Monday

Attacking Midfielder: Boar

Taken from the Bam! box website.

A New Subscription Box

The last time I tested my three rep max for the overhead squat was five months ago in February. Since then, I worked on a lot of shoulder strength. From handstand push ups to strict press, the programming focused on the shoulders and it showed. I was able to add 20 lb to my overhead squat three rep max bringing my new three rep max to 175 lb. I didn't have much time but I could have added another five to ten lb to that number. I missed my attempt at 195 lb, I was either too fatigued from the previous lifts or it was too heavy. I want to work on more accessory lifts, especially the overhead squat.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I received my copy of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline in the February Loot Crate. I didn't know much about the book or the author. I read the sales copy but I wasn't excited to read it. I read an article about Steven Spielberg being tapped to direct a movie adaptation, so I decided to give it a read.

Ready Player One is a science fiction novel written by Ernest Cline, set in the year 2044. The world is overpopulated, going through an energy crisis and dealing with wide spread poverty. The population escapes this reality by going into a virtual one called "OASIS" (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation). The OASIS is a hyper realistic open world game where people can go on quests, work, and even attend school. At the beginning of the book one of the creators of OASIS,billionaire James Halliday, dies and leaves his estate to the first person to find the virtual easter egg he has hidden somewhere in OASIS. In his announcement video, Halliday uses many 80's pop culture references which people interpret as clues. This leads to a resurgence in everything 80's, from video games to music and movies.

 The narrator of the book is Wade Watts, a high school student and full time egg hunter (gunter). He dreams of finding Halliday's egg and escaping his life of poverty. He is well versed in 80's movies, music and video games. He meets a few people along the way, his best friend "Aech" and "Art3mis". They usually discuss 80's trivia trying to outdo each other with a "who knows more" contest. The main antagonist of this story is Nolan Sorrento the head of the Oology Department at Innovative Online Industries (IOI). IOI is the typical greedy corporation. They want to destroy the open and free version of the OASIS and turn it into a "pay to play" world. Wade and his friends must find the egg before IOI or else the OASIS as they know it will cease to exist.

Ready Player One is one of my favorite books. It's a great story about gamers and how gamers can change the world. I loved the pop culture references in this book. It brings back memories of my childhood especially the gaming references. Cline does an excellent job building the world especially OASIS. However, the book primarily appeals to people who enjoy copious amounts of pop culture references. The writing is okay at best with the exposition spanning more than a few chapters. The book also feels like a young adult novel but the target demographic would be 80's and 90's kids. Even with the books shortcomings, I would still recommend this book to friends. I might re-read the book before the movie comes out. This is a book any nerd will enjoy.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

I managed to get some painting done over the weekend. Added some metallics and some highlights to the black robe. Will add more highlights to armor and metals. Did some highlights and washes on the base as well. Need to do some final dry brushing and clean up the boots. I'm trying out new techniques on this model and hopefully it comes out better than my last model that I painted.


Lift Heavy and Level Up!

If you want to sign up use this link, also use the promo code SAVE3 for $3 off any subscription. I also get credit towards more Loot Crates if you use the link. If you have any questions, leave a comment at the bottom.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

What is Loot Crate?

This week is our "max out" week for CrossFit Gof Metgot. So far we had a max day for bench press, deadlifts, hand stand push ups and strict pull ups.

PRs from Monday and Tuesday:

• Handstand Push Ups - 13, +5 reps 
• Bench Press - 240 lb, +15 lb 
• Strict Pull Ups - 10, +4 reps 
• Fran - 7:07, -4:53 from previous time

I know it's not Monday, but I wanted put up some WIP of the new model I'm painting. I started painting my journeyman warcaster Tristan Durant. So far, most of the base coating has been done and I put some base coats for the metals. In keeping with my theme I decided to paint him primarily black with the other cloth pieces maroon and cream. I'm not that great with black but I need the practice. Hopefully this model comes turns out well. Should be posting more shots over the next few weeks. Let me know what you guys think, comment on the bottom.


Lift Heavy and Level Up!

