tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78608338677599260412024-03-08T13:34:28.637-05:00Tap For ManaSkaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-50378105083216268862013-07-31T17:54:00.000-04:002013-07-31T17:54:22.864-04:00Temporal MasteryAlmost a year has passed since I've last made a post here. It seems to be a pattern that I ignore this blog for extended periods of time. I really need to be like my friend Joel and<a href="http://arethereanymorecookies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> his awesome blog</a> he updates frequently (maybe even attempting his April post a day event). I'm going to try to make this blog more about gaming as it is pretty geared towards that, the name and all.<br />
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Recently I've played in a few Pathfinder games which have all been rather unsuccessful as far as either the game itself or having time to finish.<br />
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<u><b>Carrion Crown Adventure:</b></u> Luxalar, and his wife Paxia, lived again in this translvanianesque undead and occult adventure path. We were able to get through two of the six modules but sadly the DM and the players all ended up with conflicts that once again (we had tried this a year ago for part one of the adventure) caused it to patter out. Lux and Pax were originally created for the Return to Castle Ravenloft game for DnD 3.5, both were Aasimars with Lux being a cleric and Pax being a paladin. Woe to any undead/evil things in our paths. <br />
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<u><b>Rise of the Runelords:</b></u> In this game I have a mediocre concept: Andeur a wizard of the illusion variety, but was quickly revamed into a conjuration wizard. He was a runelord fan boy and tried to emulate what he learned about the runelords (which was very little for the start of the campaign) and try to become a runelord himself. I may not continue in this game if certain problems persist, which I will blog about later.<br />
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<u><b>Rise of the Runelords Part Duex:</b></u> This game was on a different night and was almost running parallel to my other game. I've had to leave this game for yet more GM problems. The character concept however I had is one of my favorites that I've come up with in many years. Pajar, an Oracle of Flame. I took the "lame" oracle curse but instead of having a bad leg which reduced his movement speed instead he was extremely obese, very large and unable to move as fast as his regular human counterparts. He was dramatic and friendly, jovial and especially passionate about partying and enjoying life. I will hopefully be able to revive him in a different game in the future.<br />
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<a href="http://magiccards.info/scans/en/avr/81.jpg" target="_blank">Temporal Mastery</a>Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-31942190258738382862012-08-12T08:56:00.001-04:002012-08-12T08:59:00.120-04:00Brass Herald<div style="color: white;">
After a couple of weeks and a vacation to Muncie, I've learned something very interesting. Not wholly useful in the modern world, but quite stimulating really.</div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraldry" target="_blank">Heraldry</a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Well, when I say learned, I mean "crash coursed". It would take me a few years to really grasp it enough when I can look at a coat of arms and break it down or "blazon" except maybe the basics. My friend Sebastian. is a herald for a medieval</span> </span><span style="color: white;">reenactment and education organization called</span> <a href="http://www.adrianempire.org/" target="_blank">The Adrian Empire</a>. <span style="color: white;"> It a is a national organization and quite nifty. If you are able to find a group in your area, try it out!</span><br />
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Back to Heraldry. Sebastian is quite knowledgeable about heraldry and can blazon almost any arms you give him in a few seconds. So far I've learned that there are five colors, the colors often readily available at the time when heraldry first began: Azure (blue), Gules (red), Vert (green), Purpure (purple), Sable (black). They also had two metallic colors: Or (gold) and Argent (white/silver). There are rules governing what colors (if any) can be on top of colors and when metals can be on top of one another. Other tinctures (colors and patterns) are things that emulate furs or other textures. It all sounds complicated at first but the basics are very simple. <br />
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Then there are the lines and ordinaries (field divisions) of the shield. Quite a few in fact: Bend, Bend Sinister, Piles, Pallet, Chief, Fess. It is really fascinating! Here's a <a href="http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Ejkmacmul/heraldry/index.html" target="_blank">link</a> to another resource that helps break down heraldry.<br />
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In America we do not have any laws that govern the display of arms, badges, or crests. As such the Adrian Empire has free reign to make, display, and have arms both for their groups and the individuals in the Empire. If however, one of the members were to go over to Europe and have a patch on their luggage of their own created arms, they may be arrested. This is because in Europe they have laws governing the display of arms and heraldic items. They get touchy if people start making and displaying their own.<br />
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However I do hope to get quite good at it and learn from Sebastian. It would be one of those skills that while may not be entirely useful in this modern world, it is certainly fun and intriguing.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1768220516"><br /></a>
<a href="http://magiccards.info/scans/en/8e/293.jpg" target="_blank">Brass Herald</a>Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-62284443558440173352012-07-28T19:45:00.002-04:002012-07-28T19:45:59.721-04:00Giant GrowthSeventeen. Seventeen months since my last post. Ridiculous, I know. After all of these posts, one after the other, saying how much I was going to change and be more attentive. Well, I have been. I've more conscious about my future and I've been far more dedicated to my education. I just haven't had much thought to post lately. <br />
