Greetings Antonia Baylers!!
When last we left our intrepid hero:
I:
- FINALLY killed Tarinax (more below)
- Welcomed our 900th guild member!
- Got rid of the infamous bananna pants!
Non Blackhawks Player of the Month!
This month the award goes to CERVANTO of Dauntless Unity. I am not a member of the DU raid organization (yet). Nonetheless, Cervanto, hearing of my ongoging frustration with being unable to slay Tarinax invited me along on one of their raids in DT. Thanks C, for taking the time to help me out! Much appreciated!
Blackhawks Player of the Month!
This month the award goes to DALTHEN. Dalthen is one of those guys who is ALWAYS looking to help someone out. Doesn't care if it's a DT raid or mentoring in Stormhold, he is always up for some grouping, fun, and most importantly helping out players in need. For his ongoing efforts and continued contributions to the success of the team , Dalthen was promoted to the rank of Commander within the guild! Congrats and well done!
TWO Completely shameless plugs for the team! It's summer! For many online groups this means logging in to two guildies, or worse NO guildies online. Its not so with the Blackhawks. We have members online 24/7/365. If the servers are up, there are Blackhawks online. Currently averaging 15-20 members online around the clock and as many as 35 or more during peak hours - there is always someone on to lend a hand.
Members of OTHER guilds: Stuck? Need a hand with the last mob of a quest? Need a group? It doesn't matter if you want to join the Blackhawks or not! We will still help! If you are stuck spamming the level channels and are getting no response, try hitting the U key and paging and officer online and asking for assistance. We exist to help others and , while we cannot meet every request, we will meet most of them. Don't be shy - we usually have someone on capable of lending a hand. Feel free to email me as well for pre-planned assistance.
The things I think I think
I think that I am relieved, overjoyed, and thrilled beyond words to have FINALLY killed Tarinax. 16th attempt was the charm (our group wiped a couple times before finally getting him). Special thanks to everyone in the Dauntless Unity raid who let me come along for the ride. It was not only a great DT run, it was a heck of a lot of fun! Im looking forward to doing more raids with you all in the future!
Additional Kudos to DT for their new looting system which still gives new members and non members a fair shot at loot. On my first raid I looted fabled plate pants off of Tarinax - thus banishing the infamous bananna pants (relic) to backup gear status!
I think , on reflection , that the Claymore quest line, was entirely too long. Having completed it, I am relieved of course. And I certainly do have a feeling of accomplishment. But I could have gone without at least 15 of those 30 some odd quests they made me do. Additionally, I took the shield as the reward. I was VERY nervous about not taking the Claymore itself, particularly with the Swords of Destiny Quest finishing up next GU - hope I made the right call.
I wish that there were more "cool" looking mounts with effects for good side players. Currently we all (good and evil) have access to the war-barded horses. But as far as the effects go, the Nightmare and the "blue nightmare" (from the new city - not sure of its name) beat the lowly mistrunner and its "fairy dust" effects anyday. C'mon DEVs - give us something! And uh NO, no rhinos please. Throw us good side folks a bone and give us a Lion mount or something!
I think I am blessed to have such a capable group of Officers and Council in the guild. We passed 915 members last night. Considering that every one of our members got at least a 20 minute interview, and that we turn away more people than we accept, I am proud of that number. No, being the biggest doesn't mean anything, really. But, to me it signifies something beyond gameplay. A camaraderie, a bond, a like-mindedness in the wishing to help others that transcends the normal dramas that some large guilds consistently face. None of this would be possible without such a loyal and dedicated group as the team's officers. Thanks guys, for all that you do!
I think I am going to start (GASP) exploring doing some guild relic run raiding. Up to this point, we have relied on the League and other organizations to help us avoid the issues that being a raid guild can cause. We will never be hardcore but the occasional relic run may be fun. I think I'll give that a whirl soon.
Speaking of the League, what the H-E-C-K is going on? Good God, people are dropping left and right. The League is a fine organization, but clearly they are a bit rudderless as of late. Recently some new in game leadership was added. Im sincerely hoping it acts as a stabilizing force. The concept is sound. I love the League. Here's hoping it gets back on track.
I think November seems entirely too far away - wishing I could get the expansion now!'
OK this is a topic I only recently found out about (yeah im a bit behind) but I did have a bit of a skeptical eye at these "online gamers anonymous" folks after a news story ran in my area last week. It seems the mother of some kid (well adult - he was 21) is on some sort of anti-MMO crusade. She claims that the games are addictive. Not addictive in the sense that we all say "we are addicted to playing this its great." She means addicted like "Im addicted to Heroin".
Evidently , this woman's son, who was clinically depressed, under psychological care, and on a number of anti-depressant medications (that he abruptly stopped taking), killed himself a while back while playing a game of EverQuest (one -not eq2). So of course, she blames the game. Doesn't blame her 21 yr old son for being fired from his job, for not taking his meds, for choosing to end his own life, she blames the GAME and the evil developers of such games. /eyeroll.
With all due respect to the family's tragedy - that's a bit like blaming the sidewalk when a guy commits suicide by jumping off a building. Give me a break.
