It's annoying, really, how real life can get in the way of a good game. My oldest son makes me aware of this often when I ask him to take out the trash while he's on the XBox. 'C'mon dad, I'm almost done, just give me a few more minutes.' Yep, life gets in the way of his enjoyment big time!
I want to immerse myself, or at the very least take some time out of my life to enjoy some good stories or a fun quest or getting Gronthe to 80 (I'm so close, 79 and more than half way there). But life doesn't always let you finish, sometimes life wants you to take out the trash and it means NOW!!!
I don't apologize for not writing for over a week. I mean, who am I offending? My readership is small, but THE BEST IN THE WORLD, yet I feel as if I've been caged, hutched and desperate, unable to express myself in the most free way that I've found yet.
We live, we play, we love, we cry, our pulses race and our emotions are stirred. I've worked with people I viewed as cold-hearted, persons who believed that work was the only life worth living. I personally felt pity for them as I did not share that same sentiment. I've always believed that good leisure time was a good life spent. To take those precious minutes or longer each day to rest the mind and the heart, to escape the troubles of life and the pressures of work is a gift to oneself that should not be denied. But still some denied themselves time with...themselves. And done in the name and for the sake of money, power, prestiege, and show.
In times and seasons of change, where an old world is coming to an end and the ravaged world of Deathwing is upon our doorsteps, life interrupts the liesure and gaming of the strongest and the weakest of us. For some life has more to say, for others its existence is evidenced occaisionally while the "me time" that one enjoys is of longer duration than another. So now priorities must be examined and a plan of action followed. How boring, right? Yet life won't accept you if you take "just a few more minutes", it needs to be attended to, and it needs it right NOW!!!
I don't hide the workings of my personal life, for if I've said it once I've said it again, and is the basis for this blog, that me and my toon are one. When one experiences grief, so does the other. When my raids failed, my life was affected (or so my wife complained often). When life failed, it affected those that I created and played with over hundreds of levels.
Life, games, it's all connected to me. Why? Because real people play games. People with blood flowing through their veins and electric signals being passed along the corridors of the brain. These people, you and me, we control our toons, and our toons influence us. Or the world our toons live in influence us, and can change habits that we develop in real life. So it is that we're always connected, and I'll never stop talking about my real life here. It's who I am, and what I do, and nobody will stop me. You can stop reading, that would suck, but I'll continue to write.
That said, I'm in a season of change. I'm recently unemployed in one of the worst job markets in the US of A. I'm handicap with a disability that is only getting worse. I'm a shell of my former poetential self, and don't know where or how I will keep a roof over my wife and kid's heads two months from now. Forget Christmas, I've already told my kids it ain't happening this year. But the amazing thing is this, and listen closely, I still try to make time to sit down with my eight year old boy and play some wow when I can. Why? Because it's him...and me...us...together...sharing something we both love, and we laugh and sing and dance and cry together and love it.
Ladies and gentelmen, don't ever think that the interruptions of life need to stop you from taking some leisure time with yourself, and if you have some, with your kids. Mental health is important, and money isn't the only thing in this world that lifts us up out of slums. Love, family, friends, and even the companionship of friendly guildies that you probably have never seen can make your life better, even when life not only interrupts your life but throws a screw ball at your head (baseball reference, Congrats to the SF Giants for winning the World Series). In my case, my employer, after knowing that I just picked up my wife after a week in a hospital and hours from potential death, sent me packing with little pity in their eyes and fat wallets in their pockets. Curse them!
But bless you, dear readers! I am not gone, I'm just interrupted by life and have to take out the trash. I'm around and will continue to bring you music (yes, I rememered, but as I've said life is sucking right now and demanding much more time of me than anticipated, but I WILL NOT back out on my promise to deliver a really bad musical song). I will continue to offer opinions, share stories, report fake news, and ponder endlessly about the connection between us and the games we play. Until next time, adieu!
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Monday, November 1, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Expressions
Introverts are a funny sort, I should know. We keep things bottled up until they explode, and when that happens good things DON'T tend to follow. But can they? Will they ever? A variable longed for in my life is hope.
I've been out of sorts this week. Preoccupied. My thoughts have been scattered and remote. I've been unable to think clearly; lack of sleep does that to you. Where are my friends? Where did my heart go? What happened to my inspiration?
Disclosure: I'm going to speak of incredibly personal things, so if you don't want to know or are not in the mood for that kind of stuff, please don't read on. I will do better next week.
Out of the Darkness - Or Into it?
Anyone who has read my little sliver of the blogosphere for any semi-significant amount of time know that I merge the personal with the game. I am a person playing a game, that there would be crossover is natural and inevitable, and each person experiences the merging of life and game to varying degrees.
