Clash of WAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!?!

Ok, so this happened the other day.

I don’t know how.

I don’t know why.

But…But… I can’t seem to stop!

I guess I need to rename my blog, “Zwingli’s Weblog of Random Gaming Stuff.”

Z

“Hope is our weapon against the darkness.”

“Will You Leave?”

Walking Alone?

I was a pastor for about 11 years before joining the USAF as a Chaplain. That is a little over a decade. Not a short time to be somewhere.

My first year as a pastor, I hired a a youth minister that lasted about 6 months. He got a better job, making more money at a bigger church. I will always believe that the new church was where he was supposed to be.

What made me sad was the feeling of loss the kids were going to experience.

I knew the transitory nature of ministry. The average youth minister lasted 18 months, the average pastor lasted 2.5 years. The average minister got out of ministry after 5 years.  It was the nature of the beast.

I was told that we tend to make great salesmen.

There was a young girl in our church, a 4th or 5th grader at the time we lost the youth minister. I had gathered the group around me the next Wednesday night, and she asked me a pretty tough, but understandable questions. “Are you going to leave?”

My answer has become blurry through the years. I think I started with, “In ministry, we go where we are called. I can not promise that I will, or will not be any place for a set period of time.” You get the idea.

But, I did finish with this… I looked straight at her and said, “You know, I’ll probably be here longer than you.”

That sounds horrible. I remember thinking that I would see her graduate, and then she would be off to college or something. Well, it didn’t work out that way. She ended up dropping out of the church. I remember it was shortly after her daddy died. It was a hard time.

Well, I’m connected to her on FaceBook, and saw a post. She was holding her brand new baby girl, and promising to never leave her. To never leave her, just like her mother had left her.

I don’t know why I’m writing this. It could be a story about breaking the chains. How someone who had suffered much separation is doing her best to stop it with her family.

I like to think that is it.

Maybe it is a story of someone just trying to make it. She never did college. She ended up moving in with a guy and getting pregnant. Not exactly planned, yet not unwanted either. She is living in the same basic area that she grew up in. That could end up being a sad story, or perhaps one of “blooming where you’re planted.”

Whatever it is, it just is. It is life.

Now, I find myself in a very transitory job. I’ll move bases every 4 years. I’ll deploy every now and then, for 6 months at a time. People will be coming and going all the time. A tough situation when one wants deep relationships with others.

Life is transitory. We must make it count.

WoW can be lonely, and it can be very social. That depends upon us. If you don’t like people in your guild, then join another one. Life is too short to spend it with people you don’t like. People count. You count. Do something that counts.

Make a choice, break a chain.

Love hard, love deeply. There are people around you, or at least there could be. You don’t know when you’ll have another chance.

See what happens.

Z

“Hope is our weapon against the darkness.”

Work That Matters

b/c BUUURRRRTTTTT is my favorite sound…

I’ve been thinking about “work that matters.”

I’ve even come to a conclusion that all work matters. Please, let me explain.

First off, every morning when I pray, I thank God for giving me work that matters. What I mean is, I’m thankful for a job that has me caring for other people. In particular, I get to care for men and women of the armed forces. I get to see Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen every day! I get to sincerely inquire as to how they are doing. I get counsel them. I get to provide for their religious needs. I get to be a listening ear, when they don’t think that anyone else is willing too. These are the men and women that keep my wife and kids safe at home. In this case, they are taking care of things in Central America before they reach our US southern border. I serve them out of a sense of thankfulness.

For me, this is work that matters.

There are some jobs in the USAF that people may assume has no meaning. For instance, new Maintainers may have to literally count bolts. I’ve seen them do it. This is an accountability issue. Based upon previous needs, they carry enough parts (including bolts) to fix the planes when they need a repair. While at home, if they don’t have a part, the plane will be grounded until it comes in. Sure, the pilot may not get his/her flight hours. The plane may not fly, and in that case will have to have extra maintenance done to make sure it can fly later. But, nobody loses a life because of it not flying. However, in a deployed environment, that may not be the case.

