The title says it all. My life has taken a dramatic change, some for the better, and some not so good. I accepted a transfer back to Texas with my job, and I'm so happy being back home. The downside of that is Bobbie and I broke up right before I left. It breaks my heart and I have days where I feel nothing but rage inside. Today is one of those days. I see my friends posting on Facebook doing things with her, having fun, and seeing others pop up their heads in interest since once again Bobbie is single. It feels like I'm being repeatedly stabbed in the heart.
We had an argument earlier this week, and Bobbie said my postings on FB were upsetting her. She said seeing me "hanging out with friends and watching ballgames" really bothered her for some reason. I was doing what I didn't do in Modesto in her mind. What she doesn't realize is my hanging out with friends consisted of sitting in my apartment with just me and the dog, playing WoW, and talking to my online friends via voice chat. Watching games consisted of going to the ESPN website and watching the gamecast , which is little more than a picture of a football moving across a football field...again, sitting in my apartment with just me and the dog. I guess she thinks I'm out running the town and having a grand old time. To be honest, it's pretty damn lonely.
She asked me what she wanted her to do, and since I know she wouldn't make the decision because she wants me to be the bad guy as usual, I told her she was on her own and I was not going to contact her again. She was officially "off the hook" and can go back and tell her friends how I "left her" and it's all my fault.
I'm not ready to drive into Dallas and go out, or even really be very social in person. I'm still hurting tremendously and just need time to lick my wounds. For now, Cheyenne is my best friend and confidant. All she asks is that I rub her belly, take her for walks, throw the ball, and feed her. Honestly that's about all I can offer to anyone or anything at this point in time. I'd say I wish the hurting would stop but I know I need to go through this before I can move on. Pain and broken hearts are as much a part of life as, love and happiness.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Grey - (Just a taste part 2)
Here's a little more of what I've written in my book. Let me know what you think! Constructive criticism is always welcome!
I let the conversation drop and started planning my next move in my head. My peaceful ride was over, and probably would only get worse the closer I got to my destination. The pipes rumbled louder as I opened the throttle, and roared down the highway at just over 100mph. My adrenaline level rising as fast as the needle on the speedometer.
The plan comes together as the miles pass by. I activate the electronic phone book in my head and call my back-up.
“Rio, you ready to go?”
“I’m always ready…” drawls the smooth southern voice.
A sly grin creeps across my face and I reply, “Besides that, you ready to work?”
“Of course darlin’. Rigs off to the north side of the plaza.”
With a quick look at the map on my heads up display, “Ok, ETA is 5 minutes. Be ready to roll.”
The highway finally makes a gentle curve to the east after God only know how many miles straight as an arrow. Easing off the throttle, I see the fueling plaza a short distance away. I figure I have maybe three or four minutes on my shadow, so everything has to go smoothly. Slowing to enter the large lot, I guide the bike to the back and look for my target. Rio, the only other person on the entire planet I trust, is making this way too easy. Straight ahead is a bright red transport, with the rear doors open and ramp down. I smile to myself and roll into the cavernous trailer. Within seconds the ramp is receding and doors are closing. The kick stand is barely down and the big rig is in motion. Lights come on and I grab the tie downs from the walls and make sure the bike is secure, then make my way to the front of the trailer, and finally into the cab of the truck.
That was way too easy. We make our way out of the lot and onto the Interstate. Even though it seems we’ve easily slipped my pursuers, I still have a nagging feeling crawling up my spine. Something’s not quite right.
Rio looks over and gives me a curious look. “What’s eatin’ you? Got that feeling again?”
“Yeah. Something isn’t right. That was way too easy. Just be ready for anything.”
Activating my comm unit, I call Jitters. “Are the shadows still moving?”
“Weird…no boss they stopped a couple miles from the fueling plaza. The other group is stationary too. Let me see what I can find on the air.”
While Jitters was scanning the cell and communication waves, I tried to think a few steps ahead of my “friends.” What would I do in their position? First thing would be to cut off communications. Second would be to cut off any escape routes. Third, call for backup.
“Looks like the local police force is stopping all traffic in and out of Green River. They’re searching vehicles.”
I look over at my cohort and see a sly smile on her face. “What’s the shit eating grin for?”
“Ah nothin’. I have a plan.” The smile became a full-fledged face-splitting grin. “This is gonna be good!”
“Ah shit. The last time you had a “plan” I ended up with some new scars and a few bullet holes in the bike.”
Rio gave me a playful, hurt look, “That wasn’t my fault! This one is gonna work, and doesn’t require any bullets”
I had to give it to her, her plans usually worked. Maybe not in the fashion originally imagined, but they worked. I had to laugh, which only made her smile bigger. She gave me the rundown of what she had in mind. It sounded pretty simple. I climbed back into the trailer and started putting things in motion.
After waiting in line at the traffic stop for almost an hour, Rio finally eased the big rig up to the check point. A police officer walked up as she rolled down the driver window.
“Step out of the vehicle and open the trailer doors. Leave the cab door open.”
Turning on the charm Rio replied, “Sure thing ma’am.”
She climbed down and walked to the back of the truck. As she unlocked the big swinging doors, she noticed several other “officers” semi-hidden in the trees not far off the road.
“What’s got everyone so tense out here in the middle of nowhere? Someone say a cross word to the gov'nor or somethin'?” she said with a laugh in her voice.
“We’re looking for a fugitive. I need to see your load manifest.”
Rio supplied the paperwork, which was covered in coffee stains, and pointed to the now open trailer, “As you can see, I don’t think anyone would fit back here. I’m carrying a full load of medical supplies. Trailers full from floor to ceiling, and wall to wall.”
The officer looked at the contents suspiciously, then at the paperwork. “The manifest looks legit, and your trailer looks full. I need you to pull forward onto the scales to check the weight”
“Wait a minute, a weight check? I just weighed at the last stop at the state line!” Rio protested.
“Then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about”
Grumbling, Rio walked back to the cab and climbed in. She eased the truck forward onto the mobile scales and stopped. After several minutes, she leaned out the window and found the officer. “How long does it take to weigh a frackin’ truck?? I’m on a deadline, as you can clearly see on the manifest! I gotta get going or I lose my bonus!”
“Cool your jets Miss Jefferson. You’ll get back on the road when we say you can.”
Another half hour had passed when the officer finally stepped up to the truck cab and handed Rio the paperwork back. “You’re clear to go. Scan and weight are clear.”
“Scan? You scanned my truck?? Didn’t I say I was carrying medical supplies?! If anything is damaged from your scan, I’m reporting you!”
The officer looked nonplused. “Your cargo is intact. Move along.”
Rio continued to grumble and curse as she rolled up her window and put the rig into motion, and gave the officer the “bird” as she pulled away. After several miles, she clicked the comm button and said “Coast is clear.”
I emerged from the back of the cab and climbed back into the passenger seat. Rio looked over with that big cocky Texas grin and said, “See, no bullets.”
All I could do was laugh.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Inspired
I just watched the web premiere of The Raid on GamerTV.com today. It was truly amazing to watch other gamers go through the same things I went through. It really explains a lot about gamers, and WoW players specifically. This has made me really want to take a hard look at my main character, Roameeo, and shape him into the best hunter he can possibly be. It made me want to work at becoming the best player I can be, not only for myself, but my fellow guild mates, and raiders.
No promises, but I'm going to try and post regularly about my progress and updates. Maybe I'll even post helpful information I find so others can use it as well. Being that I work full time, as well as have a family at home, it will be a slow process but I think worth it in the end.
First I'm going to start off with a link to Roameeo's WoW Armory page, so you can see where I'm at now.
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/character/proudmoore/Roameeo/advanced
I'll try to check in again soon, but as always, no promises. :)
No promises, but I'm going to try and post regularly about my progress and updates. Maybe I'll even post helpful information I find so others can use it as well. Being that I work full time, as well as have a family at home, it will be a slow process but I think worth it in the end.
First I'm going to start off with a link to Roameeo's WoW Armory page, so you can see where I'm at now.
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/character/proudmoore/Roameeo/advanced
I'll try to check in again soon, but as always, no promises. :)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy 4th of July!
It's been a while since I posted anything, and I know I've totally been slacking. I'd say I'm going to get better at it, but...who knows.
The 4th of July has always been a big holiday for me. I grew up in a small North Texas town where National pride is pretty much ingrained from birth. Growing up in a place like that, the priorities are God, country, and football...not necessarily in that order if the Cowboys are playing on Sunday...lol. People these days just don't seem to have the same love of country instilled in them. I don't get that. We live in the most free and amazing country in the world, bought at the cost of only God knows how many thousands of lives, yet people in general don't seem to care. They are too busy complaining about the nations issues, and what they don't have than looking around and realizing no other country in the world allows it's citizens all the same freedoms we have.
I get irritated at people when the National Anthem plays and they don't stand up, face the flag, and remove their damn hat without having to be told. What the hell is wrong with people?
Ok...enough of my ranting. I am proud to be an American, and love this country! Happy Independence Day!
Here are 10 things you might not know about our America's Independence Day.
