Pat and Bee's Life

Home For A Few Days

2012-01-25T21:48:00.000-08:00

Work is kinda crazy, and I'm rushing to catch up so I can head back down to San Diego 01FEB-04FEB and then come back home for another week or two.

I am very much looking forward to getting this chemo show on the road so there is some action. At least, I think that's how I feel. It will change in a few minutes.

This has all been rather disorienting and a little much, but I'm glad to have the support of my husband, friends, and wonderful co-workers, not to mention my family.

I suppose I should go lay in bed now. Sleep won't come for a few more hours, but at least I'll be more relaxed!

San Diego Day 2; Friday the 13th

2012-01-14T20:09:00.000-08:00

Mom had her surgery on Friday the 13th. I arrived at their place as they were leaving for the hospital.

I walked the dog and played with him. Then watched some Dr. Oz (never watched his show before), and did some light cleaning at their place. I fed the dog on schedule, and Dad called me to tell me he was coming home rather than spending more time at the hospital.

They had taken mom in already, as her surgery was scheduled for 10:15am.

Dad and I spent some time watching TV, and talking. Then we headed off to Mission Valley to pass the time and wait to hear something from the Dr.

While we were out a nurse called us and let us know the surgery was going well but would take longer than originally scheduled. We decided to have lunch at the mall (salad and burgers for me), and then head home for a bit.

We headed off to the hospital and found out mom had been out of surgery for at least an hour, but no one had called us. The front desk staff got a hold of the Dr, who called dad and said the surgery had gone as planned and we could see mom in about an hour. That would put the time at around 6pm.

6:15 rolled around and they called us out to see Mom. She looked so little, and her eyes were filled with ointment and she was *really* loopy. She was trying to talk but you could tell her muscles weren't responding the way she wanted. After a few minutes she greeted us both, and we waited while they got her settled in her private room.

I started crying while they were getting her settled and taking her vitals. I wasn't used to seeing my mom looking so frail and out of it. But I was also so relieved to see her. I think everything hit me then. Dad was very comforting. Poor dad. Trying to be strong for his daughter while thinking about his wife. That must be so hard.

Mom was slowly coming out of the anesthesia and was complaining she was itchy and REALLY thirsty. So we found a nurse and asked if she could have water. She said she'd take care of it. An assistant of some sort brought a cup of ice, and a drinking cup and a small pitcher of water. But we were waiting for the nurse because we figured something special had to be done, or she had to be cleared for ice chips or something. Meanwhile, mom was still experiencing itching.

By this time Beth had arrived, and she went go to find the nurse again, who said she'd come check on her shortly. But she only had 20 minutes left of her shift, and she was trying to finish stuff up for all of her patients.

Finally we caught another assistant and checked about being able to give mom water, and if something could be done for the itching. The assistant checked with the nurse and said we could give mom water, she could drink on her own. Said she was on a regular diet.

The nurse had to be tracked down a third time regarding the itching. She said she had turned it over to the incoming nurse who would be there shortly, but that it was probably the opiates she had been given earlier.

We made sure mom had water and raised her bed so she could sit up a bit (changing the TV channel several times and breaking it, in the process). Then we left her to sleep.

She would close her eyes for a second and kinda phase out, so we all thought she was asleep, but then she'd ask a questions and kind of rub her eyes which were still gooey from the ointment.

I went back to mom and dad's place, walked the dog, fed him, and then headed to the grocery store to pick up food to make in my kitchenette. It's weird buying groceries in a store you don't have locally. The brands are way different, and the costs are too! I wasn't sure what was a regular price and what was just a ripoff, but I was utterly exhausted, so I just grabbed stuff, checked out ($70 later) and went back to the hotel.

I got back to the hotel, ate leftovers from lunch for dinner, put away the groceries, and passed out.

It's hard being here without Pat, but I think he'd be miserable going through this, and I can only deal with so much at a time. I do miss him at night though. Hard to be without you honey! I slept better Friday night, but I went to bed around midnight (after some rum from Vons), and was out for most of the night. I only woke up 3 times, all from being too hot.

Good to know on a Friday night the hotel doesn't get all wild, I guess. Still wish I was sleeping in my own bed though! With my honey next to me!

San Diego Day 1: Thursday January 12th

2012-01-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

I arrived in San Diego safe and sound on the 12th and headed straight to mom and dad's place. I had worked until 11, then went home and had lunch with Pat, and finished packing. I headed out of town right a little afternoon and traffic wasn't bad at all.

I spent the evening with Mom and dad, and went over Scooter's (their dog) schedule. I scarfed the double cheeseburger I had bought at Burger King earlier that day (actually, Pat bought it for me), and didn't eat anything the rest of the day. Clearly a mistake, but I was too exhausted to eat anything and anything I had at Mom and Dad's would have caused Mom and frenzy of cleaning and I was trying to get her to just relax.

I guess we all unstress, or focus on other things differently, as mom had made enough food to feed a hungry squadron. Moms are a little obsessed with feeding people!!

I left and checked into the hotel, and pretty much crashed, after making sure WoW was patching on the laptop.

The hotel is decent. I have a kitchen with a full sized fridge, a stovetop with 2 electric burners, 2 pans, 2 plates and bowls, and a very skimpy amount of kitchen utensils. I'm glad I brought my own.

Surgery was Saturday, so I called Pat and said goodnight and then read for a bit before crashing. Of course a car alarm went off around midnight for almost 20 minutes, and then someone tromped into the hotel making all sorts of noise and waking me up again. Pat called to say goodnight somewhere between those two events, and then I woke up FREEZING sometime before 4am. So when my alarm went off at 6:30 I was exhausted.

Such is the life in a hotel I guess.

There is a Fine Line....

2012-01-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

There's a fine line between a comfy warm shower covering you in a beautiful blanket of comfort and scalding the hell out of yourself. Tonight, I discovered that line, and it wasn't pretty.

It's like thinking you're taking a bite of cake and getting the taste of vinegar. For a moment, you're shocked into thinking OMG WHAT THE HELL, and the next you're frantically waving your arms and pantomiming a spider being on you. Either that or you make the worst cake ever and you're just used to it by now.

I leave for San Diego tomorrow. Mom is having surgery for endometrial cancer, and I'll be spending some time down there. I'm mostly packed, except for a few clothes still in the dryer I forgot to move over when I put away the first load. I ALWAYS do that. It's incredibly frustrating.

As an aside, I'd like to thank Mo for being the most understanding awesome person in the world. We postponed out Christmas celebration tonight, and that was just such a weight off my shoulders. She is truly awesome!

Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter for updates from San Diego. I can't update the blog without turning on my location thingie on my phone, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let Google force me into that.

I plan to blog lots from SD, so I'll see you all on the flip side!

B

Struggling At Work

2011-11-21T09:41:00.000-08:00

I gave it up. This job is not mine. I do not want to care that it isn't being done my way anymore. I do not get to define how a job is "properly" done. I am not management.

Except....that I do. And I care. And it's eating me alive, and I am 100% unaware of how to not care, and not involve myself. I need to learn how not to do this - but on the other hand, how do I sit and let my customers not be served in the manner they've come to expect?!

I guess it's egotistical - that only I can do it right. "Right" is so subjective....isn't it?

Is it okay for me to expect the same sort of intesity, follow through, and drive from others that I expect from myself? Who am I to judge someone's effort?

How is effort judged anyway? The best someone can do? The best someone *should* be able to do? The best someone else in the office is capable of achieving?

I don't know the issues other people are going through - their home lives (which do affect our work), their other work projects and priorities, or their availability and potential for completing the work as it was previously accomplished.

I don't want to be judgemental. I don't want to be bitter. I am struggling with how to help, without taking it back over and I don't know how to prevail over this internal battle.

I don't want to be angry that the job isn't being done the way I want it to be done. I don't want to hate my co-workers for taking something I poured my heart and soul into and turning it into a mundane, everyday task that isn't getting the full attention I think it deserves.

I re-read my words and notice the word "I" is here a lot. Very little "team". But how do you help someone who thinks they're doing the job right, and management thinks so too?

I guess you just give up these worries (however THAT is accomplished...) and do the new tasks assigned. But inside, I'm dying just a little bit.

Help! I've Fallen Off The Face Of The Earth!

2011-11-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

I discovered Plants VS Zombies. And lost many hours of my life to it this week. It was a blast!!!!

It helps that work has been very stressful and I haven't been able to sleep. I've tried. :( So I slept until 11:30am on Saturday. It was wonderful.

Then Pat introduced me to the Bejeweled mod for Starcraft 2 and we played that late into the night last night (Saturday), and much of this morning (no good football on). Last night Mo came over and baked and left us goodies. She can come over ANYTIME!

Today was a lazy day, just did some laundry. But spent much of the day playing SC2, Plants VS Zombies, reading, and being chased by someone with VERY cold hands who just wanted to freak me out. Imagine that.....

This week is only a three day workweek, so hopefully I'll get a lot done. But the week at work is going to be tough. 5 days of work stuffed into 3 is just a little too much sometimes.

Anyway - I've not read emails, checked Facebook or Twitter, or responded to anything at all except text messages this last week. So I'm sorry if I've not gotten back to you, sent you stuff in FB games, or responded to your most excellent tweet. ;)

Off to finish my book now!

Blizzcon 2011 Costume Contest

2011-10-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

The costume contest at Blizzcon was a LOT of fun! The finalists are here:

The winner had THE most beautiful costume I think I've ever seen. It was simply stunning. STUNNING! I wish I had those skills, but as I don't - I shall admire them from afar.

You can find the entire contest here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LJba6TMKWw&feature=related

Beware, people fall off the stage. I hope they are all okay. It scared and horrified me at the time, but since they all walked away (albeit with a limp) it was rather amusing later.

Some Blizzcon Moments

2011-10-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

Pat and MikeB aka Fony - From a ton of stuff we listen too. It was fun getting his pic. He thought Pat was someone he met last year, so he came over to talk to us - but he was nice even when he figured out we were random nobodies! :)

The only pic with all four of us, in front of the new Kerrigan statue. She's AWESOME! Also, OMG are we tired. I mean T-R-I..nevermind. you get the idea.

The pre-entrance crazy. It wasn't that bad actually. Would have been WAY worse had Pat not had his DS though. Thank God he did! And Mo only had to tell the guy who kept whapping her with his backpack once! I was so proud of her!!

There's a TON more pics to put up, but that requires a lot of photoshopping for lighting, removing red eye, and general uploading and editing - and I'm lazy. So that's all you get for now.

Blizzcon Review

2011-10-25T21:48:00.000-07:00

I'm still working on getting the pictures up. I really hate Picassa and my Flickr sub ran out, so now I have to decide who to go with. In the mean time, here are the words.

Overview:
Blizzcon 2011 was attended by between 28,000 and 32,000 people from all 50 states and more than 26 countries. It was an amazing tribute to the community that online gaming companies and players can create when people are willing to share their passion with fellow players. THANK YOU BLIZZARD!

Monique (Snique), John (Kirach), Pat (Dimli) and I (Tovin/Tinaryn) were able to get tickets and boy, did we have the best time ever! Mo was her normal smiling happy self, and made friends all around the con! No hotel keys were exchanged though. Maybe next year?

Next time we'll probably rent a house for guildies and do the parties (and maybe Disneyland), but we probably won't ever get the chance to attend again. Knowing this, I am super glad we had a chance to go and really just soak it all in.

PARTIES:
We attended the WowInsider/Wowhead/

Wowinterface/Tankspot party on Thursday night and it was packed! I had a chance to talk to Fox Van Allen (WowInsider) for a few minutes and his enthusiasm was simply splendid! Great to see some passionate people out there. Drinks were a little expensive (okay, a lot expensive) and we didn't stay long. But we did get to see folks jump into the pool. Unfortunately, the big draw for us was Josh Allen (Lore from PST, Legendary, Tankspot, Weekly Marmot) and he didn't get to the party until long after we left, so we were a little sad. I did get Pat's picture with MikeB (ZAM/Legendary) though, so that was fun!!

We did not get to the Curse party on Friday night. People were exhausted (old people....sigh), so we ate pizza and then passed out.

The Hilton afterparty was cancelled due to Hilton staff being back-stabbing jerkwads, so we went to 7-11 for cheetos and snacks (mmmmm cheetos!) before passing out on Saturday night. Kimberis and the rest of the party council is planning something awesome for next year, I'm excited to see what it is! Also, BOOO HILTON ANAHEIM! BOOOOO!!!!

SC2:
Blizzcon 2011 featured the first Starcraft 2 Global StarCraft II league (GSL) finals ever competed outside of Korea. Day9 and Artosis commentated an excellent set of matches while JP and Tasteless were not to be outdone with their color commentary.

Lots of folks from Team Liquid were in attendance and fans of all SC2 ladders were there, cheering on both SlayerS and MMA as they battled it out for the final GSL match. MMA won, but SlayerS definitely showed he was back in the game! We saw one young fan with a shirt signed by SlayerS, MMA, MVP, NesTea, and many other competitors. Who would have thought that could have ever happened?!? We talked to him for a few minutes and he was clearly so excited about his shirt, it was infectious!

For the Blizzard Invitational finals, IMMVP and IMNesTea fought a nail biting 2 sets. MVP went 2 of 3 in the first set, forcing the second set which went to 2 of 3 as well. While NesTea won easily in the first bracket, the finals showed MVP was not to be outdone by his teammate. The final match was easily the most awesome SC2 finish ever. NesTea just couldn't keep up with the nuclear attacks from MVP, and while a record setting 29 broodlings were brought to bear - they were downed so quickly it was painful to watch. MVP walked away with one of the closest match wins ever in a final event.

The SC2 stage was easily the busiest of all the areas during the con, as many attended for their one chance to see the global leaders of eSports compete in a U.S. venue. The enthusiasm, and excitement from the RTS stage was truly incredible to behold. While I'm not an RTS fan (reflexes of a camel on sedatives), I will definitely be attempting an SC2 run just to see what it's all about!

WoW:
Mists of Pandaria (MoP) was announced as the newest World of Warcraft expansion to the horror of many and the joy of most. PLAYABLE PANDA's BABY! Pandaria brings monk as the new playable class, available to all races but goblins and worgen.

The new expansion will feature pet battles, challenge dungeons, new ways to achieve valor points, and some great movement towards casual support WoW hasn't done in years. While many may see this move as not supporting a viable and raucous raiding community, those who've waited six years for this type of support see it as a long owed update to an alternative playstyle. MoP was playable at the event and the feedback was incredibly upbeat, while the internets were alive with mocking and disbelief.

Also coming in the new expansion, slated for a 2012 release, is a change to the skill talent system. Greg Street (Ghostcrawler) was enthusiastic that this change would help players to expand their character types and lead away from the cookie cutter specs we all know. Will this mean more time on elitist jerks, trying to figure out a min/max way to play? Or will it give players a chance to play what they enjoy and eliminate the need to have one spec to rule them all? Only time will tell!

While some may call it World of Pokemon, I'm personally excited for an alternative advancement system aimed at a non-raiding crowd! Also, PANDA'S!!!!!!!!! PandaBee is going to be an awesome Mistwalker melee healer! YAY for PandaBees!

We got to watch Blood Legion represent Horde and Vodka represent Alliance in a head to head 25 man heroic run with no trash. Vodka was ahead until they almost wiped on Baelroc. While they were able to pull it out (with the crowd yelling "BURN HIM!! BUUUUUUURN HIMMMMMMMMMM) with only 8 men left alive, they were unable to overcome heroic Rags. It was a valiant attempt and it was awesome to see the very best U.S. based raiders of tiers 11 and 12 go head to head. After wiping on Rags, Blizzard dungeon creator and all around best dev ever, Scott Mercer, popped in a version of Hogger that basically one shotted the entire Vodka group to the jeers of Horde players in the crowd.
NOTE: To the guy yelling "VODKA SUCKS!" every 15 seconds - I don't see YOU doing heroic rags. STFU, srsly. These guys are amazing competitors!! It was really neat to see a heroic firelands run in less than an hour - trash or no!

Blood Legion were great competitors, and Vodka was so nice to talk to at the WowInsider party. Class act all the way! Hope they get world first MoP kills! Also, Blizzard needs to get Day9 to call the competition as whoever was doing it sucked, and Greg Street, bless him, is a developer - not an eSports guy. Let's keep it that way!

D3:
Fans eagerly awaited a release date or entrance into the much awaited beta, but were foiled on both counts. The Diablo 3 box art was announced, and WoW players who sign up for a one year subscription will receive the D3 software free.

A new cinematic, Black Soulstone, was featured, showing Leah and a new archvillan, Azmodan the Lord of Sin. The cinematic was lush with monsters waiting to take over the world, but no word has come yet of the future of Sanctuary.

Panels for the real money auction house and D3 gameplay were heavily attended and the QA period was filled with both dread and excitement as we were informed on plans for launch. (NOTE: I did not attend these panels and have not had time to youtube or read d3.com for updates, so news is a little weak here. Sorry!!)

Concert:

The Blizzard in house band, The Artists Formerly Known as Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftain (TAFKL80ETC), opened the concert on Saturday night, playing new songs and some old favorites. Sam Didier as lead vocalist did not disappoint! Atendees not in seats by 6:30 were not allowed in during the show leading to a constant chorus of "LET US IN" during the event. During the concert the band changed their name to Level 90 Elite Tauren Chieftains (L90ETC). Can't wait to see what they have in store for the next expansion!

The Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighers rocked the house on Saturday night after the L90ETC set, while hundreds of fans filed out to see the rest of the show and those yelling to get in for L90ETC were not interested in attending. Who would have though Blizzard's own band would have a larger following than the Foo Fighters?

Quotes of the trip:
"You'd have to suck on those knobs for a REALLY long time to have any ill....SHUT UP I HEARD IT!" Me, talking about lead painted knobs at Disneyland.

"These people have NO lives" - Mo - VERY loudly after the concert Saturday night (she was SO deaf!!!) while surrounded by thousands of geeks who'd paid thousands of dollars to attend a gaming convention, while looking at a homemade GIGANTIC dragon body. I didn't stop laughing for at least 20 minutes.

A Post While I'm Gone!

2011-10-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

I grew up playing Shigeru Miyamoto games. I mean really, anyone with any sort of Nintendo product has played something he's touched. While I'm not about to give him credit for who I am today - I certainly have a lot to be thankful for to this person who shared so much of himself in his art and gaming.

It's a great video and brings back beautiful memories of playing these games growing up. As a family we struggled through Link games, or watched my dad heroically do his "Link No Die" challenges (if you wonder where I get my crazy "I must do this the hard way" mentality - that would be my dad!).

Great memories. Really, truly.

So Glad I Don't Play EVE Anymore

2011-10-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

WARNING! I see CCP coming to a very catastrophic diversion of roads here very shortly. ANNNND there it is!

It's hard to say how I'll feel about the CCP 20% layoffs after a few days. It's even harder to say how I'd feel if it didn't directly impact people that I've known for years and feel privileged to call friends.

If I was a player and CCP just laid off my community staff, I'd probably be fuming. I'd probably say this was a clear indication of what CCP Hilmarr meant by " restore the partnership of trust upon which our success depends" in his letter earlier this month. He also said:

In the last months, we’ve taken a hard look at everything, including my leadership. What I can say for now is that we’ve taken action to ensure these mistakes are never repeated. We have reexamined our processes, hired experienced industry professionals for key leadership positions, reassessed our priorities, moved personnel around and, above all else, recognized our limitations.

I would have to say that if you think firing community people is the way to restore the trust of your community - you are an unmitigated fool. Now, I'm not necessarily saying it wasn't the right business move - but it sure as hell wasn't handled well from a community standpoint. Probably because they laid them all off....

Getting rid of people who are passionate about and supportive of, a game which has made giant steps in the wrong direction - is a direct command to immediately quit and take your $15 a month elsewhere.

Since I don't play EVE anymore, I'll simply say: What the hell were you thinking CCP? I realize having to lay off people is a part of the business. But did you really choose the right people to lay off? Community folks who were loved, supported, and passionate about your product? Who took the flack while you made mistake after mistake and paid no attention to the cry of horror at the outcome?

My issue here is less the layoffs (Sper and beans aside) as the words coming out of CCP are not matching the actions. Again. And again. And again. Hence why my money no longer goes there.

Can they recover? Maybe. I guess it depends on what they accomplish from this re-focus. If in three months they start taking names and kicking ass, I might retract the thoughts. But for now, this is just another step towards the "Put up or shut up" where CCP just isn't putting anything at all up.

I will have to take a look at this in a week or two and see where I stand.

Sper and beans, you have my undying thanks for what you've accomplished in EVE, a world I truly love. For years I've been a fan of your work and I've loved CCP as a company, even when people denied me interviews and previews of upcoming ingame stuff. I feel really sad I never had a chance to work professionally with CCP.

To the ex-CCP folks - I'm sorry that they chose not to keep you. I hope you all go on to do something you are just as passionate about. Players out there deserve it.

