Day 3: I m not Leonidas

I havent been motivated to start it all over again. Summer's here and i m partyin' a gogo. Although I did put up a first post, but didn't really stick to my word and kept things going. However, yesterday it hit me. I'm not meant to be Leonidas.

Diet has been going well. Nothing serious just paying attention to what I'm eating. Trained yesterday for the 1st time, it was not intense, just a day 1 stroll at the gym.

On the upside,there s a song though that s been stuck in my head: "Party people", as in Everyday i m SHSHSHSHUUFLLIN'! And that s kinda boostin' my day as I throw in the word and it like triggers me to be energetic. Long live NLP.

Anywho. another important thing is that painting carreer just started yesterday. I deferred a project, cancelled another one and a third GOT cancelled. It' s like super calling day. Believe me i got very excited, but also terrified. And now it s a question of picking everything up and starting again. Kinda weighing on my gymming? Maybe.

But it s ok. cause everyday i m shufflin'.

It starts again.

So here I am again. We're on the 1st of July and I ve been counting down to this day for the past 3 weeks. I don't remember how it happened exactly but there was this magical moment that occurred sometime in June, and I knew that I simply had to do it again this year.

My Spartan challenge had not only succeeded last year in a mere 65 days; but apart from dropping 12kgs, buffing up and managing to transform to King Leonidas for Halloween, I was able to create a following, and inspire many to start their own quests for a better body, a better life, a better costume for the freaks like me or anything that required motivation, vision and will power. With more than 55.000 views, my blog had toured the world, I had gotten on TV for a couple of interviews, got featured in magazines and blogs... A glorious, epic journey about one man, willing to never retreat, never surrender; with the belief that death in the battlefield, in service to one's vision is the greatest glory he could achieve in his life. The blog was certainly not about losing weight, it was about staring at a monster of an endeavor straight in the face and saying "THIS IS WHERE WE HOLD THEM, THIS IS WHERE WE FIGHT, THIS IS WHERE THEY DIE", even if it gets you to the hospital 3 times with muscle lesions and spasms ... (sorry Mom :) 

I.
And I had earned my Spartan shield last year, but life is about continuation; About constant renewal; About development. And if I was going to call myself a Spartan from now on, it wasn't because I pulled off a challenge a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away. For the time is alway in the now. The moment. And today, we're on the 1st of July 2011.

I'm not as fat as last year, that's for sure, I gained back 5 kgs as I stopped training on November 1st; but I'm still fairly muscular. Everything is relative though and we all need to progress. This year I want to push my envelope with a VENGENCE putting my old Leonidas costume (and body) to SHAME.

I did a lot of mistakes last year. Even with all the research I did, I ended up hurting myself and overdoing it. I got informed as much as I could but I wasn't monitored professionally. This is why I'm going to be coached by a sports expert and fed by a sports nutritionist/dietician. It doesn't matter where I train but I'm probably going to hit the gym this time. I'm talking massive gains, strength training and being ripped to the bone. Leonidas won't know what hit him.

II.
This time though, it shouldn't only be physical, it should be about major life decisions. A bigger message about following one's heart and going the distance no matter the odds. Spartans were warrior poets – like Antara Bn Chaddad. And with that logic, there is no way I would call myself a Spartan if I don't address the huge elephant, looming in my life: my stagnant painting career.

They tell you to "reach for the stars, for you would fall on a cloud", "face your fears and live your dreams". But they also tell you "you're going to starve", "dreams are pathetic at your age", "you gotta be responsible and think of your future", "use the talent you have to make money", "never decline jobs".

I might be a designer. But I also know that I ended up in this profession because I was lead to believe that it was my only creative outlet in this competitive world; that if "I had any chance of making a living and use my imagination, graphic design is it." And this is what I ended up doing. And thankfully, I'm doing well for myself. I have shifted to illustration based design and art direction, and I mostly get carte blanches from clients; but a voice in my head keeps on pestering me and pushing my buttons. It mocks me. "You're still not a painter, you're still not an artist", "You're still not a painter, you're still not an artist" it repeats to me day in day out. "This is not your calling", "this is a career you're very good at, but this ... is NOT YOU."

