What I've Been Doing - October 2011 Edition

Hi!  It's been a while, hasn't it?  Still hanging around this old dump? Well, I cannot promise that the view will change much here, or that the furniture will get moved any, but I can tell you what has been up.  Pull up a chair!

World of Warcraft has not lost its shine, yet.  I will admit to letting my subscription lapse for a week or more at a time, just because I really don't have time for this time hog of a game.  Still, I have friends and I enjoy tooling around on a new alt or three.  It's the way I am.  I had to delete a few neglected alts that weren't being played to make a new one on Proudmoore to play with one of my guildmates on the Alliance side of things.   Another draenei hunter named Minya joined my full stable of alts.  She is at level 20, and I keep forgetting to get her mount.  Oh well, I am enjoying the story through Westfall and Redridge without it, so what is the rush?

On the Horde side of things, I had transferred Delgada, who I consider my main, to the Eredar server a while back to play with a real life friend.  Well, he never promised to stick around, and Delgada has been all alone in this huge guild for a while.  Back when he was still playing and I had a little time to raid, I had allowed the guild to use KNR's server temporarily, until they found one of their own.  Well, here it is the middle of October, and hubby went shopping for a new Ventrilo server.  We let the other lapse, because a)we were broke and it was coming of our bank account, and 2) noone from that guild had even offered to contribute.  A few from KNR pony up on a regular basis, so when the coffer runs out and I need to add in a month or so, it just evens things out, you know?  I wonder if they have found a new host to leech off of.  If any of you on that server read this, well, there it is.  I cannot support two guilds.  We shrunk our server from a 50 to a 25 and moved it to Typefrag.

Hallow's Eve has started, right on the heels of Brewfest.  Delgada already had the achievements for both, so she entered the queue for Direbrew and got her trinket, then gave up on the holiday.  I don't like where it moved to. It's too far from the town.  But I love the holiday.  Maybe if I am around for Brewfest number 5 (is it that many already?) I'll celebrate with the Dwarves.  They know how to do it right.  As for Hallow's Eve, Delgada has her ring, and now she just queues in hope of getting a firey pony. I have her trick or treating, but the innkeepers won't speak to her, they just point at the big pumpkin full of goodies and go back to standing there doing nothing.  Trick or treating and the new dailies are a must, so that Delgada can get her new pets, the Feline Familiar and the Little Wickerman.  There was also a quest chain to get a Creepy Crate, which Delgada happily did.  This puts her just a little closer to the Littlest Pet Shop achievement.  She really wants that Celestial Dragon.  As for other in game things, I am leveling a few alts, and when I do drag Delgada out, it is for holiday stuff or to mindlessly fly over the face of Azeroth, looking for dig sites.

Wizard 101 has been on a side burner. I did recently, at the request of the game and because I would have anyway if I had known about it, vote for it to win the audience award for an online games award thingy.  Well, they won, and as a result I got a new pet, which as of last night was still in its shell. It's a yellow elf pet with a pedigree of 30.  When I have logged into the game, I have spent my time on my garden, which is full of pink dandelions, with a few king parsley, fickle pickle, bell peppers, snap dragons, baby carrots, and laugh o dils.  Rowan Trollstalker is currently questing in Dragonspyre.  I think she is about halfway through it.  When she has the energy, she likes to run her sea dragon through the hedge maze, but usually her garden takes most of the energy, so the poor dragon sits at teen.

Real life has taken the bulk of my time lately.  My father in law was in town a lot longer than expected, which meant a lot of running around.  He bought me a season pass for Disneyland, with parking, so I have been working toward getting each of my kids there with me, one a month.  So far, I have taken my oldest my youngest, and one of the middle ones, with plans to take two of the others close to their birthdays in November.  I keep telling myself I am going to run away and go just once by myself, but really, who am I kidding?  I barely have time to play my games at home.  What makes me think I can drive an hour away to spend a day on my own?  I think this will happen, just not really soon.  Maybe during Christmas break.

One of my step daughters wanted to audition for a musical, and I drove her there.  Next thing I know, I am being pushed on stage to audition as well.  She got the part of Zaneeta, the mayor's teen daughter, while I got the part of Ethel Toffelmeier, the pianola girl.  Bonus points if you can tell me what musical they are from, without Google's help!  We are waiting impatiently for our next practice session, as our leader said she would email us when we would start up again, after the start date had changed from "omg not the end of this month!" to "phew January sounds lots better".

My eldest daughter is sitting on her nest, and will have her little chick near the end of December.  I have to start finding silly baby shower games and start planning the party really soon.  I'm just having a hard time fitting all that in and trying to make myself a steampunk costume to wear at whatever convention I find myself at.  The only convention I have been to besides my one time at Blizzcon was a school food service convention, and as much fun as that was, the cosplay was limited to a few booth fruits (hehe). There is a new convention happening in November in Los Angeles that I am hoping to get to, just to see what one is like.  It looks to have a lot of neat personalities booked, and the price is right at about 12 bucks presale per day.  Hopefully my costume is ready by then!

