Hold Your Fire

Notes from my first fire practice:

A nice Big fire board, 1 inch plus thick spindle and bow are great for making a lot of brown dust so you smell of cedar. The shoe string will stretch and loosen. When you tighten it, you'll take 10 minutes to remember how the heck you had the string wrapped around the spindle in the first place. Then you'll finally get it going and the string may just eventually slip all over the spindle. A roughed up spindle may catch the string a little better...finally you're seeing smoke again! Excited, Excited, Excited...!!! What now? Go read the book again. Clean out all the dust and go outside cause you're going to have a big fire! Start spinning, more smoke, should I be this tired..push harder, harder, where did the smoke go...why does this thing chirp like a crying dog? Am I waking the neighbors? Stop, check, more dust. I don't have enough nose grease for this big spindle. Clean it out..tighten the string try AGAIN...smoke, sweat..losing balance, can't keep the hand hold straight...there goes a projectile spindle down the hill. I now have a lot of dust and a good 1 to 1 and1/2 inch hole right through my big thick fire board.

Go back to the source..."smaller is better"

A 3/4 inch thich board, a 3/4 inch thick spindle took about 1/8 the time to make. Easy to spin and rpm's are technically much faster with less force! 2 tries, 2 fires!! I spun it up. A nice smoke...keep the smoke going..a little more pressure, a little less...just keep the same smoke coming...don't lose that! 20 more strokes, and ..check..push out the black in the notch...look at that it's a smoking pebble...put it in a tinder bird nest made of grass and cattail. Hold it in your palm and Blow...see smoke...blow...see more smoke...blow see a lot of smoke...blow see the coal go red...and the nest burst into flame!!! Set it down...think it is out?...blow again...the cattail has soaked up the energy of the coal and fires up like its own coal..how cool.

Does pine work too? What woods from outside can I get to work. There is no cattail around here can I dry out moss and get that to work? What else makes good tinder and kindling? Where do I find it in this wet area? And in the dark. How would I shape boards and spindles without my nice saw in the basement? Could I do it with one knife? How would I make a cord?

Go to bed and have your wife tell you that you smell like a "Hickory smoked steak". It's cedar but, that's a good thing right?

A little inspiration

The Spartan Challenge itself is quite inspiring, but will all the chaos in my life right now, I've been having trouble turning inspiration into motivation. Maybe some of you can relate! I just saw this article today, and it's getting me thinking. (Especially the part about sleeping less...) Maybe it will inspire you as well:

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.01/ultraman.html

Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!

Merry Xmas to All!

Do you hear what I hear...

Here's a neat exercise to develop your hearing.

Try listening to the radio while the TV is on but with no sound.
Keep your eyes on the TV and allow your eyes and ears to work independently.
If this is too easy then start to turn the soudn up on the TV. Can you still listen to the radio while watching the TV?
Practice when your out in public seeing if you can focus your hearing on different sources of sound independently of your eyes. See if you can control the focus of your hearing. For some a good trick is to try listening for the silence, this will heighten all sounds and help your conscious brain identify them and their source.

You may find it difficult at first, but eventually you will break through and find you experience a new and much deeper use of your hearing.

"The 300"

A Saturday ago Q and I attempted the "300" Here is what you do.

Go to your local Highschool football field and start on one goal line.
Drop and do 5 pushups
Run to the 10 yrd line, drop and do 5 pushups
Run to the 20 yrd line drop and do 5 pushups
Continue all the way to the other goal line like this.
Turn around and do it again back to the goal line you started at.
Turn around and do it one more time.
In the end we did 300 yrd and a total of 155 pushups.
If we were real men we'd rework this to be 300 pushups..maybe next year

Q time: 5:14
R time 5:41

Have a "mind altering" day!

For December's vocabulary building challenge I suggest merriam-webster.com. You will find a "word of the day", a daily word game and a daily mini-crossword puzzle. These are fun and take very little time.

Brutus

Diego

I found this interview with MMA fighter Diego Sanchez to be an interesting read.

http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=3953

As eccentric as he is, Diego is earning my respect as a fighter. I especially like his stance that he wants to postpone any title shots for as long as possible, to maximize his training and martial arts education as much as possible so he can make the best of his chance.

