d1rtydeedz

Day 90, BAAAM! Great job man, we're all proud of you.

DAY # - 48 through 74 (April 25th) Summary: Life has changed. I've begun to settle in to a new normal. I go to bed much earlier, get up earlier and am much more productive around the house and yard. I'm getting things done now, completing projects and moving on to new projects without blinking. I told the wife the other day, "I don't know how I had time for gaming before with everything that needs to be done." Her response: "You didn't get much done before..." Ha, ever blunt and to the point. She's right though, can't fault her for that. I've thought back on occasion to the days I'd spend doing little else but gaming. I remember the negative effects it used to have: shorter temper, shorter attention span, lack of interest in real life, and lack of motivation in all non-game related activities. I've begun to wonder if I can ever sit down and play a recreational game without slipping back in to the bad habits. I've begun to wonder if I care to. I think more clearly now, I'm more focused, and my old drive has returned. My productivity has soared. It's interesting to reflect on the changes and realize they are all attributed to one previous aspect of my life: gaming. I pray those beginning their own journey have as much success as I've had. Don't give in, be critical of yourself, be patient, and you too will find your new normal. Life is not only better without gaming for myself; but also for those around me. Sixteen days left, but I don't plan to stop there...Thank-you Cam; what you've done here makes a difference. Be proud of yourself. 10-8 at my 42.

I've practiced Kenpo Karate in the past and FBI as well as PPCT Defense tactics.

DAY # - 35 through 47 (March 29th) Summary: Well, it's been another couple of weeks and here I find myself past the mid-way point of the 90 day challenge. I have to say, there's been ups and downs, but mostly ups. The desire to play a game is still there but much more easily managed. I've been taking my karate training much more seriously and am progressing well. The main thing holding me back is my flexibility, or lack thereof. Most of the classes are full of younger folk, but I'm sticking with it as my goal is a lifetime of karate with my son(s). I still feel a bit silly being the old guy in the class but it has helped to teach me humility. I am getting a lot of benefits out of it: more exercise in my life, increasing my flexibility, challenging my body and mind. I think these are things we tend to let go of as we grow older, at least in the American culture. I lost my dad when I was fourteen to a heart attack and I think about him often. How things would have been different, if I would have been different. Then I think about my own four wonderful children and how I don't want to put them through the same pain and loss at such a young age. I feel it's a parent's job to raise their children, and that means sticking around long enough to do it. Get off the couch, and get active. Move more, eat healthier, play with your kids. Otherwise, you may wake up one day to find they no longer want to play with you. Unintentionally (or maybe intentionally), Game Quitters has facilitated much more personal reflection. I'm ashamed of myself for all the lost time, but driven to improve upon myself and leave my mark on this world. Be a positive impact on others, be kind, be empathetic. Be a strong person, stand up for what you believe in, defend those who cannot defend themselves. We are a community, we are one. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 26 through 34 (March 16th) Time I woke up: 0830 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 0030 Exercise: Been staying steady with karate, practicing Kata quite a bit. Mental task: A lot of kata, a lot of reading. Projects: General honey-dos, yard work, etc etc. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Completed my yearly goal for work.Karate.Getting ready for Spring.Work work work work.Summary of Day: After more than a week away, I thought it best to update my journal. No, I haven't relapsed or anything, I've merely been extremely busy. I'm no longer on paternity leave and combining getting caught up with a month of work and other work-related tasks which were pouring in, I found myself very very busy. I've hardly even been on my computer, too busy with other things. My work schedule also changed which has taken me some time to get used to. I've gone through a few moments when I longed for gaming but it quickly passed. Honestly, I was just intending on checking Game Quitters really quickly before heading to work again when I noticed Simms' above comment. It made me feel updating my journal important, even if I can't get to it as often as before. That's part of what this is all about, correct? Getting away from the computer and finding yourself busy through other, more important means. Guess it's working. Actually, I know it's working, and I'm grateful. I've also regretfully failed to check in with my accountability partner during this whole time. So, after this journal entry, it's the first thing I'm going to do. Sorry partner, I hope you're doing well. What I am grateful for today: ~ Simms' push. ~ Being busy. ~ Seeing Cam's program work within myself. 10-8 at my 42.

Prevent burnout: Everyone goes through a burnout now and then. If you don't, you don't have a real job. Sorry, but truth hurts. Pushing too hard: You should push yourself too hard, it shows you your limits and then hopefully you raise those limits and then look back later and laugh at your previous, weaker self. Oncoming burnout: Plan. Have something planned and in the works. Vacation, working out, hanging with friends, exercise. Me, I fish.

