Days 22 - 25

This is the last post of the month long ninja challenge! Before I get into my feelings about this month I will give an account of these last few days.

Monday - Just a regular day at work, nothing too crazy but I really enjoyed the episode of House that night.

Tuesday - Since my brother Matt is going to be moving to Seattle on Wednesday I decided to take work off and spend a little time with my bro before he took off to animation school. When I made it over to his place he showed me the edited clips of our next manor massacre film. I have to say that it looks great, I may be forever branded as a perv because of my character, but it will be hilarious. After that we shipped his new toy to his place in Seattle and went to see a movie. Just for the record, "Scott Pilgrim vs the Universe" is a great show. As I told Matt, it was exactly the kind of movie that we would make if we had the time, money, or manpower.

Wednesday and Thursday - These days were fairly standard except for after work. On Wednesday I met up with a girl that a friend was considering setting me up with for some time. She seems interesting so there may be something there. And on thursday I went to a house warming for a girl and her roommate that my cousin Chris and I new back in the days we lived in Provo. I actually went out with the roommate so it was good to see her after all these years, I kinda wish we had more time to talk. Maybe next time. . .

Well, I have to say this has been a fun experience. It felt good to have more hours in the day and to force myself to do more with that time. I think I will keep up most of these new habits but I have to say that I will be happy to unwind after a day at work.

NINJA VANISH!!!

Days 19-21

This was the last weekend of my ninja challenge, I'm down to the home stretch now and my ninja training will be complete. On Friday it was a pretty standard day, went to work, got home, and fought two dozen North Koreans. Nothing special. 

Saturday I decided to take both dogs for a walk. Honestly, I wasn't even tired after I woke up. I had so much energy that it was either walk the dogs or assassinate a military general after fighting my way through his personal guard. That night I was at the UFC fight night at my brother's house hoping for some brutal destruction. It was also the last weekend that my brother will be in town before he leaves for Seattle to become a writer or something like that.

Sunday we had a great last family dinner before Matt left. Instead of a home-cooked meal we opted for chinese takeout. It was awesome to hang out with the family and little guido. Now to finish strong. 

Days 16-18

Ok so I know that I haven't been the most diligent but I don't really know how to make each day a riveting experience for you loyal readers. I'll start from Tuesday.

Tuesday - really boring day, got up on time and went to work. Not a lot of exciting ninja battles that day.


Wednesday - This was a great day. I only did a half day at work because my mom decided to take me out. We started by having a great dinner at my favorite restaurant, the Texas Roadhouse. Oh my I can still taste those rolls with cinnamon butter! Then we went to see the Lion King play. It's a play that I've wanted to see this play for years and it didn't disappoint in the slightest. From the music to the amazing costumes, I highly recommend it. Oh and I just have to say that I loved the newest episode of "Modern Family", I've missed this show so much.

Thursday - Today was a crappy day at work, really the only thing that I had to look forward to was there was a bunch of new episodes of some of my other favorite shows, namely Community, The Big Bang Theory, and The Office. I know the Office has been pretty lack-luster as of late but I still hold out for the season. Other than veg out after work with my "stories" I mowed my lawn and gave my dog a bath today which has been long overdue.

Well, That's my last few days. I will get back to you later, but of course, you won't see me and won't even know I was there.

Day 15

Not much to report today as far as ninja activities,  I got up and went to work. They gave us ice cream.

But today starts the beginning of the new season of television (I call them my stories). So far, two great episodes of How I Met Your Mother and House. I'm really looking forward to the start of Community and Modern Family, very possibly my two favorite shows from last year. Well, that's all for now. I must go and break cinderblocks with my head.

Days 12-14

So I did a lot this weekend and thats why I haven't been able to keep this updated daily. But lets start with Friday. That morning, before work, I decided that I needed to go to on a hike. I remembered that ten years ago, before a homecoming dance, I went with my date a few other people on this hike up little cottonwood canyon. It was a simple hike to a lake called cecret (pronounced secret) but it was a beautiful hike in an amazingly beautiful canyon. That's where I went for my hike, for this special activity I thought it appropriate to take my camera and I've posted a few of the pictures I took while I was up there.

So secret its Cecret!!

A beautiful piece of nature

Me at the lake

Saturday was another fine day of college football, other than BYU played terribly, and I decided to hang out with my cousin Paul. We watched the U of U game at his place, and a few other games as well, and then we played a fierce game of bochie ball at a park in Salt Lake City with some of his friends. Two of whom were some very cool and attractive young ladies. To end the night, Paul and I listened to some live versions of brand new U2 songs that haven't been released yet. They are gonna be awesome.

Sunday. . . . well, it's just a day of rest right? That's what I did, I rested and went to church and tried to read a book that I'm working on. I just ended up watching NFL football. I realize it's a lot of football but really we only get 18 weeks of football out of the year so you have to take advantage. Till tomorrow, oh and I'm actually in three of the pictures above. . . my ninja training is going very well.

Day 11

As I have been getting up each morning for this ninja challenge, I realized something very strange. I have had classes for college that were actually later in the day but I had a harder time getting up for them. Weird yes?

Anyways I know I said I was going for a hike today but I had to dress up for work today so I thought it would be better to go on the hike tomorrow. A ninja must always be unpredictable.