1.) Independence Was Not Declared on July Fourth: The second Continental Congress actually voted for independence on July 2. In fact, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, predicting that future generations would celebrate July 2 as Independence Day, saying, "The second day of July, 1776, will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illumination, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore." July 4, 1776 is significant because that is the day that Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence document, but contrary to what many people believe it was not signed on the July 4. The official signing ceremony occurred on August 2, which is when most of the signers affixed their names to the document, but other representatives signed the document throughout the summer of 1776. Finally, there is no historical record of John Hancock saying that his signature is that big so that King George could read it. It has been suggested that Hancock's is by far the largest signature simply because he was the president of Congress.
2.) New York Was Late: When the Continental Congress declared independence from Britain the official vote was 12 in favor, 0 against. But wait, you may ask, weren't there 13 colonies? Where is that last one? The answer: The colony of New York abstained from the original vote on July 2. New York did not decide to join until July 19.
3.) It Was a States Thing First: Independence was not something that was confined to Congress. It started out as a state and local thing. In fact, the very first Declaration of Independence came on Oct. 4, 1774 (21 months before the Continental Congress declared independence) from the town of Worcester, Mass. During the next 21 months a total of 90 state and local declarations of independence would be made. When Virginia declared its independence in May 1776, they sent Rep. Richard Henry Lee to the Continental Congress with specific instructions to put forth a resolution of independence for Congress to vote on, thus allying all the colonies -- soon to become states -- against the British Empire in the War for Independence.
4.) American Troops Did Not fight Under the American Flag During the Revolution: The Fourth of July is always accompanied by a lot of flag waving, but the soldiers of the American Revolution did not actually fight under the American flag. In fact, our Founders did not really consider the flag to be all that important and the design of the flag varied both in the number of stripes and in the formation of the stars. The reason a uniform flag was adopted was so that our navy ships could be easily identified when arriving in foreign ports, but the boys in the Continental Army did not fight under this flag. In fact, the United States flag was considered so irrelevant that in 1794 when someone introduced a bill in Congress to add two stars to the flag in representation of the entrance of Vermont and Kentucky into the Union many members of the House considered it to be too trivial to pay any attention to. One representative is on record saying that this matter was "a trifling business which ought not to engross the attention of the House, when it was it was their duty to discuss matters of infinitely greater importance." In the end, the bill was passed simply to be rid of it. The Continental Army did still fight under flags, but these flags were all different depending on the regiment.
5.) Our Founding Fathers Were Not Radicals: As Americans, we like to think that what we did in the American Revolution was original and that our ideas of freedom and rights were new and progressive. But the truth is our Founding Fathers were not radical new thinkers -- all of their ideas and philosophies were rooted deeply in history. Ideas of people's rights, liberty, and social contracts can be traced all the way back through our colonial history, most famously with the Mayflower Compact, and even further through British history and English common law. These ideas can even be seen at work in the medieval era with Magna Carta first established 1215. Our Founding Fathers sought independence in order to preserve their "natural-born rights as Englishmen." Though it is true no colony had ever succeeded from the mother country before and the British were quick to call it treason, everything our Founders did was, in fact, legal. Jefferson himself explains that the Declaration was not meant to express anything new. He said it was "not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before, but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject."
6.) We Are Not a Democracy: People often associate democracy with freedom. We hear this word used all the time by our politicians, by our neighbors, even sometimes by our educators. But the fact is we are not a democracy. We are a republic. Our Founding Fathers deemed this an important distinction to make and discussed the matter quite a bit. In the end, our Founding Fathers claimed that a democracy was both extreme and dangerous for a country as it would most assuredly result in the oppression of the minority by the majority. Take this one example from Founding Father, Elbridge Gerry: "The evils we experience flow from the excess of democracy." And Thomas Jefferson said that democracy should never be practiced outside the limits of a town. Our Founders were very wary of power no matter who had it and thus limited it as much as possible -- this is why we have such a unique system of checks and balances.
7.) Jefferson-Hemings Scandal--Not So Scandalous After All? With Independence Day comes a lot of talk about the Declaration of Independence and with that talk comes references to Thomas Jefferson, which these days will inevitably end with the Sally Hemings scandal. The claim that Jefferson fathered children with Hemings started by Jefferson's political rival Alexander Hamilton as an attempt to smear and discredit him. In the past several years these claims got a lot of media attention when a DNA test was done on the descendants of Sally Hemings, which led people to claim that Thomas Jefferson was definitively the father of her children. However, the matter is far from settled and there are still historians on both sides of the aisle in this debate. The DNA test actually proves that a male from the Jefferson family fathered Sally Hemings' children --that's a number of possibilities. At this point, science cannot actually provide us with a definitive answer on the subject.
8.) Our Founding Fathers Would Not Have Recited the Pledge: Another patriotic tradition that gets a lot of attention, particularly around this time of the year, is the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge did not exist during our Founders' lifetimes -- something that is very clear when looking at its text. The Pledge was written over a century after America's founding in 1892. It was also written by a socialist -- Francis Bellamy, whose original text was: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." According to our Founders, the states are not indivisible, but very much the opposite. In fact, when ratifying the U.S. Constitution, some states, such as Virginia among others, specifically declared the right to secede from the Union should they feel it necessary just as an extra precaution to make sure that that state right was understood. Our Founders took their states rights very seriously and considered the U.S. Constitution to be a compact amongst the sovereign states so that any state could secede if it felt the federal government had become oppressive. So, if not with a pledge, how would our Founding Fathers begin meetings and celebrations? The answer: most likely with a prayer. In fact, the very first resolution brought before the First Continental Congress, and immediately passed, was the declaration that they would open every meeting with a prayer.
9.) The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere . . . and 40 others? The mythology of Paul Revere's midnight ride can be traced back to the year 1860 with the writing of that famous poem, "Paul Revere's Ride." Here's what really happened: On April 18, 1775, British troops were ordered to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams, both of whom were in Lexington at the time and to seize arms and provisions at Concord. Upon hearing this, Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on horseback -- taking two different routes to Lexington in order to warn Hancock and Adams. Along the way, they warned the towns they passed through of the British invasion. By the morning of April 19 roughly 40 men were out on horseback spreading the news. Revere arrived at Lexington first, followed by Dawes. The two men then headed toward Concord, but were intercepted by British troops. Dawes, though injured, managed to escape, but Revere was captured. He was rescued by American militiamen a short while later. It was during this confrontation between British troops and American militiamen at Concord that the famous shot heard 'round the world was fired.
10.) The British Soldiers of the Boston Massacre Were Defended by John Adams in Court: The Boston Massacre, on March 5, 1770, began with a riot and ended with British troops killing five men. The incident help spark the greater rebellion, which led to the Revolutionary War, but tensions had been rising in Boston since British troops had occupied the city in 1768. But you may be surprised to know that one of the Founding Fathers actually defended the British soldiers that were charged of killing the civilians. John Adams, like many of our Founding Fathers, was a lawyer, and though he was a Patriot, he firmly believed in the right to a fair trial and agreed to represent the British troops in court. Adams succeeded in getting Capt. Thomas Preston acquitted as most others. And the two soldiers who were convicted were spared the death penalty.
"The foundation of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans is the U.S. Constitution, the longest surviving constitution of any nation in history. To be civically unaware is to diminish our freedom, but knowing our history makes us all better Americans. Read our nation's Founding documents and they will inspire you." ~ George Nethercutt, Jr.
The 4th of July has always been a big holiday for me. I grew up in a small North Texas town where National pride is pretty much ingrained from birth. Growing up in a place like that, the priorities are God, country, and football...not necessarily in that order if the Cowboys are playing on Sunday...lol. People these days just don't seem to have the same love of country instilled in them. I don't get that. We live in the most free and amazing country in the world, bought at the cost of only God knows how many thousands of lives, yet people in general don't seem to care. They are too busy complaining about the nations issues, and what they don't have than looking around and realizing no other country in the world allows it's citizens all the same freedoms we have.
I get irritated at people when the National Anthem plays and they don't stand up, face the flag, and remove their damn hat without having to be told. What the hell is wrong with people?
Ok...enough of my ranting. I am proud to be an American, and love this country! Happy Independence Day!
Here are 10 things you might not know about our America's Independence Day.
1.) Independence Was Not Declared on July Fourth: The second Continental Congress actually voted for independence on July 2. In fact, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, predicting that future generations would celebrate July 2 as Independence Day, saying, "The second day of July, 1776, will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illumination, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore." July 4, 1776 is significant because that is the day that Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence document, but contrary to what many people believe it was not signed on the July 4. The official signing ceremony occurred on August 2, which is when most of the signers affixed their names to the document, but other representatives signed the document throughout the summer of 1776. Finally, there is no historical record of John Hancock saying that his signature is that big so that King George could read it. It has been suggested that Hancock's is by far the largest signature simply because he was the president of Congress.
2.) New York Was Late: When the Continental Congress declared independence from Britain the official vote was 12 in favor, 0 against. But wait, you may ask, weren't there 13 colonies? Where is that last one? The answer: The colony of New York abstained from the original vote on July 2. New York did not decide to join until July 19.
3.) It Was a States Thing First: Independence was not something that was confined to Congress. It started out as a state and local thing. In fact, the very first Declaration of Independence came on Oct. 4, 1774 (21 months before the Continental Congress declared independence) from the town of Worcester, Mass. During the next 21 months a total of 90 state and local declarations of independence would be made. When Virginia declared its independence in May 1776, they sent Rep. Richard Henry Lee to the Continental Congress with specific instructions to put forth a resolution of independence for Congress to vote on, thus allying all the colonies -- soon to become states -- against the British Empire in the War for Independence.
