Month 5

Ugh I can't stop watching Kitchen Nightmares, you guys. Gordon. Ramsay. So. Beast. Good grief. Man. So. Good. So yeah, that's what I'm doing right now while this is going on, watching Kitchen Nightmares. He's rocking a Japanese restaurant and the owner is weaksauce.

A BRIEF RECAP OF WHAT'S GOING ON FOR NEW VIEWERS
Hey everyone who may be reading this for the first time. Each week and month this year I'm pulling small slips of paper out of a bowl and doing what it says, whether that's not drinking soda for a week or running 20 miles in a month. I have some duplicates in the weekly bowl and some that are worse than others (eat a salad x days in a week or limit my game time per day), but each is a good challenge for me. Some Monthly Things to Do are expanded Weekly ones (no soda week, no soda month) though I have a couple of very... interesting ones.

So this weekend I have another 5k (my second so far). I'll post some deets on that on Sunday with the regular weekly update. I'm pumped, and I'm trying a few new things for this race than my first 5k a couple of weeks ago -- I'm going to check out the course beforehand in person rather than just viewing it on Google Mapz, for one. Also this one kicks off at 8 am, where the first one started at 10:30, so I'm going to have to get up earlier and watch my breakfast. Ugh. I'm hoping to beat my personal 5k record of literally-a-second-under-32-minutes.

This week's Thing To Do is rly no soda seriously and last night I totally just unconsciously grabbed a root bear, popped it open, and went... aw man. I handed it off with a sigh.

For this month, I've got a 7 AM Wake-Up Call. It was originally an 8 AM Wake-Up Call but I usually get up at 8:30 anyway and that's not good enough. This will also encourage me to get into morning runs and back into tastalicious breakfasts. I'm hoping to keep this up after May, too. We'll see how it goes. I'll let you know how it goes.

Peace

Week 17

Welcome to the pool party, let's get this started. Ugh I really want to go swimming you guys. Also "natatorium" is a fancy way of saying "swimmin pool thats probably inside."

So this month I have to run 2 miles for 10 days, and the end of the month is coming up. I've got one more run left which I'll work out on Tuesday (though I'm doing a barefoot-on-grass 1 miler on Monday because I'm fancy) then I'm done! I had a few days I had to take off from painz, but its' good. I'll post next Month's Thing To Do on Wednesday. Just remind me.

So this past week I was limited to 2 hours of gaming per day. Since the current games I play have low or at least established session times, it's been pretty easy. Been working on some indie titles I've amassed as well as some League. Was pretty easy, but I'm excited about getting a couple of longer play sessions in this week.

For this week, it's a no soda week, like no ginger ale either man. Which sucks, because I just got a fresh delivery of soda and soda accessories. Also did you know that ultra runners (people who run 50k or longer distances) love Coke and drink it during races? I HAD NO IDEA. HOW XTREME IS THAT

I went on a 3 mile run today actually. I'm trying to run at least 3 miles each weekend, with a 1 mile grass run on Mondays, then 2 mile runs on Tuesday and Thursday (with an optional 1 mile [shoe'd] on Wednesday).

So now you know my running schedule. I'm wanting to get my 5k time wayyyyyyy down before I work up to 5 mile or 10ks. That means I have to stop sucking at eating and not exercising, which is going to be an Ordeal.

Peace

Week 16

i won a medal? good grief charlie brown

Hi everybody!
(hi, doctor nick!)

Welcome to week 16. Let's talk.

On Saturday I ran my first 5k (the one I've mentioned a few times here) and did surprisingly well! I ran it in 31:59, though I was hoping for a sub-30 but well you know how it is. I ran a lot faster per mile than I usually do, actually -- moving from a normal 11 minute mile to an average 9:59 minute mile.

Hopefully starting this week I'll be able to cut my time down. I'm planning on signing up for a couple of 5ks in May and June, and beyond. So my PR is literally just under a 32 minute 5k. I think I'm not going to work on increasing my distances (like training for a 10k or a 5 miler, for instance) but working on speed. For now. For now. Anyway, I had a great time this past weekend.

My monthly Thing To Do is to run 2 miles on 10 days. So far, doing really, really well. I had a set back last week, and I'm going to take it easy for the next two days, but I'm still on track to knock this one out of the park.

Last week I started three new FITNESS INITIATIVES, getting me on track to do an insane amount of push-ups, sit-ups and squats. I finished week 1 but... it kicked my butt. I'm going to re-do it this week. Each of the programs are a six week thing, but man. Whew. It's. Difficult. But. I'm excited about doing this. Boom.

So, for next week... I get 2 hours of gaming per day :( I have cut my amount of gaming time anyhow, but mang dis stanks. It'll give me more time to read the six books I checked out from the library because I'm dumb at putting holds on books and guhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I've had worse problems

Peace guys

edit: we passed 500 page views on the blog good job everyone huzzah huzzah for everyone

Interlude 2

So yesterday someone planted two homemade bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. They exploded, and a lot of people were injured. At time of writing, three people have passed away as a result of this attack.

I

Like you may know, I'm not a SRS RUNNER. I've read about ultramarathons and I love the idea of trail races, but I have bowed shins and running is painful. Running is hard. I like running and my legs don't some times. I ice my legs and wear compression shin sleeves after every run, and do what I can to forget the pain. Out of mind, out of... uh. Anyway, I push it out. I focus on other stuff. I push through the pain when I run. But.

I'm hurting today. And that's cheesy and campy and I'm sorry. I don't know anyone who was at the Boston Marathon. Not a soul. I couldn't tell you the name of anyone within 50 miles. But. I'm hurt. I watched the news yesterday, just watching pictures of this usually totally awesome event being shattered. I saw pictures that haunt me. And I burned. My legs burned. My arms burned. My heart burned. I wanted to go for a run, and punch things, and yell. I had and have anger. Who would do this? Who would dare?

