Day 28, 29 and 30: 10, Gold, and Found

#wowscreenshotaday September

I love ya, Tycertank - these have been grand fun, but think I'm going to take October off. Here is my wrap-up of September:

Day 28: 10 o'clock

This is what happened at 10 o'clock: Destiny Sobers Up

Day 29: Gold

I am not sure how the RNGs know -- what kind of sorcery is this? Similar to spending around $146 every time you step into a Target, or Grandma Nona KNOWS about the sex of an unborn child (seriously - listen to the first portion of This American Life: uncanny!!) Blizzard KNOWS just when to lift my spirits:

I was looking at the sad state of affairs in the guild bank:

Then I looked in my barrel from my 1,429th Brewfest run:

WHAT?! For ME?! Thank you RNGS!

Better than gold! Brewfest Kodo

Day 29 theme song:

Day 30: Found

Perusing through links this morning, I came across this:

Why do knights fight snails in illuminated manuscripts?

British Illuminated Manuscript Blog: Fascinating Reading

and it immediately made me think of the snails in Forgotten Depths

Found: Obscure Reference to Mediaeval Basis For In-Game Evil

But if you want to read the true story: http://mechalis.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/the-forgotten-depths-of-oh-my-god-snails/

Day 27: WTFlibbertygibbit?*

*Mr. Snerguls: Matty is trying not to cuss so much. It's making her constipated.

#wowscreenshotaday September

WTF: Mess

I can't keep up with the tsunami of WoW Insider articles. When I said my plans included more focus on job and Matty-shack, I meant it. I have no idea what's available on the Timeless Isle, no clue about stats, gear, or new recipes, and am completely in the dark about, well, everything. But one thing I do know are LFRs. The article that caught my eye yesterday is "Are We Getting Less Tolerant of Wipes?" 

To me, this begs the question: were we ever tolerant in the first place? I guess, then, it's a matter of degrees. I will never forget when I went in an LFR with my loyal, larger guild (Iocane: this was before your time) and the group accused me of pulling some blob and before you could say "wut?" I was kicked. A guildmate then whispered to me, asking, "Did you pull it?" Way to stand behind your guildmate, and the answer is "No."

Between new, green-horn players getting fresh epic gear at the drop of a trash pull, while perhaps more experienced players grind away for thirty-boss boss kills for one fist weapon (*clears throat*) players don't know if they're coming or going anymore.

Let me offer radical suggestions:

No more kicks.
No more deserter debuffs.
Add BIG determination.
If you die, you are removed from group immediately after the boss fight or wipe: BUT - no debuff, and you get a script as to what happened and why.

Sound harsh? Yes. So crazy though, it just might work!

Yesterday I tried for the umpteenth time to get Momokawa some goodies. I always seem to zone in after Immerseus: does this fight bore people to death? Is that why they wipe? Anyway, get through to Norushen, and that is always when the wheels fall off the bus. Now, I've done Flex about three times now, and I love it. Why is Flex easier, when the fights are dumbed-down in LFR? One key factor is communication and motivation. While fighting Norushen yesterday, three players repeatedly died. They were either AFK, didn't understand what the word "beam" meant, or maybe undergeared. I don't know. I don't care. I'm not mad, bro, it was just another typical experience at the beginning of a patch in LFR.

This same experience holds true when one is leveling a character: the expectations of other players is at once understandable (if this is one's 37th alt, perhaps one should know what to do, a little bit maybe?); however, it is also ridiculous. It feels like players expect a level 31 paladin to perform like Theck. Um, no.

The last caveat I would ask is it would be nice to have the option to report to Blizzard as to why you dropped a group: person using racist slurs, trolling, afk, etc. This is not just player reporting or snitching, but a way to gather data. Why should they want this data? Well, they're the ones asking the question.

In any case, I'll do what I always do: go do old content while everything calms down, and then end up again behind the curve.

Day 25 and Day 26: HALP and Swerve....err, curve

#wowscreenshotaday September

Day 25: H is for "HALP!"

Tuesday night I had forgotten that my buddy Turk's group ran Flex, and had the chance to bring Zeptepi. I realized this morning all my characters need to go back to school: there have been many class changes over the past two patches, and though I have not forgiven Blizzard's move to take away underwater breathing from shamans, and now my new grudge is the loss of movable casting on Kellda. Who the hell does Blizzard think she is?! A SHADOW PRIEST?! This aggression will not stand, man!