My favorite plane is the A-10. Part of its job is to provide support for Soldiers that come under fire. So, when our guys are pinned down, the A-10 comes in to blast the enemy; saving the lives of our Soldiers. If that plane is unable to fly because we run out of bolts (or some other part), then those lives will be potentially loss.

You see, the work of a Maintainer is essential to saving lives; even if he/she is just counting bolts.

Now, what about those folks who just can’t seem to find meaning and significance in their jobs?

Maybe you are a Vegan, and the only job you can find is as a burger flipper at McDonalds.

Every time you look at those delicious fries, you just see hypertension in a box. When you look at the kid joyously ripping into their Happy Meal, triumphantly raising their new toy into the air…all you can think is, “choking hazard.”

First, please find a new job. But if you can’t, I have a question. What does that job allow you to do? Hopefully, it allows you to survive, and your life matters. I hope that it allows you enough money to hang out with your friends and families every now and then. Our relationships matter. Maybe it allows you to provide for that age appropriate toy for your own kid, and his/her smile matters.

You see, work matters because we all have meaning and significance. Work matters because we matter. Even the most mundane of jobs enables you to participate in other things that matter.

I will continue to be thankful for work that matters, regardless of how I may feel at the time. I hope that you will as well.

So tell me, what do you do that matters?

Z

When Life Intrudes, RIP TSgt Cross

Life intrudes, its what it does.

RIP TSG JeremyCross

The world lost someone this past week, though you’ve probably not heard of him.

I hesitate to call him a friend. You see, he was enlisted while I’m an officer. We aren’t allowed to get to close, lest favoritism cloud our judgment. That is a serious thing, and people could lose stripes and bars over those sort of things. Still, if things had been different, I know that we would have been friends…even close friends.

http://www.dyess.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123467937

Though information is scarce on my end, it looks like a suicide.

You see, the Jeremy that I knew was a joy to be around. More than not, he always had a positive – “can do” attitude. He was always willing to help. Something that I benefited from on numerous occasions.

You see, as a Chaplain I was an “insta-Captain.” I joined the USAF with that rank, which others tend to need 4-5 years to earn. One of the things they told us was to find a SNCO, and let them mentor us. I was blessed to be assigned to a Group, and a have my office in a Flight that was filled with good mentors. Jeremy was one of those.

While he helped me, mentored me on more than one occasion; one thing in particular sticks out. You see, I was having problems with my PT test. That is one thing you don’t want in any military branch. Jeremy took me under his wing, and worked out with me for 2 months – 5 days a week, every afternoon so that I would pass that accursed test.

He didn’t just tell me what to do, he did it with me. He walked through it with me, every bitter-painful-step. And, because of him I got one of the best scores on my PT test that I had ever had.

We talked a lot. I got to know him really well, and was aware of some of the struggles he was dealing with. I know that I have a responsibility to not share what people tell me. It is one of the core responsibilities of Chaplains. We  guard the private information of those counselled  behind an iron curtain of confidentiality. But, even knowing that I wonder. Could there have been something, over 4 months ago that I could have done to mitigate against this day.

Four months ago…the last time we spoke. He was moving to Dyess AFB, and I was getting ready to deploy.  My heart now breaks for his son. He won’t be able to spend time with his loving father any more. I can only hope that one day someone will tell him how much his dad cared for him. I also pray that his means of death won’t diminish the memory of his love for his son.

Folks, our time together is short, make the most you can of it.

We lost a Good Man, a Good father, a Good Airmen this past week. We are lesser because of that loss.

Live with Hope. It is our weapon against the darkness.

Chap…

From Honduras with Love

 

Mountain View

 

Good morning world!

Just in case someone hasn’t deleted me from their feed, “HI!”

I am currently “deployed” in Honduras. Notice the “”. That is because I’m in Army folks that scoff at the term. I only have a relatively short time when compared to soldiers. They refer to it as a Temporary Duty Station. Anywhich way, I’m enjoying some wonderful scenery with some great people.

I have the priviledge of taking care of Soldiers, Airmen, Sailers and Marines. It’s been great thus far!

