Happy New Year and all that jazz…

Yeah, I really didn’t do that , did I?  I didn’t put out a great big Merry Xmas or a Happy New Year on the day of.  To be honest, I didn’t even think about it.

My Christmas was spent with family, as I hope you had the chance to be with those you hold dear.

My New Year’s Eve and Day was spent with my wife and children.  I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I don’t really have resolutions this year, which is a first.  I can’t say I have many goals, though I could mention one or two.  Do I want to do stuff, to get things done this year?

You bet.

So, here are some of my hopes for this year.

I hope to get into the Air Force some time this year.  My dental issues are taken care of. All I need to do is pass MEPS, and I’ll be one step closer.  This has been well over a year, maybe even a year and a half now.  Have I doubted my course?  Of course I have. But, tenacity is all about staying in the game even when things get hard.

I want to be tenacious this year.

I want to write more this year.  Perhaps you’ve seen the 500 words .gif at the upper right hand corner of the screen. It is a challenge by Jeff Goins to write 500 words per day.  My January 2 is about over. This will probably post on January 3rd…but, this is my 500 words for January 2nd. 🙂

It’s not that I’m going to be a professional writer. Not at all. I want to be a USAF Chaplain, remember?  But I do want to write in a consecutive, meaningful way.  I may not write my book to be published, but I will write for the month of January…at least.

I want my legendary cloak, dangit!  Surely, I can get that done this year.  Right?

Finally, a little other WoW related hope. I want to flex raid a bit.  I realy want that BoA bow that drops from Garrosh.  I have a Horde hunter that is geared for it, but my Alliance hunter is a little undergeared at the moment.  If you have a time on Monday mornings, or just about any other evening, please let me know.  I’m good most nights but Wednesdays.

My dirty little desire is to one day make it on the Twisted Nether Blogcast.  But, don’t tell Fimlys or Hydra now about it. It would feel to much like a pitty invite if I was able to be on any time soon.  But still, wouldn’t that be the coolest thing ever!  I mean no offense to The Tauren Think Tank, Convert to Raid Podcast, The Instance, Azeroth Round Table, and the many others that are out there. But, Fimlys and Hydra have it going on, YO!

Yes, a 40 year old nerdy, southern, white dude just said “YO!”

I want to do at least one ZKI™ this year. Time to get started on that.

I hope you all have a blessed 2014.

May each day grow in light, love and happiness.

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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Zwingli goes /SQUEEEEEE

I’m a true fan.

I especially enjoy meeting other WoW bloggers online.

When JD asked for some help with regular Dragon Soul, I jumped at the chance to help him out.

I got online, was invited to the raid, and made my way over to the Caverns of Time.

Got there, and ended up waiting next to a Mage named Kinevra.

Man, that named looked familiar.

Then, as the group began to assemble, some more names started looking familiar…

There was a Draynee, Tyledres, and Kaylon…just to name a few more.

Of course I knew some people, like Zeptepi (Matty) and Tumunzahar (JD).  So, I went ahead and asked JD if there were other Bloggers in the group.

He mentioned the MULTIPLE BLOGGERS who were a part of the group!!!!

OMGOSH! I began to /fanboi all over the place!

Other than Matty and JD, can you guess who these bloggers are?!

And to think, someone actually said I needed help with my Mog! 😉

Z

P.s. We got the first two bosses down. And…No, I wasn’t the cause of any of the wipes! /firsttimeforeverything!

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15 Minutes of Fame Recommendations

This is my recommendations leter to Lisa Poisso of WoW Insider. It is in regards to the request of recommendations for their 15 Minutes of Fame spot.

Tell me what you think of my recommendations!

———————-

Dear Lisa,

I tweeted you some recommendations for the 15 Minutes of Fame request from WoWInsider.

“@LisaPoisso I would like to nominate @NavimieDruid, @ancient8, @AlternativeChat, and @Orvillius/@Nymphmage for the 15 minute Famethingy. :)”

Let me expound upon why I love these people.

First, Navimie of the blog Frostwolf-Druid Edition (@NavimieDruid). I believe that her “NaviSpams” were one of the greatest things that happened during the end of the last expansion.  She made the WoW Community real to me.  She brought the bloggers to life for me.  Her quitesential niavite, always being the “star struck” one when meeting new people is endearing.  She really is the star here. She shines the light of her blog upon other bloggers, bringing them visibility and honor!  She brings them attention, page hits, and has substantially increased my WoW eReader time.

In a way, her act has actually expanded the Awareness of the WoW Community.
Tome of the Ancients (@ancient8) is a constant source of encouragement to other bloggers.  She is the one behind the curtain bringing people together. For instance, I found out about Navimie throught TotA. She truly is the hidden connector and natural encourager, imo.

The God Mother (@AlternativeChat) has become on of my “go-to” blogs to read about WoW.  I rank her up there with Big Red Kitty, Ratshag, Big Bear Butt, and Aspect of the Hare.  First, her writing is always way above grade! She is exceptional.  Secondly, she is always writing
preemptively about something that people are interested in.  She is also very kind and genuinely interactive on twitter.