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Silly I know, but I've learned that I am growing as a person. I've come more out of my shell and while I am still struggling with the weight loss schtick, I am no less dedicated to it. Some very important people have appeared in my life in the last few months and I feel I am growing up. Incrementally, but still growing. <br />
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I know I am a great person. I know I have a great deal of work ahead of me but I know I can do it. I'll post more later, but for now, this shall have to do.<br />
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<a href="http://magiccards.info/scans/en/m11/178.jpg" target="_blank">Giant Growth</a>Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-56085702091175122602010-12-01T23:21:00.004-05:002010-12-01T23:36:53.032-05:00Wall of FrostToday is the first of December, and it would seem that Mother Nature decided that this would be a good time for the first snow of the Winter season. The roads were... slippery and as usual it appears many people just can't handle driving in such conditions.<br /><br />It isn't that hard to take your time and not, for example, take a turn so fast that you actually spin around and face the opposite direction to which you were intending. Yes, I'm speaking you to you soccer mom in the big SUV. It would seem that as the temperature goes down, so does driving knowledge. Sure it took me a half an hour to drive just ten miles, but I arrived home safely, even if I did cuss up a storm.<br /><br />Anyway, I've been going to the gym pretty regularly these past two weeks. I know I can keep it up. I am down to 36% BMI; that's 3 % lower than two weeks ago.<br /><br /> Yes, this is a short update, but it isn't like anyone even reads this. Do you?Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-185753605067311052010-11-23T14:46:00.003-05:002010-11-23T15:55:59.268-05:00Soul's MajestyAs I've posted before, I admit to being someone who procrastinates. A lot. However, I have yet to really delve into the reason about why I do. My only thought is that I don't wish to fail at whatever I attempt. This is foolish because I know I am smart, clever, and resourceful. I know I can achieve the goals I set forth because I can.<br /><br />Today I had a serious session at the gym. I didn't wimp out on the elliptical machine, although I had to do my weight exercises from memory as I didn't have my sheet with me. However, I did full sets and reps and I felt very good. I like the feeling that the gym gives me. I'm tired, sweaty, but I feel accomplished. I know I can continue, I just need to make sure I consistently go.<br /><br />The consistency of my inconsistency has been a very large blemish on my overall character. Thankfully, I've come to accept that that was the past me and I'm working to resolve it. Hell, I'm 26 years old and still living at home working at a job that quite frankly isn't going anywhere. I need to get my life in order.<br /><br />This "new beginning" is very much similar to the steps a player takes during his turn in the game <span style="font-style: italic;">Magic: The Gathering</span>, (a game I used to help name this blog).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 1: Untap - In this the player resets all of his cards into a "Ready" phase.</span> I feel that slowly I am untapping myself and my potential. I'm getting prepared for the many decisions I am going to be faced with as I grow up out of this extended adolescence.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 2: Upkeep - During this phase of the player takes care of small abilities of spells, creatures and artifacts (gaining life, making tokens, etc). </span> For me this represents solving current issues with finances, weight and fitness, and overall career aspects.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 3: Draw - The player then draws a card from his deck and puts it into his hand.</span> I am slowly drawing conclusions and making plans about what I want to do with myself. Setting forth goals and hopefully meeting them.<br /><br />There are other steps (pre-combat main phase, combat phase, post-combat main phase, end step) but I just wanted to draw some metaphor from these first few basics.<br /><br />My hand is spread out in front of me, my future sitting there like a deck of cards. I know I may get mana screwed, I may even have to discard previous assumptions about what I wanted; but I will finish this game. I will, and I'll do my best.<br /><br />Come Jokulhaups or Wrath of God.Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-12589774327076188532010-11-19T11:23:00.004-05:002010-11-19T11:52:33.597-05:00Gathering SpecimensOnce again, I've decided to try venturing into the world of fitness and health. This time, however, I met with a very nice personal trainer who helped to set me up with a routine to start with.<br /><br />Over the last four or so years I've had memberships to three different gym facilities. Those memberships have been one after the other; and there really hasn't been a month that goes by without my checking account seeing a payment to the gym I was and am a member of. My experiences with each have been vastly different. Hopefully this recent venture back will be much better than my last. The last four years, I've maybe gone to the gym a total of two months combined.<br /><br />In the spring of 2006, almost a year after coming home from Indiana University, I realized I had gained almost 75lbs. I decided to make a commitment and get a gym membership. So, I went to American Health Fitness. With two locations, one had a pool and a steam room and the other just had a steam room, I figured I would be able to go regularly. I even invested in a personal trainer.<br /><br />I don't remember his name, he was nice, and kind of short. About two weeks into our meetings, however, he left for a job in Indianapolis. I had been abandoned, which caused me to feel fat and depressed. So I stopped going. A few months later, I got the gumption to return to the regime and inquired if there was another trainer available to help me. Indeed there was.