Lonesome George

This past week was great, no doubt. Yesterday Helke told me not to 'neglect my shaman,' (she is so clever!) so immediately I ran to her and her mailbox and inside was a mischievious Ashleaf Spriteling. I love those effing things!

George is very protective of his baby sprite...

Now, you may wonder why Haanta named her beautiful tortoise George. He's named for George and the Dragon, and he thinks he's a paladin. He's incredibly protective, trustworthy, and caring. He is also an homage to Lonesome George, rest in peace, the last of his kind. 

Now, another tip I believe Helke gave me is pet-emote. I love it. And George did this this morning:

Gosh, I hope the real Lonesome George wasn't as confused as mine. The rock was confused too.

Anyway, this song has nothing to do with George, Lonesome George, awesome pets, or misdirected libidos. Just enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT3SBzmDxGk#t=178

OOC: Overdose of Cuteness

Stinks of Cuteness!

I never know when, and I'm not sure how, but sometimes a friend knows exactly what I need at exactly the pinpoint moment:

And yes, before my friend gave me these, I told him how much they were worth in gold. Apparently, some things are worth more.

Nine lives...

This reminded me of a lovely story Erinys wrote about her hunter pet, and I'll be damned if I can find it this morning:

Writing idea: write an eulogy for your hunting pet, or a companion pet, that if they could never return to you, what would you say?

Permanent Ink.

Sometime this past week, I found my future tattoo:

Tim Burton Draws Pokemon

I read in a comment that these are actually how Edward Gorey would have drawn Pokemon, which I thought was blazing true: Edward Gorey's influence on Tim Burton is obvious. And you know what else I think? That's awesome. Artists --hate to break the news--are mortal. How sad would our world be if a singular artist and writer like Edward Gorey spoke no more, unless someone like a wacky Tim Burton took up his vision, and then made it his own? You're probably thinking now I am a huge fangirl of Tim Burton. Kind of. I still can't forgive him for the jet-pack penguins in Batman. Can't. Won't. And Shouldn't. But I digress.

But artists copy one another, mimic, and steal, borrow, and beg for inspiration. We can't help it. I'm not comparing myself to the late, great Edward Gorey, nor the current Mr. Burton. But no idea is born in a vacuum. I love collaborating with Navi, and nearly every post Tome inspires me, too. When I saw the Tim Burton Pokemon drawings, and then read Tome's post about her unlovable SWTOR pet, how could I not think of ugly dog contests?

Be very cautious in clicking on 'ugly dog' images. Very. Careful.

Recently a young squire I know, who is reaching for a biochem/chem double major, recently posted on Facebook something about Science taking a day off, and not working at all. My comment back was "Does it call a temp service? Gets Magic on the job?" (Thumbs Up Like! I'm validated!) Besides thinking of myself as very clever, my mind started wandering (if you see it, will you please tell it to call home? It owes me rent money...) and I thought of all the occasions when things that should work don't. Maybe that is where Magic, Superstition, and Faith step in: the trifecta of Mojo. I think about this stuff all the time -- the uncomfortable gap between what we humans are reaching for with knowledge, and the what is forever out of reach.

This weekend is going to be so gorgeous - one of those weekends that makes up for all the drippy, rainy, cold days, like a bonus check or a debt paid, with interest. I decided I had to, right now, this day, clean off some bookshelves and clean out my work area. Now. Right now. Oh wait, did my queue just pop?

One of his friendlier messages...

So while I'm in Azeroth, in the Magic place. I'll be in the Practical place of sorting through the drawers and closest of Flotsam and Jetsam, the notarious twins of unruly belongings.

This is what my pile of books from one small shelving unit looks like now. (There will only be a "Before" image. Don't hold your breath for the "After.")

See that book on top? The Big Words one? Haven't read it through, but it has words like "acculturation." Man, if you can't find inspiration on that, I can't help you.

Been catching up on one of my guilty pleasures, too, the Mad Men series. I know it's transparent, obvious, they drink and smoke too much, and we the audience are allowed to feel smug because we know more about the characters' inner neurosis than they do themselves, I get it. It struck me again my and Guarf's running tally at who would be who in Azeroth, and Joan is clearly, undeniably a Draenei:

Peggy: Human female rogue?