Not long ago I stopped blogging for about a week, perhaps slightly more or less, because my wife had been hospitalized. Much to our shock, it's happened again this week. If it were just me and her that would be one thing, I may cry myself to sleep at night and not think twice about it. But I've got two kids who live to love their parents, and it's incumbent upon me to keep them calm and help them understand that their mother isn't going to die, will be able to come home, but unknown to us as to when. To help them deal the best way possible I need to present a strong exterior, or they will get scared. I need to encourage them to talk to me about their feelings, knowing the good that comes from expression. But I cannot reciprocate, I cannot lay my worries on an Eight-Year-Old child. It's not fair to him because he's not emotionally equipped to handle the stress of caring for an adult.
But my heart burns.
I have my parents living close by, and I have a friend that is in a position to help me as well. My wife's best friend helps by picking up the kids from school and such, so there's no lack of support in my life. But still I'm an introvert, and in order to function at all at work and around my kids I need to put on a cold exterior - if I don't I know I'll break down and absolutely lose it!
Music & Writing
I've changed directions with the song I'm attempting to write. Wait. Are you saying that you're going through with this thing, Gronthe? Go and be with your family, it's ok. As I was saying, I'm still attempting to write, and the reason is so that I can channel this emotion in a way that will be both meaningful to me and allow me to tether myself to the real world that I enjoy. Writing, blogging, is what I do because I wish to express myself, not to become popular and have 1,000 readers a day. So I'm continuing to write a song, but don't be surprised if it sounds familiar to my own life, but with obvious WoW overtones.
I play because it's fun and it helps to clear my mind. I play because it's something I can do with my kids, especially since soccer is out of the questions. I play because of my childhood, my teen years, and my adult experiences. I write because I have a hard time expressing myself vocally. Usually when I make the attempt I break down emotionally or end up stuttering myself into incoherent nonsense. Writing, though definately not a master, let's my fingers talk, let's my mind say those things I need to say when saying those things aloud would mean certain tears.
The Song/Musical
I'm still gonna do it. Out of the darkness that is the unknown fate of my wife has come feeling. If I fail to express this feeling it would result in negativity. I need to be allowed to be creative on my terms, and even at night when I know she's resting comfortably and safely, I will be channeling myself into song.
The music I cannot vouch for, I'm not a great musician, but the lyrics at the very least will have meaning, as much for you as they do for me.
Apology
I apologize for not being myself lately, I just can't help it. There are things happening in the game that I have opinions about, and I'll share those as both time permits and inspiration abounds. I may be working on my song project a little longer than I first imagined, but it'll definately be done before Thanksgiving, and possibly as early as next week. Time right now is never-ending. Days run into nights which turn into hours of waking and sleeping and confusion.
To everyone out there, I hope you are enjoying the changes in the patch. Late at night when I can't sleep I too have had the chance to feel the power given to many spellcasters, and it's a sight to behold. May your weekend be filled with good moments, memorable sights and sounds, and simple joys such as a fine game with fine friends. Good morning/afternoon/evening/night to you all!
I've been out of sorts this week. Preoccupied. My thoughts have been scattered and remote. I've been unable to think clearly; lack of sleep does that to you. Where are my friends? Where did my heart go? What happened to my inspiration?
Disclosure: I'm going to speak of incredibly personal things, so if you don't want to know or are not in the mood for that kind of stuff, please don't read on. I will do better next week.
Out of the Darkness - Or Into it?
Anyone who has read my little sliver of the blogosphere for any semi-significant amount of time know that I merge the personal with the game. I am a person playing a game, that there would be crossover is natural and inevitable, and each person experiences the merging of life and game to varying degrees.
Not long ago I stopped blogging for about a week, perhaps slightly more or less, because my wife had been hospitalized. Much to our shock, it's happened again this week. If it were just me and her that would be one thing, I may cry myself to sleep at night and not think twice about it. But I've got two kids who live to love their parents, and it's incumbent upon me to keep them calm and help them understand that their mother isn't going to die, will be able to come home, but unknown to us as to when. To help them deal the best way possible I need to present a strong exterior, or they will get scared. I need to encourage them to talk to me about their feelings, knowing the good that comes from expression. But I cannot reciprocate, I cannot lay my worries on an Eight-Year-Old child. It's not fair to him because he's not emotionally equipped to handle the stress of caring for an adult.
But my heart burns.
I have my parents living close by, and I have a friend that is in a position to help me as well. My wife's best friend helps by picking up the kids from school and such, so there's no lack of support in my life. But still I'm an introvert, and in order to function at all at work and around my kids I need to put on a cold exterior - if I don't I know I'll break down and absolutely lose it!
