12-27-2020, 10:43 AM
Stage 5, Day 16
For as long as I can remember, I've experienced post-Christmas depression. I think it has to do with the excitement I experience during the buildup to Christmas day, then the sharp drop off afterward. I've felt hints of the post-Christmas blues, but it hasn't been as severe as it was last year and last year wasn't as severe (was running LTU5) as previous years. From the very start of LTU6, I was curious how it was going to help me this year and so far it seems to be doing a pretty good job.
Over the past few days, I've been pondering what I want to so sub-wise after I've completed all of my LTU6 stages. OFv2 is tempting. I've purchased and downloaded it. I'm seeing reports that are raising my interest above where it already was and it will be very tempting for me to switch. But I also have to consider that LTU6 is a "long game sub". Even before Shannon decided to build/release it, my plan was to run all stages three times. Based on what I'm experiencing with it, I think that's probably still the best path forward . Why? Well, Run#1 has been a little bit like a tug boat trying to change the direction of a runway Titanic traveling the wrong direction at full speed. A lot of time and energy has been spent killing the Titanic's engines, bringing it to a stop, then reversing course. In my mind, Run#2 would most likely be about slowly but surely bringing the ship up to speed while moving the right direction. Then Run#3 would be full speed ahead, momentum on my side, we're on the home stretch, let's get this done. I haven't made my decision yet, but this is where my mind currently is.
Part of what I wrote above is based on some observations I've made recently. As I looked on the mirror on Christmas Day, I noticed that I had a softer look in my eyes. My overall demeanor was more calm and less anxious than usual. I laughed at little things. My smile was genuine. My anticipation of my upcoming post-Christmas blues was almost nonexistent. What I'm getting at is that LTU6 is making broad sweeping changes that I'm not always giving it credit for. The issue is that they're sometimes too subtle to recognize. But, they are, in fact, occurring. I believe that looking back after a third run, I'll be amazed at the change that has occurred even from where I am now. This is why I say that LTU6 is a "long game sub". It still has work to do, but I believe it can do it with enough time. I also believe it can make changes in ways and in areas that I've never thought of.
Do I have the patience and the maturity to see it through?...that's the $1,000,000 question.
For as long as I can remember, I've experienced post-Christmas depression. I think it has to do with the excitement I experience during the buildup to Christmas day, then the sharp drop off afterward. I've felt hints of the post-Christmas blues, but it hasn't been as severe as it was last year and last year wasn't as severe (was running LTU5) as previous years. From the very start of LTU6, I was curious how it was going to help me this year and so far it seems to be doing a pretty good job.
Over the past few days, I've been pondering what I want to so sub-wise after I've completed all of my LTU6 stages. OFv2 is tempting. I've purchased and downloaded it. I'm seeing reports that are raising my interest above where it already was and it will be very tempting for me to switch. But I also have to consider that LTU6 is a "long game sub". Even before Shannon decided to build/release it, my plan was to run all stages three times. Based on what I'm experiencing with it, I think that's probably still the best path forward . Why? Well, Run#1 has been a little bit like a tug boat trying to change the direction of a runway Titanic traveling the wrong direction at full speed. A lot of time and energy has been spent killing the Titanic's engines, bringing it to a stop, then reversing course. In my mind, Run#2 would most likely be about slowly but surely bringing the ship up to speed while moving the right direction. Then Run#3 would be full speed ahead, momentum on my side, we're on the home stretch, let's get this done. I haven't made my decision yet, but this is where my mind currently is.
Part of what I wrote above is based on some observations I've made recently. As I looked on the mirror on Christmas Day, I noticed that I had a softer look in my eyes. My overall demeanor was more calm and less anxious than usual. I laughed at little things. My smile was genuine. My anticipation of my upcoming post-Christmas blues was almost nonexistent. What I'm getting at is that LTU6 is making broad sweeping changes that I'm not always giving it credit for. The issue is that they're sometimes too subtle to recognize. But, they are, in fact, occurring. I believe that looking back after a third run, I'll be amazed at the change that has occurred even from where I am now. This is why I say that LTU6 is a "long game sub". It still has work to do, but I believe it can do it with enough time. I also believe it can make changes in ways and in areas that I've never thought of.
Do I have the patience and the maturity to see it through?...that's the $1,000,000 question.
