Summary:
Besaid Aurochs vs. Luca Goers. A bittersweet ending to Wakka’s blitzball
career. Auron returns. Monster attack saved by Seymour. (Of whom I’m
still suspicious as hell.)
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Coldrun Go! - Day 17
Just a half hour walk at lunch today for Pokemon. About 55k/75k experience into level 21.
Overate yesterday. Ate less today.
Overate yesterday. Ate less today.
FFX – Part 13: Psyche Out
Summary: Exploring Luca. Maester Mika. Sphere Theater. Yuna’s abduction. Besaid Aurochs vs. Al Bhed Psyches, on multiple fronts.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Sunday, August 28, 2016
FFX – Part 11: Bend it Like Jecht’s Son
Summary: Travel from the temple back to the village. Boarded the S.S. Winno towards Luca. Jecht’s Shot.
Coldrun Go! - Day 15: Aerodactyl
Morning: So on Friday I stopped at 2,500 calories, then didn't track on Saturday. Let's see if I can stay within... hm, 2,600 calories for today and tomorrow. Planning to head downtown for a Poke-walk in a new area.
---
Evening: Today was AWESOME! I went into downtown St. Paul for my Poke-walk, and it was FRIGGING PACKED with Pokemon players. Lures everywhere, Pokemon everywhere. Lots of the usual Pokemon I get, but also way more Nidorans than usual.
The best part of the afternoon was when I saw a huge crowd jogging in one direction. I joined the rushing group, running a bit myself. We wound up in a parking lot where an Aerodactyl was spawning. Got her!! So much fun.
Food was touch and go for a while since I ate most of my food early in the day, but had a great afternoon Poke-walk and prepared soup and salad for dinner. Now I just gotta get through the next 3-4 hours before I go to sleep. (It's currently 7:00pm.)
---
Evening: Today was AWESOME! I went into downtown St. Paul for my Poke-walk, and it was FRIGGING PACKED with Pokemon players. Lures everywhere, Pokemon everywhere. Lots of the usual Pokemon I get, but also way more Nidorans than usual.
The best part of the afternoon was when I saw a huge crowd jogging in one direction. I joined the rushing group, running a bit myself. We wound up in a parking lot where an Aerodactyl was spawning. Got her!! So much fun.
Food was touch and go for a while since I ate most of my food early in the day, but had a great afternoon Poke-walk and prepared soup and salad for dinner. Now I just gotta get through the next 3-4 hours before I go to sleep. (It's currently 7:00pm.)
Friday, August 26, 2016
FFX – Part 10: Trial by Fire
Summary: Sinspawn Geneaux. Dona and Barthello. Tidus goes through the Cloister of Trials. I get disproportionately frustrated.
Coldrun Go! - Day 13: 2500
Morning: Today, I will stop eating once I hit 2,500 calories.
Don't worry about when I eat, or what I eat, or anything like that. Feel hungry, feel full, feel frustrated, feel all the things. Just stop at 2,500. It'll be okay.
---
Evening: Victory! (Probably. It's 8:30pm, but I'm in the clear.)
It was touch and go at the end. There was a bag of chips opened when I got home that I was sorely tempted to dive into. Sat with that feeling, put the bag of chips away, and decided not to eat them.
---
On a happier note, I hit level 21 in Pokemon Go! Went on a Lucky Egg binge of evolutions, and even managed to defeat my first gym for Team Mystic. WOOHOO MYSTICCCC <3 I have a Tauros and Electabuzz that are my all-stars right now in the 1100-1300 range.
Don't worry about when I eat, or what I eat, or anything like that. Feel hungry, feel full, feel frustrated, feel all the things. Just stop at 2,500. It'll be okay.
---
Evening: Victory! (Probably. It's 8:30pm, but I'm in the clear.)
It was touch and go at the end. There was a bag of chips opened when I got home that I was sorely tempted to dive into. Sat with that feeling, put the bag of chips away, and decided not to eat them.
