The (EVE) Road Less Travelled

EVE is big.

I don't know if you've ever noticed, but this universe that CCP have created is ENORMOUS!  Over 5000 systems of k-space! It made me wonder though... How far do people traverse across this great big universe? How far would I be willing to travel just to say 'I've been there'? Are the sites CCP has planted around the game worth going to take a peep at? It made me think about where I've been myself, and so, bored, I hopped on EVE, opened up my map, and had a play with the control panel!

I'm gonna take a quick side step here for a bit of background on this sudden idea/plan/plot- of which I will explain in a second.

I went to see the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular tonight with my family. :)  (Link: http://www.doctorwhosymphonicspectacular.com/)

!Random Snaps!

I don't really watch Doctor Who, and I am by no means a 'Whoovian'. I know enough to get easy jokes, and I watch the occasional episode because my dad is addicted to it and sometimes I like sitting on the couch in the lounge room!

To be honest though, I love orchestras. I've now seen the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra twice now, once for 'The Impossible Orchestra'- a 24 hours straight performance to raise money for charity, and the second time tonight. Very talented people that. There's something about sitting in a room lit up, with an excited looking conductor who gets into the performance, the loud, beautiful music that just seems to resonate around you... and you know what?

A few of these particular pieces (maybe due to the footage being played on the big screen behind them :P) made me instantly think of my dear EVE.

This was initially brought on by my family asking me on the way to the Exhibition Center about the big massive EVE battle that everyone seems to know about, and so I went off on this much-longer-than-they-were-interested-in story about the background story/war and the mechanics and Titans and how the fleets and fights and standings and training works... etc. I mentioned they were putting something in the 'battle system' to commemorate the event, and I suddenly realised it was being implemented tonight!

Still regretting the fact I didn't hop over there for the big fight to take pictures (even though I probably would have crashed halfway there :P), I decided then and there that at some point in the very near future- I am going to see this monument. Yes its a bunch of wrecks but there's something about being able to say, 'I've been there'. Its for exactly that reason that me, Brink and Lucas accompanied Merk to the EVE gate a few nights ago. So he could say 'I've been there' (even after declaring it a waste of time and boring and pointless :P).

So... going back to my map playing with/crazy idea. I looked at the route to B-R5RB from my spot in Bosena. 33 jumps if you go quickest- through high sec. 106 if you go low sec only :P I know which one looks more interesting :P

This led me to thinking, well.. back to the map. Lets see just how big this thing is. :P

Uhhh.. a long way. But still, could be fun with small, fast things, non shiny, empty pods etc. So I posted on various forums saying 'who wants to do something down to there?' So we'll see. hehe. I'll probs still just be left alone, going by myself... (although Remi offered to come with so that's one!)

Anyways, from this map, and from playing before, I realised I had it set to show places I've visited. See all those red/yellow dots? I've been there! XD It reminds me once more of the grand scale of this universe... here's one without the names....

o.O I've only seen that tiny handful of space.....??? Jeepers. I got a long way to go! XD On a fun note, can totally see where Altaen took us for those null inty roams. :P

But there we go. We'll see if I end up going to B-R, but if not, I'm at least setting me a goal to make more of those red and yellow dots!

Oh, and before I forget, this week when I tagged along for Peri's Tuesday Night Fleet, we went into null, into goons space, and experienced many bubbles.. one group of which made us all laugh at the OCD (or boredom :P). Got some nice screenshots I'ma quickly add here. :)

Okay, I screwed up... LOL!

I have, today, been made aware of a blog post/jokey article, written by a mystery person, someone who obviously knows both me and 3D, or at least me closely, that is very minorly- while very, VERY funny- making fun of me. I do find it amusing, and I was in tears laughing, reading it when I first got the link. It was only afterwards that I realised it could be taken in such a way, and I instantly felt some of my amusement drop off a little, particularly after a very negative private chat that turned it into a big negative bubble, not simply just some funny, silly, just for fun tabloid-esque article. http://theblobserver.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/naughty-cargo-accuses-3d-horrorshow-of-building-his-career-by-trashing-hers/

I find this epically, awesomely funny, and everytime I read it I have to giggle. But I figure I needed to say something, for those who see it in that possible negative way (inspired by said chat).

I've always been a loud, talkative, rather friendly person. I've always been open about the way I feel about things, and I enjoy a good conversation as much as the next person. EVE Online is the first game in which I've becoming socially invested, and what can I say other than its something I'm not used to. I see the people around me as friends, and feel, that in my own way, I can speak to some of them about both the in game, and rl problems, ideas and thoughts I have.

In a way, I forget this is a computer game, and I forget that, no matter how much I see them as friend, some people just don't give a flying rat's ass about what's going on in my life.

I am an emotional person. I always have been. It's one of my greatest strengths, but also one of my greatest faults too. To the point of overly emotional. I let my feelings get carried away, and I say things that I otherwise (with thought) wouldn't (OR SHOULDN'T) share, either publicly or with only a small group. I rant- everyone knows it, and I know I do it. I shouldn't, but I just can't help myself. In that way, I am rather ashamed of the way I act at some times, and am pretty sure I would have a lot more opportunities, people to call friend, and respect than I do now if I had of just kept my big ass mouth shut.

I should not share personal details with strangers (because that's what everyone starts out as), and definitely not publicly. The internet will never, and has never been a secret place, and one of the stupidest things you can do is run your mouth on a forum, a chat site, a comments page... the list goes on.

I did bad in spreading my drama around EVE channels, forums and chats, and for that, I send out a apology. I should not create the mayhem that I have in the past, and I am sorry if it has in some way offended or annoyed you. That was not my intention in saying such things.

I'm only 21, I still have a lot of life learning to do, and I will still find this post incredibly amusing, and will continue to do so (whoever wrote this has amused me greatly). 