Cunning my ass. H is for HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A WARLOCK SCORNED.

But the real "H" is for 'help.' I reinstalled elvui, and love it, but came up against some configuration bugaboos, and my handy in-house tech support is off doing gee, I don't know, his own life? But fortunately there was a really nice person in Turk's guild who helped clear up some confusion, and after more research, tweaking, and tinkering, am getting the UI down to where I need it to be. You know why I really love elvui? Cause at a click of a button all my bag slots get organized. I love it. CHINGchingCHING done. If only the real world were as easy to organize.

Day 26: Curve

There were two curve-balls thrown at me in game recently: one, if you click on the crane statue thingy on top of the hill when it's sparkly, it'll throw you up in the air! FUN! WHEEEEeeeeEEEE! Oh, whatthe?! There are platforms with big treasure chests? But, but but -- I didn't know! I didn't plan! Oh well...just enjoy the view on the way down:

This is going to sting a little...

Oh, and I saw this too by accident:

Now...how to get these?!

Day 24: Space

#wowscreenshotaday September

Okay, I goofed. And though this is not a WoW shot, worthy of today's topic:

Day 24: In the background

#wowscreenshotaday September

Book Ghoul, going through titles to ban...

It's Banned Books Week, a focused week of looking at the books and other media sources that small interest groups want to keep you from reading. Now, I am all for age-appropriate: there is no reason why anyone, no matter the age, should read Twilight or Fifty Shades of Grey, (both could cause lasting harm). But Captain, My Captain, CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS?!

In the background, there are groups, cliques, cohorts, and cadres of folks who would like nothing more than all texts to smooth, lack of any conflict, and Sally, Dick, and Jane. I once had a conversation with a woman who would not let her daughters read the Harry Potter series, but did not mind Twilight. My tongue is still scarred from biting it. Sure, sure! Why not? An epic tale of friendship, love, loss, betrayal, honor, heroism, intelligence with a little bit of magic versus a story of horny teen vampires who don't want to overcome their love interests with too much sparkle. Sure. I see. (Great. Now I've just pissed off both Harry and Sparkly Vampire fans. Go Team Jacob!)

Well, these folks perhaps should sit down at a keyboard once in awhile and try to tell one honest story themselves, and see if it does any good. The whitewashing is getting old.

Day 23: From My Childhood (or check my achievement date)

#wowscreenshotaday September

"It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins

Tome and I share this characteristic: we get focused, dammit. Seriously, folks, if we ever run for public office we would kick ass and take names, and one of those names might be yours. Luckily for you fine folks, we are too busy chasing butterflies and practicing therianthropy. And I think Tome would agree with me, or my sentiment at least, that any player who has found success in a raid team or otherwise is fantastic. We want you to have your shinies. We love them, too!

Perhaps the nature of any game is a certain amount of exclusion: not saying it's fair, right, or desired. It just is. I bring this up because the other day young leet druid reminded me about the wolf mount that drops in a ten man if I get Garrosh down "ahead of the curve." I missed out on Lei Shin, and now I see another train coming down the tracks that is going to forget to stop at the Matty-station. My first reaction: obsession. How was I going to get this one done? How could I find a raid team that fits my time demands, skill set, and personality?

To find a group that suits all three, and mine to them, now that should be a Feat of Strength. Like expecting Blizzard to give us cool mounts and pets on their anniversaries: impossible.

I mentioned my desires to a gentlemen with whom has been gracious to invite me along on their flex raids on Wednesday nights. I think Flex Raids are the greatest thing since French Vanilla creamer in little creamer packages. Turns out, that is the ONE night of the week that is chopped in twos by Matty-shack duties. Regardless, being in a Flex isn't going to get the 'chieve done. I need a REAL team people. He kindly told me it would be puggable before too long.

I...am scared of pugs.

Damn.