DAY # - 25 Time I woke up: 0730 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2330 Exercise: Yard work 1hr. Mental task: Kata, reading. Projects: Worked on camper. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Ran errands.Replaced porch light on camper.Filled up a couple propane tanks.Cleaned limbs out of back yard.Summary of Day: Very windy today, hard to get much done outside. I did pick up some large limbs which broke off the neighbour's trees and fell in to my back yard. I then read a couple books to my middle boy and ran some errands with him. Stopped by the hardware store and bought some gear for the camper, including a new porch light which I began working on yesterday. Installed the new porch light with new led lights I also purchased. Incidentally the two led lights were more expensive than the porch light itself, in fact twice as expensive. Also filled up a couple propane tanks to start getting ready for camping season, can't wait. Read quite a bit today, only thought of gaming now and then. It's a good thing I uninstalled all games and gaming software b/c the temptation would be much greater. What I am grateful for today: ~ Upcoming camping season. ~ My new porch light install went well. ~ Fun days with the kids. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 24 Time I woke up: 1200 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 0500 Exercise: 3 hrs of yard work. Mental task: Reading. Projects: Yard work. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Raked front lawn.Worked on camper.Cleaned front walk-way. Summary of Day: Got up and took the kids outside so the wife and baby could take a nap. Ended up doing a bunch of yard work, spring is starting to show. Also worked on the camper for a while; mainly removed a broken porch light and prepared the surface for the install of a new one tomorrow. I've definitely been more productive since I began this journey. Sometimes it's because I want to be, other times it's because I have to be. All-in-all, I'm valuing the benefits of leaving the gaming behind. What I am grateful for today: ~ Nice days to work outside. ~ The oncoming of spring. ~ Accomplished physical tasks. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 23 Time I woke up: 1200 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 0500 Exercise: 1/2 hr kata. Mental task: Kata, reading. Projects: Work. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Work. Summary of Day #: Spent most of my work day playing catch up and completing reports. Got a lot accomplished and am nearly caught up. Practiced my kata a bit as well. I find practicing my kata really helps my concentration and gives me focus. During the work week I really don't have time for much else. I haven't touched coding in days. Hopefully I can get back in to it soon. What I am grateful for today: ~ My wife. ~ My kids. ~ My faith. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 22 Time I woke up: 0600 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2300 Exercise: 1/2 hr kata training. Mental task: Kata, reading. Projects: Work. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Practiced kata.Work. Summary of Day #: Woke up early with the kids then had an afternoon nap to get ready for work. Practiced my kata then went to work. What I am grateful for today: ~ My wife. ~ My kids. ~ My faith. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 21 Time I woke up: 0545 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2245 Exercise: 3 hrs training/certifications, 1/2 kata. Mental task: Kata, reading. Projects: Annual certs. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Passed annual certs. Summary of Day #: Today was a memorable day, both good and scary. My partner and I did very well at annual certifications today; enough so to be proud. Near the end of certs I get a VM from the wife stating our daughter (6 years old today) possibly had a seizure at kindergarten and was on her way to the ER. Yea, scary stuff. The Doc believes it's nothing to worry about at this time unless she suffers additional episodes. For those who are willing, prayers her (Isabelle's) way, would be gratefully appreciated. What I am grateful for today: ~ My wife. ~ My kids. ~ My faith. ~ Our children's good health. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 20 Time I woke up: 0700 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2300 Exercise: 1 hr kata practice. Mental task: Read. Projects: Training. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Chores.Training.Kata.Summary of Day #: Woke up intending to have a busy day of training to prepare for tomorrow's annual certifications. However, ended up spending the day at home with my eldest son whom was sick. I did get a couple of hours of training in during the evening. Watched a movie with the family. What I am grateful for today: ~ My wife. ~ My kids. ~ My faith. ~ Karate. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 19 Time I woke up: 0530 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2300 Exercise: 1/2 hr run, 3/4 hr karate class. Mental task: Began learning a new kata. Projects: Errands. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Finished getting computer squared away.Fixed crack in bathroom door.Attended daughter's mini concert at her school.Went for a run.Karate class.Summary of Day #: Woke up to a computer which worked, so that was a plus. Got the kids off to school then sat down and did a little computer work. Ran out and got my hair cut, I was at the "either cut it or braid it" phase. Ran a bunch more errands. Smacked my hand hard against the bathroom door this morning, causing a crack. So, I learned how to fix a cracked, hollow-core door. Went to watch my daughter sing at a mini-concert put on by her school. It was a lot of fun watching her, and she loves the attention. Ran to my karate class tonight, and ran home, sucked both ways but I need the exercise. Karate class was pretty good, began working on my first kata. I feel extremely uncoordinated and clumsy in karate. It is definitely a lesson for the body and mind. It humbles you but makes you feel powerful all at the same time. What I am grateful for today: ~ My wife, I really am lucky to have her. ~ Watching my son in karate. ~ Watching my daughter sing. ~ Karate. 10-8 at my 42.

