<BREEDING A NEW CULTURE>
Bargor "Mugwort" Corpsehammer
Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2010-02-08 16:19:31
Yet another back story for one of my World of Warcraft characters. Bargor is the sort of character that would be really conducive to playing in a D&D group. He's team-oriented and has a lot of history without being disruptive. "Mugwort" is actually the nickname of Bargor Corpsehammer, a soldier of Orgrimmar and single-father. Bargor and his wife Chok'la joined with the orcish forces to help repel the Scourge after the orcs fled to Kalimdor (i.e. during the events of Warcraft 3). Chok'la was killed in the fighting, leaving their young son Guksal with only Mugwort to care for him. During the... (Read More)
The Phases of a Rusty Alt
Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2010-01-23 19:48:59
Roll up an Alliance alt of a new character class that I haven't really tried before so that I can "see the Alliance quests". Play the character up to level 20-30 and really start enjoying the class. Think to myself, "I miss being with my guild. I wish I had an alt of this class on the Horde side." Wistfully roll an alt of said character class -- usually an orc -- on a dumping ground RP server. Play said alt up to level 5 or so. Wonder why I didn't start the alt as an orc in the first place. Delete a character to make... (Read More)
Random Thoughts On Gender and Transgender
Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2010-01-20 17:36:26
To be "other" in our society is to be lesser. In nearly every binary pair, one side is viewed as positive while the other is weaker or negative. Man is stronger than woman. Light is better than dark. Genderqueer folks take the matter a step further, calling the very structure itself into question. Is a trans-woman male or female? How do I characterize this person? You don't even have to be transgender to cause this breakdown. Butch lesbians aren't "real women". When such ingrained structures are called into question, people turn to frustrated violence to try to enforce their orthodoxy. The problem... (Read More)
Carrots for the Ponies #1
Posted by Karen
Published: 2010-01-19 13:31:47
I've been thinking about rewards for my journey from Shetland Pony to Mustang Sally. Treating myself to things that would be counter productive to my progress are not permitted. As much as I would love to have a gorgeous dinner at Cheesecake Factory, I think items to keep my motivation would be more suitable. Running Mates Nike+ SportBand in Natural Gray/Pink Flash (#WM0057-64; $59.00) and/or Nike+ iPod Watch Remote ($69.00). The SportBand comes with an additional sensor, and up to eight different sensors can be synched with it. This would be useful if I want to go for a walk/jog with a... (Read More)
On Life As Narrative
Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2010-01-13 19:11:49
If I'm to be a narrative, I shall be the kind of narrative that I enjoy -- largely pointless with little deliberate attempt at theme, with clear continuity, yes, but a continuity so largely irrelevant that you're left questioning how the obvious character development ever actually happens. ... (Read More)
Those Who Could Not Hear The Music
Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2010-01-12 18:05:27
I’m often possessed by an urge to go dancing. There. Now, I’ve outed myself. I can’t listen to anything by Crüxshadows, Moby, or The Smiths without wishing for a club where they played nothing but such music all night long. I dream of dancing by myself out there on the darkened dance floor like some kind of drunken, gleeful fool with all of the glee and none of the drunkenness. I want to connect with the music in a physical way. I love listening to music with my eyes closed, so that I can focus every bit of my attention on... (Read More)
Old Soldiers
Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2010-01-11 17:11:31
“Don’t you fucking understand, Fordring?! We’ve failed!” Hemlock felt the rage, the bestial wrath, welling up inside him, and he felt no urge to stop it. His heart began beating faster, a tribal drum summoning the darkest violence in his heart. He took the tiny ring the dying crusader had given him and threw it directly at the paladin with enough force to make Tirion Fordring wince as it hit him in the face. “Bridenbrad is dead, paladin. All your precious Light could do was offer was a light show. He died all the same.” The rage was no comfort. Nothing could shake... (Read More)
Every Rogue Needs One
Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2010-01-11 05:52:32
After about an hour of genocide, I finally got Ashwin the gnomish warrior rogue her Red Defias Mask. Isn't she the cutest spy/assassin, you've ever seen? ... (Read More)
Mile Marker Zero: From Shetland to Mustang at 30.5
Posted by Karen
Published: 2010-01-08 09:00:27
As I sip my Dunkin' Donuts Hazelnut coffee from a rather kitsch Mile 0: Key West mug, I feel inspired. No, inspired isn't the right word for it. Invigorated would be a better word for it. After a recent visit to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, I feel like the mission control room leader-- pacing about and overseeing the various technicians at their stations. I'm preparing for lift-off in Five... Four… Three… Two… One… Zero… Technologically speaking, I am going on a diet. At thirty (point) five, I am embarking upon a mission of epic proportions. I am doing this not only for myself, but for my... (Read More)
Life Tanking: Identifying the Mobs
Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2010-01-06 21:45:54
I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who contacted me after yesterday's post. Every single person that contacted me was positive and affirming. Some of you said that I inspired you. Some of you said simply that you loved me just the way I am and that you're with me every step of the way. I'm saving every response as a pick-me-up on days when it seems like I can't possibly tank what's in front of me. Today was the first full day confronting my problems head-on. I started my day by playing WoW... (Read More)