Used to do some fun things with Big Bear and his pals, but he's got a new favorite shaman, so that's not going to happen. Let's see, let's see: maybe my big guild! Sure! Maybe I can recruit for that! Except I do not have experience in recruiting, and wouldn't know what to say: Hey, kids, join a forty-something shaman for a ten-man normal! No nerd raging, no down-talking, no bitching, no mumbling/girl-gamer voice (you know what I am talking about), no up-talking, have a sense of humor, don't take yourself too seriously, don't shout or whisper in Vent/Mumble, and for god's sake don't eat bran flakes before every pull and no you can't take your dog for a walk now! Sure. I'd bet they come in droves! Well, hmmm...what to do...what to do? Switch to Horde and beg Navi for a spot on her B team? No? There's a way to end a beautiful friendship. Stand in fire, spill hot coffee on lap, and go to emergency room.

I keep reminding myself that I can only raid two short-session raid nights a week at most, and even with that with A LOT of understanding from CD Rogue. I'm in the Pacific Time Zone, so when night owls are doing their thing, even on the east coast, I need to be ready for sleep at 9:30PM.

Old ladies can't raid.

This is something I'll figure out, one way or another.

Day 22: Made me smile...

#wowscreenshotaday September

Man, where are your pants!?!

Day 19: What is this?

Jack the Pumpkin King: What's This?

#wowscreenshotaday September

It's TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY DORKS!

Oh, and some beautiful dragons:

The sky grey ashy, dark: ominous. Huolon approached.

Oh, there are just too many fun things to do on the Isle. And like time itself, everything is very fragile.

But in the other world, there are many amazing things, too:

love it

Day 18: Vintage

#wowscreenshotaday September

I don't really have a screenshot, but this concept: Azeroth Timeline.

My question is, if you created a Time Line of your character(s) and, or your life in Azeroth, what would it look like? How would it mesh with your real life?

RTMT: Mi Familia and Day 17: Right in front of me...

#wowscreenshotaday September

Today's RTMT is brought to you by a big cup of coffee, a few dirty dishes in the sink, and a big, fat, to-do list for today that may or may include anything in Azeroth. Oh, who am I kidding? As soon as I get home and get dinner going, I'll be there, smelling burning fish sticks and hoping for more pets or mounts.

Let's see where we are with things:

*Mataoka: sulking with her pretty cloak, hating melee, knowing she needs to go back to elvui and do some damage, people! Invited to Flex raids on Wednesday nights but has family obligations that chop up the hours on that night. Refer to below.

*Luperci: has all the gear and item level she could possibly need to start tanking, yet lacks the biggest buff of all: confidence.

*Ceniza: this isn't really working out for her.
*Zeptepi: ditto
*Momokawa: cannot get an RNG break for a better healing staff or maces. Last seen chasing butterflies with Sasquatch around Mt. Hood.
*Kellda: "You want it dead? I know a guy... " Nothing gets in this girl's way. Well, maybe a few things. But like the recalcitrant honey badger, Locks don't care.

*Haanta: SKIN ALL THINGS....howl at moon, skin some more.

I know this is irrational but I really have a hard time going in there on any character but Haanta. It's like leaving money on the table with all that dead stuff just lying there ready for the taking. But I need to get in there with my inscriptors to see if I can get my own Glyph of Rain of Frogs.  I know my buddy Turk got this and I pestered him so much for it I finally got an all-caps response. Deserved, yes, but I didn't see his first responses in the reams of chat. I tried to fix my communication channels but it's still clogged with trolls and junk mail. But I won't bug him anymore, I'll just go get my own. (Still kind of tearing up in over-sensitivity to my mistake. I hate getting all-capped. CD Rogue spends a lot of his conversation in all-caps.) But I'll fix my UI later, and try to streamline communication in Azeroth and real-life.

This skull wants something...not sure what. Sure it's right in front of me...

What a lovely surprise!

There is some bliss in ignorance when it comes to adventures in Azeroth. I have tried not to read anything about 5.4, and it's at the juncture where it's costing me time and gold. Getting the Ominous Flame was a great surprise: I named her Gaslight because I am crazy to play this 'game' so much. But now I'm at the point where I'd better start focusing a bit more, and go read Tome and Cymre's blogs, among others. And take notes.