Well, as for screenshots, I have been bad and not taken any recently.  So, this post will have no pretty picture at the top :(  If you are looking for pretty pictures, I invite you to go look at The Ancient Gaming Noob's site, as he is having a travel poster contest.  Maybe you can even make one of your own!  Thanks for stopping by.  Try not to let the dust bunnies out when you leave...

Dress For Romance

When we think about outfits for Valentine's Day, the usual items and sets come to mind. Here is a bulleted list of what the unimaginative will be looking for this season.

• Lovely (insert color here) Dress
• Elegant or Easter Dress
• White Wedding Dress
• Haliscan Set
• Tuxedo Set 
• Black Tuxedo Set

We have imagination, we have vision!   Throw aside these boring examples of Azerothian date wear and open yourself to the possibilities!  First, I have for you Buttercup and her Farm Boy.

Pretty much any farm in the early areas of the Human and Undead zones will do to roleplay this fantastic set. Buttercup is wearing a Simple Dress.  Farm Boy is wearing Blue Overalls paired with your basic axe.  Sorry, the log is a prop only available to non player monsters.

How about something straight out of the Arabian Nights? These outfits, perhaps paired with a flying carpet ride, would be great for a desert or oasis meetup.

Her dress, the Robes of Insight, look like the Vestments of the Shifting Sands, Robes of the Battleguard, Robes of the Guardian Saint and Robes of the Triumvirate.  You might have to have a little luck finding them, but they are well worth saving when found!  His outfit consists of Verdigris Leggings, Abjurer's Cloak, Crimson Silk Vest, and a Spellweaver's Turban.  The leggings are a reward from a low level Alliance quest, so you Horde out there may have to find something different(any plain pair will do).  As for the turban, only the models above level 59 have the feather.  Here is a list of alternatives, with and without feathers.

How about Explorer meets Native?

Our troll princess is wearing the Tribal Worg Helm with an Aboriginal Robe and carrying an Aboriginal Rod.  The explorer, begging to keep his head, is wearing a White Swashbuckler's Shirt with a Moonglow Vest, Twill Belt and Twill Pants and Simple Linen Boots.  You could do this in about any tropical setting, but it's especially fun in troll ruins and active troll areas.

How about a damsel and a swash buckling pirate?

 

Our damsel in distress is wearing a White Woolen Dress and Cross Stitched Sandals. Our villainous pirate is wearing a Swashbuckler's Eyepatch, White Swashbuckler's Shirt, Slavehandler Jerkin, Swashbuckler Sash,  Coven Britches, Crimson Silk Cloak, and wielding a Cruel Barb.  Sadly, if you want that sash, you have to have had it before The Shattering.

These are just a few ideas for outfits that can lead to wonderful romantic roleplay, or just some fun while sitting in your favorite spot, doing whatever you and your Azerothian lover enjoy doing together.  If you have any other suggestions on outifts I might be able to dig up, please leave a comment below!  

Next up, places to go now that you are all dressed up!  Exciting, breathtaking, fun filled vacation spots sure to please even the most picky of partners.  Stay tuned...

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a Feast!

Here's to bountiful tables, the company of friends and family, turkey induced halftime naps, and second helpings of pie.  I'd like to thank you all for stopping by from time to time, and I pray that these holidays are a joyful time for all of you.

Brewfest!

Fill 'er Up!

 

Delgada is perpetually thirsty.  I'm sure it is just a trick of the mind, as the undead require little food and drink past the remains of their kills to live a long undeath.  Still, Delgada enjoys Brewfest, for this is the time when that trick is doused quite regularly and cheaply with brews from around Kalimdor.  The trolls make a flirtatious medium weight ale that is perfectly suited to their tropical home.  Just heavy enough to satisfy, but light enough that, when chilled and garnished with one of the citrusy fruits grown on the isles, will bring down your temperature considerably.  The orcs make a pretty heavy, spicy brew, which is totally unsuited to their established home in Azeroth, but comes in pretty handy where the recipe was born.  Autumn in Nagrand can get pretty crisp, and this brew goes down quite well with a hefty plate of roast talbuk and some tubers.  The Blood Elves have tried to join in, but they haven't learned the fine art of the brew, instead coming laden with casks of light, fruity wines and bubbling champagnes. Delgada will stop by there a time or two during the festivities, just to make them feel welcome. 

 

The Ogres come with their brew, which is pretty much only enjoyed by the very drunk and the ogres themselves.  It's commonly thought that they use their loincloths to filter out the frothy sludge resulting from the heating of the various grains and other additions to their concoction.  I'm pretty sure they even bathe their young in the early part of the brewing process.  The resulting brew smells much like a bilge pump operator 10 minutes before his shower crossed with the aroma left by a terrified skunk.  The flavor is much like what I think tea made from jock straps and sweat socks would taste like. Even when hammered, Delgada stays far away from their booth.  Even if she cannot taste much due to deteriorating taste buds, or smell much for want of a working olfactory system, she is still conscious of how she must smell to others, and there is no sense in adding to that.