It's just grisly. The injuries. The people injured. The targets. Anger.

Apologies for the stream of consciousness.

I don't feel like this is an attack on running, or Boston, or the Boston Marathon. It was an attack on humanity. I'll keep running. I'll release my anger. I will remember the people lost and the people hanging on. I'll remember those with injuries, physical and mental.

My pain is nothing.

Week 15

Hey look who it is

This past week my Thing To Do was read two new books by authors I'd never read before, which meant I had to put down the book I was currently in (thank you, small slips of paper, that book was terrible and I'm glad I had an excuse to stop reading it) and grab a couple of others. Luckily, the two books I finally decided to read this week had just come in to the library (thank you, luck).

First on the docket was Stardust by Neil Gaiman. Last month when I had to read a bunch of books, this book was suggested, so I put a hold on it... and just this past week got it in. Ugh what is it with other people wanting to read the books I want to read! Anyway, I gotta say, I had no expectations going into this recommended piece of fixion (that's how I'm writing fiction this week, deal with it) and I'm kinda glad for it. I really enjoyed it; basically a road trip movie with a half-Faerie-folk with several dozen plot devices shoved in. When was this book written? 1999? What? It was a little... rough at times, but overall was a pretty good read. I'd read it again, but I mean it's not my favorite book ever. It has a couple of scandalous bits you wouldn't expect, one in like the second chapter, what on earth mister gaiman. Also if Neil Gaiman was a Mega Man villian what would his power be

Second, I read Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, by Christopher McDougall, which follows the formation of a 50 mile run in Mexico between several American ultrarunners and members of a crazy awesome tribe of peeps who run all the time and don't never stop! It's super informative, giving a lot of information on ultrarunners and about how the hell people go running for a hundred miles and don't blow up, as well as talking about several key characters and how they got involved in The Race. Really good. It's a bit heavy handed on the anti-Nike, peeps were meant to run barefoot stuff, which, while I don't necessarily disagree with, I feel applies best to people who don't run on concrete and asphalt. Trail running? Go crazy man, that stuff is nuts. And who knows. You definitely get a better form running barefoot (or close to it) but can really wreck your stuff. I'm not a director, I dunno. I do know I liked this book and will be adding it to my shelf. It's also my first BOOK ABOUT RUNNING

Speaking of, this month's goal is to run 2 miles on ten days. I'm doing good, and am on pace to meet my goal.

ALSO I just OFFICIALLY SIGNED UP FOR A 5 KILOMETER (3.1 MILES) race this coming Saturday. This will either be one of the best or worst decisions of my life. Also, did you know the movie Boondock Saints came out the same year Stardust by Neil Gaiman did? I just learned that.

So, this week is kinda a Gimmie. I've been wanting to start a few Exercise Regimens for a few weeks now and need to kick my own butt to get this kickstarted. I pulled a slip this week that's not really a thing for me (No dranks) but when I wrote these up, I was like "what are some common new years resolutions? oh kicking the devil's drink, i will put something like that into these" but that's not... It's not a resolution for me. So I'm going to do it (I've earned the title Teetotaler) and force myself to start three separate Regimens.

One Hundred Pushups
Two Hundred Squats
Two Hundred Situps

Basically, each of these were designed to get a person of varying skill levels to doing x of y exercise in six weeks. Let's do this. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are my one-mile-run and Exercise Regimen days.

Okay.

Let's go.

Week 14

Who kept putting this blog off and has two thumbs?

So for this month, I have to run (at least) 2 miles on ten different days. I'm doing really well so far, though I am taking a couple of days off because of my shins. I really need to be doing more stretching before and after, and being more consistent and intelligent with my icing. I'm gonna take it easy (I have a little breathing room in my schedule) but then really get back into it. I still feel very confident I can do it this month. Being exercisey and moderately healthy takes work, man.

Last week (and into this week) I had a $.25 swear jar week! I had one of those about a month and a half ago (I think) and I did abysmally. This week? $5.50! An improvement from last time, but still a bit higher than I'd like. It's difficult to track yourself like this, and harder to be like "tsk!" On the other hand, I don't want to be a square, daddy-o. At the end of the year I'll pool everything together and donate it to a charity (TBD) (Thanks for the idea, Katie!). Which one I'm not sure yet; probably Habitat for Humanity or Friends Against Hunger. Any other suggestions, my groovy friends? Hopefully I get a slightly disappointed look because of how little I'm donating, which is a weird thing to want. A really weird thing.

OH HEY I MENTIONED I was going to take a picture and talk about it of that other recipe I talked about and made last week for that weekly Thing To Do! Here it is! Kale Chips! UNCOMFORTABLY EASY TO MAKE AND REALLY NOT THE WORST THING THAT IS GREEN I'VE EVER EATEN

it looks better in person i swear

Steps

1. Buy a bunch of Kale. Like... a bunching. Of Kale.
2. Have olive oil or just pam and salt or other seasons on hand
3. Also have an oven
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
5. Put on some sweet jamss
6. Rinse Kale, then pat dry (or dry enough, it's not a race)
7. Line cookie sheet with wax paper, then place Kale leaves on it, no overlap
8. Brush or spray oil (lightly, it's not the beach), then sprinkle seasonings on
9. Bake that for 10-12 minutes
10. Eat that, son
11. If you bag it up (like I did) and it gets non-crunchy the next day, just throw in oven for a couple of mins at 350 again

This week, we have a reprise of last month! I have to read two books this week, by new authors, not part of a series. That means I'm gonna put down a book for a week and pick up two others. Thankfully, my crop of six new books from the library has a couple of new authors for me. I'll post em up next week with a short review

Peace bros

Month 4, Week 13

We're back! AND IT'S MONTH FOUR LETS GET DOWN with some Shibboleth, a band with a song I've heard a few times on Pandora but never had enough interest to learn more about. I'm sure using their name in my blog won't attract any Illuminati spiders.