Music & Writing
I've changed directions with the song I'm attempting to write. Wait. Are you saying that you're going through with this thing, Gronthe? Go and be with your family, it's ok. As I was saying, I'm still attempting to write, and the reason is so that I can channel this emotion in a way that will be both meaningful to me and allow me to tether myself to the real world that I enjoy. Writing, blogging, is what I do because I wish to express myself, not to become popular and have 1,000 readers a day. So I'm continuing to write a song, but don't be surprised if it sounds familiar to my own life, but with obvious WoW overtones.
I play because it's fun and it helps to clear my mind. I play because it's something I can do with my kids, especially since soccer is out of the questions. I play because of my childhood, my teen years, and my adult experiences. I write because I have a hard time expressing myself vocally. Usually when I make the attempt I break down emotionally or end up stuttering myself into incoherent nonsense. Writing, though definately not a master, let's my fingers talk, let's my mind say those things I need to say when saying those things aloud would mean certain tears.
The Song/Musical
I'm still gonna do it. Out of the darkness that is the unknown fate of my wife has come feeling. If I fail to express this feeling it would result in negativity. I need to be allowed to be creative on my terms, and even at night when I know she's resting comfortably and safely, I will be channeling myself into song.
The music I cannot vouch for, I'm not a great musician, but the lyrics at the very least will have meaning, as much for you as they do for me.
Apology
I apologize for not being myself lately, I just can't help it. There are things happening in the game that I have opinions about, and I'll share those as both time permits and inspiration abounds. I may be working on my song project a little longer than I first imagined, but it'll definately be done before Thanksgiving, and possibly as early as next week. Time right now is never-ending. Days run into nights which turn into hours of waking and sleeping and confusion.
To everyone out there, I hope you are enjoying the changes in the patch. Late at night when I can't sleep I too have had the chance to feel the power given to many spellcasters, and it's a sight to behold. May your weekend be filled with good moments, memorable sights and sounds, and simple joys such as a fine game with fine friends. Good morning/afternoon/evening/night to you all!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Who's on the Bottom?
No, this is not a post about women's tatoos, nor is it about how corporate culture only allows for men to rise to the top of the top positions. This is all about how honest you are...not me, YOU!
And when I say YOU, I don't mean YOU, rather I mean YA'LLS. Not YA'LLS as in just those who read this blog, but YA'LLS as including even those who don't but who post comments on all kinds of forums and blogs throughout the internets that Al Gore invented. I am soooooooo tired. Late nights, little sleep, worrying, fighting with the po-po (yes, I had a fight with a cop, but it was a civilized argument and I didn't get arrested). That's my excuse for my random thoughts.
Where was I? What's the point? Ah yes, honesty. I won't point to any specific comment from any specific forum, but I have an observation to make. Have you ever seen someone say (not an actual quote):
"blah, blah with this setup in X spec I topped the DPS charts every time...blah, blah, blah."
How many out on the internets are claiming that they are tops DPS? Over a year of reading blogs and forums I've see a whole lotta bunch of 'em. So many, in fact, I wonder who is coming in second, third, or even last among the DPS. By proof of sheer anecdotes only, it seems like EVERYONE is topping the charts, which means some of you are lying fornicators. Well, perhaps not fornicators, but definately lying.
The only way I can understand how so many top the charts is this: some of these people solo a lot. No, I change my mind, they are lying. Of course I have no proof for what I'm saying, but I don't need to, I don't work for a Newspaper who would have to fire me then print a retraction for calling people lying fornicators (sorry, did it again, I'm not really saying your fornicators). No, I have a tiny little blog that a few people read, and honestly I've never seen any of my readers claim what I'm talking about, so really I'm talking to the wind here.
Speaking of wind, Las Vegas gets really windy in the winter, which is approaching in a couple months. I'll keep my hair short because I hate combing it in the morning only to get messed up by the time I step through the front door at work.
The next time somebody says "X is why I always top the DPS charts, easy peasy..." I'm going to demand a recount screenshot or demand that they tell their spouse they are a lying fornicator!
Maybe I will, maybe I won't. It's all moot anyway since these people will probably never visit this part of the Al Gore internets. But if you do, here's my warning to you: TELL THE TRUTH! If you land 3rd, say it. It's ok to be third best behind two other really, really, really, really, really awesome DPS, there's no shame in being only really good. Just stop lying (notice I didn't say fornicating?).
______________________________________________
Song Update
I want to make something VERY CLEAR. I'm not setting out to write an entire musical, just a song inspired by muscials about the Cataclysm. One song! If I feel like more I will, but one song is all I'll do. I was thinking this morning, I'll probably be so embarassed that I'll stop blogging forever, just disappear, rename myself, and troll everyone else's blog till I get banned from all the Al Gore internets. Yes, that's a likely plan.
