Week #26 6/24/12-7/1/12

***HALFWAY THROUGH THE CHALLENGE!!!***

The capital of Colorado is Denver

Nicknamed the "Mile High City," Denver is almost exactly 1 mile above sea level.  It is Colorado's largest city as well.

Physical: 20 pop-ups  a day

Personal: I have to run a mile everyday

Result:  ***Challenge Failed***

On Monday I got up and went to Planet Fitness and ran a mile.  It was the first time I have run a sustained mile in a long time...close to 15 years.  Unfortunaltely, I severly bruised my ribs Monday night at softball diving for a ball.  To add insult to injury, I did not catch the ball.  I went to the doctor on Monday to get X-rays which luckily came back negative.  I have been in extreme pain, as almost every bodily movement in some way is connected to the ribs.  I debated drawing a new card and switching this one, but I figured this was as much an experience as anything else I could have drawn.

Week #25 6/17/12-6/24/12

The capital of Arkansas is Little Rock.

Located on the Arkansas River, Little Rock was literally named by early river goers as it set adjacent from Big Rock (a large bluff over looking the river).  Little Rock is the largest city in Arkansas.

Physical: 15 push-ups

Personal: Go to a Concert

Result:  Living in Wilmington in fun and there are many free concerts.  I went to go see Selah Dubb Friday night at Mayfaire Town Centers "On the Town" concert series.  Selah Dubb is a reggae style band.  The concert was okay.  They were having all sorts of technical difficulties at the beginning of the show.  They finally ironed most of the issues out.  I left thinking that I should have went and seen the "Journey" cover band that was playing "Downtown at Sundown," another concert series here in the Port City.

Week #24 6/10/12-6/17/12

The capital of Tennessee is Nashville.

Also known as "Music City" Nashville is the second largest city in Tennessee next to Memphis.

Physical: 10 Sit ups

Personal: Write and mail a letter to an ex girlfriend.

Result: So after much debate, I did this challenge.  I have always been the type to accept "when it's over it's over."  I have maintained Facebook friendships with some exes, but only have really stayed in contact with one.  My hesitation to accept this challenge arose from three major things: 1. Was this challenge going to jeopardize some one's current relationship.  2. Was this challenge going to jeopardize my current relationship.  3. Would this create some type of windfall.  After carefully debating all these outcomes, I knew who would be this most open to allowing me to pursue this challenge.  I sent Katie a message via Facebook to make sure it would be okay.  Not only did she say it would be fine, but she said she has been following the challenge.  I sent the letter in a card on Thursday.  If you want to know the contents, you'll have to ask her.

Week #23 6/3/12-6/10/12

The capital of Missouri is Jefferson City

Most people might guess Kansas City or St. Louis, but it's Jefferson City.  Named for Thomas Jefferson, while he was still alive.  Amazingly, Jefferson City is not in the top ten most populated Missouri cities...it's 15th.

Physical: 10 Pop-ups

Personal: Write a poem every day

Result:  Some of these challenges I draw, leave me wondering exactly what state of mind I was in when I made these challenges.  I mean don't get me wrong, I am a lover of words, songs, lyrics, and poetry.  I just didn't realize that I had challenged myself to be one.  The following are my attempts of being the next Walt Whitman...

Free Verse

"The Wave"

Searching in vain
On sheets of salty glass
Looking on the horizon
Shimmers of hope loom
Rising from nowhere
Slowly manifesting
Built on winds
From the south she must come
She lurches forward
Precision and might
The still that preceeded
Returns again

Haiku

"The Forecast"

Hot sun heats the land

Vapor rises in a mist

Storms will be here soon

Ballad

“The Drunk”

There was on old man who lived by the lake,

His life was a collection of mishaps and scrapes.

He drank and he drank to hide all his pain

He died from the drink that made him insane

Allegory

"Elizabeth II "

Palace of stone, I’ve prided my duties

Six score has seen my reign

My legacy is mine and thy own

Bloodline of kings course through me

The time of parting may soon be

Young lion will encompass my domain

Acrostic

"Byron"

B- eliever in fate

Y- earner of knowledge

R- especter of the wise

O- ut to Sea

N- eeds love

Imagery

"Rose"

Blood red is the hue that is your petals

Sweet is the fragrance that pluralizes your being

Thorns prick at all those who challenge your beauty

Love is all that you are

Rhyme

"Teacher"

Sit at my desk all the day long

Staring at children I feel so alone

The things that I teach may one day be learned
Only by learners who are yearning to yearn