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Thor's Thunder: Electrake's Epic Training Tales

You got a new keyboard? You work at your computer a lot it seems to you have a crazy set up?
I'm a software developer, I spend a lot of time at the computer. I ordered an adjustable standing desk to try to get my wrists in a better position, trying to maintain a neutral position is surprisingly difficult.
 
Ya I built my own desk last year for my home office space. I almost went with a standing desk option, might do that next time I make any updates to the room.
I wanted to build my own, but I get so damn tired of sitting lol. Granted I probably pace around my house more than I sit and actually code... My setup isn't too nuts, 2 monitors, speakers, camera, mic, and a light. But I generally buy gaming accessories since they usually last longer and perform better. Also I play a lot of video games... :ROFLMAO:
 
Ya I only work a couple hours a day from home on it. It’s more a gaming/entertainment set up.

I need to get a speaker set up, but that will prob depend on if I grab a third monitor or do like an actual TV as part of the set up when I plan to re-do/upgrade later this year.
That's exactly what I want to do too, but that'll involve putting together a new computer as well. I also plan on moving this year, so building out the home office some more where I'm at now seems frivolous.
 
We talking a mace to crack skulls? A mace to do shoulder Prehab/rehab routine? Both? lol
I don't see why both wouldn't be possible lol. Yeah the shoulder rehab type.

Ya I’m planning to turn my desk into an L, just deciding what goes on the new portion once I get there. Xbox is on a crappy tv the other side of the room so maybe moving both consoles to a tv or monitor if I go L is the plan.

New computer so the old one can just turn into a secondary system and probably just become a dedicated server for my media.

That’s all nearly a year away tho but I can’t stop thinking already. 😂
Lol, I've been eyeballing this house for sale for a while now that's starting to look like it might be reality, but I've been going through the listing looking for where I can setup a homelab with a NAS for the house, and where the best rooms would be for wireless access points 😅 pulling wire is the absolute worst though.
 
2/16/24

I got drunk and ordered a 15lb steel mace last night, apparently... Oh well, always wanted one.

Didn't make it to the gym today due to poor life choices last night, but I did get in 20min of tire flips, 12lb sledge swings, and sit-ups performed as a circuit.
Least you didn’t buy a Harley 😂

had a buddy do that at strugis long time ago 🤣
 
2/16/24

I got drunk and ordered a 15lb steel mace last night, apparently... Oh well, always wanted one.

Didn't make it to the gym today due to poor life choices last night, but I did get in 20min of tire flips, 12lb sledge swings, and sit-ups performed as a circuit.

This was clearly glossed over too fast.

We talking a mace to crack skulls? A mace to do shoulder Prehab/rehab routine? Both? lol

I'm thinking like the midevil style spiked ball on a stick!  
 
This was clearly glossed over too fast.



I'm thinking like the midevil style spiked ball on a stick!  
Dude. They have them on Amazon, my sober moment was showing my wife and being like "CAITLYN, I NEED THIS. It's not silly, it's a workout AND home defense. Nah **** my 45.70, nobody is going to **** with a naked viking with a mace!!!" and so I got the workout model.
 
Yesterday I got a soft job offer that's a 35% pay raise, and actual benefits, a fucking ridiculous yearly bonus, and actual mentorship and training. TODAY, my current job gave me a 30% raise unprompted. But I'm a 1099 employee and there's no progression, although I have ultimate freedom to do w/e I want.

Edit: Why is s h i t censored, but not an f bomb. Ex infantry, no censor here.
 
Yesterday I got a soft job offer that's a 35% pay raise, and actual benefits, a fucking ridiculous yearly bonus, and actual mentorship and training. TODAY, my current job gave me a 30% raise unprompted. But I'm a 1099 employee and there's no progression, although I have ultimate freedom to do w/e I want.

Edit: Why is s h i t censored, but not an f bomb. Ex infantry, no censor here.

Sounds like you need to weigh if you just want to be left alone to carry on as is, or if you want to explore the new opportunity ahead (and the change in path that will likely yield).

Generally, when you are gaining benefits/compensation, it is ideal to choose growth - if that will not create an obviously worse quality of life.
 
Sounds like you need to weigh if you just want to be left alone to carry on as is, or if you want to explore the new opportunity ahead (and the change in path that will likely yield).

Generally, when you are gaining benefits/compensation, it is ideal to choose growth - if that will not create an obviously worse quality of life.
The new job is the better opportunity even if it is hybrid. It's just hard giving up the ultimate freedom of working whenever and wherever I want.
 
The new job is the better opportunity even if it is hybrid. It's just hard giving up the ultimate freedom of working whenever and wherever I want.