AU-NZ and Madness!!

So... EVE Online. :P Its here folks! I promised you I'd write something about it!

Now, as some of you know by now, I moved to Avenod. All of the stuffs. I have one ship in Molden Heath, just for 'it will always be home's sake. (Thanks to max and the guys for that move ^.^). This means, yes... I have joined Convicts and Savages- the AU-NZ tz corp of the infamous alliance, Shadow Cartel. I am now a member of this illustiorous, albeit ragtag, tournament participating, POCO-bashing alliance full of awesome-seeming people. :)

While I haven't really done much in the big fleet category while settling in, (and the fact that I'm absolutely terrified of such a thing) and getting to know my corp and alliance mates (sort of), I have done a few little ganking ops here and there, and today had a brief roam type thing in frigates- which I had to leave only a few jumps out cause me and mum decided to go to the beach on this beautiful Australia Day public holiday, but we did kill a SCARY incursus!!! XD.

I love the laid back attitude of most of the people I've met so far :) Yes there's bound to be someone I'll butt heads with at some point, but everyone I've talked to or heard on comms seems to be a pleasant, happy, helpful and friendly guy (and/or one girl) who enjoys the game and, while wanting to have that green kb, always tries to do the best that they can with what they have.

The corp itself, AU-NZ being the ticker, is an interesting bunch, most of which are indeed living up to the name we've been given :P More the savages side really, but fun none-the-less. ^.^ Hehhe. I never gave a thought to the difference between my American friends and their 'comms culture, I'm gonna dub it, the EU's and their comms culture, and my dear old Aussies culture. It really does feel great just being able to come on comms, joke about something, have some of that funny coarse humour that makes Australia so unique, and then all just chillin around doing some (as its been dubbed) LEET PVP- more commonly known as gate camping :P Or ganking, depending on the mood XD

In all honesty though, we're gonna be having some more roams soon, and its gonna be great. Poor Ohm's (<3 Ohm's) tried organising a couple of fleets a couple of Sunday's in a row, and both times there was another fleet that overlapped with the time, or just plain and simple no one on. But we're gonna just roam out whenever (like today, when we were sitting on comms and Ohm's was in a frigate just wandering around and we said 'fuck it, lets all get frigs and join him and kill some shit' :P). Sidenote- I missed flying my slasher. Feels sorta weird though. So used to the Jag's MWD and long point!

As for fleets coming up, nudge nudge wink wink to Ohm's- I has a PoHAC Thorax all fitted up... :P

Anyways, on a more general note, the difference between the alliances/corps I have been a part of so far, and of this new, much bigger alliance didn't really seem that apparent, until I look on forums and see the team for the alliance tournament sign ups, the participation in a massive fleet with RvB and Tuskers, the new eden open being talked about as a possibility.... its crazy! So many things I always heard about and watched, but never really thought about! And peers of mine- new friends, and doing these things! Even Ohm's was offered a spot on the Alliance Tournie team! Someone I know pretty well. It's all close to me now, and I admit, I'm sorta excited to have someone to actually go for during the AT. XD It's gonna be good! GO SHADOW CARTEL!!

I'm very excited for what the future has in store, and I'm gonna finish it off here with the Shadow Cartel theme song (not sure if its official :P) 'The Masters of Sing Laison'.

One a totally irrelated side thought, I was sorta dissapointed I missed the Stay Frosty Frig FFA. It was at like- 3am, and I was so tired. It sounded like lots of fun, and looked like it to from what I've seen and heard. Frigs ftw!

On another totally irrelated side thought, I need more jump clones. Two is totally not enough. One is in Avenod at the moment, the other in... I think its Lisb. I'll have to check that. But its somewhere in Essence (a new fave gank spot :P). Seriously though, I'd love to have another clone in Molden Heath, and another wherever 7-2 are (cause I love those guys and fleets are always fun ^.^). If anyone can help me out with this btw, I'd be much obliged :)

AUTHORS RANDOM IRRELATED SIDE NOTE: Diziet Thomas is an epic awesome help and full of awesomely good advice. He is a great FC, he always has my back, is always very nice and kind and enjoys my silly bounciness, so thanks and props to him for that :) It makes my EVE day a lot of the time. :)

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: I'm thinking of writing some EVE fiction, what do you reckon peeps? Whats should it be about? Also, should I or should I not post the BBC tv drama inspired screenplay I was working on featuring characters based off Peri Simone, Kaeda Maxwell and Vincent Ry'leh (or however ya spell his name XD), all of which helped me with it at some point while very drunk on comms :P? What do you think?

Into The West

I'll be doing an EVE post updating stuff this week, but I wrote this a few weeks ago, and I actually really like it. I decided I'm gonna post it here cause I'm rather proud of it :) Don't read if you don't wanna. hehe. That and I always loved this song <3

Into the West- Annie Lennox 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

INTO THE WEST

Letting out a deep breath she lies down on the wooden bench, the squeaking of the timbers shifting with her, making her smile with something akin to amusement. Quickly scrunching up her jumper and sticking it under her head as a pillow, she looked up at the quickly fading orange and purple of the sky, streaks of colour breaking up the normal blue in shocking displays of radiance. A light breeze blew, her tightly curled hair slipping through the panels and swaying in the breeze, as if dancing to the quiet words she sang, just above a whisper, her eyes now closed.

'Lay down your sweet and weary head. Night is falling; you have come to journey's end. Sleep now, and dream of the ones who came before. They are calling, from across the distant shore...'

