101/1001 Update
Aug. 4th, 2025 11:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
grim23This is a dark time, filled with suffering and uncertainty. Like living cells in a larger body, it is natural that we feel the trauma of our world. So don’t be afraid of the anguish you feel, or the anger or fear, because these responses arise from the depth of your caring and the truth of your interconnectedness with all beings. - Joanna Macy
Body/Martial Arts/Physical Improvement/Testing: I did not train in a Shaolin Kung Fu class this week, due to a client crisis. I am continuing the testing process for a belt promotion. Week 2 of testing is the basic hand and foot stances, and I'll do them this week.
May's GoRuck 'Believe' Challenges are still ongoing. All that's left for May is the workout, the traditional 'Murph' Challenge. The Murph Challenge is "not just a physical test, but also a mental and emotional one. Participants are pushed to their limits and are encouraged to keep pushing through the pain and exhaustion, just as Lieutenant Michael Murphy did during his final moments." At the Tough level, it is a 1-mile ruck, 200 Sandbag Bent Over Rows (the substitute for 100 pull-ups), 200 Pushups, and 300 Squats, and then another 1-mile ruck, all wearing a 20-lb. plate carrier and using a 60-lb. sandbag. No progress.
June's GoRuck 'Resilience' Challenges are also now in progress, with a focus on Apache (pursed lip) breathing. The workout, "Take a sip of water and hold it in your mouth for the duration of the workout. Every time you swallow the water or spit it out do 10 Burpees over your ruck", is 4 rounds of a 400m Ruck, 10 Sandbag Power Cleans, and 10 Sandbag Shoulder to Overhead, wearing my ruck for the entire workout except the penalty burpees, with the ruck weight 30 lbs.+, and the 60 lb. sandbag for my level. The Rucking and Additional Challenge requirements are Apache breathing for a mile at base weight, with an extra mile every week, i.e., week 2 = 2 miles, week 3 = 3 miles, etc. What I have left: the fourth week's ruck and the workout. No progress.
August's GoRuck 'Evolve' Challenges dropped on time, and I should be able to complete them this month, as well as May's Murph, June's workout, and the last 4-mile ruck. The workout is “GRIN AND BEAR IT”: THE DRIVE: 100 Sandbag Step Ups, 20 Sandbag Bear Hug Squats, 15 Sandbag Front Tosses, 10 Sandbag Bear Complex, and a 400m Sandbag Shuffle, as well as THE RETURN: 10 Sandbag Bear Complex, 15 Sandbag Front Toss, 20 Sandbag Bear Hug Squats, and 100 Sandbag Step Ups. The Rucking and Additional Challenge is, "Max number of miles going upstairs or uphill in the month of August (downhill also counts for distance). Skip the elevators and escalators." The F*CK is "2 min max reps" of American Twists, using a sand kettlebell or ruck, and the book is Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Noah Harari.
Mind/Spirit/Centering/Health: I've finished The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön. I have also started Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande.
In Case of Zombies/Disaster Preparation: I'm continuing Jim Cobb's Countdown to Preparedness book/assignments. Week 22 is firearms, and I need to check, clean, and practice more with my existing gear. Week 22 is still on hold. My firefighter turnouts are now replaced, and I have a complete set of retired/new structural bunker gear, including an extra slightly shorter turnout jacket (without SCBA), as well as a complete set of new wildland firefighter gear, in case of emergencies. I attended two full days of the American College of Medical Toxicology Conference, Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs), Toxic Industrial Materials (TIMs), and Toxic Radiological Materials (TRMs) this last week.
Maintenance/Shit Got To Be Done: I completed my eye examination and dental appointment this week, and my medical appointment is next week. I'm still working through the life insurance policies and the legal issues. The Whorse is back at the mechanic from the specialty transmission mechanic this week and is getting cleaned and finishing touches. I should be able to pick it up soon!
Base Station/Ol' Number 3: The County has some questions. I'll be submitting a Revised Permit soon. More progress in the Pump House organization has happened.
