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September 26, 2006

Ban me? Ban you, buddy. (No, no WoW bans. I am in good with them!)

Team Speak. A beautiful way to find yourself growing closer to end up in a bitter feud. So there I am being Oh So Innocent and Supportive of my husband as he was not so much winning his instance. I mean, I was there for him, man.

I brought him a box of straws that I thought might help him out. (I mean, he was totally sucking and this might help.) And I was supportive when he said he and his guild were in a sad state. (What can I do? I was supportive and agreed.) And then...THEN...in a totally unprovoked attack, he banned me from TeamSpeak.

Banned.
His.
Wife.

You think it is not on?

Oh, it is ON! So very ON!

I may have to draw him a map to the couch. Ohhh, maybe I can get it incorporated into a WoW map. He'd notice it then. The map to the couch for the men who have been banished to the "Outlands" of the Bedrooms.

I see a whole new couples expansion pack. Hey, my beloved friends in development.... since you have SO MUCH free time. Get on it! Or I will moon you!

Posted by Jenn @ 10:42 PM • Comments (243) • TrackBack (0)

September 25, 2006

He may have killed for me to level, but I gave birth!

Sometimes there are quests that should be a piece of cake, but for some reason, they kick my butt time and again. I was having just one of those nights. (As my son sat beside me with his guild members trying to kill Nefarian while also trying to hide his laughter over my level 18 (and a half) attempts to just get through this minor quest.) It was about that time that Clint walked in and asked what I getting so mad about.

He got the glare of death to not tease me. And thus the rant began.

"First the quest is stupid. And I have died like way too many times to count. And see this? Little Miss Crabby Ass Anti-Social even joined a party to get through this quest, but no...I am the highest level here we all know that means nothing in this case. So, yes, I am not pleased but damn if I am going to stop playing now. Ohhhh, victory and level 19 will be mine. I'm just saying."

"Ask them if they want a level 60 hunter to come aid them." (I almost broke in the a chorus of Here I come to save the daayyyyyyyy!

Want to know what they party said? Do you? They said, "No thanks. We have a level 33 on his way to come help."

And in rushes Level 33 to save the day. (TWO still died AND they left me behind.) No big deal. I get that. BUT, I am not joking when I say I am Little Miss Crabby Ass Anti-Social when I play.

It isn't that I want to be mean or not talk, but here is where my "rules" issues come in. (a) Do you talk to anyone? Do you thank them for doing something to help you? Can you ask questions of anyone? (b) HOW do you do that? By the time I figure out the whisper or party talk or guild chat, the moment is so over. I don't do good with SO OVER moments. It is like a comedian with no improv abilties. Not so funny. Me? Not so social (or you can call me game ignorant. But I am learning!)

So they left me behind and I rushed in to help/be a good party memeber/kill things when I realized no one had my back.

In races my man on his loyal steed...

...Okay, it was an epic mount and all but when you are level 18 (and a half!) and you see a level 60 hunter coming riding over the hill to save your ass, it is Prince Charming for certain. I asked my party 'leader' twice to invite him, but the 'leader' never responded. I had no choice.

I left that party and joined with my Man. Let's just say a level 60 hunter coming to help on a level 18 quest is a no brainer. So, as the other party watched, we (and when I say we, I mean he) killed things and I got to loot loot loot without sharing. Mwhahaha. However, there was one member of the party that was nice and tried to help, so we helped him out and went on with our business.

One shot in, I leveled. Baaa buu bummmmmm!

I am not one to be quiet about a level. (Each level may be my last with this game and my infrequent non-gaming self.) So there I sit celebrating.

"I leveled I leveled Who's da man? I'm da man. I leveled I own them I leveled...."

On and on until my son looked at me and threw down: "He killed something and are taking the credit for leveling something? Not that big a deal."

Oh no he didn't. Now, it would have to be time for the LABOR guilt trip to be followed by the "but I forgive you" speech.

"Oh, is that how it works? I went through 9 months of pregnancy. I went through 36 hours of labor. I got the stretch marks and big butt. I am the one who will never fit into my skinny jeans again. But HE got to say that he had a son. So, yes, he shot one arrow and I get to say I leveled. In the big scheme of things, that technically falls under the Big Whoop category. Wouldn't you say?"

My son looked at my husband. My husband shrugged.

"Does she always do that?" asked my son.

My husband just looked at him resigned to it. "Only if she can bring in the 36 hours of labor she had with you."

The moral of the story?

I leveled and am now a level 19, thankyouverymuch.

Posted by Jenn @ 03:44 PM • Comments (562) • TrackBack (0)

September 18, 2006

Levels, and epics mounts and blogging! Oh my!

I have finally reached level 17and 3/4... because those 3/4 mean something...with Marama. Like a child saying they are 5 and 1/2 because that half is IMPORTANT and they need you to know they are not just 5, but 5 and 1/2. I am 17 and 3/4! But so that I don't look like I am too lame, I have to admit that I have also been playing another character to see what else is out there.