Let's talk about how last month went, what's the deal with last week, and what's in store for this month and what I gotsta do this week. More of the same, I'm afraid, but this time I'm more prepared. "what is he talking about," you may wonder. "what is the deal with this video being too close to the text too, whats that all about"

So last month was Reduced or No Sugah Month. Basically, cut down my sugary foods intake and get slightly healthier, though it quickly devolved into an exercise in willpower. I failed more often than I'd like to admit, and yesterday I had a slight sugar binge and made myself pretty sick -- the effects of which I'm still feelin today. Guhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I do plan on cutting down my overall sugary crap food intake after the past month -- I could tell I was feeling better, and my body's reaction to a sugah glut may be indicative of an already changed system. So we'll see.

Last week I was charged with learning and preparing two recipes. The first I made were some No Bake Energy Bites, with a recipe lifted from a website called Gimme Some Oven, perhaps the best name for any website ever. I did add a quarter cup of dried vegetable protein crumble (don't judge, I was at the store at the WALL OF GRAINS AND STUFF and saw it) and a quarter cup of nutella, and I may have added an additional quarter cup of oats, but they came out quite fantastically! I plan on making many more and taking some pictures for real this time, I swear you guys. They are delicious. My second recipe is going to be put into use this week -- I semi-intentionally (pedants would say that means unintentionally) am putting off using it until this week. I'll update with feedback and maybe a recipe.

So, this week, I've got another $.25 swear jar week, which I added a couple of virtual quarters to during my run earlier (it is cold). Hopefully I won't beat my previous top score, but I'll keep you posted.

Drumroll please

Okay, stop drumroll

This month, I have to run at least two miles for 10 days. I can spread them out as I choose, and do more miles or more days (I'll already be ramping up the mileage per day, not sure about adding days). I'm currently on a Tuesday - Thursday - Saturday running schedule, so this shouldn't be too bad. I may kick it up to 3 miles per outing in two weeks. Gamechanger. My initial constant soreness has gone away, though I do have achy bits after I get back and for about an hour or so after a run. I'm icing my legs down, moms, so don't worryyyy. What does the E in RICE stand for? I can't remember. Rest, Ice, Compression... Energy Drinks? Eragon? Eggs?

So, all in all, not a bad month. Given my newfound enjoyment of running, this shouldn't be too bad. When I conceived this Thing To Do, it was to help me get onto a consistent schedule (and was originally only one mile for 10 days~!). Hopefully it will keep me on my schedule and give me that extra motivation to stick to it.

Thanks for reading. I'll catch you on the flip side

Week 12

A day short, a dollar late. Here's some Icelandic folky indie rock.

Here is a line of text to break up two pieces of media.

what is that purple drink

So last week I had to eat three salads. Pretty easy for basically everyone because salads are universally delicious oh and they're good for you but man you are wrong, salads are gross unless you have bacon and croutons. I powered through two different salads with tears in my eyes. Some time this week I have to eat another salad. Guh. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm just not down with the texture and general coldness of salads. Lettuce pleez.





My Monthly "Reduced to No Sugah" goal is coming along nicely. I've cheated a few times and been sad later, but overall I've been doing well. I'm so ready for ice cream and cake again you guys. so ready

This week I've got another "Learn and prepare 2 new recipes!" I've tried to shuffle up the bowl as much as I can, but the bowl wishes what it will. I've got a couple of ideas, so I just need to rustle up some ingredients. I'll try to post pics and recipes if I remember (I totally will).

PEACE

Week 11

Let's start with a song (I posted it on wife's wall) that has music that some people like.

We're halfway through my no sugah month. Let's relieve some pressure on me and call it reduced-to-a-pretty-slim-amount-of-sugah-but-you-can-still-have-a-jelly-bean-every-now-and-then-because-you-are-weak month. Also I bought some Bacon Brownies from a Bacon-themed bakery in New York, oh crap. Aside from the occasional slip up, I feel it's been going pretty well. It's very unconscious for me to be like why yes i would like a cookie with my sammie, jimmie johns guy, so I have to be... not dumb.

Last week I was bound to not drive for 5 of the 7 days of the week. With some cheating (I had to have dinner with my niece, you cold, heartless people) I was pretty successful. Walking to work isn't tough, though my shoes are pretty crap. Trying to run after walking home isn't a good idea -- or I just need to get new shoes for walkins. I'm having to take a two day break from running, even though I got some dope new running shoes, just so my legs can heal up and I can get into a schedule of running days and resting/alternate activity days.

This week is one of the weeks I'm dreading most: SALAD WEEK. Those who know me (or even if you know me but have forgotten, I have no judgement for you) (or even if you know me but never encountered this particular quirk, I have no judgement for you either) know that I am not a fan of salads. So, in the spirit of self-hatred I'm forced to eat up on three salads this week. "That's not that many salads," you say? "That's three more salads than I usually eat," says I. And who knows, I may even instagram my salads~

See you next week. I'm going to go open the cabinet and stare at my jar of Nutella and be sad. April first. April first. April first.

Week 10 (and 9)

You may have noticed there was no post last week. Probably not. I ask only that you consider it my 13th story floor of Wayside School. It does exist, but is only accessible if you walk the wrong way down the stairs.

This month is a no sugah month for me, and I gotta say, I'm doing really poorly. I did actually pick up some splenda tea (even though i was like, it's not about not having sugah it's more about not consuming sugahry things) and that's been tiding me over. But then I totally broke today. It was bad. Frig. This is surprisingly harder than I thought it would be, probably because I'm still so trained to be like "oh boy sugar." Then a few minutes later I go "oh wait, jones soda has sugar in it, doesn't it."