I have thought about that - what it would be like to have to go back into an office again (I’m in network operations & my team is entirely remote). Wear real clothes, shave, drive somewhere on time, have to pack a ton of food again. I think if it was a hybrid opportunity, not more than 3 days in office, it could be refreshing in some ways. Interacting with people live does have some benefits, from both a personal & career perspective.
 
I have thought about that - what it would be like to have to go back into an office again (I’m in network operations & my team is entirely remote). Wear real clothes, shave, drive somewhere on time, have to pack a ton of food again. I think if it was a hybrid opportunity, not more than 3 days in office, it could be refreshing in some ways. Interacting with people live does have some benefits, from both a personal & career perspective.
Kinda where I'm at, there's no interaction in my current role. The new gig would only be 1-3 days in shop, and very occasional travel.
 
Kinda where I'm at, there's no interaction in my current role. The new gig would only be 1-3 days in shop, and very occasional travel.

That’s pretty sweet, 1-3 days. Whenever work travel is just an occasional thing rarely, I see those trips as a positive. Like a quick little adventure to mix things up over the year.
 
That’s pretty sweet, 1-3 days. Whenever work travel is just an occasional thing rarely, I see those trips as a positive. Like a quick little adventure to mix things up over the year.
Yeah that's how I'm seeing it, I hate being stagnant. The job title is "Technical Architect," basically implementing Dynamics 365 as a CRM and/or ERP and other TLAs, but doing all the programming crap, creating and managing APIs and linking databases, etc.
 
Yeah that's how I'm seeing it, I hate being stagnant. The job title is "Technical Architect," basically implementing Dynamics 365 as a CRM and/or ERP and other TLAs, but doing all the programming crap, creating and managing APIs and linking databases, etc.

Man wish you were at my company; our ERP team is weak sauce. Unless you also aren’t very good, but then we wouldn’t be any worse off I suppose
 
Man wish you were at my company; our ERP team is weak sauce. Unless you also aren’t very good, but then we wouldn’t be any worse off I suppose
It's all new to me, so I'm going to say I suck :ROFLMAO: My current gig is full stack development of an employee web portal, it's about the driest work I've done in my life.
 
Yeah that's how I'm seeing it, I hate being stagnant. The job title is "Technical Architect," basically implementing Dynamics 365 as a CRM and/or ERP and other TLAs, but doing all the programming crap, creating and managing APIs and linking databases, etc.
Are company swicthed to d365, all that did for me was make doing my time and expense reports a pain. Not a fan of the platform we use it’s sucks and isn’t user friendly.
 
Are company swicthed to d365, all that did for me was make doing my time and expense reports a pain. Not a fan of the platform we use it’s sucks and isn’t user friendly.
I haven't touched it outside of learning platforms on Microsoft's page, my take on it was that it would be a pain in the ass unless it were configured perfectly and everyone had appropriate training. My position will be working with Business Central which is meant for small-mid size business I believe.
 
Yesterday I got a soft job offer that's a 35% pay raise, and actual benefits, a fucking ridiculous yearly bonus, and actual mentorship and training. TODAY, my current job gave me a 30% raise unprompted. But I'm a 1099 employee and there's no progression, although I have ultimate freedom to do w/e I want.

Edit: Why is s h i t censored, but not an f bomb. Ex infantry, no censor here.
Coming from a previous 1099’r myself for a lot of years over to the big league world. I needed the benefits they offered, the medical, PTO and very graciously, clothing allowances almost a grand a year, wellness reimbursement, standard 401k nothing special but we are a ESOP company I don’t plan on leaving and this can add up in the long run.

Now I will say if it wasn’t for needing a good health insurance/dental/vision and the ESOP I probably would have not jumped. I had more freedom before work wise. Also not crazy about some of the DEI that gets pushed in the bigger corporate world.

So I feel for your decisions, definitely need to make a pros and cons list and look it over for a good spell before making a decision.
 
Coming from a previous 1099’r myself for a lot of years over to the big league world. I needed the benefits they offered, the medical, PTO and very graciously, clothing allowances almost a grand a year, wellness reimbursement, standard 401k nothing special but we are a ESOP company I don’t plan on leaving and this can add up in the long run.

Now I will say if it wasn’t for needing a good health insurance/dental/vision and the ESOP I probably would have not jumped. I had more freedom before work wise. Also not crazy about some of the DEI that gets pushed in the bigger corporate world.

So I feel for your decisions, definitely need to make a pros and cons list and look it over for a good spell before making a decision.

My thought is, you can always move back to the more free-lance style work if you are feeling suffocated, but getting new titles and opportunities to diversify skill set can make you more valuable long run. I mean at some point you need to specialize to a degree to reach the highest echelons, but in the first decade or so of a career it’s probably better to not be pigeon-holed in tech.

Plus if he leaves on good terms, his current company might even want him back later if he wants to.
 
