*humble gratitude*

Tome.
Navi.





thank you.





A proper post will follow later this evening.

RTMT: Got my Hobbit Tickets*

My mind is about to explode: I completely forgot about update Tuesday. I really thought I would have some time to myself to stroll around the Sunsong Ranch, drink Gina's bad coffee, finish up revered on the Klaxxi (yes, I am doing this rep thing ALL WRONG) and now I am faced with a cargo hold full of blog post ideas, and -- gasp! The time to write them!?! Activate spin-out NOW! What to do? WHAT to write FIRST?

Enter Mr. Snergguls, my blog editor-in-chief, with his daily mud-sluice pomegranate smoothie and i-Pad (he follows Reddit like a Breaking Bad fan), and casually looks over my shoulder as I write- don't be surprised if he interjects a thought or two.

Hold My Nose. Bikini Top and Bottoms Secured. Ready? Okay? Jump:

Winter Veil

There is a shared topic on what we would all like to receive from Great Father Winter, the Saturnine jovial of Joves, who is patient but definitely sets up his boundaries. Don't try to click on his lap, folks, you can't sit there.

What do I want for Winter Veil?
Well I have already gotten the hozen elites neutered to plain old baddies that Ceniza can readily take on in the patch, so finishing up Tillers was easy-peasy. But, yes, being the grubby-pawed girl that I am, I do have a few requests:

1. Change the rep grinds NOW*. I am acquiesced to dailies. I am resigned. Sometimes I even like them. But for those of us who aren't lucky with drops, and want to stay current, trying to get a belt or trinket and then not being able to because we're weeks away from revered on a fraction of factions is fatiguing. (Hey, my alliteration buff isn't faded!)

*This is spoken in a Veruca Salt voice, complete with stamp patten-leather clad foot and white stockings.

No, not this Veruca Salt, although they are greatly entertaining: Seether.

2. Spirits of Harmony BOA. Please. Please. Please.

3. Bigger bags and cheaper tabs. (Sounds like the line from a country-western song...)

4. Flying cheaper, or BOA, across alts. (Ever heard of BOA? It's Blizzard Occasional Airlines. Sometimes they get you there, and sometimes they don't. Canceled reservations seem to happen quite a bit these days.)

5. This is going to sound odd, but I wish we had a "Goodwill" place. I even took a screenshot with this in mind yesterday, but it's on the laptop, and I'm too lazy to get up, find it, and post it. (It's bee a long week and it's only Tuesday, cut me a break.) The screenshot is of all the glyphs I try to sell, for super cheap mind you, one gold even, and they keep getting kicked back to me. I read Tome's post this morning, and she was talking about something similar. What I wish was this: Yes, after an attempt at selling stuff, or keeping it hanging around, I could put those lowbie materials in a place where players could just take what they need. I don't want to deal with it anymore, and I don't even need a receipt. But that might entice players -you get to write it off on your taxes! Hey!

6. Last: I wish we had free-agent guilds: Consider this a cross between LFR and standard guilds. Sometimes you just can't keep a character/toon in a guild, but this costs the guild time, recruitment hours, etc. For whatever reason we change guilds, it would be cool to be able to put together alt runs or other functions cross-guild and have it "count" somehow. The current guild system is blocky and chunky, and adheres to a culture which I don't think exists any longer in game. But what the hell do I know?

But everything else I wanted: great LFRs, more solo play and NPC interactions, are coming to fruition.

Garrosh

Mr. Snergguls tells me that if one wants to know all sides of the truth, (which is never linear, you black/white world seeing folks, but faceted like a fly's eye), one must include original sources and primary documents. The Horde's Warchief writes a blog of his own, did you know that? Of course you did. Granted this is from his POV, but aside from being a world-class baddie, he is also funny as hell. This post entitled Anger Management caused multiple spit-takes on my part. Bear has speculated on where all this is going, and in my own metacognitive processes, while reading it thought to myself how much of a noob I am when it comes to lore. I mean, really, truly, I don't know anything. So I looked it up: Why do the Horde and Alliance fight? Yes, there are great forum postings on WoW sites, but I thought this one summed things up nicely, too.

Oh, and King Varian? Kind of a ........Who is he calling a peasant?

Read ID Friends

Edited for content- Snergguls

Book Recommendation

When I have a moment here and there, I jot down haikus and collective nouns. I came across this charming book: A Dignity of Dragons by Jacqueline K. Ogburn and illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli This should be on every parent's shopping list this year.

Navi Knows: Loved this post by Navi. Check it out.

JD the MasterMind: He's nominated Navi for something that's cool, and I couldn't agree more!

Oh, I know there's more, but Mr. Snergguls is looking at his watch like it has naked murlocs on it, and tapping his flappy finned foot. He's shooing me out the door, which is probably a good thing. 

*All I really care about now anyway. Did you catch the Colbert Report week on the Hobbit? Holy Gandalf, does Stephen Colbert know his shit about LOTR or WHAT?! It was incredible. Highly recommend finding the original episodes if you missed them.

Series: I am a...priest

"May the grace of the Valar protect you."

