Gaming, Reading, Movies, Star Wars and other Geek Culture

Blizzard Friends and Family

On December 5, 2019

In Gaming, Geek Culture, World of Warcraft

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Blizzard Entertainment and the 15th anniversary for World of Warcraft. I have been playing video games since the first Nintendo. Of course Internet didn’t exist back then but we managed to still make it a friends and family activity. As technology evolved so did the world of gaming. Consoles added online, multiplayer modes. PC games added multiplayer mode, which initially became popular in First Person Shooters. I spent many nights in college playing multiplayer Half Life.

Then the MMORPG was born. In my youth, an RPG required a few friends, paper, pencils, dice and some incredible imagination. Then Blizzard created World of Warcraft, which was an evolution from their Warcraft series of games (my favorite being Warcraft III). WoW united us all by breaking down borders, cultural and political divides. I realize that last item isn’t always true, but if you find the right kind of people, everyone can agree to leave that topic alone.

Now the world is so different.

Online Friends Are Real Friends

I know I’ve talked about this before. You can have friends you haven’t met in person. Twenty years ago the only friends you had are the ones you met in school or at work. Oftentimes people outside the gaming subculture tend to think having “online friends” seems absurd. How can you be friends with someone you’ve never met face-to-face? Our physical locations cannot limit the things we have in common with people.

A friend of mine (a gaming friend) once said “friends are the family you get to choose”. This is true. I’ve had disagreements with friends just as I do with family. I also get along with my friends just as I do with family. While I have not met all my online friends in person, I have met a few. In fact some have even been to my house and I’ve even had one live with me for a year. I hope to meet more of them one day. Today I am just as good of friends with people I’ve never physically met as I was with friends I had in high school.

Blizzard has created a huge community. Larger than any community I’ve ever known. I’m grateful for the friendships this game has given me.

If zombies attack the world, everyone will run and hide. Except for us gamers, of course. We’ve been waiting for this all our lives!

It’s Santa’s Fault I’m MIA

By Biggs

On December 2, 2019

In General Cogitation, Random Cogitations

The Thanksgiving and Christmas season is always pretty busy for me. I have to make sure I’m efficient at work as I usually take quite a bit of time off for both holiday’s to spend time with family. In fact that is the reason I haven’t written a post since the Rise of Skywalker trailer. I have some posts in draft or in mind, I just haven’t had the time to complete them.

Radio City Music Hall Stage

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving (US); mine was excellent. My in-laws know how to provide a wonderful Thanksgiving vacation experience. This year they treated us to the Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes. I have never seen a Rockettes show; its an amazing show. It really put me in the Christmas spirit. I highly recommend going to a Rockettes if you have the opportunity.

It is now the wonderful season of Advent and, therefore officially Christmas season. I have begun decorating, listening to Christmas music and donning my Santa hat for the next 24 days.

Rise of Skywalker Trailer Reaction

By Biggs

On October 28, 2019

In Movies, Star Wars

Now that I have had some time to digest this new trailer (and watch it about 8 more times), I’ve come up with a few thoughts. Some conclusions I’ve made based on what I’ve gleaned from the trailer; others are based on some of the other things I’ve read on the Internet. Everyone is posting their theories and trailer break downs, but this is my Rise of Skywalker trailer reaction.

If you haven’t watched the new trailer yet, or again (and again), then go do that now (or again).

I think this trailer is much different than the other two; it’s far more nebulous. There were major plot points I extrapolated, correctly, based on each trailer. In The Force Awakens, it was Kylo Ren’s heritage. In The Last Jedi it was the reason for Luke’s cantankerous behavior and hermit lifestyle. This trailer, however, leaves very few clues. Although, the fact that Kylo Ren was the crux for both of those major plot points makes me wonder what will be his final role?

Is That The Mortis Dagger??

Altar of Mortis

At about 1:50 into the trailer we see Rey and Kylo Ren destroy a statue. The scene doesn’t really indicate if they are working together or if that statue is collateral damage. Regardless, what’s important is what Rey is holding in her left hand? It appears to be a dagger which begs the question, is that the Mortis Dagger??

