How video games made me a better person.

Video games have made me a better person, and I can prove it. It's not just because now a headshot from 300 yrds with a scoped hand gun isn't a challenge (thanks Halo), or that fighting 5-10 thugs at a time is about as challenging as pressing x 23 times (actually it's exactly that difficult, thanks Batman Arkham Asylum).

Actually my experience comes from Star Trek Online. Yesterday, while playing a mission in game, I was confronted with an issue of whether to let some shady business man keep cheating, or to tell the station commander. It was a dilemma as it was a trader I could get some good deals off. I remember thinking that I wasn't going to jeopardize my career, to get a deal.' So I told the station commander.

As part of my job, I advised my company to use a particular data back up company, that used a third party as contractors to provide hardware in our region. The company I deal with had me move all my backups as they had told me that that relationship had gone sour and they were now contracting with a new hardware vendor.
I got a call today from the previous hardware people, claiming that the dealer was basically scum, not paying bills and were not reliable to work with 'wink wink' and that the too provided back up services, and as they were in the region they would be happy to take us on as clients.

My initial reaction was 'wtf mate (with mandatory attempt at Australian accent'). After thinking about it, I realized that of course there was payment issues, it was being withheld as ontracts hadn't been fufilled and that's why the switch... long story short (I know too late, shut up). I brushed the call off, but should I the tell backup people or not that these guys were slagging them? I literally flashed back to the game the previous night and thought 'It's all about honour.' So I called the company and yeah these guys had attempted this with 3-4 other former clients and lawyers were getting involved. In anycase I feel I did the right thing, and a company isn't going to gain by being douchecanoes.

So next time someone says video games are evil, remember there are lessons to be learned everywhere.

If It Hurts, Poke It With A Needle

I started IMS treatments this week for my knee. It's basically acupuncture but they stick the needles directly into the injured muscle, push them in deeper, and wiggle them around. No, I'm not kidding.

This is sharp.

The physiotherapist working on me did a great job of explaining what he was doing and making me feel comfortable. But there's only so much you can do - he's still poking sharp needles into my leg. He used about 30 needles in various spots along the inside of my calf up to my knee and just above it.

If you've ever had acupuncture, you'll know that the needles don't really hurt. The practitioner kinda flicks them in and that's basically all it feels like - someone flicking your skin with their fingers. For the first 29 holes I barely felt it, with maybe two or three that were a little more tender.

Then there was the last needle. Um, OW.

Right now my leg just feels sore as if I had a good workout, so we'll see if I get any nice bruises for tomorrow!

Random Act of Kindness #5

This one should totally count as like ten RAKs.  Today I went way outside my comfort zone and took part in Not That Kind of Girl's fabulous prisoner pen-pal program


One would think it would be hard to be pen pals with someone in whom I have nothing in common with.  But who knows, maybe if the law catches up with me (I don't have lights on my bike.  I'm kind of a badass) we'll have more in common than I thought!

After browsing through a number of profiles, I finally selected a fellow human being to correspond with.

Here's what I wrote her:

Hi xxxxx!

Last time I checked Hallmark didn’t make cards for this, so I had to make do with what I could find.  So Happy Bar Mitzvah, Grandson!

When it was suggested to me that I check out writeaprisoner.com, I was immediately put off by the number of shirtless men seeking “mailbox romance”. 

Now, I read on the site that they don’t allow Internet access, but let me assure you, I don’t have to visit writeaprisoner.com to find topless dudes! 

Then I stumbled across your profile and my faith was restored.  A real (and fully-clothed) person!

Your profile touched me.  Your writing exudes a strength of character that is both rare and admirable – a remarkableness spirit that I could not hope to match.  Seriously, I get upset when I burn my tongue on my coffee!

I can’t pretend to relate to what you’ve been through, but I DID once walk into a coffee shop and ask the girl behind the counter “What’s your cup size?”  True story.

But enough about me.  How are you?

That is really cool that you want to start a non-profit.  Any ideas what it will be called?

I noticed your birthday’s coming up, and I know they make cards for that! 

Hope all’s well with you.

Keep being awesome!

Grady

This was a really easy way to share a little humanity.  I encourage anyone who's interested to check out NTKOG's penpal program through www.writeaprisoner.com

Better late then never.

Measurements 5 weeks in (starting just a bit late measuring but I was here)
With no post work out pump.
Weight 206.5
chest 41.0 -43.0 flexed
waist 36.25
hips 40.5
quads 26.0
biceps 14.5-16.5 flexed.

Weigh-In Monday: I'll Take It

Weight BF % Chest Waist Hips Right Thigh Right Bicep (flexed)
154.3 30.1 37" 33" 41.5" 24.5" 12.5"
148.9 28.5 35" 32.5" 41" 23" 12.5"
150.3 29.0 35" 31" 40.75" 24" 12"
150.8 29.5 35" 31" 40.25" 23" 12"
150.5 29.1 36" 31" 41" 23" 12"
149.4 28.3 35" 30.5" 41" 23" 12"

Total Weight Lost: -1.1lbs
Total Inches Lost: -1.5

Yay less than 150!!!

Size matters

Despite what the commercials want you to believe smaller is better. I'm of course talking about portion sizes. It's really the key to losing weight and allowing your body to properly use the energy it's receiving. When you over eat your body doesn't have a chance to absorb all the nutrients you've just taken in, also your body takes the excess carbohydrates and sugars and stores then as fatty tissue when you over indulge.

To lose weight and feel better, eat smaller meals but more of them. The key for me is preparing food ahead of time then eating (a protein about the size of your palm, and a carb/fruit/vegitable about the size of your fist). Then wait a half hour to see if you're actually still hungry, you'll find 9/10 times that you aren't and that if you are a full glass of water will curtail that.

Cheers

Weigh-In Monday...Err...Whenever I Feel Like It

You can find me over here today (err...recently)


Weight BF % Chest Waist Hips Right Thigh Right Bicep (flexed)
154.3 30.1 37" 33" 41.5" 24.5" 12.5"
148.9 28.5 35" 32.5" 41" 23" 12.5"
150.3 29.0 35" 31" 40.75" 24" 12"
150.8 29.5 35" 31" 40.25" 23" 12"
150.5 29.1 36" 31" 41" 23" 12"

Total Weight Lost: -0.3lbs
Total Inches Lost: +1.75"

The numbers are still pretty steady, but still frustrating. I am trying instead to focus on what HAS changed. Physically, my clothes are starting to fit better which is awesome. My calves and legs in general are starting to gain definition. And on Tuesday, I had a great game with Fusion. All of these are positives that I am choosing to think about, rather than get bummed over the numbers. Ommm...