OLRG: FIRE IT UP! (And boring old lady slide show time)

All righty then, Old Ladies Raiding Guild--my question to you, after much success through not one but four 'past glory' raids is, "Are you ready for Firelands?!" (dundundunnnnnn) 

Tome did a great write up of yesterday's OLRG - and Happy Birthday, and Happy Birthday to Jstmel/Thel who couldn't make it yesterday due to his own celebrations.

We've done Blackwing Descent, Bastion of Twilight, Throne of the Four Winds, and Black Temple. Next up will be Firelands, then Dragon Soul, and then….and then….whatever else we want. No matter how close we get to matching our OP Gear Scores to the raid level, never forget our creed, our motto, our damn MISSION STATEMENT PEOPLE!

Wait, what was it again? Oh yeah…NEVER APOLOGIZE AND NEVER EXPLAIN!

Was that it? Wait, was it this? Something about fewer players and less money?:

No, no that's not it. Well, I'll throw this out there OLRG'ers - what should our motto be?

And we are ready for Firelands, in all the hot-footed glory?

Heck yes!

So Saturday, November 23, about 4PM Pacific Time (5 Mountain, 6 Central, 7 Eastern) be there or be square - anyone may come along - don't worry if you have Vent, or your character (Alliance) is level 85 - we can make it a 25-man and do what we do best. Play fast, and look good doing it. Firelands has some of the best gear for mogging in game, and know that if there's something you want, we can always go back.

In the meantime, I know you all want to see more pictures of me and some of my Blizzard writers/artists I admire:

Fimlys of Twisted Nether Podcast

Lisa Poisso/WoW Insider

Vidyala/Manalicious and WoW Insider

Me, Logtar (GM of Reloaded) and Vidyala

And Luperci had to tank yesterday.
It looked something like this:

Best cosplay ever...

It seemed the usual "show tummy" cosplay won, though it was magnificent, but those who truly captured the spirit did not even get an honorable mention.

This needs rectification.

Winner.

Chronicles of Glovebox Gnome: Home again

“He used often to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep, and every path was its tributary. 'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,' he used to say. 'You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Glad to see Azeroth is in the same condition I left it: my own geography lessons were well schooled this trip: I had no idea it was that far to get to California from my front door, and back again. There was one panicky moment when a RED LIGHT came on in the car and the engine cut out. Exciting! Turns out little hybrids don't like it when their electrical systems are overloaded, and all was well. 

Ultimately, was it worth it? 

Yes. Got the ring in the fire, (check), met some great folks along the way, (check), learned a few more things about my extended family (check and check), and the Matty-shack was in one piece, too. And my dog missed me. And Señor got our cottage guild up a few more notches to level 16 too. (You realize sir I am getting antsy for it to be level 25 now: not sure why. Nothing like 2500 miles to give one time to think about how to quickly level a guild.)

What's better than that? Nothing. 

See you in the morning.

Chronicles of the Glovebox Gnome: Writers rock.

A 'proper post' (if I ever get around to it) is not quite possible now - well it is, but let's just say I'm too lazy. No, not lazy, never lazy: technology is giving me some fits and there is some packing to do. But if I don't capture some of this feeling of "I could have danced all night" then the moment will slip away.  Navimie did a great write-up of Blizzcon - just as she regales us with her stories of raiding, her writer voice captures the excitement of what it's like to actually be there, boots on the ground, and I'm not sure there isn't a soul she didn't meet. 

But I...I....

Damn - first let me say I'm sorry I didn't get to meet Jeni of Escapist Scrawl, Hasteur, or Zerena Hoofs. And I know there are others whom I'm going to say "Sh*T!" when I realize I didn't get a chance to meet them. Arv, just glad you were hanging with Navi cause I was being such a dork.

But - (and I don't know what happened to my photos on my camera and am trying desperately not to panic...cause you know, if there ain't no screenshot, it didn't happen.)

...I did meet: (and the understatement does not begin to express my joy)

Vidyala: We talked for a long time, and met Voss, too: just simply adore this young woman. She is amazing.

Matticus: nice guy

Lisa Poisso: a writer I've long admired and really appreciated talking to

Elizabeth Harper --awesome WoW Insider writer - so incredibly warm and gracious

Fimlys of Twisted Nether (who said maybe I could get a spot, but we'd talk about Navi - lol! See Navi, no one cares about random Draenei shamans, everyone wants to know about Navi!)

Apple Cider Mage: ACM- you rock. Simple as that.

And getting a chance to know my GM/RL Logtar better was great: he is truly a wonderful man, and feel so lucky to have landed in that guild: credit goes to you, Turk. Log: now go update that blog. 

Looking at this - you see what my focus was, of course? WRITERS. Meeting these folks inspired me, and well, damn. 

Damn, that was cool. So cool...witness this moment: I'm kind of speechless.