Two weeks ago, I had the task of running three miles in a week. Not too hard? Yeah sorta, unless it snows every day that week so you have to push it back. But I did come up with some inspiration a couple of days ago and I'm excited to announce I'm planning on registering for a 5k in April! For anyone curious, 5 kilometers is ~3 miles. I'm currently running 1.5 miles with an eighth of a mile speed walking half way through. Today was so beautiful, I got out and had a great time -- no breathing problems I was encountering when it was cold, and I just wanted to keep going (my feet lead me back to the house and told me to stop). All in all, a good reminder of January. To run the 5k, I am planning on running at least 3 miles (and pushing up to 6-12) a week for the foreseeable future. I'm pushing for a 30 minute 5k for my first one. I'll try to keep you posted.

Last week (week 9, for those keeping score [none of you are keeping score]) and I guess technically still this week, I pulled the craptastic "Bedtime at 11, Wake up at 8." When I wrote this one, I was going to bed at 2 am and waking up fifteen minutes before work, so it was a little more relevant to the times. I did cheat a few nights by going to bed, but reading because I heard that books are good for you. I didn't stay up nearly that late, though (Xenocide by Orson Scott Card tends to... drag at times).

This week? I'm not allowed to drive for five of the seven days (including tomorrow). This works out pretty well, as I'm starting to rely on my feet more than my car for getting around. I'm okay and this shouldn't be that bad (plus there's not much rain or crappy conditions for this week).

I'm putting together a running playlist. This is weird. I feel like I'm becoming one of those people. But maybe that's not the worst kind of person I could be.

Peace

Month 3

Welcome to Month 3, Slow Jams month. Feel free to listen to the song below as you read.

Last month I had to read 10 books by new authors, not part of series I've read before, of a certain page length. I went off a few suggestions and off a few books I've wanted to read, as well as a couple I'd never heard of. I had a great time, and it's certainly inspired me to start reading a lot more. I'd stopped reading as much as I used to as I got into gaming and The Internet, but since everything becomes boring, I'm baaaack. I've got 18 books checked out from the library right now, with 20 more holds on books. This is probably my favorite month ever.

The Trouble With Paris, Mark Sayers

Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card

The Pox and the Covenant, Tony Williams

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick

The Art of the Steal, Frank Abagnale

Boneshaker, Cherie Priest

Inferno, Dante Alighieri  

The Last King of Scotland, Giles Foden 

That new novel I don't know the name of, J.K. Rowling 

Ready Player One, Ernest Cline 

I finished up Ender's Game, and I've since checked out every other book in the series (making it the bulk of those 18 books I've checked out). I really, really liked it, and encourage anyone who likes sci fi or Starship Troopers to read it. I had trouble at first because of the little quirk all sci fi authors have of using titles and phrases on the first page that are explained three chapters in, but I was able to settle into the world pretty quickly. Really enjoyed. I've bought a few of the books already. 

Finally, I read through The Trouble With Paris, and I need to read it several more times and buy a few more copies and give them to friends. Basically, it goes through how Christianity works in the current hyper-consumerist society that forces the ideas of a hyper-reality on humanity. It's a bit sobering to read examples of hyper-real lies and strategies and be like "oh crap, that's something I do" or "oh crap, that's something that's influenced me." Very compelling and very thought-provoking. I wish I had read it earlier so I'd have a chance to read it again. Really good. I'd recommend it to anyone who goes to the Vineyard church who hasn't read it or any Christian interested in how to live in this world. Really good.

So, for Month 3, I pulled the crappiest Thing To Do ever. No sugah MONTH. 

Now, something that came up last time (that I may have clarified, but that I've forgotten) was "woah no sugar at all, in anything? that's crazy." In reality, it's more of a... No sugahry things MONTH. So these sour gummy things I'm eating? Out. Orange juice? STILL GOOD. Also: Easter is the last day of this month, so my intense and unsettling love of Cadbury Creme Eggs will be fine to pursue in April. TAKE THAT, CANDY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX.

Lots of caps today. Sorry about that. Also, remember how I'm supposed to run 3 miles this week? Yeahhhhhh. I was like "I'm going to run this week!" and every day I was going to run it decided to ice and snow all over the place. This week may run into the next (no pun intended).

Peace.

Week 8

boom

The Trouble With Paris, Mark Sayers

Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card

The Pox and the Covenant, Tony Williams

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick

The Art of the Steal, Frank Abagnale

Boneshaker, Cherie Priest

Inferno, Dante Alighieri  

The Last King of Scotland, Giles Foden 

That new novel I don't know the name of, J.K. Rowling 

Ready Player One, Ernest Cline 

Only two books left for my Monthly Thing To Do, which is great because today I remembered February only has 28 days. Ack! I actually just finished The Pox and the Covenant, and was determined to finish it before I posted this blog post update.Now, let's go through a short review of each, starting with the shortest title first.

Boneshaker, by Cherie Priest, is the first in the Clockwork Century series that spans the United States during the 1800's. It takes place in Seattle, set up as the final stop before gold miners got into Canada on their way to the Klondike. Stuff happens, they have to wall off a large section of Seattle because of an underground pocket of crazy poisony gas was accidentally tapped. Kid goes in exploring, mom goes in and earns several Mom of the Year awards, specifically for "Ass Kicking" and "Keeping Secrets." It's super steampunk, and I really liked it! It's a good, fun romp that requires heavy suspension of disbelief. Like I said, it's the first in a series I plan on picking up (I placed holds on the next few books in the series, too)

The Art of the Steal is one of three novels by Frank Abagnale (you know, the Catch Me If You Can guy who lucked out by having Leonardo DiCaprio play him. Seriously. A biopic with Leo starring as you? Lucky) and covers a wide variety of scams and cons he's seen working with banks and institutions over the years (as well as some he saw while working his old 9-5). It's very interesting, if a little dated (it was released in 2002, and for instance offers quite a bit of information on check fraud [side note: what are checks]), and talks about several electronic scams still in use today. I enjoyed it, though I would have enjoyed it ten years ago if I were a little more criminal.

