March 8th, 2010 -- Posted in Weekly Happenings |
Welcome back, family and friends. Its Monday, which means its a good day to review the happenings of last week , shake off the weekend hangover and get back to the grind.
It was an exciting week in ECC. Yes, yes they were some raids, and some great achievements earned, but it was also the week that Arch and Lauro got totally smashed Friday night, and entertained us all on vent. Easily the highlight of 2010!
The rest of this week’s blog is skewed largely toward raid content as those are the easiest events for me to track without direct input, but there are many many other awesome things going on in the guild. I just need YOU to tell ME about them. the next time you do something in game that excites you, or you are excited by another player or something in the forums, please do take a moment to shoot me a PM on the forums, an in game email, or leave a comment here or in the Public ECC forums. I’d love to share your achievements and news with the guild in the Weekly Happenings on March 15th.
Achievements:
Kalessina followed in Ronzily’s footsteps from last week and finished off his Glory of the Hero meta-achievement by Picking up Share the Love on Wednesday.
While I find the Red Proto-Drake to be quite sexy, I know Kal, Myself and many many others have long coveted the Rusted Proto-Drake awarded from Glory of the Ulduar Raider for quite some time. Well Kal and many others are got within striking distance after picking up Knock, Knock, Knock on Wood last night, so big congratulations are in order!
Please PM me or leave a comment here if you have an achievement or other significant character accomplishment to include in next weeks column.
New Members:
Welcome to the family!
Ambassador Cassandrad - 80 Night Elf Priest
Daedzi - 15 human Priest
Carthery - 56 Human Mage
Please keep an eye out for them and send a warm greeting the next time you see them on.
Raiding:
Third Time’s a Charm had a major breakthrough in ICC this week. After a couple weeks of learning, the team set its sights on downing Valithria, and down her they did. They took her out on their second attempt Saturday night, and invograted by their success, took out the blood council in a one-shot! As if that wasn’t exciting enough, they went on to defeat Professor Putcide for the first time, and finished off the night by introducing themselves to Blood Queen Lanathel to put her on notice. The team has now seen every encounter in ICC except for Arthas himself and only has two more kills to go before unlocking him.
The Cherry Poptarts are still on a reduced schedule until sign-ups pick up again. If you’re looking for an opportunity to raid, they’ve been a rock solid proving ground for folks new to raiding or just new to the guild, and its a mark of how good a leader Luenyar is, that a lot of his roster members developed into progression raiders for other teams. If you’re interested in joining official ECC raiding, the place to sign up is
right here!
Round out the official raid teams,
Cornerstone has continued to make significant progress together.
With their first kill of Freya under their belt, After a rocking night downing Northrend Beasts, Freya and Thorim, they are drawing close to full clears of Ulduar and ToC in their mission to see all the content and develop the teamwork they’ll need to start slapping down that Lich King guy.
In unofficial Raiding news: The
Achievment Heads, as previously mentioned, knocked out one of their biggest goals in defeating Freya with all three elders up, Sunday night, and pushing ECC to the
top spot on the Farstriders server in strict 10 man raiding progression. I’ll be talking more about this later this week, but its great to see ECC doing things their own way and thriving for it!
Guildie of the week:
The guildie of the week (chosen entirely by me) is Honeym (AKA Zookeeper). Many know Honey as a mentor coordinator, and long time member of the guild. I chose to single Honey her out this week for a couple of reasons. Chief among them is her unending kindness and warmth. Unlike many of us who push the bounds of bawdy teasing at every opportunity, Honey always seems to offer hugs, friendly ears, and heals for anyone who needs them. Of course, she doesn’t shy away from the occasional innuendo or outright tawdry tale, either.
She’s a great example of what ECC is all about: Good hearted, community minded people that like to relax, have fun and share laughs.
If you’d like to nominate someone as member of the week, please PM me your reason for supporting your nominee.
Forum Post of the week:
I’m going to go with a quick little post by Thoranbrook from this past Monday about Wowpopular.com. Its nothing earth shattering or significant in the history of ECC, but its the kind of helpful resource sharing that thoughtful WoW veterans can always do more of to help out newer or more casual players.
Coming up:
Later this week I’m planning my first editorial column, on 10 man raiding. In the longer view I am looking for an interview victim subject brave enough to follow Beansey’s act in the “Getting to Know ECC” segment.
As always, this column is littered with requests for your information. Please. I am begging here. Take a moment to follow through with sending me any achievements, suggestions or even just general thoughts you’d like to share.
Be well and love fiercely,
Ecco
March 5th, 2010 -- Posted in Blog Updates |
This is the inaugural interview of my “Getting to Know ECC” series. Once or twice a month I will set some game time aside to chat with one of our members and bring our conversation to you here. My goal is to give you a chance to learn a little more about your fellow guildmates, and hopefully give you an excuse to chat someone up that you might not have before.
Beansey (you may know him as Gnurman or Manski as well) was kind enough to be my first victim for the segment. I hope you have as much fun reading about him as I did interviewing him.
