Friday, October 19, 2012

EXTRA LIFE THIS WEEKEND!


That's right! Last night I finally reached my goal for this year's Extra Life event (and a HUGE THANK YOU to this year's donators! ^_^) and am now prepping for tomorrow's festivities.

Going into my second year, I'll be missing the absence of my partner-in-crime Stealthy as she now lives in a new state, but I have no doubt we'll still connect and play some games together! :) Included I got the best support ever from the Mister who will be joining alongside me for a good portion of the event so be sure to check out the following info below! If you'd like to join me in game, keep your eyes peeled for the following toons and where you can catch all the action while streaming online periodically!

Extra Life 2012 Game of Choice: World of Warcraft

Tentative Schedule *times are subject to change at any point*

12:00am - 6:00amEST - Leveling to 90 on my hunter, Alicara

6:00am - 12:00pmEST - Leveling a Horde Warlock with Loganowitz

12:00pm - 1:00pmEST - LUNCH BREAK (Games on le iPhone)

1:00pm - 7:00pmEST - Leveling a Horde Warlock with Loganowitz

7:00pm - 8:00pmEST - DINNER BREAK (Games on le iPhone)

8:00pm - 12:00amEST - League of Legends and SW:TOR FREE-FOR-ALL ^_^


You can find me in game all day tomorrow on the following toons:
Alicara (BM / MM Hunter on US-Ner'zhul)
Alicara (Demonology Warlock on US-Drenden)

(If you'd like to join in a party on either toon, please shoot an in game whisper or add me on RealID at: Alicara#1678

Plus I hope to get the stream up and running for a bulk of the day so bookmark these streams!
Loganowitz's Twitch Page
Alicara's Twitch Page

Thanks again everyone for your support and contributions this year! Let's have a blast! ^_^

Thursday, October 11, 2012

A Story About A Boy and His Mount

So... I'm not even sure where to start.

Last night following my usual workout I took a quick breather post workout to grab some water and get ready for my shower. As usual I popped on Facebook, but something was off. I kept seeing updates from old high school colleagues saying "Rest In Peace" and "I'm so sorry. You didn't have to do this." Both confused and scared I realized my worries were true. One of my old friends from high school took his own life.

It was about a year and a half ago when we reconnected via Facebook. In high school me, him and our friends were the token geek squad chatting up metal bands and anime while all going to local area shows together. We were misunderstood by the general populous, but it didn't matter to us; we were happy regardless if we were different. So to hear him reach out again after all these years was Nostalgiafest. We laughed over the realization that a fight in Dragonball Z could stretch across 7 episodes, the Undertaker was still 19-0, and we discovered that we both had a new found hobby: WoW.

He was Kounoashi, a Blood Elf Death Knight that loved tackling raid content on Draka. He was an amazing tank that fell in love with his weekly ICC runs, and proudly wore his Kingslayer title for all the work he put into it.  He would always poke and make jabs towards my beloved Alicara since I never hid my pride as both a Night Elf Death Knight and a PvPer. So in short? We talked smack about which elf race was the superior Elf race but it was always in good jest. Truly, it made me laugh. It was a shock to hear last night that I lost a friend in both real life and in the Ebon Blade, but when you hear about someone committing suicide so many questions run through your head. "Why did he do it? Didn't he know he could turn to me? Was there something more I could've done?" No matter how much I sobbed on the phone with Logan, I couldn't find comfort.

Then, I saw a message in my Facebook inbox. It was from his guildmate. I left a comment on Kounoashi's page referencing my Death Knight, and so the guildmate put two and two together and reached out. He knew of me and Alicara in hearsay from Kounoashi, and he knew the epic smack talk that would go down on RealID. He didn't know we went to high school together and offered his sympathies. Rather than focusing on what had occurred though and dwelling in sadness, he told me what he knew about him and his life in Azeroth. He shared funny anecdotes about the months they ran through ICC and Kounoashi's bitter hatred for soul reaper and defile in phase 3. He told me about the drawings he would show him of his Death Knight drawn as an anime character. He shared with me the day Kounoashi excitedly got online because after months and months of farming, he finally achieved a landmark in the game and received the Reins of the Raven Lord. It was without a doubt his favorite mount.

After we chuckled over the tales and reminiscing on the good times he wanted to let me know that despite the unfortunate news of losing a good friend the questions that keep running through my head will never truly be answered. The wounds are raw and won't heal right away, but remember Kounoashi the way he would have wanted to be remembered. For his friendly disposition and constant willingness to help out others; that's what they'll remember him for and strive to do in his absence. It felt good knowing that guildies---- people who never met him face-to-face and were complete strangers to me see the same kindness that I've known him for for years. He also suggested that while it won't bring him back, but maybe I should start farming for the Raven Lord myself for the mount drop. Maybe working as hard as he did for it, it'll just be a friendly reminder that he'll never be far away. I think it's a good idea as well. When I muster up the confidence to log back in (it's just too hard to do right now) that'll be my challenge.

We exchanged RealID info, and promised to keep in touch. For as big as the WoW community is, I'll never forget that guildmate and his words of encouragement and I thank him so much for going out of his way for someone he barely knows. He, Logan and my close friends back home are really helping me get through this. It won't be better overnight and it'll take some time to fully grieve, but for as long as I remember Kounoashi and the good times we shared, it'll be okay.

Shorel'aran Kounoashi....