Kaalenarc's Corner - The Gathering II - the Las Vegas Invasion!!
Greetings Antonia Baylers!
Since my last "corner" things have been a bit hectic. For those that have been asking and encouraging me to get off my backside and get another one of these out - thank you! I appreciate the consistent support and encouragement!
In our last episode : (hmm need a better opening - Previously on LOST (in Norrath)
I:
- Have begun learning several raid zones
- Acquired my first piece of relic armor (Holy Banana Pants Batman!!)
- Tried twice and got thisclose before coming up short in trying to complete Claymore
- Slowly began the process of learning to effectively MT a raid in some of the T7 zones.
- Planned, and booked the Gathering 2!!! (more on this in a bit)
Non -Blackhawks Player of the Week.
This week the award goes to MALFI of the guild UNITY. Malfi in addition to being a member of the League, is also one of its raid leaders. He regularly runs Relic runs in Labs and is a very capable raid leader. Last night he ran a relic run, and bravely, allowed yours truly to be the MT. We did fairly well, and I learned a heck of a lot in the process. Thanks Malfi!
Blackhawks Player of the Week.
This weeks award goes to COOKEE! (Heaven help us.) A Blackhawk since the early days of SWG, Cook has been a constant source of fun in the guild. Whether its on any of his 9786345.9 alts, or just hanging out, he can always be counted on to bring his own unique sense of humor to the team. Cookee has also, uh, invented some of his words, so cook , if you're reading this... CHESKALOPA bud! LOL
COMPLETELY Shameless plug for the guild!!!! Tired of hardcore raiding? Tired of guild leaders telling you where you have to be, who you can hang out with, where you can and cannot go? Tired of the "my way or the highway" system? Consider a more relaxed approach. The Blackhawks offer an emphasis on FUN, camaraderie and mutual success. A family type atmosphere where helping others is the primary objective. And, yes, we even do a little raiding. Read more at Blackhawksguild.com
The things I think I think:
I think I need to re-examine my earlier statement about VG and other games not hurting us. I don't know if its new items that have been released or that we are just in that little post-expansion dip we always seem to have. Things feel a bit light, though not overly so. All the usual indicators are there... lighter presence in zones, raid guilds losing members as hard core folks get burnout, chat channels a bit quieter than normal.. maybe its just winter doldrums...its not terrible... just a bit off methinks...
I think we need more content along the lines of MMC, Valdoons and OOB. These instances are challenging and fun, tho they can be a bit on the short side. What surprises me most is that there seem to be a fairly significantly high number of folks who are 68+ who have never done them (MMC=Mistmore catacombs, OOB = Obelisk of Blight). If you happen to fall into this category or would just like to make a run, contact me anytime, and I will be more than happy to help out if Im available.
I think I continue to be underwhelmed by SOE's complete lack of active marketing for the game. Walking into Best Buy the other night - there is still a giant 4 foot by 4 foot display of WoW's The Burning Crusade Expansion pack - right in one of the main aisles. You cant turn on a TV or open a gamer mag without seeing something about it. Yes, I know we will never have their numbers (which I personally attribute to it being a ten year old franchise rather than the quality of the gameplay). Yeah, I know they have 9 gajillion players, but this isn't Interplay - its SONY - one of the largest and most successful entertainment companies in the world. Spend a few bucks on advertising. You have a better product, let people know about it! Sheesh!
I think (and yeah Im ready for the lightning bolts here) that I like Grimwell a bit better than I did Blackguard. Nothing against ol' BG - he was merely OK in my dealings with him. There was always a sense of "DEVs vs the community " that I got from him. Grimwell on the other hand, seems to have a more fresh, and upbeat outlook. No, he isn't going to answer every pm or post - no one can. But his outlook just seems to be based on a sincere appreciation for how the community feels.
I REALLY think its time to do away with the waiting at the spires - or at least to cut it down. The future of gaming is more seamless zones, no load times, no waiting around... I think there really is no need for us to spend 5 minutes standing around waiting for waiting sake. ... just a thought. Yeah - I know , its just 5 min... it just doesn't seem necessary. I kinda get the waiting for the boat to arrive. But the spires are just a teleportation thing - lets let em move a bit faster.
Claymore - sigh - I give up - I need a hand getting this done - anyone out there consistently able to beat the last raid? I need to get to tarinax and then go back and kill fitz. If you can help - someone send me a pm.
NON-EQ2 thoughts this week.
THE BLACKHAWKS ARE INVADING LAS VEGAS!!!
The Second Gathering of the Blackhawks - will take place in Las Vegas Nevada from April 6-10 , 2007. We have 16 people booked and confirmed to attend already! We plan on meeting for dinner the first evening and then from there it's a weekend of fun in Sin City! If you're a hawk who hasn't signed up yet, or a friend of the team who would like to attend, contact me for hotel and event specifics.
We did this once before , in 2005 and it was easily one of the best vacations ever! For those of you who cannot make it, we will be having another RL event on the East Coast sometime towards the fall...
Ran into an old friend this week, a former hawk who long ago left the team. Turns out the poor guy is suffering from clinical depression. What a terrible illness this is. We have all heard folks say "Im depressed" - but imagine if you felt that way all the time? I looked it up and found usefull info at http://www.webmd.c...verview. Did what I could to help, which sadly, wasn't much. If you know someone afflicted this way, be patient with them. The temptation to say "ahh you'll be ok" is there, but sadly, without proper help, they may not be.
Has anyone else seen the near-unbelievable scandal that has hit EVE Online? As I understand it - a player hacked into the forums of that game's largest guild, Band of Brothers and found evidence that DEVs had joined that guild, and spawned loot and other incredibly rare (think Mythical level in EQ2 terms) items for himself and guild mates.
The DEV in question was caught by the company that owns the game CCP, NOT fired amazingly enough and forced to issue an apology. Thank god that kind of thing hasn't happened here. I read that and was just stunned. We all love these games but to cheat when it could cost you your livelihood? No way.
I only played EVE briefly but wow. Just wow.
No Kaalenarc's Kitchen this week but I'll see what I can whip up for next time...
Quote of the week. This week's quote is a bit long, and its about the uselessness of letting the problems of the past weigh on you for too long - I hope you like it:
"There were two monks who were heading out on a long journey. They had walked for a few days in silence when they came to a wide river. In the middle of the river was a rock. And on this rock was a woman, looking very distressed. She yelled for the two monks to help her. The first monk wades into the river, fords his way across it. He picks up the woman and tells her "hold on tight" and wades back across and sets the woman down on the other side.
The two monks travel on in silence for another 100 miles. Finally the second monk cannot stand it anymore. He yells at the first monk "How could you!? We've taken vows of silence and chastity!!! You weren't supposed to even talk to a woman! But you did! And you touched her!! You must've carried her for 50 feet!!"
The first monk turns to the second monk, and says quietly "Yes, I carried her for fifty feet. But you have carried her for 100 miles."
--Chuck Knoll
Fmr Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers.
That's it for me folks- until next time, stay safe!
