What Keeps Me Going

What makes me start blog after blog, run multiple twitter accounts and sign up for every beta service and website launch?

I'm searching for something.

I know there is something out there for me. I know I can make a difference in this world in some way. I don't know how and that's why I just have to keep exploring.

I'm not talking about changing the world like Martin Luther King Jr. or something but I feel as if I have the ability to influence the lives of the people around me.

I feel different.

I intend to find out why I feel this way.

Get a good watch or risk being lost in space.

Photo © Huckberry

Looking for a simple and durable watch that won't break the bank? Military Watch Company in Zurich has the solution. Prices range from $55 to $160 but these things look built to last. This offer is only available on Huckberry and for a limited time (currently 5 days).

True story.

Astronaut Gordon Cooper used a only wristwatch, knowledge of star patterns, and math estimations to correct pitch for re-entry when his capsule lost power.

via Wikipedia:

"...precision was needed in the calculation since if the capsule came in too deep g-forces would be too large and if its trajectory was too shallow it would bounce off the atmosphere and be sent back into space. Cooper drew lines on the capsule window to help him check his orientation before firing the re-entry rockets. 'So I used my wrist watch for time,' he later recalled, 'my eyeballs out the window for attitude. Then I fired my retrorockets at the right time and landed right by the carrier.' Cooper's cool-headed performance and piloting skills led to a basic rethinking of design philosophy for later space missions."

But wait, there's more...

Found via Reddit: http://redd.it/n2o4m

Short URL: http://goo.gl/7b9O9

When you sign up using my link, I get credit on the site once you make your first purchase. 

All photos are property of Huckberry Co. and only used for illustration.

Countdown to Unemployment

I agree that by using that title, it can seemingly mark me as a pessimist which I am not. It's only stating a fact that is true at the moment of this writing. I guess you could describe me as an 'optimistic realist.' I know the realities of life but choose to look at them in an optimistic way. I refuse to sugar coat. 

Last Friday, the company I work for made an announcement that at the end of this month, they are shutting down. Long story short, 20+ of us are looking for jobs. From a legal standpoint, I can't speak directly on the conditions but I can refer you to the press release. 

[If anyone is hiring or knows someone who is, here are the positions that my colleagues have recently just held]

• Executive Producer
• Producer
• Associate Producer
• Community Manager
• Public Relations
• Assignment Editor
• Reporter/Journalist
• Booker
• Photographer/Videographer
• Editor
• Online Content Manager
• Media Manager

[Contact me and I'd be happy to pass along their information.]

I'm coming to grips with the idea that everything I do this month could be the last time I do it. If we have to move, I won't be able to enjoy even the little things I've come to experience on a daily basis.

• Getting on the bus and using public transportation.
• Reading or even napping while commuting on the Metro into DC. 
• Running along the Potomac River.
• Having the ability to visit museums on my lunch break. 
• Being two hours from family. 

More realizations present themselves each day. 

My lesson from this is to never take things for granted. Make an effort right now to take advantage of your situation no matter what it is. Someone out there would love to trade you for it and chances are you'll miss it when you leave. 

Back to the main topic at hand, I'm looking for a job. 

This is the first public announcement I've made though I have told a few individuals that I knew I could draw support from. 

The responses I received have been incredible with people offering to help find me a job as well as provide prayer and thoughts. Some of these people only know me in the online world and even though we've never met in person, that didn't stop them from connecting on LinkedIn or helping in the search. 

I feel, in a word, humbled. 

Right now is when it's easy to feel as if 'the world is over' but I know there is more at work than I can see. Everything happens for a reason and something good will come out of this. 

This will not slow me down.

If you want to connect with me, be sure to hit me up on any of the networks below or even email me at mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook

I look forward to bringing you good news soon.

But wait, there's more...

Short URL: http://goo.gl/zQwo4

Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Stamps

The National Postal Museum was another one of those museums that was right under my nose and I never knew it. I practically walk past it every day and decided I needed to finally take a look inside. What I found was a massive museum with dozens of intriguing exhibits.

There's a lot to learn and might be hard to see everything in one visit (unless you stay all day). Obviously there is a lot of detail due to stamps being small but there are also some bigger exhibits that you could get lost in.

Overall it's a really well done museum with a lot to take in and in my opinion, it's worth checking out the architecture alone.

Museum Entrance

Mailboxes from around the world.

Planes...

...trains...

...automobiles!

Exhibit Map

Obviously tons of stamps.

'Boring' Details:

National Postal Museum

2 Massachusetts Ave. NE

Washington, DC 

Distance from office: 0.1 miles

Door to door time: 5 minutes

Tour time: 50 minutes

Transportation used: Walked

Cost: Free

Notes:

- Metal detectors (allot a few extra minutes) so leave your knife at home.

But wait, there's more...

Photos on Picasa.

Short URL: http://goo.gl/CqFon

The GORUCK Challenge

What is the GORUCK Challenge?

A team event, never a race. The Challenge is significantly harder than any race because a team is capable of infinitely more than the sum of its individuals. Therefore the Challenge is greater.  The team (it’s your team) starts and finishes together under the guidance of Challenge Cadre.  The route is unknown, the distance is unknown and the Challenge can last longer and/or go for greater distances if the team needs it in order to fully become a team. 8-10 hours, 15-20 miles is an estimate, not a promise.  Every class is different, but the bond by the end is always equally powerful. - GORUCK Challenge FAQ

Great photo essay by GORUCK

Make no mistake, this is not a solo event and this is not a race. It's an evolution. You will learn the true meaning of teamwork. The Challenge is best when shared with friends but if no one wants to join you, don't worry, you'll make some great new friends.

