Day 28 – Push-Ups for St. Jude

It was especially nice outside so I decided to do my daily 50 pushups on the deck behind our house. It was windy and I got a lot of pops and clicks on my microphone. I had the foam wind guard on my mic so I am wondering if it was the wind that caused that. I have never had that issue before.

My goal is to do 50 pushups every day for August 2023. My stretch goal is to do 50 quality pushups in a single set. Today I did two higher-quality sets of 25 pushups, for only 50 quality pushups in total! I think this is the best approach overall to do an actual set of 50 by the end of August.

In this video, I brought my small digital kitchen timer to help time the breathwork. I have been using my laptops for timers but that is cumbersome and a few times I have left the computer in random spots in the house and then not known where it was. I recall my time at Wat Chom Thong, in Thailand’s Chiang Mai province where I did a 10-day Vippisana Meditation retreat. We used timers like these at that meditation center. More information about that center here: https://northernvipassana.org/en/

After the breathwork, I place my hands together and raise them to my forehead, and as I do that the church across the pasture rang its bell for 2 PM. I was not anticipating that but for some reason it tickled me. I went on a tangent about how small moments of coincidence or magic like that should be allowed to make us happy. All things are connected in ways we can not understand. I go on to claim that the world is a single organism and we are like the microbes living in that organism. I then made a statement that there are more bacteria in the human body than human cells, but I edited that part out because I looked it up and technically it is not true. If you take into account the red blood cells, the human body is 50% bacteria and 50% human cells. If you think about that, that’s still incredible. The mass of the bacteria is smaller than human cells, so the mass is not 50/50 but the number of human cells to bacteria is estimated to be about half half.

Scientists bust the myth that our bodies have more bacteria than human cells

https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2016.19136

I’m Doing more than 1,550 Pushups for St. Jude – Please donate to my fundraiser!

https://www.facebook.com/donate/1690575421423292/?fundraiser_source=external_url

Music by RoyaltyFreeMusic Nver Avetyan from Pixabay Technology Dubstep

Music by John_Kensy_Music from Pixabay Mindfulness Relaxation & Meditation Music

Music by To Hot to Play, Lobo Loco, Free Music Archive (CC)

Music by Khruangbin Live at Boulder Theater on 2019-05-08
https://archive.org/details/Khruangbin20190508017/Khruangbin2019-05-08-008.flac

How to Generate Solutions Easily

Yesterday I mentioned in my blog that as I am creating videos to post on my Vlog of my doing my 50 pushups a day for St. Jude, my camera on my phone keeps crashing or shutting down. Sometimes this happens when an alarm goes off, but other times I’m not sure if it crashed or if I failed to hit record.

Last night I went to bed asking myself, “How can I solve this issue without buying a stand-alone camera or a new phone that I only use for making these videos?” … I really like how my phone connects with iCloud and then later the videos are just on my computer or easily available for download on the cloud web page. (That reminds me I need to delete all that raw video that I have processed and posted on YouTube.com)

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind

I have spoken about this book before and I will speak about it again.

The_Power_of_Your_Subconscious_Mind by Joseph Murphy

The method of this book is asking yourself a question a few times before you go to bed. Then, have a good long night’s sleep, (or not, I mean that is not as good but you do you.) […On the side, hey you should really prioritize your sleep. No, seriously, sleep cures stress and stress kills you.] While you sleep your subconscious mind works through the details and provides you with the best possible solution or solutions based on what you know and remember. Really you are tapping deep into your subconscious, so you really are using the power of things you don’t know that you know. The book gets even deeper still and basically labels this as an unlimited resource not dissimilar from getting messages from “The God”. Honestly, if you adhere to the research and proof of the Collective-Subconscious then this really isn’t that far-fetched.

Ask yourself a question a few times before you go to bed. Ask your subconscious to solve the problem. You will have solutions when you wake up.

The_Power_of_Your_Subconscious_Mind by Joseph Murphy

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68984.The_Power_of_Your_Subconscious_Mind

https://soundcloud.com/kexp/under-the-needle-episode-154-khruangbin?si=2f971492e69c4cc08c3ede6e4efb0fd3&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

The Solution Provided

So, when I woke up I was staggering around my bathroom in the dark. I hadn’t had any coffee yet and I was going to brew a cup. Then I realized I had an idea. When I record I could simply put the phone in airplane mode. That would disable all the phone calls, text messages, and alerts. I am not completely convinced it will disable the alarms set, (which really do cause the biggest problem), but there is only one way to try it out and that is to test it. Today was Saturday so Science failed for today… HA! but Monday isn’t that far away.

