The classes are set and the sleep transformation is underway. There is no going back.
I was able to work my magic with last minute class registration this morning and get quite a good schedule. I’ve got Macroeconomics and History of Modern Science on MWF while TTh are graced by American Government, Intro to Problem Solving and Programming, and Cognition/Human Learning/Motivation. I also managed to get it arranged nicely so that I have the perfect opportunities for workouts and my naps under the Uberman schedule. Persistance and patience paid off. I actually have a good schedule. I am trying to get something else switched with the History of Modern Science class though. We’ll see about that tomorrow. But anyways, I know what you all want to hear about.
Despite the fact that I get lapses of intense tiredness, my adaptation thus far to Uberman’s 6 nap sleep schedule has been progressing wonderfully. I took my third nap since starting at 2:05 this morning. It was a bit hard again falling asleep, but I’m pretty sure I did. It still felt that I was only half asleep, though, as if my mind shut down to a certain extent and my body just didn't do anything. I really didn’t have any trouble staying up, which I thought was odd, being in the middle of the night when I’d normally be sleeping, but I guess the “naps” were actually helping. I really focused on staying busy and it helped a lot. Things that I should have gotten done days ago I was now getting accomplished, simply because I HAD to have something to do other than watching TV or playing video games. I would have fallen asleep if that's all I did. Heck I even did laundry at 4:30 in the morning. I’m quite curious as to what the security guard thought as I came out of the elevator with my bag of laundry at that time. After about 3 hours the urge to go to sleep started to set in, but it wasn’t overwhelming. I stretched my waking ours until 6:45, took my 30 minute nap, and woke up just fine at 7:15.
I had a lot to do this morning, with registering and all, so it wasn’t too hard. I guess now would be a good time to reveal something that might surprise you. I’ve been really into a lot of self improvement tasks lately. I guess coming into 2009 I just felt like I really wanted to make some leaps and bounds in the way I was living. I already lived pretty well, but my life of basketball has taught me that there is always room for improvement. I’m not just talking about health improvement, but complete mental improvement. Gaining confidence, focus, and self-discipline as well as more skills that I’ve been wanting to add to my arsenal lately are all on this year’s menu. But anyways, after reading Steve Pavlina’s blog, I started to get interested in the lifestyle of being a vegetarian. Steve mentioned often how being a vegan seemed to help him adapt to the sleep schedule, as the lighter eating habits were more friendly with less sleeping. I started looking a little more into it, as I’ve never actually even given it a thought, and started realizing all the benefits of this lifestyle. Studies say that not only odes it reduce the risk of a countless number of diseases, disorders, and medical conditions, including high cholesterol and heart problems, which both run in my family, but can actually increase one’s lifespan anywhere from 4 to an astounding 10 years. I was shocked, to say the least. Anyone that knows me knows that I love to eat and boy to I love my meat (excuse the rhyme). I’ve always thought anyone who was a vegetarian or vegan was completely insane. How could you not want to eat meat?? I thought it was all about saving the animals. While I’m all for preventing cruelty to animals, I don't think that there is anything wrong with using them for animals. However, when I read the health benefits, I was immediately intrigued. I’m always looking for ways to make my immune system stronger and my health better overall, but I never realized these eating habits could do so much and because of this, I have decided to at least try it out for 30 days. I may continue after that, I may not. Not having chicken, steak, or BBQ again is completely beyond my imagination, but bettering my health is not, so we’ll see how that turns out. I could never go vegan; I love milk too much. We go way back, but I’m willing to give the vegetarian lifestyle a try. But back to my sleep log.
Breakfast was tough. I don't always have meat for breakfast, but just seeing it and not being able to eat it was harder than I could have imagined. I got through it though. Had me a nice big plate of fruit, bread, and a muffin with my oh so delicious milk.
My next nap came at 10:45. Nothing special there, but I think right here is a good place to clarify a difference in approach for Steve Pavlina. Whereas Steve was concerned with exerting much physical output, I haven’t even given it a thought, nor do I intend do. I think it is helping me a lot. As I mentioned before, I’m sticking pretty close to my workout schedule and its not an easy one, I’ll say that. I don’t think taking this out of my schedule just because I’m changing my sleeping would help, and in fact, I think it would make it tougher. I think the workouts keep my blood flowing throughout the day and prevent my cells from becoming to sedentary. I’m not doctor, but that's how I feel. I haven’t noticed any decrease in output ability either, which makes me quite happy.
