It's amusing to me, reading through my past posts about WoW, how this blog documents my infatuation/love/hate/apathy towards World of Warcraft. Maybe I'm thinking about it now since I'm waiting for the servers to get back running. I looked over some of my posts from beta, where I was like "THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER INVENTED EVER" and then from 2 years later, where I was filled with ennui, ready to quit, playing other things. I think, now, after playing solidly for 4 years, I can say it's a healthy mix of both.
Out of Hand has been through so much, since its inception. We had huge numbers, swelling to 200 members, with 20-25 people on at once, swinging back down to 3 active members, up again, down. We had various recruitment sweeps, where 20 people would join in a week, and massive exoduses, where 20 people would leave in a day.
It's been a wild ride, let me just say. Not that it's over, heh, but I think the guild has finally hit my happy place, which is where I envisioned it from it's inception. A casual group of loyal buddies, who have no expectations of each other, except companionship, conversation, and company. It's so small, the guild is very small now, with 6 active players, give or take, and it's perfect. No more managing revolutions, or being the glue that holds two or three warring cliques together. No more scheduling, or trying to appease the masses, because there are no more masses. Ahhhhh.
I log on every day, now, and I love it! No headaches, just me, my real sincere friends, and this game that knitted us together, and the whole thing for us to enjoy, without drama, or bullshit.
Now, if only the servers would come back, so I can get in an hour of prime playing.
11.18.2008
Winter!
It snowed this morning! Ok, ok, it didn't stick, but still, first flakes! I am such a 5 year old about snow. I know it won't get me out of work, or anything, but it's still magical. There's actually a lot of things to love about snow.
In this house, snow=money. Irv does snow removal, in the off season, so those are tiny dollar signs falling from the sky. When he's not home, especially at night, it's like a huge slumber party. We do all the stuff "Daddy" disdains. Alden and I order pizza with peppers and onions, sleep on the living room floor, and play video games all night. I usually wind up baking something, or making a huge "snow day" breakfast the next morning. I've turned it into what was once a very lonely and worrisome time, when I was pregnant, or when Alden was an infant, to a fun tradition. I do miss him, when he's gone, still. I can't sleep in our huge cold bed, which is why I opt for bunking on the living room floor, but since Alden has gotten old enough to hang out with, my inner child digs these snow days and nights even more. One nice thing is that he's not "over the road" much anymore. He's a heavy equipment operator, which means he hangs around in the shop, cleaning the parking lot there, in a big loader, and loading the trucks with salt. In the meantime, he hangs out in the warmth of the building, reading and answering the phones. Good deal. It's a big weight off my mind.
I'm really looking forward to this winter. I have a great vibe about it. Last year was very tight, financially. I don't know, we just weren't prepared for everything, and it was rough. This year, The Season was good, and we took extra pains to save up, and prepare for the economical worst. I'm proud of myself, and the family, and all the thing's we've managed to do to save us money. We put away a good chunk, to carry us through, and it feels good.
Irv generally gets depressed around October, about the onset of winter, and the ending of The Season, but this year, he seems more optimistic, which makes for a nicer vibe all around. No anxiety, no fighting, no real dark days around Halloween and his birthday, like usual. One thing that helps is that he has plans. He's been busy as all hell revamping his garage, making it into a functional, heated, mancave. He can go out there, and listen to his music, putter around, build things, break things, or just go be a smelly, busy man. He never really had that, before. He's always had the garage, but till recently, there were no lights or heat out there, and it was just a dank storage area. I think he needs projects, and now he has a place to do them. He's got lists and lists of future projects, about 10% of them will ever see fruition, but as long as his mind and hands are busy, during the off season, he's a happy guy. When he's happy, I'm happy, and when mama is happy, EVERYONE is happy. It's a self-perpetuating cycle!
In this house, snow=money. Irv does snow removal, in the off season, so those are tiny dollar signs falling from the sky. When he's not home, especially at night, it's like a huge slumber party. We do all the stuff "Daddy" disdains. Alden and I order pizza with peppers and onions, sleep on the living room floor, and play video games all night. I usually wind up baking something, or making a huge "snow day" breakfast the next morning. I've turned it into what was once a very lonely and worrisome time, when I was pregnant, or when Alden was an infant, to a fun tradition. I do miss him, when he's gone, still. I can't sleep in our huge cold bed, which is why I opt for bunking on the living room floor, but since Alden has gotten old enough to hang out with, my inner child digs these snow days and nights even more. One nice thing is that he's not "over the road" much anymore. He's a heavy equipment operator, which means he hangs around in the shop, cleaning the parking lot there, in a big loader, and loading the trucks with salt. In the meantime, he hangs out in the warmth of the building, reading and answering the phones. Good deal. It's a big weight off my mind.