 

All the flavors of these brews would be tainted quite sadly by the dry, dusty, hot weather that Orgrimmar is famous for, if it weren't for some goblin ingenuity.  With the help of the goblin engineers, the prominent breweries have refridgerated kegs and their booths are stocked with insulated steins, with small freezers below the bar to stow them when not in use.  The elves were even given a small cooler for their wines to chill in, though I wonder where they stashed it, for by some magic their wines are already chilled, and the chest is nowhere to be seen!

 

As for food, The dwarves will tell you that sausage and pretzels were a gift from the Titans to the dwarves before they were soundly ejected from the underworld to live out their puny mortal lives on the surface.  This is only partly true. If it weren't for the help of some troll voo doo, they would not have known how to package the spiced meats into a sausage form.  Only a troll would know how to use every part of a living thing to it's fullest.  The dwarves will forever be trying all sorts of different recipes in order to try and attain sausage perfection, but the true secret is in the parts.  And the trolls, dey ain't tellin'.  The dwarves can have their cheese, pretzels, and mustard.  Their sausage will never be anything but a cheap imitation, poor fools.

 

I'd like to thank Windpaw for the inspiration for this post.  Someone had to tell the Horde side of things!

 

Happy Easter!

We here are getting ready to dye eggs here at my house.In the spirit of the holiday, I have hidden one somewhere in my site for the Great Blog Noblegarden Egg Hunt.  There are at least 40 other participants, and the prizes are a fabulous character portrait from Mason Cole for the first place, and a montage of either Horde or Alliance races/classes for the second prize winner.

Good luck!

Dinner And Hijinks At The Morton/Quinn Household

Mom, take my picture!











What's for dinner?  Grilled cheese sandwiches...











 ....and cupcakes!  Noah, you better eat at least three cupcakes.  No, really.  And the grilled cheese, only eat half.

 Yum! (They were really meatloaf with mashed potato frosting and pound cake with orange icing)

 What did you do to my computer?  And here I was nice and made you cupcakes and grilled cheese sandwiches.  Gimme back the sandwich.

Oh, right, even the murloc is wondering what is going on around here.  Both screens?  Yeah, you try selecting something with your mouse when it moves the exact opposite of what you meant it to.

Mmmmm, black cherry soda.  Wait, why won't it come out of the glass?




Because it's Jell-o !

April Fool's!

New Main!

That's it. I have had it with healing the ungrateful, rude masses. I will no longer toss a renew to someone out of combat to help them regen faster. I will no longer worry if the greater heal that I trinketed and used all my specials on will hit the tank before he dies. I won't bother giving people fortitude and spirit buffs. Nope. I refuse to carry candles.

No, I'm not going to switch out to Carlotta. She needs too much. Damned arrows and food for the beast, not to mention bandages and potions she makes for everyone else but her.

Shawndra is out as well. Her gear costs too much to repair. And people expect her to tank. Bleah. I want none of that responsibility.

Not even Gwenna the mage. Nope. She has about 3 too many reagents to carry around, and they cost money. Not to mention that people expect her to make them food and water, and focus magic, and sometimes sheep/rabbit things. Forget that!

I am even going to forsake the Horde. Yep. Horde is too hardcore for me. I'm thinking I want the easy life of hanging out in places like Goldshire and Stormwind and Ironforge, where the only attacks I have to dodge are the X rated RP offers.

Here is my new main. Her name is Muppsey. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid. And healers? Yeah, I'm going to life tap myself down to the bone. You'll heal me and like it.

Oh, I thought I'd change it up a bit and join a real raiding guild, too. So, I'm rolling her on the US-Sentinels server, where Premagon (or is it Paranition?) is going to get ready for Cataclysm and the new raid content it contains. I'm sure once they see her shadow bolt spam they will fall in love with her and beg her to join. Even if she can't heal. Or cook. Did I mention there will be no small eggs cooked by her? Nope, no eggs at all. No cooking, no fishing, no first aid. Just tailoring and enchanting, which I will have my minions (read:children) level for me.

Muppsey is all about the selfish desire to do absolutely nothing that benefits anyone but my selfish need to only dps, and sponge off of everyone I can possibly manage to. Expect a lot of posts about how I wiped groups and pissed off healers and tanks in the next several weeks. It will be such a change from the bad groups and awful people posts I have grown accustomed to reading in my feed reader!

Oh, and Happy April First. :)

My Secret Admirer - Anea!

