I have what you've been looking for

How would you describe the human spirit? Kind and compassionate, tender and caring. Proud and tenacious, strong and free-willed. These are some of my thoughts.

However, more and more throughout our daily lives the "asshole" makes an appearance. Rude and obnoxious, cold and mean-spirited. Arrogant and selfish, insecure and, yes, still free-willed. Call me cynical, but the trend is apparent throughout modern society.

I believe there is a reason for everything. There are no coincidences. Maybe the rich, extravagant lifestyles of our cultural icons are merely compensation for something lacking in their personal lives. Perhaps those lonely souls who spend countless hours in fantasy video game worlds have finally found a way to escape. Maybe, just maybe, we're all just looking for something.

What are you looking for?

As for me? I think I've found it at Brampton Lane, :)

How I Met a Nice Lady at DMV (and renewed my license)

It was 3:50 in the afternoon in a small city in eastern North Carolina. The weather was a warm 90 degrees, give or take a few, and a calm breeze blew in the open windows of my car. I pulled into the driveway of the local Department of Motor Vehicles office—I had an appointment at four o'clock to have my license renewed. I noticed a few people going up the sidewalk to the entrance. I dreaded the long wait inside, nervous and anxious about having to take the sign and vision test required for another eight-year license. The agony of it all.

There were three people on the sidewalk, but only one caught my eye. From behind, it was a light skinned blond with shoulder-length hair with curls. She was wearing a white over-shirt and a pair of stonewashed blue jeans with black shoes, clogs maybe. She was obviously young, approximately five feet, five inches. I guessed she would weigh about a hundred pounds. She carried a pocket book, nothing too fancy, but tasteful nonetheless. She had style.

I turned my head—more pressing matters awaited me. I gathered my papers and got out of the car, locking the door as always. I went up the steps and approached the entry door. I opened it to find only one person remaining in the waiting room - her.

There were five rows of cheap grayish-white chairs, like the ones found in public schools with the slotted back and metal legs. She was sitting on the outside chair in the second row from the sign-in sheet, just outside the testing room. Across from the seating area stood a line of vending machines offering popular sugary refreshments.

She watched me as I walked through the door, a bell above the entryway ringing, my black Pierre Cardin rayon flapping in a gust of wind swooshing by as the door shut behind me. I was wearing a boot cut pair of jeans with black Timberlands I bought several years ago. Boots I only wore when I expected to be going somewhere special, boots reserved to build my confidence through a false sense of importance derived from brand labels—and the addition of half an inch to my height. Had one not known better they may think I came from some upscale relaxed area of town.

I could feel her presence, her eyes following me as I entered the room, around the seating area and down the vending machine monument. I, too, glanced around the room when I first came in and realized it was just the two of us, two complete strangers seeing each other face to face for the first time—how awkward.

I looked away as I examined the rest of the room, watching my step in such a confined space. I knew she was watching and an urge to look away from her came over me. I looked away, but as I walked by the seating area to reach the sign-in sheet in the back I looked down and to the right. I had a perfect three-quarter angle view on her now. Our eyes locked in what seemed an everlasting trance.

First contact.

I signed my name with a dull pencil on the small table outside the training room. Number two on the list. I reviewed the other name on the list. "Stacie," I thought to myself. "I don't know another person with that name." The next thought was of a singer named Stacie Orrico of whom I adore. The name shook consonance in my brain.

I turned around to face the backs of at least a dozen empty chairs. I moved left against the wall avoiding any possibility of walking by Stacie again. I put one foot between the chairs, then the other and worked my way up to the same row in which she sat and took a seat. I looked over to my right, four chairs down she sat in quiet repose. She gave a friendly look, the kind you give a stranger, and smiled. Then I did something that would rock the historical foundations of social interaction where I am concerned. I spoke.

“Hi.”

I put up a sincere smile and she returned the greeting. That was far too easy. Never in my life had I spoken up so coolly, so calmly, so...naturally. She had the face of an angel, the eyes of a newborn babe. She was every bit as beautiful as the Alps in spring - refreshing and vibrant. She got up and went to the training room door. I was lost in thought, figuring she was already gone as quickly as she had entered my life. I moved down two chairs, sitting now in the third chair in the row hoping to hear my name called soon. Much to my surprise, Stacie came back and sat in the first chair of the row.

