WoW Raiders Hate Smokers and Parents

I ran across this thread and it really irked me. I have to admit. You see at first it started out with the tired "I hate smokers because they stop the raid for 5 min". They are addicts right? Addicted to nicotine, oh so terrible and evil right? Hmmm......If you get mad at a 5 min break during a raid...aren't you the addict? Lets talk about this. Society frowns upon smoking today as almost a sin. Ooohhh your smoking your gonna die a terrible wracking painful death and your going to burden the population for health care....and oh yeah your cutting into my addiction of raid progression...WTF?!?!?!?!?! Look if you are on a 4 hour Armageddon raid run I got it...but an hourly smoke break/bio break or check on the kids break is human. as to vices...Mark Twain said it best:

I haven't a particle of confidence in a man who has no redeeming petty vices.

- Mark Twain, a Biography

See the old man had it right. We all have vices, if we are honest about it I think. WoW in itself is a vice by the way. Especially to those driven towards progression. All I'm saying is, have a little understanding. 4 hours of my time is precious...5 minutes every hour shouldn't destroy your life...just sayin'.



Further more, the thread got worse, blaming parents for having to take care of their kids during the raids...FUCKING REALLY?!?!?!?!?!?
People who are mature adults have responsibilities. They still like to have fun. They still enjoy the MMO Raiding, but seriously...some people have the audacity to blame parents for trying to pay attention to their young children while using a home friendly vice rather than leaving them alone with a babysitter while they go out and get drunk? Seriously? Ummm...social screw up here folks.

 

So it's the parents fault for loving their child but still wanting to have a little fun? Look I love WoW. It is my hobby in life. To see and make characters grow and progress. But even I got limits. If you are going to disrespect a parent for needing to take care of a crying baby periodically during a raiding marathon, your priorities are kinda really very anti social and immoral. Yes I am accusing you. Think about it! Use your friggen moral compass for Gods sakes!!!

Ok this was my rant. It's also my time to say if you gotta small vice like smoking, it's ok. Least you aren't driving home drunk and possibly killing someone. Second, if you are a parent single or not and you have to split your time between WoW and your real life responsibilities I applaud you for doing the right thing. Maybe parents need to unite together and screw the little arrogant pricks who disrespect you for taking responsibilities. SCREW EM!!!!

Nuff said for the moment!

Have fun out there in Azeroth!!!

Thank you Veterans!

This nation makes me proud. We have a colorful history, sometimes peaceful, other times bloody. One tradition that has always stood the test of time are those who answered the call to serve their nation and sacrifice time, family, indeed sometimes their very lives. They froze in rags on Valley Forge with the hopes of freedom. They fought for personal beliefs during our Civil War. Each of them slogged through the mud and blood of the trenches during WWI. During WWII so many gave their lives across the world by cannon and fire. During Korea they held the Pusan Perimeter. In Viet Nam, Soldiers fought even when many in their nation hated them for doing what their government ordered. Desert Storm, Mogadishu, Iraq and Afghanistan. The finest men and women who stand up to fight at their Country's behest give everything they got every day.

It is about sacrifice. It is about pride. But when Soldier's are getting shot at, bombed and bleeding, it's about their brotherhood. Countries don't matter at that point, only that guy or gal to your left and right. A Soldier doesn't charge a hill for glory, but only in hopes to finish the job and get back home. Soldiers are both boistrous and humble at the same time. Bravado takes the stress away and get them ready to do their job. But when you HONESTLY tell them thank you and let them know how important they are, most times they kinda get shy. Most times they get a little quiet and maybe remember a Brother or Sister they lost.

So for all that have served through out the years in times of war and in times of peace. My deepest thanks. I especially thank those older guys from WWII through Viet Nam. You are a dieing breed, but one I looked up to as a child and still do so some 40 years later. You all were my mentors that shaped me into who I am today. After 15 years in the Army, 4 tours in the Middle East, I still look back to those who marched the grounds long before me. They give me comfort when everything is a mess. Knowing their strength of character and stubborness has made me keep going when I wanted to quit. So thanks to all those who mentored me and gave me the Priviledge to serve as well. Happy Veteran's Day wherever you may be.

Not a WoW Post, but somethin I respect, a Hero

I love Wow. I play it almost every day when I'm not on the road being a soldier. For a moment though I thought I'd share whom I figure is an American hero and icon. This one goes out to a country singer. He embodied everything I love about what a real singer should be, and that's singing about his own life as he understood. So, my hero for the day is Chris LeDoux. Now Chris was a rodeo rider back in the 60's and 70's. He decided to write and sing about the things he saw and did on the rodeo circuit. Interesting thing is, he really never gave into the big recording contract drama/rat race. He kept his own way and probably didn't make a ton of money like a lot of singers. Thing is, his music was honest and I guess a bit old fashioned.