As for the Spartan connection, I thought the emphasis on the mind being the most important weapon in a fight (and in the bigger picture, life) was an often-understated Spartan point of view.

Iron Mind

For some great tips on the strengthening of the mind, I suggest the book
Ironmind by Randall J. Strossen.

As Tom Brown often says, 'your mind is your best friend and your worst enemy', this book has some great tips and ideas on how to get in the proper mindset and get the most out of your mind.

Another one I suggest is NLP: The New Technology of Achievment (neuro-linguistic programming)

and

Mind Gains: A Synergistic Mental Focus Program for Peak Physical Performance by Heatlh for Life.
All have great exercises you can try to develop better use of the brain and your senses.

weight loss tips

I should have written this last night while it was still fresh in my mind--which becomes more and more like a sieve by the day. But I had put together a list of helpful little tips for anyone trying to lose weight as part of their personal goals. I'm by no means an expert on the subject but I'm going to cut 7 pounds for the challenge and these are some little things that work for me.

Most importantly, mentally commit to the diet. Like flipping a switch in one's skull, just turn off that part of you that wants to snack too much. Mental fortitude is the most important part of dieting because being hungry sucks and whether one is eating five small meals a day or 10 pounds of Atkins-inspired protein, there is no escaping the fact that at various points throughout the day, one is going to be hungry.

Set a realistic goal of no more than a pound a week. We can all lose 8 pounds of water weight in two days but it comes back at the drop of a hat. Real (permanent) weight loss comes gradually, there are no short cuts.

If you're in the mood for a snack, brush your teeth. For some reason, the feeling of a clean mouth is helpful towards resisting temptation.

Water and gum are also helpful in fooling yourself into thinking you're actually eating something.

Forgive yourself if you cheat on your diet. Sometimes, the best way to stay on a diet is to cheat. It takes more than one candy bar to gain weight back so instead of feeling guilty about it, let it go and resume the diet the next day.

That's what I've got for now. Anybody else?

Spartan Words, Spartan Character

The thought manifests as the word;

The word manifests as the deed;

The deed develops into habit;

And habit hardens into character.
So watch the thought and its way with care,
And let it spring from love

Born out of concern for all beings. – The Buddha

Courtesy of Brutus

Maybe the Spartans are Training...

Imagine being so driven, so passionate that you take every opportunity to train and make yourself better. It's the Spartan way.
Perhaps you have a training regimin so rigorous you wear weights even while mowing the law. Perhaps the thought of others training harder than you drives you, waking in the night to do push ups and sit ups at the thought - "Maybe the Spartans are training..."
This is what made the Dan Gable the greatest U.S. wrestler and coach in history.
The Spartans are training!

Spartan Body Bests Week 2

Spartan Bests
Category_____________Score___________Competitor
1 mile _______________6:34_________Maximus Spellman
Pull ups______________10_____________3 tied at 10
Pushups in 60 sec________65__________'Mad Wolf'Quintas
the Invisible chair_____4min 5sec________'Mad Wolf'Quintas
50yard Bear crawl_______19sec__________MaximusSpellman
MMA versus Rott_____TKO 2min RD1___Brutus

100m dash -15.25sec
Burpees in 30 sec -15
consecutive 8 count bodbuilders -45

Here are stories of other Spartans in the news:

85-year-old goes to school
http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1770147,00.html

Legless teen proves a giant inspiration for Browns
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/wires/12/06/2020.ap.fbn.sports.showcase.0765/index.html

Open Door Policy

As part of Ninja Day I took time in the morning to select a simple activity with which to incorporate a stealth component. I selected opening doors.

I selected using doors as my activity. I experimented with how different techniques, different speeds and timing over the opening and closing of the different doors I use everyday would create or eliminate noise. I examined where people were likely to lean on, put hands or feet up against the doors.
I examined the locking mechinisms of the different door to see how sounds might be produced or avoided, and if necessary how to pick or jam the door.
What if someone were to come through that door? Where could I hide? How could I avoid detection? How far could I open that door so that I could get info on whats on the other side without being detected.
I wasn't able to answer all these questions to my satisfaction nor was I able to exhaust all of the questions that can be asked, but its a beginning and not a bad way to spend 5 or 10 minutes.