Blizzcon 2011

2011-10-17T18:54:00.000-07:00

Thursday we head off to major geekdom - Blizzon 2011!

Our plans are simple. Try to take over the wor....wait, wrong plan.

Since we're going off our diet we're taking a ton of foods we haven't eaten in many months. Twinkies, pringles, smarties, granola bars, trail mix, and candy bars. We're hitting Wendy's on the way to Anaheim for frosties and fries (OMG! I GET TO EAT FRIES!!!!), then Costco for breakfast we can eat in the hotel like danishes, croissants, and muffins (OMG! I GET TO EAT BREAD!). In case you haven't figured it out, this trip relies heavily upon food.

Thursday we arrive and will probably do some shopping in Downtown Disney as I really need some new travel bags with my beloved Mickey on them - and we'll pick up stuff for Christmas for Alayna and CJ.

Then it's off to the Anaheim Convention Center to pick up our tickets and swag bags and after thoroughly looking through them to find out what we got for our goodies we're heading to the Wowhead, WoWInterface and WoW Insider Party where we'll get to ~~stalk~~ see the guys from the Legendary Podcast and Lore from the Weekly Marmot and PST videocasts. We are VERY excited!!!!! Also, there may be food and, depending on cost and lines, alcohol.

Then Friday it's the CON! We'll be in line by 7AM, doors open at 10 and opening ceremonies and the day will be awesome! Filled with cosplayers (if you don't know, I'm not explaining it!), panels filled with Blizzard awesomeness, and some really great hanging around with others who get the geekness of ~~MMOs~~ WoW, Starcraft, and Diablo.

Friday night is the Curse Party (just got our invites! OMG TOTAL AWESOME) and then some passing out until Saturday.

Saturday is more Con, and it ends with a Foo Fighter concert and some incredible partying at the After Party at the Anaheim Hilton. Really can't wait to see what Kimberis looks like. I've read a ton of their posts on the forums!

Sunday we head to eat (of course), and on the way home we'll stop at Costco (We never pass up ANY chance to hit Costco when we're out of town - we never get to go!). Then, passing out from all the sugar and back to work on Monday!

I am so super ready for some gaming geekness and a great time! Dimli (Pat), Tovin (Me), Kirach (John), and Slavina (Monique), ROCK THE HOUSE AT BLIZZCON! WOOT WOOT! *dances*

Dinner = Yummy!

2011-10-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight's dinner was a whole boneless chicken breast cleaned up and smushed to about half an inch thick. Sprayed some Pam on the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish and stuck the chicken in it, then sprinkled on kosher salt, pepper, chili powder, Mrs. Dash, and garlic powder.

Covered the chicken with a zucchini that was sliced, some mushrooms, a green pepper all diced up (I like bigger pieces rather than little itty bitty ones), and on top of that goes a can of diced tomatoes that's been drained. Sprinke a little regular salt and some pepper on the veggies (not a whole lot). Then cover with foil and stick in a pre-heated oven at 435º for 50 minutes.

After 50 minutes take it out of the oven and place thin slices of mozzarella cheese over the chicken and then stick back in the oven for about 6ish minutes (want the cheese a little brown and crusty).

Eat!

mmmmmmmmm! Healthy dinnah!

Pat Disc Golfs!

2011-10-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

My husband has the weirdest tastes in sports. He owns his own ping-pong paddle and carries it around in his bowling bag he had when we met.

He also disc golf'd in college, and found a group of folks here that go to a local course and in the nice months travel around So Cal to other places to disc golf. We take his discs when we go out of town (Vegas, Reno, San Diego) so he can try courses elsewhere.

So here are some videos of Pat battling it out with nature for his disc (he may have won, but he came home with some nasty scrapes) and of him and the guys up at a place called Wrightwood.

When he goes on these day trips he's normally gone 8-10ish hours, which gives me time to get stuff done in the house - or to get some Vanguard playing time in! He walks usually 10-17 miles on these out of town days so it's definitely something I'm glad he's doing and he seems to really love it!

Help! Help!

2011-10-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

I'm re-reading the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. I'm sure no one is shocked this is a regular occurrence for me. But it got my thinking last night about my love for fantasy and Sci-Fi.

It all started with my dad.

When I was little he read me Farmer Giles of Ham. He did the voice of Garm the dog and Chrysophylax the dragon and lots of little characters. Then we read The Hobbit. To be honest, I don't know what else he read to me - but I was hooked. I tore through every J.R.R. Tolkien book I could get my hands on, including The Silmarillion.

Then I moved onto Isaac Asimov. His Foundation series and Lucky Starr series had me hooked on sci-fi and the possibilities of technology in the future.

I've read (or been forced) to read many book. Classic novels, biographies, fantasy....I went through a huge Nancy Drew kick around 17-18 which disgusted Dad because they had little challenge in them, but I had spent so much of my childhood reading difficult and challenging books it was nice to just read mindlessly.

Right now I'm struggling to get through Norman Schwarzkopf's autobiography, It Doesn't Take A Hero. I struggle with it because, well, it's really long and heavy and by the time I get time to read it's hard to remember where I was and pay much attention. It's a great book though!

But my true love is in fantasy. David Eddings, Robin Hobb, Asimov, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis - and at least once a year I need to read George MacDonald's The Princess and The Goblin - which Dad may have read to me. I ADORE that book.

No matter how far away I am from Dad, there's something about reading these precious words that makes me closer to him. Makes me appreciate his love for reading that he instilled in me, and makes me wish we would make time to just sit and talk about why we love books.

We're going to San Diego for Thanksgiving. Maybe I'll just sit him down so we can chat. We hardly ever do that. I miss it.

Now, I'm off to bed and have to choose between page 24 of The Fellowship of the Ring and about a third of the way through the General 's book. I have a very good feeling it's going to be hobbits all the way.

Love you Daddy. Thank you for giving me this awesome gift.

Pat On Travel: Day 1

2011-07-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

Pat's on travel this week, living it up in Las Vegas!

So I'm here, holding down the fort, and this is day one - Monday.

Having lunch was weird. I came home and made myself 2 eggs with mushrooms and red peppers with cheddar cheese with a side of 2 link sausages. Then went back to work feeling weird. It's just so different to have my routine changed.

After work I came home and did some yoga, washed the bath mats, then the towels, hit Wal-Mart for some 409 and a toothbrush to try and clean the edges of our shower door - and then hit Albertsons for some healthy groceries for the week.

I made green bean ground beef casserole for dinner - it's cooking now. I'm off to work on the shower doors, and then dust the baseboards to get ready for some mopping and general cleaning tomorrow.

Should be an early night after I eat, shower, and lay in bed and read. Very excited for tomorrow. And for Pat to be home. I miss him already!

Movies 2011

2011-06-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

So my last movie list was from May 2008 - Apparently I need to update movies more! So here's my summer list for 2011

The movies in 2008 I wanted to see (and my review) were:

Prince Caspian - saw it and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Kung Fu Panda - Looking forward to the second ond!
Wall-E - Awesome, except the bug in the beginning
You Don't Mess with the Zohan (Adam Sandler's new one) - Worst movie ever
Get Smart - Loved it! Missed it by *this* much!
Indiana Jones and his new adventure - After seeing this one, I don't want to watch any of the original ones.
The Love Guru - Haven't seen it yet.
The Dark Knight - AWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEE!
Hancock (Will Smith!! YAY!) - This one was okay. Hitch was better. Indy Day was even better - of course.

My 2011 Movies List:

Kung Fu Panda 2
Cars 2
Pirates of the Caribbean 4
Harry Potter - The last one
X-Men First Class
Bad Teacher
The Hangover 2
Cowboys and Aliens
Paul

Why Gods and Heroes Is Going To Be Awesome

2011-06-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

Remember those MUDs we used to play where a guy in his garage used to do the coding after his full time job let out? How he used to stay on from 5pm to 1am coding, doing support, RPing, and just generally being an admin? Heatwave has that sort of passion about what they're doing. It's amazing.

But I promised Pat, after the heartbreak that was Warhammer Online, I'd never, ever, ever, ever, support a game on how awesome it could be, and right now, for my playstyle and MMO needs, Gods and Heroes just isn't going to cut it. It's a $50 box, and $10 a month. If it was a $20 box and $7 dollars a month I'd consider it. But it's not.

Here's my post on the official forums about it.

In the end, this is a company who has come through on what they've said they'll deliver - albeit a little roundabout. Managing expectations is certainly one of the hardest things to do, and Mr. Castoro (YAY Sunsword!!!!!!!!!!!) and his team have truly worked their butts off to present a game they are proud of that will appeal, I think, to a lot of MMOers. I wish I was one of them.

Hopefully once crafting gets implemented I can come back and see, and may re-evaluate at that time. But really, when all my friends are in an MMO I pretty much don't like - I can't see making them leave for GnH, and I don't make friends like I used to. This isn't UO/SWG/EVE - which were a lot of fun to go out and carve a name for yourself.

Until then, I wish Heatwave the very best, and the entire GnH team a hearty thank you!! This team has a lot to be proud of, and I am 100% supportive (minus the $50 and monthly fee) of what they're doing. I hope they can convince me to regret my decision of not purchasing a box and doing the headstart!!!!!!!!!

Interesting Stuff To Read: 11JUN11

2011-06-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

The Best Kids Books Are Written In Blood - Some people may want to purge the demons we go through as kids, other embrace it. Personally, those demons that haunt you, they deserve to be confronted, overcome where can, compensated for where you can't confront them, and embraced where you have to. The experiences we have throughout life - they mold us. They make us who they are. Playing Dr. Seuss, even as a child, it does help, but how do we learn to deal with things if all we're spoonfed growing up is happy ever after?

Hoarding, Happiness, and Heartbreak- World of Warcraft as a family event. Online gaming is more than just a game. It's a chance to experience virtual reality with family and friends. Anyone who knows me understands my passion for MMOs, and my love of the experience. Here's how one family experienced it. It's awesome.

Wonder if you'll like cruising? These two threads from Cruise Critic helped me re-live my cruising experience, and after reading these threads, I'm super excited for my next cruise! Thread 1 and thread 2 are by Mike, of Mike and Tracy - a couple who take their family cruising as their vacations.

I want to note that Cres has no light reading to share, since he's busying studying (when isn't he?). So I wanted to share something he shared a few weeks back, it's actually a video. If you're not squeemish, check out the video of that same robot doing a hysterectomy!!

I'z Buzy! No, really!!

2011-06-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

My list of stuff to do is extensive and slowly, I'm working my way through it. Maybe not methodically. Maybe not logically, but ya know, so what?

In WoW I'm working on the "Insane in the Membrane" achievement/feat of strength. Right now gathering a gazillion (literally) herbs to make darkmoon cards. John, Monique and I talk constant crap to each other. *sniffs* Just like old times, only without the pet toes. (VERY SAD!).

     Pat raids twice a week with his/our guild, Swift Justice. They're 8/12 and are working on Nef. They raid Mon/Wed, so if anyone's interested, they're on Velen, talk to Geofon in game!

     I met some dude who's farming for herbs for the sandstone drake. We catch up every time we're in game at the same time. I wish him the very best of luck - but that guy's crazy!!

     4.2 is coming - at some point. At which time I'll probably go do the ICC stuff. Looking forward to seeing putricide and sindragosa. And by looking forward, I mean anything that stops Geo from ninja inviting me to raid trash pulls is a good thing!

At work, I daily struggle with not wounding myself from sheer Governmental retardedness. I feel like I'm making progress at achieving what I want as far as how things should be - but the progress is measured in mili-inches.

At home, I'm studying math almost every other week. I hate it. I truly hate it. I'm thinking I'm going to have to switch approaches because what I'm doing now just isn't cutting it. And I need to move it up to at least weekly, if not twice a week. We'll see how the summer goes.

     This weekend we're going to clean out the garage - ugh.

     Pat got a fisbee golf disc catcher. He's going to wear himself out on it. It's awesome!

     BBQ being planned to celebrate my birthday. But it probably won't be until August, so it will be more of a summer BBQ than a birthday party. I'm good with that! Going to be fun!

     Vegas on the 23rd to celebrate my birthday with my friends. I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!!

In life, Steve Crews' mom is going through cancer treatments, as is the mother of a co-worker. I keep them in my thoughts constantly. I'm thinking I need to start cooking food for folks again. Just something I love doing and my heart really wants to reach out to people this way. I just have to find a better outlet than the last time.

     I have to figure out a graduation gift for Lisa, a birthday present for two other people, and two past date birthday presents on the budget of whatever I come home from Vegas with. They will probably all get cards from Dollar Tree.

In games - Gods and Heroes is doing their open beta this week. Shame they didn't get good details out on time, on point, or focused enough to catch my attention. I looked through 4 websites and 3 FAQs and couldn't figure out how long their open beta was available for. WTF!?

     The Wii announced their new console at E3 this week. I've not read enough on it yet to form an opinion. We'll see how things look after the media hype dies down and I can look at details.

     WE'RE GOING TO BLIZZCON! Need I say more?

     Pat and I had a long discussion on adventure games vs Diablo II and Titan's Quest. We haven't come to a conclusion yet, we haven't really figured out what the labels to use are. We have discovered people who say Guild Wars is an MMO make me twitch.

     Pat's playing Borderlands. He got himself stuck on the Xbox version, so he gave the game to Jeremy, and he downloaded it on the computer. Between this and frisbee golf, I will have the house to myself. I'm excited!

Tomorrow is my friday, and a productive three day weekend is in the offing! callooh callay! Have a great weekend everyone!
B

[Edit: There is truly something screwed up about all this technology around us and Blogger NOT posting the correct HTML to show lists correctly. I posted this, then had to go through and reformat, because apparently Google is retarded. Between their search page becoming cluttered with no option to change the appearance, and their crap like this not working - they're losing it!]

Our Dead

2011-05-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

Today we as a country have the opportunity to unitedly come together in remembrance of fallen soldiers.

These warriors, our warriors - are our past. Their deaths. They are ours. They are our victories, our defeats. Our voices of triumph, and of ultimate sorrow.

They are our future. They willingly sacrificed their hopes and dreams that we could fulfill our own. They have provided us the possibility of a great future.

They are my dead. Their sacrifices, never forgotten, never downplayed. The gaps left in families, friends, platoons, ships, brigades.....They are the history of everything good we as a country have ever achieved.

The expectation to uphold the united front they have fought and sacrificed for is our responsibility. We must remember that what we have is because of them.

Our fallen, my fallen have served our military, and found their demise because they did what our country asked them to. The ultimate choice. To give of oneself until you have no more to offer. Willingly our soldiers make that choice. Whether they faced it with dread, crying out for mercy, or with a battle cry of victory, who can blame them? Who can speak to what went through their minds? What they have experienced or why they chose to serve in the military knowing the ultimate sacrifice could be asked of them at any time.

What we have in this country is because of them.

Do not forget.

Hellloooooo Blizzcon! And - Paper Flowers

2011-05-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

Only true geeks will understand the excitement I'm about to explode with! WE GOT BLIZZCON TICKETS!

I say we, but really, it was me. Cause I'm awesome.

You're welcome.

Tickets are/were being sold in two lots. The first lot went on sale Saturday at 10am Pacific. They sold out in one second. And I got 4! Pat, Me, Monique, and John are going to have a blast. I feel badly I couldn't get some for Matt, and Mom, and Nathan (Diablo details, and maybe the beta!!!), and others.

So you'll be seeing a lot of Blizzcon planning even though we're 5 months out. Really, the excitement can't be contained.

But we tried! Yesterday Monique came over to help me figure out tissue paper flowers. I was beyond lost, and after lovingly mocking me, Monique got a little lost too. Pat came to our rescue and helped us put together what I think are incredibly awesome decorations!!!

Definitely going to be making these a standard party decoration! And will definitely be planning more craft days. We had a blast.

Maybe we'll take them to Blizzcon!

A Little Bit Alone

2011-05-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Pat is out, frisbee golfing somewhere a few hours away. Which means I have the house to myself. Have since 10. Before Pat left I was catching up on emails, reading twitter and forums, and making breakfast. Since he's been gone, I've been crazy busy, for a Sunday.

Other than a 45 minute break in WoW while making hard boiled eggs and relaxing after a grocery store run, I've been keeping myself pretty busy!

It's amazing the things I get done when Pat's not here.

I have washed my car, done 3 loads of laundry, unloaded the dishwasher, re-stocked the bathrooms, done some dishes, gotten groceries (AND put them all away thank you very much!!!). I also filled up my car with gas, filled up the mini-fridge, made hard boiled eggs to make egg salad for this week.

I took a break for food and lounging on the couch to eat and watch friends.

Now I'm catching up on online stuffs. Reading emails, and listening to the DisUnplugged podcast.

OH! I also updated my MP3 player, synched my Amazon Cloud Drive to what's on my home computer (I buy stuff sometimes at work, when a song I want to hear over and over pops into my head). Then I found the shirt I want to buy Pat, but since he won't wear shirts with writing on it, I can't buy it. *sadpandabee!*

I read/watched the Barnard commencement address, read some Cruise Critic forums and I really should go start at least two more loads of laundry - pants and sheets. But I'm feeling a little lazy. So I'm just going to sit here and listen to the Dis!

Happy Sunday all! We've got a 4 day week, a 4 day weekend, then another 4 day week! This is going to be awesome!!!

Not What I Expected

2011-05-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

The announcement that a CIA led SEALS team in an operation in Pakistan was able to subdue, kill, and capture the body of Osama Bin Laden did not bring a sense of closure to me.

It brought a sense of worry, and frustration.

Worry because this could easily be the beginning of a long and endless war. The U.S. may feel this is "justice". His followers will not see it so, and as we've already found out, they're fanatical in their call to war against us as a country. And you thought the war was done now! It's not. I assure you, and it scares me.

Frustration because as I see people cheering, and tears of closure brought about by his demise over the deaths and chaos he caused during his life - it's clear many think this is now over.

I am both proud, and incredibly sad for our service members. The separation from their families in this long ordeal, their blood, their deaths, and for those that return - their lives.....This is not a fair trade. But I'll take it. Joyless as it may be for me.

It's not a fair trade of justice when someone attacks civilians in the gruesome scene we saw unfold over 9/11, and then lives 10 years to lead more attacks, kill more people, and incite crazy killers. But I guess we've all learned sometimes in this world the only justice we get is twisted, but it's all we can have.

I'm glad he's gone, don't get me wrong. But I only hope that we continue to be vigilant as a country against attacks. That we continue to support our service members and their families in their never ending struggle for freedom for our country. And that while we may take pride in what we were able to do as a country in this war - we remember it took 10 years to get this far, and it's not even close to over.

I am so proud to serve our Navy, and to help support our Warfighters - I wish I could feel a sense of closure now. All I feel is intense pride in our forces, and a small ball of fear deep in my soul.

And now it's time for my orthodontist appointment. So maybe part of that uncertainty I feel is simply stress from other things. I doubt it, but we'll see.

I'm Alive!

2011-04-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

It occurs to me I've not blogged in a while. So here we go!

Pat's mom was in the hospital last week. She's home now, and doing better. We're all wishing her a speedy get well period, and hoping that all will be okay. Pat was worried sick. It's not something we've really been through together, so neither of us is really prepared to help each other, or really aware of what we need, when something like this happens.

Work has been the sux - but it's work, so that's okay. I have a daily issue with not losing my temper in a completely inappropriate manner. I believe I may switch from my current coping mechanism (ignoring people 99% of the time) to Pat's coping mechanism (making snide, sarcastic, and rude comments) just to see if it works. Why should everyone else's feelings be spared while I come home a raw, bleeding form of emotional crazy that Pat has to deal with?!?!? Simply because I'm too nice to tell people:

Stop jumping on your chair, you're an ADULT....at WORK.
If you ask me a question and don't like the answer, I accept that. But then STOP WASTING MY TIME WITH ASKING ME QUESTIONS! I will give you the same answer the next time!
(I just realized I actually do my own HTML for lists, which kinda weirded me out and I thought I should write it out for some reason.....)
When you have a problem, and I tell you how to solve it, and you refuse to take the steps required to fix it and continue to bitch about having the problem - I HAVE NO SYMPATHY! NONE! And snide, sarcastic comments are incoming (see previous comments)
If you see me working on a problem for days, and you know the answer - FUCKING SAY SOMETHING!!!!!!! I'm not doing this because I enjoy torture! We're a team! Jump right in and take some ownership of team responsibility FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING GOOD

Yeah, it's been a long week. Oh well, right? It's just work.

In other news! Been playing WoW on Velen lately. Been having fun. I need to be careful I don't get burned out. I'm kinda sick of MMOs at the moment. So having something I can just jump in and fish/gather, is nice. I think I'll try some PvP more. I miss PvP. And no, I'm not going back to EVE (you know who you are!).

I've not had the energy to log in to Gods and Heroes, which is a shame, because they had a lot going for them. Just not what I was looking for in a game. They may have it down the road. But I've learned not to jump on a bandwagon for something that may pan out 2 years down the road *cough*WAR*cough* because it just as easily may suck 2 years out of your life and leave you a bitter, bitter, soul. =)

MOVING ON! Easter is this weekend. Not doing anything special. You guys?