And I believe this voice. And now is the time to have the BALLS to say: "THIS IS SPARTA" to anyone who hints at how mad I am. These 4 months represent THE SHIFT. The pivotal moment in time where the world will say: "crazy kid just decided and never looked back". I'm going to become a full fledged painter by the end of this challenge. Does it mean I'm dropping design all together? To be honest, I have no clue, but I will find my answers; and to keep my word, I'm going to use the same paradigm I did for the Spartan challenge and going to allocate a section where I will constantly post my progress so you can call me on it.

III.
This is no longer a personal project. Although Dine in Hell 2011, might be a ceremonial quest for me to test my boundaries and push my will power and discipline; this year, for those of you who doubted that it was possible to alter you whole body when the challenge 1st started but changed their mind when it was only too late, get off your computer chairs and couches, throw the metaphorical box of cornflakes and Mirinda in the trash and say it with me: "THIS HALLOWEEN, I SHALL DINE IN HELL".
I'm going to make it a point to have this challenge go as collective as possible and I'm dragging one of my bestest foreverest Paul Naggear and sister Chirine to help me out to make it go viral and do it with me along with other friends and Karly of course.

There will be a section that details work-outs and diets for people with different physical goals and we're gonna friggin' work to the bone to get there and party like there's no tomorrow on Hallow's Eve 4 months from now. No longer will our bellies sag in front of us as proof of our pathetic lifestyles. No longer will we let burgers (and other junk) define who we are as people. No longer will society dictate our roles and narrow our dreams. Physicality is merely the first barrier and we're going to smash through all of them.

We must tweet, have tweet-ups and to keep each other updated about the progress we're making and motivate each other to build a Spartan Army "so massive it shakes the ground with its march, so vast it drinks the rivers dry"!

Add me on twitter, like the facebook page (and a youtube channel coming up soon ;) to join or simply to keep up with the updates and follow the journey.

To quote Delios: "Long I pondered my King's cryptic talk of victory, but time has proven him wise, for from free Greek to free Greek, the word was spread, that bold Leonidas and his 300, so far from home, lay down their lives not just for Sparta but for all Greece and the promise this country holds. Now, here on this ragged patch of earth called Platea, Xerxes hordes [the fat in your case or anything you want it to be] face obliteration! Out there the barbarians huddle, sheer terror gripping tight their icy fingers, knowing full well what merciless horrors they suffered at the swords and spears of 300, yet they stare now across the plain at ten thousand Spartans commanding thirty thousand free Greeks! HAOUUU!
The enemy outnumber us a paltry three to one, good odds for any Greek. This day, we rescue the world from mysticism and tyranny, ushering a future brighter than anything we could imagine! Give thanks men, to Leonidas and the brave 300.
To Victory!" check out his call for arms here

It just started again.
See you tomorrow.

HAOUUU!

2 TV interviews

Log In with Philippe Yacoub on MTV, I talk about the blog, the challenge and the costume
http://www.mtv.com.lb/Log_In/10_30_2010?type=1&filter=0

Beynetna where I explain how my perception of the challenge changed and how it became also about mass motivation. About inspiring people to set their own goals and how interactive everything became
http://www.mtv.com.lb/Baynetna/Michel_Karsouny?type=1&filter=0

King Leonidas Halloween Costume: Michel Dines In Hell.

I'd watch this one instead; it's longer, but illustrates the situation better.

"The old ones say we Spartans are descended from Hercules himself. Bold Leonidas gives testament to our bloodline, his roar is long and loud.

"Remember us", as simple an order as a king can give, "remember why we died".

For he did not wish tribute or song, nor monuments, nor poems of war and valor. His wish was simple: "Remember us", he said to me. That was his hope, should any free soul come across that place, in all the countless centuries yet to be, may all our voices, whisper to you, from the ageless stones.
Go tell the Spartans passerby that here by Spartan law, we lie."

And so my king died, and my brothers died, barely a year ago. Long I pondered my king's cryptic talk of victory, but time has proven him wise, for from free Greek to free Greek, the word has spread that bold Leonidas and his 300, so far from home, laid down their lives, not just for Sparta, but for all Greece and the promise this country holds. Now, here on this rugged patch of earth called Plataea, Xerxes' hordes face obliteration! Just there the barbarians huddle. Sheer terror gripping tight their hearts with icy fingers, knowing full well what merciless horrors they suffered at the swords and spears of 300, yet they stare now, across the plain, at ten thousand Spartans, commanding thirty thousand free Greeks.
The enemy outnumber us a paltry three to one. Good odds for any Greek. This day we rescue the world from mysticism and tyranny and usher in a future brighter than anything we can imagine. Give thanks men, to Leonidas and the brave 300.*

To victory!"

