Week #5 1/29/12-2/5/12

The capital of Iowa is Des Moines.

Des Moines is Iowa's most populous city. It was originally a fort. It's meaning is disputed. Some think it is French for "river of monks" others think it is a Native word meaning "in the middle."

Physical: I have to start each day with 20 sit-ups.

Personal: I have to meet 5 new people.

Result: This was actually a pretty difficult challenge for me. I used to be extremely sociable, but now I'm a pretty shy guy. Thursday came and went and I had met no one!!! Luckily on Friday, I put myself out there and racked up 7 in about an hour. Saturday I met 3, would be 4, but can't remember a name... Here's a list of who I met:

*An elderly couple Frank and Ilene
*A middle aged couple Lanny and Hannah
*A guy, Don
*A parent, Mrs. Winslow
*Another parent, Mrs. Gibson
* Two young groms, Barron and Tate
*A girl, Mandy

Week #4 1/22/12 - 1/29/12

The capital of Wyoming is Cheyenne.

Cheyenne is named for the Native American's of the region. Cheyenne is also located where the Union Pacific Railroad crossed Crow's Creek.

Physical: I'll be doing 10 pop-ups each morning (pop-up is where you lay flat on your stomach and pop into a standing position in one motion)

Personal: I have to walk three public parks in Wilmington.

Result: Well this is called a challenge and for the first time I was truly challenged!!! Finding the time to walk parks is no "walk in the park." I walked Veteran's Park Wednesday before school. I walked Hugh McRae Friday night before I went to the movies and had the park to myself. I cheated a bit on my last park which was Wooten Meadows Park in Raleigh. I literally walked around the parking lot. Since I my physical challenge was 10 pop-ups, I used surfing to accomplish that. However, with teaching and surfing it really limited my time to walk some parks. Not to mention I had to go to Raleigh to celebrate my nieces 3rd birthday.

Week #3 1/15/12 - 1/22/12

The capital of New York is Albany

Most people would probably tell you it's New York City, but it is not. Albany is actually the 2nd oldest incorporated city in the U.S. (New Amersterdam oldest). It is also centrally located.

Physical: I'll be doing 25 "swims" (a swim is a surfing excercise, basically a standing paddle) to start off my day every week

Personal: I have to play guitar everyday this week. This should be fun, as I have always loved jamming on my guitar.

Result: This was a pretty easy challenge, since I love playing guitar. Instead of just playing guitar, I tried to do some different things. I got a great website, from a friend, which has great backing tracks. So I got to have virtual jam sessions with Pearl Jam, Silverchair, and Maroon 5. I also used this week to reconnect with some old favorites like Oasis and the Beatles.

Week #2 1/8/12 - 1/14/12

The capital of Kansas is Topeka


I found out that "Topeka" is a Native American word meaning "a place to grow potatoes."


Physical: I'll be doing 25 "Jumping Jacks" to start off my day every week


Personal: I have to eat like a vegetarian all week.

This should be interesting as I love meat. I'm also going to have to run to the grocery store to grab some non-meat sandwich stuff for school lunch.

Result:

Interesting week. Had to go to the grocery store to gear up for this challenge. I made a huge pot of vegetable soup, which was pretty good (minus the beef I usually put in it). I made pimento cheese sandwiches for school (I usually have a meaty sandwich) and ate oatmeal for breakfast in lieu of my normal "something with eggs." We had a hot dog supper at school on Thursday, but I was reduced to just eating potato chips and pickles. I must say that I have learned a profound respect for vegetarians. I found out that vegans are even more extreme and do not eat anything that comes from animals. It's tough to go "no meat."

Week #1 1/1/12 - 1/7/12

The capital of Oregon is Salem.

Interestingly enough, I found out that most Oregonians did not want that name, as there were already 31 towns with that name in 1846. W. H. Willson suggested Salem, the Anglicized version of the biblical name for peace, Shalom.

Physical: I'll be doing 20 sit-ups to start off my day every week

Personal: I have to write "Thank You" cards to both my parents.

Result: Cards were purchased bought and sent. If you only knew the irony of drawing that card first with the current issues with my father. Regardless, who on this Earth is not truly thankful to the two people who made them. My mom thanked me. Never heard from my dad.

2012 Challenge

Since realizing that the world maybe ending in less than a year, I decided to aim to do something different this year. Everyone makes (most normal people) some type of effort to create positive changes in their lives as the New Year rolls around. I've always felt that the New Year is similar to a reset button. It's weird how as December winds down, you can almost feel your mental batteries being recharged. I guess we owe it to Jesus for being born at such and opportune time, though many scholars argue that no one has a clue when he was born exactly.

Enough rambling. I do have some up front, in your face resolutions. 1. Quit using tobacco products 2. When I say "yes" to some type of plans...follow through and lastly 3. Keep up with this radical challenge.

The Challenge: On 52 notecards, I am going to write the following:

1. A state and it's capital (I used to tell people I knew all of the state capitals, I do not)
2. A physical challenge to do everyday for the week
3. A personal challenge (some will be one activity, others will be week long challenges)

I will select a card every Sunday night. I will post it's contents and hopefully complete the challenge.