The quiet sound of a cricket filtered into her consciousness, the breeze picking up for a split second and then dropping again. She didn't seem to be aware of much else, save for these natural things- the rustling of the leaves, the buzz of some sort of annoying insect. To those nearby, actually watching with the ones they loved, their families, or even their friends, the sun was slowly disappearing, the world a mottled orange, saturated in light and colour. Only those who would have paid particular attention to the girl lying on the bench would have noticed a small tear escape her eye at its corner, the quiet singer letting it drop, and start to create a streak of salty water down her cheek and neck.

'Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face? Soon you will see all of your fears will pass away...''

She slowly wrapped her arms around herself as she sensed the world turn grey, the sun hiding its face, making way for the moon. She found herself wishing... wishing he was with her. 'Safe in my arms, you're only sleeping'. Hearing some footsteps nearby she paused for a second, opening her eyes, a pointless sense of hope filling her, but she shut them again as a short, well-dressed man walked past, muttering to himself.

'What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the sea, a pale moon rises. The ships have come to carry you home.'

Feeling a sudden need to move, she stands, walking to the barrier made of concrete, the old stand that no doubt used to hold one of those tourist binoculars. Slipping up onto the railing she wiped a hand across her face, streaking the trail of tears across her cheek, wiping again and making it all disappear. Taking a deep breath she looked up at the moon- a full moon. The first stars had crept out into the sky from their hiding places watching the world below as she watches them with hope, sorrow and a deep sense of joy- joy in being alive.. of being healthy... of indeed merely having hope.

'And all will turn... To silver glass. A light on the water... All souls pass....'

Sitting up, her balance centred on the solid bar underneath her, she looked out onto the city below her, the lights starting to glint as if some strange sort of presence was flicking the lights on and off so quickly that the mind couldn't even perceive the change, just a small flicker... Some strange entity enjoying the almost mesmerising movement of it. The bay could be seen, floating lights marking where the big ships and fishing boats still dwelled, hoping for a catch or sailing off to distant places. It brought back memories of one who had worked on those ships... and she smothered them quickly, remembering instead him. Her dearest love... him helping her....

'Hope fades, into the world of night. Through shadows falling... out of memory and time...'

Simpleness, a slight push was all she had needed. Encouragement... a reminder that life was worth living. That she herself was worth something. In a way, he had saved her from sinking so deep into a dark hole, one that let no light in, that looked inviting at its entrance but once in its twisted walls you realise it is endless and dark, twisting and turning, often giving false upward trails... Shutting her eyes she left the thoughts there, a small smile settling on her face as a new thought appeared.... Them.. here... Him standing behind her, holding her, the feeling of love... He was not gone forever, and she knew they would come back here. When he returned. This was their spot, and always would be. He would be back... she knew it. A small whisper...

'Don't say: We have come now to the end... White shores are calling, you and I will meet again... And you'll be here in my arms, just sleeping...'

 She had helped him in return she knew, and him being away had been the result, but she knew it was worth it. It was all so worth it. She peered out at the world, as unseeing as if she had shut her eyes, an eternal perspective drawn out in front of her. Such a short time... that seemed forever so close... so long... and yet would measure to be such a small speck on the story of her life...

'What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the sea... A pale moon rises. The ships have come to carry you home...'

Looking back up at the sky, she brushes her hand across her lips, feeling the softness, knowing what she wanted was slightly too far out of reach. The sky a deep blue, almost a grey now, the lights of the land... the contrast... it all disappeared again, irrelevant as she slipped of the rail moving back to the bench and sitting down quietly, her bare feet making no sound on the cool of the concrete.

'And all will turn... To silver glass. A light on the water... Grey ships pass.....'

Picking up the book she had, along with the paper and a pen, she let the tears fall again as she remembered, as she wrote... and as she felt to words emerge from her very heart and soul... to be read by only one man. One love.... her chosen.

'Into the West....'

Questions for YOU guys!

I'm gonna conduct a survey of sorts. I would really appreciate it if anyone who reads this could help me, even if its your first time looking. Quick, simple, easy, and will hopefully lead to better writing. So here we go :)

How did you find out about my blog?

Are you an EVE player?

Are my posts interesting to read? (Constructive critisism is VERY welcome here ^.^)

If you could get me to write about ANYTHING- within reason- what would it be? (This is your chance people- though I might do requests again if this works ^.^)

Do you/will you follow this blog at any point?

How often do you read it? Do you return for new posts?

Any words of advice?

Feel free to post ANONYMOUSLY, I don't mind. I would prefer otherwise, in case I need to ask you questions back, but doesn't matter. 

Also, I like chicken.

My Passion

Passion. It's such an ambiguous thing.

     pas-sion noun  \pa-shən\

     : a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something
     : a strong feeling (such as anger) that causes you to act in a dangerous way

     : a strong sexual or romantic feeling for someone

There's three different reasons/meanings for passion in one go. There is one meaning in urban dictionary that makes me chuckle. 'An emotion you should fake to get a better grade in advanced english class'. Thing is, I don't think you can fake passion. Not true passion. I don't think even professional actors can. Have you ever seen Neighbours? 

I don't even know why I'm talking about this really. It's something I've been thinking about a lot recently. I'm not quite sure what I'm doing. I know I said that in my EVE post, about my direction in game, but I think it's sort of an extension of my real life.

I'm doing uni, but I'm not sure why. It's one of those things that was always expected. When I got an average score at the end of high school, my mum was disappointed. When I got my offer to go to uni for a Diploma, she was happier. When I completed my Diploma to get into the Bachelor I'm in now, she was thrilled, as was I. I've completed my first year, but the second half was rough, and I ended up failing two subjects. I just didn't have my passion for it. My subjects didn't interest me, and my tutors didn't seem to care too much. That and I am NEVER using slide film ever, EVER again. There's a reason we're in the digital age and I discovered it. I'm doing this thing for a piece of paper right now, so hopefully, with these subjects coming, I can really focus on what I want to.