Now staying at my in-laws' place about 40 minutes away meant doing the 'normal' Blizzcon things, like hanging out in hotel lobbies, etc. was not meant to be. That was the downside. The upside is we went out for Mexican food and got to drink beer and then soak in the hot tub (yes, I fell asleep. No, I did not drown. I am not writing this from a watery grave. I can sleep in hot water. Just one of my many talents.) So now I'm ready to hit the road again, praying I didn't catch my sister's-in-law cold. I'm packing up a lot more than dirty laundry and souvenirs: I got my wishes granted, and that's all I wanted. 

PS Navimie: next time I'm putting a bell on you. 

Chronicles of Glovebox Gnome: The view from the road...

Make no mistake: I wouldn't change a thing. Yes, that was one long-ass drive, and you may think I'm a dork, but we actually planned the return trip so I can see Mt. Shasta in the morning, instead of in the dark. Driving from Washington to Southern California is one journey I have never made: flying has always been my preferred mode. CD Rogue grew up in Cali, so this is familiar terrain.

By now you are all well aware of the amazing expansion coming our way: Warlords of Draenor. I kept up with tweets, feeds, messages, etc. on the road as the opening ceremony was taking place. You know what I find funny? I didn't have to be there to feel the excitement and joy the WoW community felt: I felt it too.

There aren't a lot of road highlights: it was pure driving. We finally couldn't go any further and stopped about 2AM on Friday morning, and even then it was hours to go. I managed to spill salsa on my sweatpants. This detail will be important later.

And we bought delicious fruit and almonds from a stand, including a cross between a grapefruit and lime (pomelo?)

And as driving into California, the air is...different. I've struggled to describe it over the years. It's a dry that is not harsh, a softness that is not weak, a clarity that blinds. I love living in the rainy, grey of the northwest, but that sunshine....hard to ignore its siren song.

Hours in a car can make anyone edgy, and there were moments I wish I could have flown. But I remembered a few weeks ago a young man I know posed a question, "When is the last time you did something for the first time?" Every experience is a good one, after a fashion. As excited as I am about playing WoW, it does not compare to the friendships I've made. 

We finally arrived, and as I said the sweatpants, and the need of shower and teeth-brushing meant that when CD Rogue said, "Do you want to go right to Blizzcon?" I said NOOOOooooOOOOo. There was no way in hell I was going to meet Navi or anyone looking (and smelling) the way I did. The salsa was the least of my problems.

So, to my in-laws', cleaned up, and yes, this is how much CD Rogue loves me: he did all the driving, and still got back in the car and drove us to the convention center.

Wrathion was there:

And I signed the wall:

And I met NAVIMIE!!! (No photos- protect privacy and stuff). Let's just say I am the one who looks like a Tauren standing next to her, and she's just as awesome in real life! 

I met my GM Logtar and his wife and a few other guildies, and they are just as nice and sweet as they are in game. 

Now: how do I feel about the new expansion? 

There will be a female Draenei heroine. 

There's your answer.

Thank you Blizzard.

Oh, Mr. Blizzard sir, One more thing? I have often wished Draenei could climb mountains - you know, the hooves and all --

Chronicles of Glovebox Gnome: Postus interruptus

Yesterday morning before we ventured out to make the 15-hour journey from "washington???" to "wait no california," I had this post almost completed, and then blammo! Out the power/Internet. You know, because the wind blew.

Current status is we're in Santo Nella, California, still a few hours away.  Glovebox will be submitting his report later. Yes, we will miss 'big announcements' and yes, we missed WoW Insider parties last night, but from the Twitter streams, tweets went from sobriety to not. 

Australia counter-point? We Yanks would know far, far less: this geographer got it right.

Okay, so I mentioned previously the opportunity to meet one of my favorite bloggers presented itself, Akabeko of the Red Cow Rise blog fame. We met in a hip little vegetarian-themed cafe (the one place in the state of Washington that does not sell coffee: but she was impressed by my adept skill of blending ginger tea with lemonade from the self-serve fountain). We didn't have any formal interview questions for one another, but our conversation provided rich insights organically. It was interesting to note many shared experiences in terms of writing, including acceptance (or rejection) of our creative passions by past paramours.

Ultimately, the gifts of our meeting included:

1. Acknowledgement that those in our lives who do not support our creative endeavors, but seek to sabotage them, need to be jettisoned immediately;
2. I have found some new and willing writing partners with her and Dahakha. Wait. Let me rephrase. I have found my real blogging version of Mr. Snerguls. (She volunteered you, Dah. Thanks!)

This is really big news.

Now Navimie and I do a lot of shared writing in terms of idea swapping: her stories are perfection. Mine, often, are not. I publish too fast, and have many bad writing habits. I don't revise enough. I don't let things "percolate." I create unrealistic deadlines and impulsively hit the 'go' button. Akabeko has offered to read my sh*t before I hit the publish button. She and Dahakha have a keen editorial eye, and understand the process of story-crafting better than the average bear. It's like having my own personal, virtual writing workshop again, but with the added bonus of writers who understand this genre. I have often been reluctant to share my Azerothian-bent tales with others for fear of the cocked-eyebrow of judgy-mcjudge-ness.