---
On a happier note, I hit level 21 in Pokemon Go! Went on a Lucky Egg binge of evolutions, and even managed to defeat my first gym for Team Mystic. WOOHOO MYSTICCCC <3 I have a Tauros and Electabuzz that are my all-stars right now in the 1100-1300 range.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
FFX – Part 9: Lord Ochu’s Domain
Summary: Yuna’s Sending ritual, one of the most beautiful things in all of FF. Through the Kilika Woods, towards the temple. Lord Ochu.
TW: brief mention of 9/11.
TW: brief mention of 9/11.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
FFX – Part 8: Oceanic Abomination
Summary: Aeon
mechanics and party combat mechanics. Kimahri. Sailing to Kilika. FFX
continues to bash my giant sea monster fears as Sin attacks on Kilika.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Coldrun Go - Day 10: Friends with Discomfort
Not much Pokemon today. Only a little bit, but good progress into level 19. I expect to hit 20 tomorrow. And Thursday, I joined a Meetup for Pokemon Go! I'm nervous because of how generally awkward I am socially, but we'll see how it goes.
---
Something pretty simple occurred to me tonight. So, I want to lose a lot of weight. Not saying being whatever weight you want, but for many reasons I'm not happy at the weight I am.
Right? Right.
So I have to change how I eat. Eat less; probably eat better, but definitely eat less.
Yes. Makes sense.
The last step in this little train of thought: this will be uncomfortable. It will not be pleasant. I can do things to deal with the discomfort and allay it and relieve it, but it will be there. It's not poisonous. It won't kill me. But I'm so averse to it right now, and that has to change.
I need to get used to discomfort. Learn to sit with it, relax with it, welcome it. Befriend it.
---
Something pretty simple occurred to me tonight. So, I want to lose a lot of weight. Not saying being whatever weight you want, but for many reasons I'm not happy at the weight I am.
Right? Right.
So I have to change how I eat. Eat less; probably eat better, but definitely eat less.
Yes. Makes sense.
The last step in this little train of thought: this will be uncomfortable. It will not be pleasant. I can do things to deal with the discomfort and allay it and relieve it, but it will be there. It's not poisonous. It won't kill me. But I'm so averse to it right now, and that has to change.
I need to get used to discomfort. Learn to sit with it, relax with it, welcome it. Befriend it.
Monday, August 22, 2016
FFX – Part 6: Summoner’s Trials
Summary: Besaid’s temple. Cloister of Trials. As yet unnamed summoner and her two as yet unnamed guardians. Valefor.
Coldrun Go! - Day 9: Hey 19
Morning: Lots of walking on my weekend trip. Hit level 18 and 40km, which is great! My eating has been pretty mindless, so I have Pokemon Go to thank for holding steady in terms of weight. I will continue to level up, pushing for 20, and then I'll start powering up a team of Pokemon and explore the gym/combat side of this game!
Next goal for weight is to hit 265. I think I can do it this week, if I just make a bit of an adjustment to my eating. Even just staying in the 2,700-2,750 range my do it.
---
Evening: Ate a bit more than I planned, but tracked and did not binge.
Lots of poke-walking today. Reached 45.6km, so another 5km.
Day 0: 267.8 lbs
Day 9: 267.2 lbs
Next goal for weight is to hit 265. I think I can do it this week, if I just make a bit of an adjustment to my eating. Even just staying in the 2,700-2,750 range my do it.
---
Evening: Ate a bit more than I planned, but tracked and did not binge.
Lots of poke-walking today. Reached 45.6km, so another 5km.
Day 0: 267.8 lbs
Day 9: 267.2 lbs
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Coldrun Go! - Day 7: Villanelle
I've been walking a lot still, playing Pokemon Go. Magmar is probably my new favorite pokemon. I don't have the candy to power her up, but she looks like a badass fiery dragon. Currently level 14.