On a side note, my subjects do indeed look better: Advanced Digital Imaging, Research for Writers (sounds the most boring), Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out and Script Writing: Focus on Fiction. I do like writing, so maybe I can really focus on what I want now. And of course, if I'm doing this, my writing is only going to get better. That's the theory anyways.

I like writing sure, but I don't have a passion for it, and that's part of my problem. I thought I did, but I find I enjoy reading a ton of a lot more than writing. I think it's because I'm lazy, and I often procrastinate, leaving to half finished pieces strewn all over My Documents. If I had passion, it'd be something I'd do everyday surely? It would be something I finish, and not just start and then stop half way through when I get bored of an idea.

I would say I have passion for photography, because I really do love doing it, and I know I'm good at it. Good, not great, but good. I have a good eye for a shot, and what will look good, and I have a knack at being that person that sits in the corner and takes photos when no ones looking- those natural, un-posed ones that people both love and hate you for. I have a passion for the horses I take care of. They give back more than they know. They always listen when I need, and they always teach me new things. Patience, care, effort... etc.

I have a passion for my friends, for those ones I know from my real life, and those I know from online. I care for you all, and even though some people don't understand it, because I don't 'know' you guys in person, that's not changing anytime soon. It's a great community, and I like that. And hopefully, I'll get to meet a bunch of you later this year :)

I have a passion for things that make me feel good. I have a passion for things that make me feel happy.No matter what anyone says about some of the things I get up to.

But I need help. I have a question for you. How do you find out what your lifelong passion is? How do you know if you've made the right choice? What do you do if you feel lost in the playing field that life is? Aimless?

I have a lot to think about still, and I'm sure that things will change again and again as life happens. Anyways, it was just something I was thinking about, questions that I'd be interested to find out what people think the answers are. There's always someone out there who knows more than you.

Nervous!

Hi there peeps. I told you about my Camp America application right? Well this post is going to be about that, but before I go off onto that tangent, I'm gonna let you know what I'm doing in EVE, for those who don't know.

I applied for Convict's and Savages- the AU-NZ corp that is part of... Shadow Cartel. Yeps. I'm possibly gonna be in SC. But I've decided I wanna explore somewhere other than Molden Heath (o.O shock HORROR!), that decision inspired by the null roams. But yeah. I know some of the guys in the corp- they're good guys I know from R1FTA days, and I can't say I've ever met an Aussie or NZ in EVE that I haven't got along with. So... yeah. That. Hehe. I still have to work on my skills yeah, and upship some more, but Mitch (CEO/recruiter of the corp) and Ohm's both reckon I can do it no problem. :) It's nice to have some extra belief. And, as much as I love all my American friends, there's something about a comms channel full of Aussies playing EVE. Lots of awesome fun ^.^ We'll see what happens.

Now, to my point. It probably needs some explaining first. Just briefly, Camp America is where young peeps like me work for ~9 weeks in a summer camp in America. The process is quite simple, its an application online, then you get offered jobs from the actual camp directors or recruiters, whatever they are.

On Saturday, here in Melbourne, there is a RECRUITMENT FAIR. About 15-20 different camps are attending with their camp directors. I already looked at the list and know what camps I wanna check out first. But.. my predicament.... what do you say!?? I'm a combination of nervous and excited. This video here, while not for where I am, is a taste of what's coming, and its terrifying! It gets me super excited though. The song, the young peeps, the excitement, the adventure... :)

I know the key is to be myself, to relax, be upfront and honest, and just to take it as it comes. I have an advantage over others in that because of my skills (which are apparently always in high demand), I get a V.I.P pass, that gets me in to talk to them 1 hour before the general publics are allowed in. Very cool ^.^ First come, first serve kinda thing. So there's something in my advantage. :)

This will quite possibly be the biggest thing I have ever done in my life. Going overseas, living in a camp, 24/7 with up to 400 kids for 9 weeks, working, earning money and making friends, before (HOPEFULLY) traveling around America BY MYSELF! (Well, with some help, and the possibility of camp friends.. but yeah). WHAT AM I DOING!??? Diz in particular thinks I'm crazy :P I can't decide whether I agree with him completely, or only agree with him slightly. Either way, maybe I am crazy.

But I look at it this way, what better way to go to someone in the future, with a job or opportunity you want, and say.. 'hey, look what I did in 2014'. Also... it looks like so much fun!!!! I found the videos that were shown at the Information Night we went to- the vids responsible for me and my mum looking at it and thinking 'YES!'

Here's one:

And the other:

How much cooler can it get!!! XD Hahaha. I don't know about you, but this looks like fun! Yes its only two camps, but I'm sure its how all of them are going to be. ^.^

I have a couple of camps I really like the look of, a YMCA camp in Michigan, or my number one preference is called Camp Chipinaw, about 2 hours north of NYC in a place called Swan Lake :P They have both horses and photography (two of my skills) ^.^ Fingers crossed!! Oh, and for those curious :P http://www.chipinaw.com. But I don't know. We'll see what happens. :) See what impression I can make at this job fair.

I AM OFFICIALLY NERVOCITED PEOPLE!!!! :D So great! Wish me luck!!! :D

Lines of Code- Made REAL!

There are HEAPS of games out there. There's heaps of different platforms, there's different types and genres of games, there's casual games, MMO's, RPG'S, strategy games... there's build-your-own-adventures, there's FPS's, there's Just Dance. The world of gaming is vast, varied, and invariably awesome.

Yes people have their own likings, and things that they enjoy more than others. For instance, I would consider myself a PC gamer. A semi-casual-regular, who occasionally dabbles in consoles. Mostly X-Box (We've never had a Playstation, cept for the PSP I won once for taking photos of Computer Games Boot Camp as an attendee the first year I went). My main games, as you already know, are EVE Online and Mincraft AT THE MOMENT. That's one of the things I love about gaming. If you get 'over' a particular game or types of game, you can very easily find another one. You can start and stop anytime you want.