Travel/Adventure/Doing Stuff: I am still at the Gate House part-time, slowly organizing and cleaning things, but taking refuge. I was deployed Thursday through Sunday morning as a Firefighter for SHIFT the end of July.
Body/Martial Arts/Physical Improvement/Testing: I did not train in a Shaolin Kung Fu class this week, due to a client crisis. I am continuing the testing process for a belt promotion. Week 2 of testing is the basic hand and foot stances, and I'll do them this week.
May's GoRuck 'Believe' Challenges are still ongoing. All that's left for May is the workout, the traditional 'Murph' Challenge. The Murph Challenge is "not just a physical test, but also a mental and emotional one. Participants are pushed to their limits and are encouraged to keep pushing through the pain and exhaustion, just as Lieutenant Michael Murphy did during his final moments." At the Tough level, it is a 1-mile ruck, 200 Sandbag Bent Over Rows (the substitute for 100 pull-ups), 200 Pushups, and 300 Squats, and then another 1-mile ruck, all wearing a 20-lb. plate carrier and using a 60-lb. sandbag. No progress.
June's GoRuck 'Resilience' Challenges are also now in progress, with a focus on Apache (pursed lip) breathing. The workout, "Take a sip of water and hold it in your mouth for the duration of the workout. Every time you swallow the water or spit it out do 10 Burpees over your ruck", is 4 rounds of a 400m Ruck, 10 Sandbag Power Cleans, and 10 Sandbag Shoulder to Overhead, wearing my ruck for the entire workout except the penalty burpees, with the ruck weight 30 lbs.+, and the 60 lb. sandbag for my level. The Rucking and Additional Challenge requirements are Apache breathing for a mile at base weight, with an extra mile every week, i.e., week 2 = 2 miles, week 3 = 3 miles, etc. What I have left: the fourth week's ruck and the workout. No progress.
August's GoRuck 'Evolve' Challenges dropped on time, and I should be able to complete them this month, as well as May's Murph, June's workout, and the last 4-mile ruck. The workout is “GRIN AND BEAR IT”: THE DRIVE: 100 Sandbag Step Ups, 20 Sandbag Bear Hug Squats, 15 Sandbag Front Tosses, 10 Sandbag Bear Complex, and a 400m Sandbag Shuffle, as well as THE RETURN: 10 Sandbag Bear Complex, 15 Sandbag Front Toss, 20 Sandbag Bear Hug Squats, and 100 Sandbag Step Ups. The Rucking and Additional Challenge is, "Max number of miles going upstairs or uphill in the month of August (downhill also counts for distance). Skip the elevators and escalators." The F*CK is "2 min max reps" of American Twists, using a sand kettlebell or ruck, and the book is Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Noah Harari.
Mind/Spirit/Centering/Health: I've finished The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön. I have also started Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande.
In Case of Zombies/Disaster Preparation: I'm continuing Jim Cobb's Countdown to Preparedness book/assignments. Week 22 is firearms, and I need to check, clean, and practice more with my existing gear. Week 22 is still on hold. My firefighter turnouts are now replaced, and I have a complete set of retired/new structural bunker gear, including an extra slightly shorter turnout jacket (without SCBA), as well as a complete set of new wildland firefighter gear, in case of emergencies. I attended two full days of the American College of Medical Toxicology Conference, Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs), Toxic Industrial Materials (TIMs), and Toxic Radiological Materials (TRMs) this last week.
Maintenance/Shit Got To Be Done: I completed my eye examination and dental appointment this week, and my medical appointment is next week. I'm still working through the life insurance policies and the legal issues. The Whorse is back at the mechanic from the specialty transmission mechanic this week and is getting cleaned and finishing touches. I should be able to pick it up soon!
Base Station/Ol' Number 3: The County has some questions. I'll be submitting a Revised Permit soon. More progress in the Pump House organization has happened.
Travel/Adventure/Doing Stuff: I am still at the Gate House part-time, slowly organizing and cleaning things, but taking refuge. I was deployed Thursday through Sunday morning as a Firefighter for SHIFT the end of July.