I had a feeling when I went to her blog and found her there, in a lovely purple dress, that she was the one, and I was right! Thanks to Dristanel of The Physician's Log, I have made some new friends and am looking forward to reading many new blogs as a result of this Secret Admirer Weekend. If you click on the link to Dristanel's blog, it will take you to the reveal post, with all the participants.

Dearest Ophelie,

Though you knew it not, I have read your blog with interest for many weeks now. Your posts on Blog Azeroth led me there, and your blog has entertained me for a few stolen moments every day since. I am glad that I was chosen to admire you this week!

I'm afraid I am not the sneakiest of suitors. I hope my clues were not so blatant as to lead you to me too quickly, but also not so vague as to leave you wondering. This was quite a brain exercise for me!

Anyhow, Happy Valentine's Day, Sweet Ophelie (which I read means helpful). I look forward to reading more helpful articles on your site for a lot more stolen moments.



*blowkiss*

A Gift From My Secret Admirer.

I apologize for the lack of background. I had this silly idea that I would sit her on the edge of a post, but I'm just not that clever! Just imagine she is getting up from the side of her bed, having just put on this fabulous dress. Her secret admirer knew just the color that suited her, and the lilac sachet smells divine!

*UPDATE*

My admirer sent me an in game note, too. So far I get that they are a healer of the Alliance persuasion, and that they favor purple.


Now, to try and find out who this secret admirer is...

Secret Admirer

Dristanel from The Physician’s Log suggested a Secret Admirer project for this holiday, and I'll be darned if I miss out on the fun! See, I sign up, Dristanel picks a blogger out of the list of participants, and I get to anonymously stalk them for the weekend. How could this not be fun? Of course, I get to look at everyone else's sites in the process, trying to figure out who my secret admirer is, too, which should be adding some fun to my blog reader in the process. I believe Dristanel has posted a list of participants, so go check out the link. I had to whip this off fast because, I'm late for work! See if you can match up admirers to actual people, too. It's a fun time for all, and a perfect time to do it!

Breathtaking Outlands - A Photo Journal.

Delgada dusts off her camera and tours the Outlands, looking for ideal spots to snuggle up to your one and only. She got some great ideas for places to photograph from Arrens, Anna, Syrana, and Indigored. Thanks for the help, and I hope you all find something in here that sparks your romantic imagination!


What is the most incredible sight you have ever seen in game? For me, it was the sky seen through the massive columns after stepping through the Dark Portal. The Hellfire Peninsula itself is really void of beauty, save for the skies above. For a great picnic place, all you have to do is pick your favorite bit of floating debris and spread a blanket.

Zangarmarsh is gloomy, but can still provide a lovely backdrop for a romantic get together. Sit together atop a giant mushroom overlooking one of the lakes...

or find a secluded pond for some skinny dipping. Watch out for Naga. They don't take kindly to other people using their swimming pools.


The Lower City Tavern in Shattrath is decorated for the season. If you stop by at the right time, you can enjoy the company of your lovely date and the Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftains.


Ruuan Weald in the Blade's Edge mountains seems to be welcoming lovers as well. When the curators are all asleep, take a dip with your sweet in the moonwell.


The innkeeper has set aside a room in the inn with satin sheets and mood lighting. Most couples will find this part of Blade's Edge very quiet and far away from the bustle of Northrend scourge fighting. The perfect get away!


Nagrand is lush and vibrant. If you and your Valentine enjoy hunting and fishing, this place is ideal.


If you don't, there are areas for rock climbing, swimming, free falling (bring along a priest or mage for best results), even a super trampoline!


Leaving the cheer and brightness of Nagrand and following the Lower Path into Terokkar, the mood changes to melancholy. Don't let the mood of the area get to you. This is one of the great places to lay down and look up at the sky.


The light from the sun and stars filters through the leaves and crystalline pine cones turn each beam into sparkling, tiny rainbows, beauty in the midst of sorrow. If your date is in a pensive mood, this could be a good place to end up.


What can anyone say about Shadowmoon Valley? It's dark, evil mood is punctuated by angry bursts and trails of fire in the sky. This is not the ideal place to take your intended, unless they have an unhealthy obsession with Illidan and the Black Temple.


Now, if you were looking for a heated spring to soothe war weary aches and ease tensions, you might well shoo away the naga and elementals from this place. I believe they may be the only hot springs in Outland.

Netherstorm, though in bits and pieces, still has some areas that any pair of lovers could enjoy together. The Eco Domes, marvels of science and magic, preserve some of the most beautiful tropical wildlife in both worlds.


Swimming, hunting, fishing, or just walking along enjoying the heady scents of hibiscus and other tropical flora, your partner will enjoy every minute spent inside.


Just mind the crocodiles.


Is your date interested in gemology, or a jewel crafter? Perhaps a stop on the Celestial Ridge for some "rock" climbing is in order.


Stage a ceremony at this secluded little chapel on Wizard's Row. Just make sure you clear the area of its ghostly and demonic denizens first.