My snatches need a lot of work. Last Friday I tried to hit a PR on my snatch. I attempted to lift 160 lb. which is 5 lb. over my current max. I failed all three attempts, but I almost made my last lift. I think with some more strength training and more practice I'll be able ready. I need to work on some drills for speed  under the bar. I'll talk to my coach and see if I can get some snatch balance work in. In other news I dropped 10 lb. and I'm finally down to 200 lb. Still have 30 - 40 lb. to go.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

Bastion Seneschal WIP

Assembled the missing pieces from the bastion model and did some highlighting. During assembly I got some super glue on the model. I will have to touch up the paint which is going to be a pain. I will need to add more shades and clean up the highlights. This was a fun model to paint and build but it still needs some work. After I finish the touch ups I will be working on Tristan.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

Sorry about the delay with last month's crate unboxing. Loot Crate didn't ship my box until after June 1, and I had to email them to make sure they sent one. The customer service department was fast to respond and a crate was shipped out the next day. I hope it's an isolated case and this month's crate is shipped out on time.

What is Loot Crate?

Whats in the Box?

This months box can be made into the locker room from Team Fortress. Even though I haven't played Team Fortress, I like this box. The details are great and part of the box has a cut out for a bench that goes in the middle of the floor.


If you grew up in the 90's you probably watched the original Power Rangers show. My friends and I would play Power Rangers and I would always pick green. The addition of a new ranger was a big deal to 8 year old me. The whole sword flute thing was cool and he had the best "animal" zord, a dragon!


I figured their would be some Avengers items since the movie was released in May. The ice cube tray is cool, and Loot Crate is having a Marvel themed cocktail contest. The shoe laces are cool, might switch out the laces on my Nike MetCon 1. The Avengers decal is alright. I don't think I will put it on my car however.


Some exclusives were the Bravest Warriors comic and a special MAD issue. I'm not a big fan of the Bravest Warriors but I'll read the comic. I used to read MAD magazine when I was younger, and I was a fan of the TV show. The collectors buttons are interesting, need to read up on what they mean. The Rick and Morty puzzle is interesting as well. I will probably let my younger siblings put this together. It's summer so they will probably need something to do.

Final Thoughts

If you want to sign up use this link, also use the promo code SAVE3 for $3 off any subscription. I also get credit towards more Loot Crates if you use the link. If you have any questions, leave a comment at the bottom.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

Managed to get some work done on the Bastion Seneschal. Painted some base coats on the pauldrons and leg plates. Did some clean up work with metallics as well. Need to finish up base coats on these pieces before I can move on to highlighting.


Lift Heavy and Level Up!

I finally hit a PR on my clean and jerk. My previous PR was 205 lb. and today I lifted 215 lb. I learned that your mental state plays a big role in heavy lifts. I made two attempts at 205 and missed one of them. The difference between the two lifts were my mental state. I wasn't 100% during my missed lift; I wasn't focused. After reevaluating and some notes from my coaches I made the lift. I felt really good after and decided to try and PR.

Thankfully, it only took one attempt. My coaches were trying to get me to attempt 225 lb but I decided against it. I only had a few minutes left and I didn't want to rush it. The next time a max clean and jerk comes up, I'll definitely attempt 225 lb. I wanted to post a video but it didn't come out well, next time.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

After being introduced to Ultimate Frisbee a few years ago I look forward to the annual Hat tournament. A hat tournament is a random team event. Players are placed on teams based on ability which makes all the teams balanced (on paper). The event lasts the whole weekend with a round robin tournament on Saturday and a beach tournament on Sunday. Each day has a different format and different teams. Guam Ultimate For All (GUFA) also has events during the weekend. They have a costume party on Saturday night which is related to the tournament theme. A meet and greet is also held on Friday; you can pick up your jersey and meet your team mates.

The WODcast Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by three guys who are knowledgeable in CrossFit. Armen Hammer is the one of the owners and coach of CrossFit 818, Eddie Ifft is stand up comedian and Scott McGee is a LAPD Officer. Each week they have different guests from the fitness world. CrossFit affiliate owners, CrossFit games athletes, nutritional experts and strongman athletes are some of the guests you will hear from each week.

The WODcast Podcast is one of the shows I look forward to every week. Each episode is packed with entertainment, laughs and knowledge. The episodes feel like conversations between gym members and not a lecture. The hosts do not take CrossFit or themselves too seriously which makes for a more relaxed atmosphere. The show segments are varied and depend on that weeks guest. Their is also listener participation in the form of "The Question of the Week (QDub)" and "The Lightning Round". These segments relate to the weekly guest with the lightning round questions coming from listeners. If you would like to participate in these questions, like and comment on their Facebook page and Instagram. They usually post the questions right before the show every week.

If you're looking for a great CrossFit podcast, check out the WODcast Podcast.

Lift Heavy and Level Up!

 Lift Heavy and Level Up!