The Pox and the Covenant goes into great, almost annoying, detail about a smallpox epidemic in Boston in 1721, and the resistance Puritan ministers and medical doctors felt while trying to introduce inoculation as a viable means of defeating smallpox (featuring the debut of Benjamin Franklin, who talks so much crap). It's a great view of Puritan Boston, and piqued my interest in learning a little more about Puritanism (specifically, in the foundation of the country). I dislike how the book seems to skip around chronologically and how several details are missing or not explained fully at first. Also, you know in National Treasure, that documentary with Nicholas Cage, how they talk about the Silence Dogood letters Franklin wrote (spoiler alert: he hid a secret message in his letters to lead explorers in the future to a cache of artifacts)? They were written during the smallpox epidemic of 1721 and are talked about in this book~!

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was actually the first of this group of books I read. You may know that Blade Runner was based on this novel? I gotta say... read the book. Then watch the movie again. So much makes sense now. "What's with all the weird questions about animals," you may ask while watching the movie, and I say "It's because stuff, also that dust is toxic." I liked it. A lot. Maybe because I've seen the movie and was able to connect characters and locations and what things looked like. But yeah. Much greater appreciation for Blade Runner after reading the novel it's based on.

With those out of the way, let's get to the Weekly Things to Do! Last week was a "No Soda Week," but I think I failed yesterday because I made a pulled pork recipe that used Dr. Pepper instead of a stock. And it was really good and No Regrets. I'll be enjoying no soda tomorrow because of it, though, and because I had some more soda yesterday because I was like whatever.

This week, as much as it pains me to say, I have to run 3 miles. Not the worst thing ever, especially considering how much walking I've been doing recently. It's been keeping me from being totally sedentary. Let's do this.

As a quick reminder, I'll be making a post this Thursday (or Friday, I don't know) with the month-end status update, a drawing for next months Thing To Do, and I guess an update on the running? See you then

click

Week 7

I have altered the book list. Pray I do not alter it further. In the interest of finishing this challenge in the time I have remaining, and not getting completely slogged down, I've removed a couple of much longer books and placed them on my "I'm going to read it next month" list. Also because the library didn't have a couple of them ready (I'm 18th out of 18 holds on Game of Thrones, and Stardust is in a similar boat). Wild Swans will probably be the first book I read next month. I'm still very interested in it, Kara!

The Pox and the Covenant, Tony Williams

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick

The Art of the Steal, Frank Abagnale

The Trouble With Paris, Mark Sayers

Boneshaker, Cherie Priest

Decoded, Jay-Z

Inferno, Dante Alighieri  (Completed)

The Last King of Scotland, Giles Foden (Completed)

That new novel I don't know the name of, J.K. Rowling (Completed)

Ready Player One, Ernest Cline (Completed)

So far, it's been very, very weird. I'm all over the place on the finished novels. The Last King of Scotland details the life of a Scottish doctor who works in Uganda, eventually becoming private doctor for Idi Amin (who I'd not had much knowledge of). Very rough to read at times, especially when detailing the various diseases and... things that go wrong with people. Reading descriptions of Amin's tortures and general insanity made me uncomfortable; knowing some of it was fiction and some not. I have a feeling some of the more stated stuff truly occurred, which doesn't help anything. THEN I READ READY PLAYER ONE, a novel that focuses on a huge billions dollar contest held within a VR Second Life style game world in the future. I really, really, really like this novel and will be buying a personal copy to loan out. The contest used 80's trivia and knowledge, forcing a huge resurgence in the popularity of video games, movies and icons from that era, in the future. Very interesting, both as a source of fictional futurism and a look at the history of geek culture. Ready Player One requires a few suspensions of disbelief... a couple of pretty big ones. Other than that, I really enjoyed it. Would recommend.


Finally, I've finished J.K. Rowling's Casual Vacancy, a novel I knew nothing about getting into it. I... I had no idea what to expect, but certainly didn't get anything I was expecting. It had her style, and I enjoyed it as a work of fiction, but it dragged on something fierce, and the several titillating sequences sprinkled throughout didn't help much either. It had a very dull premise (A small English village council chair died; an election took place, stuff happened) with a lot of dramatic situations packed in, and a Crash feel to it (in that everyone felt very interconnected -- a result of it being a small village, but still). I liked it, but I didn't. I'm not sure. I'm conflicted. I think I didn't like it more than I liked it.

I'm burning through Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? again. I set it down to read those three. I need to get goin'.

Last week's 3 hours of personal computer time per day went really well. Helped me to focus on reading and getting other stuff taken care of. This week, I pulled a No Soda this week slip :( And I just got a shipment of exotic sodas from my parents today, too. Life is so unfair. Plus my ginger ale addiction~! Truth be told, I don't drink that much soda these days -- it's very expensive -- but this will be a good exercise in restraint. At least it isn't another No sugar week, because I just got my girl scout cookies, and ain't no paper stopping me from chowin down. Caramel Delites that's whats up nerds

Peace. Thanks for reading about my reading... dawg.

Week 6

Sorry to invite you back so quickly, though a little later than usual. I've heard a few comments that my niece usually demands the songs I post be played several times, which warms my heart to no end. I'll teach her the ways of good music one way or the other. Here's another song I much enjoy.

