Goal no. 73 – Have five more tattoo sessions.

Ok. This goal may sound easy but it’s not. I had one more session planned anyway (more about that in a minute), but organising them is tricky.

Firstly there is the logistics.

I only go to one tattooist, Marley Paine. I first met Marley at Demon Ink in Welling, 3yrs ago. She did a small tribute piece for my girls. Well, we got chatting and I showed her a picture of Iron Maiden’s The Trooper, and said I’d quite like to get that done. Two months later I did.

Marley then moved to a shop in Canterbury – Belly Bar, and I then went down there to get it finished a couple of months after that. I also had another couple of ideas. You can see where this is going.

Well, two years later she has moved to be nearer her family in South Wales, and now only does guest spots in Canterbury. This is where booking up sessions takes a lot of planning. I have to cross reference my shifts, to her availability (and location) as well as the obvious hit my bank balance will take. 😉 Not an easy planning task.

Anyway, the tattoo challenge.

Well over the course of the next two years, we became really good friends. So much so that I trust her implicitly. She was the first person I was able to tell about the mental health issues, and their cause.

So to show her how much I trusted I set her a challenge.

I said Marley could choose the location of my next tattoo on my body, and could design it herself! It could be anything at all. And most importantly, I did not want to know anything about the plans at all!!

Now that is trust!

We planned on starting it in February, and as I had a week off work booked anyway, I booked a hotel room for a couple of days, and headed off the her new shop in Carmarthen. 250miles away!

On the day, I still had no idea. She then said that she wanted to place it on my right shoulder blade. Originally I had said this was the only location that she couldn’t have, as I’d promised it to someone else, as they let me design theirs. Well, as I’d had a massive fall out with them, and they were directly linked to the cause of my mental health issues, Marley picked that spot because of the significance. Plus, it fitted her design as well.

As it was on my back I was given the choice to see it or not. Again I said “No, not until the end of the day.

At the end of a full day session, Marley had done enough to do a “Just Tattoo of Us” style reveal. It still needed 3hrs of work, but she really put herself under the cosh to get enough completed so I’d know what she had done.

Well she blew me away! So much so that as I went to give her a hug and say thank you, I lost the ability to speak and completely broke down in tears! I was so happy!!

That’s brings me nicely to today. The first of the five more sessions.

Today we finished off the piece she designed. Organising the session was, as I said at the start, a feat of planning, but we made it happen.

So here it is. The finished article….. The headstock of my very own Fender Precision bass! Marley had managed to get my wife Claire to send her pictures of it, and I’d had no idea.

Again when I looked the tears started again. I am so happy at the work she has produced. It really is better than I could ever have hoped for. She really has done herself proud!

She made an old fart cry…. twice!!! That’s how much I love it, and all her work that she’s done.

So to the next session. I have assured her that the next ones won’t be as taxing on her.

Another goal started, but to be honest I probably shouldn’t have.

50. Achieve 10 medals for running.

Today I took part in the Vitality London 10k run. I said I probably shouldn’t have, but I’m truth I definitely shouldn’t have. The thing is 9 days ago, I went out for 10k training run around Regent’s Park, before I started a 12hr shift. The park is literally on my work doorstep. But, I pulled my right calf, and aggravated my sciatic nerve.

All week I’ve been battling the pain, and it finally subsided. All good, or so I thought.

It’s always a risk to exercise so quickly after an injury, and I foolishly failed to follow my own advice. But, I did the run, and finished.

It wasn’t a good time, unsurprisingly. For me it was a rather poor time of 53:11. My PB at 10k is 46:16! However, when you consider that my calf niggle turned into a full on strain after the first km, I’m amazed I even ran the whole way and finished at all!! Yes, I still managed to run even though I only had one leg working.

On the plus side, the weather was lovely and it was a good day. Plus, I got my first medal of the 10 I set myself out to get.

So, my next planned run is another RunThrough 10k on August 24th. Can’t wait, as I’ve really got the running bug back.

With the busy life I have I don’t often get time to simply sit down and chill. One of the things I do like to do when I do get the chance, is play guitar. Or more specifically my bass guitar.

I’ve been playing bass for about 25yrs. I’m ok, and can hold a tune, and some quite complicated bass riffs. This is especially true as I like to play a lot of Iron Maiden tracks!

I even played in a band for a while, and I own four bass guitars.

Anyway, goal number 33. To learn 10 new songs on my bass.

As I’m going to see Bon Jovi next month, I thought what better way to start the ball rolling by learning one that I’ve never actually played.

So after some thought…. It’s My Life.

I actually surprised myself that I never bothered to learn it, as I really like that song. But, I cracked it.

So that’s one down and 9 to go.

Must start thinking about the next one to learn.

Got to love one of my work colleagues. He read the blog yesterday and bought me in this book, the help me with task 44.

