RenFengge

Another 5AM HIIT workout. But, actually 2 of my favorite movements as I don't think I could actually f*ck it up if I don't want heavy things crashing into my face and head. 1/8/2021 Workout Barbell weight = 45lbs Medicine ball weight = 14lbs 15 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) 3 power snatches 3 wall balls 6 power snatches 6 wall balls 9 power snatches 9 wall balls 12 power snatches 12 wall balls Thoughts: First, the new COVID strain is officially in my state, so I'm juggling thoughts on putting gym sessions on hold and keeping up with things at home instead. It's not like I didn't already know it was here. I said the same thing in early January 2020 when COVID started officially spreading in the US. My thought was "if you think it's not already here in our towns and cities everywhere, you're absolutely wrong." I know it's here. I just don't want to give up my very very very small 5AM gym class of 4 people. Anyway. Today's session was led by our gym's lifting coach. I've seen the other members. They are absolutely better with endurance than I am, but I'm built vastly differently than them. With exception of 1 guy, it does not seem like there are any real... weightlifters in our gym. For the workout, since it's a HIIT workout and I already did strict presses and squats on Wednesday, the weights were light. I actually started at 65lbs, but after the first set, I knew that I would not finish 2 rounds of this if I didn't go lighter. He wanted them quick, and I refuse to sacrifice form for speed. 45lbs it is. The coach was so intrigued by my power snatch form that he pestered me the whole session. When I mean pester, I mean that he kept his eye on me and kept saying to the others to watch and mimic my form. This is not something I enjoy. I specifically pick my spot in the gym to be out of sight lol. All in all - as much as I hate being out of breath, I did enjoy today's workout. Give me a HIIT with barbells, and I'm usually happy. Last note --> stairs are not going to be my friend later today or tomorrow lol. Boxing tomorrow should be interesting.

It's a good way to get the blood flowing for the workout... in addition to the warm-ups... And, at least add a little cardio in it. I find it an easy way to not tax my muscles before a lifting session, but at least tax my lungs more than a lift session would.

Here we go... first weightlifting session since... June 2020? My numbers aren't where they were, but I know the strength comes back pretty quickly. Took it a little easy on the upper body since I'm still trying to work out my right shoulder issue/imbalance. Did not go to failure on the squats as I like to have a spotter when I go heavy. 1/6/2021 Workout Buy in: 1000m row Strict Press 5 reps @ 45lbs 5x4 @ 65lbs Back Squat 5x4 @ 65lbs 5 reps @ 75lbs 5 reps @ 95lbs 5 reps @ 115lbs 5 reps @ 125lbs 5 reps @ 135lbs 5 reps @ 155lbs Cash out: 500m row and 25 sit ups Thoughts: I really need to install a small TV in my gym. But, also, I always hate when my lifting numbers are low. But, I still remember when I thought 115lbs was heavy. At least it's not all terrible? We have power snatches and wall balls on Friday too... I also kept that in mind when doing this. Didn't want to be too sore going in for that at 5AM. Last thought --> really grateful for the cold. I hate being hot lol.

Love weightlifting. I have a decent Rogue setup at home. Current PRs that I need to get back to are: Back squat - 255lb Deadlift - 260lb Front squat - 215lb Snatch - 145lb Looks like we have some weightlifting on Friday at the HIIT gym. However, I might do my weight session tonight at home before gaming. My weak spots aren't weightlifting, so I'm trying to focus more on just not dying during cardio lolol. Cardio and core are my major major weaknesses. Ask me to punch or kick or lift something, sure. Ask me to run 500m? Lolz. (I'll happily row 500m.. as that's part of the warm up)

I agree that the fighting can be difficult. However, I think it could be a bit more intuitive. Some issues I've experienced in my learning curve with Ghost are issues I never experienced with Horizon Zero Dawn, and a lot of the mechanics are the same. Like, I shouldn't have to pause to look up the correct order to throw a knife, nor should I be accidentally calling my horse when I do that, but I do. That said, I'm still having a blast with it. I just wish I could get to the angry Mongols in time before they butcher peasants when I see them.