I draw a lot of inspiration from his music for a couple of reasons. See, when I was growing up, I raised and trained horses. Not for rodeos, but the life on a farm was still much the same. It was hard work, early mornings and a crap load of travel. Secondly, a lot of his music as a cowboy drifter sets to mind what it feels like as a soldier goin' from place to place. This hits a cord pretty deep. See, for 14 years now I been a soldier and workin' hard every day. I've been sent all over the nation and across the world. Somehow, my wife still sticks with me through it. She knows it's the only thing I am pretty damned good at and deals with the crazy schedules and crazy stuff I do.

Well, a lot of Chris' music speaks to me and even though he's passed on back in 05' he still echoes a lot of peoples thoughts if they'd take the time to listen. His accounts of being on the road, dealing with his love of the circuit, and the trials he and his wife went through mean a lot because my wife and I go through it too.

For all of this, after he passed, he was given a ton of honors from country music and rodeo culture. I don't think he did it for the glory, but just for the ride. He seemed to be an honest man and without guile. I respect that a lot. When my career is finished, I'd like to settle down in the country as he did with his wife Peggy and their children. Anyways. here's a hoist of a good brew and thoughts of a good ride Chris. Below are a couple of pics, enjoy if you wish. You don't have to agree with the rodeo scene, there are parts of it I don't like, but Chris had a lot of spirit and he never wanted folks to feel sorry for him, just to see what he saw.

So how has this to do with WoW? Well, not much but we all got heroes, some won't admit it but others may take a bit and see what or whom inspires them. When I think of my hunter Grimnhak, I think of that free spirit out for the wild ride and goin for the fight not for glory but because he could. Mr. LeDoux speaks to me like that. If you have read this far, thank you for letting me share with you a part of my life away from WoW and I gotta ask you, who inspres you and why?

Addictions and gaming

To start this off, WoW is an addiction to me. I think I understand why. Aside from the friendships I have obtained throughout my gaming time, the game itself is an addiction. Why? Well look at our world today. Everyday you see some politician or high ranking person getting caught doing something wrong that has a long running pattern. In America we see alot of powerful people soccumbing to the power which they hold. They are addicted to the power which they sought to perhaps originally help the people around them. Neitchze (sp?) once wrote that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Truth be known it is a driving force in the real world. In the gaming world we get endorphins released everytime we gain new acheivements or down new boss fights, new pvp grounds etc. It is a digital reflection of the real world we live in. Tough in the gaming world, those who continue WoW are addiced to the conquest, not sex or drugs or booze.

It's important for many to realize this as it is a true part of their identity. Am I saying WoW is bad for the brain? NO! But we see patterns though we don't often recognize them. What I do want to point out is that WoW is a game not real life. We can't define our MMO experiences only by our achievements. Every day we live we contribute to the world for good or bad. So why is WoW such an addictive run? I mean its outlasted most MMO's. Is it the gratification linked to our need for acheivement in a real world that is ultra heroic? I dunno. I can't be a judge there. You see, I have traveled to several countries and achieved several things in the real world for my efforts. But something about this game keeps me coming back trying to acheive more.

In the end everyone who plays this almost sacred MMO must decide for themselves whether or not they are addicted to the ability to acheive on a digital basis. For me, I continue to explore, fight, die and gain more skill as I can. Here I am a hero or villian depending on which side you take. My friends welcome me warmly whether in guild or across the blogosphere. Here I am known and respected. I love this, do you? That is an answer you need to give honeslty through a long look in the mirror.

Good luck out there in Azeroth and please all, enjoy the game. Don't make it a job, we all have that in the real world. PLAY!!!!

Real Life and fun time

Well,
Been starting to gear up for moving. Around the end of this month I will be very busy getting ready to move half way across the country. If my posts are few or very short, do excuse me, I been dealing with that ugly thing called real life.

Ok, that done, over the weekend I was working on my pvp hunter on the Horde side. Yup, more and more I been working Horde because...well it's interesting and refreshing. Anyways picked up a couple more pets for kicks. I enjoy my furry new spider. Can't deal with the spindly ones, it creeps me out. At least the Tarantula skins are somewhat furry so it's acceptable. Rolling through the 40's has been a bit of a challenge. Not leveling wise, that's easy enough. Actually trying to hit enough BG's with my limited time to gain more HP's. Why? Well, when I can pick up my pvp BOA gear at anytime, well its worth it. Problem though, the BGs for the last few days in the 40s hasn't been all that poppin. Matter of fact my wait times have been pretty extensive. I'm not sure why though. The BGs are interesting but I see a lot of long wait times even up to unavailable altogether. But the few that I did participate in have been fun if not challenging. Most of the time I've been in winning runs, occasionally though....well people still hav3ent figured out the basic team effort thing. I also notice a distinct lack of healers in queue. That puts huge disadvantages on the teams Ive ran with. The new adjustments for the WSG maps make things very interesting. I can't figure out why people haven't used the multi lv GY's for camping. It would be easier once your main force is pushed back. Anyways I kinda like it. It's a pain in the ass when your a defender because you still have to move back

Most importantly though I been having more fun lately. I enjoy exploring a lot of places I missed. Anyways, till next round, see ya on the high ground!