Also, I could not do my fucking pushups when it is time to take my son to school … …so there is that. [Com’on Improvement Dave. Get it together… Seriously! Improve, make a better plan…that’s like your thing. When it is time to take your kid to school don’t do pushups and record them with your phone, and post them to YouTube.com]

So, there you have it. It is not complicated, but it works every time if you take it seriously. Right before you sleep ask yourself the same question over and over. Meditate on what it is and what you know about it. Then fall asleep.

It Will Work

Enjoy!

Day 25 – Push-Ups for St. Jude

I made the mistake of looking at YouTube on my phone right before recording this. The YouTube Channel for Improvement Dave was reporting zero traffic on my phone. So, I recorded my video with the sub-context of “nobody watches any of my videos. This is futile. I have to be consistent anyway.” Now that I have had a moment, I logged in on my laptop I see that people are watching the videos and..

SHAT! I got a few likes. Not the reason I am doing any of this, this is mostly practice for me. This is about me being consistent. I am posting for the sake of consistintly posting. However, the main point of this is to hold myself accountable for doing the work. If I was not posting these videos I would have stopped doint the 50 pushups a day, and that is the point. Still, I was hoping that someone had at least watched a single video! Funny how our minds react so quickly on such a visceral level to people paying any attention to our work. I know that I am insignificant in the universe especially when you add the 4th dimension of time… but it still burned like hell.

Burned like hellfire.

Knocked Me Off My Game

What is especially interesting to me is on this day when I felt creating was futile my production was absolute garbage. I failed to record the preparation. I also failed to record Set 1. and Set 2 was cut in half. Was this a user error or were these alarms that popped up on my iPhone? Or was it both? I do not know. I do know that I should stop using my phone, which I also use in my life, to generate this content.

What is all this, Anyway?

I am doing 50 pushups a day for August 2023. My goal is to do 50 pushups every day for August 2023. My stretch goal is to do 50 quality pushups in a single set. Today I did two higher-quality sets of 25 pushups, for only 50 quality pushups in total! I think this is the best approach overall to do an actual set of 50 by the end of August.

I did a 5-minute breath work session between the two sets, which my iPhone filed to capture. In this breathework session, I did the basic 4-count in, 4-count hold, and 4-count exhale. Then when that feels comfortable I up it to 8-counts for all three. Normally I would do a 4 or 8-count hold after the exhale but having just done pushups and preparing to do more pushups I do not tend to hold on the exhale.

I’m Doing more than 1,550 Pushups for St. Jude – Please donate to my fundraiser!

https://www.facebook.com/donate/1690575421423292/?fundraiser_source=external_url

Music by RoyaltyFreeMusic Nver Avetyan from Pixabay Technology Dubstep

Music by John_Kensy_Music from Pixabay Mindfulness Relaxation & Meditation Music

Music by To Hot to Play, Lobo Loco, Free Music Archive (CC)

Day 23 – Push-Ups for St. Jude

I am doing 50 pushups a day for August 2023. My goal is to do 50 pushups in a single set. Today I did two higher-quality sets of 25 pushups, for only 50 quality pushups in total! I think this is the best approach overall to do an actual set of 50 by the end of August.

In this video, I share that we had a recent death in the family. This caused some truncated schedules, so I got straight to work. I do not waste the opportunity to remind us that we should all be grateful for the lives and loved ones that we have. Give your loved ones an extra hug or phone call, tell them you love them all the time, and don’t forget to be thankful for what you have.

I did a 5-minute breath work session between the two sets, which is available to view after the two sets of pushups. In this video, I do the basic 4-count in, 4-count hold, and 4-count exhale. Then when that feels comfortable I up it to 8-counts for all three. Normally I would do a 4 or 8-count hold after the exhale but having just done pushups and preparing to do more pushups I do not tend to hold on the exhale. You will notice that in this video the breathwork is cut short. An alarm actually goes off on my phone turning off the video recording. I would say this is both bad and good because the alarm is to remind me to take my son to school, which is a top priority. However, on this specific day, he asked to attend the funeral we had for a family member, so the alarm was not critical. It still reminded me I have things to do today so start PUSHING UP DAVE!