I don't feel like starting a new thread about this game. I started really playing it on Saturday, and am now in a good part of the game where I can wander around. Thought it was interesting? Amusing? to stumble upon a bloody barrel with a hand sticking out of it. Not sure why it's there. But here it was.:

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... The chair I have from SecretLab is comparable in price to what's in office stores... with a better build quality and more comfortable. I've gone through so.many.office chairs between home and work. This is so ergonomic and comfortable. I think the gaming chair will need to depend on the quality and consideration. For example, SecretLab takes into account your height and weight. My chair is different that @TurboR56Mini 's chair. It makes a huge difference.

Did my 5:15AM HIIT workout today. Sometimes, what my coaches program leave me with anxiety. This week is actually more to my liking. 1/5/21 Workout 20 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) 10 ring rows 10 ball slams 15 leg raises 20 box jumps Thoughts: Yup, still really hate cardio. But, I prefer old-school HIIT like this. I'll do box jumps faster than step ups. I'll do rowing before running. Apparently, some movements, I just move better if they are the more difficult versions. Have zero clue how many rounds I did. I stopped counting after 6. There was a point when I was about to do the ball slams, and I just did a single one. Had to catch my breath from previous movements. The coach turned around and said, "Sooo.. that's 1." Post-workout, he said to me that today was the fastest he's seen me move... so far. I've only been with him for 4 months. He, the other coach, and I have this "joke"/understanding that I always move at half-speed. Always. For me, I have a mental barrier to really go 100% in my HIIT. I'm literally just trying to survive lol. So, no, I don't think I will ever go 100% like some of the others. I might consider doing some jump rope later just to make it a full cardio day.

I think Sunday at the same time works. It's first thing in the morning for us, so we're probably on coffee caffeine lol. And, it's not terribly late for you! If we ever do Saturdays, it should be fine at that 9AM ET /2PM UK time. I'm usually home by 8:45AM on Saturdays.

Lolz... if we could jump... lolol. I think I heard the way we go about getting the 2nd chest is not the "official" way through the jumping puzzle? Is the other way easier? Here I was thinking yesterday, "Thank goodness Baab asked to do it earlier. I totally forgot about my appointment at 12PM" and "I hope we don't get stuck at the second and final encounter... i hope we don't need to run those 5 times..." Seems to be that if we do it at decent hour for everyone, we screw up less? Or, we were just more focused haha.

Not to step on any elite D2 players here nor any of the veteran FGers... so take this with a grain of salt? I don't care about seals, but then again, I don't generally care enough to even do proper builds. However, I do understand the appeal of aiming for them. No different than going for Platinum trophies for games. (Although, I am slightly salty about 1 game I didn't get platinum in.. because of a silly glitch heavily documented in that game's Reddit... that's neither here nor there lol). I do tend to jab at @TurboR56Mini when he gets excited about acquiring a new seal for D2. Do I think they should be difficult to get? Sure. Do I think that some of D2's grinds for things are pointless? Ab-so-f*cking-lutely (i'm looking at you, stupid bounty of multi-precision kills in only groups of enemies bigger than 3). I think the Flawless requirement is a nice requirement for those who are leaps and bounds better than the majority of players. But, I think there's a ways to appease more of the common players, and that's on Bungie to do. Break up the seals in tiers. Make the seal title a different bright color if you go flawless. Just like they make Trials gear glow for a week if you go flawless. Anyway, to @GazzaGarratt's point on booking a regular raid slot, I think it's a great idea. But, I think we, as a group, need to manage expectations on that. We have all seen the mess of LFG putting in barriers for people to join a group. Like KWTD and have ____ weapon and have _____ clears. And, I feel, at this point, it seems like an unspoken requirement of KWTD if you try to do a challenging items together with a team. Honestly, if it wasn't for @Venom stating that he's trying to get full clears and carry people, and if it wasn't for @Baabcat being really awesome, I do not think this "raid group" would be a thing. I do not think we would have pulled off a "no-wipe" raid. Venom and Baab are super patient and accommodating. We may want to consider doing a tier? Or, choices? Like schedule 2 events that are roughly the same time and day. One meant for doing challenges. And, one meant for just doing it, which could be perceived by any FGer that it is truly open for all. So, anyone signing up for the non-challenge event won't feel too much pressure. I'm perfectly fine with going through the raid at no-pressure with those who aren't used to the raid. (Even if Garden was a stressful experience for getting Divinity lol... I still jumped in when I was told a 6th was needed for boss.) It is why I'm very public on Discord if we are trying to set something up. But, I already can see people feeling more comfortable DMing me or Baab about doing stuff instead of publicly asking. All in all, I'm just saying... think about the lurkers and newbies who may be a bit shy on really participating. I wouldn't be "active" if it wasn't for Gazza breaking the ice... and basically throwing me into DSC lol.... or if Ryan wasn't always up to help with something. Or if @Kemp210 wasn't open to joining and doing whatever.