If you watch The Clone Wars then think back to Season 3, episodes 15, 16 and 17. Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka leave for a mission and suddenly find themselves on the planet Mortis. On this planet lives The Father, the Daughter and the Son. All three seem to be incarnations of the Force and all three are immortal. The Son, which is the incarnation of the Dark Side, has become too consumed with his power. The Father helps Obi-Wan and Ahsoka acquire the Mortis Dagger which removes immortality and can therefore be used to defeat The Son.

I’m going to stop there 1) because you should go watch those episodes, if you haven’t yet and 2) I think you know where I’m going with this. Episode IX director, J. J. Abrams, has said that the Rise of Skywalker will “unite all three trilogies”. Granted, The Clone Wars is not a movie but an animated series, however it is part of the Skywalker Saga. Using the Mortis Dagger to destroy the Emperor not only makes sense but would be another one of those brilliant tie-ins. I’m really digging this idea and I really hope the Internet and I are correct.

There is not a lot to glean from this trailer, other than the possible modus operandi of permanently killing Palpatine. Therefore I’m going to move on to other reactions and thoughts I had about this final trailer.

The Final Skywalker Trailer

By Biggs

On October 21, 2019

In Movies, Star Wars

A bittersweet event. The last trailer before the release of Rise of Skywalker and the final trailer for the Skywalker saga, released on Carrie Fisher’s birthday. Here it is!

HOLY KENOBI OMGBBQ!!!

We were regaled with this trailer for the first time during Monday Night Football. Fortunately you didn’t have to watch the game, just half time. Much to Tom Brady’s chagrin, that is the only reason anybody tuned into the game because nobody likes watching the Patriots.

By no means is this the last Star Wars trailer, there are at least three more coming in 2022, 2024, 2026. Potentially more if the rumor mills are correct about Rian Johnson still working on a movie (or two, or three). It is the last trailer we will see for a couple of years (but we have some live action series to keep the geek fires burning).

A trailer analysis will come later.

Breathe. Just breathe. Now reach out.

WoW: Ode to Humpday

By Biggs

On October 10, 2019

In Gaming, World of Warcraft

I have been with this Convert To Raid raid team, Humpday Heroes, since the end of Warlords of Draenor. Our goal, as a raid team, has always been to earn the “Ahead of the Curve” raid achievement. Recently we successfully earned the “Ahead of the Curve” raid achievement for Queen Azshara. However, this accomplishment is bittersweet.

Brothers (and Sisters) In Arms

When you take on arduous tasks for months and years with, predominately, the same people a bond is formed. It’s more than just avatar names and pixels. Succeeding and failing together are the ingredients of synergy and the elation of finally reaching our goal is indescribable, however it was also bittersweet.

We often forget that this is just a game. Just like any other game, video or otherwise, it can get stale or life’s priorities change. In our case this achievement is the last one with one of our long time members, and my co-tank. This is the second co-tank I’ve lost this year but real life happens. However, while they are no longer playing the game, they are still a friend. The bonds of friendship will never be abandoned.

As the British say we must “Keep Calm and Carry On”. We are trying out new tanks and regrouping to get ready for the 8.3 raid, Ny’alotha. We have some promising candidates and I’m excited to finish off this expansion with one more “Ahead of the Curve” achievement! I know the Humpday Heroes will continue to prevail!

/cheers

If zombies attack the world, everyone will run and hide. Except for us gamers, of course. We’ve been waiting for this all our lives!

RTotD: Better Than A Smoking Addiction

By Biggs

On October 1, 2019

In General Cogitation, Random Cogitations

Addiction, the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. Me? I’m addicted to running. If the temperature is above 90 or below 30, I still find a way to safely go for a run. Aside from the weekends, if the day is nearly over and I haven’t gone for a run, I’m anxious. It means I’ve been sitting too long and experiencing cabin fever.

If it is truly “not safe” to run outdoors, my alternative is to use the treadmill. I am more likely to concede to use the treadmill when its too cold versus too hot. However the treadmill doesn’t provide the same level of satisfaction as running outdoors. The fresh air, the breeze, the fact that upon reaching the half way point, you have no choice but to finish. Those are characteristics of running outdoors that cannot be duplicated by a machine.

Assuming I’m smart and safe about it, this has to be one of those “healthy” addictions. Regardless its a better addiction than smoking (or “vaping” 🙄 for you millennials).

/cheers

The things that go through my mind when I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for entertainment is dangerous. Some might even say eccentric. Consider this your warning about today’s Random Thought of the Day

Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences