Sunlight Rolling Down the Mountain
Oct. 10th, 2023 09:38 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jakebeI've been back in the gym for a few weeks now, and I wish I could say it's getting easier. Some days are harder than others, for sure, but there are still so many exercises where my body gives out well before I feel it should. It's been a humbling experience, but I'm still glad for it. I know that I'll get my strength and poise back before too long, as long as I'm dedicated and persistent. That will be the real trick.
Both R. and K. have been at this for a little while, so they've developed a rhythm that works well for them. They also look pretty great while exercising, so it pays to watch them in more ways than one. ;) K. is more focused on form and follow-through I think. He makes sure that he has good control for the full range of motion when he lifts, so while his maximum weights are lower I think his support and secondary muscles are likely better trained. R. is all about that maximum weight, so while his form isn't as crisp he's working with some impressive numbers.
Right now I feel like the younger brother tagging along with two gym rats, and it's not the worst feeling. K. has been great about correcting my form and giving me suggestions to get the most out of my workouts. R. is honestly just happy I'm exercising again, and that makes me happy. I wouldn't say we've been growing apart in the past year, but we have been reasserting our individuality -- and sometimes the pendulum can swing too far in that direction in a long-term relationship. Shared activities, especially the ones built on shared goals, is a part of what anchors us together.
After the massage at the K-Spa over a week ago, I'm a lot more aware of my body and how/where it moves. I'm getting a little better at targeting specific muscles that feel tight or knotted, stretching those out in ways that hopefully counteract my sedentary lifestyle. It's not enough long-term -- eventually, I'd like to take up a practice that helps with balance more, like yoga or tai chi. Depending on how the next three months go, maybe I can pick it up at the beginning of next year.
The last of three games this week happened last night and it was an unqualified good time. K. is running -- this time, a party of four for an Advanced 5th Edition campaign. I think the book is actually called "Level Up!", and its whole purpose is filling in the vast gaps the simplification of D&D 5E left. There are actual crafting rules, journey and downtime activities, and every class has a larger number of traits, powers, and skills to use. If you like your D&D games a bit crunchier, with a few more levels to pull for difficulty adjustments, I'd recommend it!
We're an unusual group. There's me, a Satyr berserker (barbarian, with the serial number filed off); a Centaur ranger; a Ratfolk wizard; and a Thri-Kreen druid. The world has recently rid itself of an undead plague that caused vast sections of the desert where we begin to be abandoned, so these old cities half-buried in sand are just beginning to be resettled. Adventurers are needed to protect the caravans and help rebuild -- while also fending off the dangers of the desert.
Our Centaur ranger was lost as a foal and has been looking for his herd ever since, and we recently met a fey who might be able to get us into the Feywild to look for it. But that's something he only does for friends, so first we have to gather the ingredients for a friendship feast. The ingredients will take us all over the desert to visit new settlements and make more friends!
This first stop, Beddletown, is really into goat-herding, so when my Satyr shows up they take it as a good sign to summon a local/minor deity named The Golden Goat. There's a feast, and we learn a bit about the local custom, and drink way too much -- but the Golden Goat appears! And I learned that They prefer pumpkin as Their favorite offering.
I don't have a lot of time now, but at some point I'd love to write up a character sheet for Keogolas. He's an enthusiastic and irrepressible guy who isn't good at a whole lot but tries really hard anyway. (In about a dozen sessions, he's only succeeded once in a Journey activity and his adventures in performing with a violin are...getting better at least.) I like that he's teaching me how failure can be fun, and how leaning into silliness can be this force-multiplier for joy. He's a kid at heart, and this game gives me an outlet for that part of myself.
Yesterday was packed, but I also goofed off a bit too much at work. The drain flies are beginning to recede but I'll keep on top of the dishes (and the rabbit's litter) to make sure they don't have an opportunity to bounce back. After gym, I showered, made dinner, gamed, and pretty much went to bed after that. No writing, reading, or Duolingo, unfortunately -- hopefully I'll be able to make that happen today.