Those were the words that struck me. That pushed me to press play again and again. I've seen this movie 57 times so far and am playing it as I'm writing this post. This "dumb action movie" – as some qualify it – changed my life. I advise you to watch it again and pay attention to the script. It has nothing to do with amazing cinematography or semi naked men in Speedos (yes, I admit it). It's about the principles they hold. About never yielding in the face of adversity. In dying standing than living on one's knees. 

*When I quote Delios, about Greek versus Persian, I do not hint at anything regarding my political views. Although, this movie might be read by some as a direct parallelism to current political situations, I see it, as Leonidas says, as "few against many". About two clans facing each other. About Respect and Honor. And that is all.

Now here are the pictures of the costume. Happy Halloween indeed.

can you imagine I looked like this 65 days ago?!! THE SHAME!! :D

the one with wounds makeup.

Barber's ought to cut the beard right (or I'll kick him in the pit of death as this is no longer Beirut... but SPARTA!)

I'd probably solve it this way... (by the way, I'm gonna Photoshop this into the Thermopylae background... just give me a couple of days! :P

with the makeup!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! I DID IT! :D:D:D



HAOUUUUU!!!

DAY 65: FINAL PROGRESS. THE SPARTAN BODY.

Here it is. The final curtain. We're the 31st and the past 2 days were literally CRAZY! As you can see from the final progress pictures below, I actually got there! But I not only I dropped 12.1 kgs in SIXTY FIVE DAYS. And got muscular. And got ripped. But the Blog got around 3000 views only yesterday and amassed around 24000 views up till now. And I made friends worldwide. And got on television...

That's one hell of a feat! This whole project went far beyond my expectations. Guys, I'm humbled by your reactions. Really. Thank you. Maybe now I should go ahead and actually seek out Gerard Butler, Zack Snyder and Frank Miller to show them what I've done. Or maybe try to get to the new Xerxes movie and act out as an extra! Now THAT would be CRAAAZY! :D

So here we are. The final progress pictures. I'll post the costume pictures and the party(ies) pictures in the next entry – in a bit don't worry, i know you wanna see how the costume turned out. :)

the final beard stage before trimming and shaping for Leo's beard! clients were scaaared! ;)

Next post I'll will have the costumes and party pictures. :P


HAOUUUU!!!

D-0. DAY 0. THIS IS IT. TONIGHT WE DINE IN HELL!!!! / Costume preparation sneak peaks

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE POSTED YESTERDAY (Friday 29th): 


ok. so i m really sorry guys i couldnt blog before about this. Would you believe me if I said that all of this is a TAD hectic?! :D I was supposed to take off from work today but duty called. It's been a marathon to work on the costume as well. I decided that everything should be done at home as it should be. No buying a costume. no ordering one from the internet and especially NO OUTSOURCING to a fashion designer which will add "épaulettes" to the costume and become non-faithful to the original design. The base of course were pictures of Leonidas at different angles, AND (my favorite) MY 12" Leonidas Collectible 'who' always sits on my book shelf, on top of my computer, reminding me to never give up and keep on thriving.

It was an honor to have as my main helper: Aida Karsouny, my mom; who's had so much experience with my previous halloween costumes from when I was 3 to 10 years of age. She personally sewed me a Ninja Turtles Michelangelo costume, a Disney's Robin Hood costume, a Shere Khan costume, a brilliant Bumblebee costume which made me win a competition (Karsounys have always been competitive ;) – I'm gonna reveal to you a secret... people thought I was a BEE when I won the competition, ergo, a girl... not proud to say this but I had my hair covered, and since Michel also sounds like MICHELLE, people didn't pick up the slight difference in shape at age 7... :)

ANYWHO... so here I am. I'm actually completely dressed up. (written on friday) Not gonna show you everything today, but rather the process. Am gonna party like craaaazy at Chocolate, "document the night" – and the booze and craziness – and show you the final tomorrow(today)!!
I look at myself in the mirror as I add the bruises and scrapes. I actually have a ripped body. 65 days exactly after this blog has started. I've come a LOOONG way since these 2 short months. Pushed myself as hard as I could and I've even had. Went to the hospital more than I'd like to admit. Made very good friends, chitchatted with very nice and interesting people all around the world, simply by sitting behind my computer and by putting my every single day out there.

