Yes I know, I still haven't finished KOTOR 2 or Spellforce Shadow of the Phoenix or the PS2 Kingdom Hearts....but that doesn't stop me from being excited about a couple of others almost in my grasp. Dungeon Siege 2 in just a few weeks time. The original DS was such an innovation in so many ways, upgrading skills by actually using them and best of all, seamless. By that of course I mean absolutely no loading screens. The game itself was excellent and I hope with DS2 that another innovative chapter has been added to the DS story.

Then the long awaited Fable, TLC. I loved the original Fable and this is one I simply cannot miss.

After all the adventures in Azeroth from the woman who declared *online, never, not for me*, I am enjoying WoW so much I am actually contemplating taking a very serious look at both Dungeons & Dragons online and the LOTR online when they are released.

Tired of WoW - NEVER!! but a change now and then is always fun!

Happy gaming

Back from a great vacation, read a lot (not as much as I would have liked, but more than I was actually expecting to!)

Time to catch up on forum postings and journals (have patience please, I will get there )

Meanwhile enjoying WoW as usual, been in the "Inner Sanctum" of Molten Core, though not taken down the ultimate bad guy yet.....its tough!

Also exploring Azeroth from the Horde point of view, approaching level 30 with my Tauren Druid, and all I can say is ----- Druids rock!!!! ---big time!!!! Can definitely see her reaching level 60 eventually as well.

I have spent so many hours in WoW I think I could have had 3 characters up to level 60 by now, but I have to confess to actually enjoying starting up and playing new characters, its very relaxing somehow. A side effect of all the different characters I try (or have tried) is that this has given me an insight into how other classes play, which I notice now with the high level instance dungeon work is a definite advantage to understanding and working with other players characters.

Perhaps there will come a time when I will be saying....WoW...nah, can't be bothered....but its certainly not going to be anytime soon I think!

For all those playing, continue having fun

For those not, enjoy your games as well

Its vacation time! Vacation for me means a few weeks away from the busy daily routine with lots of time for reading/walking/talking. I read a lot. I average around 120 to 150 books a year normally, but WoW has definitely had a huge (negative) impact on my reading rate! Time to catch up on all those books looking so invitingly at me from the bookcase. Not sure how many I will manage to bring back as "read" but I am taking at least 12, (ever the optimist!).

Deciding which to take is always a problem....I enjoy fantasy books, but also detectives, thrillers, sci-fi, even an occasional horror story. I think my companions are going to be books by Robin Hobb, Kathy Reichs, Ian Rankin, Mercedes Lackey and maybe a touch of Stephen King or Jeffrey Deaver....*drool*

Oh yes....ready to go!

Bye for now

(warning - WoW related!)

As my main character approaches the Level cap of 60, its time to stand still and reflect. Much like real life she has experienced her joys and sorrows, frustration and elation. A major crisis between levels 15 to around 25, not quite knowing whether I had made a good character class choice, and beset with doubts about whether I should have chosen another class. After talking to others, it seems I was (am) not the only one.

I decided to stick it out and now have absolutely no regrets for the choice I made, I am a Mage specialising in Fire magic, and I love the firepower at my fingertips!

Next milestone was around Level 40, when I had reached the level to be entitled to buy a mount....only problem, it cost 90 gold and I was always elated if I managed to have even more than 10.....so this meant a week of grinding through several areas in order to reach my target figure. This meant (unintentionally, but of course grinding for money also means huge XP) that I also levelled up far too quickly, but I am the proud owner of a beautiful chestnut mare. What a difference this has made to travelling speed, one of those things you never miss when you don't have it, but you realise what a bonus it is when you do.

Next crisis, my professions. I hadn't really been happy with Tailoring and particularly Enchanting for quite some time, but lacked the guts to give them up in favour of other professions. Being able to achieve buying my mount made me realise that I could do it if I set my mind to it....so I switched to Alchemy and Herbalism and managed to max out on both in just under a week. I love Alchemy/Herbalism and am just so very glad I finally found the courage to switch even at such a late date!