I mentioned I was putting together a book list for the rest of the month! boom

1. The Pox and the Covenant, Tony Williams
2. The Last King of Scotland, Giles Foden
3. That new novel I don't know the name of, J.K. Rowling
4. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick
5. A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin
6. Stardust, Neil Gaiman
7. The Trouble With Paris, Mark Sayers
8. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, Jung Chang
9. I haven't decided yet, probably something cool though, Someone
10. Inferno, Dante Alighieri  (Completed)

I've already started on Androids, should be done soon. Need to get some of these reserved and sent to the library down the road (or even the one on the square, hadn't thought of that until just now). I'm slow starting again this month, which sucks, but hopefully I'll be able to knock this one out. It's safe to say I'm excited about reading all of these, except maybe the J.K. Rowling one that I heard wasn't super great? I guess we'll find out.

As I mentioned yesterday, setbacks have made me decide to extend last week's Thing To Do, No Sugah, through this week. As I mentioned earlier today, birthday cake is an exception that everyone must make. So, we'll see how I do this week!

Going nicely with my monthly goal, this week I'm limited to three hours of personal computer time (including gaming) per day. I plan on using this time to burn through a few books, do some more running, and generally being a little more active.

Okay well. Let me know what you think of my book choices I guess? I AM NOT GOOD AT BLOGGING

Week 5 and Apologies

For the past two weeks I've been getting ill. I'm back now though. My apologies for missing the post last week. Here's a song that inspired the beat for a Dr. Dre song. Listen as you read, or just listen.

Two weeks ago, I was to learn and make two new recipes. I kinda cheated and did two pulled pork recipes, but haters, etc. I did read through a lot of recipes, and have a lot of ideas -- especially Indian and Italian foods. I just need to buy additional ingredients to make a few others. Also apparently recipes come in large collections IN BOOKS? When did this start

yeehaw

I made a simple five hour pulled pork for the first. Very simple, very delicious. I adapted a recipe I found (I think from Rachael Ray?) and did some small tweaks.

Ingredients:
3-4lb pork butt roast (or whatever, I'm not your mom)
15 oz (1 can) beef stock
1 cup water
1 onion
1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray's whatever (I used Hickory & Brown Sugar Barbeque Sauce)
Spices (Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Cumin)

1. Slice onion into coaster-sized pieces. Line bottom of slow cooker. Keep out a couple to layer on top of the roast.
2. Combine equal parts salt, pepper, garlic powder and cumin and rub down the roast.
3. Lay the roast on top of onions, add beef stock and water. Place a couple of onion slices on top.
4. Low, 10 hours.Leave it alone.
5. Preheat oven, 375 degrees. Remove onions, take roast out and place in an oven-safe pan or thing. I used a glass pan thing.
6. Rip that stuff up using a couple forks. Pour 3/4s of the bottle in, mix it up. It's delicious so sneak a piece.
7. Cover dat pan in foil, then forget it in oven for 30 minutes.
8. Eat.

It's delish. So yeah. Boom. I've finished only 1 book so far for my monthly -- Dante Alighieri's Inferno. It's phenomenal, if loaded with references and people I've never heard of. I went out to the library and compiled a list of books. I'll post it up on Sunday.

My Week 5 Thing To Do is No Sugah. Because I'm awful at not eating sugah, I'm gonna extend it out through next week because I've cheated a bit this week. I'll post tomorrow once I pull the Week 6 deal, and do two at once, ahhhhhhhhhhh.

Thanks for reading. I hate having a setback like this. It's a little disheartening to lose this much time, but hopefully I can get back on the horse. Guh. Only a million more weeks to go!

Peace

Interlude 1

Apologies for my delays. I'll write this evening. Until then, enjoy this. Thanks for visiting.

Month 2

It's February! Pronounce that first 'r', DO IT. Also watch this video to get into the mood of this blog post.

LAST MONTH I HAD TO RUN 10 MILES IN 1 MONTH. Chump change for a surprisingly large amount of people, sure? Also it was friggin cold and I live near more dogs than I thought I did. When making up my Monthly Things to Do, I kinda hoped this one would show up in, like... spring? or fall? Or some nice time? Also I wouldn't have to run any time soon.

I completed the January Thing. Boom. It took me running a mile and some change on the 31st, but I did it. And I think I will continue running (albeit more when it's nicer) and trying to get my mile time down and the amount of distance run up. For a couple of years I've wanted to do the Warrior Dash (or Tough Mudder, or Spartan Race, or blahh blahh) but I've been very unrunny. I think I might try to do one. They're 5k races with obstacles. Yes? Yes. We'll see.

I said I would update people on how the chili cook-off went (two weeks ago, I entered a food competition for the first time ever) and this is that update. I took fourth place (or runner up, but shh it was fourth place) out of 13 (14?) entries! BOOM! So that feels good.

I actually pulled out Febrururarury's Monthly Thing To Do a couple of days ago, but got swamped with laziness. Oh man, I'm actually pretty excited about this one (whereas I was terrified of last months)! This month, I simply have to read 10 books! I will say, honestly, this one may actually be a little difficult. The reason I threw this one in the original mix is because I've stopped reading as much as I would like, or maybe as much as I think I should. I do have some self imposed limitations so I can't cheese it too badly.

Februarinomicon Rules

1. Books must be at least 250 pages in length
2. Books must be new to me, and not part of a series I've started
3. Books must not suck
4. If a book starts to suck, I can grab a new one and start over with it
5. No Twilight (this is for people who give suggestions)

So that's not too rough. I'm hoping to get in a good mix of religious study, fiction and non-fiction, and some other kind of book, I dunno. I'd like to get in some Lovecraft, as I've never fully read the Cthulhu mythos (probably burn through The Call of Cthulhu as a precursor to At the Mountains of Madness), and maybe try out that Game of Thorns series. They made it into a show on the television, so it can't be half bad. If you have any suggestions, lay it on me daddy-o.