And when I say YOU, I don't mean YOU, rather I mean YA'LLS. Not YA'LLS as in just those who read this blog, but YA'LLS as including even those who don't but who post comments on all kinds of forums and blogs throughout the internets that Al Gore invented. I am soooooooo tired. Late nights, little sleep, worrying, fighting with the po-po (yes, I had a fight with a cop, but it was a civilized argument and I didn't get arrested). That's my excuse for my random thoughts.
Where was I? What's the point? Ah yes, honesty. I won't point to any specific comment from any specific forum, but I have an observation to make. Have you ever seen someone say (not an actual quote):
"blah, blah with this setup in X spec I topped the DPS charts every time...blah, blah, blah."
How many out on the internets are claiming that they are tops DPS? Over a year of reading blogs and forums I've see a whole lotta bunch of 'em. So many, in fact, I wonder who is coming in second, third, or even last among the DPS. By proof of sheer anecdotes only, it seems like EVERYONE is topping the charts, which means some of you are lying fornicators. Well, perhaps not fornicators, but definately lying.
The only way I can understand how so many top the charts is this: some of these people solo a lot. No, I change my mind, they are lying. Of course I have no proof for what I'm saying, but I don't need to, I don't work for a Newspaper who would have to fire me then print a retraction for calling people lying fornicators (sorry, did it again, I'm not really saying your fornicators). No, I have a tiny little blog that a few people read, and honestly I've never seen any of my readers claim what I'm talking about, so really I'm talking to the wind here.
Speaking of wind, Las Vegas gets really windy in the winter, which is approaching in a couple months. I'll keep my hair short because I hate combing it in the morning only to get messed up by the time I step through the front door at work.
The next time somebody says "X is why I always top the DPS charts, easy peasy..." I'm going to demand a recount screenshot or demand that they tell their spouse they are a lying fornicator!
Maybe I will, maybe I won't. It's all moot anyway since these people will probably never visit this part of the Al Gore internets. But if you do, here's my warning to you: TELL THE TRUTH! If you land 3rd, say it. It's ok to be third best behind two other really, really, really, really, really awesome DPS, there's no shame in being only really good. Just stop lying (notice I didn't say fornicating?).
______________________________________________
Song Update
I want to make something VERY CLEAR. I'm not setting out to write an entire musical, just a song inspired by muscials about the Cataclysm. One song! If I feel like more I will, but one song is all I'll do. I was thinking this morning, I'll probably be so embarassed that I'll stop blogging forever, just disappear, rename myself, and troll everyone else's blog till I get banned from all the Al Gore internets. Yes, that's a likely plan.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Two's Company
Every post for the next two or three weeks will have a dual purpose.
1) Continue doing what I do, writing about the connection between WoW and life and thier resulting issues (that and complete nonsense for the fun of it).
2) To give updates and ask for advice on my newly announced song project: WoW, The Musical.
__________________________________________
Should you look for a new job?
I'm curious, have any of you ever attempted to play in a role (tank, heals, or DPS) where you discovered that you were just not that good? I don't mean that 'it didn't feel right' or 'doing X didn't really click with me', what I refer to is a very real ineptitude despite hard work at researching and practicing.
For a long time I thougt that was going to be me as a healer, but I stuck with it longer than I originally wanted to because not only was there a need but I was grateful for a challenge. I wanted to quit, I believed myself really bad, but all it took was one small change and suddenly I became pretty good.
I tried tanking while leveling, but I found that I wasn't very good. I understood the priciples involved and knew my toolbox very well, but I don't think I had a good balance of awareness and quick reflexes to react to things when they went bad. I got too nervous and couldn't keep my cool. Bad traits for a tank.
DPS is natural and easy for me. Rotations make sense to my analytical mind, I find an ease in following a routine. Healing is in between tanking and DPS, and for a while I couldn't find that balance, but eventually it became a natural extension of what my eyes and brain processed, and I could react swiftly to problems.
Maybe I should go back to tanking now I have a handle on healing. Perhaps I wouldn't suck as much now that awareness has been learned. I still wonder, are some people destined to be 'bad' at a certain role because of some trait or characteristic of their person that is a barrier to success? I really don't know, I'm just thinking out loud.
___________________________________________
Now for the update on the musical.
I want to create a trio of singers, which may end up straining my voice a bit, but some lemon juice should help with that. I want it to be kind of a funny but dark song. In one corner there will be a Doomsayer who is mocking a poor, innocent Gnome about the impending Shattering. A struggle of wills, so to speak, will be the main theme of the first part of the song.
Just when it appears that the Gnome has found the courage to stand up to an elemental invasion, Deathwing himself appears to taunt the Gnome and bring him to his knees, all the while the Doomsayer laughing in the background, continuing to mock without remorse.
The conclusion is a surprise (or maybe I haven't got that far, you'll never know).