But I think my favourite thing about games in general, mostly the multiplayer ones... is the community.

I know some people complain and rant about the stupidness of people in online gaming, but honestly, I find that avoiding such people, and finding peeps that you actually get along with is quite easy. Cept maybe in LoL... HONESTLY.... one of the most shocking player communities anywhere. It's the only game I've ever got bagged out for playing in my first ever match. Go figure.

But anyways, that's not my point. The communities of the majority of MMO's, and other games with multiplayer capability, is the CREATIVENESS of people! Seriously... the creative genius of so many random gamers is amazing, and just so vast in scale.

Anyone who's a gamer knows what I am talking about. Hells, EVE has one of the biggest collection of blogs that I have ever seen. There are stacks and stack of Minecraft skins, texture packs, songs, mods.. all player made! There is art for all sorts of games, plastered on DeviantArt. There's animations, movies, even TV series all based on games- written and made for people who play computer games.

This all occured to me when Vanderie and Fern were sitting with me on comms, and they were talking about a Left for Dead mod (I think it was LFD)... that makes everything look like Minecraft! And this isn't just one way. Minecraft has endless and endless variations crafted from OTHER games. Someone's made Skyrim in Minecraft, another made Cruise Ship Mysteries.

Don't Starve- a game being still developed by the DEVELOPERS, already has fan made characters, animations and content. Before the game is even complete! o.O

Even I, today, was playing a modded version of Torchlight II. It is a mod that adds new pets and skins for them, plus extra customisation options for characters, as well as a few others (the max is 10 mods at any one time) that change and develop the game over and over again in so many different ways. And people MADE these mods. Not the developers or the programmers of the creators of the game. The PLAYERS.

People use the skills they gain in their real lives to make the world of gaming a more interesting and rich place for their gamer companions. One of the most talented I know is a guy by the name of Joe Struck (http://spacejoe.blogspot.com.au/). I've known him since my early days in R1FTER, and he is no less amazing to me now than he was then. Check out some of the sigs he made for me when I joined ThC:

And one I edited myself when I left corp (cause it's the one I still use :P):

By adding these new contents, these mods, and these fun things that become almost god-like to gaming communities, and using them over and over again, we keep alight the enthusiasm and excitement that sometimes gets lost in the serious side of games. This is apparent in EVE Online- and here I'm going to branch into a quick sorta side point (that WILL lead to my point!)

People take EVE Online incredibly seriously. They mourn every loss of a pod, or give [great] tears to whoever can be bothered to listen because they get shot at. There are others who see it as just another game, and laugh and move on when they get podded, or make a mistake that leads to the loss of a ship. Sometimes, despite even myself, I find myself getting swept up in it, seeing negatives in a game that I got into because it seemed like fun! I could FLY A SPACESHIP! And not around some stupid, pixel-y space... around some actually carefully made, legit looking, actual spacescape! You can fly to stars, to planets and even make structures of your own around those planets. You can shoot at other spaceships, and they can shoot back, and you can laugh and talk about it afterwards. Something so simple... you get podded... YOU COME BACK! Yes games are the land of no perma-death, but I mean... how much would it suck if you had to start again, from scratch? Yes sometimes its expensive, but its worth it.

I've been playing this for over a year now, and I STILL feel the excitement, the racing of my heart and the tenseness of my finger on the mouse, just waiting for the command to pounce! The excitement at the shout of 'POINT!', and then the mad dash to shoot at whoever was silly enough to get caught. The satisfaction and smile that comes across your face as you see the pod in your overview, and desperately try and grab it, though already you're pleased. I love this game for that, and still do. And yes, sometimes even me- exuberant, happy-go-lucky Naughty Cargo becomes serious and gets depressed when I make a stupid mistake.

It's at that point, that low, horrible feeling point that I hop onto YouTube, find Future Proof, (an AMAZING fan made video- if you haven't seen it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJn2i6jJiaU) and sit there for the first part of it, hear that awesome music, meet the fleet, and I'm ready to shoot things again, a big smile on my face and the music dancing through my head. And its euphoric. I'm not Caldari, but its the principle.

Anyways, to my point. This video, this 12 minutes and 7 seconds of awesome was made by someone who plays this game- a gamer just like you and me. How many communities are you part of in your ordinary, working, studying life, where such creativity flows freely and so expansively?
It's something that us as gamers will always have, and this makes me happy. What's a game without its gamers? Lines of code.

To those of you out there who are part of this amazing and spectacular creative force, I say thank you. And don't you dare ever stop making the awesome stuff you do.

AUTHORS NOTE: I make my own fan-made videos with EVE Online trailers + music. Channel link: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMkZc-CwQRKPK3X5qFariLQ :) There's an EVE Online playlist. :)

Oh...Mi...God... NULL!!! (plus a discussion at the start that I didn't initially intend).

So... EVE. EVE, EVE, EVE. What am I doing in this hell and heaven of a game? To be honest, I have no idea what I'm doing. It's such a broad game, with seemingly ENDLESS options, and so many that emerge in my always changing and upping skill queue.

Naughty Cargo is a young character, with low skill points in comparison to most of the people I associate and fly with. This has been stupidly apparent of late. It doesn't matter how happy, or positive or helpful you are, or even how hard you try or how much you learn. Being committed to something and working towards it- and trying- doesn't give you more ships, skill or options. It makes you look better, sure, and shows you really want something, but that's the thing. It's to WANT something. It doesn't get it to you.

Most of you reading probably already know about my situation. I mentioned it in an earlier blog, and if I haven't ranted about it to you, you're probably lucky. haha. Yes I had a few down moments, and wanted my view to be shared, but *shrugs*.

