours ride, which included BB-8 this time, and was a new 'movie' from when I went last year, but no Rogue One tidbits.    I LOVED the First Order marching down the streets though.  That was awesome.

 

 

 

We missed the march, which we initially planned, but fell off the radar since our fast passes went correlated well, which is the difficulty with a 14 person group (but it is fun to just be there with family).  The Rogue One props and artwork was the "stuff" I was referring to.  I meant to go back and edit "stuff", but I forgot. 

[JediNickD]

156.6 lbs this morning after some intense and competitive racquetball.  I'm still a little overheated.

 

Last night was kids karate.  It was a fun class, but not as productive as it could have been.  Kids can just be terrible at paying attention.  At the end, we were split into three groups doing quick side kicks to focus on speed, chamber, and balance.  After, each group had their "quickest foot" demonstrate in front of everyone.  Myself, my wife, and my 8 year old were the chosen ones.  It was neat to see my daughter be up there.  She was very proud of herself.  I'm not sure my youngest is enjoying it.  She just wants to be home and play, but I think I can help that this weekend with a little play practice.   

[JediNickD]

No weight this morning, though I am sure I gained a little (damn Christmas cookies and beer!)

 

Weekend:  I did two walks in the frigid cold with the dogs, 1.2 miles and 1.6 miles.  Stretched each morning.  I got a ton of stuff done around the house.  Saturday, I cleaned, swept, and vacuumed the living room, kitchen, and dining room with the kids, replaced a toilet seat, rewired the rabbit and chicken yard power lines to remove some unneeded extension cords, donated items to a Pregnancy Center, and setup a wireless mic for the Baby Shower for Jesus speaker.  After, the shower, I took the kids and dogs to a park to play.  On Sunday, I got up on the roof to clean gutters and mount icicle Christmas lights, I did laundry, washed dishes, cleaned the rabbit hutch, cleaned litter boxes, and fixed the screen door on the deck.  I also placed paver stones at the chicken yard gate to keep the dog from digging under and filled in a few holes.  I walked the dogs around the neighborhood.  I cooked a yummy dinner with parsnips and carrots.  I'll be adding parsnips to my grocery list.

[Mr_Willes]

Dude can you come over to my place? Epic list of stuff got done!!!

[starpuck]

I agree with mr_willes!  Holy crap.  Adulting Mode:  ENGAGED TO 11!         I also can't help but giggle every time I hear the word parsnip, so bonus points for that.    Really, that was one heck of a weekend!

[JediNickD]

Incentives are good.    I'm earning money to spend on myself and video game time for myself.  I'm also showing the kids that hard work is important and rewarding by incentivizing their hard work with an allowance and Minecraft time.  The trick is to give them a taste and then take it away. 

 

Parsnip is a funny word.  Last night, I cooked persimmon.  I had no idea how to say it and came up with at least 4 incorrect pronunciations.  Now, that I look at it and my wife correcting me multiple times, I feel like a doof for not being able to pronounce it correctly, since it is pronounced exactly as it is spelled.  It tasted gross (most likely the recipe and the fruit combined) so I won't be cooking with it for a while.  As for parsnip, I have plans to cook that again this week!

[JediNickD]

159.0 lbs.  Fell off the diet wagon with peppermint bark, sugar cookies, hot cocoa, ice cream, and beer over the weekend, so I am not surprised.  Also, I am in muscle building mode, since the weather got cold and my body is not interested in running outside.  It desires the warmth of the gym.  I just need to get more cardio in high intensity training, like broad jumps.  My quads are still burning from those.  Sprints, stationary bikes, treadmills, and row machines are also options.

 

Since I was sore, I took extra stretch time at 30 minutes, then bundled up and hit the track for 30 minutes.  After a couple laps I warmed up and was comfortable, but I need to remember to take my allergy medicine at night.  Too much phlegm in the morning.  On running days, I should nasal spray before stretching too. 

 

We have Karate tonight so hopefully my body is less sore by then.

