Tuesday, December 31, 2013

365 day Challenge - day 365...The End.

365 day challenge - day 365

Well, I've reached the end of this "challenge". And the first thing I must say...this was much harder than I expected. I found it to be similar to working out or exercising consistently. If you keep on it and get in a routine, it's not that bad...but once you break that habit, it becomes a struggle to do on a daily basis (at least until you get back into the routine).

In the end, I was successful a little over 90% of the time in this challenge. Taking a "selfie" on 331 of the 365 days in 2013. I do find it interesting that I decided to take on this challenge during (what became) the worst year of my life to date - at least from a mental, psychological and financial aspect.

Now, I will say there were some great parts of 2013.
- spending a year with family and friends after being (mostly) away from them for 17+ years.
- getting a new addition to the family in my nephew, Jennings.
- presenting to two angel investor boards...and even though they weren't successful (yet), the experience of preparing for and presenting a business idea/plan to an Angel or VC board has been a goal of mine for awhile.

But for the most part, this year was a tremendous struggle mentally, psychologically and financially.  That's not to say I didn't learn a lot in this struggle. Things like:

- I am not what happened to me. I am what I chose to become.

- New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings...

- No matter how you feel. Get up, dress up, show up, and never give up.

- Nobody is perfect...I'm nobody.

- If you live through defeat, you're not defeated. If you are beaten but acquire wisdom, you have won.

- What defines us is how well we rise after falling.

"Don't ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance and my kindness for weakness."

and maybe most important. "I am who I am...and it is what it is"


Following is my photo for the day, day 365...and some of my favorite photos of 2013:


Day 119 (with Woz)


132 (riding in the Black Hills)


Day 154 - My 7 Deadly Sins week...gluttony.


Day 158 - Envy...


Day 192 - with mom on a hike to Buzzards Roost


Day 220 - visiting my alma mater @USD


Day 222 - At the 73rd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally


Day 227 - knocked out part of my front tooth while out on a trail run with Bridger


Day 280 - Cleaning up after the October 4th "Blizza-cane"


Day 304 - Halloween...and the 2013 end of Walter White


Day 314 - Met my new nephew, Jennings for the first time


Day 331 - one of my 331 self-portraits with the first reported "selfie" (which became, ironically enough, the Merriam-Webster 2013 Word of the Year).


365 day challenge - day 364

365 day challenge - day 364

...getting "jumped" at the office.


365 day challenge - day 363

365 day challenge - day 363

Disappointing day today - (1) My Steelers missed the playoffs {on several plays that should have gone the other way in the KC vs. Chargers game} (2) I was within striking distance of beating my brother, and taking over 1st place in fantasy football...had a terrible showing instead (3) Went to see "Anchorman 2" with my brother and Kirk - some funny parts, but the last 20-30 minutes was a confusing mess...they just tried too damn hard on this one.


365 day challenge - day 362

365 day challenge - day 362

survived the holidays...I think {sitting at Minerva's with a Bloody Mary and my (self-purchased) Christmas gifts - shirt and sweater}


365 day challenge - day 361

365 day challenge - day 361


365 day challenge - day 360

365 day challenge - day 360

Spent the day with family up at my brother's new cabin near Terry Peak...beautiful day!


365 day challenge - day 359 (Christmas)

365 day challenge - day 359

Merry Christmas - family, food, drinks, gifts.


365 day challenge - day 358

365 day challenge - day 358

What it's all about. "MY UNCLE is the BEST!"


365 day challenge - day 357

365 day challenge - day 357

...presents wrapped and ready!


365 day challenge - day 356

365 day challenge - day 356

I really miss visiting NYC.


365 day challenge - day 354

365 day challenge - day 354

Afternoon walk with Bridger.


365 day challenge - day 353

365 day challenge - day 353

50+ and sunny yesterday, 7 and ice/snow today...I see a trend forming.


365 day challenge - day 352

365 day challenge - day 352

One of the things I love about being in the Black Hills, getting a 50+ degree day in late December (vs. the October 4th blizzard on day 277).


365 day challenge - day 351

365 day challenge - day 351

A haircut (much needed), then tea at Dunn Bros. - relaxing day.


365 day challenge - day 349

365 day challenge - day 349

George-Pierre Seurat...


365 day challenge - day 348

365 day challenge - day 348

My office door art. #santa #warmtidings


365 day challenge - day 347

365 day challenge - day 347

Reminder.

"Do not mistake my kindness for weakness. I am kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me."

"Don't ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance and my kindness for weakness."


365 day challenge - day 346

365 day challenge - day 346


365 day challenge - day 345

365 day challenge - day 345

Christmas cookie #20...or so.


365 day challenge - day 344

365 day challenge - day 344

...long, long day.


365 day challenge - day 343

365 day challenge - day 343

The older I get, the more I believe in Ron Swanson's philosophy on life (and his pyramid of greatness). Hopeful...




365 day challenge - day 342

365 day challenge - day 342

reality.


365 day challenge - day 341

365 day challenge - day 341


365 day challenge - day 340

365 day challenge - day 340

...lean and (sometimes) mean.


365 day challenge - day 339

365 day challenge - day 339

...spent.


365 day challenge - day 337

365 day challenge - day 337

How to finish (another) 15+ hour workday? ...Andrew Bird's 'Armchair Apocrypha'...and then a few episodes of "Archer".


365 day challenge - day 336

365 day challenge - day 336


365 day challenge - day 335

365 day challenge - day 335

Trouble...trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble...trouble been doggin' my soul since the day I was born - Ray Lamontagne.


365 day challenge - day 334

365 day challenge - day 334

...a day at the office.


365 day challenge - day 333 (Black Friday)

365 day challenge - day 333

This is the face of someone who just worked 10 hours (2am - noon) on Black Friday - I have no words.


365 day challenge - day 332 (Thanksgiving)

365 day challenge - day 332

the 4 stages of Thanksgiving (1) Travel (2) Drink (3) Eat and Drink (4) Nap...


365 day challenge - day 331

365 day challenge - day 331

my photo, taken November 27, 2013 vs. the first reported "selfie" - 1839.


365 day challenge - day 330

365 day challenge - day 330

I was able to be a "special guest" at my niece and nephew's school today. LOVE these two.


what great victories?

judge me?


365 day challenge - day 328

365 day challenge - day 328


365 day challenge - day 327

365 day challenge - day 327

...headed to work an overnight tonight (everything is temporary).


365 day challenge - day 326

365 day challenge - day 326

bar tended for the Festival of Trees tonight (worked for 15+ hours today)...