I'm really looking forward to this winter. I have a great vibe about it. Last year was very tight, financially. I don't know, we just weren't prepared for everything, and it was rough. This year, The Season was good, and we took extra pains to save up, and prepare for the economical worst. I'm proud of myself, and the family, and all the thing's we've managed to do to save us money. We put away a good chunk, to carry us through, and it feels good.
Irv generally gets depressed around October, about the onset of winter, and the ending of The Season, but this year, he seems more optimistic, which makes for a nicer vibe all around. No anxiety, no fighting, no real dark days around Halloween and his birthday, like usual. One thing that helps is that he has plans. He's been busy as all hell revamping his garage, making it into a functional, heated, mancave. He can go out there, and listen to his music, putter around, build things, break things, or just go be a smelly, busy man. He never really had that, before. He's always had the garage, but till recently, there were no lights or heat out there, and it was just a dank storage area. I think he needs projects, and now he has a place to do them. He's got lists and lists of future projects, about 10% of them will ever see fruition, but as long as his mind and hands are busy, during the off season, he's a happy guy. When he's happy, I'm happy, and when mama is happy, EVERYONE is happy. It's a self-perpetuating cycle!
11.16.2008
Looking forward.
It feels so good, to sit in a clean, quiet, darkened house. It's the close of a bustling weekend, and my to-do list got done! Now, how often can I say that? House, cleaned, food shopped for, lists made, decisions decided on, packages packed, and loaded into the car for mailing.
My dad's coming to visit, Thursday, he's staying for Thanksgiving. We spent the whole weekend cleaning, and making ready. For his visit, to a degree, but for the holidays, too. There's nothing like starting the official Holiday Season, with a clean house, a full pantry, and a buncha to-do lists. I love having my shit together, menus, gifts, schedules, it really takes any potential stress out of the next month or so.
I seem to blog a lot about my dad visiting, but it's always a flurry of activity, and sort of a bittersweet thing. Bitter because I only see him twice a year, if that, and we're close. Bitter, because he's getting older, and he's starting act it. Bitter, because I desperately want him to move back to the States, so we can go on road trips, to visit them, and so I can take care of him. Sweet, for a million reasons, and for all the obvious reasons, he's my dad, he's wise, funny, he and I have all these odd quirks in common. I really want him to move back here, and be present in Alden's life. Every time he's here, he makes a huge impact on the kid, and I think Alden could use more of his wisdom and guidance in his life. God knows my dad got me flying straight, when I was in my teens.
It feels good, though, to have everything done already. I planned ahead this time, every meal, and any restaurant we may visit. My dad is prone to gout, and last time he was here, he had a flare up. This time I read up on it, and smartened up. I stocked up on all healthy foods, no pork or cured meats on the menu for the next week or so. We laid in a good supply of dried cherries and cherry juice, for preventative measures, too. Last time he was here, he was couch-ridden half the time, and it was kind of a bummer. I had bronchitis, so we were on the same sorry ass, convalescent page, pretty much. It was quality time, but not something I'd like to go through again.
My brother is going to be here for Thanksgiving too, which is pretty exciting. I love my little bro, we're about as close as siblings can be, despite the fact that we were rasied seperately. He just graduated Coast Guard boot camp, then A School, both with high honors, and got his first choice, for his tour. He's in San Juan, right now, and loving it. I'm bursting with pride, I literally can't stop beaming about him. He was always kind of a lump, growing up, watched too much TV, no real motivation, did 2 years of college without declaring a major, total island boy surfer duude (which was fine, I guess, if he was happy). Then, he went into the Coast Guard...whoa. It really changed his whole state of being, for the better. He stands straighter, talks smarter, just...I can't even explain it, but it's amazing. I feel like one of those Army recruiting commercials, but I understand them now. It really makes me happy when my friends and family find their path, and he did-and how.
The one thing that's going to be a hardship this Thanksgiving is spending time (or not) with my mother. Now, for the past 4 years, this is how it goes: They go to Atlantic City for Thanksgiving, and do the gambling/buffet thing. I cook at home for us, and a few close friends. My mother and stepdad always "get home early" and shows up roughly 20 minutes before dinner is on the table, and we have to set two extra places. It's nice. I cook, we get to spend a holiday together, without spending the whole long day together, and I get to eat good food.