<br /><br />This time it was a very hunky firefighter who did personal training as a second job. He was very macho, muscular, blonde and over all sexy. Which is intimidating and (me being gay) made me tantalized and a little uncomfortable. Uncomfortable in the sense that, if my eyes lingered too long he might realize he was training a gay and maybe beat me up. Irrational; yes. So, again I stopped going.<br /><br />Well, it was a year after I signed up to the gym and I decided not to renew. Instead a new gym was opening up in my hometown (New Haven, IN). So, I signed up there. It was a small, locally owned affair with one side all cardio and the other all free weights and weight machines. The hours, were bothersome, especially weekends (Sundays they were only open for 4 or 5 hours). I tried to go regularly, but seeing people I knew was a little off-putting. So I stopped, but continued to pay. Another year went by and once again I decided not to renew my contract.<br /><br />Then I got a job that promised to go places (which didn't and eventually led me to my current position). Next to the office building there was a gym "Anytime Fitness"; perhaps you've heard of it. They're all across the country and the great thing is, you can go anytime. This as you can imagine spreads out the gym population around the whole clock. So, at anytime you could go and there may only be a handful of people around.<br /><br />I got a trainer to show me around and to put together a routine for me. The initial gentleman was very uninterested in talking and only showed me a routine. He was a scrawny thing and I barely remember him. But for a while I was doing his routine. It seemed to go well. Then again something caused me to stop going.<br /><br />Yesterday they had a special "30 minutes for $10" with a personal trainer. My trainer's name was P. A fit, shorter gentleman mid to late 30's. Quite handsome and he actually seemed quite earnest while he talked with me. I had met him a few weeks prior when I decided to go and switch locations. One thing that puzzled me though, he mentioned that a client of his knew me from when I used to work at The Olive Garden. I nodded it off but then I wondered how he found that out. I had only met him once before and that was with no one I knew around.<br /><br />I think my big problem is that I expect goals to happen right away. I've come to accept that this will never be the case. So, after many months of not going. I'm putting my foot down. As I have designs on a relationship in the future and not succumbing to the obese tendancies that my genes can dictate; I need to lose this weight.<br /><br />Not to mention I have a whole closet full of clothes I would like to wear again. . .<br /><br />I just need to keep my motivation. Maybe if I go when P is working it might be easier. Seeing a friendly, honest person there (who isn't just after my money for training sessions) would be helpful.Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-85136311158093581412010-11-08T13:46:00.006-05:002010-11-10T12:16:07.272-05:00Forethought AmuletIn the past few days I've had to come to a series of decisions. I just need to buckle down and take control of my life. I've been making bad decision after bad decision, with no heed to my own future. Today that ends, it has to. It has to end or I will just be doomed to repeat these stupid mistakes and make nothing of myself.<br /><br />I have two people in my life I care for deeply, other than my family. Although I am not sure what to do just yet about them, they both mean a great deal to me. Let's call one C and the other L.<br /><br />C, I've known for over three years now. We met online, of course, where most people tend to meet their friends these days. We got to know each other, C would often use my shoulder to help cope with love, loss, and his personal struggles. I would do the same for him, but not as much. I'm a private person for the most part really. Hell, it was hard for me even being honest to a councilor I was seeing a few years ago.<br /><br />C and I don't have terribly much in common, but I enjoy hearing C talk about his hobbies and what he likes. We share interests and we appreciate what differences we have. It's nice. We are both romantic, and while I am an openly gay man. C is still trying to find himself and who he is.<br /><br />Anyway, over the years I've been there for C when his relationships would turn or his job sucked that day. Through all of this, our relationship grew. I've come to care about him a lot. Strangely I get jealous when I hear he has been talking with other gay men or his involvement with potential girlfriends. It's irrational for me to feel this way; but I still get that small knot of irritation that forms in my stomach when I hear it. These are probably just my latent fears of abandonment manifesting as jealousy. I don't want to lose contact with him, even if he finds himself a nice person to settle down with.<br /><br />Needless to say, C and I are very close. Our relationship is... a complicated friendship.<br /><br />Then there is L. I've known L for close to six months now. L is currently unavailable. He also lives some distance away, but it's feasible should I wish to visit. Both of us are going to school. He is going for an architecture degree and I am going for Therapeutic Massage. His degree will take sometime and with me going to school only part time for now, it will be a while for me as well. L and I met online through a friend and we began to talk.<br /><br />We discovered we had a great deal in common. We like the same hobbies, we are both romantic. He likes the fact that I am taller than him, and I love his large, Romanesque nose. As I have met with him on quite a few occasions when he can come up here, I can say that we both share the same bedroom preferences. He is a smart, funny, adorable human. My feelings for him have been growing daily since we first kissed. Sadly, his schedule and living circumstances don't permit him to visit much, but we talk a great deal online and through texting. I don't believe he is out to his family, which is a pity, but understandable. Though, I have no reason to doubt that my parents would adore him completely.