Day #14 - 20 Days of Blogging - This Upsets You

An old mentor of mine used to say: It's all about being mellow. Good advice for getting through life one would think. Certainly it does help to keep one's persepective and sanity when stupid shit in the world gets thrown in one's lap...on a daily basis. But, there are a few things that totally piss me off. These things get me into a total rage / nerd rage. So here goes!

RL:
Mediocre performance - everyone gets a friggen medal. Look, I don't expect people to be the best at everything, but today I see too many people expecting rewards for lackluster performance. Mostly this happens in the working environment where rewards aren't hard fought for. Weak performance seems to continously get rewarded in the thanks for trying catagory. It pisses me off. I can't help my self.

People who talk in movie theatres or while I'm watching a video - Look, my brain gets focused. It's kinda linear at times when I just want to be involved in a movie or a show on TV. Interrupting my train of thought, annoying me in a theatre that I paid outrageous amounts of money for a ticket and a lil popcorn/soda thoroughly pisses me off.

Politicians who have never lived in a foreign shit hole of a country dictating policy like they really know what the hell they are talking about. They don't. They've never had to put thier neck on the line. for them...STFU!

I really hate it when peopel piss and moan about how another country is soooo much better than their own. FINE! GO FUCKING LIVE THERE! For the record, I love living in my country. I think every country has something interesting to offer. But if you don't like living in the same country as me and think other countries are so much better, leave. Don't let the door hit you in the ass. Stop bitching, crying, and complaining. Just leave. This is a real piss me off issue. My country isn't perfect, we can change shit in my country. But at least my country allows us the ability to change policy. There are countries that also allow this fine bit of freedom. There are also countries out there that would just knock on your door in the middle of the night and put a bullet in your skull for not keeping your mouth shut.

In Game:

Idiots in Battle Grounds - Cmon, simple tactics and no one follows them. I'm by no means the top dog of BGs but common sense seems to be lacking. Simple things can make life go so much easier, but it rarely ever does. Look there are times you get facerolled. I got it. No biggy. But being downright stupid on a BG? Really? GAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!

Spam Duel Requests - Wow, take a hint please. If I refused you the first 2 times, chances are when you annoy the shit out of me with a 5th and 6th time, I'm ready to explode. While we are on this, stop asking me to duel when you are 30 levels higher and in epic epeen death gear. Do I have a stupid mark on my forhead? If it's a friend, I got it, playin around, but random shit? Cmon that's annoying.

DC - Friggen Internet connections. If I dC in the middle of combat it really nerd rages me out. Nuff said.

Day #13 - 20 days of Blogging - People/Bloggers you admire

Afternoon all!
Well before I get into the topic of the day, I finally got to Lv 68 and am in Northrend, my favorite questing zone. It took me a good deal of time but it was worth it. Thanks to Pwint and alts from our Guild Beerfest Clan to get me through the final grind and a couple of really Hinky quest lines. Couldn't have done it without you Boss!

My wife is really sick this weekend, so between questing I am taking care of her. The Flu is a real bitch. She is hanging in there, but is always first in my mind. Here is to her getting better.

Now on to the topic for the day. People/Bloggers I admire. Well, there are alot of them. But I wanted to make special mention of three who kind of round things out with their activity on the boards.

Larisa from the .pinkpigtailinn.com for her unique insight from a female perspective for a raid and her social views in WoW.

Ratshag from Need More Rage because he actually acts like an Orc in my mind and has a blast doing in

Saz from World of Saz because she has interesting and relevant social commentary on WoW and is just really cool people to be around!

Cynwise from Cynwise's Battlefield Manual for the awesome PvP advise!

Understand that there are many other Blogs I watch and follow. Each has something to offer which I take away and learn from. The above are extremely active and for the most part, vocal for the community as a whole. Each represents a different aspect of WoW that I enjoy allot. What I admire the most from the above is that they make no excuses for what they feel or why. This is something I have allot of respect for.

Outside WoW I admire my Boss who has mentored me in being a bastard when I need to be, but a gentleman when it's warranted. He has constantly pushed my level of responsibilities but in a way that allowed me to WANT to take on more. A.B. Thanks for everything you have been teaching me in the Real World!

Ok folks, that's it for today. Have a great weekend and enjoy Azeroth! I need to go check on the wife and make sure she has everything she needs till she gets better. Happy Hunting!!!!