Say your fella seems to have missed the boat? Take him out to captain this one in the Twisting Nether just south of Wizard's Row.

Outland is full of surprising and breath taking sights. What I have been able to photograph are just a small sampling of what Outland has to offer. Take your favorite person and pick a zone to explore together as part of your date. Take your own pictures, and put them into a scrapbook to make this date one to remember for years to come!

THIS Is Why I Love This Game!

A gondola for undead lovers in Undercity. This is fabulous!

Sweets For Your In Game Sweetie.

What do you get that epic someone in your life for Valentine’s Day? Delgada continues her search of the known world for unusual and thoughtful gifts that any Azerothian would love to receive. You can also go back in time and read last year's selections.

Battered Hilt - This may seem trashy, but there are people out there that, for a little hard work, will turn it into something worth wielding.

Motorcycle - Hit up a friendly engineer to help cut the cost, and get together the materials. Maybe when you're done handing over the keys, he'll take you for a spin!

Clothes - A new wardrobe piece makes a great gift. Crafted items are usually easier to get, but occasionally a loot drop makes its way to the auction house. Click on the categories below for a list of bind on equip epic level items sure to please your Valentine.

Cloth

Leather

Mail

Plate

Cloaks

60 and Under Epic

61-79 Epic

Ammunition - Arrows are more Cupid’s style, but that hunter in your life might well be carrying a gun. A few thousand epic rounds in his ammo pouch will have him thinking of you with every shot.

Picnic - Wise people have said before that the way to a lover's heart is through their stomach. Cook up some buff foods that complement their play style, and invite them to a meal on your romantic picnic blanket. Pick up a cake for dessert!

Love Potions - Potions, elixirs, and flasks may not be a traditional gift, but he’ll love that you gave them, and that is why they are love potions!

Bling - Find a nice ring or necklace to set off your sweet's already great smile and gorgeous eyes.

Flowers - Or any off hand item to go with that scrumptious backless dress. Here are some you can buy.

I hope this helps you find the perfect gift for your in game flame. Stay tuned, as Delgada tours Outland and Northrend looking for the best of the best spots for romantic roleplay. While you wait, check out last year's articles covering the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor.

So Long And Thanks For All The Fish

(or How The Kal'uak Spend Winter's Veil)

I got a Christmas Present in my mail today! Jaedia of the Lazy Sniper was my Kris Kringle from the Blog Azeroth post exchange this year. You can check out the other posts on the exchange by visiting this thread and following the links in the comments. She was right thinking that I have a strange obsession with the Kalu'ak. Thanks Jaedia! What a great gift!

The Kal'uak of Southern Northrend spend a lot of their time fishing, at least they did before the Lich King became prominently active in Northrend. These days they spend most of their time attempting to set the balance of nature right, and fight back the Kvaldir from their homes by the Frozen Sea. However, despite the hardships of the year, they do keep up Winter Veil traditions.

While not ever really seeing him, aside from tales, they do believe that Greatfather Winter casts his wintery veil across Northrend over the winter period. It is thought that Greatfather Winter is an emissary of the titans, come to Azeroth to bring comfort and snow at this time of year, though again, this is just a tale. Rather than worshipping him, they will gather around on Winters Veil Eve, to a huge banquet between each individual tribe. With masses of food, this is the one time of year they will eat anything other than fish. They even get a little merry. They tell such stories, tales of legend, over the fires and candlelight.

The idea that they eat foods other than fish at Winters Veil is mostly to wave goodbye to Greatfather Winter as he passes by the continent of Northrend, and to thank him for a good fishing year, in the hope that he will grant them once again the ability to catch good food over the harsh cold year.

With morale quite low in the Tuskarr people at this time, keeping up their almost family-like traditions keeps a small sense of normality within their communities. It is the one time of year they can get together and forget about the hardships they have had to forego, and may have to worry about in the coming year. As such, they welcome in the New Year in the hope that it will bring better things.

Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

//Jaedia - http://www.lazy-sniper.com/

Christmas Cards Go Here.

Send me a card, and I'll edit it in!

WoW Year In Review

This post is in response to a weekly topic on Blog Azeroth. I think I finished this just under the wire for the 21st deadline. Huzzah! Oh, and this was started at Bible of Dreams, another blog featuring shadow priests you should check out!

What did you do in the World of Warcraft in 2009 that you’d never done before?
I stuck with an Alliance character and leveled it to 80. It was a wonderful experience, and if I didn't have a home on Smolderthorn, Shadowsong would be the server where I would hang my hat. The Illuminati Order guild and the other people I met on that server have all been so friendly and helpful. I really wish I could spend more time with them!

What was your favorite new place that you visited?

