Thoughts on Breaks

Every now and then I have to take a break from the game. Coincidently, the few times that I’ve taken breaks coincided with the birth of children.

I have two Elven Ankle Biters. I swear that they are going to grow up to be rogues.

My first break lasted a couple of months. My second break lasted a little over a month. I played for approximately three years in between breaks.

I’ve noticed a few things in coming back after breaks.

Things change…fast
Reincarnation of play
It’s the Relationships

1. Things Change…Fast

First, things change really fast in the world of WoW. People come in and out of the game faster than anticipated. I swear, the only thing that stays the same are the number of Night Elves waiting in line to dance on the mailbox in Goldshire.

People switch guilds, people switch servers, people switch factions, and people switch mains. You leave for two weeks, and the group you’ve been leveling with are twenty levels ahead of you. You realize that the new hangout spot is Stormwind, and you level almost exclusively via daily fishing and cooking quests.

Things change…fast.

2. Reincarnation of Play

Secondly, there is a good chance that the way you play changes as well. For me, I went from casual a casual RPer/quester/fishing junkie to a casual raider. I say casual, because we were only raiding two nights per week. I now sense a desire to RP more, as well as try out other classes. As it turns out, the game has a lot to offer. We are only limited by our own play style and imagination.

This isn’t a bad thing at all. People change due to circumstance and personal development. It makes sense that our goals, methods, and things that bring us pleasure change as well. Our characters change with us as a virtual extension of our personalities.

3. It’s The Relationships

Lastly, it’s about the relationships. If I miss anything about the game while I’m away, it is the relationships that I’ve built along the way. This is bitter sweet. Remember what I said in the first point?

“Things change…fast!”

There is always a good chance that the people you miss may have moved on to other endeavors. But, it still bears out that what keeps me coming back is the relationships. If you are in a good guild, then the $15 monthly charge is peanuts compared to the benefits reaped in playing. The conversations, the group goals achieved, the “doing” of the virtual WoW life is much more satisfying. You may find yourself developing relationships beyond the scope of WoW.

A good friendship is worth it’s weight in gold.

So, why do you find yourself continuing to play through the various incarnations of WoW?

Zwingli

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Guest Posting for Jasyla

My guest post for Jasyla is up!

Please take the time to head over to Cannot Be Tamed, and check it out.

Thanks,

Zwingli

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For Magritte

This is a picture of me and my new best friend…

/wave

Hai!

 

Cali…

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Compliments

You know, compliments just feel right.  Well, not all of the time. For some of us, compliments are unwanted attention. For others, it is the red hot brick of conviction due to our lack of actually deserving the compliment. But, for the normal everyday run of the mill scenario; a compliment is a glorious thing.

My Effin-Caligan is making is way along in the World (of Warcraft) just fine.  Here take a look at a more current picture:

I’ve become more willing to tank pugs as of late.  I like to think that I’m actually getting “better” at tanking, but a part of me wonders if it isn’t that Prot Paladins aren’t just really over powered.

Hey, I’m not complaining! It is just…I think we cleared at least one boss sans healer!

I’m just saying… >.>

Ok, back to compliments!  So, I’ve been running more pugs as a tanks lately. It seems that Wrath instances are zerg fests, so to break the monotony I’ve started to type a bit more in the /p channel (other than just heya).  I’ve still run into the “jerks,” the “gogogo(s),” and the “lolL2PlayNoob!”  Those guys are always fun.  Interesting, not much of it has been centered on me though. Again, either I’m getting better or my spec makes up for my failadin tendencies.

Today a few really nice things happened.  I was complimented about three times, over just as many instances. Also, right before I logged this afternoon I saw some white words splash across my screen.

You remember the “white words” don’t you?  Those are the things you find in the /s channel; which is then able to be seen by everyone in your close proximity!  That’s right, someone was speaking to me in /s and it wasn’t a guildy!

It was a mage of approximate level, and he said “hi” to me, and asked me how I was doing.  I was dumbfounded. Who was this guy? How does he know me, or at least think it is a good idea to pretend to know me.

I let out a “heya,” and asked how he was doing. We chatted for a little bit, but then I had to ask him where he knew me from.

Get this…

We had actually instanced together before. We had been thrown together in the LFD tool. He had such a good experience that he “friended” me and made a note about me being a good tank!

Look.  This is minor stuff. I get that. But, I’ve had serious confidence issues as a tank thus far. Hearing someone, even a random person, say that they remember you “because you did a good job” is heaven on earth to a person with a confidence deficit.

So, if you have a chance today…say something nice. Let it be to a random person who you really think is doing a good job. I’m not asking you to lie. I’m just asking you to communicate a little bit. Say something positive to a person.

Spread the love, baby!

When was the last time someone said something nice about you?

Zwingli

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Day 17, My Favorite Spot In-Game

This is Day 17 of our WoW Blogging Experience, per our esteemed Warlock colleague ~ Spellbound.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day 17 is about my favourite spot (in game or outside it).

My favorite place is the whole zone of Winterspring.

It might be because I did my first Wintersaber grind in Vanilla WoW, when it was just evil. It might have to do with it being my first goal achieved in Wow.  I’m really not sure.

But one thing I do know is that it is a beautiful zone.  It is one of my favorite places to be in WoW, and I wish I had more in-game reasons to be there.

Zwingli

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Nelfling

I’ve been inspired by Fannon, and his Dear Dwarfling.

Nelflings are so cute, especially for the first 18 months or so.

Sure, they eat, sleep, and poop the same as any other mortal baby. But, we all know that Nelfling pooh doesn’t stink. Unlike the Orclings! Oh my, by Elune’s Tears those babies can stink. Seriously, is there genetic problem or something?

I digress. Oh yes, Nelflings. They truly are angelic.

Did you know that they glow when they wake up in the morning? It’s true, they do. And they awaken smelling like spiced mulberry wine.

They are truly intoxicating.

But…

/cough

At 18 months something happens. I call it the spark of Illidian.

To be honest, that may not be fair to Illidian.

They are beginning to walk. They are beginning to talk. They are beginning to experience this great big ole’ world we call, Teldrassil.

And then, it’s like they gain a sense of will, specifically as it comes into conflict with your’s as a parent.

I HAVE AT LEAST A FEW THOUSAND YEARS ON THIS ANKLE BITER!!!!

/cough

You would think they would be more appreciative of our vast adult experience.

/sigh

Alas, they do not.

It is as if they are already robed and ordained as a Priest of Elune. They can’t be wrong, they are oh-so-righteous, and I swear that their pooh begins to stink.

/grumblemumblegrumble

Oh, and there is no genie in the diaper-genie. Stinks to high heaven. I’m gonna skin that goblin the next time I see him.

/winces as he takes the trash out, holding it at arms length.

Zwingli

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