Little saints...

The Roman Catholic church has many saints, and if I don my theologian hat I'm sure it comes from the compromise of culture from the Ancient Roman pantheon of having minor deities perform specific functions or protections. It's tough to give up beliefs, and shun a god. I still knock wood, or toss the spilled salt over the left shoulder, because you just never know. The monotheistic appeal of Judeo-Christianity is clear -- accessibility to a faith for the common man. But the good people just couldn't give up the spirits of the forest, hearth, or seas, nor should they. That is an unfair compromise.

I don't really pray. I'm not sure what I do, actually. I do something, think a thought, make a wish, hope, concentrate, meditate, something, when I feel the universe needs to be reminded that although it isn't fair, and it certainly is under no obligation to me to show its cards, that I can still hope for something -- some comfort, some laughter, something...

Over the next few weeks I plan on tackling the faiths in Azeroth. In the meantime, however, I have someone who could use your prayers, or whatever it is you do, or even just a kind thought, that something serious gets better. Some strength is given. Some light is shone in the darkness. Pray to St. Juliana for chronic illness, please, or whatever small shrine you create. I don't know if it works. I really, truly, don't. But I know thinking nothing doesn't either. Go in peace.

Theme song: Misguided Angel/Cowboy Junkies

Protection.

Got your back.

There is a fine distinction between laziness and loyalty.

If I ran a guild, a ten-man raiding guild, what would it be like? I don't know. Perhaps it would be similar to Vidyala's (Manalicious)--but that takes work, time, trial-and-error, etc. I know that there are a few friends I have in Azeroth, and if I could clone some of them, or assemble a ten-man team out of two, that would be wonderful. Alas, I am not a puppeteer, and can barely control the strings on that hapless shaman. As it is, the guild I am in now is wonderful, but there is not a lot of room for variety. The loyalty of steady members comes at a cost for newer players, sort of like tenure. It's only a problem when one doesn't have it. The upside is, I don't have to worry about the headaches of running a guild, and the inherent silliness that occurs when you get more than two players in a room.

Perhaps I am thinking about this because I sit with some time to play today, and I know I need to drag Lupe out of her tank-funk. The last heroic dungeon "she" was in was on October 20. Distracted by Hallow's End, and a hefty lack of confidence, I just haven't had the nerve to queue up for a dungeon run. The thing is -- and I will never learn my lesson on this -- I don't like to tank alone. I like to know that I have a healer on my side, and amazing DPS in my pocket. I wish that in my dream guild there was an alt-night, a night for mains/progression, and a "let's just do shots and not give a damn" night. (Oh wait, that is also called "Tuesday.")

So--I will get back on the metaphorical horse once again, and get my tank on. Being the "Most Beautiful Tank in Azeroth" is a tough title to keep, and doesn't get the chaos orbs.

1% Milk Buff

And--this was really the point of this post anyway --I do like to offer my protection, and I am very grateful for those who bless and protect me. Recently a few guardian angels have offered the right words, at the right time, and lifted my spirits. Hope to do the same.

Film clip: Pedro offers you his protection.

Postscript: That wasn't so bad. But still didn't win the chaos orb.