Of all the areas introduced with the latest expansion, my most favorite new place would have to be the pit you fall through to get to the last boss in Azjol Nerub. One day, in a guild group, I plan to have a mage cast slow fall on me so I can get some good pictures as I fall. It is so beautiful! I also am in love with all the Kalu'ak areas. Windsocks, walrus people, fish lanterns, swimming turtle transports, and the predominant fishing theme makes me want to move into one of their vacant burrows and live with them.

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

I am already getting my wish on this one. A few weeks ago, my wish would have been to have people to run things with. Now, I have so many people to run things with, I may never run out!

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Delgada hit 75 pets. Shawndra hit 80, then hit 50 pets. My biggest achievement will be when I pull Shawndra out and hit the tank button on the random dungeon finder. I plan on doing that in the next few days. Reckoning battle group Horde, you have been warned!

What was your biggest failure?

Playing way too much without really accomplishing anything. Before 3.3, a lot of my time could have been used finishing old world quests, but instead I was busy running laps in Dalaran. I am hoping with the change to the dungeon system Delgada will find the time in between to run a few quests, get some reputations to exalted, and earn some money while doing it.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Every silly change that effected one of my jillion alts. Every pet that was made. Everything?

What do you wish you’d done less of?

No matter how many laps I ran around Dalaran, Delgada will never be more skinny than she already is. I think I covered this already :)

What was your favorite WoW blog or podcast?

I read so many blogs and listen to so many podcasts, it would be hard to narrow it down to one of each. Instead, I will list several of my favorites, leaving out the obvious ones that need no introduction from little ol' me.

Podcasts

For The Horde Radio - A (mostly) Horde centric podcast, Auntie Ed and her group of players put out a show about once a month. Most of this is done in character, which I really like. Auntie Ed also spins some tunes in between bits such as one from an undead warlock evicted from his apartment by a smoothie store and mail read with a Horde friendly dwarf. As I write this I am listening to their Holiday special, which deserves more attention than I am giving it. Might I add, I wish Shawndra had as sexy a voice as Auntie Ed!

Warcraft Outsiders - Michelle and John have come back, and the cast is better than ever! Michelle being the pro, with John being the ultra casual player, they play well off each other, and now they have a guest in the third chair every night. I don't just list this show because they had me as a guest, or because I am part of their guild. This really is a fun show!

HearthCast - Rewt and Freckleface are entertaining and informative. They seem to have found a good niche, talking about World of Warcraft for the casual and new player.

Epic Shardz! - Who could not fall in love with Zebgora and Tamori after listening to them? Beside the fact that they play trolls (what's not to love there?) they are really around my level of game play, talking about pets and kids playing (Tam's daughter Bloodpaw plays), Facebook games, holidays and achievements, with a lot of real life stuff thrown in.

Inside Azeroth - Steve and David, formerly of the Grind, join Katerina, formerly of Epic Dolls, to share their news, views, and happenings in Azeroth.

Blogs

Misery - Merlot has her finger on where to find any information about shadow priests, and some interesting and fun commentary.

A Darkened Soul - Chuckenorris also is a great repository of Shadow Priest knowledge. This cheat sheet is so helpful for all shadow priests.

Righteous Orbs - I'm not even going to spoil this one for you. Go over there and read.

I read a zillion other blogs, and am in the process of updating my feed reader. If you have some suggestions, comment below! Blogs give me something to smile about between breakfast and lunch at work.

Tell us a valuable WoW lesson you learned in 2009.

I don't think I have learned anything valuable this year, but I have a small lesson or two for my readers to pass on to others.

1) If one plays a female, consider that they might actually be one until they break it to you. I bite my tongue most of the time when someone says, "Thanks, bro!" or "Let's wait for him to catch up.", or even, "Hey man, I'm dying, throw me a heal!" But sometimes I cannot help but snark back,"Anytime, sister!" or "It's ok, I'll join you girls in a minute. I just need a mana break." or just "I'll heal you, if you call me sweetie..". It's one thing if I rolled a male character. I expect to be taken for a guy then. Guys should be prepared to be mistaken when they roll female characters, too. (Sorry, guy in my girlfriends guild who I snarked at. You were just the final straw of my day. I can't promise to be better, but at least you know I am a girl now.)

2) If you are in a group with someone that is under performing, in your opinion, be kind. Not everyone is as uber as you. If you are familiar with their class enough to help, make some kind suggestions. If they blow you off, no skin off your nose, but if they don't, you may have just made their day by being helpful. They may have been hearing that they are bad but not have known where to look or what to do to improve.


I'm supposed to tag 5 people to do this. I'm going to cop out and allow anyone that reads me and writes a blog or feels like starting one to join in!

You Are Invited!

Everyone is welcome to join Shawndra at her bountiful table. There will be stuffing, cranberry chutney, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, and, of course, turkey! Shawndra is so proud, she even cooked the turkey. Here she is in her very first cooking show.



Join her in Orgrimmar for her special feast. The food is out of this world, and she'd love the company!