4.) American Troops Did Not fight Under the American Flag During the Revolution: The Fourth of July is always accompanied by a lot of flag waving, but the soldiers of the American Revolution did not actually fight under the American flag. In fact, our Founders did not really consider the flag to be all that important and the design of the flag varied both in the number of stripes and in the formation of the stars. The reason a uniform flag was adopted was so that our navy ships could be easily identified when arriving in foreign ports, but the boys in the Continental Army did not fight under this flag. In fact, the United States flag was considered so irrelevant that in 1794 when someone introduced a bill in Congress to add two stars to the flag in representation of the entrance of Vermont and Kentucky into the Union many members of the House considered it to be too trivial to pay any attention to. One representative is on record saying that this matter was "a trifling business which ought not to engross the attention of the House, when it was it was their duty to discuss matters of infinitely greater importance." In the end, the bill was passed simply to be rid of it. The Continental Army did still fight under flags, but these flags were all different depending on the regiment.
5.) Our Founding Fathers Were Not Radicals: As Americans, we like to think that what we did in the American Revolution was original and that our ideas of freedom and rights were new and progressive. But the truth is our Founding Fathers were not radical new thinkers -- all of their ideas and philosophies were rooted deeply in history. Ideas of people's rights, liberty, and social contracts can be traced all the way back through our colonial history, most famously with the Mayflower Compact, and even further through British history and English common law. These ideas can even be seen at work in the medieval era with Magna Carta first established 1215. Our Founding Fathers sought independence in order to preserve their "natural-born rights as Englishmen." Though it is true no colony had ever succeeded from the mother country before and the British were quick to call it treason, everything our Founders did was, in fact, legal. Jefferson himself explains that the Declaration was not meant to express anything new. He said it was "not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before, but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject."
6.) We Are Not a Democracy: People often associate democracy with freedom. We hear this word used all the time by our politicians, by our neighbors, even sometimes by our educators. But the fact is we are not a democracy. We are a republic. Our Founding Fathers deemed this an important distinction to make and discussed the matter quite a bit. In the end, our Founding Fathers claimed that a democracy was both extreme and dangerous for a country as it would most assuredly result in the oppression of the minority by the majority. Take this one example from Founding Father, Elbridge Gerry: "The evils we experience flow from the excess of democracy." And Thomas Jefferson said that democracy should never be practiced outside the limits of a town. Our Founders were very wary of power no matter who had it and thus limited it as much as possible -- this is why we have such a unique system of checks and balances.
7.) Jefferson-Hemings Scandal--Not So Scandalous After All? With Independence Day comes a lot of talk about the Declaration of Independence and with that talk comes references to Thomas Jefferson, which these days will inevitably end with the Sally Hemings scandal. The claim that Jefferson fathered children with Hemings started by Jefferson's political rival Alexander Hamilton as an attempt to smear and discredit him. In the past several years these claims got a lot of media attention when a DNA test was done on the descendants of Sally Hemings, which led people to claim that Thomas Jefferson was definitively the father of her children. However, the matter is far from settled and there are still historians on both sides of the aisle in this debate. The DNA test actually proves that a male from the Jefferson family fathered Sally Hemings' children --that's a number of possibilities. At this point, science cannot actually provide us with a definitive answer on the subject.
8.) Our Founding Fathers Would Not Have Recited the Pledge: Another patriotic tradition that gets a lot of attention, particularly around this time of the year, is the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge did not exist during our Founders' lifetimes -- something that is very clear when looking at its text. The Pledge was written over a century after America's founding in 1892. It was also written by a socialist -- Francis Bellamy, whose original text was: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." According to our Founders, the states are not indivisible, but very much the opposite. In fact, when ratifying the U.S. Constitution, some states, such as Virginia among others, specifically declared the right to secede from the Union should they feel it necessary just as an extra precaution to make sure that that state right was understood. Our Founders took their states rights very seriously and considered the U.S. Constitution to be a compact amongst the sovereign states so that any state could secede if it felt the federal government had become oppressive. So, if not with a pledge, how would our Founding Fathers begin meetings and celebrations? The answer: most likely with a prayer. In fact, the very first resolution brought before the First Continental Congress, and immediately passed, was the declaration that they would open every meeting with a prayer.
9.) The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere . . . and 40 others? The mythology of Paul Revere's midnight ride can be traced back to the year 1860 with the writing of that famous poem, "Paul Revere's Ride." Here's what really happened: On April 18, 1775, British troops were ordered to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams, both of whom were in Lexington at the time and to seize arms and provisions at Concord. Upon hearing this, Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on horseback -- taking two different routes to Lexington in order to warn Hancock and Adams. Along the way, they warned the towns they passed through of the British invasion. By the morning of April 19 roughly 40 men were out on horseback spreading the news. Revere arrived at Lexington first, followed by Dawes. The two men then headed toward Concord, but were intercepted by British troops. Dawes, though injured, managed to escape, but Revere was captured. He was rescued by American militiamen a short while later. It was during this confrontation between British troops and American militiamen at Concord that the famous shot heard 'round the world was fired.
10.) The British Soldiers of the Boston Massacre Were Defended by John Adams in Court: The Boston Massacre, on March 5, 1770, began with a riot and ended with British troops killing five men. The incident help spark the greater rebellion, which led to the Revolutionary War, but tensions had been rising in Boston since British troops had occupied the city in 1768. But you may be surprised to know that one of the Founding Fathers actually defended the British soldiers that were charged of killing the civilians. John Adams, like many of our Founding Fathers, was a lawyer, and though he was a Patriot, he firmly believed in the right to a fair trial and agreed to represent the British troops in court. Adams succeeded in getting Capt. Thomas Preston acquitted as most others. And the two soldiers who were convicted were spared the death penalty.
"The foundation of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans is the U.S. Constitution, the longest surviving constitution of any nation in history. To be civically unaware is to diminish our freedom, but knowing our history makes us all better Americans. Read our nation's Founding documents and they will inspire you." ~ George Nethercutt, Jr.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Cata Raid DPS and iLevel requirements
A lot of information is available about the new raids and such, but I couldn't quite find exactly what I was looking for in one place. I've done a little digging and come up with the following information. The data is taken for several different sources, so I take no credit for any of it, except for compiling it in one location:
A) Minimum Item level required
346 (less means more wipes than progress)
B) Minimum dps per dps chars (melee and ranged)
My elaborations on data taken from world of logs statistics under following assumptions:
-raid composition: 2 tanks 2 healers 6 dps chars
-tanks do approx 50% dps of dps chars
-all data for 10 Man normal, data for each raid taken for the first boss
=Baradin hold Boss Argaloth
minimum total raid dps: 72 K
minimum dps per each dps character : 10 K
=Bastion of Twilight Boss Halfus
minimum total raid dps: 105 K
minimum dps per each dps character : 15 K
=Blackwing Descent Boss Magmaw (2 tanks 3 healers 5 dps chars)
minimum total raid dps: 77 K
minimum dps per each dps character : 13 K
=Throne of the Four Winds Boss Conclave of Wind
minimum total raid dps: 55 K
minimum dps per each dps character : 8 K
Throne of the Four Winds:
A) Minimum Item level required
346 (less means more wipes than progress)
B) Minimum dps per dps chars (melee and ranged)
My elaborations on data taken from world of logs statistics under following assumptions:
-raid composition: 2 tanks 2 healers 6 dps chars
-tanks do approx 50% dps of dps chars
-all data for 10 Man normal, data for each raid taken for the first boss
=Baradin hold Boss Argaloth
minimum total raid dps: 72 K
minimum dps per each dps character : 10 K
=Bastion of Twilight Boss Halfus
minimum total raid dps: 105 K
minimum dps per each dps character : 15 K
=Blackwing Descent Boss Magmaw (2 tanks 3 healers 5 dps chars)
minimum total raid dps: 77 K
minimum dps per each dps character : 13 K
=Throne of the Four Winds Boss Conclave of Wind
minimum total raid dps: 55 K
minimum dps per each dps character : 8 K
Throne of the Four Winds:
Monday, April 11, 2011
Up and down kind of day - and maybe a moment of realization
It's been a bittersweet day. My daughter had an interview for an internship with Harper Collins. That would be a dream come true for her. She is an amazing kid, and I'm so proud of her. I am truly blessed and inspired by her. There is no doubt in my mind that she will grow up to be very successful, and show everyone else in the world what a special young lady she is.
The downside of the day was finding out my grandmother has colon cancer. That hit me pretty hard. I know people grow old and pass on, but it never really sinks in until it hits you up side the head. My grandmother, my only remaining grandparent, has been a rock in our family. Even though she is my step-grandmother, she's the only grandmother I've ever known on my dad's side. She may not be blood related, but she's the best grandmother you could ask for.
