[JediNickD] World 3 Level 2: “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power.”

[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.. World 1 was my first extended stay.  I took a hiatus from NF and came back with a new direction for my goals where I warped to World 2, which I defeated in a Boss Fight slaying some mighty big goals.  On to World 3 to continue to level up my life!

 

 

Challenge Lesson:

In Episode IV: A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi is training Luke Skywalker in the fundamentals of the Force and Jedi.  Aboard the Millennium Falcon, Obi-Wan dispenses this very important description of the Force during a lightsaber training exercise:
 

Quote

Obi-Wan: The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.

 

Here we get the first real description of what the Force is.  We've seen a little of what it can do.  There is a mystery about it.  I don't want to focus on the wording though.  More in what it means and how it relates to my training.  Obi-Wan is talking about how all parts of the universe are connected in some way.  It could be supernatural, sub-atomic, multi-dimensional, etc, but that is not important.  Jedi can tap into it, interact with it, and manipulate real world things with it. 
 
The main way this relates to the real world is cause and effect.  Everything you do, every choice you make, effects the universe around you.  It could be significant or inconsequential, but there is an effect.  If I move my hand to the left instead of the right, then air molecules are pushed a different direction.  These moving air molecules create "wind" moving water molecules (humidity) and dust particles about.  These changes may be inconsequential in the moment, but could alter the long run balance of the system if it were a prolonged change.  Anyway, the idea is that for every cause there are infinite number of effects and the universe is different than before the cause.  The biggest cause to the ever-changing universe is time.  We do little to effect the world around us compared to time.  Without time, there would be no motion.  As time passes, motion passes and causing effects with it.
 
The second way it relates to the real world is belief.  Religious and spiritual people believe in supernatural beings or energies creating, controlling, and connecting the Earth, universe, or whatever.  These groups of people believe with the proper training, life choices, equipment, etc that they can interact with these things to alter the universe, change the future, etc.  Many scientists believe in String Theory connecting everything together, allowing seemingly unconnected things to influence each other.  The Force is all those things for those people. 
 
The last way the Force relates to the real world is that it IS life.  With each passing moment, life passes.  The Force is the moment, the life, everything.  As things around you change, you can hold one thing to your comfort.  That is the Force is always there. 
 
Since I'm more of the logical, rational, non-believer, science-based type, I tend to just focus on the first and last one, ignoring the un-measureable, unobservable second way.  I mediate to achieve calmness and clarity, not to find an enlightenment or connect to something.  The more I train as a Jedi, the more I understand the second way and why people give their faith to it.

 

 

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 3 Level 2 Challenge:

FITNESS:

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

  DEX +1, STA +1

   

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

  STR +1

   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 500 min total, 120 weekly
  STR +1, DEX +1, STA +1
   

DIET:

• Weight Control - Lose 2 lbs by end of challenge. Never weigh more than 157.6 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 +3
   

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete (or dedicate at least one hour to) 120 Tasks or Projects, with at least 30 each week, from any of the following areas (minimum for challenge):
  Toastmasters Communication Practice (2), Toastmasters Leadership Practice (6), Webmaster Work (4), Mentoring (4), Charity Work (2), Jedi Training (4), Self Preservation (2), Reading (16), Church Work (4), Job Work (10), Business Projects (4), Household Chores (24), Yard Work (8), Animal Care (12), Home Renovation (4), Auto Maintenance (4), Family Activities (8), Adventuring (2).   
  WIS +3, CHA +3
   

 

INCENTIVES!

REWARD 1:  For each week I complete 34 or more tasks, I will put aside $5 to spend how I see fit ($35 carried over).
CONSEQUENCE 1:  For any week where I complete less than 30 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash.

 

REWARD 2:  $5 for each Business Project hour.

CONSQUENCE 2: Lose $5 for each week without a Business Project hour.

 

REWARD 3:  $5 for each Jedi Training lesson.
CONSQUENCE 3: Lose $5 for each week without a Jedi Training lesson.

 

REWARD 4: $5 for fasting on each weekend night after 6pm.  Fruits and veggies allowed in small quantities.  An extra $10 for all three nights. 