My intent is to chronicle some of my journeys while I’m here.

I’m sorry, but you won’t hear much about WoW during this time. I’ve temporarily unsubbed. I don’t want the distraction. Though, we all know the siren call of WoW… 😉

So far, I’ve seen some beautiful things and some things that will break your heart. I am surrounded by mountains! For a guy from the coastal plain of TX, they are stunningly beautiful. Yet, I’m also surrounded by abject poverty. Honduras ranks in the lowers of 1% of poor countries.

Thankfully, part of my job is humanitarian aide. Yes, the USAF is paying me to take care of not only military personnel, but also the “least of these” that surround us.

This will be quite an experience.

Peace and Blessing,

Z

2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,400 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 40 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Long Time No See… Life Update

Hello all!

It’s been way to long.  I’m glad to say that I’m still alive and kicking.  Let me take this time to update you on what has been going on.

1. I survived my 5 weeks at COT (Commissioned Officer Training).

That was an experience. Yes, there was a lot of yelling. There was a lot of anxiety, fear and frustration. I spent my first week there sick to my stomach. I threw up more than once, had no appetite to speak of.  It isn’t something I would want to repeat.  I was told that the first 10 days to 2 weeks would be the worse part of it, and that is the truth.  If you can survive the first 10 training days, then the rest is cake.

Not pie… Cake.

I might tell you more about that later.

2. I’m at my first assignment.

My family and I have been here for a week, on the nose.  This has been “in processing,” which included a list of folks to find and get their initials. At times I had to turn something in. Other times, I had to get some computer based training done (aka CBTs). Other times, it was some sort of briefing (some with power point displays, some without). I only need two more initials to complete my list, and should have those by Tuesday or Wednesday.  I don’t know where I’ll be assigned yet, but I’ll be happy wherever.  Everyone I’ve met has been great. The Chapel team is exceptional, and I’m glad to be a part of it.

I still have one more training to complete to really start things off. I’ll be gone for “Basic Chaplain’s Course” some time in August thru September.

3. In our house!

We sold our old home and signed a lease on a really nice home a couple of days ago. Timing was wonderful. The only problem is, our household goods won’t be here until July 17th.

Yeah, the 17th. 😦

So, we are camping out indoors for the moment. I’m writing this from a cheap card table that we bought at Walmart a day ago.  It, and a couple of borrowed inflatable mattresses are all we have in the way of furniture.  It’s ok though. We’ll be alright.

We did get our internet! I mean, we all have to have priorities… Amirite?!

4. So, when is Z gonna be back in WoW?

To be honest, I’m not sure.  I think that I might be back sometime this month. However, that might be just in time for me to then leave for my next training. I’m fairly certain that I’ll start playing again once I get back from my training. WoW is still one of the best values you can find when it comes to hobbies.  I’m looking forward to resubbing and goofing off with the Frostwolves.

One thing I do know is that my play times will be different. I was able to play at least a couple, if not three mornings a week before. That will definitely change. Now, I get up for PT and then head straight into work. The nice thing is that the schedule is 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (most of the time). Sure, there will be times when I get out way later, but that seems about normal. So, it looks like I’ll be heading back to the 9pm-11pm play time.

This makes me sad, because that means I won’t be able to play with some of my Aussie friends in those early mornings. But, there is still a group of folks from down under who are on around my evening times, and I’ll be able to contribute to the guild as I had been able to do in the past.

So, I’m looking forward to getting back into things. If not before my next training, then afterwards.

5. I missed y’all.

I don’t want to be all sappy, but I did miss y’all. I have much in my Feedly to catch up on. So many blogs, and so many weeks that I wasn’t able to read your wisdom, insights, and WoW related ramblings. I may not comment, but know that I’m using this time to read all of your previous posts!

Z

Helper Zwingli!

I want a new title. I want:

Now, the title I’m wearing “Farmer Zwingli” is highly appropriate.  I can honestly say that I spend most of my time farming up veggies, hunting up the meat, and making the Pandaren Treasure Noodle Carts.