This week's word to the not-so-wise:
Password block your wireless networks people! Home, work, whatever.
Do not use the same passwords for email, bank logins, and game forums/random internet sites you visit like CNN, Pogo, or your guild sites.
If you play a game that offers authentication - GET IT!
Update your flash. Regardless of how bad the update can be, not updating can be much, must worse!

Today's links are a mix of old and new, enjoy, as you will.

OK Go's Here It Goes Again is an awesome video I watch every now and then just to remind myself how uncoordinated I am. It's fun!! Nice to see some people taking their music a little less old school MTV, and a little more we do it cause it's fun type of attitude.

Nintendo has a new console coming up. I'm excited. But this is their last chance. They either show they've learned the importance of social/interactive gaming more so than the Wii (which sucks), or I'm going purely PC. Unless the games rock, in which case I'll just complain constantly.

Have a good weekend everyone! HE IS RISEN!

I am not a sheep! Yet.

2011-03-22T21:25:00.000-07:00

So apparently my blog broke. I see the Twitter thingie on the side has tried to eat up half the page. Pat will have to get right on that. =)

In the meantime, a discussion of tablets and phones this evening has bothered me to my core.

I am a sheep. :(

I want a fancy phone with pretty apps that will add zero functionality to my life. I operate now with 80% of my time at work, or sleeping. I'm sure there's an app for sleeping, but I'm doing okay as is. The point (I do have one):

I have no need for a fancy phone that costs lots of money.

But oh how I want one. The pretty flicking through pages with a finger, android based beauties just make my heart flutter. No, I do not want your stupid apple based crap. I refuse to install iTunes on my machine, much less quicktime...ugh

But what would I do with it? I text an average of 30-45 times a month. I call 4 people (Pat, Mom, Tawnia, Monique), there is no nightlife/restaurants/movie theater tickets/fun to be had in this town, so it's not like I'd need help buying tickets, making reservations, or planning my oh so busy (ha ha) life.

So why do I want one so bad? Because people at work who don't even text have fancy phones. And it bothers me inside my poor (apparently) sheep like soul.

Me. Who used to run around in combat boots with a nail in my tongue, and my "I don't fucking care" attitude. See what Pat has done to me? SHEEP!

But I am not going to get a fancy phone, e-reader, tablet, pretty gadget or googah.

Somewhere inside me, the girl with the combat boots is crying out for mercy that I even bother about such things. The person I am now is shushing her with pretty pink glowsticks and clothes that conform. It's very sad. If I let the conforming win, I get a phone! If I choose not to care, I still can't wear glow sticks and a pacifier to work with combat boots and camos.

Oh well. Maybe Pat will buy me a llama instead! Or an alpaca!

Walking Update 1

2011-03-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

So I've not done much walking since my original attempt at trying to get going again.

I'm only 3.02 miles in so far.

I'm not counting miles walked during the day. It must be specific "exercise walking" mileage to count. Miles done on the recumbent bike are halved.

3.02 miles gets me to "Cross The Water on a plank bridge"

With another 2 miles to go until my next update. I'm hoping for some major progress this week, starting on Tuesday! Wish me luck!

The Road to Rivendell

2011-03-04T18:56:00.000-08:00

Back a while ago while I was planing LotRO a guildie (best LotRO guild *EVAH*) pointed out something really awesome!

The Eowyn Challenge!

The challenge is to walk your way to Rivendell. I started it back a long time ago, but I can't remember how far along I was. So I'm starting again, fresh.

Ultimately, I'd like to walk enough miles to make it all the way to Mordor, but I figured my first goal would be to start with something at least a little bit conceivable.

I'll be walking enough miles to get me from Bag End to Rivendell. I'm not certain yet if I'll be counting bike mileage. It depends on how my knees do. They were hurtin' last time, and they never recovered. But they feel better now, even after what felt like a tear - which took months and months to fully heal. There's no pain or popping even when I bend down, so I should be good. I'll take it easy at first.

Of course, I'll be posting my updates as I move along the journey, so this is going to be exciting!!

When Did I Get MMO Old?

2011-02-14T20:18:00.001-08:00

When did TeamSpeak and Vent become the new chat rooms? When did people stop using IRC as a way to chat?

I mean, we all grew out of AOL and ICQ right? Well, most of us mostly did.

But when you're asked to join a guild and they require/pressure you to be in a voicechat server, I have a problem with that. First of all, I'm busy listening to The DIS Unplugged or various MMO podcasts, including Casual Stroll to Mordor.

If I'm not listening to stuff on the computer, I'm watching/listening to the TV, or Pat is raiding and I'm listening to them.

I do not wish to ruin the immersion of gaming or fantasy by listening to real people talk to me. I do that at work! I get talked to all day long about a lot of stuff I come home to try and get away from. And those people pay me! I do not want to "hear" guildies talk. I want to chat at my own pace, walk away, and be able to catch up on what was "said".

Am I alone in this? Is this my "ancient" way of playing MMOs catching up to me? Am I an angry old guy on the porch with a hose waiting for people to walk on the lawn or touch the trash cans?!?

I don't mind voicechat for raiding - though I feel it caters to people who can't figure out what they're supposed to be doing and it has made really good raid leaders go the way of the Velociraptor. (Going for extinct here, not "known for awesome attack power".)

I have a feeling I'm just getting old. But I also feel like no matter how much I miss out on, I want to chat to you on my keyboard while listening to the newest goings on at Disney Resorts. Not talk to a random stranger about your day/class build/school attendance/drama. If I wanted that I'd be back on ICQ.

To Post or Not To Post?

2011-01-09T20:39:00.000-08:00

See, what sucks about people knowing about my blog and having it connected to Facebook, and Twitter and all that jazz is that I can't get mad and say stuff like "RANDOM JERKFACE *insert name here* SUCKS!!!".

I'd like to! Oh, I'd LOVE to! Not really about work, but more about in game issues, ex-guildies, and some acquaintances. Not to mention random bad drivers in town, and stupid business owners. (But see, eventually that person will be my boss because living in a small town suuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks!))

I realize though, that I can't. Friends would read it, friends of friends would read it, they'd be offended FOR that person - it'd start a big fight, cause major drama, and all because someone's stupidity was to much for me to handle at that moment.

You all know me! My stupidity is OFTEN too much for others to handle. So what if people need to blow off steam, or let others know they're pissed off?

So I sit here this evening, after having spent 30 minutes attempting a sarcastic tweet (140 characters) towards someone I consider traitorous (the WORST offense, IMO), and inconsiderate - and while I didn't actually come up with anything good, I couldn't have posted it even if I did!!

I can't post it because people I'm friends with on Facebook know this person, and they'd be offended for them (as well they should!), and defend them (they certainly should NOT), and then I'd have to hate them as well, for their blind forgiveness and defense of the traitor (their friend) in question.

SO! I sit here repeating: I don't want to care anymore! I DON'T WANT TO CARE ANYMORE!!

But I do care, so I'm blogging it. But I'm oh so glad I don't play MMOs with Pat anymore, cause I probably would have said something in game, and started a ton of drama that didn't need to be started. So I'll just start some from my blog. :) It's more fun this way!

And no one from WoW reads my blog, except my RL friends - who I'm going to call tomorrow and bitch in great detail to! They get my frustration, even when they don't agree.

And now, to go get ready for bed while silently chanting: "No, really, I don't care anymore" over, and over, and over.....

/rant OMG! Stupid MMO Companies!

2011-01-08T10:43:00.000-08:00

I refuse, REFUSE! To be jerked around by MMO companies who say in order to get information, be a part of their community, or enjoy dev access I need to log in at certain times.

I reject that Twitter, Facebook, official forums, fan site forums, promotions, ads, video outreaches, etc., all need to be separate outlets for different types of news. I believe that if you're advertising/promo'ing something on Twitter, it should be mentioned on FB and on your official forums.

I also reject that game companies should post different information to each outlet, because different parts of their market follow the different mediums. Have a message, stick with it. Different messages across different mediums is confusing and honestly, stupid. Players want to see solidarity, consistency, and a team who at least looks like they know what they are doing! If you don't know it - fake it until you can figure it out!! (Don't we all do that anyway?)

I believe your forums are the first and foremost outreach to your current base - who should ALWAYS be treated with the utmost respect, seeing as they are people paying (or soon to be paying) for your game! Ignoring them, treating them with disrespect in the above listed manner, and generally treating them as not important, is simply not acceptable.

Baby your current community (the ones reading your forums - since they are the ones that care) while you actively recruit new folks. *Maybe* the people following you on Twitter are "your community", but you must assume that when you post tidbits to lure those on social media to your site - that your actual whole hearted followers want to hear the same news. And then they want to know why they, as your solid base, aren't being rewarded with information before random jerks on other outlets are!

Twitter and Facebook are social media tools, but they are NOT "Community". Treating them as such is a huge mistake. I say again, because this is so important. Social media is not community. If your community director and/or marketing team....which is, by the way, 99% of the time also not aware of who your community is - they spot potential players and call them community....I digress

If your community director does not know the difference, you're in trouble. And if your marketing team is running your community you're in even bigger trouble. *cough*WarhammerOnlinelaunch*cough*

I also believe that news outlets such as Blues News, MMORPG, Zam, Games Press, Eurogamer, OnlineWelten....these people should at least be carrying your news. How else do you plan on getting on Slashdot?!? ;o

When your game isn't listed on these sites, or it's listed with incorrect information you are screwed! People looking for your game realize no one cares enough to follow up or provide current information and they walk away. Because plenty of MMOs out there have the money, time, and inclination to do it right.

If those who are most excited about your game feel slighted, ignored, or removed from the pulse of what is going on you have lost! And winning them back is not about a small tweak to procedure. Winning people back, once you have lost them, is almost impossible. So don't lose them. It's not worth it!

/endrant

Christmas 2010Q

2011-01-03T06:25:00.000-08:00

There are no words to express the happiness and joy my family brought this Christmas. More than anything I just wanted to be together, to enjoy each others company, and to spend time together.
My family, through many personal sacrifices and bothersome details, made that dream come true for me.

I miss my family so much, this was a fantastic opportunity to spend time with them, enjoy their company and catch up on what's been going on in our lives. I'll stop gushing. But in the end, nothing anyone could have bought me (including a night in the Disneyland Castle) could have meant more to me. Thank you all for loving me so much, and for making this Christmas my dream come true. I love you all!

2011 Goals!

2011-01-01T15:37:00.001-08:00

My goals this year are a little lofty, but what else am I doing with my life?! LOL

Exercise - I've realized running a half marathon really isn't do-able without being able to ice down, which is impossible due to my insane physiology. But I do want to be more active, go to the gym, go hiking with Pat, and enjoy being active. One never knows when that will be taken away. I need to do all I can to protect my ability to move, and to enjoy the activity levels I have and take advantage of what that entails!

Write Letters - I am going to try to send letters to friends and family this year. They won't be handwritten (no one would be able to read them!) but they will be sent through snail mail. Who doesn't LOVE getting mail?!

Re-design the blog - Pat will probably help extensively with this. But I want to have a clear plan and design idea before we begin. I'm a lot excited about this one! I want tags, and a different template for sure. I'm not even sure what other options exist, so I guess I'll have to do a lot of research! MY FAVORITE PART!

Travel Less - *GASP*! I know, you never thought you'd hear me say that. This year is a year of recuperating travel funds with savings, and trying to enjoy the house more. Also, more video games and reading means less doing other stuff. YAY!

Exert concerted effort to communicate with Pat - This one is a double edged sword, in a way. I want to focus on trying to hear what Pat is trying to tell me, without reacting to what I think I hear. I want to be understanding towards his viewpoint, without being judgmental. The downside is that when I do this and he forgets (as most men do) to be nice to me, I shall be forced to injure him. LOVE YOU HONEY!

Rejected goals:

Learn to Make Paper: I realized I really don't care, it's more economical and environmentally sound for me to just buy it. Plus, let's face it, I'd probably buy a ton of stuff and try it once, and then never do it again. I'm totally good with store bought!

Travel More!: I really need to focus on goals that are important to Pat, as well as myself. And Pat hates going places. So! This is good! 2012 though - LOOK OUT!

Two blog posts a week: Let's be honest, that's not going to happen. Plus, sometimes I'm in a not nice place, and you really don't want me posting angry rantings of a crazy person. That's just wrong, and more than likely would get me fired. Work is what frustrates me 75% of the time, and those changes are made slowly. Oh so....so, slowly.

Saying No!: I am 100% unable to say no to people, both in life and at work. It's a bad thing. But saying no closes doors. I'd rather take on an extra project, realize I need help - and ask for it, then not have the opportunity to work with people I wouldn't get to ordinarily, or to let someone else do it, and do it wrong. Yes, I'm a control freak. You'll live. Also, if I said no to people in life (friends and family), I'd have no friends and my family wouldn't speak to me. I'm not nice when I say no. I can't help it. SO it's either say yes constantly, or be a total bitch. I'd rather just say yes. I'll work on the "being controlled by one emotion at a time 100% throughout this year though....a little bit at least.

So here goes 2011! May you and yours be safe and happy, filled with joy and with as little sorrow as He sees fit to bring you. May your gaming go well, your friends support and love you, and may you actively seek the changes you desire in your life!

B

Why Have MMOs Changed?!

2010-12-31T17:54:00.001-08:00

Pat and I spend a lot of time talking about this one. What has changed about the MMO genre that the games we enjoyed playing for massive hours just 4 years ago turned into games we can't seem to get into anymore?!

One main answer we agree on (and we all know that happens so often!) is that the people we play games with now are so different from those that made the games simply unforgettable. Not that the people we play with no aren't awesome - especially since Pat plays with John regularly in WOW....

Where have all my MMO friends gone? Long time passing!

But the friends we made then, the guilds we were a part of, helped found, and the social butterflies we (me) once were are no longer. Everyone has grown up, gotten kids or more involved in the kids, become serious about their jobs, relationships, and time considerations have all had a drastic impact on our gaming.

I know a few of the old EQ crew still play EQ - but I was never into raiding in that game, and I only leveling when others helped me out. Otherwise, I'd spend 90% of my time buffing levelers at the Oasis docks. Last time I checked, North Ro and the Oasis of Marr were completely empty. Just old Cazel roaming around! Yes, I kited him a few times just out of spite!

Our Infinite Void DAoC group ROCKED! We had so much fun doing Call to Actions, dungeons, leveling, Darkness Falls, and tower defense was just simply some of the best MMO gaming I've ever had.

EVE with Zitek was AWESOME! I miss you Milton! Ice, Cres, Sammy! Everyone. These people are what gaming are all about, I miss them all! When the corp started changing, the game got a lot less fun, and during the whole Deepspace crap vs production stuff happened the drama just wasn't worth it. I still hate Dino. *grumbles*

Council of the Secret Fire in LotRO are the most amazing people (Landroval) I've played with in a long time. They made me remember what it was like to be a part of these old guilds, and I adore them!!

So....how do I find these types of people now, in games like Gods and Heroes, Rift, Mythos (MYTHOS IS BACK BABY!!!!)...honestly, if I could find these types of people - this type of guild, again. I'd move to any game to play with them.

For now, I guess I'm just stuck doing the same old, moving from game to game, looking, waiting, for that HOOK! For that feel of THIS is where I belong.

Will it ever happen again?!?

Song Memories of Nath

2010-12-30T07:51:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have those moments in your life you'll remember forever?

One of mine, I hope I never forget:

Driving West on the 8, coming from out past SDSU into the valley's. Nathan and I are in the Prelude. I'm driving. We're passing Mission Gorge area, and Fat Boy Slim's "Right Here, Right Now" is on the radio. I'm fairly certain it was a CD I had stolen from Beth.

Nathan gets all animated and says "What do you imagine when you hear this song?!"

So he talks about how you see a camera skimming the water, maybe from a helicopter view. It's moving fast, you can see whitecaps and nothing but water, but you can *feel* the movement. As the music starts to build momentum the camera seamlessly changes to show a cliff. You're moving at the same speed, but you're now moving UP the side of a cliff.

As the song reaches the first crescendo you no longer see cliff. Suddenly, at the same speed with which you were moving both along the water, and up the cliff, you see grass. Maybe like the New Zealand or Ireland shots we see in the media here.

Just green. Maybe trees off to the side, but they're not the focus. Just the clear nothing of forever is before you. You're speeding along. You just keep moving. The world is open, available for exploration, and just speeding by.

You can feel the wind whipping past you, you see maybe, a castle! But again, it's not the focus. It's just there for a moment before you go whizzing past.

I heard this song today, on my Slacker station "Dance1". It made me think of Nathan, and how enthusiastic he was explaining his view on how he saw this song. Good memories!!!

Christmas Gaming WOO HOO!

2010-12-21T14:35:00.000-08:00

Would it surprise anyone to know I've downloaded Hello Kitty Online to try it out? I think not.

I've not had a chance to play it yet, what with Christmas, Pogo badges, keeping up with Gods and Heroes, and Pat's re-entry into the WoW world.

There are some news notes though in general, that some of you guys might care about!

What was WoWWiki (not linking to them anymore!) is not really the same thing. WoWpedia.org is now the site you're looking for! An awesome coup for both them and Wowhead is that their information is now being incorportated onto the official World of Warcraft site! WOO!

Most of you know I worked for Allakhazam, who also runs Wowhead, and I just want to give the Wowhead guys a major shout out! These guys have worked really hard to inject pure awesome into their community, maintain their own brand and feel, and have done a superb job of it. Most of us fell in love with Wowhead over others due to pure asthetics. We stayed because it's awesome! I hope they continue with record breaking success!!!!

Enstoleburr (LONG LIVE INFINITE VOID!) let me know not that long ago that Gods and Heroes had risen from the ashes and were giving out beta keys. So I put in for my own! The game is under NDA, but the community appears to be fantastic, so I'm hooked!! Hopefully Heatwave can do what Perpetual couldn't, and create a fantastic game with an amazing following. I'm looking forward to it! Pretty much anyone gets in that wants in, according to the last two developer chats so what are you waiting for?

IGN is reporting DC Universe Online will launch on January 11th in the US and on the 14th for UK. Have to admit, not quite as excited for this one (and can't find appropriate links, so hopefully IGN.com doesn't sue me!). It's a comic book MMO....yay? Not into comics, and not really excited about the MMO stuff that's being "introduced" into this new entry into the genre. But we'll see. Not to mention a few people I used to cyberstalk like mad work on it - so best of luck to them! (Also, I no longer cyberstalk Zonk. Yay for him!)

Can you believe I've not tried Minecraft yet? I can! I've got too much going on, and not enough time! Hopefully Nathan will try it and tell me it's not my type of game so I can just let it go. Maybe I'll make Pat try it too! It seems like their type of game!

So - lots going on and lots to keep up with! Merry Christmas, and happy gaming, to all!

New Years Resolutions?

2010-12-18T20:59:00.000-08:00

It's time to start thinking about what I want to do this year!!

I'm thinking something to do with trying fondue, having an AMAZING birthday celebration, playing through the entire Final Fantasy franchise, and of course, blogging more!

I want to actually finish Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time and start reading Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the Tenth Dimension by Michio Kaku. Let's be honest - both are a stretch, but it's good to have goals.

Then I'd like to put together my top 100 books, and start reading them. I miss reading immensely!

Otherwise, still working on the Life List. Got a few things marked off this year, and a ton more to do next year. Of course, it's a work-in-progress! If I see things on my list I think I'd rather not do, I take it off. If I think of something that, for the moment, seems a necessity, I add it! Crazy how that works!

Anyway, time to go relax and get ready for bed! Busy day tomorrow! Christmas guests coming up next week and I have a lot to do to get ready! VERY excited!!!!

Vegas WHAAAT?

2010-12-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

People should know, I spend my life planning travel. I plan trips I will never take. I over plan trips I do take. I spend hours researching possibilities, reviews, ideas, trip reports, pre-trip reports, analyzing budgets, and thinking about better/cheaper/easier ways to accomplish the trips I want.

So it should be no shock that I haunt TripAdvisor.com! And of course, Pat and I enjoy gambling so I spend a lot of time on their Vegas area.

Recently, I've been reading their forums, and I am in total and complete shock on the different perception of Vegas people seem to have. I've almost always been within a 4-6 hour drive of Vegas. It's always been an easy 2-3 day vacation.

And I'm cheap! Pat and I tend to spend, on average, $400 gambling ($200 each), $30-40 in gas (probably closer to $60 now with his new car and the recent upshot in gas prices!), and $60ish in food. We don't eat fancy. mmmm Mcdonalds!

But the people on the TripAdvisor Vegas Boards tend to be coming in from out of country (lots of Canucks and Aussies), and spending 10-14 days in Vegas. With room rates of $200 being the norm, and gambling money of....well, enough to get almost the entire trip comped, and future comps of close to everything.