THIS year, however, my dad will be around. They can barely stand to see each other in passing, and even that is not without it's digs, dirty looks, and general ugliness. I assumed that my mom would be making plans with my stepsiblings, and spending Thanksgiving with that side of the family...she informed me yesterday that she's not doing that, and just doesn't know where to go. Already, I feel bad. She doesn't cook, she kinda can't even cook like that anymore, what with the bypass and all. She's being totally gracious and understanding, and is looking forward to having a nice dinner with us on the weekend, after Dad leaves. Still, it's the day and all. To make matters worse, we made plans with my Aunt Lynne, who is a close friend of my mom's, and we sorta discluded them from the dinner. When I thought she had plans with my steps, it was fine. Now it's not fine. It's even a little depressing.
She should, by all rights, be there with us. My father cannot remain civil in her presence. Twenty five years...they've been divorced...and he still makes all these underhanded comments. My mother, up front, is a portrait of grace and charm. Later, she starts with the "wow, Bill gained a lot of wait, he looks so...old" comments. So, neither are without fault. Puts me in a weird place, even on normal visits, ones not involving holidays. My dad will stay for a week, my mom will stop by to drop off my son, or pick him up, or just to say hi, and I have to stand in the driveway to talk to her. She's understanding, though, she knows I see her every day.
PSA: Divorce is not any easier on adult children, if the parents in question still act like catty teenagers, in regards to each other.
Hopefully everything will work itself out smoothly. I'm counting on Aunt Lynne to smooth things over with my mother, in case she looks for an invite, and looking forward to the double-holidays, as it were. Looking forward to a lot of things!
My dad's coming to visit, Thursday, he's staying for Thanksgiving. We spent the whole weekend cleaning, and making ready. For his visit, to a degree, but for the holidays, too. There's nothing like starting the official Holiday Season, with a clean house, a full pantry, and a buncha to-do lists. I love having my shit together, menus, gifts, schedules, it really takes any potential stress out of the next month or so.
I seem to blog a lot about my dad visiting, but it's always a flurry of activity, and sort of a bittersweet thing. Bitter because I only see him twice a year, if that, and we're close. Bitter, because he's getting older, and he's starting act it. Bitter, because I desperately want him to move back to the States, so we can go on road trips, to visit them, and so I can take care of him. Sweet, for a million reasons, and for all the obvious reasons, he's my dad, he's wise, funny, he and I have all these odd quirks in common. I really want him to move back here, and be present in Alden's life. Every time he's here, he makes a huge impact on the kid, and I think Alden could use more of his wisdom and guidance in his life. God knows my dad got me flying straight, when I was in my teens.
It feels good, though, to have everything done already. I planned ahead this time, every meal, and any restaurant we may visit. My dad is prone to gout, and last time he was here, he had a flare up. This time I read up on it, and smartened up. I stocked up on all healthy foods, no pork or cured meats on the menu for the next week or so. We laid in a good supply of dried cherries and cherry juice, for preventative measures, too. Last time he was here, he was couch-ridden half the time, and it was kind of a bummer. I had bronchitis, so we were on the same sorry ass, convalescent page, pretty much. It was quality time, but not something I'd like to go through again.
My brother is going to be here for Thanksgiving too, which is pretty exciting. I love my little bro, we're about as close as siblings can be, despite the fact that we were rasied seperately. He just graduated Coast Guard boot camp, then A School, both with high honors, and got his first choice, for his tour. He's in San Juan, right now, and loving it. I'm bursting with pride, I literally can't stop beaming about him. He was always kind of a lump, growing up, watched too much TV, no real motivation, did 2 years of college without declaring a major, total island boy surfer duude (which was fine, I guess, if he was happy). Then, he went into the Coast Guard...whoa. It really changed his whole state of being, for the better. He stands straighter, talks smarter, just...I can't even explain it, but it's amazing. I feel like one of those Army recruiting commercials, but I understand them now. It really makes me happy when my friends and family find their path, and he did-and how.
The one thing that's going to be a hardship this Thanksgiving is spending time (or not) with my mother. Now, for the past 4 years, this is how it goes: They go to Atlantic City for Thanksgiving, and do the gambling/buffet thing. I cook at home for us, and a few close friends. My mother and stepdad always "get home early" and shows up roughly 20 minutes before dinner is on the table, and we have to set two extra places. It's nice. I cook, we get to spend a holiday together, without spending the whole long day together, and I get to eat good food.