Now, for those interested, there are purely mercenary reasons for doing this. The Frostwolves use an ELP…EKG…DLP…Some sort of thingy that allows raiders to gain points. Based upon their number of points they have access to special items AND they can use spend these point on LOOTZ!!!  One of the way you gain these points is by getting raid materials together, and the aforementioned carts are one of those items that we can turn in to gain points.

There’s only one problem…

I’m not a raider!

I’m sitting here with the most point of any person in the guild, and I’M NEVER GOING TO TURN THEM IN!!!

“What a waste of time,” you may say.

I think not.

You see, here’s the thing.  We all play for our own particular reasons.  Some play to raid. Some play to rp. Some play to socialize in /gchat.

I would guess that there are as many reasons to play WoW as there are players.

For me, it’s all about helping.

I’m not saying I’m being altruistic. It doesn’t mean that other’s aren’t helping.  It means that this is the way that I’ve found that I can add the greatest value to the guild that I can.  While I’m a solo player, I really want to be a help to my guild.

What do I get out of it?  I’m glad you asked.  I get my strokes from it.

1) It feels good.  Please understand, this is a pretty nice reward in and of itself. I feel like I’m adding something positive.

2) I get a kick out of Navi mentioning it in vent. I’ve asked about giving my points to other raiders, but she put the ka-bosh down on that idea quickly.

3)  It gives me a reason to log in, even if it is just for a few minutes to harvest my crops.

And, 4) if by some random chance RNGesus allows me to raid, get a normal Garrosh kill, and that beautiful BOA Bow drops (heck, I’d be happy with the Flex version)…I’m sooooooo spending all of my points on it!

Again, I think we all have our reasons why we play. For me, I want to help out my guildies as best as I can, given the play time I have.

What about you?  Why do you play?

Z

P.s. Please send your prayers and kind thoughts my way. It’s only a month before I report to COT for my 5 week introduction *cough* to USAF life as a Chaplain.  I’m giving my 4 weeks notice at my job (yes that’s a thing), selling our house, trying to get into better shape (10min mile, here I come!) Things are winding down here at an atomic pace.  This will be the first time I’ve been separated from my family for any length of time. I just want everything to go as smoothly as possible.

Thanks…

Becoming One

Disclaimer: Sex is part of this post. If you, even remotely, have the capacity of being offended, please don’t read.  I believe that most will find this mild by most standards. While for me it is a stretch; I’m more of an old fuddy-duddy than most.  Just saying, be forewarned at the potential discomfort; and possible offense that one might find.

Z

_______________________________________

Khesed had had sex before.

It wasn’t a taboo subject in Blood Elf culture as it was in others. He even remembered one of the first time his dad brought it up.

He was about to go out with this fine looking Huntress. She was a sight to behold in her tight leathers. Pulling her bow taught, he could see her finely tuned muscles rippling. Her animal companion was some sort of big cat she tamed in Darkshore. He was never really interested in the cat, just her.

Dad said, “Son, I want to talk to you about something. I know you’re going out tonight, and I know you’re probably going to find yourself in a position to copulate with the young hunter.”

Dad was a mage. It was always embarrassing when he used stuffy words like “copulate” instead of something more main stream. At least he didn’t say, “whoopi or wanka-wanka”

Khesed said, “I know dad. We already went over the protective enchants to make sure no diseases pass, and to keep her from getting pregnant. Gah!”

“Yes son, but I wanted to talk about your expectations.”

“What? What do you mean by that?” Khesed actually looked interested in the conversation.

“Well son, it goes like this. I don’t know one Blood Elf male that doesn’t believe his is the Nether’s gift to Maiden kind. He mistakenly believes that he’ll ‘go all night,’ ’till the break of dawn,’ ‘rock her soxors,’ ‘ride her hard and put her down wet’ and other such nonsense.

Let me tell you now, you’re gonna have the stamina of a wet noodle.”

Khesed turned a bit red, but respectfully continued to listen.

“It’s kind of like that cannon ride at the Darkmoon Faire. You know the one, where they shoot you out, and you try to land in that floating circle in the water.