I am floored. I've always wanted to be able to walk into a casino say hello to a host and have them set me up with my room and comps. But let's face it, the day that happens is the day we win the lottery and we blow it ALL on one trip to Vegas - so we won't be able to afford going back.

For now, I think we'll stick with our Cheapo Vegas approach. Because I can't help but see $1000 a DAY in gambling money being discussed and thinking - OMG, for a 10 day trip - that's a LOT of trips to Disneyland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well. Slots O' Fun, here we come!! The Wynn will just have to wait.....for forever.

Dear Susan! I MISS YOU!

2010-12-08T10:49:00.000-08:00

Susan,

It's been so many years since we last talked, and I've recently started thinking about you. In an attempt to not be completely creepy and still maybe talk to you I visit your site every now and then, but as it's grown you've become much more of an administrator, and I miss your posts. I've not sought you out on Facebook or MMO forums, because well, it's been a long time .

I wonder if you're working in the same place, and how your treatments went. Are you still out in Tennessee? I wonder if you're ever out in my neck of the woods. I would so get together for a girls weekend in Vegas!!

I hope you're still a part of an MMO community that excites and engages you! I hope life has brought you much peace and happiness. I hope your friends and family have welcomed you with open arms, and that your life is what you want it to be.

I hope, more than anything, that you're happy, regardless of the struggles life has brought you.

much love la ^^

ASRC/SRC LadyJade ;p

A Service Member Thanksgiving Thank You!

2010-11-25T09:01:00.000-08:00

Nothing breaks my heart more than watching deployed service members saying Happy Thanksgiving to their families. I can't imagine the private discussions they have if the opportunity to call home arises!!

To all our service members deployed, away from family, home, friends, and loved ones, to those facing deployment - and for those missing their fallen, lost, or wounded - My sincerest thanks that I can sit at home today, watch the parade and sleep safe from what you protect us from, and that my sacrifices came home safe, if not completely sound.

To those eating a Thanksgiving meal aboard a ship with their loved ones who are on duty - how blessed you are! (And I hope you don't wreck the car on the way to the ship! But if you do, I want to hear about it!!!) :p

I am truly, deeply touched by your sacrifice and sense of duty. I am so proud that I can be part of what NAWCWD does to support our War Fighters.

Thank you all!!! For everything.

Saturdays in Football Season: An Ode!

2010-11-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

Ah! Saturdays. With ESPN on TV.
How peaceful are your mornings, how inspiring are your themes!
I love the outlook of the games, the analysis you bring.
I love the hits, the crowds, the noise, I miss my Aztec team!

Rooting for the underdogs, against the east coast teams,
Has taught me that the fans out there are crazier than me!
Little makes me happier than listening to Corso.
How weird he looks in HD, Kirk Herbstreet even more so.

The football season's winding down, now what will the weekend bring?
Colder weather, basketball, and eventually, training in the spring!

HAPPY FOOTBALL DAY! GO AZTECS!

College GameDay Picks!

2010-11-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

Colorado vs Kansas = Colorado! LOVE YOU RALPHIE!!!!!

Baylor vs Oklahoma State = Baylor, Cause no one roots for Oklahoma unless you're from there.

Texas at Kansas State = Texas. Cause teams that beat USC in clutch wins should always be loved.

Illinois at Michigan = Michigan! Looking forward to seeing Robinson do some awesome stuff!! AND! Game just started - TOUCHDOWN MICHIGAN!!!!!!!!!!!! This should be fun!!!

Northwestern at Penn State = I LOVE Paterno. What college fan doesn't. But in honor of Dr. Cres I'm picking Northwestern. I won't be unhappy either way.

NC State @ Clemson = Who cares? NOT ME!

Alabama at LSU = LSU! TIGER BAIT! TIGER BAIT! Saban has a lot of nerve going into LSU for the second year. Hope none of the Bama fans get hurt *smiles innocently*

Arkansas at South Carolina = Who cares who wins, this should be a good game!!

Arizona at Stanford = GO ARIZONA!!

TCU at Utah = GO UTES! GO MWC! GO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DOWN WITH THE BCS!!!!!!!!! Not sure which one I *should* be rooting for (probably TCU) to upset the BCS rankings the most. But I can't help but root for a team I'm most familiar with, and have known for YEARS due to their conference and familiarity with SDSU!!! GO AZTECS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rough Week Ahead!

2010-10-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

Last week was rough. This week looks to be the same.

Pat is suffering from allergies which pretty much knock him out of commission. He has trouble breathing due to congestion, so he snores, tries to sleep a lot, and when he's not at work spends his time resting for the next big day. My heart breaks for him, and I wish there was something I could do!!

Whenever one of us is sick, down, busy with work, or pre-occupied it makes stuff at home harder. We cover daily chores and household duties for each other, while still trying to maintain a level of sanity and the same workload we always have. So it's tough on both of us.

I am drowning in work. So much to do, and most of it isn't stuff I can just accomplish. It's stuff that I need to research, really think about, analyze, and then act on. Considering I've got about 4 major projects at one time adding in answering phones, dealing with walk ins, and processing my regular daily duties it can become rather overwhelming!

To make it even harder, if I stick my headphones on and ignore my co-workers in an attempt to focus everyone calls me bitchy and grumpy! WTF!! I HAVE WORK TO DO! Work that requires an incredible amount of focus and attention! I can NOT focus on 4 projects, daily duties, AND how your weekend went as well as assist with what you should do with a specific work issue without some serious backlog. It's stressful. I deal with it the best I can!!

This Friday is also my orthodontic appointment. They'll be replacing wires, changing out my o-rings, and in general, making me more miserable than I already am.

Eating is difficult. I can't really chew. So I cut things up into tiny pieces and with my tongue and whichever teeth aren't super sensitive, attempt to swallow without actually pressing teeth against food. It's been an interesting adventure.

Last week super sensitivity to cold and pressure started, so soup has become an almost every meal regular. I AM SICK OF SOUP! SICK SICK SICK SICK SICK SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can only use warm or room temperature water to brush and rinse. Since water at work only comes out cold, I have to make sure I have enough drinking water to use. It's.....interesting.

I also found out last week that once my Pendulum appliance comes out, I might be stuck with a Nance appliance for the ENTIRE length of my braces. I will clarify this on Friday at my appointment, but the possibility has depressed me no end.

Finally - trying to plan trips has become impossible. I don't want to go anywhere that might offer yummy eating opportunities. Which leaves me with going no where, doing nothing, and stuck in hellish Ridgecrest. Which this weeks "State of the City" address noted "Is a small town with big town amenities".

I would like to point out that Burger King is not a big town amenity. Nor is a NON-super Wal-mart, or a K-Mart. Which is all we've got!!!!

IF ONE MORE PERSON tells me how much there is to do here VIOLENCE WILL ENSUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stupid Burroughs graduates!!! STFU! srsly.

On that note though, people who say Ridgecrest is a great place to raise kids should have CPS called on them. Ridgecrest has an incredible DUI and illegal drug use rate in both grade school, high school, and the adult population - INCLUDING base employees!!!! I believe it's because there is nothing else to do here! You want to raise your kids in that environment? GO FOR IT! I'll sit here and continue to laugh at your stupidity and will try to act shocked when you talk about what struggles your 16 year old is having with alcohol and marijuana. Legalize it! That will help! *rolls her eyes*

Anyway, here's hoping to a productive week of work, and hopefully after my 10am ortho appointment on Friday I can return to work. I am already so behind I can't imagine losing more time away from my desk. It's simply not worth it.

Happy Sunday All! Have a safe Halloween, and a wonderful kick off to the holiday season!!

Paid In Full!

2010-10-19T17:11:00.001-07:00

I can't explain how truly proud I am of my husband. My soul mate! My wonderful Pat.

Earlier today, in fact moments ago, he wrote a check to purchase his first car up front, no financing. He owns the vehicle in our garage outright.

He has worked hard for it. He has put up with me trying to spend his money constantly on trips and things he cares nothing for. He has given money to those he doesn't know in situations he can't begin to fathom, simply because I asked him to.

He has, right in front of my eyes, gone from a college kid who I was not impressed with, to a man who thinks first of his family and what is best for us, and who holds my heart so tenderly and well that it makes me cry to think of the care and love he provides.

Honey, I love you, and I am so very proud! Let's go on a trip to celebrate!!! ;p
Enjoy every moment of your new car, and may it serve you well and for many years. CONGO RATS!!!!

Monday Update: October 18th 2010

2010-10-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

BUSY! For someone who does nothing, I sure am busy a lot! And lots of things have fallen behind, so I've *sings* got to get a move on! /sing =) Such a happy week this will be! I DEMAND IT! Of myself, and of those around me! I need the happy this week. The focus, the goal setting and making, and the moving forward!

This tends to be a hard time of year for me, but so far I've been able to keep moving and keep my thoughts where they need to be to be a productive and happy soul.

This weekend is the Desert Empire Fair in Ridgecrest. Can I tell you, their website used to be the most aweful thing in the world. But they changed it not to long ago, and I found the new site today to be a breath of fresh air!

For a city that is filled with computer scientists, engineers, techy people and college graduates - the companies and events here seem stuck in the dark ages of geocities (I give you CLOTA's website ) or downright non-existance (every spa/hair/nail place in town. Why would I want to call you to find out your prices?).

How does one survive in this day and age, in this high tech city, without a website?!? I don't get it. Hire a high schooler for $60 bucks to build you a website. Or go out of business! You deserve it for being small minded and stupid. :) Yes, I'm judgemental. I'm also a consumer that demands attention! GIVE IT TO ME or I'll take my money to someone who's listening!

Moving on....I really enjoy the animal portion of the fair. Watching the goats, pigs, sheep, and cows is really fun. Otherwise, the fair is pretty boring compared to the Del Mar Fair, but I guess one can't be picky here in Ridgecrest.

In addition to the fair, this weekend is Blizzcon, which I'm very excited about. Mostly because Blizzard is, no doubt, the worst MMO company ever in communicating with their community. They do it solely through their fan sites and affiliate program - but their information in game and on their own website is disasterous. So this is a great chance to see some good stuff come out.

We were going to buy the Blizzcon DirecTV package but decided not to, since no one wants to come over and watch it, and I'll be watching football while following the Twitter, video, and article updates from the event. I am a little bummed we'll be missing out on the closing ceremonies of Tenacious D (I was 9th in line to buy tickets and Pat decided he didn't want to go), but overall, lots of good info will come, and I'm excited about sifting through the non-hype version of it. I'm NOT a WoW fanboi, so I guess I expect more than just "this was cool", which is what everyone seemed to have posted last year. *cough*myoldemployer*cough* Really looking forward to WoWhead, WoW Insider, and any Escapsist coverage though!

Then there's Halloween, which we're not doing anything for. I am starting my Día de los Muertos stuff this week though. Getting ready to cook some amazing albondigas and some enchiladas as a rememberance of Aunt Becky. I miss her often, and this seems like a good way to remember her, though she's probably kill me for heathen ways if she knew I was doing it.

Finally, time for holidays! It's time to start the decorations, meal planning, and just in general enjoy the period! Ridgecrest is appropriately rainy/hazy this week, so I'm hoping it will stay cloudy/cooler without the wind and overwhelming humidity.

I'm thinking it will be Thanksgiving with just Pat and I. Early morning mimosas as I throw in the turkey and prep the food, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and then football, food, and video game playing with leftovers! mmmmmmmmmm But with just the two of us, it's always interesting trying to come up with enough food to feed us, with healthy leftovers, without going overboard.

Of course, Pat's birthday is in January, so a lot of planning for what we'll be doing (so far, nothing).

Add to that the backlog of sending presents, cards, cleaning, arranging closets, organizing, and preparing for life in general and one has a VERY busy Bee!

Happy Monday all, and to all an awesome week!

B

Team Travel!

2010-09-23T07:50:00.001-07:00

What we do here at my work, it's too much for one person. There is no way one could know everything, keep up with monthly regulatory changes, daily procedural changes, and the constant influx of what-ifs and situational application we're expected to.

It's why a "team" mentality is so important. Our support of one another, a dedication to finding the right answer and following through, these are all critical to support of the War Fighter. And whether folks here see it or not, what we do is ultimately for the support of those who protect our nation - both on the front line, and those who design and support products for their use.

It's hard to focus on team sometimes. It's hard not to think of yourself, and to be bothered when others don't seem to be putting in the same effort. But that's when the team comes to the rescue! We answer the question people are asking! We pick up the phone and help that person who's issue is critical to them! We *are* customer service!

I'm proud to work with the folks that I do. We have a fantastic team. When you tell people "I work in Travel" and they say they're so sorry - don't accept their pity! What we do is critical to both our military and civilian folks. No, people do not understand the scope of our positions and responsibilities. That is not imporant. That we do our job correctly is all we can do, and others will just have to take their judgemental little selves elsewhere!

Yes, we are capable of so much more, but only as a team. And only when we accept that without each other we're just a bunch of very lost people trying to figure out a HUGE puzzle with only a few of the pieces.

Have a great Navy day!

Week Breakdown and Rant: Guild Leadership

2010-08-13T10:53:00.001-07:00

This week has been an exciting news week for geeky stuff, at least for me. Star Wars Celebration V is taking place in Orlando over the next few days, and the tweets and pics are very exciting to me! Not as much the official stuff, but the enthusiasm and creativity of the fans is truly astounding! Might start reading my Star Wars books again!!

The ongoing Duke Nukem Forever may be back! Hopefully, it never dies. Kinda like John’s wishing for UltimaX He’ll never stop wishing for it, no matter how much it’s not going to happen. OSI is dead Weezy, let it go.

GenCon was a few days ago and lots of good news from there! Rumors are floating around about the Neverwinter Nights MMO we’ve all heard so much about (really? Just me?). I would really enjoy seeing how they’d turn that into an MMO! I haven’t read too much about the other stuff that came out of GenCon (been a rough week), but I plan on catching up this weekend! Next year? I’m dragging Monique to GenCon! Everyone should go at least once!!!!

Since Tina has turned 80 I haven’t played much, since there hasn’t been a day off since! This weekend though I intend to do some heroic runs and Monique wants to run some lower level stuff that I’m excited to get the chance to see.

This weekend I have to work a bit on my Pogo.com badges for the week, and of course I want to get in to Puzzle Pirates a bit. But I also need to work on Tina’s rep for Timbermaw and Sporeggar. She’s SO close on both! That’s what happens when you get the Ambassador title at 45! ;p

Also, fishing! I’m only up to 321 fishing, and my cooking is even lower! So much to do, how do people have alts?! Maybe they play more….*glances at her friends*

So the rant of the week? My usual issue with MMOs. Community leadership and lack thereof. I’m not talking about game companies and their representatives, I’m talking guild and party leaders.

I have a problem with games that do not encourage community, or provide tools (Raiding/PVP alliance options in WoW anyone?) for communications, player organization, and discussions.

I also have a problem with guilds that do not promote officers who understand the duties of officership. Or maybe the idea of officers has changed since I was one or decided on promotions. Obviously each guild decides on the responsibilities of their officers differently. But the guild I’m currently in doesn’t have those responsibilities listed anywhere, and the only list of officers is on the guild roster from Wowstead….and the forums are rarely used.

I am confused by this. Because what I expect from officers is different than what most folks in this guild expect. So I’m not sure the operating rules. And ASKING a guild officer what they’re supposed to be doing is like the kiss of death. Why not just /gkick yourself?

So what are guild officers and leaders supposed to do IMO?
• Guild officers must communicate the guilds goals and lead players towards it actively and with the minimum of drama possible.
• Help recruit and mentor new members to the guild. Explain the rules of everything from loot, guild groups, expectations in PUGs, guild bank usage, who to go to for help, the difference between asking for help and begging
• Being an authority on basic game mechanics and hopefully have a specialization to assist folks with.
• Enforce rules, regulations, rewards, and work with the guild towards an awesome tomorrow!

Running a guild is hard work. When the guild leaders and officers are friends, or when the guild dynamic changes you must be willing as leaders of a community to adapt and learn. Sometimes you have to demote (or if you’re sneaky re-org the officership) and un-promote or over-promote those most capable of handling the day to day goings on of the guild.

Guild officers must run groups with folks in the guild who are not necessarily the best at what they’re doing. They must build a rapport with the lesser awesome folks and try to teach them, if those folks are open to learning. They must not create cliques with their friends and cause rifts between the “friends” and the “non-friends”.

If things are running as always but you got in to a fight with your husband/wife and co-leader, you can’t demote them and expect the guild not to feel the rift of power. You can’t expect to not have posted rules and expect everyone to understand what’s going on or what behavior is appropriate when.

You must follow the rules of the guild, and when circumventing rules it must not be detrimental to others in the guild.

You must not have the attitude of “If you don’t like it leave” right away. Explaining the rules, hearing the other side of the situation and considering if the rules apply is a necessity.

Just as being a boss IRL requires people, listening, conflict resolution and putting up with a WHOLE lotta BS, guild leadership and officership is not a walk in the Mage Park. It’s a lot of hard work.

How does one do this perfectly? Create a one person guild. Otherwise, one can only do the best they can and continue to learn and be a better leader every chance you login, communicate with others

Waiting To Be Me Again

2010-08-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

Since I was with Zam lots of things have happened, and I've kinda gotten away from writing, both on blogs, for friends, about games, and just in general anything.

While my obsession with notebooks and pens has remained, it's not had that same power over me. I walk by "Back To School" sales with barely a peep. I said barely.....small squeely noises are the norm, of course.

But as I get back in to gaming and see things that both make me happy and disappoint me, I am getting more excited to get back in to it. Granted, I never claimed to be good at it, but it's something I really enjoy! So I plan on at least trying to write more regularly.

The more I think about it the more I realize how much I miss that part of me, and how awesome it will be to get back in to it.

Makes me want to play more games too, to see how my perception and requirements for MMO gaming has changed as my life focus has changed. I have a feeling it's both drastically different yet much the same!

So keep an eye out for my horrible writing which I require you all to read! ;p

This Evening - Crazy Blog Attempt

2010-08-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

Ran to Wal-Mart after work to pick up some much needed items. Stopped at Carls Jr for fried zucchini after.

Walked in the door, and Pat called. Talked for 10ish minutes and then I changed and got the stuff from Wal-Mart out of the car.

Started laundry. Will need to do two loads tonight.

Already feel like I've been way productive and there's still so much to do! :( Why does picking up dinner not count as like 12 items on the to-do list? Can't imagine being a working mom!!!!!!!!

6:07pm - Brought in the stuff from the car and threw on an episode of Friends.

6:12PM - A reminder to myself to make Pat's Icy something or other for his jewelcrafting sometime this evening. Also, need to do something about the hair on my toes. I'm apparently, secretly a hobbit.

6:15 - Me, my big cheeseburger, the fried zucchini, salt, pepper, rum and diet, napkins and remote have settled on the couch, only to have the washer finish. Gotta go change out clothes and start a new load before luscious caloric intake begins.

6:22 - Put away half the dishes in the dishwasher, most of the stuff from Wal-Mart, and got sheets going in the washer, and clothes in the dryer! Now....a bite of food, cause I am STARVING!

6:25 - Got distracted and finished putting away the Wal-Mart stuff. NOW! FOOD!

6:30 - Re-arranged the Dt. Coke pile, NOW! FOOD!

6:52 - mmmmmmmmmmm food was yummy! Time to check email and facebook before folding and putting away clothes in dryer and moving over sheets.

7:03 - Sat in the sun for a few minutes. Now, to brush my teeth! Clothes in the dryer aren't done yet. Should put away the rest of the dishwasher, but am now feeling lazy!

7:16 - Logging in Dimpa to check the cooldown on Pat's jewelcrafting thingie!

7:37 - Logged in to do Pat's jewelcraft thing and avoided taking off all his armor and sticking him in a dress. He's very lucky I'm in a good mood, cause I laughed myself silly just thinking about it! Also, clothes in the dryer aren't 100% dry yet. I think the dryer has broken an age old pact. When it dings, things are supposed to be done!

7:54 - Pat called in the middle of my dessert english muffin, some people have no sense of timing.

7:58 - Said good night and I LOVE YOU to Pat for the night, now to continue the english muffin.

8:09 - Dishwasher is done and most of the stuff from dinner (including plastic and VERY fancy dancy dessert english muffin wal-mart special plate) is loaded up.

8:11 - Dear dead bug in the corner! You thought you had defeated me! You thought I could not bring myself to prevail! YOU WERE WRONG! And there was a minimum of squeeling as I swept you in to the dustpan and threw you in the garage trash can! GO ME!

8:16 - Watching the food network. Dear Alton Brown, please marry me! Pat won't mind. I promise.

8:26 - Hobbit feet rectified! Very excited! Also, Tim Allen on Food Network! LOVE HIM! Think sheets are almost done, very excited about getting in to bed with clean sheets! Who doesn't love clean sheets!!!!!!!!!!?

8:39 - sheets on bed, and admiring non hairy feet! GO ME!

8:50 - Saw a commercial for mouse jello something or other. Might have to get that for Pat. He would love it.