CONSQUENCE 4: Lose $10 for each weekend without any fasting.  Lose $5 for eating more than 2 slices of pizza in any meal.

BONUSES: 

• $5 for Home Renovation or Auto Maintenance tasks.
• Any money made from Yard Sale on April 29th.

[JediNickD]

After my vacation to visit the in-laws over Easter weekend, I thought I would be in for a uphill battle to bring my weight back down.  So much of the activities typically involve large meals.  Well, there were a couple of those, and plenty of leftovers for other meals, but I was well enough behaved, and there was so much physical activity (running dogs in the morning, karate practice daily, hours of swimming daily, hiking one day, soccer the next, then hiking again), that I gained a little 158.0 lbs, and lost it quick hitting a new low today!  154.0 lbs! 

 

This week in karate class, I received my last two stripes and am ready for my test for Orange belt on the 30th.  Another woot! 

[JediNickD]

155.4 lbs this morning.  Karate practice after a good stretch and some physical therapy exercises. 

 

Sunday, I finished mowing the yard.  I also did some clean up to prepare for the yard sale.  We have a playhouse and rocking seat which I washed to sell.  I brushed the rabbit.  Our Jack Russell is dealing with pancreatitis, so she was at the ER all weekend.  Picked her up last night.  She is starting to perk up, but she crashed hard and may not be the same.  It has to suck being allergic to everything.

[JediNickD]

154.2 lbs WOOT!

 

Ran for 30 mins and did stretching and toes to bar. Tomorrow, I'm going to kill it on the leg press machine. 

 

Did Jedi Training yesterday.  Dishes and litter boxes at home.

 

Today, I have Toastmasters and probably karate.

[JediNickD]

155.2 lbs

 

Huge workout today.  Couldn't get to the leg press, but I found lots of reps anyway.

 

Did more Jedi Training yesterday.  Dishes and laundry at home. Toastmasters went well as I served as Toastmaster of the Day and Speech Evaluator.  One of my better evaluations, but I see why I can't win at a contest.  I'm not sincere enough.  I lack visual empathy.  I might say and feel something, but my body and face are stone.

 

Karate last night was good and sweaty.  More tonight and maybe again on Thursday.

 

This weekend is the church yard sale.  We'll be preparing for it the next few nights, but I already have a bunch of stuff lined up.  It'll be a matter of getting it all in the van.  Thursday, my wife will be baking pies.  I am not looking forward to the mess, but I know it is coming so it should be less upsetting and stressful than previous pie baking messes.

[JediNickD]

155.4 lbs

 

Stretch and exercise.  Hamstrings are sore from yesterday.  My cardio will be a walk at lunch time.  The weather should be nice for it.

 

Karate last night.  I'm ready for my test on Sunday.  I got a little exposure to the next form I would learn.  It seems much more complicated, mixing three moves into one which I hadn't done yet.

[JediNickD]

Took a rest day this morning. 

 

Friday night, I loaded up the van with the yard sale stuff going through the garage and basement for more items.  I walked the dogs in anticipation of them being home alone for most of Saturday.  I looked into the Wizard Laser Tag inventory to see if there was anything we needed or could part with.  I think I know the best approach for the wand transmitting LED.  I need to put one together next weekend.

 

Saturday, I was up early with the kids to setup the yard sale stuff.  We spent all morning and part of the afternoon out there and made $35.  I gave the kids their share of $11 a piece (minus the hot dogs they bought, which I had brought lunch so hot dogs and snacks from the concession stand were on them), so I made $13.  Not bad, but the success is that I sold the big items that had to go.  Other stuff I can give to family, donate, or keep.  I also helped the church out with some of their items and setup the new "mobile" sound system (to go with the projector) which we used for a couple announcements, which was awesome.  I needed to ask people how far away they heard the announcements.  After the yard sale, I played an RPG with the kids for International Table Top Day.  Their Mermaid adventure turned into quite a fight after they enter a room full of furniture mimics. We took a break and watched "Cool Runnings" which they enjoyed.  After dinner, I practiced Karate to prep for my test.