My dad's mom died when he was a little boy, so I never met my paternal grandmother. My Mema and Papa were married not long before my parents. Mema has 2 children, Papa had 2 children, and together they had a daughter that is less than a year older than my brother. With my grandparents living a block away, it was more like having an older sister. When we were younger, the three of us went to all kinds of places together. Being a pentecostal preachers kid, my brother and I weren't supposed to do a lot of things, but my grandmother, who is Baptist, would load the three of us up and take us on adventures on a regular basis. We saw lots of movies like Chitty-chitty-bang-bang, Mary Poppins, Escape to Witch Mountain, and many other Disney originals. She took us to see the Nutcracker, and a ballet called Agape. She made sure we got to do the same things everyone else did. She showed us unconditional love. Taught us respect. We did crafts, and played games. She laughed at us when we were having fun, nurtured us when we were sick or fell out of the big pecan tree in their back yard, and disciplined us when we needed it. We all took piano lessons and played on her piano. She even rode in a wagon down a HUGE hill with us. During the holidays, she made everyone feel special. Mema's house was always "home." When the entire family got together, there were quite a few of us. I'm not sure how they managed it, but they did. We all knew that Mema and Papa would always be there for us, not matter what.
After I graduated from high school, we moved to south Texas where I realized just how small the small north Texas town I grew up in was. I started finding myself, and finding trouble. After a chain of events, I moved back to my small town and lived with my Mema and Papa. My cousin Janet was there for a short period as well. As always, Mema and Papa were there, steady as a rock. Loving both of us through our growing pains and hard times.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, Mema was always there. My daughter has grown up to see her in the same light I did. She's felt the same warmth, and unconditional love I have. After my Papa died when my daughter was a toddler, Mema was still the rock in the family. She held us together. Even though she has no blood relation to us, and she has her own set of kids, we've all stayed family because of her strength and love, and I'm sure we'll stay that way long after she's gone because of the love she instilled in each of us.
As I've gotten older and moved 2000 miles away, I've let my relationship with most of my family slip away. Even though my Mema lives a block from my parents, who I talk to a couple of times a week, I have failed to keep in touch with Mema. I truly regret that. Now reality comes along and kicks me in the teeth, and I realize the best person that has ever been in my life could be slipping away. How did life get away from me? Why did I lose touch the way I have? I need to remedy this. I know my Mema will always love me no matter what, but I also need to regain my relationship with the rest of my family: cousins I used to be so close to, aunts and uncles I haven't talked to in years, my brother that I don't talk to much but he's still my brother. I need to get my family back before I lose them all.
As a preachers kid, I was always taught that we don't have to see eye to eye, we just have to love each other no matter what. We all lead different lives, have different beliefs, and views. But each of us has that little bit of "Mema" in us. We're all leading decent lives and trying to be good people. Maybe this is His way of making me realize what I've been missing all these years.
The downside of the day was finding out my grandmother has colon cancer. That hit me pretty hard. I know people grow old and pass on, but it never really sinks in until it hits you up side the head. My grandmother, my only remaining grandparent, has been a rock in our family. Even though she is my step-grandmother, she's the only grandmother I've ever known on my dad's side. She may not be blood related, but she's the best grandmother you could ask for.
My dad's mom died when he was a little boy, so I never met my paternal grandmother. My Mema and Papa were married not long before my parents. Mema has 2 children, Papa had 2 children, and together they had a daughter that is less than a year older than my brother. With my grandparents living a block away, it was more like having an older sister. When we were younger, the three of us went to all kinds of places together. Being a pentecostal preachers kid, my brother and I weren't supposed to do a lot of things, but my grandmother, who is Baptist, would load the three of us up and take us on adventures on a regular basis. We saw lots of movies like Chitty-chitty-bang-bang, Mary Poppins, Escape to Witch Mountain, and many other Disney originals. She took us to see the Nutcracker, and a ballet called Agape. She made sure we got to do the same things everyone else did. She showed us unconditional love. Taught us respect. We did crafts, and played games. She laughed at us when we were having fun, nurtured us when we were sick or fell out of the big pecan tree in their back yard, and disciplined us when we needed it. We all took piano lessons and played on her piano. She even rode in a wagon down a HUGE hill with us. During the holidays, she made everyone feel special. Mema's house was always "home." When the entire family got together, there were quite a few of us. I'm not sure how they managed it, but they did. We all knew that Mema and Papa would always be there for us, not matter what.
After I graduated from high school, we moved to south Texas where I realized just how small the small north Texas town I grew up in was. I started finding myself, and finding trouble. After a chain of events, I moved back to my small town and lived with my Mema and Papa. My cousin Janet was there for a short period as well. As always, Mema and Papa were there, steady as a rock. Loving both of us through our growing pains and hard times.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, Mema was always there. My daughter has grown up to see her in the same light I did. She's felt the same warmth, and unconditional love I have. After my Papa died when my daughter was a toddler, Mema was still the rock in the family. She held us together. Even though she has no blood relation to us, and she has her own set of kids, we've all stayed family because of her strength and love, and I'm sure we'll stay that way long after she's gone because of the love she instilled in each of us.
As I've gotten older and moved 2000 miles away, I've let my relationship with most of my family slip away. Even though my Mema lives a block from my parents, who I talk to a couple of times a week, I have failed to keep in touch with Mema. I truly regret that. Now reality comes along and kicks me in the teeth, and I realize the best person that has ever been in my life could be slipping away. How did life get away from me? Why did I lose touch the way I have? I need to remedy this. I know my Mema will always love me no matter what, but I also need to regain my relationship with the rest of my family: cousins I used to be so close to, aunts and uncles I haven't talked to in years, my brother that I don't talk to much but he's still my brother. I need to get my family back before I lose them all.
As a preachers kid, I was always taught that we don't have to see eye to eye, we just have to love each other no matter what. We all lead different lives, have different beliefs, and views. But each of us has that little bit of "Mema" in us. We're all leading decent lives and trying to be good people. Maybe this is His way of making me realize what I've been missing all these years.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Stupid people
So this morning I am at work and a co-worker, who was on vacation last week, storms over to my desk and starts yelling at me about something someone higher up the "food chain" told me to do while he was gone. I explained I was just doing what I was told to do. He said he didn't care and said I wasn't supposed to do that unless he said it was OK. I told him I wasn't going to argue with him, and said he was not my boss and a higher up (who is over both of us) had instructed me take the steps I did. I also said if he had an issue with it, then he needed to go to the person that instructed me to do it (and my boss) to discuss it. He stormed off back to his area and didn't say another word.
Why do some people feel they are entitled to tell you what to do when they have absolutely no say over you? It's so frustrating and makes the work environment a little tense. How do you handle situations like that? Especially when you know nothing will be done about it...?
Why do some people feel they are entitled to tell you what to do when they have absolutely no say over you? It's so frustrating and makes the work environment a little tense. How do you handle situations like that? Especially when you know nothing will be done about it...?
Friday, February 18, 2011
I found this shirt on ThinkGeek.com. It is totally fitting for any IT person. Here is the description on their site:
Every ThinkGeek customer has at least one of these individuals in his or her existence. This is the person who, after asking you to fix the computer, provides you with a litany of every non-applicable quirk that's happened with the computer in the last two weeks, but insists that restarting the computer could not possibly fix the problem. And then starts into the list again. You're ready to bellow at this person, "The question was, 'Have you rebooted?' not 'Do you believe that rebooting will help your situation?'" Because, honestly, if this person knew anything about computers, he or she wouldn't be in this situation to begin with, and so his or her opinion on potential solutions is entirely irrelevant.
ThinkGeek is probably one of my absolute favorite sites, and I often find myself browsing away and chuckling at t-shirts and such that I've laughed at a hundred times before. When you work in IT, you always have those "special" end users that always seem to give you nothing but trouble, and looking at the IT related t-shirts on Think Geek I always find one that makes me think of each of them. Here are a few more of my favorites. Enjoy! And hey, chcke out their site at http://www.thinkgeek.com/. There's really something there for everyone!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Ever have one of those days...
You ever have one of those days...one of those weeks actually, where you can't wait for it to be over and feel that you are completely entitled and totally justified to drink an extreme amount of beer? Why is one week so much worse than others? Is it the cosmos? Karma? Or God testing us to see how much we can take? If it's the latter, I think God has WAY more faith in me than I do.
I can't wait for this week to be over. It seems like it's just been one thing after the other. I'm definitely due for a weekend, and a 3-day weekend to boot.
I can't wait for this week to be over. It seems like it's just been one thing after the other. I'm definitely due for a weekend, and a 3-day weekend to boot.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day
It's Valentine's Day and I'm torn. I want to show my partner how much I love her, but on the other hand, I don't want to fall victim to the "Hallmark Holiday." I like to think I show and express my love every day. Why is one day more special than another?
Here's a little history lesson:
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs, Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. It was deleted from the Roman calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted.[citation needed] It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.
Historical facts
Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine. The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae). Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 269 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. His relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome, and at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.
Valentine of Terni became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).
The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.
No romantic elements are present in the original early medieval biographies of either of these martyrs. By the time a Saint Valentine became linked to romance in the 14th century, distinctions between Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were utterly lost.
In the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14." The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Second Vatican Council calendar. February 14 is also celebrated as St Valentine's Day in other Christian denominations; it has, for example, the rank of 'commemoration' in the calendar of the Church of England and other parts of the Anglican Communion.
Romantic legends
The Early Medieval acta of either Saint Valentine were expounded briefly in Legenda Aurea. According to that version, St Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his jailer.
Since Legenda Aurea still provided no connections whatsoever with sentimental love, appropriate lore has been embroidered in modern times to portray Valentine as a priest who refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. The priest Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail.