I really needed a boost today, and that made me smile.

Unfortunately goal number 10 is probably one of the more darker ones. But one that I feel is probably the most important. Hence why I’ve given it a post to itself.

As I described in my opening post, I’ve been to hell and back over the last 10months. I had a very significant change in my life circumstances, which started my downward spiral. I won’t go into exact details, as that story is mostly out in the open. Needless to say the toxicity that developed from that moment in time, still has a negative effect on my life. The cause of that toxicity is not part of my life anymore, although it does continue to cast an evil shadow over me, my decision making, and moods.  

10. Beat my eating disorder, and get my weight up to 10.5 stone

Quite a few people know what caused my anxiety, panic attacks, and depression, but because of those issues one thing that wasn’t identified was my eating disorder.

Back in June, before I had the bombshell dropped me at the end of July, I weighed 13st. I had also just completed the London to Brighton bike ride. But I had a bit of a gut on me, so decided to lose a few pounds. The diet I was on worked, and I was nice and trim for the Ride London 100.

The problem was that my mental health problems caused me to obsess about the diet. Only I didn’t know that at the time. After all my hospital checks and scans came up clear, it was in the end identified as OSFED (Other Specified Feeding & Eating Disorder). Basically I have traits of different eating disorders, but not all of one. Mine was an unhealthy obsession over calories, combined with the stress that the other issue had caused. Not a good mix.

This took over my life without me realising.

As a result my weight plummeted to its lowest point on 8th April 2019, at just 8st 13lbs!!!!

Through the help and support I’ve been getting I’ve tried to change some of my behaviours. Where I was using the daily calorie allowance as a target to stay under, I now use it as a target to achieve. 

This has already started to pay dividends, as I’ve not only stabilised my weight loss but also put a few pounds back on. I’m currently hovering around the 9st 4lb mark.

Still a long way to go to achieve my goal, of beating this disorder. Thankfully the toxicity that caused it, isn’t part of my life anymore, which makes things a little easier.

So, some of my tasks have already started. As I said in my opening posts, there are a few that are extensions of what i’m doing. This is where I am at with those tasks.

18. Successfully obtain my Private Pilot’s Licence. I’ve currently got 9hrs 20mins flying time clocked up. This is nowhere near enough as I need a minimum of 45hrs before I can take a skills test. In reality this may be nearer to 55 or 60hrs. Some way to go yet. But I’ve started. Booking lessons is an issue. I have to fit them around my shifts, and instructor availability, as well the availability of the plane! So this will take a while to complete.

45. Achieve my 50 parkrun’s status. Before I started this challenge I had completed four. So setting myself to get to the 50 mark is a good goal to go for. Keeps me focussed on getting off my backside and running.

12. Buy flowers once a month. This month wasn’t in my original thinking, as it’s nearly over, but I have added it. So this now makes 34 months to buy for. It’s thoroughly deserved though. Claire had her first maths exam today, and thought she deserved a treat.

When doing this challenge is always good to start with some easily achievable targets. Here are my first ones.

1. Set a challenge start date. Today is the day, 21st May 2019 that I have started my challenge!

2. Set the end date of the challenge. The end date of the challenge 14th February 2022. Valentines day. So as task 101 is to celebrate in style, I’ll combine the two.

3. Make a list. This was actually a lot harder than I first thought. Really struggled with the last few.

4. Set up a blog to document the challenge. Well you’re reading it. So that was easy.

5. Share blog address on social media. I’ve shared the link on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles. I’ll stick permanent links in the bio’s after Ride London, as i need that for my JustGiving page.

So this is it! My list of 101 goals I want to achieve over the next 1001 days.

Who knows how many I will achieve. It’s going to take a lot of dedication, but will also be a lot of fun trying to find out.