It makes sense, you nailed it. N

DAY # - 18 Time I woke up: 0730 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2300 Exercise: notta Mental task: Exercised self control during computer issues. Projects: Computer issues. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Reinstalled Windows 10.Read a book, "Old Man and The Sea".Summary of Day #: Woke up this morning to find my computer stuck in the Windows 10 log-in loop from hell. Found out this is a somewhat common and very frustrating problem with Windows 10 (why did I 'upgrade' from Windows 7?). Spent nearly the entire day figuring out how to fix the problem. Ended up reinstalling Windows 10, then spent a bunch more time reinstalling lost programs. For some reason during this reinstall I lost a bunch of software. Now I'm afraid to turn the computer off or restart it. If it occurs again, I'm going back to Windows 7. Had a few urges to play some computer games but distracted myself with other things. Read "Old Man and The Sea"; it's been years since I've read it. It's a great quick read and well worth it. Didn't get much else done today. What I am grateful for today: ~ My wife. ~ My faith. ~ My kids. ~ Having Windows 7 as a plan B. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 17 Time I woke up: 1130 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 0630 Exercise: notta Mental task: notta Projects: Work. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Pretty much a zombie day.Summary of Day #: Got home and tried sleeping in the camper but found out I had no propane. Seeing as how it was only 20 degrees out, it was a bit chilly. Could only handle 1 1/2 hours in the camper then came inside. Tried to stay awake but that wasn't happening. Crawled in bed around 0830 and slept until 1130. Got up to watch the kids while the wife took a nap because she had a rough night with the new little guy. Coffee is my new best friend. What I am grateful for today: ~ My wife. ~ My faith. ~ My kids. ~ Coffee. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 16 Time I woke up: 0430 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 1130 Exercise: notta Mental task: notta Projects: Work. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Began transition to sleeping during the day.Took the three big kids out.Worked on some coding.Went to work.Summary of Day #: Woke up and jumped right in to doing something with my three oldest. Took them to McDonald's to burn off some energy while I happily watched my 18 month old follow around my two older kids in the 'big kids' section of the play place. Worked on a little coding then went to work. Work was good, got caught up on a lot of areas. I should be back on top of things within a day or two. Taking a month off definitely presents challenges when you return. Upgrading to Windows 10 caused a bunch of games to pop up in the start menu. Found myself missing minecraft but just deleted the app and moved on. The wife has begun asking me about my Game Quitters journey every couple days or so. It's nice she's given it importance. Oh yea, I purchased the 90 day challenge video series to support Cam and the site. Figured it was the least I could do seeing as how I'm obviously taking advantage of the forum. What I am grateful for today: ~ My wife. ~ My faith. ~ Hanging with my kids. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 15 Time I woke up: 1100 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 0400 Exercise: notta Mental task: notta Projects: Work. Miscellaneous accomplishments: First day back on night shift.Worked on some coding.Upgraded to Windows 10. [Link]Summary of Day #: Slept in, kind-of, I'm working nights so I go to bed early morning and get up around noon. Internet was down, a local construction company cut through the internet lines by mistake. Hung out with the family for the afternoon. Decided to finally upgrade to Windows 10; I've been holding out. Found out I waited too long and now have to pay for it. Or do I? Negative ghost-rider, there's still a legitimate and fully legal free upgrade available. See my link above within my 'Miscellaneous accomplishments' section. You're welcome. Upgraded and thought I lost all my Chrome bookmarks, later found out I was logged in under my wife's Window's log-in. Once I re-logged in under myself, everything was copacetic. So far, so good, no real opinion yet of Windows 10. Visited with a friend during work for a while, good to see him. Not a bad day at all. What I am grateful for today: ~ My children. ~ My wife. ~ My faith. ~ Friend visits. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 14 Time I woke up: 0500 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2300 Exercise: notta Mental task: notta Projects: Work. Miscellaneous accomplishments: First day back to real work, no training today.Played catch-up at work, gained some ground.Had health evaluation today.Summary of Day #: Woke up early and went to work. Checked in at the office to find my computer hadn't returned yet. Played catch-up today, got quite a bit done. Found out I'll be working nights, starting tonight. Went home at noon and hung out with the family for the afternoon. Returned to work to find my laptop was back and all files had been recovered off my crashed hard drive. Very relieved. My health eval went great, turns out I'm healthy as an ox. Overall, not a bad day. What I am grateful for today: ~ My children. ~ My wife. ~ My faith. ~ A great IT team at work who saved my A double S. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 13 Time I woke up: 0500 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2300 Exercise: A few hours of training. Mental task: Personal reflection. Projects: Work. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Up at 0500.First day back to work.Trained with my dog for the afternoon and early evening.Summary of Day #: The middle boy had me up at 0500 and he wouldn't go back to sleep, so early day. It wasn't so bad though, I got the coffee rolling and drank me a cup. Returned to work after thirty days on paternity leave. It was a day..first thing when I turned my work laptop on, I checked my email to see I had around three hundred or so. Then the laptop's hard-drive crashes. Talk about stressed, I have a lot of information on that hard drive which I need. Thank-fully I did a back-up a couple months back but still. I'm also now swamped playing catch-up. All this had me thinking back to why I gamed so often, it was a way for me to escape these negative feelings from work. Now for a bit of good news: I found a thumb drive I thought I lost which had a few presentations of mine; very glad to get that back. I then trained for five or six hours which was nice, I always enjoy training. Training helps me to focus on one thing and clear my mind of distractions and stresses. What I am grateful for today: ~ My children. ~ My wife. ~ My faith. ~ Finding my thumb drive. ~ Training with my best friend. 10-8 at my 42.

