Guild Progression
<Inner Demons> is progressing fairly well. We haven't raided much since release, and once we started, we've been on and off because of unforeseen conflicts (losing a healer, losing a tank, family medical drama). We're currently 7/12, which is pretty decent with the amount we've been raiding. Casual guilds similar to ours have been raiding since release and have done about the same amount as us, so I'm feeling pretty good.
I really didn't like Chimaeron, especially as a healer. It's incredibly stressful watching everyone's health be at such a low. I was assigned to tank healing this fight and it wasn't hard, but a constant spam of Nourish, Swiftmend, and a Healing Touch on OoC procs. I'm not proud to admit this, but it was the first time we've done serious raid assignments (we have loose assignments that are kind of givens. Pally on tank, Druid on raid, Priest on everything), so it was odd being responsible for one thing, and not being responsible for others. My guild never points fingers and yells at each other. We point fingers and laugh, which sounds just as worse, but it's all in good fun and it keeps moral up. I really love my guild, and everyone in it. So even though, the leaders have stressed once in a while, that we're behind as a progression guild, I think considering everything (you know, having lives and stuff), we're doing very well.
Deathwing: My Plight with PvP Realms
As I've mentioned before, my interest in WoW endgame has begun to wane. I don't want to level more alts through 5 levels just to have them sit at 85. I don't want to go spend 45 mins in a dungeon that I've had to do over and over. So to pass the time, I've been leveling a worgen druid with my boyfriend and some old friends of ours. Unfortunately for me, they chose Deathwing, a PvP server. This is my first serious time on a PvP server, and I'm not really enjoying it. I know it is my fault for choosing PvP, and I'm not trying to bash on anyone who does PvP. That's the culture I suppose. But it's not for me, and I'm beginning to regret trying this out. Unfortunately, I want to play with my friends, but my allergies to PvP may win.
I've just hit 20 and had entered my first contested area, Ashenvale. I also learned Archaeology, so I thought I'd go earn some gold while my boyfriend caught up to my level.
I have a love/hate relationship with Archaeology, namely because of RNG and Tyrande's Favorite Doll, but for the most part, I do like it. When you start on a new realm, you don't really have gold or the resources you're used to having, and I don't want to ask my friend, whose also still new so he doesn't have a lot of gold. Archaeology was a leisurely way to make a couple pieces of gold while I waited. Well, another thing to add to the list of Archaeology hate is this. Archaeology forces level 85s to be in areas they normally wouldn't be going to if they didn't have this damn profession. So I got ganked because I was just minding my own business digging, and some 85 goblin came into a level 10 area and ganked me.
I had another pissed me off moment when I was leveling my paladin. I was in Elwynn Forest, so I wasn't flagged. I was only level 7 and just doing my quests, when this Troll Rogue started following me. He was level 10 and in heirlooms. He started emoting me and challenging me to duels, which I declined because clearly I was going to lose. He then proceeded to follow me for at least 10 mins, killing everything I tried to, including my quest givers. He finally found some other poor soul to torment and left me, but I was steaming mad.
I keep asking myself, why am I on here? Oh yeah, I like the people here. It's something to do. But I'm kind of losing my cool. I am clearly not cut out for the PvP realm culture, which apparently includes griefing and picking on the lowbies.
I think I avoid PvP because it requires a level of competitive aggression, and I am clearly not a competitive aggressive type. Well, I am. I am proud of my healing and when we were doing rated BGs with my guild, I was having some fun with a rogue, who tried killing me, but could not overcome the power of my Tree form. But I guess, in PvP realms there's a sense of having to be alert, even when you really just want to be left alone. I ran by a levle 30 Tauren paladin in Ashenvale, and he started following me for a long time, before I veered off and stealthed in Kitty form. He looked around confused, then turned the other way. This paranoia is going to drive me over the edge.