The breakfast topic in WoW Insider is "Have you successfully recruited friends or family in the game?" If the measure of success is just getting someone to play, then yes, I myself was 'successfully recruited." How has that worked out? While CD Rogue and little cub have gone on to build rockets and launch space missions that would make Neil DeGrasse Tyson envious, and young leet druid is so pro at WoW and everything else, it's kind of like having Neil DeGrasse Tyson explain astro-physics to me. I kind of do that Scooby-Doo "hherrrruh?" face. In other words, the rest of the Matty-shack are not fans of how much I play. But as long as the fish tacos are ready and there is clean underwear, I guess they can tolerate it. But I have been told they regret it. It's my job as wife/mother to try to continually seek balance. One of my best friends the other day told me it's like a mobile: the mom's job is to keep everything moving gently and freely. I have since walked around feeling like Alexander Calder got a hold of my brain.

Speaking of which, it's almost 6:30 AM, I have a 7:30 AM meeting, and am not completely sure where I want the day to go. Planning for my days is critical to any success. I guess that's why I leave most of Azeroth unscripted and improvisational.



Theme Song:
Stupid Girl/Garbage

Speaking of Neil DeGrasse Tyson:

So here is my question for you: What is the most astounding fact about Azeroth?

Postscript: Saw this on Eriny's blog, and thought it looked like fun:
http://batinna.wordpress.com/2013/09/08/dress-up/

Day 16: Frame(d...)

#wowscreenshotaday September

Day 16: Frame

Luperci had on her Safari Hat. What's their excuse?

I...

I am not ready to talk about Luperci, Who Is Not A Fail Tank, or Ret Paladin For That Matter.

Day 15: Season (and Tome don't look)

#wowscreenshotaday September

In Azeroth, depending on the zone, one could visit four seasons in one day. From Storm Peaks to the misty gloom of Duskwood, the bright shores of Booty Bay to the autumnal secrets of Crystalsong Forest. But here in earth, as the Southern Hemisphere moves to their spring and we "Winter is Coming" Northerners move to fall and winter, seasons are not static. Even if you live somewhere where there are no real seasons, you will notice shifts of mood and tone. In the mornings, in my neighborhood, the fog fills the spaces like an unwelcome guest, and is bounced at by the sun around noon.

Spider protecting the Matty-shack from flying critters...

The best thing I did this summer was leave the wysteria alone. Benign neglect kept it thriving. The ones in the pots are rootbound and dead: I know there is a lesson here. I'll dig it up later.




Theme Song: Four Seasons in One Day/Crowded House

Day 14: Liquid

#wowscreenshotaday September

Plate armor and water - that is what the 'strength' stat is for...

Already I'm sliding into 'keeping my head above water' mode. Oh well.

And I'm still pissed off at Blizzard for taking away underwater breathing from shamans. REALLY?! The ONE CLASS that specifically works with the elements of fire, earth, wind, and WATER and they can't control that? Sure, sure, warlocks can, cause you know, it makes sense, right? Since they play with disease, fire, and soul-sucking. That has everything to do with breathing underwater (written in my sarcasm font.)

Oh, and on the way to work I realized I forget to put the "real" unexpected post:

Getting the "Crazy Cat Lady" title was completely unexpected!


Oh, and as far as the Timeless Isle goes, I'm having a very difficult time not allowing Haanta to go and skin to her heart's content. Since many people don't have leatherworking, the money left on the table, so to speak, is plentiful. For a miner like Matty, not so much. Those mining nodes are sparse, and fast running warriors always jump there first. Yes, that's lots of fun.

Now I'm steering off into grumpy: more coffee. See you soon.

Day 13: Unexpected

#wowscreenshotaday September

Unexpected

This little Ashwing moth is an unexpected joy: the way it carries its own light, and is so gentle and soft. This was an unexpected surprise from the Timeless Isle. Oh sure, I know there are other more grand pets to acquire, but this little blessing makes me happy. I was thinking too, recently about other players I miss who don't play anymore, and wishing they'd come back and at least say hello, and I got my wish with one of those players this morning (wave!)

The little sweet surprises...wonderful.

Day 12: Shadow

#wowscreenshotaday September

Shadows of destruction

Day 10: Sweet

#wowscreenshotaday September

For the first time, Señor and I were on-line at the same time when the mileage ticker turned over to the next guild level. Instead of telling you how excited we were, I'll show you:

Tonight my buddy Krash invited me to a 25-man to get Lei Shin. I must admit I really wanted this achievement; in fact, I was kind of twisting my mouth thinking what a shame this particular Feat of Strength will pass me by, as so many others, and there isn't a thing I can do about it. Oh well.