8:58 - Started brushing teeth.

9:00 - flossing

9:05 - rinsing with phos-flur

9:07 - waxing up!

9:10 - orajelling!

9:13 - pillow cases weren't 100% dry, stuck them back in for a bit while I wander around admiring both my pretty clean house, and my mostly hairless feet.

9:20 - momentary heart pang as I realize I'm going to bed alone. No Pat, no Puppy. Very sad. Bed is made. doing last second house lock up and wandering as I prepare myself to pass out.

9:26 - ready for bed and completely exhausted! Gay cow (the stuffed one) has joined me in bed, because he's soft and fluffy (see the previous gay comment) and I love him. GOOD NIGHT MY LOVE ACROSS THE NATION FROM ME THIS VERY SECOND! SLEEP WELL!!!!

9:32 - Dear bug like creature on the wall. I've had enough of overcoming bugs for the day. My choice to let you live is 100% based on mercy, not horror of attempting to kill you while you jump on me and bite me to death. Not at all! The bedroom is on the second floor. No really, that's not an attic where you'll die a painful death, it's the bedroom! That's right....keep crawling up....

9:33 - Placed the Windex and the fan remote control on my night stand. Ya know, cause windex is the ultimate bug killing chemical. Every time Pat comes home from travel the house always smells like Windex. Pat thinks I do windows. It's cute.

9:34 - The bug has disappeared. I don't see it anywhere. I'd run into the room but it's probably already there waiting for me. You laugh, but I'm actually serious. Not going to bed until I see it and can clearly outrun it and close/lock the bedroom door while it's in a different room.

9:38 - Me and the laptop are now in the bedroom. I'm fairly certain the bug is in the living room. If I don't make it to work tomorrow, it's because the bug got me. Call terminex.

GOOD NIGHT PEOPLE!

Weekend Update: 137 Days Until Christmas!

2010-08-09T07:26:00.000-07:00

My last post was supposed to be a thank you to everyone who's helped me level and enjoy my time in WoW. But Pat was trying to get ready for his 3AM wakeup call to take the Inyokern flight to LAX on his way to Tampa for a few days, and I HAD to go. So this post will incorporate that instead!

This weekend update is going to be pretty random. Get ready!

Tinaryn made 80! (In case you haven't talked to me, or seen my Twitter/Facebook/Blog.) I'm VERY excited! Huge thanks to my mom, Monique, Pat, Jill, Matt, and John for putting up with me long enough to not train me to my death multiple times!

I ran my first few heroic dungeons last night and got some purple gear, including a wand that's awesome! Monique gave me a cool offhand for a mace that dropped.

I'm now going to work on herbalism and alchemy to top those off and do flasks for Pat's raiding nights. The GWS group of Swift Justice is working on the ICC 10 man progression, and moving along nicely! Pat's very excited, and it's great to see him getting so involved with actual people! :)

The local "Community Light Opera And Theatre Association" or CLOTA is doing a presentation of Cabaret! We're going to see it on the 20th with Matt and Monique. I am SUPER excited!!!

Lori brought over lumpia for Pat, and stew and rice for me, since she knows I'm still having trouble eating. She is THE biggest sweetheart in the world.

My tongue is still being incredibly violated by the thing in my mouth. It's now more of an indent than cut, but it's not really getting any better. I've gotten my nightly routine down to 15ish minutes, which is fantastic! Pat and I compared pics to current tooth placement and there is LOTS of movement. I'll post new pics soon.

Shark Week wound down with some awesome stuff to watch, including the old Dirty Jobs episodes. It was really nice to see some new stuff, but I ALWAYS love Shark Week. Next thing to watch for will be either Disney Week, or Samantha Brown week on Travel Channel! SAMANTHA BROWN! WOO!!

I am both dreading and excited about Pat being gone for a few days. I miss him terribly when he's gone, but hopefully I can bring myself to be productive and enjoy some time to myself! He'll be back Wednesday, and he's not raiding that night, so it'll be a night for us to just enjoy each other and talk and relax. VERY excited!!

Also, Christmas is right around the corner. There will be no Christmas present exchange! NO PRESENTS! Last year was just too much, and I've got a lot of saving to do for upcoming though currently unplanned trips, and honestly - it's just too much stress!!

But we'll keep counting, cause the holidays are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY MONDAY ALL!

I'd Like To Thank The Academy....

2010-08-08T20:17:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, Draenei, Gnomettes, and gentle orcs:

TINARYN MADE LEVEL 80!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, really, it's not that big of a deal. And yet, I have so few top level characters. I used to claim enough /played time to rival top raiders, and it used to be true. Now though, it's just not the case.

I now have topped out characters in UO (Tovin GM'd most skills before settling on her tailor/ghost speak/healing/hider hybrid), Camelot (Also a Tovin), and now, WoW!

My poor characters in EQ, EQ2, LotRO, Fiesta Online, Puzzle Pirates, EVE, Mythos, RuneScape, and countless others make up more time than I care to admit to, but I am so very proud to now have a top level in WoW.

Of course, shortly they'll be upping the cap! argh!!! ;p

Have a great week all!!!!!

Back To Work!

2010-08-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I head back to work! No more time off to deal with this thing in my mouth! This week will apparently a ton of overtime to work, since DTS has been down a month and we need to catch back up. Unless something changed on Friday, that is.

I have pain management down - it still hurts, but I can bear it. When I can't, I break down, cry a bit and pick myself back up. Motrin and Orajel have made having a few minutes of peace, as well as sleeping, a reality.

Wax and constant water have helped to keep my mouth hydrated and at least somewhat protected against the brackets. The huge hole in my tongue is still there. We'll see how it goes this week!

Eating however, is a different subject. I've lost 4 pounds in 5 days, which is a little scary, but also good, I suppose.

I am hoping this week will not wear me down. That I can be supportive to my wonderful co-workers (who have all been super fantabulous during this ordeal, helpful to my customers, and upbeat and wonderful to my husband - who has done more hand holding and tear wiping this week than any husband should have to.

I am ready for the challenge, done being frustrated and upset, and ready for some serious ass kicking!

BRING IT ON!

An Explanation?

2010-07-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

I feel the need to explain something. I don't remember a time in my adult life I have ever been mellow or calm regularly. I mean, I *can* be, when I have to be - but it's like a 3 year old trying to be good at church. They try - but when it comes down to it, it's a 3 year old and they get antsy!

I am my most mellow at work. I understand my co-workers won't believe that, but it's true.

At home I literally hop up and down when there's exciting news. I run through the house trying to find something, I scamper up to Pat and run in to him, knocking him back, for hugs.

I am loud! I yell constantly (well, not since the appliance came in, but before that - CONSTANTLY).

Even when sitting in front of the computer if I read something that interests me I am instantly animated. I get aggressive when discussing a point, something that irritates the hell out of Pat, and something I've been working on. But it's hard!

So having this thing in my mouth has made me mellow. But inside, I am still yelling. I am gesticulating wildly to myself. (Currently I am trying to suck on a Cepacol lozenge since they have numbing agents in it but it's impossible to swallow with it in my mouth so it's irritating me.)

Getting excited, being animated, being loud, being enthusiastic - those are things built in to me. So please understand why I'm a little angry I can't be me because of this stupid thing in my mouth. It's driving me CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Must be 5:45AM, the Dogs Next Door are Barking

2010-06-22T07:36:00.001-07:00

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

I hate those dogs so very, very, very, very much.

I hate those people too. I feel like I can't go in my backyard anymore! WTF MATE!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

The Inevitability of MMOs

2010-06-06T09:11:00.001-07:00

Pat's been running this one dungeon in WoW for a very long time, trying to get a Tyrannical Beheader.

It finally dropped! He was thrilled.

Except, the next day, a better sword dropped from an ICC run he was doing with his guild.

Isn't this always the way it goes?! Oh well.....I guess.

You spend weeks, or longer, trying to get a drop or raise a faction and the next thing you know a better drop comes along, or they reduce the requirements for the faction increases. What is one to do?! :(

On another MMO note - I re-installed X-Fire today, but am again, 100% unimpressed. They do not track Puzzle Pirates, or The Agency: Covert Ops on Facebook.

At the very least, the toolbar is being uninstalled, and the application will probably follow in the next few weeks. Does anyone have another suggestion that isn't Raptr, for MMO/Web game play tracking?

Pics of the garden coming soon! :) Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

B

Birthday Presents Are Your Job, Not Mine!

2010-06-03T08:31:00.001-07:00

I don't know what I want for my birthday! But here's a list of ideas, for people who keep asking!

I have an Amazon wish list under my home email addy, it will be updated by Monday morning 6am, June 7th.

I love Disney. I have a lot of weekend and such trips coming up. I like notebooks, pens (GOOD pens not regular ball points!), I play Lord of the Rings Online. I love Sony Online Entertainment. I love Laughlin, I play The Agency Covert Ops.

I do not need candles, I do need river rocks for decoration inside goldfish bowls and on mirrored candle holders. I need anything party planning related (chafing dishes, floating candles, gifts to give away in party bags, serving trays, streamers, balloons, etc.,).

I love almost anything with Bee's on it!!! I love sunflowers and bluegrass. I don't have *any* place for knick knacks! I need a veggie slicer! Please no stuffed animals. One deranged lamb is enough.

June and July are full up scheduled! I'll probably take August and September off and just do BBQs and relaxing enjoying the 108º weather under our back porch misters. Recipes are ALWAYS welcome, but I don't cook much and I follow recipes to the letter - so be aware!

I love cute cards - No spiders (Jo Jo! Heheheh)!! Give me blank ones so I can re-use them, and give me an accompanying note on how cool I am!

I have a pedometer. I always need song lists! (Make a list of good "road trip music", "Cruise music", "bad day at work music" etc.,)

I do not want my family and friends to spend money on me! That's not what friendship and family is all about!

Because none of you will pay attention to the above: I need Disney movies on DVD. I do not have The Little Mermaid, Hercules, Beauty and the Beast, or Emperors New Groove. I do not have the Muppet Show's second series. One can NEVER have to many warm sockies!!!

I ALWAYS need ideas for places to go and what to do when I get there, as well as places to stay and most importantly, places to NOT stay.

I need recommendations on good podcast tracking (for listening) software, good podcast making software (with minimal equipment and usage).

I also need good book recommendations (fantasy, biographies, business stuff, and not weird sci-fi). I don't have any of The Robot series by Asimov. I only have his first Lucky Starr book.

I don't like Penny Arcade or LFG comics. Pat and Cres have gotten me in to xkcd. I LOVE recommendations to blogs, articles and books on the human factors behind MMO design Koster and Jennings are particularly interesting to me, and of course I've always had a huge crush on Blackguard. Moorgard is okay (Sorry Steve!). I don't read blogs like I used to but I read Terra Nova religiously! I no longer cyber stalk Zonk (you're welcome! ;p).

I LOVE Star Wars! The original cannon (before the prelude movies). It's very sad that I do not own a "Han Shot First" shirt. I don't wear regular t-shirts. I'm a 2x shirt *cough*

I love ThinkGeek, but I can't think of ANYTHING I'd actually use or enjoy for more than 30 seconds. It's very sad.

Sorry that's all I can think of!!!

And There Was Much Rejoicing!

2010-05-31T15:32:00.001-07:00

I couldn't do it! 5 days after getting braces and taking out my tongue piercing, I've put my tongue piercing BACK in! I've ordered a retainer which will, hopefully, get along nicely with the pendulum appliance that is shortly to be installed.

I know Pat won't be happy. But this is just something that we'll both need to learn to live with.

Me? I'm so excited that I could literally start crying. The second I put my piercing back in, I was complete again! How weird is that?!

I ordered from Naval-Rings.net, and I'm not sure how reputable they are. I will be checking my credit card statement and my mailbox regularly over the next few days!

Hopefully I'll have good things to report! For now - I am back to my old self again!

Days Like This Make Me Wish I Wasn't Here

2010-05-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

It's days like this that make me miss Colorado. It's a gorgeous day, the sun is shining, it's not 110º, it's not windy (OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S NOT WINDY!!!!!!!!!! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY).

It's a beautiful 79º day with full sun, no wind, and we're playing computer....but somehow, I remember these days as being full of fun and *doing*. The rodeo, the fireworks, the events of summer - they started this weekend.

Yes, this is a bitch post about how much Ridgecrest sucks. Especially since my morning perusal of the Daily Independent led to an hour long rant to Pat about how much I hate the local newspaper, people, town, attitude, etc.,

So it started me thinking! What did we do growing up that I miss so much?!

I remember the Greeley rodeo and tractor pull. I remember LOVING tractor pulls. Which seems odd to me, the scared of anything loud and obnoxious and insane. But I want to go to a rodeo and see a tractor pull SO BADLY!

I remember sitting out at a park in Greeley while they played John Phillips Sousa and did fireworks. Dad would tell me the history of the songs, and why they were played, and how awesome the music was and I was simply enchanted. I was scared of the loudness, of course, but it was something to work through because the magic of fireworks was just amazing.

It still is, of course. Fireworks still make me flinch, even the little ones. But the big ones, and especially the ones that look like willow trees, they make me want to cry with their beauty and majestic-ness. Yes, I'm making up words. Deal.

So I'm thinking Pat and I will visit the Lancaster Rodeo in July. I will brave the sun (which I don't handle well anymore). They don't have a tractor pull, but one can't have everything, I suppose!

Also, I'm thinking of hitting San Diego next summer for a Fireworks and beach day weekend extraordinaire! (That one I didn't make up!) How fun would that be? A BBQ and beach day followed by fireworks and lazing around with family?

WOO HOO!

Anyway - just having a weekend filled with "Ridgecrest sucks", so planning lots of ways and time to enjoy summer and get out of town. Seeing as my requests to get involved in goings on has been denied by most of the events and groups here in town. (Shocking really, how we stay so shitty, with our small town idiot mindedness.)

So! YAY FOR SUMMER!

Disneyland Food

2010-05-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

The thing I love about Disneyland? Whatever magic I happen to be speaking about at any given moment.

It's true! I think I told Monique - "This is my FAVORITE ride/park/land/cast member/food/place/store/character/smoking area/Fireworks display/you name it, I love it" a gazillion times as we walked through the park, and I meant it each and every time.

But food! Disneyland food, is to DIE for.

Corn Dogs,Dole Whips, Monte Cristo sandwiches, any food from The Golden Horseshoe before a Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show, popcorn, turkey legs, mmmmmmmmmmmm, makes me wish I was at Disneyland, and could eat! Also, makes me start singing "WISHES" at the top of my lungs!! A regular occurrence in my household. Thank GOD Pat loves me as much as he does!!!

I'm not so much in to the Mickey Bars, or Churro's. I used to extoll the awesome of the churro, until a few trips ago (April 2007 I think), when the churro was simply disgusting.

But there is still so much to try! I want to have a mint julep at New Orlean's Square, I want to eat to Blue Bayou and not worry about how much the check is! I want to eat at a character breakfast, and have a sunday from Br-r-r-Bank in DCA.

I want to eat at a few places in Downtown Disney too, but there's just SO much to do and each Disneyland trip is such a huge undertaking.

I'm trying to decide what trip to plan next, and I'm thinking I may drag Monique to New York for a long weekend and some grown up fun (plays, eating, etc.,) since Pat would have to be drug around and would complain constantly if I took him.

Either way - lots to eat at Disneyland and I want to go back!!!! RIGHT NOW!

The One Where I Kill Pat Because I Mis-Heard!

2010-05-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

I was walking to the bed room to put clothes on and get ready for the day (11:15 seemed an appropriate time for this), and Pat said something that I heard as "No wax today honey!".

And I was instantly angry, because as we all know, I have become a fanatical fan of wax.

Turns out he actually said "No *ax* today", referring to the ax he's been running dungeons for *days* to get. It's dropped once, last night, and someone out-rolled him 67 to 64. You would have thought he was having a heart attack the way he was flailing around.

After I clarified what he said (before starting a fight I might add, you should be impressed!) we had a good laugh, which ended in me having a breakfast of diet coke - because I still can't bring myself to eat yet. But I am STARVING!!!!!!!!!!!

To Many Podcasts, Not Enough Time! #1 The Disunplugged

2010-05-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

What a crazy world we live in! There's so many interesting things to listen to, watch, do, play, and be a part of that there's simply not enough time to do them all! It's maddening! MADDENING I TELL YOU!

My choices clearly state where my priorities are, as does everyone's really. We put time and effort in to the things that are important to us and let the stuff we care less about fall by the wayside, or at least, don't pay as much attention.

But the main point here is podcasts!! There's SO many I want to listen to, and honestly, just not enough time!

Since February 2009 I've been listening to The Disunplugged, a podcast by the folks at WDWinfo.com, a Disney fan site that along the course of its life became attached to a travel agency - Dreams Unlimited Travel.

This podcast is awesome! They talk a lot about restaurants, experiences, planning, tickets, Disney's expansions and customer service, and the horribleness of Meg Crofton.

Right now, I'm up to their April 28th email show, so I'm almost current - but it's taken me over a year to get there! LOTS to listen to!!!!

Next time, I'll go over the podcasts on my list to be listened to, and discuss podcast tracking software - which I haven't figured out yet!

Last Night Without Braces

2010-05-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

Went to Wal-Mart after work and grabbed some stuff I'll need in the care of my new horribleness/blessings. Got some dental wax (they only had mint flavored), some Glide Threader floss, and I said hi to Tawnia!

Then we went and picked up panang curry and had that for dinner with rice and naan, while watching Planet 51....which didn't really take my mind off of things, but it was nice to just relax with Pat!

Tomorrow I'll have a bagel for breakfast, floss and brush really well, then head in to the Ortho place at 8am! They sent me an email reminder with a link to confirm my appointment! I LOVE HIGH TECH PLACES! Or...ya know...places that have a website and can use email.

Going to go to bed early tonight and get in one good night of kissing with my honey - who knows how weird it will be after tomorrow!

Wish my luck guys!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

2010-05-25T10:30:00.001-07:00

My computer isn't working
My email isn't working
My internet isn't working
Slacker (see above) isn't working!!!!

I am stressed about getting braces (the entire ordeal, not tomorrow necessarily) and really stressed about giving up my tongue piercing.
I am STRESSED about losing weight and exercising because apparently it's not been working the last two weeks.

I am being nitpicky and bitchy towards my co-workers who do not deserve it! Well...some do, but that shouldn't matter!!

I am not able to complete my projects or really work on them effectively at all because NMCI's network and responses suck.

DFAS is claiming something I sent in 4 times (all with tracking numbers internal and external to prove it) was not received - and that's a bunch of really irritating and insulting ridiculousness!! OH! And I don't have access to a scanner to email this stuff to them because my boss is out of the office today and tomorrow so I have to find a replacement scanner - which doesn't go over well here.

Oh, and telling my traveler that I can't scan his stuff - that's real professional. Even though he offered to scan some of it, which was really nice of him.

The projects I'm working on are basically going to implemented in around 4 years, making the actual effort going in to them seem wasteful and frustrating.

I have no trips planned, and the trips I want to plan stress me out because the people involved make me crazy, or I have to work around their craziness.

I somehow have an older copy of a .pst file with stuff that isn't in my new version and I can't merge the two together and only keep original copies of things I need.

Facebook won't let me import more than one blog at a time without a massive work around, so my braces blog is concerning me.

I'm hyped up on a coffee drink and smarties (because I'm stressed I had to eat some) and I can't remember the last time I've wanted a cigarette SO DAMN BAD.

I can't change my time card to the right C/O for training because I still haven't figured out which trainings I've done that I need to do it for.

I want to go to Laughlin and have a fantastic time and not worry about spending money!

I want to sit at home and play Lord of the Rings Online. I plan on doing that almost exclusively Thursday night to Monday night. I plan on coming back to work with a level 38 hunter who owns a fully furnished home and a new horse (need a name for him though).

I plan on running at least one RP event this weekend where Amyra sits near the last bridge leading to the ford of bruinen - though I haven't decided what it will be about yet.

I am emotional and bitchy. I am 21 hours away from braces. 6 hours from getting off work.

And slacker has started working, so I'm going to put it on the Panjabi MC channel and keep turning it up until people realize talking to me is ill advised.

Not sure what will take this shaky feeling away from my very soul, but I'm hoping a quiet evening at home with Pat will do the trick. Otherwise an emotional outburst at work is going to have to do it - because I'm exactly 30 seconds away at any given time from having an all out mental yell and scream breakdown on a co-worker who does or says something annoying or stupid.

Ah - Laughlin. You are so far away, I can't even see you from here. Even thinking about Walt Disney World brings no soul soothing right now. Honestly, I think only a good cry, some rum, and at least 4 cigarettes will do the trick.

That is all.

For now.

New Blog

2010-05-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

Those of you who follow me here on my blog or via Facebook will have to move to a new place if you want to follow my braces adventure.

I've started a new blog: Bee's Braces (at least I'm more original than Pat's MMO character names!). Note that as of Monday, May 24th no updates have been posted, but my Tink ticker is up, and I've got 4 posts ready to go over the next few days.