You wait and wait and wait, to finally get in. There is this initial explosion of excitement, BAM off you go. You’re flying high for a moment, not able to believe the heights of exultation you’re experiencing…and thirty seconds later…there’s a splash and it’s over.”

The younger Khesed rolls his eyes.

“Son, you need to hear this. I don’t want you and/or her embarrassed by the end of the night. You need to learn a little bit about foreplay. I know your mother likes it like this: start off slow, maybe do a little bit of…”

“DAD! OH MY GOSH! WOULD YOU SHUT UP ALREADY!”

Khesed remembered bolting for the door to get as far away from that conversation as possible. Some things a young man just should never hear…much less get a mental picture of.

To his dad’s credit. He was right.

He knew he was in trouble when the young hunter brought out a bull whip and said, “The safe word is ‘Whoa Nelly!'”

He tries not to think very often of that experience.

Then there was the Priest…or, he should say the Shadow Priest.

They were definitely having sex, almost violently so.

He could never be sure, but he always thought that she Mana Tapped him during every climax she obtained.

To say that he was drained at the end of the experience was an understatement.

But, Alienna was something different. As he would later reminisce, this was the first time he had ever truly made love.

They were slow, but not because it was planned. They just enjoyed every inch of each others bodies. He didn’t want to forget anything. He drank her up with his eyes and with his lips. He wanted to remember every part of her, from the tip of her horns to the edge of her hoof. He was oh so gentle with her tail, knowing it to be a rare pleasure for any male to be able to caress it.

She returned the favor, making the night a long and pleasurable experience for both of them.

They acted as one in every movement. Their bodies collided, not violently, but in a melody of sublime intricacies. Every move was in sync with the other. Every rise and fall a heavenly cadence.

There was no taking, only a giving upon the part of each other. Each desiring to serve the bodily needs of the other. They were so in tune with each other that as they climaxed together, they no longer could tell where one person began and the other ended. They were one.

That night, Khesed knew that he had fallen in love with Alienna. Not a Draenei, not an Aldor, definitely not a Spacegoat. A man and a woman, finding completeness in the arms of the other.

Khesed was willing to do anything to be with her from that day forward.

Awkward Introduction

It took a few days for Khesed to recover. Once he replenished his own inner fortitude, he could finally heal himself.

Those few days gave him some time time to think. Krum and Xexell came by a few times to check on him…and laugh at him. Rightly so, it seems.

He had gone into battle distracted. He had proven to be a liability to himself and his comrades. He had gotten hurt, and could have been killed. This can’t be allowed to happen again, plain and simple.

Looking at himself in a mirror, he speaks to the open air.

“I need to see her again. I need to talk to her, even if it is just to lay it all to rest. I mean, come on. It isn’t like this can actually happen! She’s an Aldor, I’m a Scryer. I’m a Blood Elf. She’s a Draenei. If anything, we’re more likely to kill each other than actually love each other. I’m sure she isn’t feeling any affection towards me!”

Khesed waisted most of the day around his quarters. He ate something. Tasted like fish, but he couldn’t remember enough to tell you later. He waited for the time to pass, for the evening to arrive. Around early evening, he made his way to the World’s End Tavern.

The night was still young, so not many patrons filled the seats as of yet. An amplified voice filled all of Shattrath, “Elite Tauren Chieftains playing at the World’s End Tavern in one hour! One hour until the Elite Tauren Chieftains!”

“Great!” Khesed thought to himself. “The tavern is going to be packed tonight.” He ordered a glass of wine from the barkeep, and sat down at a table in the corner. “I wonder if this will be a draw for her, or keeps her from showing up tonight.”

He noticed Kylene making her way around the few patrons who made their way in thus far. She was not only a barmaid, but a great cook as well. Khesed had gotten more than a few tips from her during his time in Shattrath.

He waved her over, “Kylene, good evening.”

“Well hello there handsome! Desire a second glass of wine before you finish the first, eh?”

“No, not yet. Though, I’m certain a second will see this table before I’m done. No, I’ve a question for you.”