For those of you who have heard a higher calling (no, not Ghostcrawler's) and chosen to play a priest, you are truly in an order of distinction. It is difficult to untangle a singular path of priesthood, and since history acknowledges several shifts of priests' and priestesses' roles. Ancient Egyptian priests were not conduits for people to gods, but solely the caretakers of the gods according to the linked source. In other words, buddy, you're eternal soul will just have to find its own way, these priests were busy tending to Ra and Pals. Other ancient priests were the scholars as well as caretakers, mastering medicine, language, and high places in society. In the Christian faith, the hierarchical order of priests manifested itself in many orders and offices* (page152), and created gender roles designated for separate service, varying levels of community versus contemplative work, and austerity. This is not the place to discuss sexism in orders of faith, however--again, like a priestess of Ra, I'll tell you you're on your own for that one. Suffice it to say priests are organized: the layers of heaven to hell are more maze-like than linear, and it seems to require mirrored human hierarchies to navigate these paths.

One thing I do know: Tolkien. His influence of modern concepts of fantasy, faith, and hero's arc is felt throughout our world. The religious connections between Lord of the Rings is no mistake either. Tolkien was pals with Lewis, and the two of them spent many an hour smoking longbottom weed and jawing over philosophical thoughts.  (Apparently I am not the only one who sees this.)  One distinct memory I have of my paternal grandmother was she loved to read Lewis, though I was never clear on her own faith or beliefs. Perhaps like an Azerothian priest, she too had a side that drew down the shadows. To understand light, one must control the darkness.

But the spirits of priests seem to walk alone, holding a beacon of light and showing the way, or working in the shadows with conflicted minions, unlike a warlock whose relationship with minions and succubi is transparent and sought-after. Shadow priests work like the lights at the Darkmoon Faire: the lights are on, but how come they still feel like little illuminated shadows? (There may be a poem or story in there somewhere, but that is how they feel to me: never truly healing the night, but adding more secrets...)

However, when I think of priests, the very essence of holy light, I think of the scene in Lord of the Rings where Awren tells Frodo to accept her 'grace.' This gift of light and healing, this grace, a blessing, is the pinnacle of light, love, and hope. Words like "penance"coexist with "benediction," and if all else fails, continue healing in angel form--power of light indeed.

Highly recommended reading: 

*Bowker, John. World Religions. DK Publishing, 1997

Series: I am a...Druid

Getafix the Druid

Bards, Ovates, Druids...by any name they are one amazing group of multi-talented, robe-wearing, flask-guzzling folks.

Summer Solstice Druid Style

"In 55 BC, Julius Caesar lands on the coast of Briton..." so begins the National Geographic film on the deadly practices of Druids... The relationship of conquering nations encroaching on religious/spiritual practices is as old as mankind itself.

Caesar compared Druids to priests, and they were similar in many ways, as the liaisons between tribe and gods, the conduit to interpret spiritual forces, and heal its people. Sacrifices and bloodshed goes with the territory, however, and to sanitize the image of any ancient practices does them a disservice in understanding the visceral truths of our history and perhaps our very natures. If you want a compare and contrast dialogue on ancient versus modern Druid practices, all you have to do is click your local 'net.

We in the Northern approach darkest day, the Winter Solstice, consider the pleasant traditions we now enjoy of feasts, candles, and evergreens brightening our homes and surroundings. Make no mistake: these are cultural compromises, alliances mixed with blood between the old ways and the new order, the transitional tokens between dying gods and new philosophies. (Cool, huh! And you just thought your Christmas tree was a fire hazard, not a pagan display of pushing back the dark of night!)

That's right, luv, just put your beating heart in that pot of boiling mistletoe, there's a dear!

I have heard on more than one occasion that "Chris Metzen loves Druids." I guess I could ask him, but lost his phone number. I don't know if Sir Metzen loves druids most of all or not, but they certainly are an amazing class: some of my bestestestbest friends are druids: Navi, Tome, and others* who are versatile with healing as they are with scratch-your-eyes out accuracy. (And mix a hell of a drink, too!) Just as ancient druids, our Azerothian Druids are fully shape-shifting, changing, versatile and dexterous.

So this holiday season, when you kiss your cutie-pie under the mistletoe, consider Getafix up in the spiky treetops, scythe in hand, nicking a finger or two, to bring you the freshest tree sacrifices possible.

*Druids sometimes go into stealth mode. I respect that.

Series: I am a...shaman

Earlier this week while perusing one of my favorite sites, the National Geographic site, I came across this amazing pictorial of real life shamans.

Shamans are in the unique position of healers, spiritual leaders, and mastering the elements of air, water, fire, and earth in ways no other healer or force of nature can yield. Many have said that enhancement shamans are the class to play now, or at least coming into their own. This news gives me a mixed bag of feelings about my true-blue class: vindication, satisfaction, and yes, even a bit of 'the blues...' I feel I should be coming into my own now with this 'main,' and yet---yet in some ways I am stalled. Like many life journeys, mastering one's destiny is a work in progress. We learn lessons repeatedly, no mater how intelligent, no matter our levels of common sense. But one thing I am reminding myself of, because hard-won experience does provide an incredible buff, is the yin/yang of balance. For every minor funk or obstacle, there is the boomerang effect of hope circling back.

