Quitting WoW, FNL, sourdough, exercising
Jul. 16th, 2008 02:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sarea1) First things first, and this is first, since it's had a big impact on my life for so long -- I'm quitting WoW. I gave it 3 years (1/10th of my life!) and I'm finally hanging up my healing robes. Been awhile coming, honestly. The first stirrings of dissatisfaction came around the time of BC ... TI had kind of burned me out of raiding. But I was excited about the BC expansion and being in a new guild. The new content and leveling to 70 really helped make it fun again ... and then the guild kind of fell apart and I became an officer, and all the responsibilities, the stops and starts, started to wear ... and then I looked forward to days when I didn't have to raid, as opposed to looking forward to days when I did.
After coming back from NY, maybe because of all the fun I had there with Jade, that had nothing to do with WoW, I was just sick of the game. It wasn't fun anymore, raiding was an obligation, dealing with stupid people about guild stuff just started to wear. I showed up because I felt that I owed it to the players, my friends. But then we downed Council and I felt a slight spark of renewed interest -- maybe progressing would make me interested again. It would at least make things tolerable. But summer came, people showed up less and less, we ended up having to cancel like two weeks of raids due to no-shows ... and the unhappiness came back. Because *I* was there, as a guild leader and one of our stronger healers, to raid every day. I wasted my time to be there when I could be doing something else. If they don't care, why should I care? I don't even like it much anymore! So all this contributed to major, major burnout. I had zero desire to go through the whole recruiting stuff and bring our guild back from the brink of death. How do we kill Council for the first time one week, and then the next not even have enough players to field a full raid? It's so annoying.
It got to the point where DO was feeling burned out too. Him, me, and a few others have been talking about trying Warhammer Online when it comes out because we're just sick of WoW. His account lapsed and he decided, yesterday, that that was it, he was quitting, he was done. Since he was basically my last tie to the game I felt so relieved. That meant I could be done too. So the other officers were told, and we've been discussing how we're going to proceed with handing off the guild to a new leadership team.
It makes me really sad to leave something that I've put so much time and effort into, and to get so far with it and build it up to what it is, but it's time. It's way past time. What I'll miss the most is the people, the friendships I've made -- that hopefully will last. It's too bad I don't live closer to the core group of them (in NorCal), but like I said, we all plan to check out Warhammer. The problem is, if it sucks, they'll probably play WotLK, and I probably won't (I'm that burned out).
I actually meant for this to be short and sweet, a paragraph maybe, but it got a little out of control. But I guess, given what it's meant to me, it deserves more than that.
2) I hate exercise with a fiery passion. Some people say that they don't like it, but are always glad after they've done it, because of the endorphins or whatever and they feel good. I also feel good after I've done it, not because it feels good, but because it's a relief to know that I did my daily duty and now I have the rest of the day to not think about having to do it. I should never have gotten a treadmill! Now I'm forced to use it!
3) The sourdough cultures. Still nothing, and today is Day 4 of the washing cycle. I know that 5-6 days is possible, but I'm impatient and frankly I'm starting to wonder if they're viable anymore. I get bubbles, but nowhere near the amount that would indicate a full working/active culture. They smell pleasantly sour, of sourdough, and the hooch is on the top. So the contamination phase should be over. But nothing is haaaappppeninnggggg. I did another wash cycle this morning, and have conducted an experiment.
The first step of the wash cycle is to take the culture from the proofing box, thoroughly mix it up, and then dump out everything but 1 cup. So I did that with the Ischia culture (because it smells the best :P), except instead of dumping everything into the sink, I reserved 1 cup of what would have been thrown out. I did the wash cycle on the original as normal. Then I took the reserved cup of culture and fed it instead of following the typical wash cycle. I will continue to wash the other cultures as I'm supposed to for another couple of days, and will keep feeding the Ischia.b culture instead of washing it. The reason for this is that I'm not experienced enough to know what's going on with the cultures. They look the same every day. Have they peaked? Am I just wasting flour by doing this wash cycle over and over (it's no joke -- I went through a 5lb bag of flour in 2 days)?
My Ischia.b experiment is to see whether the cultures are as active as they're going to get, and instead of washing them, I should be feeding them. My only complaint about Ed Wood's Classic Sourdoughs book is that it's not written very clearly in some parts. After multiple readings I still don't understand when I know a culture is considered "fully activated." So I am going to take some pointers from this post with the Ischia.b culture and keep feeding it and see if it starts to double in volume within a few days. If so, then I'll know that the other cultures are still alive/viable, and instead of washing them, I should feed them.
I just hope Talis hasn't destroyed my other 'pets' when I get home today. He's like, she spends more time with those stupid yeast pets than with me!