Blizzard and Predictability
Patch 4.1 was released on PTRs just in time for Rift Headstart. This was of course a strategically predictable move. Like I could've guessed, they are revamping old dungeons (ZG and ZA) for level 85 and adding some dailies in the opened Firelands. They're also unloading a boat load of pets and mounts. So far, no Resto druid class changes, although if they were serious about it, I'd expect to see our "healing cooldown" make its appearance. I really hope its more than "Barkskin on anyone" fix. I have to admit, this recycling would've have seemed stupid, if it wasn't for the fact that I never got to experience ZG and ZA during Vanilla. So, I won't complain at all. But we haven't completed the raids out at the moment, so I'm kind of not looking forward to it yet. Like I said earlier, we are progressing at a good pace, but we're by no means at the strict raiding level, so we're going to be behind. It's unfortunate, but it's something we have because our lives are not surrounding WoW.
I hope they go through with the War of the Ancients raid like they've been hinting at in Cavern of Times. I think that would be fun. I've noticed that some of the patch notes are moving the lore forward (Blue Dragonflight in Coldarra and Cavern of Times), which I like. It may be a hint at the next expansion.
College and Professors
I've taken a lot of online courses in the past before, and have had extremely difficult courses to extremely easy courses. But this course I am taking might force me to never take online courses again. My professor is horrible. She offers no help, is condescending towards others, and makes tons of grammatical mistakes in her posts and emails to us. It drives me crazy. Most of my class is failing the Discussion Boards, and when I did poorly, I emailed her asking for help, but she didn't offer me any. She just relinked the Syllabus to me, which hello, I've read. It was even more frustrating because she had said she would offer us help after the first DB with an email, which I never received. She also posts assignments, but doesn't tell us it's an assignment. For example, she wants us to practice on a Blackboard Wiki. Well I knew how, so I hadn't really posted anything. I felt that with the Group Assignment we did, which involved using a Wiki, I had shown obvious understanding on how to use one. So she just posts this "Practice Wiki" in assignments, then just says in her Thursday blog, hey, there's a wiki for you to practice on. I look at it, but don't add anything because I don't need practice. Then in her email to us Monday, she goes, I'm disappointed that no one is using the Wiki I posted. You all need practice. Okay...I just don't like her communication skills (is it ironic because this is a communication course?) My DB grades have gone up, and I've been keeping up with assignments and whatever else, but I'm frustrated.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Justin Bieber fans our scary!
I would write a post about this topic, but I'm afraid his fans will hack my profile and twitter and write obscene things on them.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Rift between Us
I'll admit I'm a fairly opinionated, but loyal WoW player. WoW was my first and has been my only MMO. This is mainly because most of my friends play WoW and I don't want to venture into a new game without knowing someone. Actually, I tried playing FFXI once a long time ago, but had an anxiety attack at the prospect of people seeing me, judging me, and being around me that I don't know (yeah, don't I sound like I don't have a problem). In real life, I also have this same problem. I don't like trying new things, especially drastic new things. Every time I've had to move, or start a new school (which is inevitable if you want to continue getting higher education), I tend to fall into this depression that takes a couple months to get out of.
I've been getting better. I recently started my first year at a new college, and the transition, which included moving out on my own for the first time as well, went incredibly smooth. I still work at my old job, so I've retained contact with my friends there, and my boyfriend still comes to visit me a lot. Sometimes, living on my own is lonely, but it's nothing a little WoW play can remedy. I've also slowly began overcoming my fear of driving and have been working towards getting my license within the next couple of months.
With this new sense of independence has also come the idea of maybe trying out a new MMO. I'll admit I'm losing interest in Cataclysm fast. I've digged my way through hell and back (Professor with a Doll). I still enjoy raiding with my guild, but outside of that, I find there's nothing to do. I started leveling another druid, a worgen, with some friends on another server (PvP..GASP), just to experience something new and try out something different, but my interest is waning, and although we level together and it's fun when we do, my boyfriend is a much slower leveler than I am, so I have free time on my hands when he can't get on. (He actually reads quests and looks around. I barrel through leveling like I'm on speed).