“Oh, man. This is weird now. What if she thinks I'm a creep trying to get closer to her. I didn't know she was coming to sit down again. What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?!”

It was like a scene from a movie where the boy scoots closer to the girl when she isn't paying attention, just before he puts his arm around her chair, except I unconsciously left adequate space between our two seats. Completely unplanned, but exceptionally well done.

Sitting now just a foot and a half away, she started reading the signs on the leftmost wall, various descriptions of fees and policies.

“So how much does a license here in North Carolina cost? Do you know?”

“Well, I'm actually here to renew mine, but the letter in the mail said it was about $32 dollars.”

I turned in my chair to face her without breaking my neck. I paid attention to her captivating eyes, unable to remove my stare. She paid me back and we continued for what seemed forever. I was surprised at how well my social skills were playing out.

“What? Wow! I think it was only like $10 when I got mine the first time.”

"Yeah, I know. Everything is high nowadays. How about the weather? It feels sort of nice outside," referring to the warm sunshine and the mercury rising higher every day it seemed.

“Yeah, it does. Well, I'm just moving here from Florida and I had to get some paperwork done at the Social Security office because I'm having my name changed back. See, I'm divorced and I'm starting a new job here on top of all that.”

“Oh, wow. You really do have a lot going on. What kind of work do you do?”

So our conversation went on for a while and we talked. Oddly enough, we never officially introduced ourselves though we did happen to discuss the fact our surnames are both "W"s and show up at the end of the list. In any other occasion I go out of my way to introduce both parties as formally as possible, but for some reason this was unthought of...unwarranted perhaps? Unnecessary. How stupid of me.

I didn't even think to ask her phone number. I wondered later that evening, "I'll probably never see her again in my whole life." Little did I know a window of opportunity had been opened.

Stay tuned later for the exciting conclusion, or perhaps the sequel, to this classic tale of truthful emotion!

Blackberry Background Info

Last May I opened an account with US Cellular, a wireless carrier known for impeccable customer service. Their contract plans include free incoming calls, texts, pics, and more. For most people, that's nearly half their total usage. Sounds too good to be true? It isn't.

I probably use less than 400 minutes a month so I went on their cheapest plan ($40). I also don't travel much so I opted for local area coverage for my region which gives me 700 minutes compared to national 450 plan. The other month I used less than a hundred of my minutes because all incoming calls were free. Amazing, even though I don't talk much on the phone anyway.

Originally I bought the LG Banter UX-265 (i.e. Rumor 2). It's great and the lovely spacious keyboard made it easy to type just about anything. This phone was great, but has since been taken off the US Cellular roster due to customer complaints. Apparently the phone reboots or shuts down on its own randomly. The phone can be sent back to LG to be repaired for free. I experienced this issue at most five or six times over two or three months, but didn't think much of it. It was annoying when it happened, but it worked flawless for over a month and I forgot all about it until I upgraded to the basic mobile Internet plan and browser. In that same weekend, I experienced the crash bug two or three times, but has since worked fine.

I recently deactivated the phone and bought a Blackberry Curve 8330 over eBay after an exhausting search to ensure the phone was clear and ready for use, plus inexpensive. I'm quite happy and am learning how much can be done on the phone...and with high speed web, I'm really happy. Now I can view YouTube videos at home or on the go.

I'm selling the LG Banter to a friend at work for cheap ($50 for everything except wall charger and MicroSD card, but with a car charger and data cable). I could probably sell it on eBay for $100, but at least if the phone breaks the person didn't pay much for it. If it works as well for her as it did for me she'll have gotten it at a great deal.

I'll update again in the future with some great features and advice for other new Blackberry users. What would you like to hear about next update?

Branching Out

In high school I took an agricultural class which also entailed woodworking. In March the little house used for processing paperwork and greeting visitors at my workplace was up for remodeling. One of the main concerns for this remodel (it had been remodeled before and now has a U-shape counter bolted in the center of the floor) was to make it more spacious. So against all reason, the manager pulled out both large office desks the clerks work at 24-7 and threw them out. Well, technically he did it one side at a time so productivity could continue.