Next big milestone, apart from reaching Level 60, is buying an epic mount available at that level.....a whopping 900 G ! I couldnt envisage myself ever having that much money, and although it may take a while after I have reached the level cap, I am now at least convinced that I may eventually be able to do this as well.

As more and more areas become available to me at higher levels I also have found I enjoy doing instance dungeon work, the ones for my level are particularly challenging (as they should be) but need a full party of 5 (or even a raid) to have any chance of success. This is my next challenge....just hope I am up for it...

(end of WoW warning - normal service resuming)

I suddenly realised this morning that I have been playing WoW for an incredible two months. Time for a touch of self analysis about why I am still so obsessed with this game. My normal attention span for a single game is around 35-45 hours, which is the usual amount of time I need to complete one of my RPGs. So why, with almost 600 hours clocked already am I still playing WoW?

The initial novelty flush of something new must have worn off by now surely?

There is no easy answer.

This simply is a game like no other. My main character, my Human Mage, is now at level 46 and with the present experience cap at level 60, I should in theory have 'done' 75% of the game already. The Azeroth universe is just so huge, that I still feel I am not even close to experienceing even one quarter of what the game has to offer. There is always just so much more to explore....and yes I enjoy exploring the Warcraft universe even when I have no quest to take me to a particular place! My professions are tailoring, enchanting and a little bit of cooking and first aid thrown in for good measure, and I sometimes spend a whole playing session of several hours doing nothing more exacting that gaining skill levels in my professions.....just a little hunting involved, and maybe a skill related quest now and then....wonderfully relaxing.

I imagine as I reach the experience cap level that an expansion set or two will probably be on the horizon to keep my main character busy for even longer. If not then I have plenty of alternative characters scattered throughout the land to keep me more than occupied!

A slight variation on my usual quotes theme. I recently came across these:-

"Finishing reading a good book is like saying goodbye to a good friend" Voltaire

"A house without books is like a body without a soul" Cicero

"Buying books is wonderful, if only we also received the time to read them" Schopenhauer

all very true, and remarkably also all very applicable to games!

Dare I hope that winter has definitely disappeared? The sun has been shining every day this week and the temperature has climbed to dizzying heights for this time of year. Time to put away those winter clothes, do some gardening, or even just sit in the sun and enjoy its warming rays....welcome to Spring at last!

Is it just me or in general that as soon as the weather changes for the better, the amount of time spent behind my computer goes down drastically?

There always seems to be just so much more to do once Winter has said farewell. I haven't been at GS as regularly these days, as most of my computer time has been spent in Azeroth (in case you hadn't noticed ), but when I made my usual rounds this week I noticed that the forum postings in general seem to be way down, so perhaps I am not the only one affected by the Seasons!

I actually got around to finally playing KOTOR 2, if only briefly. I feel as though I have just met an old friend.....changed a little since we last met but still the wonderful friend I remember from KOTOR 1.

I am eagerly awaiting meeting a few familiar faces from the first one, though I believe they do not play any significant role.

I enjoy being able to "use the Force" so quickly, weilding a light saber is definitely my combat weapon of choice!

Whole new worlds to explore, new things to see, new quests to do.....yes, I am in heaven (again!)

I have just been making a few purchases of CDs and PS2 games which made me realise how much I have expanded my range of interest since joining the GS community. They were all recommendations from friends here, as have been many others. I joined GS simply for all the info I could get about my beloved RPG PC games, and never, ever, imagined I would be even tempted to play the likes of Myst, Pirates, Chronicles of Riddick, Jedi Academy, Legacy of Kain. I am now even a proud owner of a console and enjoying anime and just purchased MGS 3.

My sig making won't be making the top 10000 here on GS, but this 'skill' was also something others here encouraged me to try, and which I would otherwise never have even contemplated.