My boyfriend and I play WoW together because we can't spend time together the way we used to. I know that sounds kinda clingy and sad, but playing WoW allows us to talk to each other without having to be attached to the phone (like my crazy brother and his girlfriend. Um. It's 3 am go to bed. I know you'll talk to her at 6 am cuz I'll HEAR YOU) and to do things together without spending tons of money and time. We've talked about playing other games, but outside of console games. He's an avid Xbox player but I've always been a Sony loyalist until WoW came between us. We've settled on definitely playing The Old Republic when it comes out, but that's still a way off.
So there's this hoop lah going on with this MMO called Rift. Maybe you've heard of it. It's got tons of hype right now, as being prettier, better and more advanced than WoW. A lot of people have been trying out the beta, and the blogroll I read has been littered with "Rift" in their titles. So I'm curious. Especially with my interest in WoW waning. (Fear not, I still plan to raid.)
There's something that turns me off from Rift though, and this is the WoW loyalist talking.
I hate their little advertising phrase. It's on all their ads, and even on their website.
"We're not in Azeroth anymore."
First off, I don't like the Wizard of Oz reference. Now I'm going to look for Toto and Dorothy and sing "Defying Gravity" to myself.
Second, it's a turn off to me as a WoW player, because there is room in my life for more than one game. Not that the makers of Rift would want that. They want to be the next WoW. But I don't think it'll work. WoW has a very strong community and plenty of people have left for other games (coughAioncough) and come running back.
Third, it's a turn off from people who don't know what the hell WoW is. Because of the strong WoW community, a good idea would be to tap into those who don't play WoW at all. A lot of people might not know what the hell Azeroth is. So they might think they re in some Wizard of Oz game as the Wizard or something....
I know this little ramble about an ad catchphrase really means nothing, but it does bother the hell out of me. I'm still debating trying Rift out, and the little punch at WoW won't damage me in the least, but it does urk me. Don't they have better phrases they could come up with? Hmmmm?
I've been getting better. I recently started my first year at a new college, and the transition, which included moving out on my own for the first time as well, went incredibly smooth. I still work at my old job, so I've retained contact with my friends there, and my boyfriend still comes to visit me a lot. Sometimes, living on my own is lonely, but it's nothing a little WoW play can remedy. I've also slowly began overcoming my fear of driving and have been working towards getting my license within the next couple of months.
With this new sense of independence has also come the idea of maybe trying out a new MMO. I'll admit I'm losing interest in Cataclysm fast. I've digged my way through hell and back (Professor with a Doll). I still enjoy raiding with my guild, but outside of that, I find there's nothing to do. I started leveling another druid, a worgen, with some friends on another server (PvP..GASP), just to experience something new and try out something different, but my interest is waning, and although we level together and it's fun when we do, my boyfriend is a much slower leveler than I am, so I have free time on my hands when he can't get on. (He actually reads quests and looks around. I barrel through leveling like I'm on speed).
My boyfriend and I play WoW together because we can't spend time together the way we used to. I know that sounds kinda clingy and sad, but playing WoW allows us to talk to each other without having to be attached to the phone (like my crazy brother and his girlfriend. Um. It's 3 am go to bed. I know you'll talk to her at 6 am cuz I'll HEAR YOU) and to do things together without spending tons of money and time. We've talked about playing other games, but outside of console games. He's an avid Xbox player but I've always been a Sony loyalist until WoW came between us. We've settled on definitely playing The Old Republic when it comes out, but that's still a way off.
So there's this hoop lah going on with this MMO called Rift. Maybe you've heard of it. It's got tons of hype right now, as being prettier, better and more advanced than WoW. A lot of people have been trying out the beta, and the blogroll I read has been littered with "Rift" in their titles. So I'm curious. Especially with my interest in WoW waning. (Fear not, I still plan to raid.)
There's something that turns me off from Rift though, and this is the WoW loyalist talking.
I hate their little advertising phrase. It's on all their ads, and even on their website.
"We're not in Azeroth anymore."
First off, I don't like the Wizard of Oz reference. Now I'm going to look for Toto and Dorothy and sing "Defying Gravity" to myself.
Second, it's a turn off to me as a WoW player, because there is room in my life for more than one game. Not that the makers of Rift would want that. They want to be the next WoW. But I don't think it'll work. WoW has a very strong community and plenty of people have left for other games (coughAioncough) and come running back.
