Alpha Male v.6 Journal - Run #4

[Ampersnd]

Stage 2, Day 3,

I'm at 53,719 words, and I've finished draft #1.
I'll need to add parts, as usual, but I've done great time; 28 days, and kept up my usual routine, but to a lesser degree.

I'll be starting my booklist, and the 100 Day Challenge, tomorrow.

[Ampersnd]

Stage 2, Day 4,

I've finished reading and making notes for 3 books, and I'm working through my 4th book; it's 'The Crowd' by Gustave Le Bon. It's shaping up to become a classic in my eyes. Will add to this post in a few hours.

[blth]

Hey man. First of all Aragorn is my favourite character in Lotr. The second is the witch king haha

Why you decided to run am again instead of base? BASE seems more suitable for you. I am reading your base journal and i love how detailed it is. My first 4 days are very weird. I think today i am hitting resistance because i am tempted to return in uslm even though i like base. A LOT. Did you listen base from earphones or speakers and how many hours? How would you rate Base now you had some time off and you can look back with a more clear mind? Any other advice is really appreciated

[Ampersnd]

Hey man. First of all Aragorn is my favourite character in Lotr. The second is the witch king haha

Why you decided to run am again instead of base? BASE seems more suitable for you. I am reading your base journal and i love how detailed it is. My first 4 days are very weird. I think today i am hitting resistance because i am tempted to return in uslm even though i like base. A LOT. Did you listen base from earphones or speakers and how many hours? How would you rate Base now you had some time off and you can look back with a more clear mind? Any other advice is really appreciated

Thanks for the kind message; I had a bit of an Aragorn complex until recently. I have the hair grown almost just like him (it curls in a similar way); but it's starting to get tiring to keep up. Even took up a horse-back riding lesson, which probably connects with that. The witch-king is great, but my work won't let me wear a black cape.

ANYWAYS, I ran AM and not BASE because I started to feel like a total pu$$; it had been about three years since I've last run it, so I figured that the programming had largely worn off. I loved how it pushed me out of bed in the early hours of the morning to do a bunch of things that I normally wouldn't do without it (BASE has not had that strong of an effect in that department).

I usually listen by earphones, but at night I listen to headphones put on a louder volume about 1 foot from my head.

One thing that I've gotten from BASE is that each run granted me a new level of independence that was attainable from my then-current reality.

The first time, I started out washing dishes full-time, and winding down towards part-time because busy season was over, at which point I was hired for a full-time permanent desk job with the ability to have vacations. My income more than doubled.

The second time, I completed my first book, and then 'pushed' to get a job in my chosen field, which I got thrown on my lap within 5-6 days of 'deciding' I was ready to pursue it. My income increased by 50-60% just because I was working 4 days a week; once I was given a 5th day, my income became almost exactly double my desk job. I have a lot of flexibility, but no benefits.

I'm certain that the next run I take will accompany an increase of income and freedom, but I don't need that right now; I need a routine that will help me finish this book series. AM has historically helped me do these types of things.

[lano1106]

I am fascinated how the experience varies from user to user for the same program. I am on my first AM run and I do receive benefits but waking up early full of energy isn't one of them. At least, not yet...

[Ampersnd]

Stage 2, Day 5,

I've finished reading book #4 from my 27-book booklist.

This booklist will shrink as I feel comfortable with the material I wish to study; a few of these books are similar enough where I can cut the cord once I read enough.

On to the next one. Tomorrow. Should be done this booklist before an important landmark.

[Ampersnd]

Stage 2, Day 7,

I've come to this realization that the 'status quo' is the result of the contributions of thousands of people around you, and not an arbitrary psychological state. It's a big deal because I don't want to disturb the 'status quo' and change the situation by interjecting myself, either verbally, physically, or in terms of sentiments. Once I decide to do what I please - within the law and a proper code of ethics - then my presence becomes part of a new 'status quo', of which other people will work around.

I made a friend who works at the same place as me. We live very near the workplace and we've gotten along very well, despite having different backgrounds. We went for a run today; did just about 4 miles, taking fewer and shorter breaks than last week on my own.

I have a job offer for a full-time permanent position with benefits; I am currently a contract consultant (with a higher wage) but without benefits. I did the math and the salary, despite being low, is about the exact same as my current job, due to travel expenses relating to this current job.

Likewise, I'm having a new craze about home-ownership, especially given that there's a home that would be practically perfect for what I want (live in with rental rooms).
I checked my credit score and came up with the number 773.

Anybody have experience with having rental properties?

[Ampersnd]

Stage 2, Day 8,

I reached out to the realtor for the house mentioned yesterday and we set a viewing for next week.
I'm not sure I would move, however.

Haven't made any progress on my major goal today, except for returning some books, renewing others, and taking out some others from my list.

I'm realizing that a few of these books have not been there on a consistent basis; probably not accounted for. I think I will allow it to shrink my book list (to 23-24 instead of a prior 26 instead of the original 30). This will make it much easier for me to complete my second draft, as well as remove the glut of information that I had last book, when I had about 45-50 books to compile.

This book is much less research-intensive; I'm just ruling out that I've provided accurate information in the first draft, as well as providing interesting perspectives. This book should be done before Christmas, even possibly before the end of November.
I just have to make sure I don't miss too many days from my challenge.

[Ampersnd]

Stage 2, Day 11,

I've missed a few days towards my book goal. It's okay, because I was at a cottage with friends for a bachelor party weekend; did a bit of fishing, some drinking, hit the strip club.
Got my first ever lapdance; done by this sexy asian woman with big boobs. It was awesome.

I've gotten through a book in my booklist; it looks like I have about 10-12 books left, so it's encouraging. I'll get to finish my list before two major weekends.

Oh yeah, I've gotten a new job, and I'll be starting in 3 weeks. Having wild thoughts about home ownership; this 5 bedroom house that currently has two tenants.

[Ampersnd]

Stage 2, Day 18,

I've made it through 13 of the books from my booklist; one of those I'll need to finish reading (at page 77 of 235), and another one is not right for me. Honestly, one of those books was a short essay, but I didn't know that. I've got about 6 books left after this remaining book.

[Ampersnd]

Stage 2, Day 19,

I finished the 13th book, completed another book, and read through 60% of a third book. I've got 4 more books after this and my reading list is complete. It won't be much longer, and I'll be working away at draft #2 (the most tedious draft). However, the research passes (Drafts #3 and 4) won't be as complicated for this book, and will therefore be much shorter. Because the book is half the length as my other books, that makes each step much quicker, because of the interconnected nature of a book; fewer words, fewer interconnections from part to part.

[Ampersnd]

Stage 2, Day 22,

I've gotten 2 books left to read before starting to write Draft #2. I think that I'll be able to finish it my Friday ideally, or Saturday at the very latest.

[pcrepair951]

Keep it up reading your journal

[Ampersnd]

Stage 2, Day 25,

I've got only one book left to read before I consider my reading pass to be finished! That makes 20 books. This last book is about 600 pages, but I can probably skip over a lot.

Also, I closed a Captains of Crush #1 gripper; that's 140 lbs grip strength for one hand! I was getting caught at the Trainer (100 lbs) and the 0.5 (120 lbs).
Yesterday, I had a Jiu Jitsu roll with my blue belt instructor, who told me that I would probably kick ass in a tournament (I'm still at three stripes white belt).