Guys, thank you so much for the great comments. I can't thank you enough. We're at 19000 views now and the blog has featured in blogs in based Brazil, Germany, France, Kuwait, Malaysia, Russia, China, the US, Canada and other countries. The bloggers helped out BIGTIME in spreading the word about the blog.

You know, we were having a discussion a friend and I yesterday, it went something like this:
- so whatever happened to your spartan army? People are gonna come dressed up as Spartans to the party?
- dude... I don't think so cause I mean, I wouldn't have dressed up half naked with my beer belly 2 months ago and not everyone of my friends have 6 packs...
- yeah well not everyone can stare at a Fondant au Chocolat or any other desert without DEVOURING IT eventually ...

That put a smile on my face but I realized something: THERE IS NO WAY I could've gone all the way without you. Without having to open a blank post on the blog every day and pounding away for an hour about my every thought and plans on the project. It was about my ego, about saying something and doing it, all the way, no matter what; it's about keeping a promise and not breaking it.

I've had something similar with a client and a close friend last December. I was really under pressure and had promised to design her something; then, after trying a hell lot, I had realized that I wasn't qualified/trained enough for that kind of project. And after a LOT of reluctance, I had to discontinue working and admit to her that I couldn't do it – and obviously felt really bad about it. Secretly, this blog has somewhat also been a way to make things straight with myself. To prove to myself that I won't settle and stop trying until I get to what I said I would get to. That I would keep a promise.
I know that person is reading what I'm writing and following closely because I know how much she cares about me and respect me – like I do. If you're reading R, I hope I proved myself to you and showed you that I'm not the kind of person that backs away from things. I really miss you and feel like an idiot to have cut contact with you. I will call you soon and would love to hang out. Till then, Happy Halloween... I DID IT!! :D

Check out later's posts for the COSTUME, final progress will be posted in the coming days.
By the way, I'm gonna be on national TV today (saturday 30th) on MTV's "Log In" with Philip Yacoub at 6:00PM to talk about the whole experience. Check me out.

Now me go PARTYYYYYYY!!!!! (that was said yesterday. :) update you in a bit!)


HAOUUUU!!! HAOUUUU!!! HAOUUU!!!

Michel Dines In Hell on "Log In" on MTV :) & Party & Costume Logistics

Tune in on MTV this Saturday 30th at 6:10 PM for a Halloween Special on "Log In" with Philip Yacoub featuring yours truly as I talk about "Michel Dines In Hell"! – the blog in case someone didn't get that ;)

By the way, I know I haven't blogged for the past couple of days; I've been trying to compensate extra for "some" work I had slightly postponed.

On D-1 and D-2 thought I'd party for a cause (2 actually) – as you know, Halloween is on Sunday so parties are on friday 29th and saturday 30th!! :(

Party 1 on Friday 29th: Donner Sang Compter's "Party for our Bloody Cause" at Chocolate Club (got a table in my name if you guys are interested drop me a line or call me up!)

Party 2 on Saturday 30th: at EM Chill Mar Mikhael (end of gemmayze)
The cool thing about both these parties are that I'm sure the mood will be crazy. No people that "don't dress up for Halloween cause it's stupid". Just crazy ass genuine down to earth people that just wanna have an amazing time, and THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I NEED! ESPECIALLY THAT I HAVEN'T HAD EVEN ONE SIP OF ALCOHOL FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS!!! BRING IN THE DOODOO SHOTTTSSS!! :))

I'm working on my costume now!
I was thinking of asking either my cousin Edward Arsouni (yeah not Karsouny...mine is cooler) or Hass Idriss, both great fashion designers to help me with the costume. But I figured, if mom helped me out with my first 10, she should have great experience! She sewed a Shere Khan costume, a Ninja turtle one, a Bumblebee one (where people thought I was a bee ...ergo a girl... I was 6 and was telling people my name was Michel(le) with my 6 year old voice... you know...) ... so on so forth; The best person EVER to help me out – and it's an honor for me – is MY MOM!! :)

We haven't been spending some good old Mother & Son time so that would be perfect! I hope we'll pull it off!


Can I end this post with HAOUUU!?