Third, it's a turn off from people who don't know what the hell WoW is. Because of the strong WoW community, a good idea would be to tap into those who don't play WoW at all. A lot of people might not know what the hell Azeroth is. So they might think they re in some Wizard of Oz game as the Wizard or something....
I know this little ramble about an ad catchphrase really means nothing, but it does bother the hell out of me. I'm still debating trying Rift out, and the little punch at WoW won't damage me in the least, but it does urk me. Don't they have better phrases they could come up with? Hmmmm?
Monday, February 14, 2011
I'm all for lip synching now.
I've been watching a lot of award shows and live shows etc, and I have been really unimpressed.
Screen Actor's Guild Awards (SAG)
-The awards show was pretty uneventful. My biggest problem was the presenters. I think at least 40% of the presenters stumbled while reading the teleprompter. And they all had this weird glazed look. Usually, with the way the cameras film, you can't tell they re reading teleprompters even though you know they are. I had a very very strong sense that they were reading them. I couldn't believe how many of them stuttered while trying to say their lines. It was kinda sad because they were talking about their own movies.
Super Bowl
-Oh Christina! I feel for the girl. I was never really into her music back when it was Christina v. Brittany. But she has perhaps one of the most beautiful voices in the world. It was tough watching her stumble.
Her voice was so beautiful and yet, she will only be remembered for messing up the lines (it's a big mess up yet, but it's sad she'll never live this down)
-The Black Eyed Peas are a band I enjoy. I don't buy their music or listen to them on a daily basis, but their music is fun dance music and it always brings a smile to my face.
And I love Fergie. I think she is a very beautiful talented person.
I might have been wrong though. Damn she sounded bad live. I was horrified listening to her. I missed you Ashlee Simpson!
It might've been technical difficulties. There were obvious sound problems going on, and the background music seemed so dry and downplayed behind the artists singing.
The Grammy's (this is where I break)
- First off, I just want to say that all the musical performances last night were amazing.
I wasn't too impressed with Lady Gaga's new song, but she has presence and I like watching her perform.
I loved the Aretha Franklin tribute with the five women (Go Flo Go!) and they all did an amazing job. I have new found love for Rihanna, Eminem, and Usher. And I loved loved loved Cee-lo and Gwyneth singing Forget You. That was fun to watch. McJagger! yeah! (The other day at work I had to page someone named McJagger. I even said to poor Jr., "You're kidding me right?!"
Was unimpressed by muse but that's because I've heard that song way too damn much for my sanity.
What got me was near the end.First they had the president of the board or whatever come out to speak. Which is good. He's promoting music education in schools. To emphasize this he had this really nice jazz band of high schoolers playing behind him.
They were playing fine...until they started playing loudly while the pres and Michael Morrison were speaking. That was so distracting it actually hurt me.
Album of the Year went to the much deserving Arcade Fire. It was awkward though watching the drummer chick try desperately to get in a word during the acceptance speech. She was trying to weed her way in front of the main singer to say some babble in some language I don't know.
They then, in the spirit of winning, decide to lay another song (they had just performed before winning)
Well it was impromptu, so we got to watch the sound crew scramble around Barbara Streisand and some other dude presenter, while the two of them said in a mic that was off that it was the end of the show. They awkwardly waved their arms around telling people to go home.
I can't wait to see what the Oscars will be like. I have great great faith in hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco (love them) and I hope to see Natalie Portman win her first Oscar. I just hope it runs more smoothly then these other shows.
Screen Actor's Guild Awards (SAG)
-The awards show was pretty uneventful. My biggest problem was the presenters. I think at least 40% of the presenters stumbled while reading the teleprompter. And they all had this weird glazed look. Usually, with the way the cameras film, you can't tell they re reading teleprompters even though you know they are. I had a very very strong sense that they were reading them. I couldn't believe how many of them stuttered while trying to say their lines. It was kinda sad because they were talking about their own movies.
