I've brought my so-called "November Challenge" to an early close and will give myself a final grade of B-.
I had no idea it would be so much harder than last May to enforce this challenge. It quickly became clear that the presence of my back to back retreats (in May) was the key motivating factor in maintaining my focus. This time, there was no such motivating factor. In fact, it now seems in retrospect that I had a reverse effect from May, where I started the month with no regular work schedule and a certain loose schedule that enabled daily yoga practice and more flexibility.
By November 10th, the commitments started to come in like dominoes. Suddenly I was hired for a one-day film job, and then I was hired for a new full time job and slotted in to an intense fifty hours of training.
This new development meant that the Challenge had to put on the back burner, as my schedule quickly filled up at times when yoga classes are regularly offered. At the same time, I found myself walking in to the height of commercialism in the holiday festive season and spending too much time at a near to work coffee shop. This did provide opportunities for the power of restraint, as I declined opportunities to partake in caffeinated beverages, but definitely consumed a large amount of hot chocoloate... which does have a little caffeine in it.
The process of journaling also went to the shadows as my daily work schedule continued at a full pace. I was embarrassed to notice today that it had been a week since I last wrote in my personal journal, and hope to correct that today.
Finally, last night brought a visit to a local bar - and I'm sure I will go there again, as I appreciated the ambiance and small scale of the place. I didn't want to let an opportunity go by to not indulge in their plentiful, unusual beer list, and proceeded to enjoy a CALIFORNIA crafted, Belgian inspired dark brew with distinct pleasure.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Not completely off track
Acquiring a 9-5 job schedule has made me put some aspects of the Challenge on the back burner. I had already downgraded the yoga work to every other day. Mostly for physical reasons. Now it is on pause until the end of this week. As far as the other stuff:
Journaling is also on every other day, and the rest... sorts itself out.
I do not feel like I am getting a failing grade here. I knew this would be more of a Real World Test than before, and now I know that is correct.
In December, I will run a tally.
Journaling is also on every other day, and the rest... sorts itself out.
I do not feel like I am getting a failing grade here. I knew this would be more of a Real World Test than before, and now I know that is correct.
In December, I will run a tally.
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
November Challenge, Week 1
I'll be chronicling my November Challenge of daily yoga and journaling combined with no caffeine or alcohol. It sounds simple, right? Not quite. These weekly posts will give a summary or commentary of how things are going...
Six months ago I did a variation on this challenge - cutting out caffeine and alcohol - in anticipation of my Mojave Desert Vision Quest, which took place during that month of May. I see now that the quest, and my subsequent Buddhist retreat that same month, was a helpful motivating factor. This time, I have no particular ulterior motive or final goal, and I find that to be more of a challenge!
Daily yoga practice is bringing it into perspective. It feels like a job to be going to the studio every day. But that same job is creating rewards to work with a variety of teachers and also gain more flexibility of the "Stationary Sequence". I'll be curious to see if my comfort level continues to improve!
Daily journaling has felt like more of an effort than it should. I also missed one day due to ___ (I don't remember) but made up for it with several pages on the next day. I'm intending to write more in the present tense to keep the energy high.
Even writing this entry seems to take a lot of effort. Whatever happened to the days when blogging was thoughtful and consistent and detailed, with no competition from micro-blogging? I miss those days.
Six months ago I did a variation on this challenge - cutting out caffeine and alcohol - in anticipation of my Mojave Desert Vision Quest, which took place during that month of May. I see now that the quest, and my subsequent Buddhist retreat that same month, was a helpful motivating factor. This time, I have no particular ulterior motive or final goal, and I find that to be more of a challenge!
Daily yoga practice is bringing it into perspective. It feels like a job to be going to the studio every day. But that same job is creating rewards to work with a variety of teachers and also gain more flexibility of the "Stationary Sequence". I'll be curious to see if my comfort level continues to improve!
Daily journaling has felt like more of an effort than it should. I also missed one day due to ___ (I don't remember) but made up for it with several pages on the next day. I'm intending to write more in the present tense to keep the energy high.
Even writing this entry seems to take a lot of effort. Whatever happened to the days when blogging was thoughtful and consistent and detailed, with no competition from micro-blogging? I miss those days.
Friday, November 04, 2011
My ideal Wilmington morning
6am: Yoga class at Empowered Yoga
730am: Walk around Rockford Park
830am: Pancake Breakfast at Angelos or Fresh Thymes
It can happen, and it will!
730am: Walk around Rockford Park
830am: Pancake Breakfast at Angelos or Fresh Thymes
It can happen, and it will!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
When Do You Feel the Most Californian?
I'm cutting and pasting an assignment from my Research class. Please note that this a mock-up and not a real research study.
Abstract
To survey and study results of the following question: “WHEN DO YOU FEEL THE MOST CALIFORNIAN?” within a focus group of 100 randomly selected Californian residents. 50 participants were interviewed through a telephone survey of chosen phone numbers outside the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The remaining 50 were split into two groups of 25 participants equally divided between the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. Both groups were invited to in-person focus groups where their responses were solicited by a research team.The study sought to measure the social pulse of California at a time of social upheaval and political change. The relatively small initial focus group was chosen as a test run. If the results were successful and varied enough, the study is slated to be expanded to a wider group of 1000 or 2000 state residents. The study also sought to develop further personal/social awareness of what individual California residents hold to be key state values and qualities of life.