<br /><br />L and I are growing very close. However, I am not sure how this will/should affect my feelings for C.Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-82740376549704262002010-11-03T12:27:00.003-04:002010-11-03T12:48:35.731-04:00Sword of Mind and BodyYet again, another month has come and gone with only one update. So, in lieu of such sparse information, I will share some random things:<br /><br />1) I admit I have a mild addiction to <span style="font-style: italic;">Magic: the Gathering</span> cards. I have been trying to cut back however from purchasing them, but it's such a deal to get three packs for $10.70. Still, want to start doing some trading in of cards I don't think I'll ever use for some cards I *may* use; that is if I can ever make the decks I intend to.<br /><br />2) Over the weekend I played my very first game of "Paranoia XP". For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Paranoia system and universe, it is as if "2001: A Space Odyssey" meets "Tom & Jerry": wacky, violent, and just plain fun. <br /><br />You basically play a lowly peon who was chosen by the Great and Glorious Friend Computer, to rout out and destroy commie, mutant traitors; but you, yourself, are a commie, mutant traitor. You are also given teammates (other players) who are out to destroy commie, mutant traitors as well (you must kill them before they find out). It was a lot of fun. I was one of the only people who made it to the next security clearance (level), without dying too many times or being accused of treason. Also, in this game you have six clones in case your current character's body meets undue harm, all but two of us went through their "six-pack" of clones.<br /><br />That's it for now. Tonight is board/card game night at Game Quest (a gaming store here). I think I'll bring Illuminati. Illuminati is a card game where you are one of the great Illuminati that may control the world. As the game progresses your power and influence over organizations grow and you attack and may destroy other Illuminati who are fighting against you. It's fun, but I've never been able to play with other people who as excited to play it as I am. Oh well, hopefully tonight that will change.Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-56693125107618271962010-10-01T15:07:00.002-04:002010-12-01T23:32:33.155-05:00Scandalmonger (or Judi Dench Said the "F Word")Judi Dench said the F word? It's more likely than you think. Recently I just watched a delightful movie call "Mrs. Henderson Presents". It is about a rich widow who, with nothing better to do, purchases a theatre and decides to show nude women en tableau. Bob Hoskins is also charming as the impresario who is chosen to direct the shows. All of this takes place around the mid to early 1940's in war torn London. If you have not seen it, or even heard of it, I recommend it for your next rental or Netflics do-dad thing.<br /><br />Yes, it has been months and months and months since I've posted anything. I had gotten off to such a good start too. Well to tell the truth, shortly after the last post I had had an series of interviews and competency tests for a job which would have been great to get. I was amped and pumped and psyched and all those lovely words to get the job, which didn't happen. Rest assured I was still "on file for future openings". Yeah, sure I am.<br /><br />Anyway, I vowed myself to go to the gym and afterward post on my blog. That turned into, tomorrow. Which turned into a week, a month, then almost seven months. Seven months, over half a year against wasted on feeling sorry for myself and spend on moping. I had also re-upped my subscription to City of Heroes, but thankfully I hadn't been playing as much as I expected.<br /><br />However, now I'm in school *again*. I am doing rather well, despite my own intellectual misgivings. Math, while slightly remedial, is something I've needed to get my brain out of it's slump. It's as if the variables, equations, answers are helping to exercise long dormant parts of my brain. I am also in a medical terminology course that I seem to be falling a little behind in, despite the fact that I'm making the effort to study. We'll just keep trying.Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-58278183684641908642010-03-10T18:25:00.002-05:002010-03-10T19:01:56.917-05:00Open the VaultsOn Role-Playing. . .<br /><br />I have been role-playing off and on for the past twelve years of my life. That's roughly 45% of the time I've been in existence here on earth. I've had many different personae, but I wish to just recount and reminisce about a few of my personal favorites.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part I</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Talisen Armatugé:</span> This gentleman had three incarnations. His first was as a purely textual being in the word of American Online Role-Playing/Fantasy chatrooms. We rolled virtual dice and had a gay old time. I remember posting a grand escape of his as a way to withdraw from the "guild" that he was currently in. With that, he and I vanished from the AOL community in general both character and Mun for a while.<br /><br />Talisen's next version was as a silver-haired sorcerer in my first Dungeons and Dragons campaign run by a friend of mine in High School. He eventually went into Dragon Disciple but sadly the campaign was short lived.<br /><br />The third and final form happened after this. We were all kind of bored playing a low-level campain, so our DM (same from above) had us roll level 20 characters. It was all great fun, Talisen became a level 20 Lawful Evil Half-Fiend sorcerer. It was great fun, except for the moronic, metal-loving dwarven druid (don't get me started). The campaign however, turned into a game of SimCity, but we concluded that all of our characters became gods.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Quilliant Armatugé:</span> One of the most prolific of my characters I've ever played. He has had many different versions and existed on many different planes and games.<br /><br />Quilliant first came about as an idea between me and a fellow camp attendee at the "Midsummer Theatre Camp" in Bloomington, IN in 2001. She was a hobby artist and was making a little comic strip about her socially shy wizard. She lamented that she didn't have a foil for her wizard to really get out and adventure and I suggested that perhaps she should have Izzy (not the real name) get an out-going companion. Thus Quilliant was born.