Greetings Antonia Bayle –
Lots to get to this week so here we goooo
Since my last visit I:
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Have managed to acquire three pieces of Kyle Bayle Armorset
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Looted my first ever piece of Fabled armor – a nice pally only piece.
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Beaten Valdoons and OOB several times.
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Begun my search for pages of the Old Tome.
Non – Blackhawks Player of the week.
This week the award goes to CYNITH, of the Golden Spoon Guild. Many leaders of various guilds throughout Norrath speak on the ABLeaders channel. It’s a chance to exchange ideas, information and share those unique issues that only a guild leader knows.
Cynith regularly livens up the channel with sound advice, a solid sense of humor, and occasionally when out and about, a well aimed fruitcake to the back of the head!
Blackhawks Player of the Week.
This weeks award is somewhat different, as it is being awarded posthumously. The Blackhawk in question was a member of the Star Wars Galaxies side of the team. He did not get the opportunity to join us here in EverQuest2. Instead he joined the airforce and served in Iraq. His name in game was IDUNITS – and we met because I recognized the movie from which he had drawn his name ( the Steven King movie – Dreamcatcher). Whether adventuring , hanging out , or pvp-ing – this kind hearted soul always had an even demeanor and a ready joke. You could spend hours just sitting and listening to him.
Earlier this week, he attempted to diffuse a bomb somewhere in Iraq. He was killed instantly. Its never pleasant when a loved one falls into shadow. And the world is a much poorer place for his absence. Godspeed, my friend. You will be missed.
What?? Where is the shameless plug for the guild??
Alas = no recruiting message this week as the Blackhawks have agreed to extend our “hiring freeze” for one more week. Wednesday the 24th of January we will re-open our doors to new members and begin again interviewing those interested. If you are one of those who have been patiently waiting, we are not going to make those that have already spoken to us keep waiting – contact me at your convienience.
The Things I think I think
I think joining The League was one of the best decisions I made. For those than don’t know, this is a non-guild based raiding alliance made up of individual players to conquer t6 and t7 raid content. They are an amazing, capable, and fun group. If you haven’t already – check them out at www.theleague-eq2.com
I think that the WoW expansion and the imminent launch of VG are not really going to hurt EQ2 that much. There will be dip for a short time to be sure, as curiosity gets the better of folks. But, simply put – there is nothing better than Eq2. I tried the beta for VG. Pretty but not very much in the way of distinguishing gameplay. I left it with a “ehhh” kind of feeling. Not much reason to jump imho.
I think , and yes, I’ve said it before, that armor dye is long overdue. Another thread this week popped up in the Gameplay Discussion forums and again, even though there were quite a few responses to this, none came from a DEV. It’s a shame. When they DO respond – the answer is always the same “no, and because we said so.” Im tired of the court jester look. The NPCs shouldn’t look better than we do. Sigh. End mini-rant.
I think every now and then, it’s a good thing to take a night or two off. I’ve essentially taken the past two off, after about 6 months of not missing a day. ( I say essentially because I only spent an hour each night) And now Im jonesing to play again. Needed to recharge my batteries and relax. Spent the day running errands, reading a good book and watching , of all things to choose, the LOTR movies. (sigh – I guess I cant COMPLETELY get away hehe) I feel like im “charged up” and ready to go again. To the readers of this – I’d like to ask – what do YOU do to “recharge” or re-energize your enthusiasm for play?
I think the Mark of Awakening trials are great fun. Especially the third one. What would I give to have THAT buff outside of the instance? LOL. Cant wait to get in to the MotA 4 raid and finish it off.
I think Im getting awfully close to the end of the Claymore series. As frustrating as this questline was, I think im gonna miss having something to gripe about lol
Non-EQ2 thoughts this week.
FOOTBALL! – How bout dem Patriots? I’ve decided that since my beloved Steelers aren’t in it this year, I’ll cave in and root for the Pats the rest of the way. Im an AFC guy – so whoever wins the AFC title will be my Super Bowl pick. So what kind of Super Bowl will we have? Is this the year for Manning and the Colts? Will the Pats win their 4th in 6 years? Will the Saints March in with a Lombardy Trophy. How about a rematch of Super Bowl XX Bears-Pats? Post your thoughts below
Speaking of football – whats everyone’s plans for their SuperBowl Party? We usually host a big bash at my place with plenty of good food (see below) and screaming at the refs!
Kaalenarc’s Kitchen! – someone in guild the other day asked me about this and I figured Id post it. One of my non-computer based hobbies is cooking. I simply enjoy it. And one of my specialties is Baked Stuffed Ziti. Whether watching football or havin friends over for a LAN party – this is my most requested dish. Sometimes I make the sauce from scratch but I’ve included the “bachelors” version here. If someone reads this and posts a pic of the finished product with a sign saying Kaal’s Kitchen next to it – I’ll giove the first person to do so 2plat!
Ingredients.
2lbs ziti
6 eggs
1 large container whole milk Ricotta cheese
2 large bags (or 8 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 large jar of Prego tomato sauce
1 small can of diced tomatoes. (these come sometimes in flavors like garlic)
Extra Virgin
Foil pan
Spices : Oregano, garlic powder, parsley, basil and sugar
Filling.
Mix the Ricotta, 6 eggs, and half of the shredded mozzarella in a large bowl. Add a little of the oregano and garlic powder. Add two tablespoons of the extra virgin olive oil. Once mixed (by hand) – cover and set in the fridge for a while.
Begin boiling the water for the ziti. Cook them al dente. Preheat oven to 400
Sauce –
I hate jar sauce, but in a pinch, Prego is the best. I dress mine up a bit - but really any will do. In a medium saucepan add the sauce. A little of each spice and 1/3 cup sugar. (you wont taste it, but adding sugar to the sauce reduces the acidity of it – for you heartburn sufferers). I add in the diced tomatoes , and about ¾ cup of extra virgin olive oil. Mix it all in – cover and cook on medium heat – stirring as needed.
Putting it all together.
Once the ziti are done, drain and put back into the empty pan. Get the filling out of the fridge. Add two or three ladle fulls of the sauce to the ziti and stir thoroughly.
Next in a large foil casserole pan, add a little ziti and a little of the filling. Stir together adding little amounts of each until u have a well blended mixture.
Once the pan is full, put a thin layer of sauce on the top and ALL of the remaining cheese over that.
Bake in the oven for about 25 min or so. If the cheese isn’t slightly browned by then Broil for an additional 3-5 min – but watch it, and pull it out when the cheese browns slightly. Let it cool for 10 min then serve with a little of the remaining sauce poured over it.
And yeah – I know it’s a little odd to post a recipe in Kaal’s Corner – but I like to mix it up every now and then. Plus Curious to see if anyone claims the 2pp
Quote of the week.
At home, and at work I have the following item posted near my desk. Whenever I have doubts, stress, or even a rough day – I take a moment to read it. With the loss of a friend this week, a long week at work, a bad cold, and a bit of a busy week in game, I needed it this week. Its long – but a good and inspirational read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
IF
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
--Rudyard Kipling
That’s all for me this week folks. Until next time, Safe journeys to you all.
-- Kaalenarc.