This also means I have to go renew my library card, which means I have to pay a fine from teenagehood, which means I have to go in, start filling out a form, and then get a disappointed cluck from the librarian, which means I have to look all sad and give her money. UGH MY LIFE

Peace. I'll make another post tomorrow about this week's Thing (cook 2 new recipes).

Week 4

Hello sailors! Welcome aboard. Let's dive right into this so we can get any more themed phrases out of the way.

Last week I was limited to 2 hours of personal video games per day. I'm pleased that I was able to meet that, though it just meant I spent a little more time clicking around on the internet instead of readin books or doing other stuff. Woops. So I'll need to work harder for the next one (a phrase that is getting old quick).

My Monthly goal is coming to an end! I have to run 10 miles this month, which isn't a big deal to a surprisingly large amount of people I know (like, I'm a little embarrassed by how little I run and how much I complain about it), and I'm at seven and a half miles. I'm planning on running a half mile today, a full mile tomorrow and the final mile on Wednesday. As the first of February isn't on a Sunday, I'll be making a blog post on Thursday or Friday, whichever I get to first, and drawing my Monthly Thing To Do for February. Fingers crossed!

This week I pulled an exciting "Learn and cook 2 recipes this week" thing! I'm actually a little excited about these ones, and may add a few more meals if I have some cool ones. Ideally, these are all gonna be From Scratch as much as possible -- making a new rice-a-roni (the San Francisco Treat) probably wouldn't fly with the powers that be. I do plan on taking pictures and posting the recipes here, so stay tuned.

Thanks for reading. Let me know if you have any suggestions for weird or unique or... just... good dishes.

I mentioned last week that I entered a food competition for the first time. I can smell the chili right now. It's wafting through the house. I'm excited and nervous. I'll probably post about that on the Monthly Thing To Do.

Peace

Week 3

Before I begin, please take a second to listen and watch the above video, because I can't stop.

Now that that's playing (or re-playing), let us dig deep into how I've been doing. Part of me is like... 3 weeks  already? It's gonna be weird at week 27. It seems like each week has flown by -- or maybe I'm just not paying attention.

So! On the Monthly front, I managed to run 2 miles this week, with another mile after I finish this post. Having warmer weather makes it easier for me to get out there -- Before I started this, I half expected this running month to be, like, July or September. Some month where running is awesome and not as sucky. I wanted a cool month. As the month is drawing to a close, I really need to buckle down. I have 4 and 1/2 miles completed out of 10 miles total.

My weekly Thing To Do was Try 5 New Things This Week. I had a slow start and didn't do as many awesome things as I wanted (or as I expected -- no bungee jumping this week, I guess). I need to do more planning for the next one of these that pops up. With that said, here are the 5 New Things I tried this week!

1. I tried lamb (specifically, lamb curry). It was a little chewy, but was like a slightly funkier pot roast. I was recommended to try roast lamb next time, skipping the curry.
2. My brother and sister-in-law invited us over for bourbon-glaze pork with apple and sweet potato chunks. It's kinda cheating, but it was delicious and I've never had that meal, be quiet haters
3. I tried STAR FRUIT. If you've never had star fruit, you pay $2.00 for an apple that's grown into the shape of a fat star. Wee!
4. I tried a spicy whiskey. Like, tabasco-added whiskey. It was... not for me. Or humans.
5. I entered A COOKING COMPETITION, KINDA. I'm entering a chili in the church CRAZY CHURCH CHILI COOK-OFF (which is totally what it should be named [on another note, sorry for the random capitalized words. I'm reverting to Dinosaur Comics speech.]) and I'm a little excited. And nervous. I've made this chili a few times before, but I made a test batch yesterday to try out a couple of new ingredients and it came out really well. Obvs its not a big cash prize kind of cooking competition, and it's not serious business, but still. I'm pumped. (edit for sweet clarity: I entered the cook-off today, but it wasn't today. It's next week. I just wrote my name on paper and said "yeah what up then mate i'm on for it")

So, that's what I did. As previously mentioned, haters gonna hate. Hopefully I'll stop slacking and do some really wacky crap next time. And that brings us to this week! As I mentioned in an earlier facebook dot com post, it sucks.

This week's Thing To Do is restricting myself to 2 hours of (personal) gaming each day this week. A few notes on this one. As my job deals with games, anything done at work is done there. This counts against games I play at home. And, let's be real, 2 hours of gaming, that's a lot for most people. Buuuuuuuut not so much for myself. Gaming is kinda what I do with my free time, so this is gonna suck. I'll be timing myself whenever I start a gaming session and making sure I don't go over. If I do, I have to deduct any overage from the next day. Hopefully this will encourage me to read a few more books, try some other stuff, and, well, get running already. Blurgh. I'll let you know how this one goes.

As always, thanks for reading. Or for not reading, I don't know your life. 

Peace

Week 2

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Last week went... well. Let's cover the Monthly Thing To Do, Weekly, then we'll get to Week 2!

For my Monthly Thing To Do, I have to run a total of 10 miles this month. For some (read: a lot of) people, this is a trivial task. I am, unfortunately, not some people, so this was and is proving to be a pain. The timing couldn't be worse, too; if you hadn't noticed, it's friggin' cold. In total for the month, I've run a total of 1.5 miles. I have 18 days remaining, which means I really need to kick it into gear. I was introduced to a really neat trail out Grant on the far north side of town, but I really need to get into running around the neighborhood at least. I'll keep everyone posted. I really need to knock this one out.