4) Friday Night Lights. I'm more into it now, more involved with the characters, more invested. Matt/Julie is so cute. I still don't like Lyla Garrity, but I think it's just that the actress bugs the crap out of me. WTF kind of name is Minka anyway? She so looks like a Minka. And could the actors who play her parents look LESS like they could be her parents? The thing I hate most about her is her little baby voice. God, that grates. At first I didn't like Tim Riggins -- he looks like Raggedy Andy to me (seriously, those bright red cheeks are ridiculous) -- but he's been growing on me. I like Tyra though I can't stand her mother. My favorite character is probably Tami Taylor, followed by the coach.
After coming back from NY, maybe because of all the fun I had there with Jade, that had nothing to do with WoW, I was just sick of the game. It wasn't fun anymore, raiding was an obligation, dealing with stupid people about guild stuff just started to wear. I showed up because I felt that I owed it to the players, my friends. But then we downed Council and I felt a slight spark of renewed interest -- maybe progressing would make me interested again. It would at least make things tolerable. But summer came, people showed up less and less, we ended up having to cancel like two weeks of raids due to no-shows ... and the unhappiness came back. Because *I* was there, as a guild leader and one of our stronger healers, to raid every day. I wasted my time to be there when I could be doing something else. If they don't care, why should I care? I don't even like it much anymore! So all this contributed to major, major burnout. I had zero desire to go through the whole recruiting stuff and bring our guild back from the brink of death. How do we kill Council for the first time one week, and then the next not even have enough players to field a full raid? It's so annoying.
It got to the point where DO was feeling burned out too. Him, me, and a few others have been talking about trying Warhammer Online when it comes out because we're just sick of WoW. His account lapsed and he decided, yesterday, that that was it, he was quitting, he was done. Since he was basically my last tie to the game I felt so relieved. That meant I could be done too. So the other officers were told, and we've been discussing how we're going to proceed with handing off the guild to a new leadership team.
It makes me really sad to leave something that I've put so much time and effort into, and to get so far with it and build it up to what it is, but it's time. It's way past time. What I'll miss the most is the people, the friendships I've made -- that hopefully will last. It's too bad I don't live closer to the core group of them (in NorCal), but like I said, we all plan to check out Warhammer. The problem is, if it sucks, they'll probably play WotLK, and I probably won't (I'm that burned out).
I actually meant for this to be short and sweet, a paragraph maybe, but it got a little out of control. But I guess, given what it's meant to me, it deserves more than that.
2) I hate exercise with a fiery passion. Some people say that they don't like it, but are always glad after they've done it, because of the endorphins or whatever and they feel good. I also feel good after I've done it, not because it feels good, but because it's a relief to know that I did my daily duty and now I have the rest of the day to not think about having to do it. I should never have gotten a treadmill! Now I'm forced to use it!
3) The sourdough cultures. Still nothing, and today is Day 4 of the washing cycle. I know that 5-6 days is possible, but I'm impatient and frankly I'm starting to wonder if they're viable anymore. I get bubbles, but nowhere near the amount that would indicate a full working/active culture. They smell pleasantly sour, of sourdough, and the hooch is on the top. So the contamination phase should be over. But nothing is haaaappppeninnggggg. I did another wash cycle this morning, and have conducted an experiment.
The first step of the wash cycle is to take the culture from the proofing box, thoroughly mix it up, and then dump out everything but 1 cup. So I did that with the Ischia culture (because it smells the best :P), except instead of dumping everything into the sink, I reserved 1 cup of what would have been thrown out. I did the wash cycle on the original as normal. Then I took the reserved cup of culture and fed it instead of following the typical wash cycle. I will continue to wash the other cultures as I'm supposed to for another couple of days, and will keep feeding the Ischia.b culture instead of washing it. The reason for this is that I'm not experienced enough to know what's going on with the cultures. They look the same every day. Have they peaked? Am I just wasting flour by doing this wash cycle over and over (it's no joke -- I went through a 5lb bag of flour in 2 days)?
My Ischia.b experiment is to see whether the cultures are as active as they're going to get, and instead of washing them, I should be feeding them. My only complaint about Ed Wood's Classic Sourdoughs book is that it's not written very clearly in some parts. After multiple readings I still don't understand when I know a culture is considered "fully activated." So I am going to take some pointers from this post with the Ischia.b culture and keep feeding it and see if it starts to double in volume within a few days. If so, then I'll know that the other cultures are still alive/viable, and instead of washing them, I should feed them.
I just hope Talis hasn't destroyed my other 'pets' when I get home today. He's like, she spends more time with those stupid yeast pets than with me!
4) Friday Night Lights. I'm more into it now, more involved with the characters, more invested. Matt/Julie is so cute. I still don't like Lyla Garrity, but I think it's just that the actress bugs the crap out of me. WTF kind of name is Minka anyway? She so looks like a Minka. And could the actors who play her parents look LESS like they could be her parents? The thing I hate most about her is her little baby voice. God, that grates. At first I didn't like Tim Riggins -- he looks like Raggedy Andy to me (seriously, those bright red cheeks are ridiculous) -- but he's been growing on me. I like Tyra though I can't stand her mother. My favorite character is probably Tami Taylor, followed by the coach.
