I am very lucky to have such a well seasoned Mother. 😄
Happy Birthday Mom !!!
I played every day. I even played while we were on vacation in Patagonia. The game gives rewards for everyday you logged in. I never missed a single one. Not a single one over the next nine-hundred and fifty-five days.
Six or seven months ago I started losing interest in the grind. I was now an endgamer. I had mythic gear, mythic mount, mythic runes, and mythic enchants. I grinded dungeons until I had two fully stabled mythic familiars. I even managed to make my first piece of ancient gear. I still had a long way to progress - there was always something new to chase - but it was no longer fun and it was feeling more and more like a chore.
The Game keeps track of how long you were logged into the game and I ended up with two-hundred fifty-four days and seven hours of gameplay. Doing some sad mathematics I discovered that since 15 October, 2019 I'd spent 26.62% of my time playing the game. I can't say I was proud of that number.
What kept me going for so long, besides the fun of the early, pre-endgame grind, was the players I would chat with while playing. Over the past couple of years I gained friendships in the game chatrooms. The game devs decided to drop the chatrooms this year but, seeing the writing on the wall, one of my friends, VagabondZebra247, set up a chatroom server on Discord nearly a year before. Our little corner of the gaming universe has since accumulated, what a recent addition described as, an eclectic group. Just how we all like it.
With a way to stay connected with friends outside of the Game and with the Wife retiring, I decided it was time to retire from the Game. So last Thursday was my last day. It feels weird at times. The feels were not as hard as the Infernal Game most likely because I was still connected to my friends. There is definitely a great sense of freedom as I no longer have to plan my days around resource regeneration. My attention feels less divided and more focused. Once again I am free to enjoy the Real World distraction free.
Today is the Wife's last day at her workplace after a steady wind down of official duties. Today, after Mass at school, some official speechifying, and a goodbye brunch, the next stage of life begins for the Wife: Retirement.
We are both looking forward to more travel, both planned and spontaneous, for as long as our bodies hold out.
I'm guessing retirement won't sink in until August when She would normally be preparing to return to school.
You have devoted your life to guiding multiple generations into their futures. It is time you devote the rest of your life to yourself. I can't wait to be there with you and to see where we go together.
Congratulations Honey Bunny!!! Happy Retirement!!! You've earned it!!!
A Bounce Box is a box of resupply that is mailed to yourself farther ahead on the trail. If you don't use all the supplies in the box you can bounce the box farther ahead where the supplies could be used, the box refilled, and bounced ahead.
I used bounce boxes twice, once in Fontana Dam in Georgia and again Killington, VT. I met many people using them including one couple using a five gallon bucket as their box. They told me it was cheaper to ship the bucket than it would a regular box.
I will be using one (or two) this time around since resupply along this sections seems a bit limited and the reduced carbohydrate food I am interested in packing is not that easy to find in smaller stores.
Hitchcock flowers. |
Hmmm ... Nice pairing. |
Most of my major gear that I used during my 2019 Appalachian Trail (AT) thru-hike attempt is still in pretty good shape. Here is the gear I will be using when I return to the AT.
The before and after of my reinforced backpack bottom. |
Desk drawer accumulation of junk. |
Today marks the eleventh anniversary of the start of my first Camino de Santiago. This journey was the first long hike for me and the inspiration for doing the Appalachian Trail. I started the journey thinking I would never make it but perseverance proved me wrong and I am better for it.
Along the Camino on the first day. |
Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful Mom !!!
Don't forget to wish the mothers in your life a happy day!
May the 4th be with you.
Heiku time:
Graduating student - Their last competition Streaming poetry recitation nationwide via iPhone The Wife and her poet - Approaching success |
If you are interested in watching talented kids reciting poetry, the finals will be on Sunday, 5 June at arts.gov.
A return to the Wabash Trace. |
For the week I hiked three times - twice in the city and once in nature - totalling 33.8 miles (54.4 km). The rain this coming week will make walking a challenge.
Seen on a city walk: A hearse with a "Never Give Up" sign in the window. |