My Weekly Thing To Do for Week 1 was having a $.25 swear jar. I ran into a major problem: I don't really keep quarters on hand. Because of this, I really didn't feel much 'pain.' I did keep track (and though it extends through today because of last week) however, but it certainly didn't suck as much as if I'd had that feeling of losing physical money. My total for the week? An embarrassing $17.25. Ugh. It shows that I really, really need to work on keeping my tongue. It's a bit of a wake-up call when you see it as an amount of money. Also that I get a little crazy playing competitive games, like League of Legends. For future Swear Jar Weeks (I have two more Weeklys and then a Monthly), I'm going to grab a roll of quarters and use as few as possible.

The question now is... what should I use this money on? I've had a few suggestions given, but haven't had anything that makes me go "yes, that is what i want to do." I suggested cat litter and trash bills, but met some resistance. The main rule is that I don't enjoy spending it -- perhaps I buy a pigeon? I'd like your input, readers. Oh yeah, that's right, this is an interactive blog. Sorry dogg.

On to Week 2! I drew it earlier this morning (I fell asleep last night, woops), and was pleasantly surprised by "Try 5 new things this week." When I was making this thing, I decided to include a couple of these. I have a somewhat limited food- and experience-view, so having to try out new things will be good. I just have to not cheese it (oh hurr durr, i've never crushed a soda can on my head before) and pick good ones. I do plan on blogging about these next week, hopefully with pictures. If you have any suggestions for what I should do, feel free to post here or on the inevitable facebook dot com link. I'm open to mostly anything, but trying exotic or weird fruits or foods would be awesome. If you have an experience you've tried and enjoyed (getting a henna tattoo, or making a paracord emergency bracelet) let me know. Obviously, too, I don't have to experience just 5 new things; I can stretch it out and try as many new things as I want. You aren't the boss of me now.

Thanks for reading, dudes and dudettes.

Peace

Month 1 and Week 1

My apologies for the inconsolably short period between the first and second posts to this blog. If you find you need more time to adjust, please proceed with my understanding and blessing. For those just joining us, please click here to read the first post and get a better understanding of what's going on. Yes, it's literally right below this post. I know. It's something I read (interestingly, on a blog).

Can I just say.. I pulled the first Monthly Thing To Do out. I haven't opened it yet. I've stapled each Weekly and Monthly Thing To Do so scrambling them around is pretty easy and I don't have to worry about them getting stuck together and crap. Plus it makes for great suspense. I'm actually a little nervous the first one is going to suck. YES I'M LIVE BLOGGING THIS EVENT

Okay, opening it now. Aaaaaaaaaaaand I have to run at least 10 miles this month. Seriously. I was hoping for something small, like... I dunno. Uh. No Pants Month or something (not actually one of them). Honestly, 10 miles isn't that much, but it's going to be a suckfest for me. Time to dust off the running shoes and look for trails. Ugh. I guess it could be worse.

Okay, I'm shuffling around for a Weekly Thing To Do now. Pulled one out...

Well, it's a $0.25 Swear Jar Week, woo. Since it's so late on Sunday (it maaaaaaaaay be Monday morning technically), I'll extend this one through next Sunday. I'll keep you posted on how fat the jar gets. I hadn't thought exactly about what I'll be putting any money accrued towards. Maybe a jetski or snow cones. Part of me is kinda okay with this being the first week. There are worse ones in there for Weekly Things to Do.

For those keeping track at home, cross the following off of your board:

• Monthly: Run 10 miles this month (no overlap with weekly running)
• Weekly: $0.25 Swear Jar Week

Let's get this going. I'll see you next Sunday, maybe earlier. Peace and thanks. 

James

Edit: As mentioned previously, if I'm able to blow through the Monthly Thing To Do, I'll probably up the amount of miles ran. I'll keep you updated as to that amount.

Post 1

As with most good stories, this one begins on the internet. I saw a guy on Reddit who had 52 slips of paper, each with a different Thing To Do. He would randomly draw one each week, and do it. "Pretty cool," says I. "Pretty cool," says you.

I'm doing that. But I'm also doing monthly Things To Do. Crap.

Premise is pretty simple. Each Saturday evening (or Sunday morning... or afternoon... or evening) I'll draw a new slip of paper out of a jar. Each has something that is probably going to suck on it. There will be duplicates, simply because I can't be bothered to come up with 51 stupid things to do, and because I'll probably get more out of doing multiples of some rather than one of each dumb thing. I'll post here about that thing, and give you an update on how last week went.

Weekly Examples

• Eat a salad 5/7 days this week
• No social media this week
• 2 hours of gaming per day this week
• Learn and cook two new recipes this week
• No soda this week
• Try 5 new things this week

The first day of a month I'll also draw a slip of paper out of a small box. Some of these are seriously going to blow. I've softened some from my initial ideas, mainly because I am a baby man. 

Monthly Examples

• Make $250 extra cash this month
• 8 A.M. Wake up calls weekdays
• Run at least one mile 10 days this month
• $.25 Swear Jar Charge Month (seriously this sucks)

I do have some rules, both for myself and for the rabid masses.

1. I can re-draw if I pull a No Sugar week during the No Sugar month. This also applies to No Soda and Swear Jar weeks
2. Reading books and recipes cannot overlap. If I pull a Learn 2 Recipes week during Learn 10 Recipes Month, I have to add two more recipes to my repertoire
3. If a week isn't completed (ex. I only eat 4 salads in a week) the Thing To Do carries over to the next week until it is completed. If I have a soda during a No Soda week, I have to extend that week by one day into the next week
4. I reserve the right to complain about week/month combinations
5. I reserve the right to apply balance changes to weeks / months. If I find myself able to run 1 mile per day too easily, I can and may bump up the amount.

Please bother me. I'd like to share my experiences in this stupid challenge with you and be held accountable.

Thanks. Stay tuned for Week 2 and Month 1. (Week 1 was being resolved to actually deciding, writing, and making this dumb thing)

James