Overall it feels like things are slowly but steadily improving. There are still things I'd said I would do and haven't yet, so that will be the priority today. Well, that and working on the Marshmallow Ranch Gazette for this week.
Both R. and K. have been at this for a little while, so they've developed a rhythm that works well for them. They also look pretty great while exercising, so it pays to watch them in more ways than one. ;) K. is more focused on form and follow-through I think. He makes sure that he has good control for the full range of motion when he lifts, so while his maximum weights are lower I think his support and secondary muscles are likely better trained. R. is all about that maximum weight, so while his form isn't as crisp he's working with some impressive numbers.
Right now I feel like the younger brother tagging along with two gym rats, and it's not the worst feeling. K. has been great about correcting my form and giving me suggestions to get the most out of my workouts. R. is honestly just happy I'm exercising again, and that makes me happy. I wouldn't say we've been growing apart in the past year, but we have been reasserting our individuality -- and sometimes the pendulum can swing too far in that direction in a long-term relationship. Shared activities, especially the ones built on shared goals, is a part of what anchors us together.
After the massage at the K-Spa over a week ago, I'm a lot more aware of my body and how/where it moves. I'm getting a little better at targeting specific muscles that feel tight or knotted, stretching those out in ways that hopefully counteract my sedentary lifestyle. It's not enough long-term -- eventually, I'd like to take up a practice that helps with balance more, like yoga or tai chi. Depending on how the next three months go, maybe I can pick it up at the beginning of next year.
The last of three games this week happened last night and it was an unqualified good time. K. is running -- this time, a party of four for an Advanced 5th Edition campaign. I think the book is actually called "Level Up!", and its whole purpose is filling in the vast gaps the simplification of D&D 5E left. There are actual crafting rules, journey and downtime activities, and every class has a larger number of traits, powers, and skills to use. If you like your D&D games a bit crunchier, with a few more levels to pull for difficulty adjustments, I'd recommend it!
We're an unusual group. There's me, a Satyr berserker (barbarian, with the serial number filed off); a Centaur ranger; a Ratfolk wizard; and a Thri-Kreen druid. The world has recently rid itself of an undead plague that caused vast sections of the desert where we begin to be abandoned, so these old cities half-buried in sand are just beginning to be resettled. Adventurers are needed to protect the caravans and help rebuild -- while also fending off the dangers of the desert.
Our Centaur ranger was lost as a foal and has been looking for his herd ever since, and we recently met a fey who might be able to get us into the Feywild to look for it. But that's something he only does for friends, so first we have to gather the ingredients for a friendship feast. The ingredients will take us all over the desert to visit new settlements and make more friends!
This first stop, Beddletown, is really into goat-herding, so when my Satyr shows up they take it as a good sign to summon a local/minor deity named The Golden Goat. There's a feast, and we learn a bit about the local custom, and drink way too much -- but the Golden Goat appears! And I learned that They prefer pumpkin as Their favorite offering.
I don't have a lot of time now, but at some point I'd love to write up a character sheet for Keogolas. He's an enthusiastic and irrepressible guy who isn't good at a whole lot but tries really hard anyway. (In about a dozen sessions, he's only succeeded once in a Journey activity and his adventures in performing with a violin are...getting better at least.) I like that he's teaching me how failure can be fun, and how leaning into silliness can be this force-multiplier for joy. He's a kid at heart, and this game gives me an outlet for that part of myself.
Yesterday was packed, but I also goofed off a bit too much at work. The drain flies are beginning to recede but I'll keep on top of the dishes (and the rabbit's litter) to make sure they don't have an opportunity to bounce back. After gym, I showered, made dinner, gamed, and pretty much went to bed after that. No writing, reading, or Duolingo, unfortunately -- hopefully I'll be able to make that happen today.
Overall it feels like things are slowly but steadily improving. There are still things I'd said I would do and haven't yet, so that will be the priority today. Well, that and working on the Marshmallow Ranch Gazette for this week.