The short of it is, I need to learn more. I need to be able to do more, fly a broader range of roles and ships, and be able to really contribute to a fleet. I need to be able to be good at lots of things, not just great at one thing, and even then, I have my good and bad moments.

At the current time, I see myself as 'bludging'. Skills take time, and its frustrating to just have to loiter, waiting for the moment you hear that strange, techno-ey, yet welcome voice say 'skill training completed'. But its what you have to do. My problem is the time though. Look at it from my view:

I'm skilling up, trying to catch-up, be able to be on the same level as my HOPEFULLY future corp mates. But the thing is, everytime I up a skill, they've done one too. Yes, the skills take longer as you up your skills, but its a constant thing. For example, by the time I get up to something like cruisers, they're all on battlecruisers, doing all sorts of wacky things with them. And I'm the little guy again. (Not literal, but its just an example). ARRRGGHH!! When will it end? I'm trying, and giving it my best, and that's all I can do. I guess we'll see where it goes.

I have an idea on how I can sorta possibly get closer to the corp, but that depends on Titus and/or DP (if they ever get back to me. Haha)

Anyways, I didn't write this post to rant or anything. It just happened, I swear. I started typing and it spilled out. So I'ma leave it there. I WAS going to talk about the interceptor roams that Altaen has started taking out. (I'd tell you exactly what they are for, but I'm not sure what I can and can't share, so to be on the safe side, I'ma leave it and ask someone later.)

They have been very long roams, that I've actually really come to enjoy, and have taught me a hell of a lot about flying interceptors. An organised chaos of sorts. Essentially, its broadcasting a system, then Altaen saying 'best speed to...' and then if we find something on the way (whoever jumps in system first scouts, essentially), we stop and try and shoot it. Sometimes people break off to other systems, or wander off into other places, or all get split up, but invariably, we all end up in the same place- mostly if there's the smell of fresh prey on the wind.

I'm loving these fast, chaotic, but organised fleets. I'm starting to really love the Stiletto (I thought my Jag was fast!? XD), and I'm getting better at flying them. I can tell, because I'm dying less.

I've been on three fleets in three days, the middle one super stupendously long (it went across maybe 6 regions, with overlapping in places, and not small regions either- it was about a 5 hour roam!), and each time, I've survived longer.

The first roam was officially my first roam into null. I heard about the roam on comms, and instantly jumped into a clean clone. I seriously need another few clones, but that's a convo for another day. Anyways, put together my fleet doc letto (thanks Sug for the fit), and we all set off, hastening through high sec to god knows where (I can't remember specific locations- Null system names are hard to remember... obviously. XD).

It's fun running through high sec, with the boys posting gifs as we go, trolling the carebears. Diz in particular has fun, randomly choosing freighter pilots from local and pointing them out, saying things like '_______ don't think we've forgotten you...' or 'we're watching you _____'. It's very funny, and sometimes I wish I could loiter in local and see if they respond. But alas, it is high sec, and there's no WAY I'm losing at inty to CONCORD.

By the time we reach our dest system, everyone's pumped up and ready to go, ready to get right into it. New broadcast, and then... GO! Everyone sets off quick speed, and before you know it, there's people everywhere, all heading in the same direction, always looking out for a fight, all subconsciously racing the others through system, seeing who can get there quickest... or maybe that's just me :P

Anyways, first fleet of the three, I was the nervous little nooby- had a brief freak out 'OMG what am I doing?!' in the Coop, where Diz and Naoru reassured me, and I decided not to inform comms that I'd never done this before. Everyone knows I'm a noob... no point reminding them why we don't all have the same TICKER. xD I ended up making it to the third engagement, where my computer decided to lag under the stupid big amount of people on grid (it was a goon fleet I think), and I ended up getting scrammed, shot and podded, all before I could blink- or before my computer could respond. That's what I get for getting involved in a big, damn null war. XD

Second fleet was the stupidly long one, and as people started heading off for bed or food or other things, I stayed, in the end making it only about 5 of us. The roam went for 5-ish hours, in and out of null, hastening through high sec occasionally, jumping across I don't know how many systems (I wish there was a feature you could look at where you've been recently). I ended up making it maybe 4 and a half hours, dying to a bunch of I can't remember what they were, but something that outnumbered us in man and gunpower. Inty's aren't known for their DPS output :P I was rather proud of myself for surviving my longest roam in time and jumps to date though. :)

Third roam, I survived the whole thing! Admittedly, I was a hellofalot faster than my previous fit- using one of Sugar's instead of the fleet doc one, just for a change (it had 59 as opposed to 50 DPS unheated :P). Also, I got incredibly lucky in that, not being in 7-2, I had access to stations, so was able to rep. One good thing about not being in the corp. There was one funny moment that someone was freaking out in local as we came through, and declared one of the others alts as with us, just to make sure it was extra clear (all in capital letters mind you). He failed to mention me though, so leaving system, I politely said in local 'Naughty Cargo is totally harmless'. Next system, I get a bounty put on me, and get added as a contact with a negative status. Go figure :P I'm sure I can't use those stations anymore. Oh wells. ^.^ Was fun while it lasted.

So.. what I've learnt- I am better at managing MWD's and Afterburner, plus long point and short point. I know how to effectively switch between the two, and what to do if I get pointed- burn like hell. I no longer panic, and keep my head, making sure I get out. If I can't, I know how to get the pod out- unless they're stupidly skilled. I've learnt how to keep range when needed, and how to get close up otherwise, too quick for them to shoot back. I've learnt about the different types of ammos more, and how each adds to a fight. I have learnt that null is fun, no gate guns is fun, and the 'shoot anyone, no matter how big' mentality is fun. Yes, you still get the retards, same as anywhere, but you don't have to deal with carebears or pleesmen. Its very refreshing :)

It's just one element, one part of EVE, but its something I've tried, learnt from, and am now better at. I'm not pro, I'm not great, but I'm good. I know how to roam in fleets, I know when its okay to talk and when it's better to shut up. I particularly like that my positivity in comms is noted- its what I try for :) I'm still learning, and will be for a while, but for this brief moment, I'm going to be proud of what I've achieved.