Of course this is what I have right now. I'm working out the lyrics and the melody currently, I'll figure out a way to mix some music in there as well. All of this, remember, is comletely subject to change at will. All I'm doing right now is to let you in on my creative process. Often when I start writing a story I think I've got a great idea but then it all comes crumbling down when I realize that I forgot a small detail. But this detail ends up being the cornerstone for the inspiration of a new idea or new story, and everything changes for the better. So please allow me to change my mind at will, as it may inevitably lead to something far better.
Remember also that I am open to suggestions, and will give full credit to any and all that help make this come together. I realized this morning when I woke up that I put myself in a pretty big hole, needing to deliver on a promise of something I haven't attempted in, well, never anything LIKE this. I have written songs before, but not with the aid of a computer. I shall do my best and hope it doesn't completely suck.
1) Continue doing what I do, writing about the connection between WoW and life and thier resulting issues (that and complete nonsense for the fun of it).
2) To give updates and ask for advice on my newly announced song project: WoW, The Musical.
__________________________________________
Should you look for a new job?
I'm curious, have any of you ever attempted to play in a role (tank, heals, or DPS) where you discovered that you were just not that good? I don't mean that 'it didn't feel right' or 'doing X didn't really click with me', what I refer to is a very real ineptitude despite hard work at researching and practicing.
For a long time I thougt that was going to be me as a healer, but I stuck with it longer than I originally wanted to because not only was there a need but I was grateful for a challenge. I wanted to quit, I believed myself really bad, but all it took was one small change and suddenly I became pretty good.
I tried tanking while leveling, but I found that I wasn't very good. I understood the priciples involved and knew my toolbox very well, but I don't think I had a good balance of awareness and quick reflexes to react to things when they went bad. I got too nervous and couldn't keep my cool. Bad traits for a tank.
DPS is natural and easy for me. Rotations make sense to my analytical mind, I find an ease in following a routine. Healing is in between tanking and DPS, and for a while I couldn't find that balance, but eventually it became a natural extension of what my eyes and brain processed, and I could react swiftly to problems.
Maybe I should go back to tanking now I have a handle on healing. Perhaps I wouldn't suck as much now that awareness has been learned. I still wonder, are some people destined to be 'bad' at a certain role because of some trait or characteristic of their person that is a barrier to success? I really don't know, I'm just thinking out loud.
___________________________________________
Now for the update on the musical.
I want to create a trio of singers, which may end up straining my voice a bit, but some lemon juice should help with that. I want it to be kind of a funny but dark song. In one corner there will be a Doomsayer who is mocking a poor, innocent Gnome about the impending Shattering. A struggle of wills, so to speak, will be the main theme of the first part of the song.
Just when it appears that the Gnome has found the courage to stand up to an elemental invasion, Deathwing himself appears to taunt the Gnome and bring him to his knees, all the while the Doomsayer laughing in the background, continuing to mock without remorse.
The conclusion is a surprise (or maybe I haven't got that far, you'll never know).
Of course this is what I have right now. I'm working out the lyrics and the melody currently, I'll figure out a way to mix some music in there as well. All of this, remember, is comletely subject to change at will. All I'm doing right now is to let you in on my creative process. Often when I start writing a story I think I've got a great idea but then it all comes crumbling down when I realize that I forgot a small detail. But this detail ends up being the cornerstone for the inspiration of a new idea or new story, and everything changes for the better. So please allow me to change my mind at will, as it may inevitably lead to something far better.
Remember also that I am open to suggestions, and will give full credit to any and all that help make this come together. I realized this morning when I woke up that I put myself in a pretty big hole, needing to deliver on a promise of something I haven't attempted in, well, never anything LIKE this. I have written songs before, but not with the aid of a computer. I shall do my best and hope it doesn't completely suck.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
WoW, The Musical
WoW, The Musical
Staring: Yours Truly
Lyrics by: Collaboration
Music by: Me
Rumor has it that some of you are in a transition. Within the wind of those same rumors I hear that there are some among you that want to discuss Cataclysm, while others don’t want to hear a thing and are simply waiting for Dec. 7, 2010. Wrath winding down, patch 4.0.1 in on our doorsteps, the world will be changing soon, and nothing says ‘hey, the world is about to blow up’ better than a great Broadway musical.
That’s right, folks, I am on the verge of doing something so totally embarrassing that I can hardly believe I’m putting it into words. But if I’m going to open my soul here, I’m going to need some help. First let me tell you what I’m planning, then I’m going to ask for some advice and a little bit of input.
This is the Plan
I love to sing, although it’s been a long while since I’ve been part of an organized singing group or had to perform for more than my own family. I also love to play Wow, so my thought was to write a song about WoW and sing it for you fine folk, right here on my blog.