There is an additional modern embellishment to The Golden Legend, provided by American Greetings to History.com, and widely repeated despite having no historical basis whatsoever. On the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he would have written the first "valentine" card himself, addressed to a young girl variously identified as his beloved, as the jailer's daughter whom he had befriended and healed, or both. It was a note that read "From your Valentine."
Modern times
In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man’s Valentine Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own. Printers had already begun producing a limited number of cards with verses and sketches, called “mechanical valentines,” and a reduction in postal rates in the next century ushered in the less personal but easier practice of mailing Valentines. That, in turn, made it possible for the first time to exchange cards anonymously, which is taken as the reason for the sudden appearance of racy verse in an era otherwise prudishly Victorian.
Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century. In the UK, just under half the population spend money on their Valentines and around 1.3 billion pounds is spent yearly on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts, with an estimated 25 million cards being sent. The reinvention of Saint Valentine's Day in the 1840s has been traced by Leigh Eric Schmidt. As a writer in Graham's American Monthly observed in 1849, "Saint Valentine's Day... is becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday." In the United States, the first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828–1904) of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Her father operated a large book and stationery store, but Howland took her inspiration from an English Valentine she had received from a business associate of her father. Intrigued with the idea of making similar Valentines, Howland began her business by importing paper lace and floral decorations from England. The English practice of sending Valentine's cards was established enough to feature as a plot device in Elizabeth Gaskell's Mr. Harrison's Confessions (1851): "I burst in with my explanations: '"The valentine I know nothing about." '"It is in your handwriting," said he coldly. Since 2001, the Greeting Card Association has been giving an annual "Esther Howland Award for a Greeting Card Visionary."
Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The mid-19th century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the United States to follow.
In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts in the United States. Such gifts typically include roses and chocolates packed in a red satin, heart-shaped box. In the 1980s, the diamond industry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion for giving jewelry.
The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When you include the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities the figure goes up to 1 billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines. In some North American elementary schools, children decorate classrooms, exchange cards, and are given sweets. The greeting cards of these students sometimes mention what they appreciate about each other.
The rise of Internet popularity at the turn of the millennium is creating new traditions. Millions of people use, every year, digital means of creating and sending Valentine's Day greeting messages such as e-cards, love coupons or printable greeting cards. An estimated 15 million e-valentines were sent in 2010.
Here's a little history lesson:
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs, Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. It was deleted from the Roman calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted.[citation needed] It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.
Historical facts
Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine. The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae). Valentine of Rome was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 269 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. His relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome, and at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.
Valentine of Terni became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).
The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.
No romantic elements are present in the original early medieval biographies of either of these martyrs. By the time a Saint Valentine became linked to romance in the 14th century, distinctions between Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were utterly lost.
In the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14." The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world by Traditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Second Vatican Council calendar. February 14 is also celebrated as St Valentine's Day in other Christian denominations; it has, for example, the rank of 'commemoration' in the calendar of the Church of England and other parts of the Anglican Communion.
Romantic legends
The Early Medieval acta of either Saint Valentine were expounded briefly in Legenda Aurea. According to that version, St Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his jailer.
Since Legenda Aurea still provided no connections whatsoever with sentimental love, appropriate lore has been embroidered in modern times to portray Valentine as a priest who refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. The priest Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail.
There is an additional modern embellishment to The Golden Legend, provided by American Greetings to History.com, and widely repeated despite having no historical basis whatsoever. On the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he would have written the first "valentine" card himself, addressed to a young girl variously identified as his beloved, as the jailer's daughter whom he had befriended and healed, or both. It was a note that read "From your Valentine."
Modern times
In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man’s Valentine Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own. Printers had already begun producing a limited number of cards with verses and sketches, called “mechanical valentines,” and a reduction in postal rates in the next century ushered in the less personal but easier practice of mailing Valentines. That, in turn, made it possible for the first time to exchange cards anonymously, which is taken as the reason for the sudden appearance of racy verse in an era otherwise prudishly Victorian.
Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century. In the UK, just under half the population spend money on their Valentines and around 1.3 billion pounds is spent yearly on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts, with an estimated 25 million cards being sent. The reinvention of Saint Valentine's Day in the 1840s has been traced by Leigh Eric Schmidt. As a writer in Graham's American Monthly observed in 1849, "Saint Valentine's Day... is becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday." In the United States, the first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828–1904) of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Her father operated a large book and stationery store, but Howland took her inspiration from an English Valentine she had received from a business associate of her father. Intrigued with the idea of making similar Valentines, Howland began her business by importing paper lace and floral decorations from England. The English practice of sending Valentine's cards was established enough to feature as a plot device in Elizabeth Gaskell's Mr. Harrison's Confessions (1851): "I burst in with my explanations: '"The valentine I know nothing about." '"It is in your handwriting," said he coldly. Since 2001, the Greeting Card Association has been giving an annual "Esther Howland Award for a Greeting Card Visionary."
Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The mid-19th century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the United States to follow.
In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts in the United States. Such gifts typically include roses and chocolates packed in a red satin, heart-shaped box. In the 1980s, the diamond industry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion for giving jewelry.
The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When you include the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities the figure goes up to 1 billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines. In some North American elementary schools, children decorate classrooms, exchange cards, and are given sweets. The greeting cards of these students sometimes mention what they appreciate about each other.
The rise of Internet popularity at the turn of the millennium is creating new traditions. Millions of people use, every year, digital means of creating and sending Valentine's Day greeting messages such as e-cards, love coupons or printable greeting cards. An estimated 15 million e-valentines were sent in 2010.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Scams
***UPDATE***
Well it seems the merchant decided they didn't want to play with me and refunded the money they took out of my account today! /cheer
I've been a smoker for many years and decided to try an e-cigarette. It still has the nicotine, but none of the other carcinogens, or smell. I got a "free trial" offer and decided to give it a shot. I placed the order online, and the next day I got a call verifying the order. I received the device a few days later. After using it for a couple of days, I was talking to a friend that has been using the e-cigs for a few years. She told me the "free trial" was a scam. She had heard of several horror stories about this type of thing. The scam works like this: You place the order and the company starts the 14 day ticker. If you don't cancel it and return everything within the 14 days, they charge you $149, then $80 a month for refills.
Needless to say, the next day I packaged everything back up, shipped it back to the address in Scottsdale, AZ, and contacted the company letting them know I was sending it back and to cancel any subscription they had me signed up for. The packaged was delivered and signed for at their office the next day (Friday, Feb 4). Today, Feb 7, a charge of $149 shows up on my account. Guess who charged me? Yep, the scam company. I have now contacted my bank and am in the process of disputing the charges. I've also contacted Fox 10 News in Phoenix and alerted them to the scam. I've sent the company another email, and am waiting to hear back from them, but I'm not holding my breath. More than likely I will have to cancel my card and get a new number.
Normally I am pretty good at picking up on scams, but this one snuck up on me. How can people live with themselves after doing things like this? I don't get it.
So...if you get a "free trial" offer in email or see it online for Prado or SmokeFreely.com, don't do it! Please pass this info along to any and everyone you know! I'm sure they're going to hide behind their parent company based in Malta, but word of mouth is better than an attorney sometimes!
If you would like more information on e-cigarettes, check out www.e-cigarette-forums.com!
Well it seems the merchant decided they didn't want to play with me and refunded the money they took out of my account today! /cheer
I've been a smoker for many years and decided to try an e-cigarette. It still has the nicotine, but none of the other carcinogens, or smell. I got a "free trial" offer and decided to give it a shot. I placed the order online, and the next day I got a call verifying the order. I received the device a few days later. After using it for a couple of days, I was talking to a friend that has been using the e-cigs for a few years. She told me the "free trial" was a scam. She had heard of several horror stories about this type of thing. The scam works like this: You place the order and the company starts the 14 day ticker. If you don't cancel it and return everything within the 14 days, they charge you $149, then $80 a month for refills.
Needless to say, the next day I packaged everything back up, shipped it back to the address in Scottsdale, AZ, and contacted the company letting them know I was sending it back and to cancel any subscription they had me signed up for. The packaged was delivered and signed for at their office the next day (Friday, Feb 4). Today, Feb 7, a charge of $149 shows up on my account. Guess who charged me? Yep, the scam company. I have now contacted my bank and am in the process of disputing the charges. I've also contacted Fox 10 News in Phoenix and alerted them to the scam. I've sent the company another email, and am waiting to hear back from them, but I'm not holding my breath. More than likely I will have to cancel my card and get a new number.
Normally I am pretty good at picking up on scams, but this one snuck up on me. How can people live with themselves after doing things like this? I don't get it.
So...if you get a "free trial" offer in email or see it online for Prado or SmokeFreely.com, don't do it! Please pass this info along to any and everyone you know! I'm sure they're going to hide behind their parent company based in Malta, but word of mouth is better than an attorney sometimes!
If you would like more information on e-cigarettes, check out www.e-cigarette-forums.com!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Just a taste
Here's a small taste of the book I've been working on. What do you think?