We (Azerothian reporters, bloggers, writers) hold a Smaug's treasure trove of writing resources and inspiration. I've put together a list of just a few:

• Blog Azeroth
• Writer's Write (South Africa)
• Update: this is where my post dropped yesterday morning: all my links and thoughts went with it,  and are at home on the home computer. Bottom line: read. Read more. Write everything down. Keep journals, scraps, napkins, notebooks, etc.

And find some good, objective friends ready and willing to read your stuff for errors, confusion, etc.

See things a different way

Chronicles of the Glovebox Gnome: Blizzcon or bust!

Human.

Hmm…human. Go to bed.

You had an emotionally exhausting day, and you will need your strength.

What?

You forgot to do laundry? 'Skay. Blizz says you can go naked. Just like the Fremon Solstice Parade. Happy as Mylune. Free as the Darkmoon Faire Rabbit* Commando like a Dwarf: let your freak-flag fly, Matty. Just dooooeeeet.

Be safe, shammy girl: don't worry about the three omens: the dream about birthday cakes and broken truck brakes: the crow dropping the unknown bone near you on your way to work (it's a good sign, right?!?! A GIFT….nothing bad!) And then for the first time in years, that real life little person, standing at the bus stop. Signs, Matty, good ones: go to Blizzcon, and get your magic on.

Now, human: go to bed.



*Not including taxes, shipping, and handlers' fees. That thing bites.

I AM NOT PREPARED…but am trying.

*We decided we rarely seen 'women of a certain age' in game. Shall make it my mission to populate Azeroth with elder wise-women. Who tank. 

Keep your shirt on, Illidan. Oh wait, that burned off eons ago. Pants then? Pants are for sissies.

Before I continue, in the next few days I will be writing a post about someone* I got to meet IRL I shall hereby dub the Writer of Amazing Talented Awesomeness.  Stay tuned. 

So this morning, taking advantage of the fall back time change, I got an extra bit of sleep, and was looking forward to some derpiness, but alas, the coalesced zone thing was happening for Whisperwind. I really don't know what the consequences of this will be, but I'm sure there will be some fall out. Nothing I can do. Blizzard didn't consult me.

Well, okay, can't go derp. Don't feel like emptying the dishwasher (apparently my super-powers of estrogen empower me to be the only one to sense the "clean" dishes light is on, and to put said dishes away.) I am rebeling. Perhaps I shall look into creating a schedule of sorts for Blizzcon. Navi's all ready. And Godmother has analzyed herself into exhaustion. There are so many people I want to meet, and I know I'll get all tongue-tied and goofy-footed. I really hope I get to meet Vidyala of Manalicious, too. Did you know…

…she….

…is living the dream of being a WoW Insider writer? 

I can say I knew her when, right? No one deserves success more than she: I think she's amazing.

I have so much to do at work to get ready, and so much to do at home to get ready, and and and and maybe I can sneak some phone-reading in at work. Make my plan. Map a route.

Bottom line: if you want to see me at Blizzcon, please let me know. I don't want a repeat performance of two years' ago when I didn't know how to find anyone or talk to anyone. 

I'll be the big, middle-aged woman who gives big hugs. You'll have to have special magical glasses to see my horns and hooves, but they'll be there.

http://us.battle.net/blizzcon/en/

Stitch in time...

This is brilliant little cosplay video from the recent ComicCon in San Diego:

Damn! I don't think there are strong enough push-up bras in the world for the super-heroics that would need to happen if I wanted to look like the opening shot--okay, okay --don't panic Matty...Blizzcon's a few months away...(believe me little girls: if I wore a push-up bra you'd rethink your time spent in puberty and go cryin' home to your mommas...this is big girl stuff).

...I mean, I could always buy these monstrosities:

...and I have a wonderful friend who is an amazing costume designer/seamstress and I'm sure she'd be able to whip me up some horns and a tail? I mean, how silly and much of a stunt-woman do I want to be? Do I use some pyrotechnics and set my shoulders on fire for a Firelands' look? Do I go all Luperci the Paladin on their butts, swinging shields and hammers? Oh, gee, those would never get past airport security!

Oh who am I kidding? I may be a Draenei on the inside, but my outer shell is much closer aligned with Kellda. I could get my friend to sew me a few following minions in the style of Steampunk plushies:

...and put them on 'invisible dog' trick wires so it looks like they're following me:

Now, what else would complete the look?

Maybe two years of Pilates and organic fel-colon cleansing juice. How do you think those warlocks stay so slim? Might want to see a doctor about those two things growing out of my head, though. Hornectomy? Now to find a surgeon who'll do my bidding...