I’ll begin to write the lyrics for the song and plan to present them to everyone for your input, revisions, edits, criticisms, and praise. After making final edits I’ll move on to create a tune, or a melody. I don’t have any musical instruments in my home at the moment, and am not very good with mixing voice and music on a computer, but I’ll figure something out.
Problem
The problem I have is that I don’t know how to record something and post it to the internet. Yeah, I’m not very pop-culture-techno-savy; don’t hate me because I’m beautiful! I don’t need much instruction, I’m an incredibly fast learner, but if I could get some tips on how to create a podcast or something from you fine folk that would be wonderful.
Performance
I used to sing and dance in musicals growing up. I played Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (the giant man-eating plant). I also played Rolf in The Sound of Music (the boyfriend of the eldest daughter Liesl who turns Nazi in the end). I’ve performed as Gaston in a college musical version of Beauty and the Beast…funniest character I’ve ever played. I’ve sang in front of thousands of people dozens of times so I should have no problem doing it for people I’ve never met who can’t even see my face. Plus, I’ll get to record it so you won’t hear all the really bad takes, you’ll get the best one I turn out (meaning there could be some mistakes but I’ll be so tired I just won’t care).
I can do impersonations too, so if you want a little Garth Brooks or Frank Sinatra, I’ll turn my voice in that direction. But more than likely I’ll sing it how the song dictates it should be sung, which is a very instinctual way to do it.
Warning
It has been years since I’ve really sang, and I admit that some of my skills have diminished somewhat, so don’t expect professional quality. I was never a professional anyway, just a passionate amateur, something that will seem all too obvious.
Need your Help
So if anyone out there can contribute either technical advice or lyrical inspiration, I most welcome it. It will take a few weeks at most to put this together, so the faster I get your help the faster I’ll finish. All I can say is THIS WILL BE…INTERESTING!
Staring: Yours Truly
Lyrics by: Collaboration
Music by: Me
Rumor has it that some of you are in a transition. Within the wind of those same rumors I hear that there are some among you that want to discuss Cataclysm, while others don’t want to hear a thing and are simply waiting for Dec. 7, 2010. Wrath winding down, patch 4.0.1 in on our doorsteps, the world will be changing soon, and nothing says ‘hey, the world is about to blow up’ better than a great Broadway musical.
That’s right, folks, I am on the verge of doing something so totally embarrassing that I can hardly believe I’m putting it into words. But if I’m going to open my soul here, I’m going to need some help. First let me tell you what I’m planning, then I’m going to ask for some advice and a little bit of input.
This is the Plan
I love to sing, although it’s been a long while since I’ve been part of an organized singing group or had to perform for more than my own family. I also love to play Wow, so my thought was to write a song about WoW and sing it for you fine folk, right here on my blog.
I’ll begin to write the lyrics for the song and plan to present them to everyone for your input, revisions, edits, criticisms, and praise. After making final edits I’ll move on to create a tune, or a melody. I don’t have any musical instruments in my home at the moment, and am not very good with mixing voice and music on a computer, but I’ll figure something out.
Problem
The problem I have is that I don’t know how to record something and post it to the internet. Yeah, I’m not very pop-culture-techno-savy; don’t hate me because I’m beautiful! I don’t need much instruction, I’m an incredibly fast learner, but if I could get some tips on how to create a podcast or something from you fine folk that would be wonderful.
Performance
I used to sing and dance in musicals growing up. I played Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (the giant man-eating plant). I also played Rolf in The Sound of Music (the boyfriend of the eldest daughter Liesl who turns Nazi in the end). I’ve performed as Gaston in a college musical version of Beauty and the Beast…funniest character I’ve ever played. I’ve sang in front of thousands of people dozens of times so I should have no problem doing it for people I’ve never met who can’t even see my face. Plus, I’ll get to record it so you won’t hear all the really bad takes, you’ll get the best one I turn out (meaning there could be some mistakes but I’ll be so tired I just won’t care).
I can do impersonations too, so if you want a little Garth Brooks or Frank Sinatra, I’ll turn my voice in that direction. But more than likely I’ll sing it how the song dictates it should be sung, which is a very instinctual way to do it.
Warning
It has been years since I’ve really sang, and I admit that some of my skills have diminished somewhat, so don’t expect professional quality. I was never a professional anyway, just a passionate amateur, something that will seem all too obvious.
Need your Help
So if anyone out there can contribute either technical advice or lyrical inspiration, I most welcome it. It will take a few weeks at most to put this together, so the faster I get your help the faster I’ll finish. All I can say is THIS WILL BE…INTERESTING!
Friday, September 17, 2010
More Poetry in WoW
(Disclaimer: For whatever reason, whenever I post the paragraphs aren't separating well, so it looks like one huge paragraph. Be patient, I'll try to fix it but I don't know how).