See, that sounds so mature and gamer-open-minded. Truth of the matter is that I have about lost my cool at continually having quests pile up and not being able to finish them. When in doubt, start a new character and play that one. You'll feel so tough when you level so quickly. (This one is a hunter. And I just started another new one. It is fun to play the different characters and learn the skills. Really. And it is an ego booster to see them level.)

However, Marama is the one I have to get to level 60! Level 60? Puhleez! I think that I would be level 739 if yelling at the enemy helped you to level. I could totally rock the world of warcraft if yelling counted for anything. But alas, it doesn't. In fact, in an act of cosmic injustice, my microphone broke. Broke. I cannot even yell at Clint through teamspeak now. How unfair is that?!

Although, I am an all about me kind of gal, a friend of mine is under the weather, so her husband (a man who admits to created the situation of his wife becoming a gaming widow) posted a great post on her blog about how to talk to a level 60 WoW player. (I still just hear World of Warcraft blah blah blah epic mount blah blah blah, but more of the blah blah is becoming clearer. I am learning the new language. At times I SPEAK the new language. Shocking. I know.)

I am thinking of making an entire guide to the widows/widowers of the game on the proper responses to this foreign language the World of Warcraft players speak. Because even when I play and one of the Males tells me to "ranjusticate the flugermeister by right clicking, move your mouse, jump in a circle and then take your huntsteimer and put it in your thingiebagpackamajiggy", well, I get confused. Of course, if that is actually what they are saying, I should be confused, but I have replaced the words they use to baffle me with the words I am hearing.

Have faith. One day I will reach a level where I am no longer the "fluff blogger" trying to be a gamer and be a gamer trying to sound a bit more like a fluff blogger. Hmmm, imagine that. *shudder* Slap me now. I will be both. Fluffy gamer with eye-bleeding color on my site. Just to confuse the die-hard gamers. It is fun to watch them ponder this experiment. If only they knew what goes on behind the scenes that is not blogged. I know I could shut them up in a heartbeat. But for now, I will just keep on keeping on in the gaming world and thank those who have been SO supportive. (You know who you are. And you know how much it means.)

Now, the kids are in school which can only mean one thing. Time to level. Or die (too many times) trying.

Posted by Jenn @ 08:13 AM • Comments (97) • TrackBack (0)

September 14, 2006

The new wardrobe of the aggro-family

I have been sent a link to the new clothes that I am going to have to insist my family start wearing. Oh, it isn't like I am going to just randomly throw something on them. I had to choose the best for each of them. And of course, for myself. Because gamer or not, it is good to dress the part. And gamer or not, shopping is still a competitve sport...even online. This shirt is the one I will be sporting now that I am "officially a part of" rather than on the outside looking in:

(Caption to describe the shirt says: The image of these virtuous statues is symbolic of the moment we take a break from the real world and become immersed in the World of Warcraft. The potential loot, pvp and questing makes this transition glorious indeed. Did we mention loot?)

Fitting, huh? I think I will wear it everywhere. My world.

In fact, in my world of warcraft as aggroqueen, I have learned an important lesson. That is, if you are going to aggro, you better have a back-up to cover your butt! Because at level 16 you cannot take on a bazillion enemies that want to kill you. You will die. And when you resurrect, you will die again. And again. And again. Lesson learned. Any plans on not maintaining my image as Aggroqueen? Not a chance. I plan on learning enough to aggro these enemies and then kick their butts from here back to the days of Pong.

But I am not selfish. I think the whole family should be outfitted.

For instance the teen, he needs this one for sure!

The tween, this one.

The kindergarten girl (just so I remember) should wear this.

And the hubby who is quickly realizing that I don't do anything half-assed, this one. Because...well, he and his guild will know why. I can't out him like that. But he needs it. Trust me.

What do you think?

(Editor's note: All of these shirts can be found here. Go get yourself some geek wear, too. You'll thank me. Or not. But do it anyway.)

Now, after I finish shopping, I have about 15 quests left unfinished. I need to get on it. Before the kids get home and want attention or something silly like that!

Posted by Jenn @ 10:46 AM • Comments (6) • TrackBack (0)

September 11, 2006

In Memory of 9/11

Posted by Jenn @ 10:02 AM • Comments (5) • TrackBack (0)

September 06, 2006

Mother of the Year? Not so much tonight

While the kids were happy and enjoying a movie I took the opportunity to jump online and play a bit of World of Warcraft. Oh, yes, I did! I took my little Night Elf and lead her to a level 16. I checked on the kids. Fine. Playing. Not a care in the world as to what Mom was doing.

"Snacks, kids?" I asked as I tossed junk food dessert at them.

"Tired, honey?" I questioned as my son began to have heavy eyes (before bedtime).