I'd love to complete this post by writing the spell rotation for restoration or enhancement specs. I'd love to showcase the talents the lovely Mataoka plays with, but "she's" in deep meditation now, on top of the mountain, and feels that any advice or guidance she would offer is as dried up as an incense stick burnt to the wooden staff. So no advice on playing here, or what totem to drop when. All in good time, all in good time.

However we players may be feeling or responding to the current state of affairs in Azeorth, consider tying quick prayer rag on a mother tree, and let your prayers and hopes brighten the world.


Peace.

Emoticon: Frustrated Face.

Guess who was on a flight path and flew over a baby giraffe? Yup. And /camp sucks.

Guess who on a subsequent flight path, after trying to find said baby giraffe, then spotted a sand kitten?


Might as well jump.

Raiding buff?

Someone might want this:

RTMT: As the crow flies...(with one more example)

It's not that my powers of observation are so hot--I'm sure you all have noticed this recurring theme, too: crows and ravens have infiltrated the narratives of Azeroth. I noticed it first with my hunter talent, Murder of Crows*, and then my priest's shadow orbs Glyph of Ravens. Warriors are treated to the Glyph of Crow Feast,  And yes, I race-changed my Death Knight to a Worgen so I could obtain the Gilnean Raven. I flew around Gilneas for about fifteen minutes before I realized I really should do some research on how to obtain one. Apparently, they're not just hanging out all Heckle & Jeckle style in the tree tops. Stupid me. Have you ever seen an elephant fly? No, but I have seen a few other things. For you myth lovers like me, Huginn and Muninn should always be at our sides. And of course, crows and ravens play prominent starring roles in Martin's Game of Thrones epic series.

So what am I to make of this blackbird motif? Are they mythical messengers, bringing us news from the other side? Or are they just really cool? (Most likely both.)

In any case, this is something I've noticed and spy in my own life. I have a photo of the crows in the treetops that greet me on my way into work every morning. Friendly? Not so much. Impressive? Yes. (Photo to come later - on my way out, as usual, helter-skelter and rush, rush, rush....)


*This is one of my all-time favorite collective nouns. I do spend time coming up with various collective nouns for newer concepts. Yes, that's how I roll.

Update: I fixed the top screenshot- I was bothered by the visible panty-lines but Cymre's pointing it out too made me fix it; also, how could I forget the Darkmoon Faire Crow? AND -

of course:

Theme song: Sheryl Crow: My Favorite Mistake

(Bet you thought I was going to do Counting Crows.)

Can't believe I forgot this one:

Arts & Leisure: Pandaren Gothic.

Not sure this is what Grant Wood had in mind.

Editor's Note: Prepare for minor onslaught of posts this morning- Mr. Snerrguls

I have had the opportunity to see 'American Gothic' by Grant Wood up close. While studying art/art history, this painting represents one of those epiphanic moments for me, when I realized there could be more than just brushstrokes on canvas: repetitive motifs, and strong allusions to religious art, and a deeper analysis of symbolism and historical connections to simply make one's point, all collided with the study of this piece. For some, it may just be a glance of a stern Midwestern couple: the pragmatic farmer's wife and the taciturn farmer, blocking the viewer with a foreboding pitchfork. This painting does not invite you in for pie and coffee after church: it says "be about your business and get off my land."

"Now."

Oh, and if you haven't ever seen Sister Wendy analyze art - you've been missing out.

Now, if I extrapolate Wood's painting and apply it to my own screenshot tableau with Ceniza and Farmer Yoon, it really does represent a modern effect. Let's see here: we have a kind, but very skilled-at -delegating panda in overalls, and a tall alien goat-girl complete with hooves and horns, working together to grow things to make other things that create still more things. Of course, Ceniza's produce is all organically-grown, and she uses natural pepper bug-repellents, and plenty of goat manure. The theological discussions we can muse over-- RNGs' blessings or curses, the control of the game designers, developers, and artists, and the machinations of goblin greed and "In RNGs We Trust" creed, we are left wondering perhaps if all of our toil and strife don't amount to a hill of beans (or songbells)--but then we circle back to the basic values--food, family, and finding what's worth fighting for. Pitchfork Staff +25 Agility works just fine.

Do it right.

Read it. Read it good.

Please don't bail on me. You all know what's happening now. There are so many wonderful things to do in Azeroth, it's head-spinning. I have my list, I still think of things, I have things to write and say. Yes, I "failed" at NaNo. Yes, I failed at getting on entry done for Neri Approve's November Transmog contest (it was going to be a half-naked Night Elf, prancing through the springtime woods with centaurs and such*), but the Winter Solstice is on its way, and as we in the Northern Hemisphere careen toward darkness and our miserable but stalwart human attempts to stave the black nights with light and hope, keep a light on for me, too.

*Momokawa was completely behind the whole photoshoot. Druids hate clothes.