My Ultimate Candy Grabbing Route!

I looked, mostly in vain, last night to find a guide to the best way to get everywhere there is a bucket of candy. I found a few routes on Thottbot, but nothing else. I know they are out there, somewhere, but I just cannot find them. So, I promised someone I would have a good route to follow on my site today. I am researching as I am writing, so it may be really late today (the 19th of October), but it will be today!

Now, the disclaimer. This guide assumes you are of the legal flight age, and can get to Dalaran, and have your hearth set there. I may work out a flightless version for those that are using this opportunity to level a character later, which might be difficult without flight, but not impossible.

Warcraft Overachiever has a great map of Horde and Alliance candy buckets for Azeroth and Outland. Links to these can be found here. They are numbered just so you can see them on the map, but this is not by any means a recommended path. If you don't like mine, use their maps to plot your own!

Now, my attempt at making things easier for myself will manifest itself in list form. Remember to fit in Trick or Treating when your debuff fades, and have fun! Stop and smell the roses, kill the flagged players, throw stinkbombs, and smear ash on your face. It is, after all, a holiday!

Dalaran, Crystalsong Forest
Portal to Orgrimmar, Durotar (Trick or Treat)
Ride to Razor Hill, Durotar (put out fires if you have time)
Ride back to Orgrimmar, Durotar
Taxi to Everlook, Winterspring
Taxi to Splintertree Outpost, Ashenvale
Taxi to Sun Rock Retreat, Stonetalon Mountains
Taxi to Shadowprey Village, Desolace
Taxi to Camp Mojache, Feralas
Taxi to Cenarion Refuge, Silithus
Taxi to Gadgetzan, Tanaris
Taxi to Freewind Post, Thousand Needles
Taxi to Mudsprocket, Dustwallow Marsh
Taxi to Brackenwall Village, Dustwallow Marsh
Taxi to Thunder Bluff, Mulgore
Ride to Bloodhoof Village, Mulgore
Ride to Camp Taurajo, the Barrens
Taxi to Crossroads, the Barrens
Taxi to Ratchet, the Barrens

-Achievement!-

Boat to Booty Bay, Stranglethorn Vale
Taxi to Grom'Gol, Stranglethorn Vale
Taxi to Stonard, Swamp of Sorrows
Taxi to Kargath, the Badlands
Taxi to Hamerfall, Arathi Highlands
Taxi to Revantusk Village, the Hinterlands
Taxi to Tarren Mill, Hillsbrad Foothills (if you have the quest, take care of the ale in Southshore while you are there)
Taxi to the Sepulcher, Silverpine Forest
Taxi to Undercity, Tirisfal Glades (Go out to the Wickerman and get your rep buff, and take the quests!)
Ride to Brill, Tirisfal Glades (take a break to help with fires and kill the Headless Horseman while you are here)
Ride back to Undercity, Tirisfal Glades
Taxi to Light's Hope Chapel. Eastern Plaguelands
Taxi to Silvermoon City, Eversong Woods (visit the Royal Exchange and the Bazaar)
Ride to Falconwing Square,Eversong Woods (put out fires if you have time)
Ride to Fairbreeze Village, Eversong Woods
Ride to Tranquillien, Ghostlands

-Achievement!-

Hearth to Dalaran, Crystalsong Forest
Portal to Shattrath, Terokkar Forest
Taxi to Shadowmoon Village, Shadowmoon Valley
Taxi to Sanctum of the Stars or Altar of the Sha'tar, Shadowmoon Valley
Taxi to Stonebreaker Hold, Terokkar Forest
Taxi to Garadar, Nagrand
Taxi to Swamprat Post, Zangarmarsh (no bucket)
Ride to Cenarion Refuge, Zangarmarsh
Ride back to Swamprat Post, Zangarmarsh
Taxi to Falcon Watch, Hellfire Peninsula
Taxi to Thrallmar, Hellfire Peninsula
Taxi to Zabra'jin, Zangarmarsh
Taxi to Thunderlord Stronghold, Blades Edge Mountains
Taxi to Evergrove, Blades Edge Mountains
Taxi to Mok'Nathal Village, Blades Edge Mountains
Taxi to Area 52, Netherstorm
Taxi to the Stormspire, Netherstorm

-Achievement!-

-Achievement!-

Since the buckets in Northrend are not part of any achievement (other than the gold and candy they dispense) I will only go so far as to link a post in the World of Warcraft forums. In this post, people are adding to a list of known locations for both Alliance and Horde. Hopefully by the time this post is up, they will have fixed the problem with Northrend candy buckets, but if they haven't, please, please do all your candy buckets in the achievement areas first. There is a known bug that when Northrend buckets are done first (not all of them but a few) some buckets in the achievement areas are not available.

I hope you all have a great time this Hallow's End. I'd love to hear of the fun you had, so leave your comments below!

What Holiday Would You Design?