Summer days were meant for riding. Feeling the hot air flow over your skin, the smells of nature swirling around you; nothing to distract you, just you in your own head. I work a lot of things out that way. It’s peaceful, easier than talking to a shrink, and doesn’t cost nearly as much. Of course in my opinion, any day is a good day on a motorcycle: rain, snow, sunshine, heat, cold…I don’t care as long as I’m on two wheels. Yeah I’ll bitch and complain about being wet and cold, but I wouldn’t trade it for being warm and dry in a car. Even though this ride wasn’t technically a pleasure ride, I still allowed myself to relax and enjoy it. I had a few days before I had to deal with business, so why not, right?
The rumble of the pipes allowed me a sort of tranquility to melt into the bike, become one with it. I knew as long as I was on it, I could go just about anywhere I wanted, or get out of just about anywhere. In this case, I was on a job heading to Cortez, CO. I am a Runner. I make a living doing jobs reputable people don’t want to get mixed up in, or don’t have the resources to pull off. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an assassin. I refuse any job that specifically requires me to find someone and kill them. Finding someone and bringing them back to the current employer is one thing, what that employer does to them after I deliver them is none of my business.
Since leaving Portland, the ride had been uneventful, but I knew that could change at any second. It was the nature of the beast, so to speak.
“Grey…you there?” came the voice in my ear.
“What do you want Jitters?” I replied briskly.
“You’ve got a tail. Thought you might want to know.”
“How far back?”
“A mile, maybe two. It keeps fading in and out, but it’s definitely on the ground.”
“Damn. What’s it look like ahead?”
“Let me get a closer look. Hold on a minute.”
My line of work pays well and has allowed me to make some “upgrades” to my body, one of them being implants in my head that work along the same lines as a cell phone, but without the dropped calls or the capability for someone to track me with a GPS. Jitters knows the technical stuff. It works so I don’t worry about it much…until it breaks. Jitters is one of the few people I trust, and is pretty handy with a computer, actually pretty much anything electronic. He’s been monitoring me via satellites he has hacked into, letting me know of any traffic problems or bad guys in my way. Most people don’t realize satellites can see every inch of the planet, despite what governments and mega-corporations want you to believe.
Jitters came back a minute later. “Clear the rest of the way to Green River, but looks like they have friends waiting on the other side of town. The satellite sig is identical.”
Interesting. I’ve ridden this route several times and knew there was a fueling plaza at the edge of town. If I could get there, I could figure something out.
I made my decision and replied, “Jitters, I’m going to pull in to that fueling station at the edge of town. Let me know if the other team starts moving in.”
“You got it Boss!” Jitters replied happily.
I made a mental growl and said, “Will you ever quit calling me that??”
“Probably not.”
I could hear the grin in his voice, and had a mental image of the smart ass look on his face. I couldn’t help but laugh, “Some days I wonder why I ever pulled your ass out of that fire.”
“That hurts Boss!” he replied, trying, and failing, to sound wounded by my dig at him.
I let the conversation drop and started planning my next move in my head. My peaceful ride was over, and probably would only get worse the closer I got to my destination.
Summer days were meant for riding. Feeling the hot air flow over your skin, the smells of nature swirling around you; nothing to distract you, just you in your own head. I work a lot of things out that way. It’s peaceful, easier than talking to a shrink, and doesn’t cost nearly as much. Of course in my opinion, any day is a good day on a motorcycle: rain, snow, sunshine, heat, cold…I don’t care as long as I’m on two wheels. Yeah I’ll bitch and complain about being wet and cold, but I wouldn’t trade it for being warm and dry in a car. Even though this ride wasn’t technically a pleasure ride, I still allowed myself to relax and enjoy it. I had a few days before I had to deal with business, so why not, right?
The rumble of the pipes allowed me a sort of tranquility to melt into the bike, become one with it. I knew as long as I was on it, I could go just about anywhere I wanted, or get out of just about anywhere. In this case, I was on a job heading to Cortez, CO. I am a Runner. I make a living doing jobs reputable people don’t want to get mixed up in, or don’t have the resources to pull off. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an assassin. I refuse any job that specifically requires me to find someone and kill them. Finding someone and bringing them back to the current employer is one thing, what that employer does to them after I deliver them is none of my business.
Since leaving Portland, the ride had been uneventful, but I knew that could change at any second. It was the nature of the beast, so to speak.
“Grey…you there?” came the voice in my ear.
“What do you want Jitters?” I replied briskly.
“You’ve got a tail. Thought you might want to know.”
“How far back?”
“A mile, maybe two. It keeps fading in and out, but it’s definitely on the ground.”
“Damn. What’s it look like ahead?”
“Let me get a closer look. Hold on a minute.”
My line of work pays well and has allowed me to make some “upgrades” to my body, one of them being implants in my head that work along the same lines as a cell phone, but without the dropped calls or the capability for someone to track me with a GPS. Jitters knows the technical stuff. It works so I don’t worry about it much…until it breaks. Jitters is one of the few people I trust, and is pretty handy with a computer, actually pretty much anything electronic. He’s been monitoring me via satellites he has hacked into, letting me know of any traffic problems or bad guys in my way. Most people don’t realize satellites can see every inch of the planet, despite what governments and mega-corporations want you to believe.
Jitters came back a minute later. “Clear the rest of the way to Green River, but looks like they have friends waiting on the other side of town. The satellite sig is identical.”
Interesting. I’ve ridden this route several times and knew there was a fueling plaza at the edge of town. If I could get there, I could figure something out.
I made my decision and replied, “Jitters, I’m going to pull in to that fueling station at the edge of town. Let me know if the other team starts moving in.”
“You got it Boss!” Jitters replied happily.
I made a mental growl and said, “Will you ever quit calling me that??”
“Probably not.”
I could hear the grin in his voice, and had a mental image of the smart ass look on his face. I couldn’t help but laugh, “Some days I wonder why I ever pulled your ass out of that fire.”
“That hurts Boss!” he replied, trying, and failing, to sound wounded by my dig at him.
I let the conversation drop and started planning my next move in my head. My peaceful ride was over, and probably would only get worse the closer I got to my destination.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Moving forward
Ever have a reality check hit you right in the face when the last vestige of something you worked so hard for is taken away? That's life telling you to let go of a "past life" and move on.
In 2006 I was finally able to buy a new (to me) vehicle with no help from anyone else. An '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I fought for over 4 years to keep it. Maintenance was always done, payments were never missed or late, and the insurance was always paid. I took pride in it. It was a symbol of my independence. It was my baby. It became like a friend. I know that sounds silly but for a long time it was the only stable and consistent thing in my life. My work took me all over the world, and I was never home more than a few days at a time, but the first thing I did when I got home was go for a drive, even if it was a short one. It was comforting.
Then I met someone who turned my world upside down (in a good way) and made me want to settle down, put some roots down, and have a real home. I left my job and moved to California. The Jeep was still my sanctuary, but slowly became less so over the years. More important things took it's place: family, work, life in general. Slowly, it became harder and harder to pay the bills and I knew the Jeep would need to go. It broke my heart.
The Jeep had sat in the drive for several months when I finally decided to go out and try to start it up. I tried for hours, doing everything I could think of to bring it back to life, but it had sat too long and the battery had died completely. I locked the doors and walked back in the house. Occasionally I would walk by and run my hand along the hood, and let the memories float in. That chapter of my life was closing. I could feel it. I just wasn't ready to let go completely.
Today, two gentleman came by to pick it up. They both made comments about how well it had been taken care of, and loved. As they drove away with my baby, I felt the last string of my old life cut away. It was hard. It still is. I feel like part of me is gone. Tears flow freely. This is hard. I want to just curl up and feel sorry for myself, hide away from everyone and everything.
Then I start thinking about it. This is the end of a past life. It's time to let it go and move forward. My home is here now. My life is here now. Maybe this is what I needed to finally come to terms with, where I am in life, and decide which direction I will take. Time to grow up just a little more. Trust me, I've fought growing up my entire life. I've tried to maintain the "I'll be a teenager forever" frame of mind. Maybe this was the little nudge (or smack in the head) I need to make me take another step forward.
All this over a vehicle? I don't think it's so much the vehicle as what it stood for to me. Maybe somebody is trying to show me I don't need it any longer. Who knows. I'm trying to take it as a good thing, a sign that it's time to make something new and better where I am, physically and in life. We'll see if it sticks, but here's to looking on the bright side.
In 2006 I was finally able to buy a new (to me) vehicle with no help from anyone else. An '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I fought for over 4 years to keep it. Maintenance was always done, payments were never missed or late, and the insurance was always paid. I took pride in it. It was a symbol of my independence. It was my baby. It became like a friend. I know that sounds silly but for a long time it was the only stable and consistent thing in my life. My work took me all over the world, and I was never home more than a few days at a time, but the first thing I did when I got home was go for a drive, even if it was a short one. It was comforting.
Then I met someone who turned my world upside down (in a good way) and made me want to settle down, put some roots down, and have a real home. I left my job and moved to California. The Jeep was still my sanctuary, but slowly became less so over the years. More important things took it's place: family, work, life in general. Slowly, it became harder and harder to pay the bills and I knew the Jeep would need to go. It broke my heart.
The Jeep had sat in the drive for several months when I finally decided to go out and try to start it up. I tried for hours, doing everything I could think of to bring it back to life, but it had sat too long and the battery had died completely. I locked the doors and walked back in the house. Occasionally I would walk by and run my hand along the hood, and let the memories float in. That chapter of my life was closing. I could feel it. I just wasn't ready to let go completely.