In my last hour at work he began and needed a hand with a large sheet of substrate on the portable table saw he brought from his home. A couple of us helped him out, but later after work I stayed and took off my uniform shirt. I did simple things as it was his project, and he was a lot more experienced than my little box or footstool I created a decade ago.


Well, turns out he pulled out the shelving underneath the glass windows and created what is now, essentially, a full-scale "Z" shaped counter top for use with tall swivel bar stools. It looks and works great and we can now run around the office without feeling cramped up. Later on, over the weekend, I came back and we finished up all the details. Over time he has added drop down shelving and a rail underneath to pull or push against when in the bar stools.

So I have ventured back into woodworking and one thing the ladies need is something sturdy, more sturdy than the little wheel around the bar stool base, and I think I can create something simple to do the job. It's essentially a 5-sided box with an open bottom. The idea came from the fact they were using an empty copy paper box to prop their feet on (which is trash and clutters the place). Then, they started using our First-Aid toolbox (um, no). So hopefully after a month of working off and on, I can get my first real project finished.

The problem is, I have been spending a ton of cash to get started. I'm having to clean up the old barn and finding a lot tools such as a Makita reciprocating saw (bought a new blade) and a 15 amp Craftsman 10" circular saw. So what was my first power tool purchase? A Porter-Cable 18 volt 1/2" keyless chuck drill/driver. It came with two batteries, charger, carrying bag and for only $10 USD more I got a combo so it came with a portable circular saw. The saw I am not impressed with, though it does cut, but the drill is like the most useful thing ever. I fixed the door frame which warped outward and just yesterday I changed the entire side-view mirror on my truck after I broke it. That was pretty awesome.

Tip: Use super glue or something instead of JB Weld on partial plastic surfaces.

So what am I doing today?

I'm going to finish up on my truck hopefully. I hit some deer last year on the way home from work and it tore up my radiator, headlight, and grill. I got a friend of the family to fix and replace everything for less than $200, but he doesn't do bodywork. I'm going to attempt to remove the entire front fender from the truck in an attempt to repair it after I visit Google for a while. This is so cool.

Note: I'm also going to do a few reviews on interesting things I have tried lately. One of them is the Gillette Fusion which has, despite all efforts, won me over. Bookmark my RSS feed and stay tuned for updates!

Let's Build Something Awesome

So it's probably fairly obvious where I've been spending a lot of my time lately...


I drew this with my new tablet this morning. I'm learning and experimenting with stuff. I'm also pretty excited and want to work with my new stuff, but don't know what to do with myself when I have time off from work. Woe is me!

It's human nature to create.

To grow or nurture something and give it a sense of life. It can be very fulfilling and since I quit World of Warcraft last January I have really learned to appreciate some of the finer things in life. I'm rediscovering small projects and planning to take on bigger ones later (this summer I plan on restoring an old cabinet my great grandfather owned). I honestly don't know a whole lot, but that's why I'm taking these projects head on—so I can learn and become better at whatever I choose to do. In this case, I'm going to have a lot of learning to do on building practices and proper craftsmanship. I admit, I don't quite have the easiest time drawing straight lines, but that's why I'm buying a large metal square, hehe.

I already feel the pain budget wise...too many tools *eyes bug out and a big grin forms* not enough funds. Small steps, I suppose, :-P Next on my list--finding out where the old router in the barn "disappeared" to...

Spring in the Air

It is now officially spring and despite the torrential downpour and sporadic, unpredictable weather we're having on the eastern seaboard I have begun working on some new projects. One of which involves my new Wacom tablet (thanks Sarah) which I got brand new for half-price on eBay and the other involves half-inch drills and circular saws. Roh-oh-oh! *grunting* Oh, yeah!

So I need to build a couple sawhorses and get some lumber to build some crates which I am hoping to build for use at work (for dispatchers to place their feet on). This idea comes after they started using our First-Aid toolbox as a footrest on their new tall office chairs. Yeeeah. . . :-P

The plan is for a very simple box, but I am not sure how to join the sides yet. In essence, the box will have five sides--the sixth face will not exist, an open bottom since it sits on the floor. The front, back, and top can be joined with the left & right sides by miter, but that would require bracing inside the box. Not a problem, but I need it to last. I don't want the edges to crack or split since they'll be pushed on and kicked around by feet for a very long time and on a daily basis. The simplest solution is to have the top overlap the front and back boards so it can be nailed directly together. That would also cut back on a lot of work, but would it look as nice as edge-less corners?

I drew this with my new tablet, :-0

An Entire Race of E.D.

So my official Wowhead Blog entry on worgen has been released and it can be found here. In this entry I discuss the little information we know about worgen and the lore surrounding them and their existence on Azeroth. It touches briefly on Velinde Starsong and the Scythe of Elune as well as Archmage Arugal with a glimpse into the depths of Shadowfang Keep.

Of course, I could only cram so much information into one entry without leaving readers feeling like they just read a novel. The truth is, the entire worgen storyline could very well be the basis of a movie. I certainly wouldn't mind a movie on worgen all by themselves, tied into the lore of course, along the lines of how Underworld was executed.

In my next entry I elaborate on the (mis)happenings of the Scythe of Elune, who all is after it, and a little glimpse into a most beloved questing area for the Alliance—Redridge Mountains (more specifically, the shadowhide area including the mysterious mage tower tucked behind the hills).

My thoughts on the entries I write have a somewhat logical progression. Furbolg really gave way to this whole idea, but worgen will be the first in the unofficial series. After worgen, an expansion on the lore around them. After that, a look at the antagonists from the lore surrounding worgen (mostly evil humanoids, hehe). Those humanoids will tie into an elaborate article detailing yet another major dungeon, this time for the Alliance. After that, who knows? One thing is for sure, though—murloc will be making an appearance in the weeks to come!

Blizzard's Stance on Whining (EU Forums)

As usual, a moan-and-groan poster has put up a thread on the EU forums. However, an official CM over on the EU forums has made a most excellent reply. I literally almost laughed--imagine that!

Listen Here Noobs, courtesy World of Raids

Exploring the Exotic - Furbolg & Worgen!

Over the next few weeks, with a consistent Monday through Friday schedule, I will be able to spend more time doing things I enjoy such as writing blogs, reading stories, moderating the Wowhead forums, and playing the PS3 with my brother. Notice there's no World of Warcraft mentioned? My account expired yesterday after I got to spend some quality time with my level 35 warlock, Dimmesdale.

Last week I wrote another article for the Wowhead Blog in which I discussed the history and origins of the furbolg. It didn't get as many hits, but the feedback was good. You can check out that entry here. Be sure to leave a comment so I know what you think!

This week I'm going to continue with the trend on exotic races. Backed by popular demand, the worgen are the subject of this next read. The worgen are a mysterious, extra-dimensional race of beings which apparently serve only one purpose: ultimate carnal annihilation! Sounds like an awesome horror movie subject all on its own.

I'll drop a line here when I release that entry with news on next week's entry as well!

Prelude to a Close

"Out with the old and in with the New Year!" my brother once told me. The more and more I think about it I realize he's right—it's time to throw it all away, to invite the unknown, to embrace the new. As many of you may know, I seem to reminesce quite often. While one can never move forward living in the past, history does have a tendency to repeat itself.

When The Burning Crusade was released I took my favorite character, a rogue, to level 70. I used the experience to have fun while learning about the game. After a while, I grew a little bored. I was interested in raiding, but it seemed like a lagfest to me at the time. I also had trouble with guilds and bad guild leaders which left a sour taste in my mouth (ever been called to fill in a raid, then told once you got there and helped clear the dungeon you were being replaced?).

It was at that time I took a renewed interest in my warrior, yearning to see what was beyond level 47. Tanking was a fun and rewarding experience for me. All I did was tank Zul'farrak when I saw people spamming and I had nothing else to do. Hop on my DPS warrior, tank a dungeon with a pick-up group. I probably tanked ZF at least 20 times and after each dungeon I would log out and not play that character again for several weeks. However, at this point in time where TBC had just been introduced, I decided I really wanted those Big Bad Pauldrons. One last run that week yielded the fabled epaulets and ended an era. I became a warrior.

In the beginning...

I was a druid. My name was Eridani, some sort of sub-star of a red one named Antares. It just so happened the name Antares was taken by a warlock on Illidan (US) server so I had to improvise. My druid was the love of my life. Back then, the only way to level was Restoration, but of course I took a talent near the top of the tree to gain increased stealth. You see, Illidan.us is a PVP server--and everyone was prey, and predator, over there. Don't even ask about Stranglethorn Vale.