Coming from a previous 1099’r myself for a lot of years over to the big league world. I needed the benefits they offered, the medical, PTO and very graciously, clothing allowances almost a grand a year, wellness reimbursement, standard 401k nothing special but we are a ESOP company I don’t plan on leaving and this can add up in the long run.

Now I will say if it wasn’t for needing a good health insurance/dental/vision and the ESOP I probably would have not jumped. I had more freedom before work wise. Also not crazy about some of the DEI that gets pushed in the bigger corporate world.

So I feel for your decisions, definitely need to make a pros and cons list and look it over for a good spell before making a decision.
My thought is, you can always move back to the more free-lance style work if you are feeling suffocated, but getting new titles and opportunities to diversify skill set can make you more valuable long run. I mean at some point you need to specialize to a degree to reach the highest echelons, but in the first decade or so of a career it’s probably better to not be pigeon-holed in tech.

Plus if he leaves on good terms, his current company might even want him back later if he wants to.

Thankfully (kind of) I don't need medical insurance due to VA coverage from disabilities from the Army, however I have literally no other benefits from my current role besides absolute freedom lol. The pay is also on the lower end, I was hired with literally no experience in programming. The new gig would only be 1-2 days/wk in shop, the rest at home plugging away like I do now, except times where the product is finished and being "delivered." But this jump would give me a clear advancement path with a larger scope of work in a similar capacity that I'm at now. Feels like joining the rat race, but either I'll give this startup a chance and they blow up successfully and I'm a part of that, or I move along.
 
This week's going to screw with my schedule quite a bit, today I finally need to get my truck to a body shop for an investment from the accident a month ago, in the middle of the work day, so I basically just woke up and hopped on some work. Friday I'm flying out to Tampa early af, so that's another day gone with Saturday not available for make up. So I guess I'll get in what I can Tues-Thurs and jump back into my programming next Tuesday (flying back red eye Sunday).
 
TODAY, my current job gave me a 30% raise unprompted.

unprompted you say.... I'd be wondering how they knew about your other job offer lol 😅
Congrats either way man it certainly sounds like your 2024 is bound to be great either way!!!

That’s pretty sweet, 1-3 days. Whenever work travel is just an occasional thing rarely, I see those trips as a positive. Like a quick little adventure to mix things up over the year.

I agree, I love business travel. although I'm going to be putting that to the test in 2024. My job is evolving in a way that is going to give me a LOT more emphasis on travel and being a "talking head" rather than a soldier in the trenches. That comes with amazing freedom from the office but the fatigue of spending a lot more time in the airports. fingers crossed because on paper for a guy like me who likes to travel is should be awesome.
 
2/20/24

Just going with what sounds fun this week since my cycle is shot until next week.

Band pullaparts, plate shoulder rotations, band OH tri's, bicep stretch, wrist routine.

OHP strict
5@90
5@115
5@135
3@165
3@185

Pushpress
2@205
2@210
1@215
1@225 (yolo rep)

Log cleans
5x5@225

Single arm dumbell OHP
3x10 @55lb

Cable row
3x10@225lb

superset
EZbar curl
5x10 @90lb
Single arm, reverse grip, tricep pushdown
5x10 @30lb

hugeset or w/e
Cable Crunch 3x30 @75lb
Ab roller 3x10
Pull up 3x7

Time-who knows
weight - 221lb

Felt meh. I get anxiety about traveling and ready to start next week already 😂
 
You’re gonna be happy with them. Instant connection to the floor. The whole wearing moccasins thing takes some getting used to, but function > form.
 
You’re gonna be happy with them. Instant connection to the floor. The whole wearing moccasins thing takes some getting used to, but function > form.
Agreed on the latter, I'm going to have to buy the slipons too, these things rock. Probably throw some speed laces on them though, these chonky laces are a bit ridiculous.
 
Sleek little pocket knife I spy in the background!
It's my favorite, originally picked it up as a "upper end throw away" ($50) when I was brewing. It has a really nice corrosion resistant Swedish steel that holds a mean edge, bearing swivel, and a tight clip. Brand is Ruike, one of those rare quality Chinese products.
 
It's my favorite, originally picked it up as a "upper end throw away" ($50) when I was brewing. It has a really nice corrosion resistant Swedish steel that holds a mean edge, bearing swivel, and a tight clip. Brand is Ruike, one of those rare quality Chinese products.
Nice find! I was trying to see what it was but couldn’t make it out. I have a decent rotation of older bench mades. Been wanting a new one just because they look so nice but man the prices have shot way up on them. The older ones I got super easy to sharpen, you can shave with them. Pretty sturdy my oldest griptillian is man 12 years old now somewhere in there.
 
