Tick-tock

I admit that I barely read books anymore.  If my free time is not consumed with family, baby, or chores, you will find me dazed and enthralled by either my computer(s), or wireless devices at home.  I have a strange puzzling addiction to Sudoku, of which I must successfully complete at least 2 if not 3 puzzles before bed.  I'm convinced that it keeps my mind sharp, or at least tires me out so that I can get a good night's sleep, since I've been plagued with Pregnancy-Insomnia and pregnancy-related heartburn (acid reflux).  These puzzles are timed, and it's even more challenging if I can complete "Extreme" levels of Sudoku, rather than "Easy" levels at a quick pace.  I am my own worst enemy, since my only competition is myself.

My other recent addiction are online games.  I have zero attention span these days, therefore I can't afford to play games that require hours of attention (raids, or groups), but for some strange reason I can spend hours running around on my character, accomplishing almost nothing.in terms of end-game accomplishments.  I also enjoy my click-click Facebook games (of which my husband has no understanding or patience).  But really, click-click games are all I can afford, time-wise.  All these types of games can be dropped and picked up at a moment's notice.  Online raids, groups, and campaigns can't be easily dropped.  Those games are commitments, and I just have zero ability to make such commitments, over the commitment of my toddler.

And then there are these things called books.  The closest I've come to reading anything book-like, are magazines, newspapers and flyers, online news articles, and children's books and nursery rhymes, and perhaps cook-books.  Novels are a luxury and seem daunting to even pick up.  I love literature though.  I love exploring literature, and contemplating over it, just as how some people love exploring and contemplating over movies.  In fact, the last novel I read, was months and months ago:  Tamarind Mem by Anita Rau Badami - a novel I picked up because my friend in South Korea needed help on clarifying some academic research and ideas for her thesis.  I love literature, I do.  I just don't have the patience or time for it anymore, although I suppose, if I replaced my Sudoku time, with novel-reading time, I could get in a few chapters before bed-time.  But somehow, completing a Sudoku puzzle seems more satisfying and rewarding to me, now.  That last comment makes me feel nostalgic for the days when I could finish a 250+ page novel in one or two days - those were the days of cramming and speed-reading - when time and deadlines meant everything, and nothing - days when I was single with no commitments, and days when I needed to finish reading the novel so that I could start that darn essay that would be due in a week.  But alas, time has passed, and other commitments keep me busy.  So Sudoku it is.  When time slows down, I'll find more time to enjoy my novels (of which I have a nice big pile waiting for me)...

Tank

Let me explain to you, the role that I play in my online game.  I am a Tank.  My character is built to withstand big hits, and I demand attention from the enemy.  I protect my weaker friends and battle with my heavy shield and weapon.  I fight as a loyal companion.  99% of the time, I fight solo, but in that 1% that I fight in a group, I hope that I am an effective member of the team.

I also like to battle orcs.  Orcs are the bane of my existence.  They are a plague, to me.  Cruel, nasty, and irritating.  I take a little pleasure in hunting out the Orcs, knowing that I've ridded the world of one less evil.  The game I play allows me to win the battle against evil.  It's also fun, and I've made some friends, of which I would never have met.  And yes, these other online gamers whom I play with regularly, are my friends.  It is not so unusual to have online friends anymore.  And if you, the reader, do not understand that, then you are behind the times.  Or perhaps you just don't understand gaming.

There are some people who criticize online gaming, but it's a good outlet, and can be a good social platform, so long as there is no unhealthy addiction, or destructive behaviours associated with gaming, or the game itself.  There is nothing unhealthy about playing another race or gender online.  You are only playing a character, a toon.  You are not playing yourself (but perhaps, maybe an extension of yourself) - it is not the "real" you.

It's funny though, that I play a 4 foot dwarf, and people always refer to me as "him", "he", or "dude."  Perhaps it doesn't occur to people that 4 foot dwarves can also be played by females.  How can you not tell that I'm female, with my long flowy braided beard??  I would have thought that the braids would give it away.  ;)

Gamers

I've been watching The Guild for quite some time now.  It's hilarious, and speaks to the gaming world that I've come to know.  There's something about the inner Geek that comes out when you are having fun.  And the world of online games, and gamer behaviour perpetuates the Geekdom that you would normally try to hide from others, in the "real" world.  For instance, what is a WC?  And what does AFK mean?  What is a Tank?  And should you take offense when someone calls you Squishy?  What exactly is PVP?  And why in the world do people type with a forward slash?  /confused.

In my world, my true Geekiness is something I try to keep on the down-low.  It's not exactly "cool" to be spending your extra time slaying orcs, and building up your weapons.  Some people would say it's pathetic.  But really, there are all levels of Gamers - from those who are addicted to gaming and barely spend enough time to eat and sleep, to Gamers of a less committed (and obsessive) quality who play once in awhile only after the kids are asleep and the chores are done.  I'd like to think that I am one of the latter, and proud to be a gamer.

The point of this post?  While I enjoy gaming, it can be a lonely existence, only making temporary e-friends when you have a common quest to complete.  And even then, the interaction between players is mainly very cordial and impersonal, parting ways after the quest is complete and rewards divided.  Grouping, and questing with other players can create a strange dynamic of social interaction.  THAT is why The Guild is such a wonderful treat to watch...   The Guild really plays up the stereotypes of gamers, AND the (semi) real-deal of what it might be like to interact in RL with your gaming friends.  Would you like each other?  Would you be friends outside of the game?  Are all Gamers really all nuts??  (Apparently so, LOL).

If you are a gamer, and haven't watched The Guild, you definitely need to give it a try.  And if you aren't a gamer... well... you just might not really "get it."   /shrug.

Nothing to post so...

Yea... I have nothing to update you on.

So... here is another screenshot of my favourite past-time.

My dwarf, posing. Yep... what a poser.