So the time came to make my alt and at this time most players didn't make stupid names like Ssuperrogglol. Even if that was the trend, that isn't my style. I swapped two letters in Eridani to become Arideni.

Here and Now

So here I am, a level 80 rogue who can't participate in Naxxramas or certain areas of the game (I can't get into Dalaran at all, where at least I could visit the banks in Shattrath City). That pretty much cuts the entire Violet Hold experience out of the game for me. Also, my Internet can't handle Sartharion. I can do Archavon, though!

So I'm left with a little bit of PVP. While AB & AV are the mainstays, I've been doing those for years. I'm tired of that, and world PVP was my specialty to start with. So I'm reduced to riding my (wonderful) netherdrake around Sholazar Basin and ganking everyone who tries to mine my nodes. It's really very fun, but honestly...I have just as much fun on my bank alt, Missbanker.

A New Direction

Insert Iredani. This is my new, yet old, character which I'll introduce in my next post entitled "History of the Scarlet Sisterhood."

Sayonara!

Peace on Earth, Good Will to All!

It's that time of year again and the world is a glow with the wintery customs & traditions which spotlight the last page on the calendar. Regardless of what you celebrate, I want everyone to have a safe & happy holiday.

Remember, don't drink & drive. Always have a designated driver.

Merry Christmas one & all!

Now That I'm 80...

So I hit 80 a few weeks ago, but there's a lot of players who have yet to reach max level. Then again, there are people who have hit 80, but just haven't really taken the time to explore everything there is to offer yet. This is for you.

Click here to visit my latest Wowhead Blog entry.

Two New Wowhead Blog Entries!

I just wanted to drop a line to show off my latest couple of posts over at Wowhead. The first one is a short piece entitled Basic Example of Threat & Aggro - it's pretty funny, I thought.

The second is a follow-up concerning Threat Gauging in 3.0 - if you're wondering what that is, definitely check out my post. I'm sure most of us know it by heart, but did you even realize you were doing it?

Ciao!

Five Useful Macros, Really!

So I wanted to give everyone a heads-up concerning my latest entry at the Wowhead Blog. It's a piece about five handy macros, which are actually useful. I would like to share them with everyone, so here's the direct link: Five Handy Macros (Yes, I use them!)

Blogging for Wowhead

So recently I mentioned a special little project, a new feature for Wowhead, in which I was asked to help work on. Well, it's been unveiled! Introducing the brand-spanking new Wowhead Blog!

That's right, folks. For only $19.95 you, too can enjoy the delicious & delectable—sorry, wrong article. Anyways, I wrote a post on there a few days ago (click here to read it). It was about some subtle changes which have made it into the game recently.

Last night, I redid a topic I had been working on & went a step further by addressing some concerns several others had about the post. I want my work to be top-grade, but still hold my own personal flare. So, without much adieu, here's my latest entry: Journey to Northrend. Enjoy!

Unleashing the Wrath

At this very moment, less than three hours remain before Wrath of the Lich King is released in North America. What are you doing, right now?

I'm turning in an old quest, Shrouded in Nightmare, which has been in my quest log for a while. I've been working on dailies with my warrior (AOE grinding the Netherwing mines entire sections at a time proved most profitable). But then there was something else, which made me forget all about my tanking plans & ideas for the Lich King (though I will still be placing his head over my fireplace).

My Furbolg Promotion

As most will know, I'm a moderator for Wowhead. Recently, I was asked to work on a new top secret project for the database website. I accept, and that new feature is still in development, so I can't say much. It is definitely going to rock, though.

I often wonder, both in real life & online, if what I do really amounts to anything. As far as the game goes, probably not. However, the things I say & do in the game socializing with others probably says a whole lot about my character (no, not my avatar you dorks, moral character). Concerning the community, it is much like tanking. Many times it's a "thankless job," but it doesn't have to be. That's actually just a dramatization. Many times I have had people say, "Thank you!" or create a thread just to show appreciation, and while it felt good I mostly tried to ignore the praise. So with all due respect & ego in-tact, I guess it's finally time to realize that maybe, just maybe, I actually did reach out to someone — hopefully beyond the game, too.