 

Last night, I washed all the dishes for the second straight night.  An empty sink does wonders for my happiness.  I was pretty upset last night after my wife attempted to fixed my cracked phone screen and completely broke my phone.  Her intentions were good, but her approach was not careful enough.  Her inexperience and lack of knowledge in electronics showed.  The video tutorial she used had her completely disassemble the phone, then put it back together... for a replacing a glass screen.  At the end of the video, as they are about to put the new screen on, the narrator joked "You didn't have to do any of that".  I was falling asleep on the couch at 7:30, then putting the kids to bed and taking care of the animals when all that happened.  I checked on her and found my phone completely disassembled and nearly had a stroke.  I kept calm though and didn't say anything mean like I normally would.  Instead, I issued reassurances in her ability to put it back together.  She seemed confident and enthusiastic.  When she was done and the "screen" didn't turn on, she was very sorry.  I looked at it and noticed how broken my screen was and realized her big mistake.  She didn't transplant the old touchscreen to the new glass, and if she understood how the touchscreen worked, she would have noticed how broken my screen already was and would not have proceeded to replace anything.  The touchscreen is now shattered in multiple places and missing fragments.  It'll never function again.  I was aware that it was most likely cracked as well and had no intentions to replace it.  I was happy with how it functioned and it wasn't getting worse drastically.  I relied heavily on it throughout the day (hardly touching a PC at home except for Toastmasters Web stuff and video games).   It was too much of a cost to risk losing it.  Oh well.  I'll have a new phone soon.  Hopefully, she'll bite the bullet and get me the same model, which costs the same as the touchscreen replacement now that it is 2 generations behind.  I finally snapped at her while laying in bed when she told me that I should just go to the store tomorrow and get a new phone from our carrier.  They don't have my model and her phone was their best model by far, which I don't like at all except the camera.  I felt it was her responsibility to replace the phone, but when I said it my tone was bitter.  I needed to be nicer, if I wanted her to understand that, but she really aggravated me with how and what she said as it appeared she did not understand how important the phone was to my everyday life and how much she was risking when she decided to attempt to fix it.  No backing up of data or anything.  Hopefully, all the important stuff is on the SD and SIM cards.  It is just frustrating.  But the stress will drain away with time.  It is just a phone.

[JediNickD]

No weight.  Stretch and some lifting for 30 minutes.  Needed some rest.  Missed karate last night to get a new phone.  It's not a Galaxy S5, but the specs are close with the Galaxy J7.  Went out to dinner, so no dishes. 

 

Yesterday, I did a Speech and Speech Evaluation at Toastmasters.  Today, we have an officers meeting to plan our next recruitment drive.

[JediNickD]

Completed Lesson 10 of my Personal 101 course at IJRS.  Jedi Training back on track, even with the loss of my lesson homework journal on my old phone.  Losing my memos may have been the worst part about losing that phone.  I had so much stored there because my memory just can't store it all any more.  From many good ideas for Toastmaster speeches, gifts for family and friends, thoughts from church sermons, lists of tasks to do, and my Jedi training homework journal... it is all gone.  Maybe I put all that in the cloud this time.

[Mr_Willes]

On 13-12-2016 at 3:18 PM, JediNickD said:

It is just frustrating.  But the stress will drain away with time.  It is just a phone.

 

I think you handled the situation quite well. Snapping can happen, but at least you really made an effort to get by it as good as possible. But indeed remember "It is just a phone".

 

I had a talk with someone at a party yesterday. He has a bad back, like a really bad back. Got operated 2 years ago, but it only became worse. He's 29 now and the only option he has at this point is bracing his lower back. This means that he will have a few years (somewhere between 5-10) where he can do normal things, but bracing the lower part means that the upper part will deteriorate faster. So after that time he will probably be in a wheel chair. He's at that point that he gets it's not the doctors fault but still pissed about the whole situation which is eating him physically and mentally (2 young kids, but not being able to do anything fun with them, or even being able to pick them up). But at the end he concluded the talk with "but i'm fortunate it's only this" (making a short reference to a friend who got diagnosed with cancer recently).

 

It put a lot of my "problems" at this moment into perspective. Your phone story reminded me of it.

 

Definitely use the cloud for that stuff. It's the most practical way of storing it.

[JediNickD]

158.4 lbs this morning.  The sickness is getting better.  Racquetball this morning.  Could be the last time until I find someone new to play.  My racquetball friend won't be working on the base for a while.

 

This weekend was odd.  The weather was just awful on Saturday with snow, freezing rain, and ice every where.  I setup the water heaters outside for the chickens and rabbits.  I did dishes.  I worked on the Toastmasters District website, but I didn't finish and publish yet.  I need to finish it up tonight. 

 

We should be good to go for Karate this week.  Did some practice this weekend by myself.  Gotta wrap presents, the last shipments should come by Wednesday. 

 

We went to see Rogue One on Saturday.  It was awesome!  Go see it! 