Super Bowl
-Oh Christina! I feel for the girl. I was never really into her music back when it was Christina v. Brittany. But she has perhaps one of the most beautiful voices in the world. It was tough watching her stumble.
Her voice was so beautiful and yet, she will only be remembered for messing up the lines (it's a big mess up yet, but it's sad she'll never live this down)
-The Black Eyed Peas are a band I enjoy. I don't buy their music or listen to them on a daily basis, but their music is fun dance music and it always brings a smile to my face.
And I love Fergie. I think she is a very beautiful talented person.
I might have been wrong though. Damn she sounded bad live. I was horrified listening to her. I missed you Ashlee Simpson!
It might've been technical difficulties. There were obvious sound problems going on, and the background music seemed so dry and downplayed behind the artists singing.
The Grammy's (this is where I break)
- First off, I just want to say that all the musical performances last night were amazing.
I wasn't too impressed with Lady Gaga's new song, but she has presence and I like watching her perform.
I loved the Aretha Franklin tribute with the five women (Go Flo Go!) and they all did an amazing job. I have new found love for Rihanna, Eminem, and Usher. And I loved loved loved Cee-lo and Gwyneth singing Forget You. That was fun to watch. McJagger! yeah! (The other day at work I had to page someone named McJagger. I even said to poor Jr., "You're kidding me right?!"
Was unimpressed by muse but that's because I've heard that song way too damn much for my sanity.
What got me was near the end.First they had the president of the board or whatever come out to speak. Which is good. He's promoting music education in schools. To emphasize this he had this really nice jazz band of high schoolers playing behind him.
They were playing fine...until they started playing loudly while the pres and Michael Morrison were speaking. That was so distracting it actually hurt me.
Album of the Year went to the much deserving Arcade Fire. It was awkward though watching the drummer chick try desperately to get in a word during the acceptance speech. She was trying to weed her way in front of the main singer to say some babble in some language I don't know.
They then, in the spirit of winning, decide to lay another song (they had just performed before winning)
Well it was impromptu, so we got to watch the sound crew scramble around Barbara Streisand and some other dude presenter, while the two of them said in a mic that was off that it was the end of the show. They awkwardly waved their arms around telling people to go home.
I can't wait to see what the Oscars will be like. I have great great faith in hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco (love them) and I hope to see Natalie Portman win her first Oscar. I just hope it runs more smoothly then these other shows.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Respec, Reforge, Respec! Haste! Mastery! (4.06)
Also a look at Haste Breakpoints
Well, it was bound to happen. I had to respec and reforge after the big (but really exciting) changes for resto druids. It's cost a lot of gold and staring at a Talent Calculator. I also had to do math (ack!). After a couple nights and bosses, I think I found a good place to be at.
Well, it was bound to happen. I had to respec and reforge after the big (but really exciting) changes for resto druids. It's cost a lot of gold and staring at a Talent Calculator. I also had to do math (ack!). After a couple nights and bosses, I think I found a good place to be at.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
New Tree of Life Animation: Idle
Honestly, I didn't even notice this until last night when I was trying to make an epic tree rainbow with my Rainbow Generator Trinket.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Hello Bat Flight Form!
Yay Patch 4.06! I'll get working on my Resto Guide when I get some down time (Might not be for weeks <.<)
But here's a shot of the new Troll Flight Form: A Bat!
It's HUGE!!!! (pause for "That's what she said" jokes)
I put some comparison shots of bear form with it.
I didn't move the camera at all.
But here's a shot of the new Troll Flight Form: A Bat!
It's HUGE!!!! (pause for "That's what she said" jokes)
I put some comparison shots of bear form with it.
I didn't move the camera at all.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Patch 4.06 Plans
-Respec.
I'm debating whether I should drop my Moonkin spec for a second Resto spec.
This is a problem because I still do dailies on Cov and might also effect other things I do. However, there are quite a variety of different specs I wanna try, because the new talents has created tons of different utilities we can spec in.