I’m putting the couple @Orvillius/@Nymphmage together for a nomination.  They are the current leaders of the guild, “Eff the Ineffible.”  The guild started as a place where fellow bloggers could get together and raid/play wow.  Even when they weren’t the leaders, they were leading behind the scense.  You see, I was getting burned out on WoW after Wrath; and was just coasting through Cata.  I needed a place to be without expectations (my old guild wanted me to raid, but I just couldn’t do it).  Eff the Ineffible, and especially Nymphy and Orv took me and gave me the space within the guild to just exist. Even Though I Wasn’t a Raider, Orv would craft me high level gear as if I was going to show up that night!  In short, they treated me as one of the family.  I wasn’t the only misfit they gave a place to… there were at least three of us who just couldn’t find any other place to fit; that found that place alongside Orv and Nymphy.

I didn’t tweet about him, but I want to add JD Kenada of Amateur Azerothian to my list of recommendations. Where Navimie brings people together, he gives everyone something to do!  I know other folks are part of them…but when I think of Laid Back Raids and 2012 Mog Olympics; JD is the person I think of. Where Navi makes us aware of each other, JD brings us together for a soda and fries. You know, something fun to get us together and enjoy each other’s company.

Where Navi shines the light upon the WoW Community; JD gives flesh to it’s existance.

Well, thank for your time.  I hope that you have a great day.  Slay many internet dragons, and may Epix fall like glorious rain!

<realname redacted>
aka – Zwingli of Zwingli’s Blog 😉

————

<edited b/c i typo 2 much!>

You know, now that I’ve re-read it… I wish I could go back and edit it again and add stuff to Ms. Poisso. More things about the God Mother and TotA in particular.  I could have fleshed those out more in the email.  Oh My Gosh! I also see where I mispelled some words!  Call Me Durpy!

Z

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Rade’s Fanboi

If you are not reading Rades of Orcish Army Knife, then you should be!

I also would like to see Blizzard hire him as a consultant to their writers.  In my estimation, he would make their stories so much better!

His last piece, on “Why Garrosh in Tides of War makes no sense” is great!

Ok, enough fanboi lovin.

Go Read His Blog!

I know that you’ll get as much enjoyment of it as I do. 😉
Z

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Shared Topic: STARSTRUCK!

Are you starstruck by anyone? Does someone in the community respond to a post or a tweet and get you all speechless because they actually responded? Is there anyone you are waiting to have respond directly to you? Is there someone that you would like to chat to, but are too chicken? Am I the only one who puts other bloggers on a pedestal? ~ by Dragonray

The biggest WoW name in my view would be “Big Red Kitty/ Brain Needed Space.”  But alas, he doesn’t do much WoW blogging any more.  Still, if he every left a comment I would definitely do a double check!  He was my favorite of all WoW bloggers.

Now, among those who are currently blogging… I have a few folks that I would love hearing from.

Not that they’ve not ever spoken with me. I’ve been blessed to communicate with these folks.  But, I’m always a little starstruck when I get a comment or tweet from them. Here they are, in no particular order.

John (aka: BBB) from Big Bear Butt Blogger

Ratshag from Need More Rage

Cynwise from Cynwise’s Warcraft Manual

Gnomeageddon from Armaggedon’s Coming

I read quite a few WoW bloggers. I love many of them! They truly are awesome!  But, these four seem to top my “Fave” list.

Who do you enjoy reading?!

Z

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O Juicy Star!

With permission from Martha… and inspired by her post: Throwdowns With Bears (or: A Muse, Three Ways)

(part of BBB’s challenge)

I give you:

Shafting O Tannenbaum
Lyrics by Martha

Oh juicy star, oh juicy star
How slender are thy torches
In Juicy Juice™ you do reflect
Though vain compare and few respect
Oh juicy star, oh juicy star
How slender are thy torches

Now go see Martha and her awesome post: Throwdowns with Bears!

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My Problem with Blogging Topics

Sad Elf if Sad.

My problem with blogging topics is that I have to many.

That combined with a desire to actually play the game I want to write about leaves me in a conundrum. First, I have to pick out a topic. Then I need to take what free time I have and decide to not play the game, so that I can write instead.

That totally sucks.

Also, there are the times when I want to react to something that someone else writes.

I don’t think I react well, though. I end up putting my foot in my mouth when I react.  By the time I get around to feeling that I can write about something without being reactional; the world (of warcraft) has moved on. There is something else to react to!

So, I need to make a list of things I want to write about. Some things that are RL and some that are game related.

Hm… Yeah… That’s it.

Right after tonight’s PTO meeting…and Dinner…and putting the Nelflings to bed.

I’m sure I’ll have enough energy then right?

Oh…and that might take me out of playing tonight.

>.<

/grrrr

Z

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