So anyways, after my nap I made a trip to the gym for a good workout, shot back to my room for a shower and another nap at 1:15. I experienced something interesting with this nap though, something I haven’t experienced before. It may be that my mind is showing its first vague signs of adaptation, or it may just be a side effect of not enough sleep and higher blood pressure from working out, but when I tried to fall asleep, not only did a fall asleep within about 3-5 minutes, but I had the sensation of being pulled into sleep. Something I’ve noticed during these naps is that with my focus on getting myself to fall asleep, I’m able to relatively til what happens as my mind drifts slowing off into dreamland. During this nap, however, this drifting occurred within a few seconds, as if after laying there for a few minutes, my mind decided to quickly suck me into sleep. It felt quite interesting and I made the effort to let go and let it happen so that I didn't interfere with it, and I think it worked, because I fell asleep within a minute after this. It was all quite astonishing and it’ll be interesting to experience everything else that will be happening in the next few naps, days, and weeks.
After this nap, I had class from 2-5, had little to no trouble staying awake, and then took another nap at about 5:40. Just like my other naps so far, I didn't have any trouble waking up from this one, but I’m starting to be more tired after waking up and the stretches between naps are beginning to be tougher as well. We’ll see how that develops.
That pretty much covers how my day and polynapping have gone in the past 20 or so hours. Stay tuned as I will be posting a vlog (video log for those that don’t know the lingo) later tonight (you’ll probably want to just check in the morning) with a little bit about what I’ve been doing and how I’m reacting.
Just as a side note though. During my spare time last night, I got back onto practicing with the Dvorak keyboard layout. Its coming along nicely. Very nice way to pass the time.
Currently Listening To
Gorilla Zoe feat. Lil Wayne – Lost
Ne-Yo – Mad
Showing posts with label dvorak keyboard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dvorak keyboard. Show all posts
January 20, 2009
January 18, 2009
2009 New Year's Resolutions
Well good afternoon everyone.
I'm not exactly sure when I'll be doing my daily blog posts. I think I'm going to stick to late evenings, but this first week or two may be a little off. I just wanted to make sure I made this post now because I plan another for this evening, and frankly, I don't want to scare you guys away with outrageously long blog posts. Unless, that's what you want (let me know!).
So, anyways, the main reason I wanted to get this blog started at the beginning of the new year would be to lay down my first ever New Year's Resolutions and make sure you guys whip me when I don't follow them (yes, when, because I know I'm going to end up slacking off).
Without further ado, here they are:
2009 New Years Resolutions
1. Learn all the countries and their capitals
a. This is the first of many resolutions I have picked up from Tynan. He’s a real inspiration with what he has done and the practices he has changed in his life. There’s much to learn from him. This resolution simply draws me though. As you can see on the right in my about me section, I enjoy random skills and, well, being able to throw down any country or its capital is just my kind of thing.
2. Get more built
a. This resolution I’ve already started on. I made the mistake last semester of letting myself get out of the great shape I had gotten myself into during the summer thanks to a good friend Blake Naumann. As soon as I got back to San Antonio for the Christmas break, I hit the gym every day in hopes of getting back on track. I can already see and feel the progress and I plan to continue this. In fact, after this post I’m off to Gregory Gym. You should definitely join me if you got to UT.
3. Get an internship for the summer
a. A few of these things are more of goals than resolutions, and this is one of them. Getting an internship is gonna be tough, being only a Freshman, but I know its going to benefit me greatly.
4. Get a better job than Target
a. Target sucks. The people are cool, but I hate the job and the pay is less than satisfying. I know I only do this on breaks, but I really don't want to have to go back to it.
5. Get a job in Austin
a. I think I can handle having a job this semester, and a little extra cash will do me wonders. I still have a car I’m paying for (even though its at home and only driven occasionally) and summer earnings can only last so long.
6. Cut down on electronics expenses
a. I buy way to many electronics. Much less than some friends I know, but I really don't need it all. I think I’ve got everything I’ve really been wanting lately, so this shouldn't be too hard. If I brag about something I just got in any of my posts, yell at me! I shouldn’t have gotten it!