-Archaeology
First I have to dump the greys i've been carrying with me. Then I have to solve and dump some more greys i've been carrying with me. Finally I'll get back to digging for the Sword, the Staff and the Mount (Tol'Vir)
-I might work on Hellscream's Reach to get the trinket, Mandala of Stirring Patterns. Its a 321 Spirit, plus a intel proc instead of a mastery. This would be a mana regen option I may look at as opposed to having two specs. This is also why I'll need a dps spec. The TB dailies are grueling.
-Priest Leveling
I've finally settled on my Priest as my next 85. I also plan to heal on him. Disc is getting a needed boost and Holy is already pretty cool looking. Can't wait to get started.
-Try out my new flight form, mon.
Yeah I'm a bat. O.o
Finally! A patch i'm looking forward to is finally hitting the realms Yay!
Happy Healing!
I'm debating whether I should drop my Moonkin spec for a second Resto spec.
This is a problem because I still do dailies on Cov and might also effect other things I do. However, there are quite a variety of different specs I wanna try, because the new talents has created tons of different utilities we can spec in.
-Archaeology
First I have to dump the greys i've been carrying with me. Then I have to solve and dump some more greys i've been carrying with me. Finally I'll get back to digging for the Sword, the Staff and the Mount (Tol'Vir)
-I might work on Hellscream's Reach to get the trinket, Mandala of Stirring Patterns. Its a 321 Spirit, plus a intel proc instead of a mastery. This would be a mana regen option I may look at as opposed to having two specs. This is also why I'll need a dps spec. The TB dailies are grueling.
-Priest Leveling
I've finally settled on my Priest as my next 85. I also plan to heal on him. Disc is getting a needed boost and Holy is already pretty cool looking. Can't wait to get started.
-Try out my new flight form, mon.
Yeah I'm a bat. O.o
Finally! A patch i'm looking forward to is finally hitting the realms Yay!
Happy Healing!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Oh RNG You Slay Me
Most people know my plight when trying to obtain the trinket, Tyrande's Favorite Doll.
My artifacts solved at the point were well over 300 and I had finished 180ish of just Night Elf alone.
I know WoW lives and breathes the Random Number Generator, but sometimes it's really just a killer.
Recently, two guildies both got the trinket within 50 or so solved Night Elf artificats.
And I had a friend get it as the second rare to show up for them, and to just offhandedly say, "Oh well I guess I got a nice trinket for healing now."
Yeah thanks...
Now on the bright side, I also have 2 more useful healing rares then all three of them, but to see how hard and persistent I had to be to get it, and how easily it came to them (well let's face it. Archaeology isn't easy in general) can be really discouraging.
My artifacts solved at the point were well over 300 and I had finished 180ish of just Night Elf alone.
I know WoW lives and breathes the Random Number Generator, but sometimes it's really just a killer.
Recently, two guildies both got the trinket within 50 or so solved Night Elf artificats.
And I had a friend get it as the second rare to show up for them, and to just offhandedly say, "Oh well I guess I got a nice trinket for healing now."
Yeah thanks...
Now on the bright side, I also have 2 more useful healing rares then all three of them, but to see how hard and persistent I had to be to get it, and how easily it came to them (well let's face it. Archaeology isn't easy in general) can be really discouraging.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Currently Watching
With raids overlapping primetime right now, I'm not watching too much TV. DVR is my friend <3
Monday: Gossip Girl/House
Tuesday: V, Hellcats, Glee, Teen Mom 2
Wednesday
Thursday: The Vampire Diaries, Nikita/Grey's Anatomy
Friday
Saturday
Sunday: Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, Big Love
Unfortunately, my favorite shows are usually late spring/summer slot shows.
(Mad Men, True Blood)
Shows I should start watching:
The Good Wife
The Big Bang Theory
Modern Family
Monday: Gossip Girl/House
Tuesday: V, Hellcats, Glee, Teen Mom 2
Thursday: The Vampire Diaries, Nikita/Grey's Anatomy
Sunday: Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, Big Love
Unfortunately, my favorite shows are usually late spring/summer slot shows.
(Mad Men, True Blood)
Shows I should start watching:
The Good Wife
The Big Bang Theory
Modern Family
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)