Today, two gentleman came by to pick it up. They both made comments about how well it had been taken care of, and loved. As they drove away with my baby, I felt the last string of my old life cut away. It was hard. It still is. I feel like part of me is gone. Tears flow freely. This is hard. I want to just curl up and feel sorry for myself, hide away from everyone and everything.
Then I start thinking about it. This is the end of a past life. It's time to let it go and move forward. My home is here now. My life is here now. Maybe this is what I needed to finally come to terms with, where I am in life, and decide which direction I will take. Time to grow up just a little more. Trust me, I've fought growing up my entire life. I've tried to maintain the "I'll be a teenager forever" frame of mind. Maybe this was the little nudge (or smack in the head) I need to make me take another step forward.
All this over a vehicle? I don't think it's so much the vehicle as what it stood for to me. Maybe somebody is trying to show me I don't need it any longer. Who knows. I'm trying to take it as a good thing, a sign that it's time to make something new and better where I am, physically and in life. We'll see if it sticks, but here's to looking on the bright side.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Let's get physical
Sorry for the 80's dig there. Couldn't resist. :D
I finally got completely fed up with the weight I've put on over the past several years, more so since I had surgery in 2009, and decided it was time to do something about it. Back in late August, early September, my best friend and I started doing the Power 90 workouts. I loved it! Then, we ended up having to move at the end of September and my workouts went to the wayside. Tonight I plan to rectify that and start my workouts again. My wife has agreed to join me.
I'm going to try and keep track here, and will add recipes and cool information as I come across it. Wish us luck!
I finally got completely fed up with the weight I've put on over the past several years, more so since I had surgery in 2009, and decided it was time to do something about it. Back in late August, early September, my best friend and I started doing the Power 90 workouts. I loved it! Then, we ended up having to move at the end of September and my workouts went to the wayside. Tonight I plan to rectify that and start my workouts again. My wife has agreed to join me.
I'm going to try and keep track here, and will add recipes and cool information as I come across it. Wish us luck!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
What would you do?
I've been trying to figure out a way to make a living (and make more money than I currently am) without having to work for someone else. Being that funds are not where they need to be to start my own business, I need to be a little more creative. I would like to get out of IT, but as of right now that doesn't seem possible. I've even thought about the possibility of throwing a "donate" button up to see how much I could raise. Crazy stuff, I know.
So, what are your thoughts or ideas? What would YOU do?
So, what are your thoughts or ideas? What would YOU do?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Music
Last week my hard drive crashed and had to be replaced. I wasn't able to recover anything, including the 100+ Gigs of music I had. I was pretty upset. The only thing besides my wife that I love more than books, is music. It helps me focus, soothes and calms me. When something is bothering me, or I'm upset, or in a good mood, I want to hear music. Even at work I usually have music on. So you can imagine how I felt when I realized I'd lost it.
Being totally bummed about the loss, I started trying to figure out how I was going to replace what I had. Then I remembered I had let a friend at work borrow a bunch and asked if I could copy it back to my external drive I keep in my backpack. My friend told me he had some music there I could take if I wanted along with the stuff I had given him. Cool! I would at least get a few thousand songs back. I connected my drive and realized I had just hit the jackpot! Not only was I going to recover the 10-15 Gigs I had given him, I grabbed almost 100 Gigs of awesome music he had!
Now I'm sitting here going through the new stuff I got and some really awesome memories from my younger years are flooding back. Music is so powerful! I'm grinning ear to ear, my wife is smiling, and even our son is commenting on the awesomesauce I have added to the music library. It's a good day!
Being totally bummed about the loss, I started trying to figure out how I was going to replace what I had. Then I remembered I had let a friend at work borrow a bunch and asked if I could copy it back to my external drive I keep in my backpack. My friend told me he had some music there I could take if I wanted along with the stuff I had given him. Cool! I would at least get a few thousand songs back. I connected my drive and realized I had just hit the jackpot! Not only was I going to recover the 10-15 Gigs I had given him, I grabbed almost 100 Gigs of awesome music he had!
Now I'm sitting here going through the new stuff I got and some really awesome memories from my younger years are flooding back. Music is so powerful! I'm grinning ear to ear, my wife is smiling, and even our son is commenting on the awesomesauce I have added to the music library. It's a good day!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
I didn't do it!
A friend sent this to me in email. Cracked me up!
NO, I HAVEN'T SEEN YOUR LIPSTICK!
Why would you even ask me that?
I am so insulted!
Every time something goes missing around here, everybody looks at me!
NO, I HAVEN'T SEEN YOUR LIPSTICK!
Why would you even ask me that?
I am so insulted!
Every time something goes missing around here, everybody looks at me!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Another WoW daily quest list
Here is my list of Wrath dailies. Looking back over them, I think some of the Sholazar Basin Rivals quests may be horde quests, but it's been so long since I did them I'm not sure. Anyway, here you go! Let me now if I need to make any corrections!
Icecrown
Grizzly Hills
Explorers' League Edit
Frostborn Edit
Silver Covenant Edit
Borean Tundra
Dragonblight
Howling Fjord
Oracles
Frenzyheart Tribe
Valiance Expedition
Howling Fjord
Break the Blockade (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=11153
Icecrown
Assault by Air (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13309
Assault by Ground (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13309
Blood of the Chosen (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13336
Capture More Dispatches (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13333
King of the Mountain (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13280
Assault by Ground (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13309
Blood of the Chosen (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13336
Capture More Dispatches (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13333
King of the Mountain (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13280
Grizzly Hills
Blackriver Skirmish (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12444
Life or Death (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12296
Kick 'Em While They're Down (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12289
Life or Death (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12296
Kick 'Em While They're Down (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12289
Explorers' League Edit
Steel Gate Patrol (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=11391
Frostborn Edit
Silver Covenant Edit
The Argent Tournament - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13667
Mastery Of Melee - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13828
Mastery Of The Charge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13837
Mastery Of The Shield-Breaker - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13835
Up To The Challenge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13672
Mastery Of Melee - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13828
Mastery Of The Charge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13837
Mastery Of The Shield-Breaker - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13835
Up To The Challenge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13672
Complete the daily quests listed below to earn enough [Aspirant's Seals] to continue. (15 seals at 5 per day)
A Blade Fit For A Champion - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13757
-or- The Edge Of Winter - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13759
-or- A Worthy Weapon - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13758
Training In The Field - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13671
Learning The Reins - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13625
The Aspirant's Challenge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13679
-or- The Edge Of Winter - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13759
-or- A Worthy Weapon - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13758
Training In The Field - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13671
Learning The Reins - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13625
The Aspirant's Challenge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13679
Players will be offered one of these quests based on their race:
A Valiant Of The Exodar - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13690
A Valiant Of Ironforge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13685
A Valiant Of Gnomeregan - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13688
A Valiant Of Stormwind - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13684
A Valiant Of Darnassus - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13689
A Valiant Of Ironforge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13685
A Valiant Of Gnomeregan - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13688
A Valiant Of Stormwind - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13684
A Valiant Of Darnassus - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13689
The Valiant's Charge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13718
Complete the daily quests listed below to earn enough [Valiant's Seals] to continue. (25 seals at 5 per day)
A Blade Fit For A Champion
-or- The Edge Of Winter
-or- A Worthy Weapon
A Valiant's Field Training - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13760
The Grand Melee - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13761
At The Enemy's Gates - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13855
The Valiant's Challenge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13725
A Champion Rises - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13735
-or- The Edge Of Winter
-or- A Worthy Weapon
A Valiant's Field Training - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13760
The Grand Melee - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13761
At The Enemy's Gates - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13855
The Valiant's Challenge - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13725
A Champion Rises - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13735
After completing "The Valiant's Challenge", the following quests open up allowing players to repeat the valiant stage of daily quests (steps six and seven) for the other factions with which they have not yet earned the right to champion:
Valiant Of The Exodar
Valiant Of Ironforge
Valiant Of Gnomeregan
Valiant Of Stormwind
Valiant Of Darnassus
Valiant Of Ironforge
Valiant Of Gnomeregan
Valiant Of Stormwind
Valiant Of Darnassus
Sons of Hodir
Blowing Hodir's Horn - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12977
Feeding Arngrim - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13046
Hot and Cold - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12981
Polishing the Helm - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13006
Spy Hunter - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12994
Thrusting Hodir's Spear - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13003
Feeding Arngrim - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13046
Hot and Cold - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12981
Polishing the Helm - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13006
Spy Hunter - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12994
Thrusting Hodir's Spear - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13003
Argent Crusade
Slaves to Saronite (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13300
Pa'Troll (350 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12596
Pa'Troll (350 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12596
To complete Pa'Troll, complete one quest from each of the four quest givers:
Captain Brandon:
Troll Patrol: Can You Dig It? - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12588
Troll Patrol: High Standards - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12502
Troll Patrol: Something for the Pain - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12564
Troll Patrol: High Standards - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12502
Troll Patrol: Something for the Pain - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12564
Captain Grondel:
Troll Patrol: Couldn't Care Less - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12594
Troll Patrol: Creature Comforts - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12585
Troll Patrol: Whatdya Want, a Medal? - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12519
Troll Patrol: Creature Comforts - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12585
Troll Patrol: Whatdya Want, a Medal? - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12519
Captain Rupert:
Troll Patrol: Done to Death - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12568
Troll Patrol: Intestinal Fortitude - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12509
Troll Patrol: Throwing Down - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12591
Troll Patrol: Intestinal Fortitude - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12509
Troll Patrol: Throwing Down - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12591
Alchemist Finklestein
Troll Patrol: The Alchemist's Apprentice - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12541
Congratulations! (if Troll Patrol was completed quickly enough - within 20 minutes) (500 reputation)
Congratulations! (if Troll Patrol was completed quickly enough - within 20 minutes) (500 reputation)
Six Daily quests at the Argent Tournament will give reputation once you reach a high enough rank, but Knights of the Ebon Blade reputation is awarded instead for Death Knights.
