A Social Game

I think that Cynwise said it best.  He described WoW as a game, under-girded by a social platform.  Ok, that wasn’t exactly it, but pretty close.

While people can play WoW as a solo gamer, I believe that something is missed in solo play.

Don’t get me wrong, I leveled solo with my first character, all the way to 60 (Vanilla WoW).  I didn’t get into group play until the Burning Crusade expansion.

Instancing and Raiding isn’t the full extent of the Social aspect of the game.  We can’t forget guilds, pvp teams, and many other social aspects (some character generated) of the game.

These things add a depth to the game, that solo players don’t experience.

I saw a dusty track in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms the other day.  I knew that meant Portent was up!  I already have the purple/blue and red version of this wonderful pet.

So, I track him down, mark him; and it was one I already have.

What do I do?  I immediately get on guild chat, to see if any lvl 90 hunters are on.

Turns out, one was alting around; and he was able to get on his lvl 90, get to the Vale, and tame Potent!

His taming of the pet was just as satisfying for me, as me taming the pet!

I helped a guildie; and that was a wonderfully satisfying experience.

Grats Ivanho!

WoW is experience better, together.

Z

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I’m Blessed…

I can’t begin to tell you how blessed I am.

I know that it may sound arrogant. I can sound like I’m bragging.  Perhaps I am.

I’m blessed by the people I know. The groups that allow me to wear the guild tags.

From <Phoenix Rising>, to the <Frostwolves>, to the <Claws of Nature>.  I am blessed by the people in my life.

Thank you for being there.

Friends that Give from their Creativity

I’ve already mentioned this once, but it bears mentioning again. You see, friends are what make this game great.  Friends that write you poems of appreciation.

Gifts that cost something

Friends that give you Battle Pets, to show their care and appreciation.

These were gifts from a wonderful friend in game.  Thank you so very much!

RNG

Finally, there has been some RNG love as well.  I can’t explain it. I know that people have been suffering. They’ve been camping these sort of pets for weeks, if not months. I’m not sure exactly how I wound up with 3 within 7 days.

In the end, this is my thought.

Be thankful.

Be thankful for the people that welcome you when you log in. Be thankful for those you raid with, talk on vent with, pursue those in-game goals with.

So tell me, who do you appreciate?

Z

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Why Navimie Gets Nice Things…

I’m not sure if you heard or not, but Navi has been gifted with a Darkmoon Rabbit Battle Pet.

Big Nashing Teeth!

Go ahead, read her post.

Actually, go ahead and Google “Darkmoon Rabbit” and see what you get.  If you read enough of it, you’ll come away with an idea on how hard it is to get one, and the level of admiration/affection her friend has for her.

A while back, Matty and I came up with an idea to gift Navi with a collage of Notes of Appreciation.  In the midst of trying to contact all of the 60+ Blogs on her Blogroll, I was asked a question.

“Z, what’s with all the Navi-love?”

My response was:

“I’m not really sure. I guess she is the common thread between me and Matty.”

In her blog post, someone makes a statement on how “nice” a “friend” she has.

In which she responds, “I only HAVE nice friends “

While I don’t doubt the veracity of that statement, I think there may be more of a reason.

Why does Navimie “seem” to get so many meaningful gifts?

Here is my answer:

Navi makes you feel like a Rock Star.

My first piece of evidence is the Navispams.

There is only one reason that all of these people have been Navispammed.  Namely, that they are “worth” it.  Navimie has decided that these folks are worth getting to know. Worth researching, tracking down, stalking, blogged about, and shown for all the world to see at their very best.

Navimie gets nice things because she has gone out of her way, made it a mission, to show others as “being” special, worthy and wanted.

My second piece of evidence is her constant encouragement.

Not only does she read every boring USAF Update I write, but she constantly pours encouragement into it.

I’m not the only one she does this to.

My third piece of evidence is how she shows appreciation.

You see, thankfulness is systemic with her.  It is part and parcel with who she is as a WoW Player/Community Blogger.

Her blog is full of “Navispams, Thank Yous, and Gratz(!) Posts.”

And then, she even goes the extra mile with something like this:

You can also read where she did something similar for Erinys of Harpy’s Nest Blog.

This is why Navimie gets nice things:

It is an outpouring of appreciation for the gift(s) she’s already given us.

Now, who should we lavish some love upon next?  I’m taking nominations!  

Email me: zwinglisblog@gmail.com

Z

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USAF Update 3

For those of you breathlessly following my journey into the USAF…

Here’s another update.

I’m afraid you may be underwhelmed!

I’ve not done very well on my overall workout regimen.  I start out the week strong, but usually derping it through by the end of the week.  The scale hasn’t moved very much, but it has moved a little.  Thankfully in the right direction (Down!).  I’ve gained a little bit of muscle mass, which I’m grateful for.

This is my Worried Face.

