Speaking of Memory Lane...  

Posted by Wonko D. Sane in



Every Saturday, I looked forward to sitting down and watching the adventures of Our Gang! Thanks to a few industrious people, I can now see several episodes even when it isn't Saturday.


-WTS

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Thoraxian the Drood  

Posted by Wonko D. Sane in


Well, it was only a matter of time before the longing to find out what a druid toon would be like would cause me to create one. I had created one at the same time I created Shammae but ended up deleting it since I never played it. To my regret that is because I had to do the same freaking quests over again to get back where I was. Anyhow, Thoraxian was born and I was determined to see him through. Getting him gear and enough gold to get him through was never a problem since I had two 70s already. The problem was trying to figure out in what direction to take this character.


Druids are also considered to be hybrids. They can deal out a ton of damage, become protectors (tanks), or really good healers. Gwin was my inspiration as a Druid and I decided to follow his path. Once again, I found myself in Night Elf turf and reliving the same old adventures I had with Lars. As the levels piled up I began to gain some really cool talents including the ability to change into different types of animal forms. The first form a druid gets is bear and that is basically tank mode. The next is sealion and that is your water form. (Useless unless you do a ton of swimming) Next comes cat form which deals out damage. After that druids get a travel form, a cheetah,  that allows you run faster than normal speed. If your path goes in one direction you can get Moonkin form which is a huge owlbear with antlers. If you want to be a healer you get a Tree form. Finally, at level 68 you get flight form. (The picture above is Thor in flight form eyeing a tasty gnome)

It is kinda hard to explain, but these different forms are very important to how you play. I wanted to deal out some damage and tank as well so I chose the path known as feral. Needless to say playing a druid is as exciting as I thought it was going to be. The ability to cast spells, heal and shape-shift was a real kick and I found myself hitting 70 quicker than I had on Sham. Now the question becomes do I make another 70?

Not this time...

Having 3 70s in the geek world is an accomplishment but nothing that helps on a resume. The fact is, with the gamers it isn't a sign of great ability. Although I had three top-level toons none of them were even close to being ready for endgaming and by now I was really interested in finding out what all the excitement was about. Now I had to decide which one I was going to concentrate on and the decision was Thor. 

So now, most of my time and effort has been poured into this one toon. Sure, I still play the others, but not as much. I have also found out that maybe the reason I like the druid so much is because of his ability to adapt to his surroundings and situations quickly in order to survive.

But in the background, I do have a Mage, Rogue and (oddly enough) a Priest that have been slowly rising in ranks in case I get the urge to do something different...

-WTS

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A Quick One  

Posted by Wonko D. Sane in

Who in the world thought a reality show on George Foreman was a good idea?



-WTS

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Still Stuck in the 80s  

Posted by Wonko D. Sane in

I have mentioned this place before but it is worth another mention. 


For those of us Generation Xers who love all things associated with the 80s, the place to go is run by Steve Spears. His blog is an outstanding example of what Retro is all about. The podcasts that Steve and his sidekick Sean Daly produce have become more interesting, entertaining and downright raucous at times (for more info listen for the 'hover') Give it a shot and see if you can also become Stuck in the 80s.

-WTS

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The One Behind the Downfall  

Posted by Wonko D. Sane in


I knew it I knew it

-WTS


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Retro Letter  

Posted by Wonko D. Sane in

I was chatting with an online friend the other night when the discussion turned to comparing politics between different states. It was pretty amusing since my friend has the Governator as a leader and we have... well... something else. The discussion turned to goofy laws and my friend was floored when I mentioned the law regulating halftime shows during school functions. (I have blogged about this a while back and I'm too lazy to look up the reference) Even better I began to describe the letter that I wrote to my state representative in reference to this law. I was urged to reproduce this letter so here it is. (edited only where anonymity may be infringed.)


My Dear Honorable Representative:

It is an honor to have the opportunity as an American citizen as well as a citizen of the great state of Texas to contact you. I like to keep abreast of the latest proposals before the Texas legislature and I would like to discuss a few of them at this time.

(edited here because I discussed other proposed laws)

Finally, in a stroke of brilliance, I understand that the Texas legislature is going to consume it short and valuable time during this brief congressional session to discuss lewd dance routines during school functions. As I am sure you are already aware of, there are already many different state laws regulating this already. I am also assured that you know that every school district in this state already has regulations in place regarding halftime performances during school events. So I am sure that you can please take the time to explain to me why this is even been debated. By no means can I be regarded as conservative, I am a firm believer in not making out students appear as if they are trying out for a local strip club. 