Now I will fully concede that there are folks who, as with anything, can take things a bit too far. They play too much, obsess over the game, to the detriment of their marriage , job , whatever. But that it true of many things. People can obsess over their job to the point that it ruins their marriage, can obsess over just hanging out with their friends instead of doing schoolwork, can be in internet chat rooms while their significant other is asleep, but, those are the choices they made. It doesn't mean that work, the internet, or friends are to blame.
As a society, people need to take responsibility for their own actions. Its not SOE's fault if you obsess on the game. I guess what irks me the most about this woman's organization is this: She now has this ongoing crusade, under the guise of helping "gaming addicts". She has a very carefully worded site that "wink wink nudge nudge" doesn't come right out and accuse game developers of this, but their forum posters certainly do. And they have essentially cut , paste, and paraphrased the alcoholics anonymous 12 step program and they present it as their "cure" for online gaming addiction. Sigh. Some of these folks might actually need help for larger issues like depression or chemical imbalances, and this organization blames game companies instead. Insanity. These people who have these issues should be seeking professional help, not some shyster internet equivalent of a televangelist espousing a miracle cure. OK - just needed to get that off my chest. I know those folks are probably well intentioned, but man are they misguided!
Non EQ2 thoughts this week
I think the Sopranos ending was brilliant. Yes, like many others I thought my [I cannot control my vocabulary] cable went out. But on re-watching it, those last 5 minutes were what the best episodes of the entire run were like. You watch, you are on edge, you're anxiously awaiting something - not sure what. Well done. Timing the blackout to coincide with the lyrics "don't stop" at the exact moment they cut to black was pretty cool too. I also enjoyed the (now debunked) rumors of missing scenes and hidden info in the credits. Heh.
Paris Hilton - got what she deserved. Next story please.
I think, much as I am loathe to admit it, that come late August, early September - there's going to be one heck of a pennant race between the still-hot Red Sox and the suddenly unbeatable Yankees. Time will tell.
If I were an MLB pitcher, I would just walk Barry Bonds every at bat. For the rest of the year. Don't let him hit it. He doesn't deserve it. Take it away. Yeah, he beat the tests. But last I knew, weight training cant triple the size of your HEAD.
Anyone else think Fantastic Four 2 is going to stink worse than the first one?
Kaalenarc's Kitchen.
This week, rather than a new recipe, Im going to talk a bit about grilling. Specifically about grilling steak.
Steak is one of the most popular and delicious items to grill yet many people simply throw it on maximum heat, cut into it when they think its done, and go on their merry way. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your next Steak on the grill
First up - ya gotta know what to buy - here are some suggestions:
How to Buy Steak
Before you begin cooking, pick the cut of meat that best suits your dinner plan.
- Tender, less lean cuts are perfect for the grill and are delicious plain or dressed up with sauces.
- Leaner, chewier cuts become more tender and delicious when marinated, thinly sliced, and grilled quickly or braised.
- For any cut of steak, look for red meat with white fat that is marbled evenly across the grain.
- Prime grade meat (the highest grade) is tender and highly marbled. Unfortunately, prime grade is expensive and difficult to find. The average supermarket carries choice grade meat as well as the less flavorful, and less tender, select grade. Most markets will feature those ratings right no the label prime, choice, select. Try your local butcher for a better selection , particularly around holidays like July 4 where everyone is grilling.
- The best steak you can buy is dry-aged in special meat coolers to develop the flavor and tenderize the meat. Most beef, however, is wet-aged, if aged at all, in vacuum-packed bags for one to four weeks. This process improves the tenderness of the beef, but does not improve the flavor.
OK - Now lets cook that sucker... some tips:
- My favorite steak tip marinade = Kraft Red Wine Vinegrette salad dressing. It's the right mix and makes an excellent flavor when grilled.
- All marinades require an acid (usually some type of fruit juice or vinegar) and a base (usually olive oil) Don't be afraid to experiement! Try adding a little black pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar to your regular BBQ sauce to turn it into a tangy marinade
- Some markets sell cedar "grilling planks" these are thin pieces of wood that add a smoky flavor to the meat. The directions usually ask you to soak the wood in water for at least an hour before grilling. For a bit of added flavor - try soaking the wood in fruit juice (this works especially well with chicken too) instead of water.
Yeah yeah - but the biggest question is always - HOW DO I TELL WHEN ITS DONE?!!?
Whether you marinate, or just want it plain, there are some cardinal rules to grilling and testing for done ness.
- You flip a steak once, and once only.
- Don't pierce or cut the steak to see if its done! We aren't heathens! Cutting or piercing the steak bleeds out the juices and can quickly dry out the meat if its not done. Use tongs, not a fork.
- Heat makes the juices move from the center of the meat to the outside - always rest your steak for a couple of minutes before eating it to let the juices re-saturate
- To see if its done: If you MUST use a thermometer - use a DIGITAL one - that has the sensor in the tip. Most old style analog thermometers need you to pierce it way too deeply to be effective or accurate
- The touch test. My grandfather taught me this and its never failed me. After a few tries you will be an expert. A rare steak will have the same feel as the skin between your thumb and forefinger. A medium steak will feel like the tip of your nose and anything firmer than that is well done. There ya have it. Yes, it takes a bit of practice but it really is easy.
Happy Grilling!
Quote of the week: (since Im in a summertime mode)
A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken. ~James Dent
That's all for now folks - see you next time!