Wednesday at 8am, I'll have braces put on! OMG! IT'S SOOOOOOOOOOO SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Metal tops and bottoms, and at some point a pendulum appliance on my upper teeth *shudders*

I'll be posting pictures tomorrow - and will of course be chronicling the entire adventure! In addition to posting for you all, I'm also actively posting over at ArchWired, a community site for adults with braces.

So far, it's been GREAT support to see what these folks have and are going through, and knowing I can ask the most ridiculous questions there and get some answers and some gentle reassurance.

I'm nervous as hell and honestly have burst in to tears at least 4 times this evening thinking of giving up my tongue piercing......I may just cry again.....

But I am excited to start this journey. It's been a long time coming.

I want to invite you guys all over to the new blog - and to thank everyone for their support, and metal mouth jokes - AND to invite you to play LotRO with me this weekend (It's a Welcome Back Weekend!) on the Landroval server - though I will tell you right now, I WILL be cranky!

Tomorrow is my last day brace free for at LEAST two years, so I'll be stocking up on supplies (Orajel, Motrin, and maybe some alcohol) and eating a dinner of panang curry while watching Planet 51 with Pat.

I'll see most of you on the metal flip side!

My Article History

2010-05-23T07:38:00.001-07:00

I know no one I know really read my articles when I was writing for Stratics or Allakahzam/Zam.

But for my own history, and sometimes to amuse myself I go back and re-read what I've written and see if my opinion has changed. To make this easier, I've created a document with as complete a list as I could get. Note these are only my mainstream articles and a ton of the stuff on Stratics I can't re-post as it's guides and such for DAoC which are so outdated that it's disgusting.

The thing that bothers me about this stuff is that I wasn't hired to be a writer, I was news - always. That changed drastically, and is, of course, the main reason why things kinda went down the hole for this stuff.

But I've been writing a ton lately, and I'm loving it. And no, no details can be forthcoming. :)

So! The list!

Work at Stratics:

Exclusive Interview with Nathan 'Hammerfel' Pearce and Greg 'Baelish' Short!

Interview with Ainslinge of AggroMe

Work at GamersInfo:

All blog entries written by me

Interview - Andy Cataldo, OCR: Asheron's Call

December 2007:

Live Interview With Jess Lebow on PotBS!

Ramayan 3329 - Interview with Sharad Devarajan

January 2008:

Your Allakhazam Team Does CES!

CES Day One With Tovin

Review of CES Tech Gadgets - A Quick Overview

Emmy's For MMO's!

February 2008:

I Hate Labels!

Worlds in Motion GDC Panel - Day One, Raph Koster

Worlds in Motion GDC Panel - Day 1, Reuben Steiger

LotRO GDC Meeting: Book 12 Lands!

Is My MMO Love Affair Over?!

March 2008:

GDC 2008: The Chronicles of Spellborn

GDC 2008: Outspark!

GDC 2008: Exanimus

Exclusive: Interview with Frag Doll Pyra!

Exclusive: Interview with Frag Doll Seppuku!

Exclusive: Interview with Frag Doll Valkyrie!>

Exclusive: Interview with Frag Doll Psyche!

April 2008:

Mark Jacobs/WAR/Mythic

Tovin's Topics

May 2008:

MMO Beta's

Add Ons In MMOs

June 2008:

Week Two of the EA-Land Contest Housing Parties!

Vendolyn - A Community Spotlight

Monday June 9th EA Land Event Coverage

Oathbreaker Exclusive: Wasp Soldier

July 2008:

DCUO From Comic-Con

Comic-Con Upper Deck WoW Mini's

Freaky Creatures at Comic-Con

A Comic-Con Look at DC Universe

Chaotic Online Trading Card Game from Comic-Con

August 2008:

A Look at Stargate Worlds from Comic-Con

Star Wars Galaxies OTCG: Champions of the Force

Exclusive Interview with Charles 'kieron' Dane

Gen Con Intro - Let the Games Begin!

WAR at Gen Con with Bob Mull

Pirates of the Burning Sea at Gen Con

Turbine's Asheron's Call at Gen Con

September 2008:

DDO at Gen Con

Preorder Promotions: Hurting or Helping?

October 2008:

Expansions, Content Updates, and Your $15!

Champions of the TCG

World of Warcraft Community Summit
The Grind

Let's Get Freaky!

The Evolution of Jumpgate

Tovin On Wakfu

Free Realms: Not Just for Kids

Allakhazam DNA Launches with Operation Immortality

Plague or Treat?

November 2008:

Achieving Greater Goals, Vertically & Horizontally

Why Do You Play MMORPGs?

Champions Online: A First Look

HAPPY FRIDAY!

2010-05-21T11:05:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to a good warm weekend here in town! Yesterday it was 90º! Right now it's around 70º, and tomorrow is supposed to be around 75º with a large drop to around 60º on Sunday! Of course, the wind is scheduled to blow non-stop, cause ya know - it's spring here in Ridgecrest.

This weekend I plan on doing some light housecleaning, cleaning out my car from Disneyland last weekend, doing some laundry, working out, playing some LotRO, and getting some prep stuff done for Shelly's party in July! Going to be a busy weekend, but I've been slacking so it'll be good for me. I'm hoping Pat does some Frisbee golf on Saturday (if it's not too windy) since he's not gone the last few weeks, and it's good for him to get out of the house and be active.

This week I've only gone to the gym once, though I plan on going as well tonight. My calves are really tight, so I'm hoping a little extra stretching and re-starting vitamins will help!

I got my blood work back from the health fair and while I've not yet talked to my Dr. about the results, it appears there's no thyroid or cholesterol problems, which I am VERY happy about!

In the mean time though, I've got my appointment to become braced on Wednesday, May 26th, at 8am! I'll be going back to work after the appointment and some Motrin - and plan on trying to be there the rest of the day. I'm really hoping I can go to work on Thursday, though I realize I'll be a little sore and will probably be hating life until I get used to having the braces in.

I'm not sure when I get my appliance in, but when I do, I'll have to get rid of my tongue piercing. I'm VERY unhappy about this, but I guess that's part of life. Pat was very encouraging though, reminding me that when I got my piercing it was to help me focus on me and what I needed to do for me and self sanity and preservation. Now that I have him - I need a new symbol of US and my focus on our relationship and on making us both happy.

What a great encourager he is! But I still cry when I think about taking out my piercing!!!! :(

Lots to do at work though, and looking forward to a great Friday! Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

How to Train Your Dragon

2010-05-19T08:49:00.001-07:00

Note: There are no links in this post since I'm entering it from email. Use Google if you want to look anything up! ;p

Pat took me to The Grape Leaf here in Ridgecrest last night. It was the first time we've visited the restaurant since it opened.

I loved it! I had a gyro that was delicious! Don't know if I've had lamb before, but it was good! I am determined to be trying new and adventurous foods more and more! Even if it grosses me out - though I draw the line at turtles and bugs. Gross!

It came with fries, seasoned fries, or hummus and I got the hummus - cause who wants fries with Greek food?! Blech!

Pat then took me to go see How to Train Your Dragon! It was AWESOME!!!!!!!

After the movie we didn't turn on the tv or the computers, we just talked and cuddled, it was like we were dating again!

I can't tell you how truly awesome it is to be in love with Pat. He's simply the most amazing man I've ever met. I am so very proud to be his wife, and the responsibility of keeping him happy, and our home a wonderful haven for him is one I take very seriously. I truly hope that I don't fail him.

Everyone have a great day and never take the people you love for granted!!!

I'm Allergic To Work!!

2010-05-18T09:55:00.001-07:00

Since I've been back from the cruise I've had this very weird reaction to stress.

At first I thought it was normal sinus or allergy issues since Pat was also having some congestion problems. But as I sit here at work and am more and more frustrated, I find that I get weird congestion and pressure behind my eyes and on both sides of my upper nose.

Since being back from the cruise I've also had a migraine - which I haven't had in a VERY long time.

So I'm keeping Motrin and Tylenol close by. In the past Tylenol has done nothing for me, but recently I've been trying to alternate the medication used based on symptoms and need and have been getting a better response. Motrin tends to make me bruise really badly and of course, I worry about issues with my liver and kidney in taking too much medication.

I took Motrin on Friday after riding the Matterhorn, since that ride tends to give me a headache from the jarring. Today, it's a tylenol sitting on my desk waiting for the cheese stick and pepperoni I just ate to settle before I take it.

In the mean time I'm thinking of trying some acupuncture for my allergy to cold, and may ask about seasonal allergies as well. I've got a lot more research to do before I let people poke me though, since Braces will start on May 26th!

Lots of stuff to prepare for and honestly, simply not enough energy lately to do anything about it! :(

Oh well. I'll sleep on the weekends!

Rivendell! (Or...HOME!)

2010-05-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!
Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee
In a far land beyond the Sea.

What beauty! What a heart racing run from the Fords of Bruinen to the gates of Imladris! The level 37 and 38 bears and insects were enough to keep me constantly aware, and the run was a great experience in trying not to die in a world I had never encountered before.

I've been intrigued by this fantasy land of healing and elves since my dad first read these books to me and made me truly enamored of Middle Earth.

The reward was worth it! Amyra was beyond stunned, and I was nearly in rapture. Yes, I'm a geek, get over it.

OH! IT GETS BETTER!!! The last Homely House does not disappoint.

There is a certain expectation when one encounters a classic entity one has grown up with, built up in their minds. I have never been so happy to play an MMO in my life, and if you know my experiences with MMOs, you understand that it was near orgasmic!

The inside was nearly as breathtaking as the outside!! Of course, Tawnia was here listening to me go crazy over this stuff, and she thinks I'm a total freak.

And then, there! In the distance! Is that who I think it is! SQUEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Of course, this isn't his story anymore, though his spirit is felt throughout. So I wander the house, after taking his riddle game quest. Wandering through the home of Elrond I find more to make me both squee and jump about!

I was running around in game, while yelling out load OMG! IT'S GLORFINDEL!! OMG!!!!!!!!! ELROND!!!! HOLY COW!!!!!!! IT'S THE FELLOWSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pat had to try to contain me, but by that time the excitement was just too much.

I had a moment, when I took these pictures. A moment of inspiration from developers, artists, programmers, community folks, even marketing. I felt in my heart what they wanted me to feel. There was ultimate awesome in this zone.

The same feeling I had when I first experienced Yew as Tovin. I belonged there. I belong here. This is what my gaming has been missing for many years. I wanted that Camelot moment where one just communes with the game, and I found it.

I am seriously thinking of making Amyra take respite in Rivendell for a while. RP with the folks heading in and out, and just making her home here for a while. The home of Elrond Half-Elven has been a respite and resting place for adventurers for so long - why can't I take advantage of it? Damn it! I think I'm going back next weekend (this weekend is Disneyland - and Rivendell isn't cool enough to keep me from THAT!). I think I may stay.

Except to go visit Weatherstock! Because after years of searching for a new MMO home - I've finally found one worthy of not only Tovin, Amyra, and Tinaren, but worthy of my time and attention and the awesome people I've met in The Council of the Secret Fire! Sooth!

Blogging Again After All These Months

2010-05-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

So, haven't really been blogging. You can blame LotRO - but that comes into a later blog. One that I will post later this week. Really! Oh, and hopefully I'll finish my review of the cruise as well! I haven't started it (other than in my head), but we'll see how it goes!

But I have a lot of things to share now, that just piqued my interest and I wanted to make sure people saw!

First of all - TomTom has new voices that you can download for your GPS systems: STAR WARS!

Included on the promo site is a GREAT video of Darth Vader in the recording studios that is absolutely hilarious!!

A local radio station has returned to the airwaves a show that covers local political and community information. They do NOT have a podcast version of the show! Why, I'm not quite sure. I've emailed the contact on the website (eric.@.kziq.com without the dots...except the .com lol) and asked for a podcast version this morning. We'll see what happens.

Finally, yesterday was the Ridgecrest Health Fair. I got my blood tested for a bunch of stuff (Thyroid, cholesterol, etc.,) and should be getting my results back this week. I also had the opportunity to donate blood to the Houcin Blood Bank. I'm looking forward to making it a regular donation!!

The health fair had a lot of info available regarding volunteer opportunities, community sponsored low cost health options, and some of the great things Ridgecrest has going for it.

As much as I may bitch constantly about how shitty Ridgecrest is (and don't get me wrong, it sucks) - there's a lot of great people here who are doing some great things in the community. Get involved. I am dedicating myself to being involved this year!!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend, and a very wonderful Mother's Day! I LOVE YOU MOM!!

Weezy's

2010-04-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

We leave tomorrow morning to get John and Lisa before heading for the wonderful Carnival Splendor.

Who would have thought, SO many years ago, that my husband and I (DAoC) would be cruising with a fellow Ex-UO Counselor and his wife?! Ah, the days when Dimli left Kirach and I, dead at the milegate, to follow Ktande as he ran after the Mids.....

Those were the days, I'm telling you!!! ;p

So looking forward to this trip, a chance to relax, focus on Pat and I, and hang out with John and Lisa who are just SO much fun to be with!

There will be:

No twitter
No Facebook
No blogging
No internet even!!!
No phone or cell phone access (those who need our emergency contact info have been given it
Lots of fun!!!

I may even try to get Pat to dance. HA HA HA HA HA *wipes a tear from her eye* Okay, it won't happen, but it was fun to think about, wasn't it?

Everybody have a good week, and we'll see you on the flip side!

April Winds

2010-04-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

Last week, the winds were crazy. Today, I wake up to 28MPH winds, with gusts up to 35-37MPH. It's crazy out there.

The forecast says 25 to 35 mph with gusts to around 50 mph, and a 50% chance of rain! That's even crazier.

Days like this it's truly scary to be here. The trees are blowing sideways, the sign posts on what few stop lights we have usually break off and swing wildly in the wind, threatening to break off and come flying right towards you.

Driving is terrifying. A gust of wind takes your car a good foot and a half to the side. And if someone isn't paying attention, bad things happen.

Add to it the dust and debris floating around and driving through an open area (like how I go to work) is scary as hell!!

I almost hope the power goes out so I can just sit here with Pat under a blanket and listen to it blow. It's scary, scary, scary!!!!

What a way to start the week!!

The Muppets!

2010-04-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

Not only did Tawnia return my Muppet Show 1st season DVDs, but the Muppets have a new video out!

GO MUPPETS GO!

Work and Gaming?

2010-04-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

I was reading a post and some discussion over at Massively today, regarding in game titles and the ridiculousness of the pure length of some the names, surnames, titles, etc., some players have in games.

To be honest, I rarely post, but today I did (not the point of this discussion).

After posting I checked my old comments to see what I've said in the past, as I don't often post on sites like that. Hell, I don't often post on any gaming site except guild forums!

One my of long ago posted comments made me laugh!

The question was: Would you hire a gamer?
Ya know, since we take time off work for games, slack off, and are all hopelessly addicted!

My response was:

In a recent interview they asked what previous experience had brought about the skills I would use in the job, and I very proudly proclaimed the years I've spent not only in online communities, but also in playing these wonderful games.

They may not have taught me to use leadership skills, but they've certainly taught me conflict resolution, recovering from a poorly worded discussion with a coworker/guildie (also known as mistells). But they've also taught me very much the value of doing the same stupid, boring thing over and over again.

If that's not work, I don't know what is!

Please note, I did not mention the last sentence in the interview. But damned if it's not absolutely true! Anyway, I thought it was funny and figured at least one of you guys would laugh!

Today Pat and I are off to Lancaster to pick up his newly taken in suit, hit Coscto and Target, and head home. The books I'll read on the cruise have arrived, and we are 17 days away people!!!! 17 DAYS! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Have a great weekend all!

Far, Far, Away!

2010-03-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to be productive today, but just is not working!

I figured I'd get up, shower, run to the store and buy everything we need as well as shop for some upcoming birthday presents. But my car is still at Casa Corona from Friday night, so that's a no go.

I can't drive Pat's car because it takes me 23 minutes to get it set up right (I timed it once) and he DESPISES having to change everything back since it took him weeks to get it just right from the last time I moved his seats, mirrors, radio station, radar detector, steering wheel column, and Slacker radio player.

So! All showered clean and dressed, I figured I'd just stick my headphones on, listen to the Disunplugged, and get some housework done!

My headphones are in my car for some weird reason, so I grab my keys, run outside (the sidewalk is FREEZING since I have no socks or shoes on), and......my car isn't there!

W
T
F
!

srsly!?!?

I can't wake Pat up! It's not even 8, and he's not been feeling well the last few days. He needs his sleep. So here I am with no car OR headphones. The basic things in life have forsaken me!!!

Writing this blog post, and probably going to log into Lord of the Rings Online. A game I started playing a few weeks ago on the Landroval server. This is my guild).

Laundry started, front room and kitchen table picked up. Guess that's all that needed to be done anyway, right?! *logging in!*

Going Through Pictures

2010-03-10T06:17:00.000-08:00

I was going through pictures from a few different old computers of mine, and found some pics that really highlight the last few years of my life - and I want to share them, because they're awesome!

My sis and I, getting ready for my wedding!:

Pat and AJ a few days before the wedding - hanging out in Vegas!

Me, Pat, Marilu (his mom) holding Alayna (our niece), JoEllen (his sister), Mike (her husband). This was taken November of 2008 in Idaho. John (Pat's dad) had to work and couldn't make it.

From left to right, around the table: Aunt's Joyce, and Donna. Pat's mom Marilu. Pat's cousins Gloria and Joy (hope I didn't mix those two up!).

Pat and I, playing mini-golf in Lancaster the weekend of my birthday, 2009.

Jody's dog in Tennessee, Daisy. Hanging out wishing she was inside.

Pat and Daisy, hanging out on the golf cart.

Pat the pirate, grillin' up yummies for my birthday!

Woah! That's a lot of candles! Tawnia's birthday, 2009.

Me and Sylvene (Carolyn) at SOE Fan Faire, in Las Vegas. The first one? Or thereabouts!

Pat and I at the San Diego Zoo (duh) celebrating our 3rd anniversary, April 2009.

Cousin Jessica (getting married in April, YAY), and Jody and Mike at Epcot awaiting Illumunations. It was a LONNNNG day but was that trip the very bestest ever or what? Thanks Marilu and John! It was FANTASTIC! A true dream come true!

Siam in Germany on an off day of the Game Conference in Leipzig.

Me at Thomaskirche (St. Nicholas' Church) in Leipzig, Germany.

Lisa and I waiting for our table at Rain Forest Cafe in Downtown Disney(land) after a long day at the parks. Can you tell I was yelling at Pat to stop taking pictures. Their salad was yummy though!

The creature that scared the hell out of me, camping in Onion Valley 2007 (or 08, I can't remember).

March's Links of Awesome

2010-03-09T18:57:00.000-08:00

Mario and Luigi sell pizza : Link from ECA daily email.

WoW coming to console? Not likely.: Link from ECA daily email.

What you pay for cable. Linkage from Misty on Google Buzz.

Monday of this week (March 8th 2010, in case you're not paying any attention....Nathan), Sanya Weathers (ex of Mythic *cries*) twittered this link and it led to very vibrant discussions between Pat and I.

Today, Pat found this, and while I haven't read it yet, I will either tonight or tomorrow while on hold for the 27th minute with freaking DFAS....and it will lead to some great follow up discussion.

Can I tell you, I love being married to the smartest person in the world? We have great discussions, debates, and arguments. While I spend most of the time a little confuze-led, Pat always explains it to me so I understand. Unless it has to do with his .DLL files. Then I give up and glaze over.

Blogs I'm reading:

Diary of a Pod Pilot, an EVE blog. No, I'm not going back to EVE. I did it, for several years, and I had a blast. That dynamic no longer exists and I don't have any interest in fitting myself into a new paradigm here. Yes, I've been reading Dilbert.

As always, Friday Playdate remains a fave! I've actually kept up with this blog, always fun!

After my last, "Why I love Disneyland" blog post, I got a note from this guy, an ex cast member with a link to his blog. To be honest, I only opened the email with the comment note a few seconds ago, so I haven't had time to actually check out the blog but since it's Disney you can be 100% sure that I will!

As far as books go, right now I'm reading The Dilbert Principle and have so many books to read when I'm done with it that I'm seriously going to close my eyes and point to one in order to pick.

Trips wise, we've got Disneyland in a few weeks, the cruise in 40 days, I'm going on travel for work next week, and we're heading to Lancaster on the 23rd of March for my ortho consultations.

Have a fantastic week everyone, and remember - Stay out of the damn lakes! (DIS Unplugged Podcast FTW!)

Why I Love Disneyland: The Cast Members!

2010-03-07T17:06:00.001-08:00

While preparing dinner tonight (Mashed red potatoes, shake and bake chicken, and biscuits) Pat and I are listening to The DIS Unplugged.

Well, I started listening on my Sansa Clip Plus (best Christmas gift I got, after my computer), and after about 30 minutes of laughing almost non-stop Pat made me put it on so that he could listen too.