No matter. I came across this post, (where the above .gif and many more come from) and it's worth sharing: http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldofwarcraft/10-reasons-why-warcraft-friendships-are-better-than-ones-irl


The Expendables/Tight Squeeze

Day 9: On the wall

#wowscreenshotaday September

In the Tainted Forest, the knick-knacks wiggle, and the art is framed in octagons. Kellda senses a memory, a comforting unease.





Theme song White Room/ Cream

Day 8: Made by me

#wowscreenshotaday September

Made by me...

Heartichoke gets her leather on...

I love/hate professions in Azeroth: being somewhat of a crafty witch in real life, I love making things: I have made hand-painted furniture, murals in babies' and toddlers' rooms (and been paid real money for this talent), hand-made jewelry specializing in funky, chunky bracelets, necklaces, but dainty earrings (many suitable for belly-dancing, if I did that). Now the only things I seem to make are the intangible in Azeroth, and though it can be satisfying at times, it can be equally frustrating when I feel Blizzard shuts off supplies to those of us who are not active raiders. I haven't ever seen a single Haunting Spirit except for 10K gold in the AH. That. Pisses. Me. Off. When it comes to professions, it feels WAY too much like class warfare: the "rich raiders" get richer because they have access to the materials. I am for free public education. The best and most convincing gentleman to speak on this subject is John Green, author of many phenomenal novels. He talks fast: watch it twice.

Look, I get, and support grudgingly, that there are only mounts that drop in raids. There must be some perks to putting up with another group of humans who may or may not have your best interests at heart. I was talking with young leet druid yesterday, and the times I have had to make tough choices to leave raid teams--I would get in on a group in a weird progression spot (to date I have not completed BWD), CD Rogue's health issues required more of my attention in the evenings, or other scheduling conflicts, or have had other team members who were, um, well. Never mind. The past is the past. He said the true  elite raiders are never rude to anyone, or arrogant, and I thought this is true of the world, too. Heroic leaders and teachers show us all the path, and don't block or obstruct with condensation* condescension or arrogance.

I just wish that crafted items didn't cost so damn much gold. I still don't have all the jewelcrafting mounts, nor will I have this for months, maybe years: 5.4 Sky Golem.

Maybe someday.

*Mr. Snerguls busted me with that egregious malapropism. Yes, I hate when snotty players sweat on me. HAHA.

Day 7: White

#wowscreenshotaday September

Zeptepi is alabaster pale, from horn tip to hooves. When thinking of the topic-of-the-day for 'white,' she was a natural fit. Coincidentally, while checking in on her and her cloth factory, a young paladin was blocking the entrance of the inn with white smoke flares. The effect was beautiful, even if his prank was intended otherwise.

Wall of Fizzy-Lifting Drink

The screenshot does not capture the bubbling, fizzing beauty of the animation. In honor of this silliness, I found this vodka cocktail recipe for Fizzy Lifting Drink. It has enough sugar to make even Augustus Gloop reach for a carrot.

This is an amateur film made on this woman's i-phone of her trip to Playa del Carmen:

Que Onda Guero/Beck

September 5: Here forever

#wowscreenshotaday: September

Queen Tiffin Ellerian

Consider yourself foreshadowed. (Is that a word?)

In Stormwind Cemetery, guarded by two Stormwind guards who consider themselves the luckiest bastards/bastardette ever to pull guard duty, lies the fallen queen. Look. I know. I KNOW. I feel cheap falling for a plot trope such as the "dead wife/girlfriend" thing.  But as I have always believed, it is up to us writers to fill in the back-stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.

To honor "Here Forever," there are several haunting memorials in Azeroth. These are just a few:

http://www.wowwiki.com/In_Loving_Memory

http://www.wowwiki.com/Category:Memorials

http://www.wowhead.com/npc=45739/the-unknown-soldier

http://www.wowhead.com/npc=12034/koiter

Perhaps all of us, upon leaving Azeroth for eternity, should consider our own virtual funerals. Hum...just gave myself another idea.