Eating has been a real problem of late. As always. I'm going to be traveling for the next day or so and will be away, but just wanted to post one of my favorite poems from a long time ago that's been rattling around in my brain the last few days:
"Villanelle If You Want To Be A Bad-Ass," by Jennifer Michael Hecht. [tw: ableist word choice]
Eating has been a real problem of late. As always. I'm going to be traveling for the next day or so and will be away, but just wanted to post one of my favorite poems from a long time ago that's been rattling around in my brain the last few days:
"Villanelle If You Want To Be A Bad-Ass," by Jennifer Michael Hecht. [tw: ableist word choice]
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
FFX – Part 4: Al Bhed
Summary: Sphere grid. Al Bhed language and people. Underwater mission for the Al Bhed salvagers. Rikku. Return of Sin.
Coldrun Go! - Day 3
8:45am: Been having trouble getting my eating under control. Doing this day-by-day.
Two eating goals today:
1) Track everything I eat.
2) Stay under 2,600 calories.
Hoping I have time and energy for a good Pokewalk tonight!
---
10:40pm: I didn't stay under 2,600 calories. Stopped at 2,730, which I'm pretty happy with! Tomorrow, I'll try for 2,650 cal.
Reached 17.1km across a few walks today. Caught a few new ones, including Poliwhirl, Seel, Abra, and Diglett. Seel is ridiculously adorable.
Two eating goals today:
1) Track everything I eat.
2) Stay under 2,600 calories.
Hoping I have time and energy for a good Pokewalk tonight!
---
10:40pm: I didn't stay under 2,600 calories. Stopped at 2,730, which I'm pretty happy with! Tomorrow, I'll try for 2,650 cal.
Reached 17.1km across a few walks today. Caught a few new ones, including Poliwhirl, Seel, Abra, and Diglett. Seel is ridiculously adorable.
Monday, August 15, 2016
Coldrun Go! - Day 2
Hit level 9, and walked another 4km or so today. The next achievement I'm working on there is "Jogger: walk 100 km." Currently at 12.71/100. Explored a new area in Minneapolis today. The Pokestops are so great for that - a great way to learn about the history and landmarks of the area.
I see Pokemon gyms around, but all of them seem to hold really powerful Pokemon that would obliterate me. Maybe later.
I see Pokemon gyms around, but all of them seem to hold really powerful Pokemon that would obliterate me. Maybe later.
FFX – Part 3: Submerged
Summary: The Submerged
Ruins. Al Bhed. I discuss my fear of sea monsters and am immediately
punished with a horrifying sea monster. A party of maybe!thieves.
Coldrun Go! - Day 1
Today was pretty great! Hit level 7, walking 8-9 km (over 5 miles) collecting stuff. Lots of Ratatas, Pidgeys, and Weedles. My favorite is Drowzee... except I wasn't expecting the nightmare fuel from its Pokedex description:
"If your nose becomes itchy while you are sleeping, it's a sure sign that one of these Pokémon is standing above your pillow and trying to eat you dream through your nostrils."
LIKE HOLY SHIT??!?!!!? THAT'S TERRIFYING
My eating was kind of out of control, so I'll try to at least track it today.
"If your nose becomes itchy while you are sleeping, it's a sure sign that one of these Pokémon is standing above your pillow and trying to eat you dream through your nostrils."
LIKE HOLY SHIT??!?!!!? THAT'S TERRIFYING
My eating was kind of out of control, so I'll try to at least track it today.
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Coldrun Go! - Day 0
So it's been a while. I had gone into one of those frustrating "give up" cycles. Exercising seemed like a chore. I couldn't do it. The same thing with eating under any kind of control. Binged often.
This morning, with some encouragement from the folks on Mark Spoils, I tried out Pokemon Go. Never played Pokemon before, so it was new to me. (Though I did collect battle pets in World of Warcraft.) Downloaded and went.
