I had a busy day today. Busy for me, anyway. I’m very very tired and my body is aching. I’m thinking about going to bed soon to just relax and watch some TV/movies.

Did everyone vote yesterday? Did you watch the election coverage? I actually did. For the first time (ever) I was interested in how it’d go. It was quite thrilling to watch history being made. That’s the last of my political blogging, I promise. The election is over, we can move on and just hope the US falls together again.

Today I helped with tutor training. It was quite exciting, actually, because instead of being on the learning end of the table, I was on the teaching end. Along with my coordinator, of course, but still. Very fun! Before that I spent 4 hours designing a newsletter for my sisters-in-law. It turned out really well, though I’m still waiting for one block of information to fill in.

Aside from that, I’m still boring. I’m going to eventually make a protected post about my health issues because I don’t want everyone knowing what’s going on with that. I just don’t feel like being scrutinized.

I seriously felt like I posted today already, but I haven’t. I’m not going to be very prepared for this “blog every day” thing. Oh, well. I’m sure I’ll get used to it after a few days.

Today was pretty boring. I always feel weird blogging about my life because it’s never very interesting and I don’t want to bore people half to death with stuff that doesn’t matter. I played a lot of WoW, had an ice cream, then tutored for an hour. I like my Monday/Tuesday tutoring because she’s a lot of fun and really wants to learn.

I really do not know what else to write. I guess I’ll finish up here, with me telling you to VOTE TOMORROW! I won’t be (and haven’t) because I forgot until it was too late, but since I’m not living there anymore I’ll leave the decision up to the people who are. Do it! Make yourself proud.

Last week, we had a girly weekend. This week, I’m going to focus on something that I’m sure you’re all tired of hearing about by now, but that I feel is necessary to mention! This week is about the upcoming election. Don’t worry, I’m not going to post any debate material or opinions because frankly, I don’t think you need to HEAR my opinions. But follow these links!

• Glassbooth - This is a good site where you rate the issues that are most important to you, then it gives you a quiz based on the issues you voted to be important. Based on your answers, it tells you who you “should” vote for. Of course, it’s no substitute for making your own decisions, but it can steer you in the right direction if you’re completely undecided.
• Presidential Quiz 2008 (At Political Base) - This is another test to determine who you “should” vote for. This one flat out asks you questions and then gives you answers, instead of you deciding which issues to decide with.
• Election 2008 on Twitter - Follow what other people are saying about the upcoming election.
• Pre-Election Playlist - A list of songs to play before going to vote to get you excited about voting!
• Election Center 2008 - This has everything to do with the election in one place, from an official source. Between updates to your mobile phone, results (obviously not in yet, but they will be in a few days!), estimates and articles, you can find anything you could possibly need for informing yourself before voting right here at CNN.
• Sign Stealing Logic - Not really serious or political, but just plain funny. Gotta have a sense of humour about these things!

And that ends our Weekend Wrap-Up for this week. Now get out there and vote. I don’t care who you vote for, as long as you’re passionate about your decision. You could make the difference, and this is a very important election. Every vote counts!

For more information about Weekend Wrap-Up, click here. To suggest a site, email me with your suggestion and why you think it should be included!

4,099 hours. That’s how long I have spent, in total, in World of Warcraft. I’m sure everyone’s thinking “Wow, that’s a large number, she must be embarrassed!” but you know what? I’m not. There was a point where I felt like I should be ashamed of that number, but not anymore. Here’s why.

Most people automatically assume that once you play a game like that, and you play it a lot, that you’re “addicted” to it. I’m not. I’m sure there are people out there who are. People are capable of being addicted to absolutely anything in this world. Personally? I can step away from the game at any time and enjoy other things. Other games, movies, TV shows, time with my husband, time with my cat, exercise, shopping… All kinds of things, and not necessarily in that order.

I have a friend that’s gotten an even harder time for playing World of Warcraft than I have. She’s had people tell her that she’s a bad parent because she plays, she’s had people blame her other problems in life on the fact that she plays, and yet people don’t take a minute to think that maybe, just maybe, it’s her only time to herself. She doesn’t know a lot of people around where she lives, so she doesn’t get out often, and when she logs in the game, she’s got hundreds of friends at the touch of a button.

Of course, some people are very quick to say that these friends aren’t “real” friends, but I beg to differ. A few of my very best friends have been met through this game. To be honest, I met my husband in a different game, so there’s validation right there. But since we’re talking about World of Warcraft, and World of Warcraft alone here, I’ll stay on topic. There have been nights that I have had complete panic attacks about my future and what’s to be expected and the things I’m going through. These friends sit and talk to me while I worry, rationalize with me, and make me feel better. I don’t have someone I can just call to get that kind of support.

You can feel like an outcast in World of Warcraft just as easily as you can in real life. There are high-school-style cliques and there are generally elitist people wandering around, just waiting to attack your gear, or your play style. However, these people are few and far between. A while ago, shortly after the Burning Crusade (the expansion, for those of you who don’t play) came out, I was very frustrated. I played a holy/discipline priest and was tired of healing my way through instances. I got burnt out on the game, even though I was on my way to 70, and took a couple months off at 67. I played other games in the meantime and spent time dealing with real life personal issues, but I felt lonely (that’s what happens when you’re still “new” in town, obviously) and went back. I decided to respec my priest to shadow and not worry about what was going on with other people.

Once I hit 70, I had a group that was more than happy to take me in and work with me, while I learned to really play the class/spec and kinda fumbled my way through gearing up and trying new things. Things happened in the guild we were a part of, and eventually our leadership broke off and formed a new guild, and I knew I was going to leave. I’ve had trouble leaving guilds before because of guilt and the feeling of personal obligation, but this time I was sure it was for the best. I was right! In a short time, we’ve accomplished amazing things with a very casual raiding schedule, and it’s a group that I am proud to be a part of. The people are friendly, and we’re honestly like a little family, as cheesy as it sounds. There are disagreements and there are tough times, but we pull past it and just get stronger and stronger.

So tell me, what makes this game so bad? Why is it the subject of so many people ready to attack the people who play it? Why are we considered the ones with “no lives” or the ones who are “addicted” to our computers? I could spend two nights a week with friends out in the “real world” playing poker, or I can spend two nights a week on the computer with friends all over the world, playing something that, to me, is infinitely more entertaining. What’s wrong with that?