Away Without Leave
Yes, I’ve been AWOL; it wasn’t your imagination. It started when I went on vacation (no computer) and then it just kind of snowballed from there. Instead of writing a lovely coherent bit of prose, I’m just going to knock out some bullet points so you get the gist.
Personal Items
- Went to my step-sister’s wedding in St. Augustine, Florida, where most of my father’s family lives. I spent a large portion of my life there. Instead of being a fun time, it was melancholy and depressing.
- Working on getting my act together since quitting my job. I’m actually enjoying the hell out of it.
- My cat, Calvin, developed a sore on his side due to his allergy to plastic combined with his new habit of lounging in our beanbag. (Don’t ask. Cats are weird.) Then he strained his leg muscles trying to get out of taking a pill. Vet trips = vet bills + sad kitty.
- Went to a Bruce Springsteen concert right after we got back from vacation. According to the reviews, that show was one of his most amazing concerts in a long time. You can see some clips of it here.
- Been working on drawing and some Flash animation:
WoW Thoughts
- I think I’ve figured out why I have altitis. I think I’m bored with WoW. Yep. I think I keep creating alts because I get bored. I also think I prefer primarily solo play since finding a good guild or a good PuG is so immensely difficult. The trouble with preferring solo play is that once you reach a certain level — say, over 60 where Slig is at — you really can’t progress forward in the game without a decently large social group. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-social. I really love playing with the Pox Arcanum folks and the Orc family and whatnot. It’s just that coordinating times is difficult and balancing how much time that I want to play the game versus how long others want to play is like walking a tightrope.
- I also think that I’m using games as an escape from more productive, adult things in my life. I’m trying to journal about that now so I can get to the bottom of it.
Blog Malaise
- I started this blog because I was a game design student and I wanted to get a press pass to the GDC this year. Since then, I have had to quit school (for now? forever? I don’t know) and I did NOT go to the GDC because of work commitments. I have also since quit the job that made it so I couldn’t attend the conference. (No causality there. At least, I don’t think so.)
- Since I’m getting a bit bored with WoW and I’m not sure about where my future is going, I have no idea what to write about on a blog called “The Game Dame.”
- I’m not sure if I ever really had a blog identity that distinguishes me from other bloggers.
- I’m also not sure what I contribute to the WoW blogging community. I’m not super geeky, offering equipment specs or detailed raid strategies. I haven’t got any super-deep insights into the game either since I’m a fairly casual, solo player.
I guess what I’m trying to say over all is that I’m a bit lost in my life as a blogger. Any thoughts on the above? Any ideas that might help me figure out where I’m going?
April 15, 2008 at 6:36 am
Yes you have a blog identity that distinguishes yourself from other. You are known as the Game Dame. I don’t see anyone else with the same handle. If anything, that distinguishes you enough as is.
No one is qualified to tell you where to go or what to write about. That comes entirely from within. There is no manual on blogging. There’s no bible on what to write about. There is no roadmap that you can follow. How can you expect to write about WoW if you’re getting bored of WoW? Your forcing yourself to do something, from what it sounds like. Furthermore, it sounds like you’re going to stop.
If you can make WoW interesting to you again, then the blog posts will flow. Until then, it’s up to you what this blog will evolve into.
April 15, 2008 at 7:16 am
Matt pretty much nailed it. I will say that you have an engaging style, and I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog–so I’m selfishly hoping you continue.
As for WoW: Dunno what to tell you there. I’ve started to feel a bit…something…as well. I don’t think I’m bored (yet); rather, I think I’m getting frustrated. I really want to run more instances. I enjoy quests, but all my 70s have are group quests, and a group of 2 or 3 won’t cut it.
However, if you haven’t caught up with BBBB yet since your return, you may want to look into his smallish “casual” or “family-friendly” guild on (I think) Kael’Thas.
In any case, welcome back, and good luck!
April 15, 2008 at 10:35 am
There’s nothing I can say that hasn’t been said already, so I’ll just keep it short n say welcome back!
I have been trying the FlyLady way for a while… the best part is even if you fall off the wagon (which I have a few times since starting in Jan) it’s really easy to get back on.
I hope you’ll carry on with a blog of some sort even if you don’t keep playing wow… I’d love to keep up with how yr doing
April 16, 2008 at 9:39 am
I hears ya on the walking the tightrope feeling. Truth is, everybody’s got they own lives, and they’s own needs, and yer friends understand that. Even when what you gots to do ain’t what they wants to get. I’s been on all sides of that issue, and it’s always turned out okay.
Yer blog is whatever you feels like saying. I’m interested to read whatevers ya feel like telling me, whether is WoW or that strange RL place or whichevers.
April 17, 2008 at 5:30 am
Yep, I can totally relate. One reason why I started over on my new domain…I enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to whatever you might want to talk about.