Thank you, Joan's character, for depicting a full-figured woman in this anemic, "please for the love of God give that woman a sandwich" world. Just read the most disgusting story about model talent scouts haunting an eating disorder clinic in Sweden for new models. I am not going to link it. Bastards.

Oh, and if you have time, please go cheer on Zwingli. There are terrible Bureaucrataurs trying to ruin his mission.

Thank goodness in Azeroth we only have Auction House fees. 

Hey! Look at that! My Mind is back! And it brought coffee--oh mind! I love you!

That Pokemon/Burton tattoo? Just kidding. I'm not even that much into Pokemon. But I still do like mermaids, and this is my real future tattoo:

Pat Fish, artist

Well, it will be if I'm brave enough to tell my mom.

We need more naga pets.

Damn -- look! Naga aren't original with WoW? Learn something every day.

Naga King Dasavatara Temple

And we need more tattoos.

Maybe not.

Zeek, we got a bug (redux)

Tome led me to Euphyley's post about the big, green fightin' machine hunter pet, Gorishi Grub. The directions were clear, and very thorough. Because they were so clear I still had a few mishaps, because you know, the day's not complete unless I'm at the dentist and miss the little plastic cup to spit my fluoride and spit in my lap. Yes, I would rather tell people I wet my pants than that I missed a little cup right next to my mouth.

1. Because Tome accidentally killed the spawn and warned me not to, I had to do that, too. But another one spawned about 3-4 hours later.

2. I was sitting on the floor doing some work, glancing up at the screen every so often, when at one point I noticed a Level 90 Horde Death Knight of indiscriminate race taunting poor Haanta, doing the chicken emote, spitting on her, etc. in that tiny cave. So of course, Haanta /loved him, and /kissed him (turn the other cheek, I guess) and he /licked her and left. After she wiped off the Horde drool, she wished she had a mouthful of fluoride right about then.

3. Euphyley warns us all not to kill the Clutchmother, and she probably told us how to not to do this. However, I only looked at her maps and the one warning, because I did not anticipate that once tamed, I forgot to make it passive and it turned on its mother and siblings and quickly disposed of them. I am not sure I would have had time to even turn on passive mode, the carnage was swift and complete.

Now where's that Death Knight? I've got some fluoride for him...you know, to prevent decay...

So, here he is, in all his luscious green glory:

The best part about this pet is he stays large! How cool is that?

Blog Azeroth: Effy's Question

Hey, I have a few suggestions for some new pets, too! Me! Me! 

These are just off the top of my noggin

(Can you tell what zone I was in when I thought of these?)

Mini Garms!

Pocket-Sized Mastadons! Makes your opponents EXTINCT!

Any kind of fun-sized revenant would be awesome...

More ideas to follow!

Rabid.

As with many of the collectibles, Mat has been a bit passive. But when she saw the adorable panther cub, the reward of a quick-n-easy quest chain with the new patch, she hastily ran around, got the dwarf his boots, (she would never deny a dying Dwarf his last request) and panther cub was hers. No matter that the mother of the cub had to die, too; a lot of blood sacrifices are made for these boons. In addition, there is a Winterspring Cub available for 50g, whether it's the pick or runt of the litter, and it is sooooo cute....! Like a "free kittens" grocery store box, she helped herself to a few and gave some as pets to friends. (And we wonder where her gold goes...?) 

Spirited away...

Hunters have pets. Warlocks and Mages have their minions and imps. But I have my spirit wolves. They are privately named Geri & Freki, after Odin's wolves, meaning greedy and ravenous. They are: sublime.  Of pure ectoplasmic ferocity, they come to do my bidding, raising my damage meter, and ripping to shreds anyone or thing who is between me and victory. They cannot truly be named, and most certainly not tamed. Cursed to live an existence on a a celestial plane, attacking creatures in one dimension while residing in another until summoned must be why they fight so fiercely. I cannot say: their bond with me is as tenuous as a starlight's journey. They heal me, as well. This is the blessing and certainly not a curse. I am not sure who infused them with this supernatural aid they willingly or slavishly share with me, if only for short durations.

I don't have a lot of wishes. I understand my limitations all too well. Constantly seeking balance: Give enough show of force to win the approval of my mates, all the while make sure I'm not taking on more damage than a healer can keep up with, I cannot help but remark that these twins, these protective guardians, come in a set of two. Two is for balance. Two for strength. Two is better than, well, one.