<br /><br />Quilliant that year became a new RP character for me when I went back to the AOL community, which had changed somewhat. It was all well and good, but I hardly remember any of it. Very general, mundane RP.<br /><br />Then along came Neverwinter Nights. Truthfully, I never beat the actual campaign in that game, I just joined for the online aspect. There I found a server called "Dragon Coast" (not to be confused with Forgotten Realms' Dragon Coat, which I later found out). The community was amazing. And they embraced me as one of their own right from the get-go. Quilliant in this world was characteristic, intriguing, funny, bardic, and just fun. He also had blue hair, bestowed from some magical curse or hex.<br /><br />Quilliant was my only character on there for close to a year. In that time he "died" four times. Each time (except for the last) coming back when I was ready to rejoin after a short break. The last time was fun as he had been turned into an evil undead minion for a demon. He ended up being destroyed by the epic level paladin Fenia (a drow at that). Anyway, I wrote that his good soul soared into the heavens, free from the earth at last; his evil soul was thrown into the void. So I ended my time there at the Dragon Coast. I still miss them terribly, but they have come and gone and I believe are now on the NWNII system with a different world.<br /><br />The next incarnation hardly used Quilliant's name at all. Instead he went by "The Skald" a superhero that appeared under the atlas statue to help defend Paragon City. This was of course my main hero in "City of Heroes". I made so many friend's through that game, as I have said before, and they are all wonderful. Then "City of Villains" came out, a perfect time to incorporate a storyline from The Dragon Coast, "The Enchanter" appeared this was of course Quilliant's bad soul come back to terrorize the world once more.<br /><br />It was all very fun, then about a year ago I thought I was leaving CoH/V for good, so I deleted Skald and Enchanter, thus freeing up their names for someone else to take. I came back, of course (as is my habit), but the names were no longer free. Oh well, all good things must come to an end.<br /><br />Quilliant's last incarnation came as a bard who used two whips as weapons. He was alot of fun to play and the DM was pretty creative as well. However, when Quilliant burst into a magical fire and consummed the evil dragon army (its always dragons) and himself, I officially retired the name. The only place that I use it now is on my AIM name and my G-mail, though I am considering changing both.<br /><br /><br />I think that is enough for now, I have a few more but they're a bit shorter than all of this. Anyway, I hope you three enjoy reading.Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-71735942698232199272010-03-07T14:53:00.001-05:002010-03-07T15:15:11.535-05:00Fertile GroundSo today we planted our herbs. Currently they are in cute, little clay pots that are sunning themselves on my window sill. I have them alphabetically arranged just in case the paper tab I have marking them disappears. They are as follows: Basil, Cilantro, Lavender, Mint, and I picked up some Rosemary yesterday. Though the potting soil that I acquired this morning seems a little substandard, I'm sure they'll do alright. The window that they are in faces south and gets plenty of late morning through middle of the afternoon light.<br /><br />I've completed a full week of going to the gym regularly (baring Saturday, a day for rest/recovery). I feel very good about it, but I don't plan on weighing myself for another week or so. On a lighter note (pun intended), I can fit into some of my old pants. I'm apparently a size smaller even though the measuring tape seems to lie to my face.<br /><br />While I was out and about yesterday, I went to Barnes and Noble and picked up "The Zombie Survival Guide" by Max Brooks, it's very entertaining. While I was at the checkout line I saw a Quamut display. For those of you unfamiliar with Quamut, they are a supplier of fold out guides for various things (French, Math, Yoga, etc). The particular one that caught my eye, however was for Etiquette and Manners. I'll be the first to tell you, I will always try to be polite and friendly, but the guide also offers proper place settings, business ettiquette, and some good "reminder" guidelines. My favorite section is "Etiquette vs. Manners." Manners will always trump Etiquette, if you must know. Better to be polite and improper than snobby and stiff.<br /><br />Also, right underneath it, I found a guide to Stretching (for beginners such as myself). Finding a resource for proper stretching was my initial goal of going to Barnes and Nobles. After I had exhausted the DVD and fitness sections which had a myriad of Power Yoga, Tai Chi, and Biggest Loser: Boot Camp programs, I shrugged and felt I'd probably have to go some place else to find just a DVD of people stretching in the proper way without risk of injury. Yoga is all well and good when you have a decent amount of flexibility already; but when you start from Square Zero, it can be difficult. I want be a tad more limber (not to mention leaner) than I am now before I attempt Yoga. Hell, I get a burn from sitting down with my legs out in front of my and placing my palm on my knee, that is how inflexible I am. No pain no gain right?<br /><br />Also, a month ago a friend sent me <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKBRG_QgEAM">this</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>. It gave me a great deal of motivation and things to think about.Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-803497432419365362010-03-01T11:53:00.000-05:002010-03-01T12:11:53.820-05:00Mana CylixSo today was the first day of this new year of my "Full Workout". This entails me doing cardio and weight training. I actually had a great deal of fun. I got on the elliptical for a little over thirty minutes, did my upper body strength training for another 30, and then got back on the elliptical for 30 more minutes. I felt really good.