“What is it my boy. But make it quick, people are coming in.”

“I’m looking for a Draenei woman, one I had the honor of meeting a few weeks ago. A little taller than I, swept back horns, lighter colored hair, eyes a man could get lost into…” *cough* “Sorry about that.”

Kylene couldn’t help but smile. “A bit smitten, are you?!” Now she let out a pure giggle of glee. “I’ve seem more than one Blood Knight fall for one of those wagging tails!”

Khesed’s face went from tan, to pink, to red…which made Kylene laugh all the more.

“Give me a second Khesed, I know the one you speak of. I’ve seen her in here almost every night for the past week. Seems the Aldorks were doing some work amidst the bird people up in the hills a week or so ago. She was in here, asking about you! I could hardly believe it. A squid asking about one of our pretty boy pallies!”

Khesed’s eyes widened more than a bit. He could feel his heart rate quicken. “She was asking about me? Did she seem mad about something? Did she look like she wanted to see me, or kill me?!”

“Cool it, meat shield! I asked around about you, and Krum told me about your injuries. I mentioned that to her a couple of days ago, and by the old gods she actually seemed worried about you.” Shaking her head. “Never saw that coming.”

About that time, Kylene’s eyes made their way to the door. “Hey goldilocks, look at the piece of spacegoat that just walked in.” She smiled at him, patted him on the back, and waved to a certain Draenei motioning her to come over to Khesed’s table.

Khesed was almost too afraid to lift his head up to look. This is ridiculous! He had taken on everything from Ogres to Pit Lords! He should not be afraid of one Aldor maiden!

Looking up, his breath caught in his throat. He was stunned by her sheer beauty. The elegance of her body. The way she floated across the floor to his table. Her face was flawless, her lips full, her eyes deep pools to get lost within.

She smiled as she saw him, but then a look of uncertainty swept across her face. Almost looking embarrassed, she made her way to his table.

Kylene let out a burst of laughter, startling them both! “Oh, by the gods you two. You would think that you weren’t both adults! Here, let me start this off.

I bet you don’t even know each other’s names, right? Ok, so… Khesed, this is Alienna, priestess of the light. Alienna, this is Khesed, Blood Knight and Shieldbearer of the same.

I believe you two have something to say to each other.”

And with that, Kylene walked off in the midst of the growing crowd.

“So…Uh… Hi.” Khesed could have smacked himself in the face with a battle mace.
Alienna smiled, “Hi. Um…How are you feeling? I heard that you got hurt”

“I’m doing well, thank you. The Ogre that got me didn’t fair to well, though. A couple of my friends beat him down, and lit him up like a torch.” Khesed smiled and Alienna gave a soft laugh.

A- “Friends are good to have in times of adversity, yes?”

K- “Yes, I agree. They are beyond their weight in gold. So, how have you been doing? Has it been three weeks since we last met?” Khesed had an involuntary choking sound escape him at the thought of their last encounter. His face reddened again.

Turning red as well, Alienna said, “I’m doing well, thank you. We had to deal with some of the Arakkoa a week or so ago. Not to hard to handle, but I found my own head wasn’t all quite there.”

“Me too!” *cough* “I mean, I found it hard to concentrate in our battle with the Ogres for some reason. It’s the main reason I found myself injured. It was quite embarrassing, to be honest.”

The crowd kept growing, and the band was setting up for the show. People were jostling each other as it became tighter and tighter.

Alienna swung around the table to sit next to Khesed as the throng of people grew.

Their hands lightly touched each other, and neither one of them made an attempt to retract their fingers. Soon, both of her hands were in Khesed’s palm, with is other hand lightly stroking the top of them. The band began to play, starting out loud and strong, yet neither of them seemed to notice. Both were lost in the face of the other. They drew closer together, now their hands, forearms, and elbows were touching. His foot lightly made it’s way around hers, calf meeting calf.

Getting up as one, they made their way to the barkeep. Paying for a room, they made their way upstairs.

They may not know where this was all going to end up. But they knew where they both wanted to be tonight.