Thank you Altaen for throwing me in the deep end. ^.^

AUTHORS EDIT: My idea for closer to corp was to add my corp to Feign Disorder. Apparently, its exactly the same process as one would go through to apply for 7-2. Same app, same people making the decisions. *shrugs*. Oh wells. Had nothing to lose by asking.

Making Things Difficult

Before I go off on my rant about Minecraft horses and the lead mechanics (plus a couple other random things, I'm sure), just wanted to share a fun fact with you. EVE Online is made up of 96% male players, to 4% female. Like... wtf? Girls c'mon! We have to up our game! (As I said on NC's twitter :P)

Also, I got 95 page views on my new post. Yummy. ^.^ Thanks to those who check it out.

Anyways... to my point of the day.

In the last update Mojang added a lot of things to Minecraft. One of my favourite ones, because I never could get Mo Creatures to work, was the addition of horses.

The colour variations excited me, the fact you can ride them is even better (even though they are somewhat laggy as shit), and the breeding mechanics are actually very clever. The reason for my discontent though, has become apparent in my recent exploits on the Molden Heath server. (FYI: I really love the MH community ^.^ They're good eggs). 

I've been collecting horses. The aim: to get one of each colour. There are 7 different colours of horse, with 5 different variations within each colour. Then donkeys and mules in addition. So- for those who don't like mental sums like me, that's 37 horses in total. Here's my herd in progress. ALMOST DONE! I have one more horse to find, then a donkey so I can get a mule :)

Horses in Minecraft are like any other passive mob EXCEPT that they only spawn in in Plains or Savannah (new addition) biomes. Thanks to Brando's King's Road, accessing the bigger Plains has made horse moving a lot easier. I'm currently extending the road further, into the more plains bit, instead of having to go cross country back to the desert oasis.

IF ONLY THE LEADS WORKED!!!

The reason for my vexation are the leads. Theoretically, you can lead as many horses as you have leads behind you, either walking or even on another horse. The thing I've discovered is that the lead mechanics are glitchy, and that horses in Minecraft are even more moody than their real life counterparts. And trust me, that means they are MOODY as all fuck!!

They are good at getting themselves stuck on things, fall off things by shoving each other (or me!), getting stuck on things, getting hit by things, and getting stuck on things. The problem with this is that the lead automatically disengages once you get far off the horse... and then FLIES back towards the now lost horse, as opposed to back to you. You then spend a good 5 minutes searching for the lead in the grass or whatever around you, while wishing that the horse who got loose would stop moving ever further away... often, I've discovered, in the most awkward way possible... like further up the cliff we just fell down.

They are good also at getting stuck on stairs- which were added to make moving around EASIER. Horses evidently don't like stairs, so my tactic with these now (if I'm on a horse), is turn around and 'reverse' up the steps. The slower speed seems to work- MOST of the time, so its one way of doing it. It's lengthier, but if you add up this time, compared with the time stopping, looking for the lead, then starting to move on again, it's probably better. In fact, maybe I should just walk backwards down the King's Road all the time...

 

The other problem is leads are not that reliable keeping horses tethered to fences (what you can tie leads to). Occasionally if I tie one up, I'll come back into game after leaving for a little and for some reason, they're loose. I have yet to find out exactly whether something (or someone) causes this, but its annoying either way- because of the aforementioned wandering habits.

Anyways, rant over. I do love the horses, and I will keep trying to breed them and make them better (I have some high health/power horses I'm intending to breed together to make better stock), so we'll see how this project goes. Either way, I'm sure, again like their rl counterparts, they are going to make life in Minecraft extra interesting.

Here's a couple more random screenshots I like :)

FYI: NEXT POST WILL BE EVE RELATED. I'm gonna tell you all about the inty null roams I've been doing with Altaen and the 7-2 peeps :)

General Update on gaming/life/like/dislkes/loves/hates... etc etc etc :P

So... figured that if I'm going to be blabbing away about all sorts of things, I may as well give a nice quick summary of what I've got going on at the moment. Gaming wise and not so gaming wise.

Living Situation
Still living at home, its still rather tedious, and I'd still rather be anywhere else. But beggars can't be choosers, and I'm grateful for basically being able to bludge, but more often than not I'd love my own independence. Oh wells. It'll happen in time. Don't know how I'm gonna cope with the parents coming soon idea of how to curb computer time. Dad brought a new timer, which makes the modem turn off at 12am (midnight), and turns it on again at 6am. So uhh.. that's a pending issue set to go in motion next week.... *can't decide whether to laugh or cry*...

Work
I still haven't been successful in obtaining a job yet, but I'm working on it (and desperately need one if I'm going to travel around the U.S!). I got rejected from fast food restaurants for being TOO OLD! Like... wtf?

Relationships
So uhh.. things ended badly with the last boyfriend (most of you would know who he is), so uhh.. that was bust. But I've grown up because of it all- with him for just over year- and learnt many lessons (the hard way) about myself and others.

A couple of weeks ago, I met up with someone (honestly, most of you probably know who I'm talking about by now...) I've known for quite a while (and to be honest, its all thanks to Tilar- a fellow chick who is in 7-2), and we went out for drinks and have since hung out at his place a few times since, and it all looks very promising. Somewhat odd not having all the drama and bullshit I've got used to having with relationships, but I'm not complaining. It's very, VERY nice. :) Things can only go up from here.