I’m Doing more than 1,550 Pushups for St. Jude – Please donate to my fundraiser!

https://www.facebook.com/donate/1690575421423292/?fundraiser_source=external_url

Video Transcript

his is David Kolmer for Improvement Dave Hello you’re watching Improvement Dave This is David Kolmer with Improvement Dave this is day 23 from my understanding I do have my new microphone working so you might notice a difference in sound quality if you’re watching these back to back I have a feeling maybe people aren’t watching them back to back but just so you know I got a new mic so that’s cool I’m gonna go ahead and do 25 push-ups for the first set if I can do a little bit more that’s great if not well I’ll still get up to 50 in one day and all of us will get to heaven on time set one

thank you [Music]

okay

n=Not terrible right had a few pauses not too bad pretty good form As I said I have a lot to do today I had a lot going on today so fresh breakfast and added carbs back into my diet I was only eating ketogenic just fat and vegetables and fruits so I added carbohydrates back in because of these push-ups and I just ate like two pretty good sized waffles about 30 minutes ago and ideally I would have waited an hour or two but you know my privilege has been diminished today because I have a funeral to go to so rid of passing in the family

so it’s kind of a sad day

Okay so the breath work was diminished because I had another alarm go off it’s time to take my son to school so I need to knock these 25 push-ups out as fast as I can and then get things moving

whatever [Music]

oh that was the end of the set too it was 50 push-ups total thanks so much for tuning in this is Improvement Dave and today I’m just reflecting on the fragility for agility of life and being thankful that we still have life cherishing the moments that we do have together and just making sure that we’re making the most of it and being thankful for what we have awesome thank you so much. see you down the line [Music]

thank you

Okay I just finished set one I’m gonna set a timer for five minutes and do some simple breath work here just to calm myself down and put some oxygen back into my system I said Almost electrolytes we should drink some water I mean it’s a sign right

This is just water

systems telling me telling me that I’m thirsty

Freudian slips speaking very well today

Music

Music by RoyaltyFreeMusic Nver Avetyan from Pixabay Technology Dubstep

Music by John_Kensy_Music from Pixabay Mindfulness Relaxation & Meditation Music

Music by To Hot to Play, Lobo Loco, Free Music Archive (CC)

Day 5 – Push-Ups for St. Jude

Day 5 of my 50 pushups a day challenge fundraiser for St. Jude was Rough after 3 beers last night.

I accidentally call it Faint Jude in this video, probably a Freudian slip because I am feeling faint. On Friday night I start my cheat day and last night I had 3 beers. A Heineken and two Micilob Ultras. I am really feeling that today and it really reinforces why I don’t drink much alcohol, if any, anymore.

I’m Doing 1,550 Pushups for St. Jude – Please donate to my fundraiser!

https://www.facebook.com/donate/1690575421423292/?fundraiser_source=external_url

30-Day 3D Model Challenge 17/30

Day 17 – Creating a Wheel

Learning From Failed Goals

In this video, I discuss how I am refining my approach to being consistent. I am no longer focused on consistently posting on my blog daily but instead consistently minding my priorities and waiting until I have time to create a higher-quality post.

Back to the Basics

I am glad I decided to backpedal from trying to export Adobe Substance Modler files into Adobe Substance Painter and just focus on getting better at Modeler. I like how this more advanced tutorial made use of the boolean functionality, symmetry, and repetition. This video also showed some simple yet creative ways to quickly create dynamic shapes only using the clay and erase tool.

Work Cited

30-Day 3D Model Challenge 16/30

Day 16 – Pause and Pivot

Pause and Pivot

When it feels like you are getting nowhere and are not getting the results you want, you need to look for the things that are working out. You can pause, reevaluate your given circumstances, and tweak your approach.

Over the past three posts, I have been staring at a brick wall. Some Adobe Substance Painter introduction videos caught my eye and I thought I’d like to learn how to work with that application next. However, I have had some issues finding a way to export a file from Adobe Modeler to Adobe Painter. I have read content and watched videos that suggest you should be able to do that, but I just can’t seem to get it to work.

Focus on What is Working

Identify the positive results that you have had and then focus on those.

So, as I was viewing the files that I exported from Adobe Substance Modler (OBJ, FBX) I noticed that those files were associated with Adobe Substance Stager. Sure enough, when I double-clicked on them they opened in Adobe Stager. The Ocean Volcano Diorama I built came up small and that discouraged me. However, I took a breath paused, and stepped away and when I went to bed last night I asked myself what could my next step be. When I woke up the answer was provided by my subconscious. Look at what you can do in Stager because that is where your files are working. In addition to that I had another idea. I have by no means mastered working in Adobe Substance Modeler and I enjoy working in that. So after I look at how things are opening in Stager and get comfortable with how layers carry over, I could go back and do more advanced builds in Adobe Substance Modeler.