7. Beat Guitar Hero on expert
a. I can’t say enough how jealous I am of everyone that can speed through these songs to 5 star ratings on expert. It’s pathetic, but I am greatly impressed. I beat the game on easy this summer and medium yesterday, so I guess I’m on my way
8. Be able to run for an hour straight with no problem
a. I don't really have too much trouble running, and with some good music I know I could run an hour right now, but I really want to run a marathon this summer and so I think being able to run an hour without trouble is going to help me greatly.
9. Learn 250 decimal places of pi
a. Another one of my random skill interests. I learned 100 decimal places in about .5 to 1 hour last year, I just haven’t sat down to try this. Who knows, if this is too easy for me, I may go fro 500 this year.
10. Learn Dvorak typing
a. I’ll make more posts on this specifically, but basically it's a more efficient keyboard layout that I’ve read about and that Tynan learned last year.
11. Learn Fridrich method to solving the Rubik’s cube
a. I’ve learned about 5 of the algorithms for this method bringing me to 11 (I think?) but that's not gonna cut it. I need to memorize over 100 more. Hopefully I’ll be able to cut that 44 second record time down to under 30.
12. Continue learning Japanese on my own
a. I took a year in high school and took it last semester, learning a lot. I just don't have the time in schedule to continue it right now. I know I have the spare time though so hopefully you guys will crack down on me and make me study.
13. Read more for fun
a. I have a lot of books that I’ve been wanting to read and last semester sucked just reading textbooks. I NEED this.
14. Reach 6000 in savings
a. This is all dependant on getting new jobs. Wish me luck
15. Get all A’s in spring and fall.
a. I got 3 A’s and 2 B’s this past semester. I’m deeply disappointed in myself. I know I can do better.
16. Visit 5 more states
a. I’ve been to 38, including one new one this year (I’ll post on this later), so I need 4 more.
17. Go on the road trip I have planned
a. Hopefully you’ll be hearing more about this as the semester closes. If you do, you will be hearing a LOT about it.
18. Don't waste time.
a. I waste way too much time. I think making a constantly updated list of things I have to do will help with this.
19. Learn the soroban
a. Another weird skill. First I have to get one.
20. Learn at least one of the Sims songs on piano
a. Gosh, how I want to do this so much. Mainly learn piano again, but I’ve been dying to learn at least one of the songs from the original Sims games
21. Start writing verses and record 3 rap songs
a. I used to write parodies, but I’ve really been wanting to do this since I watched some of An0maly’s videos
22. Become a great c-walker
a. I started this last semester and in the few days I practiced I improved greatly. Here’s to adding another skill to my dance arsenal ☺
23. Become better at photoshop
a. Countless times I wish I new more. All of what I’ve learned is just from experimenting, but I REALLY want to make this an impressive skill of mine.
24. Attempt switch to the Everyman’s Polyphasic Sleep Cycle
a. Stay tuned!!!
So there it is. If you got through the whole thing, congratulations. I’m sorry it was so long. Now you know why I didn't want to pile it on with tonight’s post. Let me know if you want to do any of it with me. I’ve already got a couple of people doing Dvorak with me, but the more the merrier! Anyways, til tonight, have a good one!
I'm not exactly sure when I'll be doing my daily blog posts. I think I'm going to stick to late evenings, but this first week or two may be a little off. I just wanted to make sure I made this post now because I plan another for this evening, and frankly, I don't want to scare you guys away with outrageously long blog posts. Unless, that's what you want (let me know!).
So, anyways, the main reason I wanted to get this blog started at the beginning of the new year would be to lay down my first ever New Year's Resolutions and make sure you guys whip me when I don't follow them (yes, when, because I know I'm going to end up slacking off).
Without further ado, here they are:
2009 New Years Resolutions
1. Learn all the countries and their capitals
a. This is the first of many resolutions I have picked up from Tynan. He’s a real inspiration with what he has done and the practices he has changed in his life. There’s much to learn from him. This resolution simply draws me though. As you can see on the right in my about me section, I enjoy random skills and, well, being able to throw down any country or its capital is just my kind of thing.