I started thinking sometime around shaking the chicken, about why I love Disneyland. Mostly, it's the details. And not the details like the queen and the apple over the Snow White ride. Not like the hieroglyphics on the Indiana Jones rides...no. My details are much more awesome than that.

I love Disney theme parks for the cast members, pure and simple. The cast member outside the Haunted Mansion who welcomes you with a quick smile and then goes right into their grim but pleasant treaty to move forward and fill all the "dead" space...so dead pan. So awesome!

The loaders on Big Thunder Mountain who wink at you and lift their hat right before giving the "Trains Away" sign and you go chugging off to the "Wildest Ride in the Wilderness". The guys at Indiana Jones who found my Tigger ears that fell off 30 feet into the ride....the gal at the popcorn stand who talked to me for 10 minutes (no one else was in line) about her experience in coming to Disneyland from Chicago in the college program.

I love the maintenance people. I can't imagine what they go through to have a smile and a helpful attitude in the So Cal sun after cleaning up puke and pee and dealing with the constant noise - but they do it. And I love each and every one of them!!!

To me, Disney is not about the characters, the rides, or even the entertainment (HELLLOOOO BILL HILL!). It's about the amazing people who work hard to make sure I have an amazing experience. Every. Single. Time. You are appreciated! And we could all learn a great lesson in doing our jobs - regardless of what it is, from you guys.

By the way - Dinner was good, and Millionare Matchmaker made me laugh hysterically. God I love trannies!

Comments Changed

2010-03-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

I've changed the comment settings here on my blog because people are idiots and spammers are hitting me hard lately. Quite frankly, I don't have the energy lately to deal with it, so we'll just keep making it harder and harder for legitimate users to leave real and worthwhile comments until I get really fed up and just turn off the comments all together.

Sorry if it makes it harder for the few of you who respond - but the spam is driving me NUTS!

Happy Friday!

Braces

2010-02-22T20:35:00.000-08:00

I admit it. My teeth aren't straight. It bothers me. It always has. I am blessed enough to be at a place in my life where getting braces is a possibility financially.

As I research more, the more terrified I become. Mostly because I'm a big baby, and braces hurt. Some folks tell you it doesn't, their braces went fine, yada, yada, yada,. To them I say ....well, lots of expletives that my mom would probably not be proud of.

My problem is that I am drastically against drugs. Of all sorts. I spent enough of my life drugged into submission (okay....remission? but who's caring?), that I cringe at even having to take an aspirin. Benedryl/Claritin I'm more okay with simply because otherwise my life would basically be unlivable. But in my heart, it still rankles!!

I remember the days of 1000mg of Motrin a day due to migraine's and headaches. I was 16. I remember losing jobs because I literally could not get up out of bed without puking. I also remember being told "it's all in your head", but who's counting? Drugs didn't help me then! Only moving away from San Diego stopped the headaches. Stress and fluctuating barometric readings FTW!

Either way, I'd literally rather live with any pain that may ever occur (braces or not) both because I am truthfully and very honestly a masochist at heart (candle wax pour off, anyone?), a martyr, and a stubborn ass all rolled in to one. Also, it's a point of pride with me. I may pass out from the pain but damn it, I did it without drugs!

I am also scared because I like to eat. This poses two problems with braces. One, I will not be able to eat the things I like and will most likely, because of both my treatment plan (pendulum for 6 months) and my love for all things yummy will make lots of food out of reach, or more trouble than they are worth. Two, I will probably only be able to eat certain foods for 5-10 days each adjustment period causing a large influx of calories when I eat only mac and cheese, Jack in the Box breakfast bowls (I prefer the hearty bowl), and potato soup for days on end.

So I'll either hate eating so much I eat almost nothing since the pain of brushing, flossing, rinsing, and caring after a meal will be too much. Or! I will live off high fat, high calorie milkshake, breakfast bowl, yummy heaven and gain 25 pounds because "I'm in pain and I deserve it!"

SO! What happens? I discuss this with Pat who, bless him, tries to be supportive, but ends up giving more of a "suck it up and quit complaining" pep talk than making me feel better.

I know he'll help me when the braces are on, but for now, I feel a little lost. A little confused. Even more, a little frustrated.

You see, we live in such a hell hole that only one ortho in town is taking new patients. So for me to even get a second opinion becomes a disaster, because apparently ortho's near where I live are off Fridays - and I have every other one off!!

So I will need to take a sick day to get some second opinions and will hopefully be able to schedule several on the same day so as to not waste my time and energy. If I chose to go to an out of town guy, I will need to take an hour and a half or two hours every 6 weeks and drive out of town, by myself, and get an adjustment.

Am I feeling sorry for myself? HELL YES! This pendulum thing is SCARY as hell!!!! 6 reviews I've read say the same thing! "Medieval torture device, and after 6 months with it in, braces for 2 years after was a BREEEZE. Be prepared to eat nothing but avocado sandwiches and even then only half at a time because you can't chew, the entire time".

See my above comment about being a fat ass who likes to eat!

In this adventure is also the fact I'm a married woman who likes to kiss and be affectionate with my honey! How will that work with a mouth full of spiky scariness?! Will Pat want to kiss me? Will I feel sexy? Will I go 2 years without sex (in which case those suckers are coming RIGHT OFF!!), or will we work it out...and how long will it take?!?

So...scary. I am trying to get the consultations done soon so that almost immediately following the cruise (54 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I can start my 2-2.5 year horrible experience from hell.

Let the calls of "metal mouth" begin. =(

Social Networks

2010-02-20T10:23:00.000-08:00

I admit it - I am both a beta whore, and a total slut about social networks. It's been years coming. My ICQ used to be on 24/7 (minus downtime) until my number was stolen. I had hundreds of friends (all from UO), and honestly, while I don't keep in touch with any of them (or almost any of them), I think about them often.

Bravie, Al, Susan, Stormwind, Revo, Tikka, Curtis, Anne (shockingly), Cody, Arwentia, Weasel (going on a cruise with Mr. and Mrs. Weasie in April! YAY CRUISE!).....There's simlply too many to list....I think about my Sonoma buddies often. I think about my Cats/Oceania buddies less often, but I keep in pretty good touch with Keh, and we never even counseled together! We have Stratics in common!

There is a point to this! I am tired of Facebook. I still love Twitter, but in order to take real advantage of it, I need to disconnect it from my Facebook.

The purpose here is that my Twitter will be my main point of access and communication to my friends and those I cyber stalk (I have stopped stalking Michael Zenke - I am very proud of myself!!).

I am not sure what role Facebook will play, as I am still figuring out the best way to share photo's and updates with friends, as no one really wants to read my blog (I hate you all). I am not happy with Picasa, or Flickr. Pat wants to get rid of Dimli.net, and I am not sure what direction my online persona is taking or how involved I want to be.

So a notice! I am not dead. I can be found in Stratics IRC on weekends as Tovin, a_sleeping_plant (Yes rath, I stole it!! MWA HA HA HA HA), or in #mortalonline (an MMO Pat tried for 20 seconds and went OMG I HATE THIS GAME IT IS THE WORST EVER, and made me cry), or hanging out in private rooms.

I am rarely on instant messenger programs. I get my personal emails only on flex Friday's and weekend's I'm at home. Otherwise, 7-5 Monday-every other Friday, I am reachable at my work email. I realize no one actually wants to talk to me - I'm just making you all aware:

I am not dead! I just stopped caring about updating online stuff that isn't incredibly egotistical. So if you don't care about what is going on in *my* life, don't read my Twitter - which is linked here on my blog (www.galadren.blogspot.com for those reading on Facebook).

Have a good weekend all! And don't mind those "mmmmm lunch with Pat at Taco Bell" twitters. That really is as interesting as I get. Don't like it? Don't read it! You have been warned!

STAR WARS!

2010-01-31T10:21:00.000-08:00

Everyone who knows me understands that deep down inside (okay, really not that deep), I am a complete and utter Star Wars geek. I can't help it. I've not tried because, let's face it, who doesn't want to be a SW geek?!?

But today I found Distracted by Star Wars and spent a good hour and a half laughing my ass off at almost every entry. Because I know very few of my friends are strong enough to actually go look at the site, and they had some AWESOME stuff there, I figured I'd show you the best of what I found. Granted, I'm only up to beginning of December, so there's likely more to come.

You'll live.

I find this lolcats particularly hilarious because, of course, Mark Hamill has gone on to have an amazing career in voice acting for video games, anime, and animated shows. My particular favorite is his voicing of The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, and not just because I love Harley so much I would marry her were she real. Don't worry, I know she's not....

Next, this link is an awesome Star Wars Weather site! It's like Hoth where I live!!! (It's really not, but it's COOL that the site says so!)

Then there's the World of Cow comic, which is always funny. Any parody of "I am your father" is pretty good though.

Linked from the site was also these Hello Kitty Star Wars thingies. If you EVER find them ANYWHERE for sale at a reasonable price - buy them for me! I will reimburse you, but OMG don't let them not get to me!

There was also a YouTube video for the prequel movies I and II in five seconds that I appreciated fully. Honestly, Mr. Lucas, this is what you should have released. I would have paid the same amount of money to see it and not felt like you destroyed everything I loved about the SW universe!

Flickr user Yogibara had this "Class Photo" picture he took of his lego SW universe folks, and while I originally hated the lego SW things, the more I see parody pics and what people can do with them to enhance the laughter from SW fans - I'm all for it!

Finally, Flickr user brickplumber proves my comment above, that Lego SW universe stuff is cool. There's really no other explanation needed.

Have a great weekend all - and may the force be with you!

Also, these aren't the droids you're looking for.

Events!

2010-01-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

So much coming up!

Tuesday the 19th is Pat's birthday (we're still not doing anything!).

Next weekend we're going to San Diego to hang out with my fam. Very excited about that!

We have a 5 day week at work and then we head to Laughlin with Monique and her mom and Matt. THAT will be fun. We will, of course, have to head back early on Sunday so that we can watch the Super Bowl!

The next weekend (February 12th) is opening weekend for the olympics, and Pat and I will have been together 7 years, though he doesn't count our dating anniversary since we got married.

The next weekend is a flex, and we'll be having a Vampire party for Shelly's birthday. I'm excited about this one, and a little nervous!

Weekend after that, the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics take place, and those are always fun to watch.

March will be our recover month except for a short (St.) Patrick's day celebration of some sort.

April is our cruise with Lisa and John and OMG am I ready for it! And April is the month of birthday's.

May is another month of recovery and planning summer goings on! LOTS to do! My birthday (think either luau, mexican fiesta, or maybe....star wars.), Fourth of July being a long weekend for us is going to be awesome, and of course the general bbq weather and awesomely long nights here in Ridgecrest lead to some fun party nights.

After that, not sure - but Tawnia's birthday is October, and Monique's is in November and then there's Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas! OMG! This year is almost over and I have NOTHING planned! NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!

Off to make some plans for Shelly's party, and work from there. NO TIME TO LOSE!

Oh, and I got my hair cut and colored. It's awesome. Pics to come sometime this weekend.

B

Idiots

2010-01-06T19:59:00.000-08:00

I would like to point out for one moment, that there are idiots like this in the world, and thanks to blogs, I get sent her idiot link at least 12 times by friends.

Her Video games were invented by the devil posting just makes me angry. Really, really, frustrated with people who don't understand, and who don't care and just want to be, well, idiots.

It is, of course, her right. As it's mine to pretty much despise her small minded and ill informed opinion. But, opinions are for all. I guess.

Her retraction? My bad: Video games are not from Satan. Grand.

I don't really care honestly, simply because I'm a gamer, was a gamer from very young, and I'm a functioning adult with a great job that I'm good at, friends, a loving husband, and a great life that I love - that includes playing games, both video and non.

Others opinion's of me is pointless. If video games don't work for her or her kids, that's fine. She is the mom. But my parents raised me just fine and gave me a huge advantage in technology, logical thinking, and prioritizing life. And they did it with video games. Just fine. :)

Enough with ranting and being upset! Off to mafia wars (a video game) before bed!

WOO HOO

My Poor House

2010-01-05T20:44:00.000-08:00

Today is not as bad as yesterday. The plastic wrap is gone from the front room, couch, TV, and most of my (our) bedroom. Most of the drop clothes have been removed from the hallway and our bedroom.

This makes me supremely happy.

On the other hand, still no computer. I'm writing this from the comfort of our laptop while watching tonight's NCIS....which just featured a dead squirrel which makes me sad. POOR DEAD SQUIRREL.

Anyway. The entire house has had its popcorn ceilings removed leaving only drywall. Both extra rooms have been textured (skip trowel) and while the house is still in complete disarray, it looks more like my house than yesterday!

I dug the camera out from the plastic covering my computer, but the USB cord is still buried and I don't think I can really retrieve it without Pat going bonkers.

This is his baby, and he's SO excited!! It really will look great once we get it done, but for now, I'm really excited about having my house back!

OMG!!! They're autopsying the poor squirrel!!!!!!!!!! PALMER IS EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Anyway, I'm excited to see what the house will look like when they're done. Which will hopefully be Friday. But even then we'll need to move all the furniture away from the walls and clean the hell out of my poor house.

In the mean time, I'll be heading to Point Mugu tomorrow for work and I'm rather nervous about it. Not that that would shock anyone, considering my ability to worry needlessly.

There's lots more to tell, and a TON of pictures to go up (both from Thanksgiving and from the house), but for now, NCIS (no more squirrel shots, thank GOD!) and then bed with my honey!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Par-TAY!

2009-12-29T20:34:00.001-08:00

Or is it Part-AY!? Either way, I love to do it!

Not so much with the getting falling down drunk and puking everywhere (only done that once...okay maybe twice). I totally try to avoid that, mostly because it doesn't feel good at that moment, or when you wake up covered in unknown goo. Gross, I know, and really not germane to this entry, so let's move right along, shall we?

I love to PLAN parties. Once again, as we learned with my recent travel entry, I like to make plans, and rarely actually do anything with it.

Part of it is because party stuff is expensive. At least, the way I want to do it. Parties should be glitz, favors, swag bags, yummy food, appropriately themed drinks, games, preferably with a taxi or limo service to take people to and from the party.

Since Ridgecrest has neither of those options, it makes having a really awesome party a little more tricky. Or at least involves a lot less alcohol. No goo for the win?

SO! I'm in my own little world again this evening! Planning a party that will never take place, where I give out swag bags (the cost of which even planning, I don't mention to Pat for fear he will take my credit card forever). Where a cool summer breeze blows the 112º heat away as the tiki torches dance merrily around mojito holdin', cigar blowin', happy people.

I do realize, somewhere in my soul, that this will never happen. And I will become appropriately sad about it later. But for now, I'm having fun. But I need help!

See, the people who would come to this party are from a wide range of surrounding areas. From San Diego (4ish hours away if you don't drive like Beth), to LA (HI WEEZY'S! 3ish hours), to anyone on my Facebook/Twitter "Awesome" list who lives close enough and desires to drive.

So, what do I put in the swag bags that anyone can use? Amazon gift cards are so, blah! Do I find a spa, bookstore, geek store, etc., that is in the areas where individuals are coming from?

Do I simply get things from online stores and divide them into guy and girl bags? Or do I just get things that are "universal" (who like THAT crap?), and stick it all in the same color and type of bag?!

What would you do?! And would you come to my awesome party!? Even if you had to dress up *scowls at Pat*? Would you be awesome dahling?!

All Christmas Spirited Out?

2009-12-27T17:17:00.001-08:00

I've got a few people I know who could use some outside help in getting stabilized and back on their feet.

Unfortunately, the last few journey's into taking care of others that Pat and I have undertaken turned out to be what one can mildly put as complete disasters. So Pat is a little unwilling to go out on a limb yet again, and I really can't blame him.

In the past though, I could always fall back onto the fact that I had my own money, as small a discretionary fund as it may have been. I could always offer a quick $20 or $40 that could do more to help other people than it could help me.

I feel now though, that I don't have that same freedom, for better or worse. I refuse to give out money or favors when I know Pat would have a problem with them. But now I struggle with not doing anything for people that I could help.

I stand here, watching others struggle, in a place where I used to be and had few (or no one) to help me. It seems wrong. It seems ungrateful. But I simply can't bring myself to start siphoning money away from our joint bank accounts without telling Pat what I'm doing. That would be deceitful and wrong, and I've worked hard to let Pat know he can trust me with his....our, money.

Those who know me will understand I've not always been good with money. My bankruptcy, car repo, and general history with money proves that point rather well. It's taken me years to carry a credit card and not go completely berserk with it. Knowing I have to come home and face Pat and explain to him why I've not been a good steward with our money is a HUGE factor in this.

Part of my not being good with money is not being able to say no. I'd sit there and give out my paycheck to those struggling and not have enough to pay my own bills, buy my own groceries, or take care of my own responsibilities. Pat has helped me. He is that quiet voice that says "no" gently, but responsibly.

I don't like it, but it's not a battle I'm going to pick. We have our own worries that are more important than me taking care of others before my husband.

So, for now, I'll sit here and watch others struggle. I'll wait until, maybe, those we've helped in the past are able to reciprocate. That's what it will take, I believe, for Pat to be willing to help others once again.

So no Christmas spirit for now, and prayers and thoughts to those who are going through what I know feels like hell on earth. Be strong, be smart with your money, be responsible....all those things I was never, before I met Pat. You CAN do it. I have faith.

5th Anniversary Trip Plans? Panic

2009-12-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

Those who know me understand that travel is a passion I've had since I was little. It's a shocking passion though, considering I've never really gone anywhere or done anything.

The few places I have gone have been incredible experiences that I cherish greatly.

Knowing these things, it comes as a great shock to those who know me, that I rarely actually go places. Oh, I plan like a mad woman! I have itineraries, budgets, know what I would do there, check flight prices regularly to see when it is cheapest to go, know what to pack should I ever visit....and yet, I never really travel.

I have tried to do trips for our anniversaries that are fun and allow Pat and I to spend time together doing stuff we both enjoy.

For our honeymoon we took a Royal Caribbean 4 day cruise on the Monarch of the Seas. We left from the San Pedro port and went to Catalina and Ensenada. We had a BLAST!

On our first anniversary we went to Disneyland. I had won a Disneyland vacation from a Signature Travel. I wanted to stay in a "Classic Disney" hotel, so I chose the Disney hotel, a quintessential Disney stay, right? Wrong!

We should have stayed at the Grand Californian in all its splendor. But we had a free stay, free parking, and free tickets and boy did we have fun!!! Pat had never been to Disneyland before, so it was especially fun for me to show him around what I consider to be my second home.

For our second anniversary we took a cruise on Princess with John and Lisa. We left from San Pedro and visited Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan. It was, again, a totally awesome trip! While we had fun, we'll most likely not go on Princess again for a while. Service and food was great, but entertainment and general events were not our style.

For our third anniversary we went to the San Diego Zoo. It was a quick weekend trip, but we took a ton of pictures, had yummy food, and got to go to one of the most amazing animal experiences in the United States.

Our 4th anniversary is coming up in April, 2010. Since we had to move our January cruise (for Pat's birthday) to April, we'll be celebrating with John and Lisa on a Carnival cruise on the beautiful Splendor, a ship leaving from the Long Beach port.

We'll be hitting the same ports as last time, and going within 3 weeks of the time we went last, but I'm looking forward to trying out a new cruise line and doing new things in port.

But the main problem I'm having is our 5th anniversary. I would like to plan something really amazingly awesome. The issue? I have so many trips planned, I have no idea what I really want to do. And Pat's not really much of a traveler, or a celebrator....

Honestly, he'd be good with going to McDonalds to celebrate our anniversary. Which is not going to happen - well, it COULD happen but it'd have to be a McDonalds in Hawaii, or the Bahamas or something.

I keep thinking I want to take a Disney cruise, or an alaskan cruise in a balcony cabin. Or maybe a stay at an all inclusive in Tulum, Mexico or Negril, Jamaica. Perhaps a week long stay in DC doing the tourist thing (I've never been). You know! Visiting the museums, the Library of congress, the White House....AH! The history! I'd have to do the Arlington Cemetary, Gettysburg, the Holocaust museum, the monuments...Pat would be bored freakin' stiff. So, perhaps something else?

I need to figure out soon what we're doing, so I can start saving, budgeting, planning....You know, the fun stuff! Plus, regardless of what we do, I have to talk Pat into doing it and that's the hardest part!!

Any ideas?!

My Six Year Old Husband

2009-12-25T17:26:00.001-08:00

I got Pat some seriously fat lewtz today. He got a Dremel, and we had to postpone opening other presents while he geeked out, opened the box, and checked it out. He immediately started charging it and we went out so he could show me how it worked.

I was surprised by the level of sparks and noise that came from the small machine while he cut the ends of the nails that were sticking out of our fence. I became immediately concerned that he could do some serious damage, and I talked to him about being a responsible adult with his new toy. He agreed that he'd be good about it.