Back to the questing. To the obsessing playing the game. Must level. Must level. Where is that Red Crystal? Oh, not those freaking Moonkins again. Must finished these 4 half way done quests.

Kids? Oh, yeah, I have kids. Must check on the kids.

The tween decided to go crawl in bed...at bedtime. I went to go say goodnight and he was sound asleep.

BAD mom strike ONE!

The teen came to me asking if I had any stomach medicine because he was still feeling sick at his stomach.
"Uhhhh, well....can I check in a minute? I am nearly finished. Crap. Just died. Okay, now I can find something to soothe your tummy."

He was found sound asleep on the couch.

BAD mom strike TWO!

Okay, before I do anything else I need to snuggle and read with the baby girl. I searched the house high and low for her. It was bedtime. At least it was just bedtime and not hours past. But, where was she? With her older brothers both crashed out early, she is somewhere entertaining herself. But where?

I found her hiding under a blanket in the playroom sound asleep. (Of course this is after I freaked and insisted she must've taken the car for a joy ride because she had to meet some of her kindergarten playground gang!) I picked her up and tucked her in to her bed and snuggled up beside her for a while. Soothing her? Not so much. But it did help soothe my guilt.

BAD mom strike THREE!

So, I am guessing that the Mother of the Year committee will be passing right by my house now.

HOWEVER, I got my Marama to a level 16. AND I got my new hunter leveled to a 10 AND learned how to train the beast. (I love that quest. It sounds so dirty! More on that later.)

And really, the kids were sleeping not coloring on the walls or running around the house wreaking havoc. So, it's not that bad is it? IS IT?

Posted by Jenn @ 08:52 AM • Comments (431) • TrackBack (0)

September 03, 2006

Join the Dark Side....I'll be your dealer

Okay, ladies, I know you are out there because you are emailing me and commenting here. You know you want to try it. Stand up with me and take back the computers! We can totally form a guild of former Gaming Widows and making it the Gaming Widower-Makers.

If you read my "How it all began", you know that I had great loathing for this game and everything associated with it. But, ladies, I have to tell you...shhhhh...it's kind of fun.

And the payback! Oh, honey child, the payback.

Here are some examples:

Male: When is dinner going to be ready?

Widower-Maker: Can you NOT see that I am in the middle of a Quest? I should be asking you. When is MY dinner going to be ready?

Or you can do the reverse of what we have said for years:

Male: Honey, are you coming to bed soon?

Widower Maker: Be there in a bit. Once I finish this instance...they are usually only a few hours. Just go on without me.

And then the ever popular:

Male: You have totally been neglecting me since you started that game. I miss you. Can't we spend some time together?

Widower Maker: I've told you. Just get another computer and start playing again. I promise you'll like it and we will be spending time together that way. Just think, we could loot, and raid and quest together. But, you'll need to figure out what to do with the kids first.

Oh, yes, ladies, the tides are turning. Join me on the dark side. (I will even teach you some of the most creative forms of non-cussing cussing you have ever heard. You'll need it.)

Posted by Jenn @ 01:06 PM • Comments (19) • TrackBack (0)

September 02, 2006

Who has time to game when there are chores to be done?

Last night at 9:00pm, I am getting ready for bed. I was worn out and could feel a cold coming on. Then after emailing a friend back and forth for a while, I became inspired to play World of Warcraft. Inspired. As in, I played and didn't get to bed until 3:00am!

Warcrack, I tell you! So, I have things to do today that must be done. I have errands to run. I have chores to do. In fact, I am pretty sure we are out of most of the four main food groups and I need to go to the store. I know the kids need me to do something for them. I have no idea what, but kids always need you to do something for them. And the hubby? Well, he may feel a bit neglected. (How's if feel to be on the other side and being the gaming widower?)

So, I am going to do what any good mom/wife/writer should do on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

I am going gaming. BRING IT!

Posted by Jenn @ 04:43 PM • Comments (97) • TrackBack (0)

September 01, 2006

Confession time

I have a secret. But you have to promise not to tell my family (The Males) or the guys at Blizzard. (It's not like they read this...yet.) Promise not to tell?

I am really enjoying playing World of Warcrap Warcrack Warcraft.

I spend most of my days writing. Trying to take the thoughts in my jumbled up brain and make them coherent and relatable for other people. I am at my computer most of my days writing. Either blogs, freelancing or working on my never-ending book editing/rewriting. There are nights it feels good to just log in and mindlessly play this game. (Well, I shouldn't say mindlessly because for a non-gamer, this game can be hard!) But I am really enjoying it.

I am ashamed to admit it, but I even whoop and get all psyched up when I level. Yes, I know. Sad. Sad. Sad.

But you promised not to tell. So Shhhhhhhhhhh!

And I made a new shirt for the occasion.

Posted by Jenn @ 09:50 PM • Comments (1) • TrackBack (0)