 

I let the kids open a present early yesterday.  They wanted to play Minecraft and I had bought them their own controllers, so we could all play together.  It was a lot of fun having all 4 of us building a house, running from zombies, growing trees inside the house, sharing food and tools, and seeing everyone be creative with their building.  It was smart to get that gift out of the way and at a time when we were all there to play together.  I like to see the excitement behind each gift and you don't get that with binge gift opening.  We'll probably spread opening gifts throughout Christmas day as it has worked so well in the past.  This year, though, there isn't anything large to assemble, which would prompt a break in gift opening.  Instead, it is on a Sunday, so we'll break for breakfast and church. 

[JediNickD]

Finished my last two IJRS Personal 101 lessons for my Jedi training.  I've got three courses left before I would test for Novice rank at the site.  I have to revisit my training plan and goal tracker since it has been over four years since I started the Novice training.  I'm a little excited about testing for Novice, because I'd like to take my writing to the next level.  Moving towards Adept with individual study and research projects would challenge my writing and communication skills.

[JediNickD]

159.0 lbs this morning.  What the hell body!  I was good yesterday!  Maybe I need to poop.  sigh

 

Karate last night.  I learned the Yellow belt form, but not memorized yet.  Need more practice. 

 

Stretch and lift this morning.  My arms will be sore for sure.  Hamstrings are sore from yesterday.  Treating them nice.  Will do stretch and physical therapy tomorrow.  Maybe a foam roller too if the hamstrings are still sore.

[JediNickD]

159.2 lbs this morning.  I blame the weight lifting.  Running tomorrow.

 

At Karate last night, I got to practice my combinations.  My footwork is sloppy.  Need to drill it.   I have an awesome idea drill to do on Friday to crank up the cardio and build that muscle memory. 

 

Received my next workbooks for Jedi Training at IJRS for Jedi Studies 101 and Warrior 101.  I can't wait to crack them! 

 

I must have done some good work this year.  I received a nice raise and bonus!  Our budget has been tight to be able to afford our vacation and celebrations this year.  Hopefully, we can start putting money aside for our next home renovation project (and next car purchase).  I'm sure my wife will want to get the basement done this summer.

[Mr_Willes]

19 hours ago, JediNickD said:

I must have done some good work this year.  I received a nice raise and bonus!  Our budget has been tight to be able to afford our vacation and celebrations this year.  Hopefully, we can start putting money aside for our next home renovation project (and next car purchase).  I'm sure my wife will want to get the basement done this summer.

 

This is always a blessing, that (could potentially) relieve a lot of stress! Glad to hear!

 

And you are really killing it on the workouts! Every report i read has something in it! Keep it up!

[JediNickD]

158.4 lbs this morning.  Ran 2.9 miles.  My legs and lungs felt good.  I could have gone longer, but I was out of time.  Up and out the door earlier next time.

 

Last night, we went to Herr's Potato Chip Factory for Christmas Lights hayride, Reindeer, and Santa.  Excellent family quality time.  On the ride home, my youngest was asking about staying up late and my wife told her not to ruin such a great night.  It was a pretty funny back and forth, since my daughter is a stubborn 6 year old and can be pretty persuasive utilizing black mail if not getting her way, and my wife just wants to have a "perfect" night with the family with no whining or fighting.  I think my wife has unrealistic expectations and be happy it lasted as long as it did.  ;-)   

[JediNickD]

So I'm really bad about actually spending money on myself.  With my incentives saved up last challenge ($40) plus my birthday gift cards ($95 in Amazon cards, which I "converted to cash" through Christmas shopping on Amazon) plus my incentives saved this challenge ($20+$15), I have $170 saved up to spend on myself!  With $20 left to earn and enough time for two more Jedi lessons, I could have $200 plus any gift cards I get for Christmas.  I also have large checks of birthday money from my parents and in-laws which I threw into the savings bank for the basement renovations.  I feel like I should do the same with my incentives.  $200 is just too much to frivolously spend on myself, never mind those large checks.  It's like spending on myself, because I want to do the renovations, but I loathe the costs.  If I already put the money aside, then it relieves the stress of the cost.  Lastly, I don't mind spending a little more (once we've already committed to spending anything) to get what we want and will appreciate in the long run.  Applying my money to that will make happier about it.  

 

New Incentive:  If I do earn all $200 through Tasks and Jedi Lessons, then any gift cards I get for Christmas, I'll let myself actually spend them on myself the week after the challenge.  Unless they are for restaurants.  I'll save those for a rainy day.  If I don't get any gift cards, then I'll buy a set of 10 discounted movie tickets for the family from AAA, which is about $80.