Oh, and have to say, the best part is this man doesn't live in a different country. Go figure.

Education
I am starting the second year of my uni course this year- Bachelor of Arts (Professional and Creative Writing) at Deakin Uni- and due to my... uhh... poor results last semester, if I don't do better this one coming, they're gonna kick me out. So uhh... study mode incoming. Who knows what that'll do to my gaming but... *shrugs*. Cross that bridge when we come to it.

I'm deferring my second semester for Camp America.

Camp America
I have finished the application for the Camp America program, which is basically, where people get hired by Summer Camp directors in the U.S.A, and then are sent off around May/June to work at said camp for ~9 weeks. The program includes travel insurance, visa application help, phone and bank account, 24-hour emergency line, orientation, etc. I have good skills listed that are in high demand all the time (Horse Riding/Care, Photography, Kayaking/Canoeing), so I've actually been given extra support directly from head office in Sydney, plus extra calls making sure my app's going alright, etc etc. They are flying Camp Directors over here on the 11th, and I was sent a V.I.P pass- because of the skills, meaning I can get in to see them an hour or two before everyone else. It's epic. :)

It's very exciting. I'm hoping to travel for at least a month (seeing everyone and everywhere I want to) after completing the work, because I really wanna go to EVE Vegas- so somehow, I wanna stay there till mid-end of October. Fingers crossed.

Gaming
My laptop, as always (and rather tediously) is my gaming machine. I've  reduced the number of games on it though, because they made the hard drive crash, needing it to be replaced for stupid amounts of money etc. So now I'm mainly playing:

EVE Online: I tried to leave, thinking about $$ and time and stuff, but the bug was too strong. I swear this game is a virus, an inescapable vortex of space. After ThC2 sorta disintegrated, I moved back to R1FTER, where lots of drama rl-wise happened, mostly in relation to a fellow returned corp member, and I realised why I left in the first place... time zones, leading me to, surprise surprise, leave again.

Most of the guys from ThC2 had moved to 7-2 (who I've mentioned a few times in this blog so far), so I figured well, why not. I like these guys, I think they like me, why not apply? Well... while I'm a good tackle/frig pilot, I'm not amazing. I have low skill points (for a year and a half old character anyways) at around ~23mill. I have a helluvalot of learning to do, and sure as hell lots more ships to fly, so I was told 'go out, grow up some more, get some more skills/ships and become awesome, then re-apply'.

So, I formed my own corp- Children of Molden Heath (because MH will ALWAYS be Naughty's home), plonked Naughty in it, plus an alt to be CEO (cause when Naughty leaves I don't wanna lose it), and am flying around with the guys. I'm trying new ships (Stabber Fleet Issue is awesome, as is the Stiletto), and working on my all round general skills. I'm learning heaps from all the awesome people around me, and its great. I can only go up from here. :)

Minecraft: Other than EVE, my main game is Minecraft. I blame Sugar. She and Port (her husband), set up a Molden Heath Minecraft server, which is now my second home. I've made great new friends (Kenrin's wife Fern and her brother, Draco), I've built some awesome stuff, and I'm currently working on my collection of horses (which will probably be my first 'proper' post).

We have a great community going on there, that's only growing, and even my video tour, made a few days ago, is out of date. We have Brandobas being building extraordinaire, who made 'The King's Road' (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD7Ra1UkPxE), and its only getting longer. Is some awesome. :) I don't play single player anymore at all- its BORINNNGGGG :P

League of Legends: I would play LoL, if only I hadn't fucked up moving my main from the NA server to the Oceania one. I am now locked out of it, and they won't give it back to me until I give them ALL the INFOS, short of my credit card details. Basically. Probably a tad exaggerated, but that's what it feels like. Legit.

Don't Starve: Don't Starve is an amazing indie game that not enough people know or talk about, so its going to be my mission to bring this game to you awesome peeps. Lot's to talk about (its still developing), so stay tuned. :)

I honestly think that's about it for interesting. I'm on holidays, trying to find a job, trying to get more sleep than I am getting, etc etc. Going on a walk in the city tomorrow with the man, gonna have a picnic at the Botanic Gardens (that's the idea anyways...) which is gonna be very nice, so looking forward to that. ^.^

Anyways, next post will probably be about Minecraft, depending on my mood, but we'll see. Good things come to those who wait. ^.^ (including me).

Happy New Year peeps!

-Jess (NC)

Revamped, Returned, Ready to Go.

Welcome to 2014 peeps.

I've decided to resurrect my blog. And with a new twist on it. Instead of purely EVE Online, of which I find it hard to regularly write about, I figure, considering I play other games, and simply have other things to say, I'm going to branch out a little. Or maybe a lot. I guess it depends on my mood.

I've played around with the format stuff, as you can see, and I changed my profile a bit- yes, that is me in the picture. But anyways, just letting you know. :) I don't care much who reads it or who doesn't (of course it's always nice to know that someone might care just enough to read), but either way it doesn't matter.

Speaking of which, I may as well tell you about the New Years Resolution I made.

I want to be the best, the happiest, and the most awesome person I can be. I want to pass all my classes with flying colours, I want to find a job so I can earn some extra money for my trip to America, I want to have a goal- have a focus to work towards. I want to enjoy life, and not rush. I want to discover more about myself, grow up more. Gaming wise, I want to become a better pilot in EVE. I want to work on my patience, which I know I have little of. Basically, I just need to be the woman I know I can be.

I'm going to be trying to post fairly regularly, though I'll probably be more likely to post when I think of something to say, but no mind. Whtatever happens, happens, and we'll let the chips fall where they may.

It's a new year people- the start of 2014.

Let's make it the best one yet.