So this is just a big thank you to everyone for all the inspiration, enthousiasm and encouragement to "boldly go where Bam has never gone before"

I don't generally watch the Oscars being presented and this year was no exception. This is mainly due to the fact that I mostly never agree with the judge's decision for who wins, and this year was no exception either.

My attention was captured by Halle Berry's remarkable prescence at the Razzi's Awards, in person, and an even more remarkable acceptance speech. This is one gutsy actress with style and a great sense of humour! In my book she deserved an Oscar for that performance!

Never one to avoid criticising even my most beloved games, WoW is no exception!

There were a lot of bugs in crowded areas last week which have now been given a hotfix with a few new patches on Friday. This may have improved the bug problem but unfortunately also means that the respawn rate in most areas has gone down drastically. It is most noticeable in areas where you have to retrieve a certain quest item only to be found on a certain enemy. Add this respawn delay to the low drop rate of the item on the enemies and you have what could at best be described as a less than thrilling afternoon of crocodile hunting. I only needed 4 skins, easy you might think. I think the drop rate eventually averaged out for me to about 1 drop for every 7 crocodiles I killed.....let me see *takes out abacus*....yes thats almost 30 crocs for 4 skins! Took me almost 3 hours.....not the most exciting afternoon I have spent in Azeroth

Hopefully on to more excitement today

The world seems to have been divided into WoW and non-Wow, you either love it or hate it!

These are two very similar conversations I have had recently, the first with someone who knows WoW and plays online a lot themselves....

The telephone rings and you are in the middle of a rather frantic batttle...."hang on a sec" you shout through the phone while continuing to fight. A few minutes later you pick up the phone and apologise for keeping them waiting...."that's okay" the individual says, "I figured you were online...how are things".....a few minutes later you shout "damn, I'm dead just dashing off to resurrect" and throw down the phone to concentrate on those few precious minutes of grace to go and collect your sorry dead body....you hear encouraging words coming out of the phone. When you pick up the phone again "Did you make it" they ask, and when you reply, "Yes, just!" they continue to congratulate you before you start having a normal conversation.

This is the non-believers version....

The telephone rings and you are in the middle of a rather frantic battle...."hang on a sec" you shout through the phone while continuing to fight. A few minutes later you pick up the phone and apologise for keeping them waiting...."but you could have used the pause button, couldn't you" .....then you shout "damn, dead again need to resurrect" and hear through the phone...."Bam, what do you mean you are dead!! What's going on there, do you need an ambulance....Bam?...Bam?...BAM..ANSWER ME!.......

I have now installed Kotor 2 in one of my famous, just checking the disc to make sure it works sessions!.

A whopping 4 disc game! It is looking very good.....great graphics of course and almost the same gameplay as the original, just looking a lot more polished. I just know this is going to be a fantastic game.....

To be continued....

Despite the fact that I can hear your groans (and yes, you know who you are! ) this is yet another WoW related topic.

I am now juggling 5 characters. 4 Alliance on one server and 1 Horde on another.
After playing the Horde yesterday evening I now know why the bad guys ALWAYS lose!

They just don't play nicely together. Even when I am soloing on my Alliance server strangers are nearly always willing to lend a hand, as I do myself, it just feels natural. It is no big deal to help someone fight a few enemies without swiping the drop loot or helping with the big boss for one person and have them wait for respawn to help you. Or you use a healing spell on someone you are passing by who is about to die.

The Horde server is another matter, but if yesterday is any indication, there is no more Mrs Nice Girl for me on there. People dashing in after you fought (on your own) to kill a particular nasty and swiping your loot... blowing you a kiss after you help kill the boss for them and then blowing you off and leaving you to do it all over again alone for your own! Grrrr........

Back to the Alliance today I think....

I have now spent so many hours this weekend in WoW I think I managed about 6 hours total sleep in the past 72 hours!