One of the defining features of JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings novels is the poetry that he masterfully weaves into the story. The Hobbits are all too fond of rhymes and riddles, but there are other examples of how the language itself is poetry, consider the scene when Frodo visited Lothlorien:
"It seemed to him that he had stepped through a high window that looked on a vanished world. A light was upon it for which his language had no name. All that he saw was shapely, but the shapes seemed at once clear cut, as if they had been first conceived and drawn at the uncovering of his eyes, and ancient as if they had endured for ever. He saw no colour but those he knew, gold and white and blue and green, but they were fresh and poignant, as if he had at that moment first perceived them and made for them names new and wonderful. In winter here no heart could mourn for summer or for spring. No blemish or sickness or deformity could be seen in anything that grew upon the earth. On the land of Lorien there was no stain."
-The Fellowship of the Ring, p. 365
To me this is a greater example of pure poetry then any contrived rhyme of "roses are red, etc". What it does is allow the reader to be swept up in the moment from the perspective of [Frodo], and experience the wonder of seeing most beautiful scenery our eyes have ever beheld.
Then there is the more common style of poetry as well, such as these lovely examples from the same book:
One of the defining features of JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings novels is the poetry that he masterfully weaves into the story. The Hobbits are all too fond of rhymes and riddles, but there are other examples of how the language itself is poetry, consider the scene when Frodo visited Lothlorien:
"It seemed to him that he had stepped through a high window that looked on a vanished world. A light was upon it for which his language had no name. All that he saw was shapely, but the shapes seemed at once clear cut, as if they had been first conceived and drawn at the uncovering of his eyes, and ancient as if they had endured for ever. He saw no colour but those he knew, gold and white and blue and green, but they were fresh and poignant, as if he had at that moment first perceived them and made for them names new and wonderful. In winter here no heart could mourn for summer or for spring. No blemish or sickness or deformity could be seen in anything that grew upon the earth. On the land of Lorien there was no stain."
-The Fellowship of the Ring, p. 365
To me this is a greater example of pure poetry then any contrived rhyme of "roses are red, etc". What it does is allow the reader to be swept up in the moment from the perspective of [Frodo], and experience the wonder of seeing most beautiful scenery our eyes have ever beheld.
Then there is the more common style of poetry as well, such as these lovely examples from the same book:
"Home is behind, the world ahead,
and there are many paths to tread.
Through shadows to the edge of night,
until the stars are all alight.
Then world behind and home ahead,
we'll wander back to home and to bed.
Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,
Away shall fade! Away shall fade!
Fire and lamp, and meat and bread.
And then to bed! And then to bed!"
Also:
"The shadow lies upon his tomb,
In Moria, in Khazad-dum.
But still the sunken stars appear,
In dark and windless Mirrormere;
There lies his crown in water deep,
Till Durin wakes again from sleep."
We may either forget or not know that Tolkien was an award winning poet, not just one of the most beloved story tellers of the 20th century. We are all aware of the influences that he had on our world of game playing and fantasy, but that's not the topic I wish to address. I wonder, sometimes, given Tolkien's influence on just about everything that came after him, why there is little to no poetry in games, particularly WoW.
Now please, as I have not played every game in the world I certainly cannot say that no games incorporate poetry, so if there are examples out there I would love to hear of them. I would also like to make clear that I do not wish for WoW to incorporate Tolkien poetry, I realize that if I want access to that I could play LOTR Online (I actually don't know if there's much poetry in that game), read the books or watch the movies. I also am well aware that the name of the game I enjoy the most is World of WAR-Craft. I just wanted to get the obvious out of the way to spare me the agony of having it pointed out to me in any comment.
In any good fantasy story, I believe that there must be great characters, an easy to follow and engaging plot, and significant conflict. Added to these are the details of the story, in both the characters and the world they live in. The more meaningful the world, the more important are those characters to the survival of all that's good in that world. To me, a world without virtue, without beauty, without love and culture isn't really a world worth saving. If I am a "hero" dropped into a world of pure evil and told that I needed to bring my manifest destiny to the miserable creatures of that world, the destiny of light and life and good and courage, blah, blah, blah, I'm going to look up and say to the one dropping me off, "No thanks, I think I'll let this world destroy itself, there is nothing good here but me, and if I leave no loss to the world, it's already destroyed."
I just can't seem to generate a desire to save something if I'm the only good thing in it. To that end, I look around Azeroth and I see that, according to my character, there is much worth saving, much that was good before, or worthwhile, and that through my efforts that worth can be secured for the future generations. When Deathwing comes he'll do much damage to the world, and why do we care? Because there are things that we value here, whether it's culture, people, etc., Horde or Alliance, there are things we wish to protect or restore to their former peaceful state.
