Quinceanera.

I remember a chemistry teacher from high school who probably saved me from myself. He passed me, and was kind to me, when I needed it. So much in school came easily for me, but not chemistry. I knew the beauty of the bonds were sublime, and were the basis for life itself, but I just couldn't get past the esoteric skills needed to respond, synthesize, and learn it. (My inability to conquer high school chemistry has given me much: it is our mistakes when faced with an obstacle that helps us more than our easy successes.)

There was a punk in class who constantly berated me. My best friend was too busy getting A's and keeping  me awake to be of much help. (True: we sat in the front row, right next to the teacher, and this didn't help me from passing out cold on occasion. Molecular bonds and Periodic Charts have a somnolent effect on me to this day.) My teacher put him in his place, all right, by explaining to him that the reason it was called the 'sophomore' year (I was a junior at this point) was because sophomoric meant foolish, and he was a fool. Oh, no you DID-n't! Smack-downs for smart-asses look a little different when one is a gifted student in an advanced class: a teacher is wise to use Latin/Greek word play, and not send a student to the Principal's office. My tank, Luperci, is in her metaphorical sophomore year, too.

Yesterday, not one, but three wonderful player friends noticed Luperci's progression as a protection paladin. First friend said, in his easy, country-boy style, "Hey, let's get you in a dungeon; that's the only way you'll ever learn!" Second friend says, in his pragmatic and calm way, "I have time to help you through a dungeon," (with subtext of 'no time like the present'), and third friend, with our time zone differences, and in his gentlemanly, crisp, polished manner, just admired the progress, and cheered me on. He always offers to help, and is true to his word, but he is on Kalimdor time. (Besides, it's more fun to talk about books and movies anyway, because he is, as I called him, a rare spawn in Azeroth.*)

Now, leveling is easier these days, to be sure. Third friend noticed she didn't have any purples at level 80, and that is because she moved up a grade, skipping, most if not all, of WTLK content and dungeons. Between the heirlooms and decent rested experience bars, she moved to level 80 fairly quickly. And, with the quest gear and crafted plate items, kind of figured she'd get herself together before going into Cata dungeons. Because, as we all know, things look very different depending on which side of the shield you're on.  But since priest healer friend offered to see her through, she chose her dungeon quest of Blackrock Caverns, and off they went. It was a squirrel-ly group indeed, and Lupe, who has a lot to learn about staying calm, did say, (oh, how fast we go to the dark side), a swear word or two when a player literally ran, RAN into Rom'Ogg and a full mob, like they were old school chums. It was only due to the skills of my healer friend, his gear, and abilities that saved us all. I am ashamed of my less-than-champion moment: and as the player said and apologized, it won't happen again from me, either. (Better write myself a sticky note: be patient with rogues, shamans, druid cubs, mages, and warlocks at all times. Although, this vow may prove to prevent boredom: "I solemnly swear I am up to no good.")

BRC was only a tiny smidgen of a taste of a Cata dungeon from a tank's point of view. Luperci barely got it out of second gear.

Sacred Duty's Theck interview is worth a read: I will be studying his notes like a studying for a chemistry test. Because right about now, that's what it feels like. Bonds, hands, hammers, and aggro.

Spoiler alert: Do not read if you haven't seen the last HP movie.

*My friend: The more I thought about it, my repressed reaction to the brutal scene was not as repressed as I thought: it was very aggressive and perhaps, gratuitous? I still see it in my mind's eye. Snape didn't deserve that, but it gave the story the gravitas it needed, since the director didn't honor the final climax as he should.

And, why didn't Neville grab Luna and kiss the hell out of her? That girl needs kissing.

Alt-ernatives

Lupe is no longer feeling like she can't find busfare. In fact, the royal coach took her wherever she needed to go. And there was no pumpkin surprise at the end.

Got clued in to some guild perks, PvP vendors in Dal, dungeons, dragons, and even got a few kills and achievements in battlegrounds.

And again, while there are some awkward shuffles about asking if Mat can just stay in her box for awhile, (more like, "Hey, Matty, is your sister home?") Haanta and Luperci both were asked to join the world. Wish I could clone my human self sometimes and have played both, but alas, can only inhabit one virtual world at a time.

Zep got her chance to strut her stuff last night with a silly PUG: finished Blackrock and decided to play house and musical chairs. Very funny and nice group. It can happen. Didn't want to leave, which is the sign of a great party.

Who's been sitting in my chair? Who's been eating my porridge? Druid is baby bear, of course. I play the eternal Goldilocks. Breaking and entering? Got a rap sheet a mile long.

Have a wedding to go to tomorrow: nice to get out of these jeans and T-shirts and put on something more girly-girl. And I am wearing my big-girl shoes. Gotta represent the draenei posture/height as best I can. And my friend: I'll work on getting Lupe into a few more purples and her big-girl shoes, too. As with your tank, you are a world-class healer. Made it possible for me to actually see what it's like to kill Horde in a battleground without dying immediately. And as you could tell from how many hornets' nests I like to step in, that is saying something.



Theme songs:
By the Way/RHCP

Hammer & Nails

There's an old expression: when all you've got is a hammer, every problem looks like nail. Or something like that. Luperci, of the Tanks of Little Patience guild, has made it to Level 50. I bought her a new can of armor polish and a shield, because this:

Termite Shield

...wasn't working. It's a piece of bark from one of those...dungeons...that...she hopes never to visit again.