Two hours later that morning, I noticed the ridiculous quantity of walking I had done without it feeling at all like a chore. Repeated it in the afternoon for more collection for another hour. Learned all about my neighborhood too!
---
All this is to say that I was on the verge of giving up, and will give it one more try. Why not. Once more into the breach. Nothing elaborate - just play Pokemon Go a bunch as my exercise bedrock to get out of the apartment, and try to do better with eating. Started a new account.
Let's see if I can finally lose weight in any lasting way.
Starting weight (8/13/16): 267.8 lbs
This morning, with some encouragement from the folks on Mark Spoils, I tried out Pokemon Go. Never played Pokemon before, so it was new to me. (Though I did collect battle pets in World of Warcraft.) Downloaded and went.
Two hours later that morning, I noticed the ridiculous quantity of walking I had done without it feeling at all like a chore. Repeated it in the afternoon for more collection for another hour. Learned all about my neighborhood too!
---
All this is to say that I was on the verge of giving up, and will give it one more try. Why not. Once more into the breach. Nothing elaborate - just play Pokemon Go a bunch as my exercise bedrock to get out of the apartment, and try to do better with eating. Started a new account.
Let's see if I can finally lose weight in any lasting way.
Starting weight (8/13/16): 267.8 lbs
FFIX – Part 71: Not Alone
Summary: Some final thoughts on Final Fantasy IX. [Note:
some of the images were really difficult to source through Google image
search, so if something was messed up or you see something that should
be attributed to someone else, please let me know!]
Sunday, August 7, 2016
FFIX – Part 70: Happily Ever After
Summary:
The end of FFIX. I hope you’ll forgive me for an unusually long,
unusually screenshot-heavy post, and for me not foreseeing what should
have been obvious. I really thought they were going for
bittersweet/tragic; the hard turn into overwhelming joy shook me, and I
couldn’t be happier.
FFIX – Part 68: Firin’ Mah Lazer
Summary: Continuing through Memoria. Hades, Kraken, Lich. Ark. Space and the Crystal World. What a beautifully surreal dungeon.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Coldrun Fitness - August 4, 2016
Habit #1: dental care. Figured I'd start small. I'm terrible at this basic thing, so have been practicing it this week. Morning: brush for 2 minutes, mouthwash rinse for 30 seconds. Evening: same thing, but also with flossing.
In the evening especially, doing this helps lock the day down. Reduces temptation to eat more.
In the evening especially, doing this helps lock the day down. Reduces temptation to eat more.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Coldrun Fitness - August 3, 2016
Today felt pretty great! I decided to go for a walk/run. Walked, and when the music I was listening to made me feel like it or when I felt ready, I ran for a bit. Light running. Favorite music for this was the Ultimecia fight medley from FFVIII.
I don't usually run, but something about running feels like a normal human thing. Comforts me to know I can do that sometimes.
I don't usually run, but something about running feels like a normal human thing. Comforts me to know I can do that sometimes.
FFIX – Part 67: Memory Palace
Summary:
Dogfight between the combined Gaian air forces and some dragons allows
the Invincible to break into the magic bubble above the Iifa Tree. Nova
Dragon. The surreal Memoria, with special guest stars from FFI. Voice of
Garland.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
FFIX – Part 66: Eidolon Origins
Summary:
Dragon-slaying successfully. Attempting to Yan-slay and failing
miserably. Lani. Cracking the code of the Eidolon Wall in Madain Sari
and attempting to process/interpret what I learn.
FFIX – Part 65: Mognet Tech Support
Summary: Working to get Mognet up and running. Positive developments in the Black Mage Village.
Monday, August 1, 2016
FFIX – Part 64: Return to Gaia
Summary: Flight
from Kuja and Terra to a Mist-covered Gaia. The Invincible. Genomes in
the Black Mage Village. Mitoko. Wrap-up in Treno.
FFIX – Part 63: World on Fire
Summary: Pandemonium. The end of Garland. OR IS IT? (Probably.) Kuja comes to Terra.