No.

This — this explains so much--“Creative People Say No” by Kevin Ashton. As I struggle for time and inspiration, not falling into ruts, and still balancing everyone else’s needs with my own, this was a very timely article. On Thursday, for example, I started getting a painful sore throat, and by Friday it was a full-blown head cold. Those of you who know what I do, you can imagine lion taming is much more challenging with a cold; fortunately, the cats knew I was vulnerable and decided to be protective, not predatory. (I don’t even get hazard pay!) I must be one helluva lion tamer.

One thing that has kept me playing so diligently is that I kept telling myself that Azeroth sparked creativity, but I have had the sneaking, underlying sense that Azeroth of late is actually slowly choking my creativity. Is this writer’s block? Obsession with getting the ‘next thing?’ I am not sure. In game, like life, trying to set manageable goals and then walking away. Walking away fast. Saying “no” to colleagues and family members is one thing: saying “no” to a messy, unmogged mage is quite another. I am starting to wonder now if I’ve put undue burdens on my blogger/writer friends with BlogAzeroth requests, or my mog ideas? Truth be told, I love their ideas and posts, and when there’s synergy and inspiration. Let me be clear: if I throw an idea out there, and it does not fit in with your game time or real life, please: walk away, guilt-free, and fast. And don’t look back.

Where do ideas come from? Well, I really like my little warlock staff story. The idea is based on true events. I also really like my Nobundo story. There was a paladin who said those things to me in a raid recently (damn if I can find the screenshot, but seriously…pick up lines aside…)

Recently Cymre posted something about professions which made me think…I am ashamed to say…think about how angry I am. How annoyed I get that I get this really cool recipe or two, but could never obtain the materials I need to make them. It starts to hit too close to my real-life “fails” – didn’t pay that bill on time, need a new car, dishwasher’s broken, same old shit, new day. Blah blah blah. In a “fantasy” game, I want that: fantasy. I don’t want to tell Zeptepi, “Sorry girl, you are a master tailor and can craft 522 items, but mom and dad just can’t afford the haunting spirits now.” I am tired of class warfare in Warcraft.

But to answer Cymre’s question, you know what I like? I like archeology. I like fishing. I like those things that I am in more control of. And yes, those are the things I turn away from time and again. Shame on me.

This afternoon CD Rogue and I got in a heated debate over the definitions of “genre,” specially Science Fiction/Fantasy hybrids. My darling Capricorn, thick-skulled, stubborn goat was adamant about the linear, finite definitions, but where he and I came to verbal blows was when he put Star Wars in the same category as Harry Potter. Dude. DUDE. We were both right as usual. I know the ‘pure’ definition of Science Fiction, and I know George Lucas’ intent of setting it in a ‘galaxy far far away’ is his declaration of putting it squarely in the mono-mythic category. But it ain’t Harry Potter. Turns out, it’s a space opera. That makes sense. Hit the gavel. End of discussion.

Reason #347 Why I Will Never Be Asked to Go On Twisted Nether.

My reaction to him is the same one I have to some decisions in game: they are too didactic, too black or white, too this or that. I realize I’ve pondered this before, so apologies. To the artists of Azeroth, I raise a cup to you — the artists, the creatives, the talented, soulful artists –you keep the beancounters at bay, and for that, to your health and happiness! If it is you who put dinosaurs with trolls, a dash of rocketships and ghouls in one fabulous, crazy, insane world, gods bless you. It is light and magic, and it is wonderful. And to my blogger friends of Azeroth: you are just as important, if not more so, than all the beancounters out there. If not for you, I would be residing somewhere else now.

Postscript: the cure for the common head cold? Two New Castle ales, one Krispy Kreme Boston creme doughnut, and a glass of orange-flavored Alka Seltzer. Take in that order, go to sleep for ten hours, after watching the last third of Ratatouille, and drink coffee in the morning.