Not five minutes after we came back inside, he asked me if I thought opening thick plastic packaging with the Dremel would be inappropriate. I am going to come home one day to a disaster caused by my well meaning, but sometimes crazy, husband.

Pat also put together his 18 volt cordless blower (more like a broom), and since it's a Black and Decker the battery is interchangeable with some of the other power tools we have, so Pat will be able to use it whenever he wants.

With this item, we also immediately went outside and cleaned off the back porch. I got bored (and cold) after about 5 minutes, so I left Pat to finish cleaning by himself.

Right now, he's checking out Scribblenauts, one of the games I got him for the DS. The other game is the newest release in the Link saga, Spirit Tracks. I really hope he enjoys them, as the research in finding a game for him is exhausting!

Jojo got us See's chocolates, which are almost all gone! WOO HOO!

Our dinner of rib eye steak, corn on the cob, crescent rolls, and scalloped potatoes is settling nicely in between my $4 bottle of Pinot, and chocolate covered cherries that were in Pat's stocking stuffer.

Of course, Pat got a Manning jersey (Peyton, duh), and I was worried about grease stains while he was grilling but I think he was excited about having such great grilling gear!!

We got GREAT presents from all our friends and family, and are very blessed to know people who appreciate us so much! I can only hope we showed our friends and loved ones that we also appreciate them!!

Either way - between the Dremel, the blower, and Pat's instinctive ability to do scary things with hand tools, I am a little scared of coming home from work one day and not having a house!!

Next week Pat will be home from work, and he's got a lot of little projects to do! We're also getting quotes from people for de-popcorning and re-texturing the ceiling, so hopefully they'll be able to start soon and get it done before Pat's birthday.

It's going to be a busy rest of this month, and January doesn't look like it's going to slow down, so if I don't keep up with you, just give me a yell, and I'll be sure to at the very least, drop you an email! :)

Love you all! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

B

Merry Christmas to Our Troops

2009-12-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

I would like to take a few seconds to wish our troops here at home or serving abroad a very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy, and healthy New Year.

Your sacrifices and the sacrifices of your families from your wives and mothers to your kids and the jobs you do here at home - are not forgotten. They are appreciated and are not forgotten, regardless of the way our country may act towards the war you fight.

Whether you are celebrating here at home with your family and loved ones, in a tent camp, convoy, while completing a mission, or being served by the fantastic USO, please know you are being thought of today. You are prayed for, appreciated, and silently thanked every day.

To our vets who are not taken care of as they should be (and even to those who are): Thank you for your service. Thank you for putting those of us here at home in front of those most important to you and doing a duty I for one know I could never do.

If you know someone in the military, at your earliest chance - please thank them for their service. If you know someone who served at one time - please thank them for their service.

If you enjoy the freedoms this country has (which are rapidly being taken away), please thank those who fought most to give it to us.

Merry Christmas to everyone, but a special nod to those who are or have served.
Blessings and safe travels to all in the new year!

B

Dear Stupid Commercials,

2009-12-20T09:31:00.000-08:00

I realize that I am unlike 99% of women. I realize that most women must want the things you are trying so VERY hard to sell, otherwise, you're wasting a LOT of money convincing people otherwise.

But I'd appreciate it if you'd stop telling my husband I want him to buy me jewelery, a car (specifically a BMW), flowers, a new house, or a watch, for Christmas.

I want my husband to walk in the door from work, hug me, and tell me how proud he is of me that I work full time (more hours than he does), and still manage to get more done in the house than he does and how much he appreciates it. Regardless of the fact he makes more than double what I do.

I want him to not act like it's a miracle he took out the trash when I've already swept, mopped, done 4 loads of laundry, and swept the front and back porch.

I want him to realize that wanting a house wife and a woman that brings home 30K a year is NOT a right, it's a bleeping miracle. And! That when the house wife stuff sometimes falters (because I am NOT super woman), a simple - "Honey, thank you for all that you do, I love you", is a band aid better than any gift he can buy (except a surprise trip to Disneyworld - that he lets me plan in full, and let's face it, Pat would never even think of that! :p).

Now, Pat is pretty good about all of this stuff - but having conversations at work, I realize I am a very lucky woman. My husband loves me, appreciates what I do most of the time, works hard and gets awesome reviews at work (I am SO proud of you Pat!!), and usually cooks dinner and does dishes! (Mostly because I'd rather eat off paper plates and drink out of plastic cups than EVER touch a dirty dish, but that's another story.)

Pat is the biggest blessing I've ever had bestowed upon me, and I am blessed with him every day. I lose jewelery like it's no big deal, and hardly wear it anyway! I hate cleaning up dead flowers, it makes me sad. Plus where the hell am I going to put it!

I love my Honda Pat got me a few years ago, and in June it will be paid off completely (YAY 3 year financing with only $600 in interest over 3 years!). Now, I doubt Pat is going to let me put even a fraction of that car payment into our trip fund - but let's be honest, that's what I really want.

No rings I won't wear, earrings I can't wear, necklaces I will lose, flowers that die, cars that only pretentious bastards drive (think one of his cousins drives one....sorry!), or crap that will sit there and collect dust I now have to clean!

MORE TRIPS! And Pat being HAPPY about trips! I.E., I want the impossible for Christmas ;p But Pat always makes it work, and makes me happy - so I guess I just want to wake up next to him, and laugh at stupid commercials while assuring him wildly not to buy me anything stupid. Unless it's a Disneyland premium annual pass, cause let's face it - that's just HOT!

Merry Christmas people! AND GO BRONCOS!

Found Pics Laying Around

2009-11-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

I give you my wonderful honey and the spazzy Puppita!

Security Paperwork

2009-11-10T23:47:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like filling out 963 pages of security paperwork to make you realize how your life can be boiled down into a handful of addresses, references, and job histories.

It's even more interesting when you have to go back 7 years in residences and figure out people that knew you when you lived places.

Now, for some of the more "local" folks here in Ridgecrest, that may be easy. For me, I ran out of people long ago. I used a few of Pat's friends and co-workers who do know me, because of my association with Pat. But coming up with people who could verify work, unemployment, residences, and personal references without copying a single person meant by the end of the list, I was grasping at straws.

Somehow though, I'm not enthusiastic about running out and just finding new folks to hang out with. As much as that could be, I rather enjoy spending the evenings with Pat. We like playing computers, reading, watching NCIS re-runs (I'm so totally addicted), and other shows.

Oh well, I guess! But now that I have two sets of paperwork filled out, I'm keeping both digital and paper copies of both sets! What a TON of work that was, and I never want to repeat it!!

Monk

2009-11-10T23:14:00.000-08:00

Here's what happened!

I was not aware of Monk when it first started running. I knew Tony Shalhoub only vaguely, from his work on Wings.

I mildly despised his character, changed the channel whenever he was on and in general avoided watching him when I could.

So it somewhat surprised me when Pat made me watch Monk one day, and I really enjoyed it. Even more surprised me when I became hooked. Granted, I don't sit at home on Friday night waiting for the newest episodes to come on. They are, first of all, Tivo'd. Well, they'd be Tivo'd if Tivo would come out with their stupid new HD receiver already. So, it's just DVR'd. Which sounds less snappy, don't you think?

Anyway! I began watching Monk more often, and truly being enthralled with the story. I know Pat doesn't want me to admit my weirdness, but deep down inside, I fight OCD tendencies every day! You may laugh...but it can be a bit overwhelming at time.

I am always surprised that they made such a completely dysfunctional character completely. I am always shocked that Traylor Howard was able to enter the show as she did and make the show not only work, but work better and to a much more enjoyable cadence than "Sharona".

Sharona was THE most annoying character (but played well, IMO, by Bitty Schram. I have not yet watched her more recent return to the show, but since I've got a lot of time off coming up (Wednesday off, work Thursday, then 3 day weekend!), I'll be sure to catch it.

I'm excited about this, the last season of the show. I am, of course, nervous about how they'll end the storyline, but I have faith it will end well. It had better end well. That is all!

Bloggtastic Lists!

2009-11-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

As you may have read, I've been reading some blogs lately (okay, like 4 entries, but I intend to read more). On Friday Playdate I noticed that her front page has what's called a life list.

I did some research and noticed that apparently it's not an uncommon thing. Of course, me being a huge fan of lists, I had a fun few seconds just coming up with 20 items. Though, why they're called bucket list, I have not yet figured out.

Well, a little bit of a good thing just went to far, and I ended up with 70 items. These items surprised me, as I started writing what I had always wanted and realized, they weren't really necessarily my real goals.

I'm a little scared to share these goals, many of them are here for extremely personal reasons, or for reasons I have trouble explaining, so don't ask! But here they are, and as I start wiping them off the list, I'll be sure to keep you up to date! Who knows how the list will grow as each new day brings new challenges and desires!

#1. Take Pat whale watching in San Diego.
#2. Go to the Las Vegas Speedway to watch Nascar (Shut up, I like it!)
#3. See Kelly Clarkson in concert.
#4. Learn how to make the perfect biscuits and gravy.
#5. Go to O'ahu, lay on the beach, and do nothing.
#6. Have a mojito and a cigar at the Forum Shops in Ceasars Palace, Las Vegas.
#7. Rent a house on the beach for a vacation in San Diego.
#8. Learn to waltz.
#9. Have a party catered with yummy food.
#10. Have Jessica do my hair RED. Just a little bit...but VERY red!
#11. Go to a Denver Bronco game, in Denver.
#12. See Mt. Arenal in Costa Rica.
#13. Run a half marathon.
#14. Become familiar with greek mythology, homer mostly.
#15. Learn to shoot pistols.
#16. See a broadway play - on broadway.
#17. Visit the Walt Disney museum in San Fran.
#18. Visit Solvang and eat Abelskivers. Buy a troll doll.
#19. Visit Tucson with Pat and go to the Gaslight Theatre.
#20. Go to college. Graduating optional.
#21. See the northern lights.
#22. Go on an alaskan cruise in a balcony cabin.
#23. Visit a ren faire with Pat.
#24. Volunteer at least once a quarter.
#25. Go horseback riding.
#26. Ride in a hot air balloon.
#27. See Niagra Falls.
#28. See the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Live.
#29. Go to the Pike Place Market in Seattle.
#30. Climb up the Statue of Liberty.
#31. Eat at Picasso's in Vegas.
#32. Go to Margaritaville, and have a margarita.
#33. Go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
#34. Tour the Denver Mint.
#35. Get more massages.
#36. See a movie premier at El Capitan.
#37. Take a Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour at Disneyland.
#38. Be 160 pounds for a whole year.
#39. Learn to curl.
#40. Get another piercing, not in an ear.
#41. Have my palm read.
#42. Have my aura read.
#43. Visit Austin!
#44. Watch The Price is Right being taped.
#45. Fly first class.
#46. Be a vegetarian for a year.
#47. Learn to fish.
#48. Learn to clean a fish.
#49. Visit a hindu temple, pray, and light incense.
#50. Be a high roller for one gambling trip.
#51. Sponge paint a side table.
#52. Learn math concepts through pre-calc.
#53. Write a story at least 100 pages long.
#54. Watch From The Earth To The Moon
#55. Watch Blue Planet.
#56. Watch Orca.
#57. Stay at a hotel in Ridgecrest, get pizza delivered, a massage, and swim in the pool.
#58. Donate blood.
#59. See the Rocketts
#60. Learn to change a car tire.
#61. Learn to change my cars oil.
#62. Take a CPR class.
#63. Pass a lifeguard test.
#64. Learn to salsa dance.
#65. See Marty Sklar speak.
#66. Become SCUBA certified.
#67. Meet the DIS Unplugged podcast crew.
#68. Take a Disney cruise.
#69. Own a whirlpool tub.
#70. Eat at Cheeseburgers in Paradise.

Blogs I've Been Reading

2009-11-08T20:02:00.000-08:00

AAAAAA! I blogged about cooking without sharing the AWESOME blogs I've found along the way.

For great entertainment of women with lives outside the home who have struggled to learn to cook while mastering social networks, video games, and technology beyond the average woman, check out these blogs:

Friday Playdate: I especially found her posts from her time as a Butterball Turkey blogger incredibly eye opening!

Since I'm up at 5:30 am and home after 6:15 most days, I tried to look for some slow cooker/crock pot recipes that could help make dinner better, and I found A Year of Slow Cooking. Especially liking her recipe for turkey in a crock pot. Since Pat and I are doing Thanksgiving with his family, I won't be cooking a Thanksgiving meal - which I hate, since Thanksgiving meal is more important to me than Christmas, and I feel lost when I'm not doing something fun and special.

So I'll probably end up doing something like this either next weekend or after we come back, just to celebrate my own little meal! YAY!

I've also been enjoying Notes from the Trenches. She also did the Butterball turkey blogger thingie, and I found her entries hilarious!

Check them out if you have time!

Cooking Little Bee!

2009-11-08T19:47:00.000-08:00

So, I guess I should change the title of this entry, since I do not plan to actually cook myself. I have however, spent more time cooking for Pat and I! It's very exciting, and I do LOVE to cook, it's just I've had a few bad experiences when Pat and I first got together, so I had sort of given up on it.

So far though, Pat hasn't picked any bits out of his food or refused to eat anything, so I think I'm on the right track. The next trick will be to try to cook a bit healthier, since nothing I know how to cook could even be considered slightly healthy. Occupational hazard of being brought up in a household with mom cooking 24/7?

Not to say mom didn't cook healthy - I just didn't pay attention when she did. Fried chicken, enchiladas, Chile Colorado, Menudo...I can do those no problem! Healthy, not so much.

It's annoying that the healthy recipes tend to have 178 ingredients like fresh thyme and chives as well as requiring steps like:
Blanch the broccoli in the boiling water until the stems just begin to get tender, about 1 or 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Let's be honest. I ain't blanching anything, ever, period. Yes, that's the price I pay for not being a gourmet chef, but if there's more than 8 ingredients and you can't figure out how to get it done without blanching, broiling, sifting, or sorting - it just isn't going to happen.

But it's been a lot of fun, and if anyone has any easy recipes they'd like to share, I'd love to have them!!!

Since I probably won't get another entry in before Wednesday, I'd like to thank everyone who serves or has served this country under the armed forces. I'd also like to thank their loved ones, family, friends, co-workers, and landlords.

It's not easy when someone ships off, whether it's to Kansas or Afghanistan (or Alaska...looking at you K). It's even harder when your country pretends there's not a problem, or abandons you without the war fighter support you deserve (looking at you President, House, and Senate).

There's been a lot of sacrifices given to this country from around the land. Do not take it for granted.

B

Congrats to Me!

2009-11-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

Today I received my final offer letter from the Department of the Navy, and accepted with excitement!

To celebrate, Pat took me to Miso's a sushi place here in town.

Now, keep in mind, I don't eat seafood, and have tried both sushi and sashimi and not enjoyed either - and gotten sick a few times in the process. Pat isn't that big of a fan of sushi, but we were excited to try something new and embrace a new experience.

So we decided to try a chicken bento lunchbox which came with a California roll and we ordered a spicy scallop roll to share.

The atmosphere was not what we expected, with Lady Gaga a little to loud on the speakers and a lot less restaurant space but a lot more sushi bar real estate than we expected. Now, other than the music it wasn't disappointing, simply not what we expected having heard so many people in town rave about the place who said they really enjoyed the atmosphere.

We sat at a table and got drinks (diet coke and a water...shocking). We ordered our food after pouring over the menu. The food came quickly and the lunchbox had way more food than I was expecting - and came with 4 sashimi pieces. One was a shrimp, one was tuna, another was salmon and there was something else we didn't know what it was and we didn't ask.

I started out a mouthful of wasabi! mmmmmmmmm Wasabi!!

The chicken was yummy! The sushi was very fishy. I ate 2 pieces of California roll and 2 of the spicy scallop, but it wasn't really yummy. The chicken was though!

Pat also thought the sushi was too fishy, but he tried some of the sashimi and I appreciated his adventurous spirit!

It was really great to get out and do something spontaneous and exciting and new!! It was a shame that the food wasn't something we enjoyed, but we'll certainly be back to try the vegetarian rolls and the bento boxes (beef short ribs!! mmmmmmmm) that come with a side of rice and some tempura.

The only real disappointment was the service once we got our food. Two lovely ladies were working very hard, but with a restaurant that seemed less than full they took 5 minutes for a drink re-fill - after we requested it. And between asking for the check, asking if we take it up to the register or if they check us out, them taking the check, and us walking up to the register to show we were really leaving - was a good 20 minutes.

I appreciate a busy server, or a newly training staff. We've all been there, right? But it seemed a little ridiculous. Not enough to ruin the evening (nothing could be that bad!), but enough to make us pretty much consider a return visit not in the foreseeable future.

Of course, to make up for not eating our food and celebrating, we stopped off at the doughnut store for a buttermilk each, and watched last night's Big Bank Theory!

Now, we're just wrapping up the evening before I head to bed and Pat heads off to work out while watching Biggest Loser.

It was a great celebration, and really fun to do something here in Ridgecrest both exciting and new!

Much thanks to my honey for being impetuous and exciting in his celebration planning!! I love you Pat!

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Happy Holidays!

2009-11-01T11:27:00.000-08:00

Today is Día de los Muertos and traditionally today is for infants to be remembered. I couldn't bring myself to make an alter or do anything like that. I'll just remember in my heart, quietly.

I am looking for a recipe for Albondigas similar to what Aunt Becky used to make, so if anyone has her recipe or one close, I'd be eternally grateful. I wanted to make it for tomorrow in memory of Aunt Becky - but planning other parties kinda bogged me down.

It's still very hard for me to really think about Aunt Becky. Mostly because my stupid cousins who truly make me cringe to think of their selfishness. I have no pictures of her. Nothing that she promised me when she knew she was passing. I think of her often though. It's good to remember the good things about those you loved, even when it's hard.

Shelly came over last night to watch Twilight, which she lost before she got here so we ended up watching Batman Begins. We talked through most of it! LOL

I made pinwheel wraps, apple dip, and had munchy mix just in case others showed up. Plus I like playing hostess, even though everyone seems to think I suck at it. I try really hard!!!

I'm taking down the Halloween decorations today (didn't do much, it shouldn't take more than a few seconds). Next weekend I'll start putting up Christmas decorations!! WOO HOO

John and Lisa and Pat and I changed our cruise from January on the Spirit to April on the Splendor. We'll be doing the same itinerary we did in 2008, but on a different cruise line and a great ship. Really looking forward to it!

No official word yet on the job front. If it does come to pass, going to be hard to say goodbye to Jacobs. Lots of good people there, and a great community of folks focused on our customers!

The next few months will be VERY busy for Pat and I with lots of celebrations of the season, birthdays, and just being together during an awesome time in our lives where we're very blessed to have each other.

Next year is going to be a lot of fun. Of course, if I do get the job I'm not going to have any time off to take (again) for almost an entire year as it is.

We leave for Tennessee on November 20th. I'm very excited, and as always, a bit nervous. Pat's family is great, but it's just so very different than what holidays have been like for me. Plus, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a big deal to me, and I'm not sure how that will work out.

Anyway - crazy update with very little cohesion equals yay for blogging!

Happy Holidays everyone!

B

Happy Saturday

2009-10-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! Breast cancer awareness month coincides with my 7 years clean mark. As always, a reminder: If your body is telling you there's something wrong, get checked out. Early detection is the key!

More than 156 people AN HOUR are diagnosed with cancer. An hour.

One in 4 people (that number may be 3, I couldn't verify) will be diagnosed.

Being fit and healthy not only lowers the possibility of diagnosis, if you do find out you have cancer being obese and out of shape makes your chances of survival much lower.

We've come so far from where we were, 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago, in detection, diagnosis, and treatments. I have a hard time not hearing the survivability numbers for cancer detection. So many died to get us to where we are today. Cancer used to mean certain death, and a prolonged and painful, horrible end. Now, the strides we've made can help those numbers tremendously for certain kinds of cancers.

If my Aunt, or Cody's mom, had been alive today and been diagnosed - they'd almost certainly still be alive. It's a chilling thought. Do not let their deaths be a trivial mark on the calendar of cancer fighting. Listen to your body, get checked out, and be a survivor if you're lucky enough (yeah, I said it) to get a cancer we can treat well.

There's still a long way to go though. A diagnosis of pancreatic cancers, and many, many, others (not a cancer expert folks!) are a struggle to treat, and we have a long way to go towards the progress we've made with certain non-hodgkin's and breast cancers.

I know I harp on it, but it's for a damn good reason. Take care of yourself. You can not always depend on your body not to turn on you. But you can sure as hell depend on your friends and family to support and love you no matter what kind of medical (or other) issue, you may face.

On to other, less serious notes:

I want Lilly back! Stephanie and Nathan's dog Riley is here for 2 nights, since they've gone out of town and she has gotten into the trash, found one of my stuffed animals, and there's a red foot laying on the ground that looks like it came from another stuffed animal. The dogs are now banned to outside for most of the day. If they bark - I will kill them :)

It's Saturday and some great college football games are coming up! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!

Happy Columbus Day Weekend to you all!!

B