Nice find! I was trying to see what it was but couldn’t make it out. I have a decent rotation of older bench mades. Been wanting a new one just because they look so nice but man the prices have shot way up on them. The older ones I got super easy to sharpen, you can shave with them. Pretty sturdy my oldest griptillian is man 12 years old now somewhere in there.
I love Benchmade for sure, very high quality. Where I'm at in the Appalachians is tourist area, there are knife makers all over the place making incredible fixed blades... but they all cost $500 plus, and some one out there is buying these things and many of them! Must be nice.
 
2/21/24

Step-ups, front and rear lunges, calf stretches, seated calf raises, groin stretches of various nature

Squats
5x135
5x185
5x225
5x275
5x315
3x345
3x365 (Added squat shoes and belt)
1x385
1x405 (Might be an all time PR for me)

Leverage/Hack Squat Plate loaded machine thingymabob
5x5 @455lb ass out. Feel the burn.

Leg Press Calf Press
5x10 @855lb

Barbell Good Mornings
3x5 @225lb

GHR
3x10 w/ 25lb plate (tempo)

New Ursus shoes feel great, definitely felt a new sort of "tiredness" in my feet from diving into heavier squats with them.
 
You’re the only guy I’ve ever heard say they weren’t sure whether they had ever squat 405 or not before.
 
Either way, the 1 rep felt great. I'm a year into 531 and haven't tried for a 1rm in a long time. I think I could push for 415+ if my session were devoted to that.
 
2/22/24

No workout today, my gym's "big guy" had a heart attack shortly after my warm up, I called EMS and stayed with him until they arrived 15min later, felt like hours. He should be fine, still scary stuff though. Decided that was enough excitement and went home. Heading out tonight to FL for the weekend, I always find myself inadvertently dehydrating myself and not eating during travel days, stress sucks.

weight - 214lb (wtf?!)
 
I called my wife during it (paramedic) to make sure there wasn't anything more I could have done, other than Afib he was alert and oriented and knew what was happening. The dude is a freaking monster, i told him he better be in tomorrow.

I do know he's a huge proponent for GH, I wonder if he suffers an enlarged heart or anything from it.
 
I called my wife during it (paramedic) to make sure there wasn't anything more I could have done, other than Afib he was alert and oriented and knew what was happening. The dude is a freaking monster, i told him he better be in tomorrow.

I do know he's a huge proponent for GH, I wonder if he suffers an enlarged heart or anything from it.

Strength training enlarges the heart significantly, so does gear. GH isn’t particularly bad for heart growth compared to androgen use. But it certainly can promote water retention and elevated bp if not controlled, which can have longterm and acute cardiac implications.

You lift big, eat big, and especially get big - it’s a real possibility. Especially in the context of genetics for it, and choices with gear over years relative to that. So maybe he was “reckless” with gear, or maybe not so much but had the wrong parents combined with getting huge. You don’t see many 300lb 70-year-olds.

Hope he’s alright! Good on you for looking out best you could.
 
Strength training enlarges the heart significantly, so does gear. GH isn’t particularly bad for heart growth compared to androgen use. But it certainly can promote water retention and elevated bp if not controlled, which can have longterm and acute cardiac implications.

You lift big, eat big, and especially get big - it’s a real possibility. Especially in the context of genetics for it, and choices with gear over years relative to that. So maybe he was “reckless” with gear, or maybe not so much but had the wrong parents combined with getting huge. You don’t see many 300lb 70-year-olds.

Hope he’s alright! Good on you for looking out best you could.
Yeah he's a monster, somewhere in his upper 50s. He was repping 455 bench and was able to rack it during this lol. I've also seen this guy do OHP at 315 behind the neck for 5. The thought alone makes my shoulder pop out of socket.
 
Yeah he's a monster, somewhere in his upper 50s. He was repping 455 bench and was able to rack it during this lol. I've also seen this guy do OHP at 315 behind the neck for 5. The thought alone makes my shoulder pop out of socket.

That is indeed very old to maintain that kind of absolute size and power; I’m not surprised at all now that you say that. The bodyweight seems to be even worse than the gear use, as far as tolerability with age.
 
That is indeed very old to maintain that kind of absolute size and power; I’m not surprised at all now that you say that. The bodyweight seems to be even worse than the gear use, as far as tolerability with age.
Agreed. Super small town stuff, he's also the local Lowes hardware flatbed driver, so no one gets their **** until next week now lol.
 
Back from vacation! I ate and drank so much, 225lb this morning from a usual ~218 :ROFLMAO: super bloated and backed up though. Had to make a 2.5 hour drive home alone from the airport at 10pm last night, back up the curvy mountain roads, utterly drained and exhausted from the travels. It was marvelous.

Back on the wagon today, and training tomorrow morning. Hydrate, eat well, and hopefully, take a massive poop. Also a nap.
 
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