I can't promise that it will be easy, but it will be worth it. After all, if it were easy, would you do it?

Step off of the normal path. Go for a run, GORUCK style.

Image via GORUCK

Can I Do This?

I did. That means you can too. It's so much more mental than physical and I can't stress that enough. You do need to have some foundation of fitness because after all, you'll be carrying bricks, logs, each other, etc over an 8-10 hour [or more] period. 

The biggest thing that turns people off is the distance. My class did around 17 miles and the furthest I've ever run before on my own was 14. How was this possible? You don't run the entire time and when you do, the pace is entirely up to your team to decide. I was better at running while others were better at lifting and we learned how to utilize all of our individual strengths and weaknesses.

Send me an email if you have any questions about the Challenge: mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

What to Expect

How Much Does it Cost?

If you're smart, you'll sign up really early and get in at $120. If you wait though, the price can go up to $160. 

Is that a lot of cash to part ways with? Maybe, but really look at it. What do you get with that much? What ways can you cut back or save? I bet you have some Craigslist/eBay worthy stuff to sell or you can skip a few times of eating out next month. 

Cost Comparison

• The same as 2 Xbox games (If you bought the latest Call of Duty and The Elder Scrolls games, you could have just signed up for the Challenge)
• Tough Mudder Registration (Can cost up to $150 and lasts only 2 hours while the GORUCK Challenge is cheaper and longer. More good livin' all around!)
• Typical Marathon or even some Half Marathon registrations

You get the idea. I read this somewhere online and thought it sums things up nicely:

If it is important to you, you will find a way.
If not, you'll find an excuse.

Looking for a deal? 

Times are tough and saving money wherever possible can really help. That said, I can get you $20 off registration but only if you haven't signed up yet. Unfortunately, there is no way for me to add it retroactively.  Send me an email and I'll hook you up: mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

Recommended Further Reading

To get you started, I recommend you read these two posts: 

• Good Livin': The GORUCK Challenge [Mike Vallely]
• Packing and Preparing for a GORUCK Challenge [Kit Klein]

If you still want more information, check out my ever updating post containing reports from previous Challenge takers as well as videos and some other bits of Challenge knowledge.

But wait, there's more...

Short URL: http://goo.gl/V11Kl

GORUCK Challenge - Recommended Reading

photo © GORUCK

This is just about every 'after action report' of the GORUCK Challenge I could find online. Each class is different and you'll notice that in the writing but what's important is the shared camaraderie.

Stay tuned for updates as more will be added when I can find them.

Challenge Reports

• Class 007 [Ben O'Grady]
• Class 027 [Anthony Cataldi]
• Class 031 [Mike Petrucci]
• Class 033 [Eduardo Zambrano]
• Class 034 [Paul Issler]
• Class 036 [Pablo Fuentes]
• Class 036 [Asha Wagner]
• Class 037 [Mike Vallely]
• Class 042 [Greg Terry]
• Class 045 [Rich Vos]
• Class 047 [U. Fridman]
• Class 050 [Bryan Black]
• Class 052 [Brian Sypher]
• Class 057 [Francis Shanahan]
• Class 057 [Asha Wagner]
• Class 066 [Paul DiMarino]
• Class 079 [Geoffrey Ehrensing]
• Class 083 [Ben O'Grady]
• Class 083 [dknob]
• Class 084 [Leo Babauta]
• Class 086 [Asha Wagner]
• Class 093 [Paul Philips]
• Class 095 [Andrew Mullikin]
• Class 100 [Martina Paradiso]
• Class 108 [Brett Po]
• Class 110 [Matt Browner Hamlin]
• Class 121 [Marti]
• Class 142 [Dominic Commisso]
• Class 157 [Jered Benoit]
• Class 172 [Ben O'Grady]
• Class 172 [Cory Collier]
• Class 183 [Sarah Shank]
• Class 186 [Justin]
• Class 192 [Brian Green]
• Class ___ [Mike Norris]

General

• What is the GORUCK Challenge [Mike Petrucci]
• Packing and Preparing for a GORUCK Challenge [Kit Klein]
• A Year of GORUCK [Kit Klein]
• Ben O'Grady on the GORUCK Challenge
• How to Make a Sandbag Pill for Weighted Ruck Runs [Bryan Black]
• Pushing Your Body to Physical Limits: How to Train Like a Fitness Badass [Leo Babauta]
• GORUCK Challenge Loadout (Part 1) [Andrew Mullikin]
• Gear Review: GRC Class 095 (Part 2) [Andrew Mullikin]
• GORUCK: The Most Passionate Brand Following In the World [Matt Browner Hamlin]
• The GORUCK Challenge: Bringing People Together Under Really Big Logs [Matt Browner Hamlin]
• A Community's Tough Love [Matt Browner Hamlin]
• More than just a physical challenge and minimal packs [U. Fridman]
• Customer spotlight: Gearing up for GORUCK [Eastern Mountain Sports & Kit Klein]
• GORUCK Tribute [Julie Conklin]
• Interview with Cadre from GORUCK Challenge [Rob Decillis]
• No limit for the GORUCK Challenge [Baltimore Sun]
• My Gear Review [Futurecct's Blog]
• A view from the outside in: GORUCK Challenge [Danni Kruse]
• Go Ruck Yourself [Kelly Redican]

Videos

Overview

Class 036

GORUCK Challenge Training

Class 063

Class 023

Class 059

Class 062

Class 067

Class 081

Class 084

Class 102

Interview with GORUCK Founder Jason McCarthy

GORUCK Challenge Des Moines

But wait, there's more...

Short URL: http://goo.gl/SJcBL