THIS year, however, my dad will be around. They can barely stand to see each other in passing, and even that is not without it's digs, dirty looks, and general ugliness. I assumed that my mom would be making plans with my stepsiblings, and spending Thanksgiving with that side of the family...she informed me yesterday that she's not doing that, and just doesn't know where to go. Already, I feel bad. She doesn't cook, she kinda can't even cook like that anymore, what with the bypass and all. She's being totally gracious and understanding, and is looking forward to having a nice dinner with us on the weekend, after Dad leaves. Still, it's the day and all. To make matters worse, we made plans with my Aunt Lynne, who is a close friend of my mom's, and we sorta discluded them from the dinner. When I thought she had plans with my steps, it was fine. Now it's not fine. It's even a little depressing.
She should, by all rights, be there with us. My father cannot remain civil in her presence. Twenty five years...they've been divorced...and he still makes all these underhanded comments. My mother, up front, is a portrait of grace and charm. Later, she starts with the "wow, Bill gained a lot of wait, he looks so...old" comments. So, neither are without fault. Puts me in a weird place, even on normal visits, ones not involving holidays. My dad will stay for a week, my mom will stop by to drop off my son, or pick him up, or just to say hi, and I have to stand in the driveway to talk to her. She's understanding, though, she knows I see her every day.
PSA: Divorce is not any easier on adult children, if the parents in question still act like catty teenagers, in regards to each other.
Hopefully everything will work itself out smoothly. I'm counting on Aunt Lynne to smooth things over with my mother, in case she looks for an invite, and looking forward to the double-holidays, as it were. Looking forward to a lot of things!
11.15.2008
Oh...congratulations...
Close friend calls today, all bubbling over, with excitement. She couldn't wait to tell me! She got a doggie! She's been wanting an English Bulldog for about a week, so I call this an impulse buy. I mean, two weeks ago, we had to dogsit for her other two dogs, and they were a horror show...not trained, not housebroken, and she was at her wits end with THOSE.
So, she calls me last week, asking if I knew where to get one, so I urged her to check in with local rescues, and the local shelters. She was like "mm, too much trouble" To get a dog? To get a companion that's going to live with you for the next 15 years? I mean...you go at least test drive a car, right?
Well, she called today, and couldn't contain the news, she got her bulldog! I was like, "wow, so fast, where did you get him?" Long story short, they got him at a pet store. A puppy mill pet store. I could barely keep the revulsion out of my voice.
I cannot BELIEVE the ignorance of some people, these people call themselves educated, well read, etc, and they had to rush right out to the nearest sleazy pet store and get a puppy mill garbage dog. That is a shame, shame shame. I stopped even trying to sound happy for her. (let's face it, they have two untrained dogs in a small rental house, they both work 8 hours a day, with the dogs in an overly small crate all day...I think they should look into rehoming the two they have, so I wasn't exactly enthusiastic about the idea of a new dog.) So, I'm disgusted. The damn dog cost $2400. They're not wealthy people, though they spend money like they are.
There are so many things wrong with all this, I can't even get my mind around it. All I know is that next time we hang out with them, it is going to be very hard to be all smily and happy for their new addition. I feel bad for that dog, and the other two, and I feel outraged that they are keeping puppy mills in business by shelling out ludicrous amounts of cash for a dog.
So, she calls me last week, asking if I knew where to get one, so I urged her to check in with local rescues, and the local shelters. She was like "mm, too much trouble" To get a dog? To get a companion that's going to live with you for the next 15 years? I mean...you go at least test drive a car, right?
Well, she called today, and couldn't contain the news, she got her bulldog! I was like, "wow, so fast, where did you get him?" Long story short, they got him at a pet store. A puppy mill pet store. I could barely keep the revulsion out of my voice.
I cannot BELIEVE the ignorance of some people, these people call themselves educated, well read, etc, and they had to rush right out to the nearest sleazy pet store and get a puppy mill garbage dog. That is a shame, shame shame. I stopped even trying to sound happy for her. (let's face it, they have two untrained dogs in a small rental house, they both work 8 hours a day, with the dogs in an overly small crate all day...I think they should look into rehoming the two they have, so I wasn't exactly enthusiastic about the idea of a new dog.) So, I'm disgusted. The damn dog cost $2400. They're not wealthy people, though they spend money like they are.
There are so many things wrong with all this, I can't even get my mind around it. All I know is that next time we hang out with them, it is going to be very hard to be all smily and happy for their new addition. I feel bad for that dog, and the other two, and I feel outraged that they are keeping puppy mills in business by shelling out ludicrous amounts of cash for a dog.
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