Pics and videos? Lolz. I don't even let darling husband take photos of me hahah. I have also actively stopped in the middle of a movement if I saw my trainer trying to do either to me hahaha. Also, did the thread because I figured I would join you in this!

I think we can manage without the Well of Radiance in the final boss fight. I dropped a rift one time when we didn't have a Well, and whoever made it to that damage seemed to live. I think. I would run Lunafaction boots for the non-solar runs during the final encounter.

It's a fantastic machine. I had to do a double take on the brand, then looked it up that Sage is the same as Breville here in the US. We have the same machine but an older model. I think it's about 10 years old now, come to think of it! Looks like they improved the grinder too on your model. Enjoy it! Don't be afraid of it. I sure was initially lol. But, it's so awesome to be able to have properly brewed espresso at home. I haven't gotten the milk foaming and steaming down perfectly, but just because I can't draw a swan in my drink, doesn't mean it isn't good!

Currently reading the fifth book in the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown. It was originally only supposed to be a trilogy, but he wanted to explore what happens to a society after a major revolution. I loved the first three books. I think it was brave to not sugarcoat various parts about human nature. I found it super interesting that he weaved in mythology into the political science of his stories. Not that it was actual mythological gods in the books, but more of putting that culture into the society built. I have truly been taking my time with this book. Between work and life, I just haven't been able to really dedicate time to this book. I also cannot bear the emotional disaster that Pierce Brown creates for his characters. His writing is amazing.. and I'm glad to be taking my time since the final book isn't published yet.

When I mean "pre-build" i mean like getting it from a PC builder. Here in the US, I bought my laptop from Maingear. My desktop is coming from Xidax. You can customize your build with them down to the thermal paste... and get service and a warranty. I think one of the builders you have in the UK is ChillBlast? I would try going to a PC builder and discussing what you need with them. If you're concerned about upsell, I think there's plenty in the clan who would review the specs for you. My rule of thumb when I look into building a PC is that I do not cheap out on the stuff that is difficult or time consuming to replace (motherboard, GPU, CPU). I'll save coin on going from 64GB ram to 32GB ram knowing that I can add ram later. I'll save a bit on the hard drive from the builder since that's a relatively easy swap later or I can add storage space as needed. Power supply doesn't have to be the most watts initially. Again, something easy to upgrade. If you're going to overclock, then get the better thermal paste if it's an option. If you're not, then don't waste your $$ on it... even if it is like a few dollars more. However, in my experience of graphic arts, gaming, and such for computers, you're going to want a powerful GPU and CPU. Monitor quality is going to be super important for your photography if you are hoping for super accurate colors during editing. Calibrating your monitor is a whole other discussion. I know you said about looking at resources to go through for researching this? I skim pcmag and tomshardware. I tend to read a little in PCGamer. But, I do take all that information from everywhere on the web and basically bounce thoughts off others in like Reddit. £1500 is a great starting point budget for a PC. You will get something very kick-ass in that range.

1/2/21 Workout *Note --> none of my workout posts will include warm ups and cool downs. My warm ups are specific to my issues like right shoulder knots, lower back tightness, calf tightness... in addition to usual warm ups. Functional focus with some cardio Buy In --> 100 single unders (or 50 double unders) 5 Rounds Forward Crawl 10 feet Reverse Crawl 10 feet Right Lunge 2 Air Squats Left Lunge 2 Air Squats Reverse Crawl 10 feet Modified Gorilla Crawl 10 feet Walk back 10 feet High Knees 10 feet Reverse Crawl 10 feet Cash Out --> 100 single unders (or 50 double unders) Last Call --> 10 push ups, 10 sit ups, 25 air squats Thoughts: I truly hate cardio.

Easiest recommendation on gaming chair? SecretLab For PC? Are you doing a pre-build or you building yourself? I no longer build myself because it's not cost effective enough to warrant it. If I'm going to drop $2k on components, I want a service and warranty. Also, going to PC build companies tend to get you the scarce components that are eaten up by bots.. like the GPUs.