<br /><br />Also I have a workout sheet, that I'll be gradually filling out this month. At the bottom of each day (column) I'll have the gym attendant initial to say "Yes, he's been here.". It's just a small way to validate that I am making a change. I hope this works out. I have 100lbs I need to cut down by. I know I can do it!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Weight:</span> 325.5 <span style="font-style: italic;">Goal:</span> 225lbs<br /><br />I gained some from last month, but only a pound. I didn't exercise much at all, so I was surprised that I only gained a tiny bit. Must not put things off.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Stomach:</span> 53.5" <span style="font-style: italic;">Goal:</span> ABS!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Waist:</span> 47.5" <span style="font-style: italic;">Goal:</span> 36"<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hips:</span> 53.5 <span style="font-style: italic;">Goal: </span>36-38" (firm and sexy)<br /><br />Edit: Woohoo! Two Pages!Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-32828870382889497952010-02-27T21:30:00.000-05:002010-02-27T21:43:45.780-05:00Rampant Growth<span style="font-family:georgia;">As I have posted previously, I've decided to start a garden in the backyard. Yesterday I went out to Meijer and bought some herb seeds that I'll probably be starting indoors before spring shows up. I only bought a few, which I actually plan to put in pots, I'll save the actual garden for veggies and maybe fruits.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Lemon Basil </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">(</span><i style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Ocimum citriodorum</i><span style="font-family:georgia;">): This is apparently a hybrid between regular Basil and African Basil. I hope to make some yummy pesto with this, so we'll see how it does. I just have to remember to deadhead it (pick off the flowers before they develop) otherwise the plant will literally go to seed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >True Lavender</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> (</span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Lavandula angustifolia</i><span style="font-family:georgia;">): This should come in handy for giving aromatic qualities to food as well as supplementing the jar of Herbes de Provence I got at Christmas. Also, they are pretty.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Longstanding Cilantro</span> (</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><i>Coriandrum sativum</i></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">): </span>I love cilantro and coriander so I definatley wanted this in the garden. While I tend to cook for a rather unappreciative audience of this fine, aromatic herb I could care less, it's MAH GARDEN!.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Mint</span><span style="font-family:georgia;">? (</span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Mentha sachalinensis</i><span style="font-family:georgia;">): The scientific name is a guess actually as the package of seeds does not give the actual name. So on "Mint" I've had to guess, but the common name of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >Mentha sachalinensis</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> is Garden Mint, and there was no picture. However, there is a picture on the package, as much help as that is.</span><br /><br /><br />That seems it so far, but I want to plant some roses too. My grandfather has some of the prettiest ones, especially the Double-Delights which I've always adored. Learning to plant and raise those would be something I'd like to do as well. We'll see. I hope Spring gets here soon, I'm so sick of this snowy weather.Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-464438487030943032010-02-25T12:09:00.000-05:002010-02-26T16:14:03.921-05:00Terramorphic ExpanseSo this is my dialogue with my Fat. I think putting it here will make some of my reasons public, and maybe make me a little vulnerable. It won't give me an excuse to hide anymore<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> Hello fat, I see you are still here<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> I'm always here, even when you close your eyes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> That's the problem, I don't want you to be there.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> Then why haven't you put any real effort into getting rid of me. Maybe you need me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> Why would I need you, you make me look and feel awful.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> You need me because then you wouldn't have any excuse to feel sorry for yourself and make excuses. You need someone to blame for all your failings.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> Well, I didn't drop out of school because I was fat, did I?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> You sure? You always kept to yourself, in your room. You never went out because you were so self-conscious. You played video games all day, and pretended to be a superhero with amazing muscles. You would day dream what it would be like to actually have visible pectoral muscles, abs, and a butt that can crack walnuts. Yet you never did anything about it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> Maybe you're right, but you were there constantly reminding me how pathetic I was.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> No, *you* were always telling yourself how pathetic you were. You could have gone to the gym and taken care of me a long time ago. Hell, you even had a friend try to coach and motivate you to jog with him. Yet you gave up because it got hard. At the first sign of difficulty you give up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> I haven't always given up, I'm trying to improve now aren't I?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> For now, but in another week you'll just be sitting on your ass with your hand buried in a bag of chips saying to yourself "I should get to the gym". But you won't because you think you should start on the First of the Month or something like that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> I can't help it if I like fresh starts. Although, I feel I've tried to make many starts without actually following through to the ending.