Ninja Day

Just wanted to let you all know that Tuesday is "Day of the Ninja". I think the 300 should embrace this. As I have no real training in any real art I intend to pretend. If I can just remember how to make my paper throwing stars...hmmm. What do ninjas eat for breakfast? How do they treat their coworkers? Many of these questions can be answered at www.askaninja.com. Q How about somebody wins a point for the most ninja like accomplishment Tuesday? Post up what you did on Tuesday to be a ninja!!

Randy

Resources- Train the Body

With the current state of the Oracle we'll ahve to look to other sources for wisdom...
There are some great resources off the web to help with developing routines.
Try these to help spice up your workouts and get some ideas for bonus points.

www.gymjones.com
www.crossfit.com
www.performbetter.com

Crossfit has daily workouts to keep you on the move and an excellent set out video clips to help with proper form.
Performbetter has a nice selection of articles broken down into training areas (speed, agility, plyometrics,etc.)

Good Morning Starshine

While many of us were rubbing the sleepy dust out or gingerly sipping on a piping hot cup of coffee this morning, our newes competitor - Susan - woke up to the neighbors rottweiler attacking her cat!

With only her bare hands she unleashed a furious attack and forced the rottweiler into a retreat. A rather impressive entrance into the competition.

Though it doesn't look good, everyone is hoping her cat will make a full recovery. It should be noted that this is not the first attack by the neighbor's rottweiler, animal control had to force them to build a pen after the last one.

Researchers find simple thought exercise can boost long -term happiness

Here's a good article, simple and effective.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061126/ap_on_he_me/be_happy

Thanksgiving

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other...
begining of Iroquois Thanksgiving address

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country ...
George Washington

What Matters It The Cold Wind's Blast

What matters it the cold wind's blast,
What matters though 'tis snowing,
Thanksgiving Day has come at last;
To grandmamma's were going.
Wrapped in furs as warm as toast,
O'er the hills we're fleeting;
To welcome friends, a merry host
And grandma's smile of greeting.

The sleigh bells jingle merrily,
And though the flakes are flying,
At last beyond the hills we see
A little mansion lying.
I'm sure we'll find sweet cakes and fruit
And pumpkin pies so yellow;
For grandma knows just how to suit
Each hungry little fellow.

The Blade

Keep your eye on the prize...

"It's cold blade, collecting on its surface,
the moment it is drawn, the vapours of the atmosphere;
It's immaculate texture, flashing light of bluish hue;
Its matchless edge, upon which histories and possibilities hang."

Inazo Niyobe.

Our Last Days of Preparation

This weekend my Hero visited and cloaked me in a sweatshirt of power! In return I gave him Mead. As requested I have set aside some for all those with the will power to push themselves for 100+ days. Hopefully it can fill the horn and be passed around. Starting now I will drink only water until we Unite with the Strength of 300!!

On the feild of battle!

Brothers,

I’m very excited about this challenge. I think it’s a great opportunity to push us towards those goals we may have been sitting on or moving forward at a sluggish place. I also think it will be interesting to see what each other does and take on some challenges which are outside our comfort zones.

I’ve taken on 3 coaches for this challenge. I have one for each category. I realized that my strengths are in acting on a challenge but I am weak at finding direction and staying on track.

Some of my main goals are getting in shape, writing 10-15 minutes of stand up material, perform stand up 1 time (before end of contest) and to go back to school. I also want to create habits within these categories so I can continue beyond the contest.

I’ve told others about the competition and they think it’s very cool but you can tell they all don’t really understand it. I’ve been asked multiple times “How do you know someone won’t cheat?”. What can you say to them? I just say, “it’s not the point” and you don’t know these guys. They are SPARTANS!!!!!

See you on the field of battle,

Rob Skiles

Inspiration leads to perspiration

Let inspiration lead to perspiration!

Gates of Fire

Here's a must read.

Welcome to the Spartan Challenge '06 Blog! Competitors will post stories of amazing feats, tales of wisdom, and songs for the campfire!