2. Get more built
a. This resolution I’ve already started on. I made the mistake last semester of letting myself get out of the great shape I had gotten myself into during the summer thanks to a good friend Blake Naumann. As soon as I got back to San Antonio for the Christmas break, I hit the gym every day in hopes of getting back on track. I can already see and feel the progress and I plan to continue this. In fact, after this post I’m off to Gregory Gym. You should definitely join me if you got to UT.
3. Get an internship for the summer
a. A few of these things are more of goals than resolutions, and this is one of them. Getting an internship is gonna be tough, being only a Freshman, but I know its going to benefit me greatly.
4. Get a better job than Target
a. Target sucks. The people are cool, but I hate the job and the pay is less than satisfying. I know I only do this on breaks, but I really don't want to have to go back to it.
5. Get a job in Austin
a. I think I can handle having a job this semester, and a little extra cash will do me wonders. I still have a car I’m paying for (even though its at home and only driven occasionally) and summer earnings can only last so long.
6. Cut down on electronics expenses
a. I buy way to many electronics. Much less than some friends I know, but I really don't need it all. I think I’ve got everything I’ve really been wanting lately, so this shouldn't be too hard. If I brag about something I just got in any of my posts, yell at me! I shouldn’t have gotten it!
7. Beat Guitar Hero on expert
a. I can’t say enough how jealous I am of everyone that can speed through these songs to 5 star ratings on expert. It’s pathetic, but I am greatly impressed. I beat the game on easy this summer and medium yesterday, so I guess I’m on my way
8. Be able to run for an hour straight with no problem
a. I don't really have too much trouble running, and with some good music I know I could run an hour right now, but I really want to run a marathon this summer and so I think being able to run an hour without trouble is going to help me greatly.
9. Learn 250 decimal places of pi
a. Another one of my random skill interests. I learned 100 decimal places in about .5 to 1 hour last year, I just haven’t sat down to try this. Who knows, if this is too easy for me, I may go fro 500 this year.
10. Learn Dvorak typing
a. I’ll make more posts on this specifically, but basically it's a more efficient keyboard layout that I’ve read about and that Tynan learned last year.
11. Learn Fridrich method to solving the Rubik’s cube
a. I’ve learned about 5 of the algorithms for this method bringing me to 11 (I think?) but that's not gonna cut it. I need to memorize over 100 more. Hopefully I’ll be able to cut that 44 second record time down to under 30.
12. Continue learning Japanese on my own
a. I took a year in high school and took it last semester, learning a lot. I just don't have the time in schedule to continue it right now. I know I have the spare time though so hopefully you guys will crack down on me and make me study.
13. Read more for fun
a. I have a lot of books that I’ve been wanting to read and last semester sucked just reading textbooks. I NEED this.
14. Reach 6000 in savings
a. This is all dependant on getting new jobs. Wish me luck
15. Get all A’s in spring and fall.
a. I got 3 A’s and 2 B’s this past semester. I’m deeply disappointed in myself. I know I can do better.
16. Visit 5 more states
a. I’ve been to 38, including one new one this year (I’ll post on this later), so I need 4 more.
17. Go on the road trip I have planned
a. Hopefully you’ll be hearing more about this as the semester closes. If you do, you will be hearing a LOT about it.
18. Don't waste time.
a. I waste way too much time. I think making a constantly updated list of things I have to do will help with this.
19. Learn the soroban
a. Another weird skill. First I have to get one.
20. Learn at least one of the Sims songs on piano
a. Gosh, how I want to do this so much. Mainly learn piano again, but I’ve been dying to learn at least one of the songs from the original Sims games
21. Start writing verses and record 3 rap songs
a. I used to write parodies, but I’ve really been wanting to do this since I watched some of An0maly’s videos
22. Become a great c-walker
a. I started this last semester and in the few days I practiced I improved greatly. Here’s to adding another skill to my dance arsenal ☺
23. Become better at photoshop
a. Countless times I wish I new more. All of what I’ve learned is just from experimenting, but I REALLY want to make this an impressive skill of mine.
24. Attempt switch to the Everyman’s Polyphasic Sleep Cycle
a. Stay tuned!!!
So there it is. If you got through the whole thing, congratulations. I’m sorry it was so long. Now you know why I didn't want to pile it on with tonight’s post. Let me know if you want to do any of it with me. I’ve already got a couple of people doing Dvorak with me, but the more the merrier! Anyways, til tonight, have a good one!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)