 

Sunday morning, we went to church and setup the sound, then hit the Dollar Tree to let the girls spend some of their cash, then it was to the Karate test.  It was a fun group and the instructors demonstrated some application stuff.  It was a great 2.5 hours.  After, we went home for lunch, watched a movie, played outside, cleaned the living room, and played some video games together.  I had three things to take care of before bed, help a friend with a Toastmasters speech, get some coach and Jedi website ideas straight, and get some new work done on the District website.  I didn't get to the website, because I was so wrapped into the first two spending 3 hours on them.

 

Big weekend.  Also, I made all my fasting goals for all three days.  It was easier without having people over and having personal tasks at home to focus on. 

 

[JediNickD]

155.4 lbs

 

Tuesday, I ran for 20 min with stretching, physical therapy, and bodyweight exercises before and after.  Karate class in the evening.  Practicing my "Who's on First" speech.  Got some big items done at work.

 

Wednesday morning, I did stretching, physical therapy, bodyweight (pull-ups, assisted archer pull-ups, handstands), leg press, and barbell curls.  I'm crushing the Assassin mini scores, but my team is behind.  Must motivate them!

[JediNickD]

"Who's on First" was a success!  I really enjoyed it and only messed up a few parts.  In front of the audience, focusing on my facial expressions and body movement, it was a little longer than practiced.  I'll cut out parts of my intro to make room. 

 

155.2 lbs this morning.

 

Stretched and ran 3.5 miles in 45 minutes.  Hit 3.0 miles in 34 minutes, then coasted.  It was my best run in a while and it felt like I was racing something.  It was the first time I'd set a difficult goal for time and distance in a long time.  Felt good, but I know I can't do that often, because I will get obsessive, over-worked, and burn out.

 

 

[JediNickD]

156.4 lbs this morning.  Stretch, physical therapy, body weight exercises, and karate practice.  Nice workout.

 

I have a great idea for my Extra Life Gameday this year.  While looking at a walkthrough for Legend of Zelda so I could find the last heart container I couldn't remember where it was, a YouTube streamer ProJared came up on the suggested videos bar with a series called Legend of Zelda Randomized.  There is a randomizer for Legend of Zelda ROMs which mixes up all the levels, caves, and weapon drops.  It's like playing the game for the first time.  It could take hours to play through. 

 

Last night was STEM night at the kids school.  I went with my younger daughter and it was pretty awesome.  They had a biomedical station with hands-on anatomy of pig kidneys, sheep brains, lamb hearts, and cow eyeballs.  She both loved and was disgusted by it.  The engineering room was her favorite.  We built a block tower, a parachute for a wind turbine, a program for a Sphero robot, and rode a hovercraft.  The middle school engineering club ran the room and I can't wait to get my kids in that program.  They will both love it.

[JediNickD]

From May 8th (found the post unpublished this morning):

 

155.2 lbs this morning.  Stretch, run, and body weight exercises. 

 

Friday night, I did website stuff, dishes and laundry, and took care of the animals (feeding, watering, cleaning).  Earlier in the week, my wife started fostering day-old kittens whose mom abandoned them.  Two did not make it, but the one that is thriving is still at our home.  I took up feeding duties Friday night through the weekend since my wife works weekends.  Lastly, I downloaded and setup my Legend of Zelda Emulator and Randomizer on the laptop and tested it out. 

 

Saturday, I finished two more website tasks (one more coming soon and should be more over the weekend).  We went to Karate and a birthday party for one of my eldest's school friends.  We spent many hours at the party making many new friends. 

[Sloth the Enduring]

Your STEM night sounds awesome.  How is the Jedi training coming along?

[JediNickD]

The STEM night was awesome.  I've been really impressed with how well the little elementary school puts together great programs.  I can't wait for Career Day on June 2nd, where I get to present RF and Wireless Engineering again.

 

Jedi Training is going well.  Only a two more classes to finish before I prep for the Novice exam.  I'm halfway through Warrior 101, which covers different types of historical warriors and how they are similar to a Jedi Warrior and where they deviate.  The course is mostly teaching the importance of a Warrior Spirit, striving for success and excellence in everything.  The presentation of material has been more interactive with the instructor than planned reading and writing assignments, which is a different approach than most the other courses.  Thanks for asking!