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> And you blame it all on me?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me: </span> Well, you certainly don't help you know?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> So what will you do about it? You even have an open bag of Quaker Oats Rice Snacks on your desk right now. You ate after 10 o'clock the other night. In fact you are procrastinating about going to the gym right now. You went yesterday and the day before, what about today? What about tomorrow for that matter or next week?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> I guess I'm just hesitant.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> What are you hesitant about?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> I'm hesitant that if I do get rid of you, I won't look as good as I think I should. I won't be happy and get depressed and find you all over again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> You shouldn't be scared of that, that's stupid to say. As far as looking as good as you think, perhaps you should just be happy with being healthy and actually fitting into those clothes you've always wanted.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> I guess you're right.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> I'm part of you Scott, I'll always be at the back of your mind. You'll never lose me. I'm probably the only real friend you've had over the years. I've protected you from love and the hurt that comes with it, I've protected you from becoming egotistical and prickish.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> Yes, I may never really get rid of you. I'll always remember you even if I do achieve my goals. But I won't let you back if I can help it. I am going to the gym tonight after work. I want to see how well I feel when I do. I'm sick of making excuses like "Well, I'll just feel tired if I do" before I even try.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> That's the spirit tubby, do this for you. Hell, you may even be able to go out to a public swimming pool next summer. Get a tan on the pasty skin of yours.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> There is no need to be mean Fat.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> I'm not mean, I'm just treating you like you treat yourself.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> You're right, we need to stop that mindset.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat:</span> Yes we do. It will be hard to do, you've thought that way ever since we can both remember. Good luck fatso. Now I'm going to go back to making you think of cheesecake and potato chips.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> You may make me think of them Fat, but I'm the one who would have to eat them. I'm not going to let you control me anymore.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fat: </span>Hah! We'll see, we'll see.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Fin</span>Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-17926367970870827152010-02-19T14:50:00.000-05:002010-02-19T23:51:22.182-05:00Trusty MacheteEver since I can remember, I've played video games, from Super Mario World to Left 4 Dead. They have been a friend and foe throughout my gaming career. I've come to realize that I have an addictive personality, and have been trying to cut back.<br /><br />My favorite game that I've ever played is City of Heroes. The community alone and the friends I made were worth the 15 dollars a month. It allowed me to be creative and to be a hero that I'd always imagined being, even more so that Dungeons and Dragons allowed me to do. I got to see my hero fly around, wear a cape, and smack baddies with energy rays, vine tendrils, fists, or a scream. Better yet I was able to do it with other people who were fun, funny and helpful.<br /><br />However, it was my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">obsession</span> with City of Heroes that caused my failure at college. I have no ill will towards Crypic/Paragon Studios for making a great game, none. I should have quit while I was ahead. I spent hours a day, avoided class, classmates, and experiences. This was all five years ago. Yet after five years, finally do I admit this on an open forum. After a year or so of CoH, I went on to World of Warcraft, and then back to CoH, then to WoW, and then back to CoH. A vicious circle for me. Both fun games, who deserve no blame towards people changing their lives over. People change their own lives.<br /><br />I have slowly begun to regulate my game playing. I haven't been subscribed to City of Heroes for months. They're having a new expansion coming out, and yes I'll support them, buy it and reup for another month to play and see Paragon Studios work. I praise them. I'll see my friends in game again, and I'll have fun. However, I know I have alot of work to do. So, before I even think of subscribing again, I am going to make sure I fullfill those goals that I set forth a few days ago.<br /><br />Steam, a gaming program, allows you to track the amount of time you play games through it. The past two weeks I've played 13 hours of Left 4 Dead 2, so roughly under an hour a day on average, which isn't too bad I don't think. It is, in my mind, a big cut back from what I used to do (three or four a day). Small steps.... small, teensy steps.<br /><br />Now then, to cut the M:tG problem, after which this blog takes its theme...<br /><br />Also hungry ::sigh::Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-30120961967110844192010-02-18T23:58:00.000-05:002010-02-19T23:14:54.671-05:00DepthsSo I purchased a book a week ago called "Why Weight?: A Guide to Ending Compulsive Eating" by Geneen Roth. I've read through the first chapter and done almost all of the excersizes that are listed. The last one, however, requires us to have a discussoin with our Fat, a dialogue if you will.<br /><br />It might be productive, or it may be lame. Either way I'll post it on here for all two of you to read and enjoy.<br /><br />Also, Robot Chicken is marvelous.<br /><br />Also, also took some anti-acids and my cravings for food are diminished this late in the night.Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-83418151453934259792010-02-18T00:02:00.000-05:002010-02-19T23:17:05.635-05:00UpkeepLet's face it, I've been failing at the endeavours I've outlined a few weeks ago. I always seem to slide back into the "status quo" of apathy. Tonight on my way back from gaming with friends, I realized I had just spent almost twenty dollars on cards I hardly use, fourteen dollars on junk food I didn't need, and I didn't go to the gym today.<br /><br />As a matter of fact, I've not been to the gym in two weeks. I realise and I know that I brought this on myself. In the last four days I've binged myself on two bags of Doritos, after not having any for the last three months, a box of Swiss Rolls in two sittings, a box of Nutty Bars while I was eating the Swiss Rolls, three of the half-sized bag of Kettle Chips.<br /><br />I had to verbally say "No" to myself all the way home, this was in reaction to me thinking about eating the left over junkfood (deep fried chinese take-out) that was in the back seat. Even now I'm thinking about saying "I'll stop eating after 10 tomorrow" which I've said everyday since February 1st. I hate the fact that I've gotten into these habits.<br /><br />I have a long bagging shift tomorrow at work, so I wont' be going to the gym then. However, I am off on Friday and Saturday so I have no excuse then. I like going to the gym, but the thing I think that gets me to not go is the fact that I have to get a "gym outfit" together and make sure it's clean. The dumbest excuse right? I just wish I had a way that I could be reported on and be accountable to someone other than myself.<br /><br />I mean, I have like four pairs of gym shorts and a few shirts I can wear. However, alot of them are short, which means if I bend over, skin is exposed in places I don't want people to see. Again dumb excuse. I have ONE pair of jeans that I wear. Just one that I can fit into. Whenever I wear jeans it's these, and they get washed alot. They're broken in a comfortable. I have five other pairs of jeans sitting in my dresser that I can't fit into. They are currently stacked on top of each other going from biggest to smallest. I set a dusty, cobb webbed goal of hopefully fitting into the other pairs one day. I have maybe four shirts that I can fit into, and they are showing age and dingyness. I have a whole closet filled with clothing I can't fit into. Some of my clothes I have NEVER been able to fit into because I bought them in the hopes to lose weight.<br /><br />I feel pathetic. I have so many goals to meet, and I have made progress on nothing.<br /><br />Scratch that, I haven't eaten anything after 10. If I can go for a whole week with out doing this, then I won't get automatic hunger pangs. My body is so used to digesting at this late hour, I know it willl go away when I stop.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Goals by June</strong></span><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">1)</span><strong> Plant a Garden:</strong> Just a few herbs to start with maybe, get a begginer's guide or something.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">2)</span> <strong>Learn a little about playing the Piano:</strong> My grandmother bought me a piano back in high school I never learned to play it before she died, one of my biggest regrets. And even have starting books too, shame on me.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">3)</span> <strong>Take up French again:</strong> I used to do alright in French, and I'd like to polish it up a bit more.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">4)</span> <strong>Adjust eating habits for the better:</strong> No eating after 10, and more fruits and veggies, nothing that comes in a bag who's name ends in "Ritos"<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">5)</span> <strong>Reach size 44 waist:</strong> When I start going to the gym more, and adjust my eating habbits as outlined above, I'm sure this goal will fall in place.<br /><br />Let the game's begin...Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-9052952455027510442010-02-08T14:19:00.000-05:002010-02-19T23:15:25.549-05:00Untap...So far the endeavor has not been as fruitful as it could be. Also I hear there will be a large amount of snow tomorrow or Wednesday. Alright, we must dedicate ourselves!<br /><br />I must get myself in motion!Skaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860833867759926041.post-81618274039590655102010-02-01T23:05:00.000-05:002010-02-01T23:35:42.307-05:00First Turn, Mana ScrewedWell, I've been subscribed here to Blogger.com for well over a month; and this is my first entry. While, I did have a LiveJournal years ago, I hardly ever posted in that either. I certianly hope this endeavour is much more productive.<br /><br />Speaking of productivity, I've not been very active socially, economicaly, physically or even mentally. This year, 2010, I hope to fix everything about that previous statement. It may take a while, and the steps will not be very big at first. I'll get frustrated, depressed, and disappointed I'm sure, but I need to focus on the successes.<br /><br />A friend of mine on here has a blog ("Are There Any More Cookies", I'm sure you can find it somewhere to the left. He is a very amusing person, and his take on life and his observations have always cracked a smile. Anyway, more to the point, he takes pictures and often posts them in his entries. I would like to take a lief from his book and do the same, probably not with his frequency however.<br /><br />I'm in the process of losing weight and getting into a better shape other than "Pear". We'll see how this goes. At the end of the posts, I'll just keep a brief virtual record of this process as well. Also any books I've finished or small projects I've completed. Let the games begin!<br /><br /><strong>Weight:</strong> 324lbs <em>Goal:</em> 225lbs<br /><strong>Stomach:</strong> 54" <em>Goal:</em> To See Abs<br /><strong>Waist:</strong> 49.5" <em>Goal:</em> 36"<br /><strong>Hips:</strong> 55" <em>Goal:</em> Not Ghetto-Booty (bubble is fine)<br /><strong>Books Read:</strong> "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" Bill BrysonSkaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11455533624543687246noreply@blogger.com1