She's been running through Blackrock Depths and Zul'Farrak. Whispering to the healer today that he was doing a great job, and the defensive healer responded by telling Luperci to shut up. Quizzical, she said, no, really, no sarcasm. The healer, lacking trust (perhaps it was because Lupe was lying face down in the mud next to a boss in Blackrock), cautiously said 'thanks.' Has it come to that? Are we all so rude to each other that when we are kind or polite our instincts are to knee-jerk a huge "ur a d*ck?" (And not a duck. Trying to keep this PG-13 people, without a lot of success.) One mistake made was when the DPS's were critiquing Lupe's play style, and someone kindly said "naw she's doing good." Why did that seem like the right time to show that she was top in DPS damage? Perhaps not the best timing. Recount = shame & sadness. Perhaps that is why when they fought the boss the DPS pulled the mob group to themselves (even though she said not to) and left her and the healer on their own to fight him. They ended up killing him anyway, even after Lupe pulled the boss to the side for a quick and easy kill. She'll watch the post-game videos later, but in all honesty, is not really sure what can be done to improve PUGs when they're that full of, um, d*cks. Except for the healer. Who later got in a fight with the hunter. /sigh

Oh well. In any case: she did get these new leggings, (Lavacrest Leggings) which are stunning:

From the trolls she got a Shriveled Troll Heart, although the hunter tried to tell her that (even though stamina and strength were its attributes), because it had a hit rating, a tank couldn't use it. Did I miss something? Luperci is going to need all that strength and stamina to make it to level 60, and then Suicide Ridge, I mean, Hellsfire Peninsula. It's an item level 49 item with strength and stamina. Hammer and nails, baby. I know hit is great for warlocks and their ilk, but was thinking it'd be pretty cool.  And her sugar momma bought her a new shield. She is covered in head-to-toe in plate armor, including heirlooms, so look out d*cks. You all look like nails now.

Three's a charm.

Luperci the Untested went from level 35 to 37 today*.  She has been in Scarlet Monastery graveyard and warrior's area a few times, and the Maraudon so much she is convinced she has a lung infection from the spores which no amount of cleanse is capable of dispelling.

But she is determined, dogged, and dedicated. The righteous will triumph. And, do not underestimate the magical power of "3"---

Door #1: Was told by a player named Junk or Punk or Gunk, something like that, that all tanks are for is "kiting."

Door #2: Was told to "range" the slimes, not melee, and healer, determined she was right, and Lupe was wrong, chose not to heal Lupe. Nada. Zilch. Hunter said he was out of arrows.

(Yes: read that right--hunter said he was out of arrows.)

Door #3: This was indeed a courageous, skillful group; intelligent, wise, strong, and fierce. They tore through Scarlet with no incident, ignorance, or insidiousness.

And, at the end, Luperci received the coveted Tabard of the Scarlet Crusade.  Her sister muse Mat has never received this, and is quite envious, but proud, too.

Luperci may have to take this to a tailor for alterations...(cough)

And already, even before level 40, Lupe has encountered more than her fair share of hyper-active shamans who are under the impression they are tanks. For this, Mataoka would like to apologize profusely; although she was never that hyper, and if asked to step back a bit, always respectfully did. Or tried to. (If you know otherwise, this would be the time to discreetly keep your mouth closed. We all alter memories a bit for mental safety!)

Luperci is really hoping, however, that the human won't see the need to change her into a male. There's enough sexism in the world, and probably even more so in Azeroth; but the world(s) need strong females, too. And if you don't think females have a strong sense of righteous fury...well, maybe you're out of arrows.

*Postscript: Reached level 40 - will be slinging shields to level 50 so she can wear her shiny plate armor - specialized style. She can wear the off-the-rack fashions now.

Let's review what paladin means:  http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/paladin

Hot mess.

Luperci going where no level 32 paladin should go...

This is Luperci. About the coolest thing about her is her name, which although technically is a collective noun, basically means protective party animals. Because right now, that's the best thing she's got going for her.

She is is a hot mess. Neither fish nor fowl. Protector of the Universe? Hardly. No shield, no helm, no bus fare. But the other day, impulsively, she went into a dungeon as a tank, and she kind of liked it. There was something about heading horn-first into an angry mob and helping it tumble down that was pretty satisfying. Expect greatness and glory from her? Only time will tell. Meanwhile she'll shake down some ghouls and monsters for that bus fare.

Perhaps this will clean her up a bit: http://psynister.wordpress.com/guides/#paladin

Postcript: No, this doesn't mean Luperci is going to be "dances naked with wolves." Sheesh people. She's not a shaman ya know.

Series: How I met your Paladin

A soloist, straddling, balancing on a poorly crafted leather saddle, the Draenei shaman sighs with reverberating restlessness. It is in her nature, her soul, to know what others are feeling, to take up axe or mace to fight and defend, and protect her own self interests. She can do this well, all on her own. Her wolves are fleeting, ectoplasmic allies. No feathered fellow shadow casts  upon her mount. No connection or link at this hour. Thinking her own thoughts and keeping her own counsel. She finds trust...challenging.

On the ground, a young naive paladin is in over his head. These elites may prove to best him. No guildmates answer his call; they can't be bothered with this initiate, this amateur. Let him pay his dues, even if it means paying with his life, several times over. He puts the call out...not a  yell, not a shout, but a request...simple and humble. Anyone out there...can help....kill elite?

She did hesitate. Just for a moment. But quickly remembered how difficult it was to find aid, assistance -- in a most dire hour. She answers his call, and is rewarded...with a friend and a champion...