I bring all this reflective material up because I guess for all that I have done it really did touch a nerve as I was promoted at Wowhead this week. For me, this is pretty special because I have a tendency to perceive myself as being incapable of anything worthwhile. So, big congratulations to me as I am now an editor!

A New Direction

As some of you know, I was asked to rejoin some friends in a special guild formed of players from multiple servers & culminating in a wondrous 10-man experience through WLK. I've been OTing & MTing my way through The Burning Crusade over the last few months & have really taken my warrior in a great direction. Even my very close friend Dynwyrm agrees. However, all good things must come to an end.

Fear not! For it is I, and I...am...FURBOLG!

After a few good ZA runs our guild leader asked me to instead take my blues & purples rogue to 80 for our guild. We have several tank alts, including a core set of warrior & paladin MTs. This means I can finally work on my most beloved character. Don't worry, though — I won't be leaving my fellow warriors behind. Just as I did before in TBC, I'll be leveling my rogue first. Coming in at a strong second is my warrior (unless I decide to bring up my hunter or druid, lol).

So there we have it, a short update on my whereabouts, and some reassurance that everything Furbolg will be quite alright around here.

A New Member in the Family

I was at work Tuesday evening when someone came into the office area & a cat ran into the building. He ran out the other door & I went out after it unsure of what to do. The cat was actually a small, black-striped kitten & he ran first up, then down the pedestrian crosswalk. A man picked him up & brought him to me.

Though I tried to put this kitten in a small cat box we have for a wild cat which lives behind the parking lot, he would not stay. It was wet, cold, and just overall a bad night to be stuck outside. He kept following me back to the office & trying to come inside. I figure if he can just make it outside for a little while, we'll be okay & I can see what to do after work (I wasn't sure if I could just take the cat off the property).

Later on, the boss lady comes down & calls me in. Whenever one gets called to the boss, it always feels as if you may have done something wrong, but I wasn't really worried. She was waiting at the door & asked me, "Do you want a cat?" -- LOL. Um, I have four cats, two dogs, & two sugar gliders already. The last thing I need is another cat. I didn't say this, though. I said I would make some phone calls to the house, which I did, and got approval.

Behold! Gunju the Kitten has arrived!

New Address - Update Bookmarks!

The new blog address is www.arideni.com, so everyone needs to update bookmarks (all 8 of you people). After approximately 3 days everything & everyone should be redirected directly to this address.

I'm also participating in Google Apps, so I have email addresses & other goodies powered by Google. Item tooltips powered by Wowhead.

Devastating News

One of the new changes in the expansion, thus far, involve changing how Devastate works. Currently, Devastate provides damage & Sunder Armor (including the threat from both abilities). However, in the expansion Devastate will deal damage plus threat equal to 5% of attack power while placing Sunder Armor on the target. It will gain no additional threat via Sunder Armor.

Thanks to Satrina for testing these abilities & deriving some tangible values for the community. This may change between now & release, but so far this is how things look to be going.

So Devastate got nerfed?

Not exactly. All threat is being redone, so to speak. Instead of one point of damage being equal to one point of threat, all damage is to be multiplied by 2.0735 to achieve a numerical value for threat. So, for example if one does 100 damage, it is equal to roughly 207.35 threat. It is believed this is done at the server, but then rounded to an integer.

Sledgehammer Time

So I recently took a step back & looked at how involved I was with my job, with playing World of Warcraft, & made some decisions. Apparently, I spend most of my time at work & most of my other time playing WoW. There's a lot more to complete before Wrath of the Lich King comes out, so I have to get busy, but I need to rebalance things. My work at Wowhead is not finished, and neither is my blog here. Quite simply, I need to stop neglecting things, =P

First of all, thanks to the great group of guys on Illidan.US server for providing me with a lot of friendship & good raid progress. We did a lot in just 4 weeks — be proud!

Second, expect to see more presence over at Wowhead due to the way community forums respond to an absence of authority. Time to lay down the law on e-tards who like to troll or post negatively. Not on our forums, buddy!

Third, time to really start contributing again. Though there hasn't been many changes or a feeling of necessity to update my guides, there are things I wish to finish. I'm strongly sensing some kind of a video proposal & hosting it on YouTube.

Stay tuned for more information on the above!