They don't get fed. They aren't tamed. And they certainly aren't going to get a rabies shot any time soon. Their destiny is to fight by my side.

And if I were to wish for one thing, my greedy and ravenous wish would be that they wouldn't stay for such a short, spirited time.

Just stay by my side a bit longer.

Theme song: "Howlin for You" -- Black Keys

Fantastic Mr. Fox

This world can get quite lonely at times, and although some of you might like the option to solo your quests and achievements, I am not that way. I enjoy the company of a friend. Whether I am killing spiders in Tol Barad, or tying one more time to get through Heroic Grim Batol; a companion to stand by your side is nice to have. To give encouraging words, share tips, or just enjoy a laugh together about how the tank is such a noob. But often times I find myself with nobody to run with. It makes it quite lonely and I find myself sitting in Stormwind, constantly spamming “O” to see if I just happened to miss someone come online. Now this may sound needy, but so be it. This night elf likes her friends.

Luckily though, I am never completely alone. I always have someone close at hand. Someone that comes swiftly with just the sound of my whistle, eager to please. He’s always there; ready to charge into whatever unfamiliar territory I happen to have drug us through that day. He has always been there fighting fearlessly beside me during every battle. I can always count on him more so than any other player I have come in contact with.

You may be reading this trying to put a face or a name with this description, but it will be in vain. This post isn’t about you. His face is easily recognizable and you might even think that you know him as well as I do. You might think that he fights next to you every day as well, but don’t be mistaken. He is MY man! You might be talking about his brother, or uncle, or cousin. I’m talking about Todd. My Todd, and there is only one of him. In my very unbiased (*wink*) opinion he is the best fox in all of Azeroth.

He is the first one to jump in the fight to draw the attention to himself, while I quietly shoot them from behind, but I am continuously giving him love to keep his health topped off. When our teamwork gets an opponent down, he runs quickly back to my side to make sure no one else messes with me. He is the ultimate body guard.

As much as I count on him, I would like to think that he kinda needs me too. He always dashes back to my side knowing that tucked away in one of my embersilk bags, I have a treat with his name on it. I always reward him for his valiant efforts and mend any wounds that he might have acquired.

He can be quite scatter-brained at times though and go off chasing a random squirrel 50 yards away, or the occasional bug in a dungeon, returning with a mob of angry people right on his heels. It doesn’t bother me quite as much when I am questing solo (because of my 2 amazing CCs that help) but in a dungeon it can be very detrimental to the entire group. I am always willing to stick up for him even though the “WTF Kay” and the “BAD FOX!” Let me put your mind at ease: Yes he is on defensive and yes he is on cower. But Todd is just Todd and he is going to do that from time to time. It’s his instincts as a fox.  He sees a bug, he will chase it. When I see him taking off across the dungeon, I can do nothing but hold my breath and hope he doesn’t bring anyone back with him.

In spite of everything, I wouldn’t want to travel this land without him. The good greatly outweighs the bad. Yeah, I would say we make a pretty good team. You could even say that “we are the best of friends!” I can’t help but hum a familiar tune.
--Kay

A Hunter's Tale: Kaylyne's Story

I am a fierce-fighting, gun-slinging, Night Elf survival hunter. My pet fox Todd is my best friend.  My name is Kaylyne and this is my story. 


My journey began in this vast expanse of Azeroth a couple of years ago. Although I didn’t start in Vanilla, I wouldn’t classify myself as a “noob," but man, I sure was when I first got started. But offered the opportunity to be “as big and bad as you want” in a virtual world, I jumped at the chance, and dove head-first into WoW. 

Hunters have been maligned throughout the game, so you may wonder, “Why make a hunter?”  Well, when I first started I didn’t even know what a druid or a paladin was, as I do now, but a hunter was familiar territory to this girl who has never played an MMORPG before. I get a gun AND a pet! How awesome is that?!

I am finding out daily how big this world really is and just how many battles there are to be fought. Strangely enough, this hunter's uncanny good looks and witty charm can’t sneak me past enemy players waiting to trap me in a hex, but that doesn’t stop me from trying! I will never be able to understand everything there is to know about this complex game, but I get closer every day. With my faithful fox by my side, we venture out each day. We are beast: with killer instincts and amazing skills, targeted for adventure.
--Kay