A Champion Rises - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13735
Taking Battle To The Enemy - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13791
Among the Champions - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13793
Battle Before The Citadel - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13864
Threat From Above - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13788
Contributin' To The Cause (always gives Argent Crusade reputation, even for Death Knights) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13846
Taking Battle To The Enemy - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13791
Among the Champions - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13793
Battle Before The Citadel - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13864
Threat From Above - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13788
Contributin' To The Cause (always gives Argent Crusade reputation, even for Death Knights) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13846
Kalu'ak
Borean Tundra
Preparing for the Worst (+500 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=11945
Dragonblight
Planning for the Future (+500 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=11960
Howling Fjord
The Way to His Heart... (+500 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=11472
Knights of the Ebon Blade
From Their Corpses, Rise! (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12813
Intelligence Gathering (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12838
Leave Our Mark (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12995
No Fly Zone (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12815
Vile Like Fire! (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13071
Shoot 'Em Up (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13069
Intelligence Gathering (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12838
Leave Our Mark (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12995
No Fly Zone (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12815
Vile Like Fire! (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13071
Shoot 'Em Up (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13069
Wyrmrest Accord
Drake Hunt (325 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=11940
Defending Wyrmrest Temple (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12372
Aces High! (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13414
Defending Wyrmrest Temple (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12372
Aces High! (250 reputation) - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=13414
Sholazar Basin Rivals
Oracles
Hand of the Oracles - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12689
Mastery of the Crystals - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12761
Will of the Titans - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12705
Power of the Great Ones - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12762
Appeasing the Great Rain Stone - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12704
A Cleansing Song - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12735
Song of Fecundity - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12737
Song of Reflection - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12736
Song of Wind and Water - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12726
Mastery of the Crystals - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12761
Will of the Titans - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12705
Power of the Great Ones - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12762
Appeasing the Great Rain Stone - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12704
A Cleansing Song - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12735
Song of Fecundity - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12737
Song of Reflection - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12736
Song of Wind and Water - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12726
Frenzyheart Tribe
Frenzyheart Champion - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12582
Kartak's Rampage - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12703
Tools of War - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12759
Secret Strength of the Frenzyheart - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12760
A Hero's Headgear - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12758
Chicken Party! - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12702
Rejek: First Blood - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12734
Strength of the Tempest - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12741
The Heartblood's Strength - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12732
Kartak's Rampage - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12703
Tools of War - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12759
Secret Strength of the Frenzyheart - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12760
A Hero's Headgear - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12758
Chicken Party! - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12702
Rejek: First Blood - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12734
Strength of the Tempest - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12741
The Heartblood's Strength - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=12732
Ever wonder if there were a list of WoW dailies?
Since I reached the max level on my first WoW toon, I've tried to find one place with a list of ALL the dailies I could do. Yeah, it's kind of lazy but if someone else has already done the legwork, why shouldn't I take advantage of it? When Wrath of the Lich King was released, and I couldn't find a comprehensive list (at least a free one), I started keeping track of the ones I found in a spreadsheet. I'm sure I missed quite a few, but I had enough to keep me busy for the amount of time I had to play.
With Cataclysm, I was determined to get a more in-depth list, which I've put together along with links to WoWhead for further quest information on each one. The list is only for the new Cataclysm zones, and does not include the profession dailies. I think most of us have those down to an art by now. So, without further ado, here is the list I've created. Feel free to add any I've missed in the comments, and I'll get them added to the main post. Enjoy!
With Cataclysm, I was determined to get a more in-depth list, which I've put together along with links to WoWhead for further quest information on each one. The list is only for the new Cataclysm zones, and does not include the profession dailies. I think most of us have those down to an art by now. So, without further ado, here is the list I've created. Feel free to add any I've missed in the comments, and I'll get them added to the main post. Enjoy!
Uldum
Thieving Little Pluckers - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28250 (150 reputation with Ramkahen)
Fire From the Sky - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28736 (150 reputation with Ramkahen)
Fire From the Sky - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28736 (150 reputation with Ramkahen)
Twilight Highlands
Keeping the Dragonmaw at Bay - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28860 (250 rep Wildhammer Clan)
Fight Like a Wildhammer - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28861 (250 rep Wildhammer Clan)
Never Leave a Dinner Behind - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28862 (250 rep Wildhammer Clan)
Warlord Halthar is Back - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28863 (350 rep Wildhammer Clan)
Beer Run - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28864 (250 rep Wildhammer Clan)
Hook 'em High - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28874 (250 rep Wildhammer Clan)
Fight Like a Wildhammer - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28861 (250 rep Wildhammer Clan)
Never Leave a Dinner Behind - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28862 (250 rep Wildhammer Clan)
Warlord Halthar is Back - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28863 (350 rep Wildhammer Clan)
Beer Run - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28864 (250 rep Wildhammer Clan)
Hook 'em High - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28874 (250 rep Wildhammer Clan)
**I don't have the rep for the rest of the quests yet. Feel free to add them in the comments**
Therazane
The Restless Brood - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28391
Glop, Son of Glop - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28390
Fungal Fury - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27050
Through Persistence - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27051
Soft Rock - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27049
Lost In The Deeps - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=26710
Underground Economy - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27048
Beneath the Surface - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28488
Motes - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27047
Fear of Boring - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27046
Underground Economy - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27048
Glop, Son of Glop - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28390
Fungal Fury - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27050
Through Persistence - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27051
Soft Rock - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27049
Lost In The Deeps - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=26710
Underground Economy - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27048
Beneath the Surface - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28488
Motes - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27047
Fear of Boring - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27046
Underground Economy - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27048
Tol Barad Peninsula
The Forgotten - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27949
Salvaging the Remains - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27966
First Lieutenant Connor - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27967
Magnets, How Do They Work? - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27992
Finish The Job - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28046
Watch Out For Splinters! - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27973
WANTED: Foreman Wellson - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27975
Bomb's Away! - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28275
Walk A Mile In Their Shoes - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28065
Leave No Weapon Behind - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28063
Claiming The Keep - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28059
Shark Tank - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28050
Rattling Their Cages - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27971
Captain P. Harris - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27970
Boosting Morale - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27972
Teach A Man To Fish.... Or Steal - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28137
Not The Friendliest Town - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28130
Taking the Overlook Back - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27991
Ghostbuster - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27978
Cannonball! - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27987
Thinning the Brood - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27944
A Sticky Task - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27948
Salvaging the Remains - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27966
First Lieutenant Connor - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27967
Magnets, How Do They Work? - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27992
Finish The Job - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28046
Watch Out For Splinters! - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27973
WANTED: Foreman Wellson - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27975
Bomb's Away! - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28275
Walk A Mile In Their Shoes - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28065
Leave No Weapon Behind - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28063
Claiming The Keep - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28059
Shark Tank - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28050
Rattling Their Cages - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27971
Captain P. Harris - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27970
Boosting Morale - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27972
Teach A Man To Fish.... Or Steal - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28137
Not The Friendliest Town - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=28130
Taking the Overlook Back - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27991
Ghostbuster - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27978
Cannonball! - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27987
Thinning the Brood - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27944
A Sticky Task - http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27948
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Trying something new
I've been thinking about this for a while and decided I wanted to do something different with my blog. I already have my more "techy" based blog, 365daysofstupidity.blogspot.com, that is my arena for ranting about funny and stupid things that happen at work, or are tech related. This blog is going to be more of the day to day variety of things that happen. I could post a story about my latest adventures in World of Warcraft on my hunter Roameeo, post a snippet from a book I'm supposed to be writing, write a personal review about a book I just finished, or just ramble about my day or thoughts. Who knows.
I just started reading a book called Storm Front (The Dresden Files)
. So far I really like it. I've been reading a lot of Young Adult books lately because most adult authors can't hold my attention. Series like the Ranger's Apprentice
have captured my imagination for 9 books so far, and I can't wait for the tenth to be released in April. Why can't more adult authors pull this off? I'm not sure, but until they figure it out, I'm going to keep reading from the Young Adult section.
Adventure, fantasy, and Sci-Fi are the genres I read the most, but I've been known to venture into other areas, depending on the subject. What do you like to read?
I just started reading a book called Storm Front (The Dresden Files)
. So far I really like it. I've been reading a lot of Young Adult books lately because most adult authors can't hold my attention. Series like the Ranger's Apprentice have captured my imagination for 9 books so far, and I can't wait for the tenth to be released in April. Why can't more adult authors pull this off? I'm not sure, but until they figure it out, I'm going to keep reading from the Young Adult section.Adventure, fantasy, and Sci-Fi are the genres I read the most, but I've been known to venture into other areas, depending on the subject. What do you like to read?
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