On the forums today, Crygil asked, "If you were a developer for just one World of Warcraft in-game holiday/world event, what would it be?" I read through maybe 2 pages of what looks to be a very popular thread, with ideas that range from a gnome appreciation day/week, to a faction un-appreciation day (kill your own allies!), to a twist on St Patty's Day. Some had some ideas for a day to honor our past heroes (though I thought we already had that in the harvest festival, going to Ashenvale to visit a monument to Grom Hellscream), and some had some really outlandish ideas. Gnome costumes for Tauren? Thulgasta of the Malfurion server had a neat idea for a Leif Erickson day, complete with a cloth helm with horns anyone could wear. Idoka of the Scarlet Crusade server had another idea that is close to my heart, Troll Week. It's about 2/3 of the way down page four. the details are better in the hands of the person who thought them up! Elindi of Altar of Storms server had a great idea to have a beach party themed holiday, about 2/3 of the way down page 9. Goatvomit of the Uther server did a bit of research and came up with a Tauren-centric holiday and quests on page 10 near the top. Near the bottom of page 10, though short and sweet, a Teddy Bear picnic day told in the words of Diesalven of the Burning Legion realm has some appeal. Exphryl of Tichondrius has some neat thoughts on a Pirate vs Ninja event (who doesn't want a hook to complete their pirate costume?) on page 11 three posts down. The whole of the previous pages are sprinkled with people wanting more zombie invasions and a Mardi-Gras type event, though how it is implemented varies wildly.

I get to page 13, and Kisirani, a world designer, comments,"This is a curious read. Do keep it up. ;)"


It would seem that they did. Brandston of the Ghostlands server, just a few posts down the page, thinks there should be a county fair, and I agree! I'd love to see Farmer Torp's famous pig! Oogle of the Misha server has a good idea for a flea market, centering on the professions, toward the bottom of page 14. Directly below that post, Vaca of the Bladefist server has some ideas of a Carnaval type event, or, if that didn't work, a murloc invasion. There were many other ideas, all of them showing some thought, even if I didn't take to them myself.


What kind of holiday would I want to see in game? I would first have to think, would it be something that all races and both faction could participate in? A race specific holiday doesn't sound like such a good idea when I start to think that way. I really am enjoying the idea of the county faire type event. It doesn't have to cross faction lines, as the original person thought that the best places to host the event would be Westfall or the Barrens. One on each side of the conflict would do. The areas chosen are also some that have been pretty empty as of late, and would bring new life to old zones. What kind of quests would be there to keep our allies busy? A pie eating contest, definitely. A greased pig wrestling contest, perhaps? Perhaps our friends would be charged to vote for the "best of show" among all the livestock entries. Maybe the sheep pen is plagued by a nasty wolf that needs taking out. Are some of the cooking judges being bribed (or can they be bribed) to choose an unworthy product as winner? Choosing a side could open up a whole new set of quests, siding with the sleazy judges or the angry contestants. Vendors could serve faire food, like they do in the Darkmoon Faire. Maybe there could be some cooking quests, to help supply the food vendors. For the roleplay crowd, maybe a circus tent with some rare animals and acts could be arranged. There is so much someone can do at a faire.

As much as I love the country faire idea, here is my idea for an in game event. I posted this on the thread. Seems I am the only one that came up with this, at least in the thread.

My original idea had been to return to Nagrand, and have an armistice of sorts, where the Draenei and the Orc would come together in a sort of good will meeting, remembering back to before the Orc were tainted with the fel blood. There could be quests of discovery for both sides, seeing how they once lived in a tenuous peace, trading their wares, their children playing at the foot of the bargaining table.

The orc and draenei, both learned in the shamanistic way, could have a spirit guide to lead us to important areas, and have an ancestor meet us there with a story of what happened at that place. Before that there would have to be some material gathering, much like the quest in Garadar that Greatmother Geya gives. There could be a special quest for shaman only that would give them a totem that would be on par with something already in game, but with an added perk like a spirit raven that follows the owner when it is equipped. Perhaps this would be a follow up quest to the spirit guide quest, where the shaman is asked to bring an item to a great shaman of their faction. Once there, the shaman leader of their faction would have them run a certain instance (perhaps one in Auchindoun) and summon a special boss to retrieve a corrupted totem, that would have to be purified (perhaps a solo follow up quest that has them kill evil spirits corrupting the totem) to make the quest reward.

There would be a great feast set out, talbuk and clefthoof roasting over huge pits, bluefish and mudfish set out on rough plank tables with drinks and platters of vegetables and fruits. There might be a sparring area to one side where we could go hand to hand or use staves to duel npcs. A fishing tournament is a must, with all the great fishing to be had out there. Maybe a prize for the person who catches the most fish in a given time, run once every hour? The winner could get some silly fishing frill like a sparkly bobber or a special fishing outfit (chest piece that works as a full outfit).