When you finish reading, please take a moment to check out the trivia contest that Beansey is running. Its called “Do You Know What I Know?” and its happening Sunday, March 14th at 5 PM Server time.
[Ecco]: Would you mind starting by telling me a little bit about yourself outside of your WoW life?
[Beansey]: I’m a father, a husband, huge movie buff, Raider Nation Passport Holder. I like onion rings and shooting Nazis in Call of Duty
[E]: A Raider Nation member? How do you feel about Gradkowski getting a 2nd round tender?
[B]: I am going to stay mum as mentioning my beloved Raiders makes me see blood and poop nails, but I do like Gradkowski and hadn’t heard.
[E]: What got you started playing WoW?
[B]: I was a huge Warcraft buff before hand, had never been disappointed in any Blizzard game to date. I figured it was worth a shot.
[E]: Had you played any MMOs before?
[B]: Everquest and Dark Age of Camelot
[E]: Do you miss either game?
[B]: As I slap my arm trying to make the vein come up for WoW… I mean… No
[E]: So with 3 MMOs under your belt now, it seems like you’ve been gaming for a while. How “out” are you as a gamer in your real life?
[B]: Oh no, let’s see, EQ, DAoC, Champions Online, City of Heroes and Villians, and Star Trek Online… and WoW. But to answer your question, I met my wife in BRD
[E]: Wait, back up. Can you tell me the story of meeting your wife in BRD?
[B]: Absolutely. I was a healer at the time (Druid) and in a huge guild. I was asked by a friend to help out with some BRD. I logged in and there was this Gnome mage named Thimblefinn. I liked her name, thought it was clever, and so I started talking to her.
That night I kinda thought she thought I was an ass and wouldn’t want anything else to do with me. We talked alot, dunno why. She would find me online and discuss her day, or issues with her love life… kinda drove me nuts.
Then one day she asked me to jump on vent and told me she was so in love with me she couldn’t see straight. I moved two thousand miles to be closer to her. That was the beginning of the best thing that’s ever, EVER happened to me.
[E]: Wow! Thats amazing.
[B]: Also there were two other guys who were kind of into her to some extent, and I got to tell both of them that they lost.
[E]: How much time was there between meeting and moving?
[B]: About four months
[E]: That’s pretty quick.
[B]: Makes it sound like a [Match.com] thing eh? It should be told that she lived in BC, and my best friend lives in Northern Washington
[E]: That doesn’t make it any less daring.
[B]: There were some rocky patches, and there will be more. But Joy is the most awesome person ever, and an incredible lay… just saying.
[E]: Do you mind if that last bit makes it to print?
[B]: Nope. She’d be the first to tell you. She’s laughing now.
[E]: Maybe I should be interviewing her. Why hasn’t she joined ECC?
[B]: Her account is down right now. Our son is a needy boy, and doesn’t seem to like me much. She does have a rogue in the guild though, and she’s coming back for Cataclysm
[E]: Maybe down the road when she reactivates, we’ll get her side of the story.
[B]: NO! I mean… Ummm, she’s shy… yeah… that’s the ticket.
[E]: Will you play together when she gets back, or do you need your space from each other in WoW?
[B]: Hell no, I love playing with her, and she’s a slammin pally healer… and a great tank too.
[E]: I want my wife to take lessons from your wife.
[B]: It makes for some stories we cannot share with out families, though. We can’t really brag about a vacation in the barrens.
[E]: Well that gets back to the question you never answered: How “out” as a wow player are you to friends, family, work?
[B]: I am not a shy person. I love to talk about what I love, and I love gaming.
[E]: Are you comfortable telling people you don’t know well that you play WoW?
[B]: Oh hell yeah, how else will I meet gamers? Last night I told the guy at Taco Bell that he needed to transfer here so we can get another pally healer.
[E]: You’re our British Columbian recruiting office!
[B]: I live in Alabama now, but I’ll work here too.
[E]: Speaking of working for the ECC, can we plug your event coming up? Talk a little bit about what drove you to do it, and why a trivia contest?
[B]: I was in the last guild meeting, and I saw some people upset at a loss of a “family” feel to the guild. Honestly I disagreed. I feel that with a minimal effort on my part I was a part of the family. However, I remember being younger and how hard it was to just put myself out there. How hard it was to risk talking to people for fear that I would be rejected. So, I wanted to put forth a touch of effort to get some people who may not join vent and be social an excuse and a format to come on. A way to introduce themselves to us as a body.
Its a trivia contest for two reasons:
1) I can do it in vent, and people do not have to stop farming or instancing or boppin around and come to Ironforge, or Stormwind or whatever. They can keep doing whatever it is they want to do.
2) Trivia means that those of us that have a nerd flag can raise it high.
[E]: The funny thing is I had been talking to a friend before you posted and we were talking about how getting on vent makes such a difference for newer folks but it can be so hard to get them on and comfortable. I was thrilled to see you were 5 steps ahead of that curve.
[B]: I hope it helps; I want the new folks to hear us and know that we’re just gamers, like they are.