Keywords
California, geography, San Francisco, Los Angeles, individual, Golden State
Introduction
Californians are often sampled on their opinions of in-state quality of life, especially when an election year comes around. However, the question of going deeper into those characteristics is rarely examined. There are many surveys that take a geographic look at what the pros and cons of living in the state are, but they will often stop at that detail. This survey proposes to take a specific look at what Californians truly value about their lives. If there are common responses that arise in the study, such as “driving on the freeway”, “spending time at the beach”, or “cooking a fresh meal”, those will be incorporated into later studies.
Method
100 individuals participated in the initial study, compensated with a $25 gift certificate to Whole Foods Market. As a group, the individuals were 70% Caucasian, 5% African American, 10% Hispanic, 5% Asian American, 5% Native American, and 5% “other ethnicity.” All participants were residents in California, though not all had been born in the state. In the telephone survey section of the group, participants received a brief introduction to the study and were given the option to opt-out or participate. They were encouraged to keep their answers succinct within a maximum of two minutes response time. If the participant chose not to engage in the study, a different phone number was randomly selected by the facilitators. In the live segment of the study, participants were invited to a neutral setting and taken in for interviews one by one. Upon arriving at the interview site, participants were given a fact sheet of information about the study. This sheet also included some highlights from the phone study, which was completed prior to the second segment.
Data Results
As expected, data results were highly subjective, but proved worthy of further investigation and presentation to additional focus or governance groups. There was some correlation in answers from the metropolitan areas, with multiple responses of “driving a long distance” or “spending time at the coast.” However, the responses were distinct in inland and rural areas, offering little connection to their coastal neighbors. At least five participants within the inland groups expressed disdain for the idea of “feeling Californian” and remarked on their feelings of geographic-induced cultural distance.
Discussion
This study could be a launching pad for future, more specified, cultural research within the state of California. There is high potential for crossover with media or journalism, as it is a topic that could attract commercial interest or co-sponsorship. The range of responses could lead to a wider, national discussion about quality of life and what it means for individuals in 2011. The topic as a whole fits right in with the growing “Back to the Land” movement of which California is an epicenter, looking at locally grown food, organic products, sustainability, and further components of living. The research brought forth from this study could benefit the role of state government, seeking to understand connections between the wide geographic area of the state and the perceived cultural divides between North and South, and Coastal and Inland communities.
Abstract
To survey and study results of the following question: “WHEN DO YOU FEEL THE MOST CALIFORNIAN?” within a focus group of 100 randomly selected Californian residents. 50 participants were interviewed through a telephone survey of chosen phone numbers outside the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The remaining 50 were split into two groups of 25 participants equally divided between the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. Both groups were invited to in-person focus groups where their responses were solicited by a research team.The study sought to measure the social pulse of California at a time of social upheaval and political change. The relatively small initial focus group was chosen as a test run. If the results were successful and varied enough, the study is slated to be expanded to a wider group of 1000 or 2000 state residents. The study also sought to develop further personal/social awareness of what individual California residents hold to be key state values and qualities of life.
Keywords
California, geography, San Francisco, Los Angeles, individual, Golden State
Introduction
Californians are often sampled on their opinions of in-state quality of life, especially when an election year comes around. However, the question of going deeper into those characteristics is rarely examined. There are many surveys that take a geographic look at what the pros and cons of living in the state are, but they will often stop at that detail. This survey proposes to take a specific look at what Californians truly value about their lives. If there are common responses that arise in the study, such as “driving on the freeway”, “spending time at the beach”, or “cooking a fresh meal”, those will be incorporated into later studies.
Method
100 individuals participated in the initial study, compensated with a $25 gift certificate to Whole Foods Market. As a group, the individuals were 70% Caucasian, 5% African American, 10% Hispanic, 5% Asian American, 5% Native American, and 5% “other ethnicity.” All participants were residents in California, though not all had been born in the state. In the telephone survey section of the group, participants received a brief introduction to the study and were given the option to opt-out or participate. They were encouraged to keep their answers succinct within a maximum of two minutes response time. If the participant chose not to engage in the study, a different phone number was randomly selected by the facilitators. In the live segment of the study, participants were invited to a neutral setting and taken in for interviews one by one. Upon arriving at the interview site, participants were given a fact sheet of information about the study. This sheet also included some highlights from the phone study, which was completed prior to the second segment.
Data Results
As expected, data results were highly subjective, but proved worthy of further investigation and presentation to additional focus or governance groups. There was some correlation in answers from the metropolitan areas, with multiple responses of “driving a long distance” or “spending time at the coast.” However, the responses were distinct in inland and rural areas, offering little connection to their coastal neighbors. At least five participants within the inland groups expressed disdain for the idea of “feeling Californian” and remarked on their feelings of geographic-induced cultural distance.
Discussion
This study could be a launching pad for future, more specified, cultural research within the state of California. There is high potential for crossover with media or journalism, as it is a topic that could attract commercial interest or co-sponsorship. The range of responses could lead to a wider, national discussion about quality of life and what it means for individuals in 2011. The topic as a whole fits right in with the growing “Back to the Land” movement of which California is an epicenter, looking at locally grown food, organic products, sustainability, and further components of living. The research brought forth from this study could benefit the role of state government, seeking to understand connections between the wide geographic area of the state and the perceived cultural divides between North and South, and Coastal and Inland communities.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)