I know this is WARCraft, but we don't war solely because we wish to shed blood. Sure, politics churn the war machine, disagreements add fuel to that fire, and it's people who do things that are considered 'evil' that unite us in our war efforts, but to what end? To continue to war even after we have defeated all the evil that has risen in the world? I understand that there will always be a hatred between Horde and Alliance, but even those parties have joined forces to defeat common enemies.
So, in this fantasy world, in Azeroth, I wonder sometimes that I do not see more of the things I'm fighting to save. I play mainly Alliance, so am I fighting so that my farmers can farm in peace? So that the tailor may weave with endless supply of wool? I want to be fighting for more culture, for writers and artists and musicians, people that are being phased out of our real world for math and science (btw, I am SOOOOOO pro math & science). Schools drop their arts programs when there's a shortage of money, but it's always been my belief that the arts are what makes our world beautiful. So I wish it was more in Azeroth, that there would simply be a deeper culture to save and to protect.
Writers (poets included) have been the source of great controversy in our world because they discuss issues in times and ways that allow for societal introspection without resorting to one-liners and cheap shots (like politicians). Uncle Tom's Cabin, Nineteen Eighty Four, Les Miserables, The Scarlet Letter, and many, many, many others. Where are these wonders in Azeroth? I'm freakin' dying over and over and over to help these Westfall farmers rid themselves of evil beasts and machines (which is fine and all). I'm clearing the forests of Duskwood of the 'bad' Worgen, in hopes that maybe someday these homesteads may be returned to their rightful owners. I'm fighting the scourge in Northrend and doing battle with the Lich King himself to save all lands from death and decay. I'm at War with the Horde on principle alone, they're just so darn ugly, and we know that ugly people need to be killed.
I am the first to admit that I don't know the entire story of Azeroth, I'm not familiar with enough of the lore to make definitive statements, all I speak of is from my own experiences. And what I experience is that there are not a lot of musicians or writers or poets in Azeroth. In real life I fight for their cause in many ways, I wouldn't mind having some artists to fight for in Azeroth as well.
Please, I am open to correction and education on this topic, I'm also open to peotry, if you so desire. The more the merrier.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Four-Man-er
So a few weeks ago the weekly raid was to kill Sartharion. Our guild had suffered through a slowdown, mainly caused by winter holidays and vacations, so there weren't enough online to fill all 10 slots. Actually, there were only 4 of us, and we didn't feel like pugging anyone. So we went in alone, just the four of us.
It was a revelation, really, a bit of a surprise to find out that we could actually do it. We are not a full time, hard-core raiding guild, so our gear, albeit good, wasn't the BiS type gear. But very slowly and methodically made our way from trash mob to drake - to trash - to drake.
We made it through all trash and drakes and stood before the beautiful dragon, or is it drake, I can't tell the difference. We were about to head in when we heard the chime of somebody logging into vent. A fifth.
He came, we killed Sartharion, we turned in the quest and got our 5 frost emblems. The four of us who started were a bit sad that a fifth came in to take away our achievement, but he was a guildie and we love him. Denying him would have been wrong. Still, I wonder if we could have done it? I think so.
At the end somebody commented that OS should be made into a 5-man instead of a raid. I'm all for it. After all, it can be done...and rather easily at that. I admit that the 1,2 or 3 drakes up thing might be a bit tougher for a 5-man group. Maybe add two more slots and make it a 7-man epic dungeon.
Then I logged off and listened to Opera music. And before any of you guys out there think that's boring, do you have any idea how many girls out there find that romantic in a man? Not all girls, of course, but so many in my life that I lost count. Good thing, my wife wouldn't want me counting other women anyway.
It was a revelation, really, a bit of a surprise to find out that we could actually do it. We are not a full time, hard-core raiding guild, so our gear, albeit good, wasn't the BiS type gear. But very slowly and methodically made our way from trash mob to drake - to trash - to drake.
We made it through all trash and drakes and stood before the beautiful dragon, or is it drake, I can't tell the difference. We were about to head in when we heard the chime of somebody logging into vent. A fifth.
He came, we killed Sartharion, we turned in the quest and got our 5 frost emblems. The four of us who started were a bit sad that a fifth came in to take away our achievement, but he was a guildie and we love him. Denying him would have been wrong. Still, I wonder if we could have done it? I think so.
At the end somebody commented that OS should be made into a 5-man instead of a raid. I'm all for it. After all, it can be done...and rather easily at that. I admit that the 1,2 or 3 drakes up thing might be a bit tougher for a 5-man group. Maybe add two more slots and make it a 7-man epic dungeon.
Then I logged off and listened to Opera music. And before any of you guys out there think that's boring, do you have any idea how many girls out there find that romantic in a man? Not all girls, of course, but so many in my life that I lost count. Good thing, my wife wouldn't want me counting other women anyway.
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