I feel like this second option is my path with heart.

Have you ever heard that phrase? Follow the path with heart? It is something my friends at University used to say. It comes from The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge.

I read this series at a formative time in my life and it had a big impact on how I view learning and knowledge in general. There is a very big emphasis in these books on finding the path with heart or choosing the path that will best serve you. In other words, be clear about what you want to accomplish and then give it your all. Yesterday I made fun of Using the Power of Your Subconscious mind because it sounds like a Pseudoscience book that tells you to take drugs and align your Chakras. (I have nothing against the concept of Chakras, I can do a separate post on those if there is any interest in that.) At any rate, my point is that this book (The Don Juan one) IS about Carlos Castenada’s experiences consuming hallucinogenic Peyote cacti in the deserts of Central America. So, as much as I like these books and enjoy the teachings and perspectives they provide, they are not far from new-age pseudoscience.

Now, for the record I never ate Payote, nor have I taken any mescaline, but the author, Carlos Castaneda did. According to the books, he also drove his car to Central America and spent time with the Brujo, Native American Shamans, or Sorcerers. He spent a good deal of time recording their practices. Although many criticize the books for not being true anthropology, they are still a very interesting read and provide colorful insight into the perspectives and traditions of that part of the world.

OK, so back to why I brought that book up at all. A person of knowledge will follow the path with heart. They will pursue what interests them above all other things. A person of knowledge understands that people don’t learn from hearing other people explain something. If you want to learn about something there is no replacement for first-hand experience. Do you see what I did there? I took some crazy new-age hippy novel written by a charming man who was on cactus, mushrooms, and all sorts of trippy datura roots and I made this about learning, I made it about how to improve yourself. Get out there and try something new. I am not recommending drugs, I am recommending experiences. (Not necessarily drug-related experiences.)

-Improvement Dave

David Kolmer

30-Day 3D Model Challenge 15/30

Day 15 – Exporting to Adobe Paint Confusion Continues

Learning is complex and painful, learning is a succession of failures where you do not give up and lose motivation but consistently overcome the setbacks and find ways to improve. I am confident that I will remain consistent in my 30-day 3D modeling challenge and that I will find a way to export 3D models from Adobe Modeler to Adobe Painter.

In today’s video, I share how I have been using the Headway app on my iPhone to listen to condensed versions of books. I have mentioned this app before on this blog. I do not receive any monetary incentives to mention this app and I am not sponsored by them in any way. The app costs around $40 a year and you can purchase a few years for a discount.

I talk about how the app fed me a suggestion to read The Power of Your Subconscious Mind. I like to talk about this book because I like to use the practices it teaches. This sounds like a new-age pseudo-science book that will tell you to take drugs and align your chakras. In fact, it is a book from the 60s that is based on Christian thought and explains how to tap into the power of your subconscious. I am not a huge fan of organized religion, but this book distills what I like about faith-based systems.

The trick is to ask yourself questions about your most pressing conflicts or confusions right before you go to bed. Then when you go to sleep your subconscious mind will attempt to solve the issues for you.

This morning I woke up and thought, wait what about the option that exports as a “Raw Mesh” in Adobe Substance Modler!? Maybe that would create an OBJ file that will open up in Adobe Substance Painter!

You can watch the video to see how I painfully discover that this solution didn’t do the trick. I am still doing something wrong, but this practice did give me something else to try and that was a step in the right direction.

David Kolmer

30-Day 3D Model Challenge 14/30

Day 14 – Exporting to Adobe Paint Confusion

I had some serious moments of learning today on St’ Pattie’s Day. I try to blame Leprechauns in the video but I think it just came down to User Error here! Luckily OneDrive had backups of my work. I went and dug deep. Those Leprechauns can’t impede my learning journey! Still, then none of the export formats on Adobe Modeler show up in Adobe Painter when I go to open the file!? I am Only seeing a *.toc and *.spp. as supported files to open.

After recording, I realized I needed to look at how to import it into Adobe Painter. There might be a solution there. That might have to be my work for tomorrow!

Work Cited

I created this content of confusion after watching this amazing instructional video by Adobe.

David Kolmer

30-Day 3D Model Challenge 13/30

Day 12 – Freestyle design 2

Today I continued work on the 2D Diorama that I started yesterday.

I still feel a bit like a fish out of water… or more like a one-legged penguin running in the Amazon, but I am moving forward and making more valuable mistakes. (moments of learning.)

Animated Gifs

Here are a couple animated gifs of today’s progress.

Videos

Here are videos of the process in order of completion.

David Kolmer