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no subject
Date: 2008-07-16 10:11 pm (UTC)But burnout is burnout, and if you're not having fun, don't do it. It's one reason I'm glad I have sooo many alts. If I don't want to raid, or run a heroic, I don't! I just go play an alt. Maybe even one on another server.
Think you're done-done, or might come back for WotLK?
no subject
Date: 2008-07-16 10:19 pm (UTC)My friends and I are going to be trying out Warhammer. It looks very promising. However, if it turns out to not be any good, at this point I'm not sure that I would go back to WoW. I'm so burned out. And I do believe that the guild leadership responsibilities burned me out faster/sooner than maybe I would have been otherwise. But at this point, even playing with no responsibilities holds no appeal.
But unlike many people who quit WoW, I'm not going to say never. Maybe the break between now and the expansion will give me the rest I need, and once WotLK comes out I'll be interested again. Who knows!
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 02:35 am (UTC)I'm with you on exercise. I don't feel no stinkin' endorphins. I have a slight sense of accomplishment when I take a long walk or something, but meh. I used to consider getting a treadmill as well, thinking, "Hey, I can watch TV while I do it!" I don't know how realistic that would be, considering my laziness. Plus, with an apartment, that's a pretty big excuse not to get one anyway. ;-)
Glad you're getting into FNL more! Tami Taylor is made of awesome. And Tim Riggins. I was in the same boat at first, but then ... then, to be honest, I started realizing how freaking hot he was. Then his character conveniently fell into place, which helped too.
So Mamma Mia is playing at the Ballard theater as well starting this weekend! I don't know if you have plans Saturday or Sunday, but maybe we could do brunch/farmer's market/movie, or sushi/movie (although I know we're having sushi on Friday already).
Next weekend Ballard will be a giant headache to visit, because the main drags will be shut down for Seafood Fest. If you want to do next weekend, we might want to look elsewhere for a theater ... or just wait another week.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 04:23 am (UTC)I totally watch FNL while I'm on the treadmill. I also watched Veronica Mars S3 that way. Otherwise I'd have no motivation to get on that thing and sweat for 30 minutes. (And why it's taking me so long to get through the DVDs.)
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 03:30 pm (UTC)Also, just to set you up - I can't guarantee the market will have everything that you'd find at Pike Place Market. Like, beets or whatever you might need. ;-)
It's been a while since I've gone, so I can't recall the exact variety of things they have.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 05:40 pm (UTC)Also, I don't expect anything like Pike Place Market, so don't worry. I would be surprised if they didn't have beets, as it's a fairly commonplace vegetable (I can get them at Fred Meyer or Safeway) ... but even if they don't, no problem, I'll just stop by a grocery store for the stuff I want but can't get at the farmer's market. I was hoping for more exotic things like green garlic or maybe farm-fresh eggs, though! But even if they don't have those types of things, it won't matter ... hopefully the overcastness of today will fade and it will be sunny again tomorrow, would be nice to walk through the market then.
Should we meet maybe at 10:30 or 11?
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 08:10 pm (UTC)It's about a 10 minute walk at the most from my apartment.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 08:15 pm (UTC)Where's a good place to park by you? Is there street parking? I can't remember, it was dark when i was last there. <g>
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 05:15 am (UTC)I really think that all the fun we had in NYC contributed to me being really over it, too - like, RL fun like that IS better once you've played a game for a certain amount of time.
I wish I could be there with you to help figure out this incredibly complex bread issue.
wrt exercise, I find that I find it most satisfying when I'm exercising in a way that yields results instantly - not physically, because that's impossible, but like, if I work really hard organizing a room, or doing housework, I like seeing the product of my labor. Just exercising for exercising's sake makes me cry like Inara.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 06:03 am (UTC)I know what you mean re: exercise, and I *should* do a lot more organizing. In a way, the treadmill is the 'lazy' way out because I don't have to do any thinking (agonizing what to keep and what goes where), I just have to move my legs.
I actually hope that being away from WoW will make me more interested in Warhammer. Right now I'm just sick of that kind of gaming, I think. And while WAR being new has its attractions, I'm not really THAT into it -- I like that DO and Bonez and Kaux and all my friends are really into it, but if the gaming is pretty much like WoW, meh. And I think for sure I will ask not to be put into a leadership position. I like the perks but I hate the work. God, isn't that true of just about any job.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 06:39 am (UTC)Maybe the more you exercise the more you'll like it? I don't know, I try to avoid exercise at all costs. But it's ok that I get winded walking up a flight of stairs, right?
Tami and Coach Taylor are awesomeness. They keep on getting more awesome as the series progresses.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-17 05:42 pm (UTC)I think the more I exercise the more I can tolerate it, which is probably the best I can hope for.