However, my experience has always been that the programs at the high school level have always been in good taste. First of all, no responsible sponsor would allow a program to occur that would breech the local standards of good taste that are already in place. Second of all, the audience is filled with the fathers of the dancers and woe betide a sponsor who would place a daughter in poor light. Finally, I am sure that you can agree that the sponsor of the bill has never seen anything that resembles modern music videos. 

Which brings me to my main point. I feel that if passed, this law will prosecute those who really are not fully responsible for their actions. We should take a closer look at where the youth get their notions of what is acceptable. Maybe the Congress should set up a special committee to investigate modern society and whether or not Texas should ban modern music, dance, and self-expression. There are precedents for this kind of action such as the McCarthy Era, the closing of rock and roll radio stations and banning of Black artists during the 50s and early 60s, and let us not forget the outstanding contributions of Tipper Gore.

While I am sure that you and your fellow legislators are severely concerned with the education and well being of the youth, I do feel there are more pressing issues at stake here. For an example, how has the abstinence laws impacted our students? How has the state standardized test really improved the minds of our kids? How has low pay impacted the retention rate of our teachers? Is school funding really fair as it is set up today? Finally, why is the state legislature bleeding the Texas Teacher Retirement fund to pay for other projects?

Sincerely


-WTS

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I'm an Oxymoron  

Posted by Wonko D. Sane in

Well, July has rolled around and during the weekend of the 4th I broke from regular tradition of going out of town and decided to enjoy a bit of quiet at home. I spend so much time around people between my job and everything else that I'm involved in that alone time was badly needed. So I made plans, rented movies, and the cat and I were ready for whatever came our way as long as it did not involve fire engines and heavy repair bills.


Needless to say that the movies were returned unwatched and the down time that I so wanted did not appear. No, tragedy is not involved with the story, but more of a self-awakening. You see, typically I am a very closed book when it comes to what is going on inside. (Yes, you can roll your eyes now and say 'no shit' to me, I totally understand) The thing is, this is how I have always been. Blogging was a huge risk for me. It wasn't that I was afraid that people will figure out who I am. Crap, I've left enough breadcrumbs so even Barney Fife can figure this one out. 

No, the risk was in talking about what I was thinking and *gasp* feeling. Man, I have really closed people out lately and it is not from not wanting to be around the people I love and care for. It is mostly because of the daily muck I have to wade through. As time has gone my the muck has gotten thicker and quite frankly the only way I know how to deal with it is to lower my head and plow through and closing the world around me with hope to get through whatever the problem is.

Alone...

Please, don't ask me why I do this for I can't really put my finger on it. It might be the fact that I have had many situations where I am the one who has to deal with the problems. I am not the batman type who has to crusade around behind a mask putting evil in its place. More like I place others ahead of myself so I don't have to deal with me and what my needs, wants, and feelings are. If I were a different person I would not give a crap and worry about number one. 

Just reading that last statement made me want to tell myself just how full of shit I am.

Well, now you know most of the conversations I had with  myself during this big weekend with no outsiders. 

I called my best friend and we shot the poop for hours. I played online for a bit and played with the cat. I left the house to walk around the mall and talk to people I never had met before. I went to a movie that was packed. 

I realized that I am one of those oxymorons - a social animal who is introverted when it comes to me. I also realized that I need to maybe take more risks in letting people inside the head that is Wonko. 

Slowly

-WTS

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Hiatus  

Posted by Wonko D. Sane in

Well, the backlog has occurred again and I found myself jotting down ideas and other things to discuss. I still have a few more to do on my characters but for now I will just sit and take a breather. For anyone in the education field the summer months are not really vacations. Most of my associates are spending time with their families but inside when things are quiet, they are plotting new ideas and lessons. They find themselves in distant places, snapping photos that they can use in the classroom. Many will be at a souvenir shop and buy props to complete an incredible lesson. 


Others I have heard attend summer workshops and love them. On occasion it has come to my attention that some among us attend college courses to keep up on the latest educational approaches. There comes a point during the summer in spite of all the fun that we have had that the pang of wanting to go back to work begins to gnaw on the soul. We find ourselves thinking more and more on how this year will be better than the previous one and this will be the year that no student will be able to find the goat let alone get it.

Strange but true...

I'm guilty as well...

-WTS

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