I am worried about something though.  My regimen is good for loosing weight and body transformation.  But, I’m not sure that it is good for gaining the strength I need to do my required sit-ups and push-ups.  One reason I love it is because it has a 20 minute, high intensity cardio workout.  This is also great for burning calories; but I really need endurance.  Specifically, I need running endurance.  Sure, I’ve been using the elliptical, but that isn’t exactly the same thing.  So, I’m considering modifying my workout to compensate for these perceived shortcomings.

I believe that my main problem has been self-motivation.  So, I’m doing a few things to help in that direction.

First of all, I made an appointment to be “officially” weighed by a trainer this coming Friday.  Not only will he weigh me, but will check my body fat% and my waist inches.  Remember, I need to be 195 lbs or less, and a 37 inch (or less) waist to get in.  There is nothing like a “Due Date” to kick things into gear.  I’ve noticed that this was the first time in the process when I didn’t have a “hard date” by which to get things done.  It was more along the lines of, “The Board meets sometime in Feb or March. You’ll have to be in shape by then.”

Again, no hard date to be done by.  So, I’m adding my own artificial dead lines.

Secondly, I’m putting up physical reminders of “why” I’m going through this process.  That mostly looks like Notes written to myself in places I’m sure to see them.  They articulate the individual, motivational reasons that I’m on this journey.  I also take time to reflect upon “why” I’m doing it.  Setting some time aside to intentionally remember, not just be intermittently reminded, as to the “why.”

These include:

• A sense of doing what I am created to do.
• Expanded life opportunities for my family.
• Better monetary compensation.
• Well defined Promotion/Advancement structure.
• Structure that my personality works well under.
• “The Want” – I have a deep seated desire to do it.

Determined Face

Ok, that’s about it.  Time to go work out.

Z

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Baby Ape, Huzzah!

I had two Death Knights camped out on a couple of servers in Jaguero Isle.

I’ve been hunting the elusive Baby Ape!  Turns out, they only come out and play during the rain.

I logged in onto Dexington around 6:00pm CST, and it was raining!

I saw multiple green paws, and I immediately moused over the closest one.

BABY APE!

I was able to tame two before the rain ended, and the others disappeared.  I ended up with a Poor and Common quality pet.

Turnip is for Tame!

Even got an Acheezement out of it!

Zwingli’s newest family member!  

Z

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MINFERNAL!!!!!

A picture worth a thousand words.  In this case, it’s worth numerous days of camping Felwood across three different servers as well.

Place: Felwood

Server: Sentinels

Time of Day: 3:40pm CST

# Spawned/Quality: 1 of Poor Quality

For those of you still camping this pet.  You can do it!  One will spawn for you!

May you be blessed with one soon…

Z

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World of Acheezements!

It took me a few years, but I finally got the “Elder” title.

I was inspired by many of the other bloggers of late.  Many have attained different achievements for various things.  I decided to take a look at how far along I was.  It took a bit of flying, but I’m glad I did it.

Now, my dirty little secret is this:

I didn’t do it for the title, or even the accomplishment.

I did it for the pet the Lantern!

You see, I was busy finding the Elders for the coins to purchase it.  That was when, coupled with the achievements of others I’ve been reading, I decided to look at how far along I was.

I’m glad I did.  It is nice to finally have it done.

I also was able to get some Pet Battle Achievements as well.

I’m beginning to understand how achievement hunting can get addicting.

Z

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FraidyTank

I swear, I should start a blog by that name.

A blog of Tankadin Mediocrity and Unwillingness to Tank Current Content!

What do you think?  Could I get a following?

I’m not sure why, but I continue to do everything but tank on my lvl 85+ Paladins.

Lord, I have three of them! 

You would think that I would have tried my hand at it by now.  But no, it hasn’t happened yet. I always figure out something to do.  I might do some pet battles. I might grind out some ore for blacksmithing.  I might decide to not try it, for fear of messing up and giving which ever guild tag I’m wearing a bad name.

One thing that stays the same, is that none of them make it into an instance.

I blame no one but myself.  I just need to go do it.

Now…

Where is that ore!

Z

P.s. I should also add that I’m lazy. The idea of going through guides for ever stinking instance/raid/whatever is overwhelming to my huntard brain!

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Because sometimes…

…you just have to pick it.

Anyone with a giant sized tissue?

Z

 

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Z Mogged Himself…

It seems that some people didn’t like Z’s outfit.

I don’t understand why, though. I mean, it “sorta” matches. Right?!

See:

—edit—

Someone said I need some Mog help… O.O

A commenter made a mention of my hat.  Here it is, in all it’s premog glory!

—edit—

 

But alas, I’ve given into peer pressure.

I went and made a cheap and easy mog.  I made the Contender Dragonscale Set, and used it to mog my pve gear.

See:

I mogged the bow using the Ironfeather Longbow.

I mogged the Cloak using the Vicious Fur Cloak.

At least, that is what it is for now.

Z

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