Day 10

Ok, so maybe some of you may have noticed that I have two posts today and that I skipped monday. Well since I was sick on monday I forgot to write in my blog that day. Then last night I was playing Halo till past midnight, in case anyone was bothered by the discrepancy. (and yes I'm allowed one night to play the new Halo Reach game).

Today was a great day, I took my dog Edge for a nice walk at the park by my house. Again it was perfect weather and I'm thinking tomorrow that I'm going to go on a hike. Also today was a great day at work so things are definitely looking really good right now.

Day 9

Today I was still feeling a little down so I didn't do my physical activity that I planned on monday. But I'm feeling great now so I'm sure I'll be going out tomorrow. Today I received a new video game, Halo Reach, and I was given three hours in which to play it. I was able to coordinate with my older brother DJ and we played the campaign together in co-op mode. I have to say I was impressed with some of the graphics on the game and the enemies are much more difficult to kill. It was fun but now I have to deal with not playing for the rest of the month which may be somewhat of an added test. . . . because now I know what I'm missing. Till tomorrow. 

Ninja VANISH!! (poof)

Day 8

I was very excited about this morning because I wanted to go for a run, or a hike or something to take advantage of this great weather. Instead I wake up feeling worse than I did on Sunday. I had to take a raincheck on the physical activity. I actually felt so bad that I would have called in sick to work but they made a big deal about how mondays are mandatory for this month. So I went into work feeling miserable and made it through my shift. Hopefully, I can be well enough tomorrow so I don't miss my physical activity again.

Days 6 and 7

And thus ends my first week of the month long ninja challenge. Over the weekend I basically did service for my 3rd physical activity of the week. On Saturday I volunteered to clean the chapel of my singles ward and then mowed the lawn. Followed up with some kind of great college football (I say kind of cause BYU lost so terribly in their game against Air Force).
Today (sunday) I was out for the morning cause I was feeling under the weather. Though, late in the afternoon I went to check out a new singles ward. Didn't really think that ward was for me, but I was told by a friend that I should try a little ward hoping. She told me that it would lead to me getting "loads more action" so I'll try it out a bit. Maybe I'm just the gullible type, cause that's what kind of led to accepting the ninja challenge. The goal of this ninja challenge, other than to increase my skills as a ninja, is to increase my happiness. Though I don't feel my happiness has significantly increased over the last week I feel that this has been a good foundation for the remaining month. I'm betting my happiness will be mighty soon.


HERE'S TO ANOTHER NINJA WEEK!!

Day 5

Ok, so there wasn't much to report today other than it was an awful day at work. It's a good thing I get to practice the deadly arts this evening.

Day 4

I think I'm starting to settle in to most of the new challenges designed to increase my ninja status. Getting up is still tiring but as soon as I'm on my feet I'm good. So far I need at least one more physical activity this week (maybe two cause I'm not sure if helping my brother dig his fence post whole really counts). I know what I'll do tomorrow morning, but does anyone have any cool suggestions for activities next week?

Cool, and now I shall move silently in the dark.

Day 3

So I took both the dogs for a walk today as my physical activity. It was a great morning, nice breeze, perfect temperature, but I had to pick up Edge's giant, mushy turds. Still didn't spoil the morning though.
 
It was very tempting to play a video game after work today but I got through it. All I have to say is that I am so happy that there will be football to take my mind of of those "urges".

Day 2

I was up at 9:20 this morning, however I was still a bit tired so when I left my room I neglected to take my phone with me. Which turned out to be a mistake because a few of my doubting family members started texting me at 9:30 just to make sure that I was awake. Since my phone was on vibrate I didn't return those texts very promptly which led them to believe I was fast asleep. No faith i see. So I think I need to start texting those in my family as soon as I wake because they won't believe me otherwise.

Tomorrow is a new day and here is a quote that I found that is somewhat appropriate.

"Seize the present day, not giving the least credit to the succeeding one"

Josh is formally Ninja Challenged

Josh,

Ye are hereby challenged from the Order of the Ninja, ye must agree to all the rules laid forth in this blog post.

1. Arise every morn at 9:30 or before, except the days of Saturn and Sun when ye must awake before 10:00 a.m.
2. No video or computer games shall be played, except 1 allotted day where ye are allowed 3 hours to indulge.
3. Phone games are allowed, but sparingly.
4. Ye must preform physical activity for least 3 days a week (for 1 hour), any form of activity is approved as long as ye actually sweat or improve upon your ninja skills.
5. Documentation ye must log to keep vigilant record of your progress, which hitherfortocomeby in this blog.

By keeping in line with the Order of the Ninja, thee gain shall far surpass the trials ye shall meet. And bountiful sums of happiness shall be upon your head.

Signed,

The Master Sensei.


Labor day (A.K.A. day one): Today is the first day of the ninja challenge, hopefully it won't be as tempting to remain in bed when as it was today. But I got up and answered a few texts and phone calls from a few of my doubting family members that weren't sure if I could get up today. Afterward I assisted my brother with digging a fence post and then we went to see a terrible movie by the name of "Dinner for Schmucks".  My brother and his wife Carla told me we would be seeing Toy Story 3, only to have our plans change as their movie times application failed us for the first time. So we had to settle for what was left, we all agree that it was the wrong choice. Is it just me or is it very awkward when there is a person that laughs too loud and they happen to be the only one laughing?

Anyway, I'll be finishing off day one of my trek to ninja-hood by watching more college football. Catch you later.