[E]: Can you give a tiny preview of what to expect… a category heading or two?
[B]: I’m working on that honestly. I work 50 hours a week and have a wife, two kids and a plethora of other excuses.
[E]: Okay, keep your plans close to the vest, I see how it is.
[B]: Well, suffice to say Video Games will be there… Movies, some sports stuff… You know, topics that people who like couch sitting would know.
[E]: Are 8-bits fair game?
[B]: I wasn’t planning on reaching that far back
[E]: Drat! That’s my long suit
[B]: I will be putting on my announcer voice and getting crazy though. I just hope a few new people come along.
[E]: I’m looking forward to it. Is there anything else about you as a person or player that you really want others to know?
[B]: Yes, yes there is. I like pudding. I like pudding A LOT… and hamburgers.
[E]: Any Particular flavors? Butterscotch? Pistachio?
[B]: Chocolate is okay, vanilla with caramel sauce is king though
[E]: Ah, so you dress it up a little.
[B]: There’s another way to eat it?
[E]: Sugar free or full on sugary?
[B]: I’m Diabetic. So, sugar to the free is all for me, but as a warning for you kids out there who don’t know: Sugar free chocolate is a laxative… seriously.
[E]: This interview is supposed to be about you, not me, but I just have to say: A bag of sugar free Reese’s PB cups, and an airplane flight are a bad combination.
[B]: HOLY CRAP! That was the first candy that I ever ate sugar free.
[E]: Did you have to throw away your pants too?
[B]: No, but I had to hold myself off of the seat. It was all raw and sensetive
[E]: We’re going to have to rate the blog “PG-13” now… unless you say “asshole” again; then we’re at “R”.
[B]: And you used up my last turn there.
[E]: Well, in that case, maybe we should wrap things up. I think we should leave people wanting MORE Beansy, but I do have one last question
[B]: Shoot
[E]: You use Gnurman, Beansey and Manski as handles… can you pick one for all of us to save on the confusion?
[B]: Mystery is my calling card…. ::POOF::
[E]: How about we use Beansey. That’s what you’re listed as up and down my chat log now.
[B]: Sounds good.
[E]: Thanks so much for taking the time to chat, Beansy. You’re going to be a tough act for the blog to follow.
[B]: Nah, and I had a good time yo, but my shy wife is giving me looks. So, I’ll have to say g’night. G’night!
[E]: G’night!
March 1st, 2010 -- Posted in Blog Updates |
Welcome back, family and friends. Its Monday, which means its a good day to review the happenings of last week , shake off the weekend hangover and get back to the grind.
This is the first installment of what I plan to use as a weekly Monday column. Please see below for ways you can contribute.
Achievements:
Ronzily after months of being stuck on one-achievement-to-go for Glory of the Hero, finally managed to secure Split Personality last week, and has a fiery new red proto-drake to show off.
Please PM me or leave a comment here if you have an achievement or other significant character accomplishment to include in next weeks column.
New Members:
Welcome to the family!
Arrielle - 80 Draenei Hunter
Goewyn (the patient) - 80 Human Warrior
Korok - 65 Human Warlock
Jehezzel- 62 Draenei Deathknight
Please keep an eye out for them and send a warm greeting the next time you see them on.
Raiding:
Thoranbrook took advantage of a short roster for the week and brought some folks along with
Third Time’s a Charm to hit ICC. I understand Shaftwalker and Naiadmuerte got their first
Ashen Verdict Reputation rings out of the effort, so big congratulations to them!
Luenyar announced that the Cherry Poptarts have seen some slowdown in their sign-ups and as such will be switching to a less frequent schedule. If you want to get in on some official raiding with ECC, I’m sure they’d be excited to have some fresh blood. Last I checked they were clearing ToC, and hoping to make some attempts at Marrowgar at some point in the near future. If you’re interested in joining an official ECC raid team, the place to sign up is right here.
Guildie of the week:
The guildie of the week (chosen entirely by me) is Avvala. Avvala has been with the guild about 10 months now, and amidst working his way up to Third Time’s roster he has run with all three official raiding teams in one capacity or another, and has made numerous unofficial raiding teams a success at every level, and has recently opened up his own unofficial raiding team Kickin’ it old School to lead folks through old school content. Many thanks to Avvala for being dependable, humble and above all helpful.
If you’d like to nominate someone as member of the week, please PM me your reason for supporting your nominee.
Forum Post of the week:
Manski is going above and beyond in responding in a positive way to the hunger folks have to get involved and laugh together and has announced a truly exciting event (with great rewards) on the general forums. Check it out, RSVP and help spread the word.
Coming up:
Later this week I’m planning the first in a series of interviews with your very own guild mates, so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, I want to share with you a little bit about my vision for this blog. My hope is to make this a place to celebrate the awesome community we have here in ECC by highlighting the cool things going on, and the inspiring people that make this community what it is. In order to do that, I need you to help. The column is littered with requests for your information. Please take a moment to follow through with sending me any achievements, suggestions or even just general thoughts you’d like to share.
Be well and love fiercely,
Ecco
