Week #44 10/28/12-11/4/12

The capital of Delaware is Dover.

Dover is the capital and second largest city in Delaware.  It was named by William Penn for a place in England.

Physical: 10 pop-ups

Personal: Cook someone dinner


Some of my challenges allow me to immerse myself in the service of others.  As much as my girlfriend has cooked me dinner, I had yet to do so for her in our seven months of being together.  I know what you're thinking...typical guy (or maybe- what a douche)!!!  Armed with this knowledge, how could I not make her the recipient of this handcrafted bountiful feast?  With all of my challenges, I seem to always find a way to truly challenge myself.  I had envisioned cooking her dinner either Friday or Saturday night, but she had made plans for Friday and had to work Saturday night.  I don't do so well when what I have envisioned gets shook up.  So I frustratedly went to the grocery on Wednesday night and got my supplies.  Like always, my panic turned into pleasure as I quickly realized..."hey this isn't so bad."  I made Maria a beef tip stir fry with onions, peppers, and mushrooms served on white rice.  I think she liked it.  Almost as much as watching me squirm.

Week #43 10/21/12-10/28/12

The capital of Connecticut is Hartford.

Hartford is known as the "Insurance Capital of the World."  After the Civil War, Hartford was the wealthiest city in the U.S.

Physical: 15 jumping jacks

Personal: Go down a different slide everyday

Result:

This was one of those challenges that I had no recollection of writing. I guess my goal was to get in touch with my inner child? I must say, I felt quite awkward being a 34 year old man going to random parks and going down random slides. I went either early in the morning or late at night. I certainly didn't want to run into any kids and their parents, who might not have understood this challenge. I will say that the actual experience was still the same breath-taking rush that I remembered as a child. In other words, it was still fun. It got me thinking about life. If our lives are a ball of yarn that are just being unwound, with a starting point and an ending point, what makes the difference of what particular length of the yarn we are on at any given time? I get that the further we go on, the farther we have gotten from the starting point, but we're still just that one string. Interesting philosophy. I guess what I learned is that since the rush of fun was still there, I should search more deeply on the level of awkwardness I felt doing it at an older age.  (Scroll down to see the slides)

Week #42 10/14/12-10/21/12

The capital of Virginia is Richmond.

Richmond is the third largest city in Virginia.  It is where Patrick Henry gave his "Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death" speech.

Physical: 15 push ups

Personal: Go to a meeting everyday

I read in a recent study that meetings are actually more counterproductive than they are productive.  Anyone who works in an environment where meetings are frequent would probably agree with the study's findings.  But not all meetings are bad.  Some can be quite beneficial.  I haven't had any alcohol for 3 years and I have meetings to thank for that.  I have a surf crew that meets almost every weekend to "unwind in the salty brine."  Unfortunately, as a teacher, I get to experience the typical eye-rolling-somebody-shoot-me type of meetings :)  Here is a list of meetings I attended this week:

Monday: AA Meeting
Tuesday: AA Meeting
Wednesday: Administration Meeting at school
Thursday: Social Studies Curriculum Meeting at school
Friday: AA Meeting
Saturday: Surf Meeting with "J Crew"

4 out of the 6 meetings I found to be quite uplifting.  I wonder if you you can guess the two that weren't.  Regardless, my study would seem to contradict that recent study.

Week #41 10/7/12-10/14/12

The capital of Mississippi is Jackson.

Jackson is the most populous city in Mississippi.  It was named for President Andrew Jackson while he was just a general.

Physical: 15-sit ups

Personal: Wear earrings for a week

Result:  I haven't worn earrings in over three years.  I guess when I got in my thirties, it just seemed like the right thing to do.  I went by Walmart last Sunday and got an assortment of colorful hoops.  I decided to match my earrings with either the shirt or tie that I was wearing to work that day.  The reaction I got from the students was pretty shocked.  You can make the subtlest change to your appearance and the kids will notice.  I don't know how many times I had to explain this challenge.  I guess if you honestly thought I had just pierced my ears, I could see you successfully arguing a pre-midlife crisis.  Physically, they hurt too.  I don't know if they were irritated by not having worn them in a long time or if it was just the cheap quality of the earrings themselves.  I was honestly relieved to remove them today.