[JediNickD]

155.0 lbs this morning.  Karate last night and practice this morning.  Taegeuk 3 has some new combinations which I am having trouble mastering.  I just need to keep drilling it working on my back stance and balance.

 

I'm wrapping up all my goals this week.  The incentives really push me to get stuff done.  I've got some ideas to bring in a little more difficulty to challenge in the diet and life areas.  I'm pretty happy with how I am progressing in fitness with a good balance of cardio, exercise, and athletics. 

 

 

[JediNickD]

I owned this weekend with chores, auto maintenance (brake adjustment, air filters, vacuuming, and emissions inspection), home renovation (electrical wiring), and fun with the family and friends, but I couldn't get my diet under control eating desserts and fried food.  I just couldn't help myself.  Serves me right that on Sunday that I had digestive issues.  Back to the drawing board for getting off this diet plateau and to the next level.  Need some greens for lunch and apples for snacks. 

 

 

[JediNickD]

World 3 Level 2 Challenge GRADES:

FITNESS:

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

  DEX +1, STA +1  - A = 565 min, 120+ each week

   

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

  STR +1  - A = 705 min, 160+ each week

   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 500 min total, 120 weekly
  STR +1, DEX +1, STA +1  - A = 615 min, 130+ each week

DIET:

• Weight Control - Lose 2 lbs by end of challenge. Never weigh more than 157.6 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 +3  - A = 154.2 lbs (from 156.4 lbs), never more than 156.7 lbs (0.9 lbs below max allowed!), measurements done, 25 days of healthy choices (3 FUBARs)

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete (or dedicate at least one hour to) 120 Tasks or Projects, with at least 30 each week, from any of the following areas (minimum for challenge):
  Toastmasters Communication Practice (2), Toastmasters Leadership Practice (6), Webmaster Work (4), Mentoring (4), Charity Work (2), Jedi Training (4), Self Preservation (2), Reading (16), Church Work (4), Job Work (10), Business Projects (4), Household Chores (24), Yard Work (8), Animal Care (12), Home Renovation (4), Auto Maintenance (4), Family Activities (8), Adventuring (2).   
  WIS +3, CHA +3  - A = 168 tasks, 39+ each week, 27 days of chores, 24 animal care tasks (fostering a kitten and dog watching skewed this one), 15 work projects done, 12 family activities

 

INCENTIVES!

REWARD 1:  For each week I complete 34 or more tasks, I will put aside $5 to spend how I see fit ($35 carried over).   39+ each week  = $20
CONSEQUENCE 1:  For any week where I complete less than 30 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash.

 

REWARD 2:  $5 for each Business Project hour. 4 Business Projects, one each week = $20 

CONSQUENCE 2: Lose $5 for each week without a Business Project hour.

 

REWARD 3:  $5 for each Jedi Training lesson. 7 Jedi Trainings, one each week = $35 
CONSQUENCE 3: Lose $5 for each week without a Jedi Training lesson.

 

REWARD 4: $5 for fasting on each weekend night after 6pm.  Fruits and veggies allowed in small quantities.  An extra $10 for all three nights.  9 nights, 2 full weekends = $45+$20 = $65 

CONSQUENCE 4: Lose $10 for each weekend without any fasting.  Lose $5 for eating more than 2 slices of pizza in any meal.  1 weekend without fasting = - $10 

BONUSES: 

• $5 for Home Renovation or Auto Maintenance tasks.  10 tasks = $50
• Any money made from Yard Sale on April 29th.  $39 raised split with the kids, so I saved $13. 

Spent $99 (all on Friday and Saturday this past weekend).  $35 (starting) + 20 + 20 + 35 + 65 - 10 + 50 + 13 - 99 = $129 Carry Over

 

Lessons Learned:

 

• Money incentive WORKS.  My business projects needs more focus.  I will raise the stakes there. 
• I should break chores down to dishes, laundry, cleaning, and other
• Reward 4 will need rework to include weeknights, maybe fasting every night next challenge with bonus on the weekend
• Healthy Lunch incentive would be good
• Maybe add an incentive for longer running distances or fast mile times
• Add incentive for sprints