1	Set a challenge start date
2	Set the end date of the challenge
3	Make a list
4	Set up a blog to document the challenge
5	Share blog address on social media
6	Update that blog regularly
7	Get trained to be a Mental Health First Aider
8	Take on a new role in scouting
9	Go to an art gallery
10	Beat my eating disorder, and get my weight up to 10.5 stone
11	Complete three rounds of crazy golf
12	Buy flowers once a month
13	Go stargazing
14	Visit a European country with Claire, that I’ve never been to before
15	Go to the cinema at least 6 times
16	Complete my first solo flight
17	Pass my ground exams for flying
18	Successfully obtain my Private Pilot’s Licence
19	Fly two different types of aircraft as Pilot-in-Command
20	Gain my 25 year Long Service Award (scouts)
21	Go camping with my scout group 6 times
22	Take part in the Royal Greenwich Scouts gang show
23	Go camping with the family (non-scouting)
24	Have a picnic in a park
25	Go sea fishing
26	Achieve 25 years working with London Underground
27	Book up swimming lessons
28	Swim in open water
29	Learn how to swim up to 750m
30	Train up to swim 1500m
31	Swim in the Aquatic Centre (Olympic Park)
32	Learn 10 songs on my ukulele
33	Learn 10 songs on my bass guitar
34	Learn how to play a new musical instrument
35	Attend the World Crossbow Championships
36	Retain my four national titles
37	Break the World Record I hold (25m – 40cm target – 482)
38	Compete in a total of 12 crossbow competitions
39	Go Ice skating
40	Go Vegan for a month
41	Be confirmed at church
42	Attend a church service in a cathedral
43	Eat at 7 different restaurants with Claire
44	Learn how to make 5 different Origami animals
45	Achieve my 50 parkrun’s status
46	Complete a half marathon
47	Complete a marathon
48	Complete a duathlon
49	Complete a triathlon
50	Achieve 10 medals for running
51	Go to the gym once a month for 6 consecutive months
52	Take part in a running event outside of London
53	Drive a car in a foreign country
54	Donate to 12 different fundraising causes or charities
55	Attend an England football match at Wembley
56	Visit 5 new away grounds with Charlton
57	Attend an England Rugby match
58	Attend some form of cookery lesson
59	Make my Christmas Pudding
60	Complete my 4th London to Brighton
61	Complete my second Ride London 100
62	Learn a card trick
63	Celebrate Laurie’s 21st birthday in style
64	Celebrate Holly’s 16th birthday in style
65	Attend a free music festival
66	See Bon Jovi in concert again
67	See Iron Maiden in concert again
68	Attend a wine tasting session
69	Learn to tie a bow tie
70	Read 10 books
71	Give up something different each month for a year
72	Learn 6 new recipes
73	Have five more tattoo sessions
74	Go to a pub quiz
75	Go overseas with the scouts
76	Visit Kenya
77	Visit Baden-Powell’s grave in Nyeri, Kenya
78	Go on a Kenyan safari
79	Cook an authentic Kenyan meal
80	Go on a canal boat trip
81	Visit 6 museums
82	Visit a region of the UK I have never visited before
83	Visit my friends in York again
84	Grow a vegetable and use it in cooking
85	Clear out my garage
86	Take Claire to an afternoon tea
87	Move house
88	Complete a distance learning course
89	Make homemade peanut brittle
90	Celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary in style
91	Go on a brewery tour
92	Make an entire Indian meal from scratch
93	Go to the theatre 6 times
94	Go to an open air cinema viewing
95	Go clay pigeon shooting
96	Make my own pizza dough
97	Make white chocolate and cranberry cookies
98	Write a short story
99	Travel on the Eurostar
100	Visit Paris with Claire
101	Celebrate completing the challenge

A suppose a bit of background would be a bit useful. About 10yrs ago a dear friend of my mine set herself a personal development challenge, and set herself 101 goals to achieve in just 1001 days. Now, this may seem a long amount of time, but the moment you work out the end date, it suddenly becomes not so far away.

So, a little about me first. I am Simon Emmett, and I’m 41 (nearly 42), and live in Plumstead South East London, with my wife Claire, and two daughters Laurie & Holly. We also have a gorgeous black Labrador called Foxtrot.

Spare time is something I don’t actually possess that much of, as I have a lot of hobbies. I’m a keen runner & cyclist, as well as being a sport crossbow arbalist – where I am currently ranked as world number 3. I am also currently learning to how fly a plane too!

But the biggest commitment I have is as a volunteer scout leader. Even there I hold a whole range of roles!

So, as you can see I am a busy bee.

The Challenge

Now you know about me, why the hell I am subjecting myself to this? More importantly, why now?

In summer 2018 I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, panic attack disorder, and depression. This was following a very sudden change in my life circumstances that summer, which culminated in me experiencing a breakdown and even attempting suicide a couple of months later. In addition to this I was also identified, in March 2019, as having OSFED (Other Specified Feeding & Eating Disorder). My eating disorder hadn’t been initially picked up when I was diagnosed with the anxiety & depression, but this was later identified as being as a direct result of my other mental health issues. All of this has made me rethink my outlook on life. The depths I hit in November (when I did not want to even see December), I now use as a point in time that I do not want to return to. Hence, why I am doing this now.

The rules

It’s simple. I have to first set myself 101 goals. These can be literally anything! Such as: things to do or want to learn, places to go, etc. Anything at all. They don’t all have to be stretching, and some my just be extending something I have booked already. For example if I’m planning on going to the theatre in a few weeks, why not set the goal to go 5 or 6 times in the duration of the challenge.

The key thing is that the challenge is personal, and gives me focus. There is a pretty good chance I might not get all 101 done, but I’m going to have a bloody good go at trying.

The list

In my next blog post I’ll print the whole list. I’ll keep it as a link on the menu, and will update it periodically with completion dates, and posts about what I’ve done.

So……. I’d better start making a list!