Great job man, and kudos on the ribeye (my favorite cut). Another plus about Denver, you know someone else who lives in the area, me of course. Keep plugging away at the coding, and great job sticking with it at the gym. N

DAY # - 12 Time I woke up: 0615 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2300 Exercise: 1 hour of martial arts. Mental task: Coding, reading, personal reflection. Projects: Home hunting. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Got up early again.Amazon shopping for an upcoming birthday.Began learning javascript.House hunting.Joined a local karate dojo.Summary of Day #: It's my last day of paternity leave. I have to join the workforce again tomorrow. (can you hear the boos?) Tackled javascript today, I like it more than html. I'm beginning to see cell phone application possibilities for work. Looked at a nearby property. The wife and I are wanting to move to a more rural location with a little land. Had a conversation with the wife about my Game Quitters journey. She stated she's already noticing a positive change in my demeanor and attitude. I also joined a local karate dojo with my oldest son today and had my first class. He had his second class, as he went last week as well. After getting thrown around for an hour, I can tell I'm going to be feeling it in the morning. I'm the oldest student in the class by far and the only white belt. Haha, funny I know, but I'm gonna be beating those little buggers up in no time. What I am grateful for today: ~ My children. ~ My wife. ~ My faith. ~ Karate. ~ Self improvement. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 11 Time I woke up: 0645 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2230 Exercise: 3 hour hike. Mental task: Coding, reading, personal reflection. Projects: Installed a new car seat in my truck. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Breakfast with the kids.Fed the dogs and got some coffee.Installed a new car seat in my truck. Thank God I have a mega cab. Four kids, all four still in car seats, takes a lot of room.Went geocaching for a few hours.Took a drive in the truck with the oldest kids and a friend of theirs.Had dinner with the oldest boys [the wife was out with the youngest and our girl on a girl's day].Watched the first Transformers movie with the boys.Summary of Day #: Tried to sleep in but couldn't, kids were being too noisy. Got up and got the day started. Had a yearning to play some minecraft, pushed it aside and went and fed the dogs. Installed a new car seat in my truck. With the new baby, that's four kids in car seats. I don't know how I'd do it without the megacab, and I'm a truck guy so...Decided I needed to get away from the house for a few hours because I was feeling drawn to gaming today. I loaded up my oldest boy, my girl and a friend of theirs and took them geocaching. It was great to get out of the house and a reminder the adventures are out in the great outdoors, not found within a games' fancy computer graphics. I can feel myself changing, I've been feeling more interested in others and life outside of gaming. I'm more easily engaged and look forward to doing physical activities. I've still a long way to go, but I'm at the point where I'm starting to realize the benefits of leaving the gaming in my past. What I am grateful for today: ~ My children. ~ My wife. ~ My faith. ~ Geocaching. ~ My sweet truck. 10-8 at my 42.

DAY # - 10 Time I woke up: 0700 Time I went to sleep yesterday: 2230 Exercise: notta Mental task: Coding, reading. Projects: Worked on my camper. Miscellaneous accomplishments: Worked on my camper.Furthered my coding studies.Summary of Day #: Rough night of sleep, just couldn't get comfortable. Had breakfast with the family then researched cellphone application software. Worked outside on my camper. Fixed a piece of molding which had partially fallen off the ceiling. As in, picked at by the kids during last camping season until it nearly fell off. Had lunch with the kids. Have you tried jicama? If not, you need to. It's the greatest unknown vegetable. What I am grateful for today: ~ My children. ~ My wife. ~ My faith. ~ Jicama. 10-8 at my 42.

What better way to celebrate a day at the gym than a box full of girl-guide cookies? Life is full of checks and balances and you just got a free box of cookies my friend. Staying engaged in activity is tantamount. I'm proud of you for seeking the help of a personal trainer; a brave thing to do. You'll learn more in one session from a good personal trainer than you will in a month of anything else. Great job on breaking your record mile, they'll begin passing beneath your feet faster every day. N