After grumbling and mumbling about all the time actually wasted on the Blizzard WoW sight even trying to create my account on Friday, I can definitely say the wait was more than worth it. The graphics are truly stunning, an intense experience being there, it feels like you are actually running through the forest, or standing on top of the mountain with panoramic views.

I have had several occasions now where I started up a session and was playing so intently that the next time I looked at the clock 6 hours had passed by without my noticing! Kind of scary....I now understand how people can disappear from civilisation whilst playing this! :

I have two characters, a Night Elf Priest and a Human Mage, both of whom rely on spellcasting rather than combat abilities. I usually start out my RPGs as a Rogue or Warrior class, so this took a bit of getting used to, it is a completely different tactics technique, but I think I am getting the hang of it. I have grown quite fond of them both.

WoW is wow....I could fill the pages with superlatives, but this little phrase says it all!

It took around 5 hours of trying to log in and create an account last night (everybody else obviously had the same idea)..but I was finally in Azeroth at 02.30am and played for a couple of hours to see for myself what everyone has been so enthousiastic about....and I say now to any still doubting this is the most incredible gaming experience ever. (This from the woman who vowed never, ever, ever to play MMORPGs!).

I now have a level 4 Dark Elf Priest so haven't really done so very much yet, but what a game....

Did I mention WoW is wow!

I managed to finally find time to rent the DVDs "Collateral" and "The Village" yesterday.

I am once again quite disappointed in Shyamalan's film, the fourth in a row. I really do believe that he has some interesting stories, but somewhere they fail to truly shine as movies. Maybe it would be better if another director added their artistic imput to the mix. I always have the idea that Shyamalan concentrates his directing abilities on the lead character in his movies, and leaves everyone else to find their own way, which to me seems a sad waste of some very talented people. The Village for me is no exception, an excellent performance from Bryce Dallas Howard, but other (excellent) actors such as Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt, just didn't seem to be given the chance to show their talents. Pity....

Collateral I really enjoyed, I am not a particular fan of Tom Cruise, but he gave an excellent performance in this film along with Jamie Foxx, who I confess I had not seen before. A true thriller, from beginning to end.... more please!

First of all we have the good news...... One copy of WoW and Kotor 2 sitting proudly on my table

Then the even more fantastic news (well, for me anyway), one new computer waiting to be installed! Fate (and my dear hubby) have been generous this Friday! We needed a second computer to replace our 6 year old (computer not child!) and I couldn't think of a better time to buy one, as it will be still a few more weeks until my ordered computer arrives.

My own *I be tricksy* computer is only two years old, but I have had problems with it right from the start. No complaints about customer service, it has been repaired and repaired and repaired all free of charge, but at the end of the day I want a reliable computer, not one back at the manufacturers every other week. So it will be joining the CPR (Computer Parts Retrieval) programme and I am sure will find a (few) good homes!

Just give me a few hours to get my new computer installed and WoW up and running, then (servers willing)....I'll be sightseeing in Azeroth.

For those of you not familiar with this particular sport, I will attempt to explain. Journal jumping, also known as journal hopping, occurs when you read a friend's journal entry and your eye is caught by a headline in that nifty friends journals line at the right side of the page, so you click on the entry and then notice a catchy headline on their friends page and so on and so forth.

Today's virtual journey took me to places (and journals) I had never been before (I feel like Captain Kirk...boldly going where no man or in this case woman, has gone before).

There are huge numbers of GSers busily writing in their GS Journals as we speak and there are some witty entries, some thoughtful entries, some poignant entries, some inspired entries and an occasional surprise for whatever reason.

Today yielded a surprise, a number of well written and obviously carefully thought out entries, but (and presumably deliberately) with the No Comments Allowed option enabled. This had me really puzzled. Yes, he had quite a lot of friends, all proudly displaying their wares on the little friends journal listing, and being the curious (okay, okay, just plain nosey!) person that I am I checked and he does write comments in friends journals.

I have no explanation.... just being curious!