The Wandering Conjurer

Street Style Project: Week 7

2012-02-07T02:45:00.000-08:00

Alia. Spotted at the Pet Pavilion.

White & Yellow.

notes: I think her wand really compliments her outfit.

Hey Foo Dog

2012-02-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

I'm going to save my negative comments about the Kirin pack for another day, today I'm much to excited by Foo Dogs to talk about anything else.

My good friend Bailey Skystaff let me hatch with her fire foo, and lo and behold I got one. This resulted in literally 'squee'-ing out loud.

As you might have guessed I am really into anything that has to do with Japanese culture.

So what is a Foo Dog exactly?

Well Foo Dogs aren't really dogs at all. They are lions. In Chinese they are called 'shishi' -- which means 'stone lion', and in Japanese they are called 'komainu'.

In Japan, komainu -- which means 'korean dog' guard the entrance to shinto shrines.

They are always found in pairs.

Big komainu and little.

I don't usually recommend it but Wikipedia has a nice article about shishi, if you're interested I suggest you take a look.

If I had to assign the Foo Dog a real dog counterpart I think it would be a pug. The smooshy face. It is undeniable.

via: it's called ephemera

Now if only they would snort too... I think I would be in heaven.

(One thing that keeps bugging me is that the dogs have a collar/medallion on. It has kanji (Chinese character) on it, and I don't know what it is. My kanji reading skills are hardly existent, but still it's bothering me! What does it say? Does anyone know? Or is it just 'faux-kanji'?)

~Heather

P.S.

Oh you want more? If you're a music/smooshy faced dog lover, you'll appreciate this song (which is my post title reference):

We are not amused

2012-02-02T16:34:00.000-08:00

Pack-a-palooza. Really? Okay, now let me move onto-- can't you people think of anything better to end in than 'somethingsomething-a-palooza'!? It's just getting old. And boring.

Also I would like to mention while I've paused for a rant, that I personally mentioned how I would like to see a Kirin mount in October whilst having a twitter conversation with my friend Connor Mistblade. We were theorizing about a new Mooshu themed gamestop card. I wanted Osaka Castle and a Kirin mount to boot. What do I get? A pack. Noooo, no, no. Fail KI. Just fail. If you were looking to gather ideas for your packs from the players you picked the wrong girl. I am so pleased that they decided to include the idea Connor and I were discussing, in the game, but they have sure lost a whole lot of potential money from me. I was hoping to spend at least $40 on this, and now I'm going to spend less than $5. I would love a Kirin mount so much. But I cannot afford to spend $40 worth of chances. I would like to know that it's there, and that I can have it.

As most of you know this blog and my Wizard101-ing is in semi-hibernation, although I am playing PvP with my team of good friends. It's been hard to keep up with Wizard101 and the community due to colds, schoolwork, and my other interests. And (it makes me sad to say) I don't feel I'm missing that much. Back in the old days, we were all still figuring things out. For me that was a much more interesting time, when it was really exciting to sit down and see what everyone was up to and learn more myself. I look forward to the rest of 2012, and I hope that KI will continue to produce a game like that. Maybe then I'll have more patience for annoying distractions like the packs of doom.

~Heather

edit to add: I don't claim that the kirin idea was mine alone. I'm sure other brilliant individuals suggested it as well. They also have been gypped. (Okay maybe not gypped. But certainly hard done by.)

Street Style Project: Week 6

2012-01-31T02:43:00.000-08:00

Destiny. Spotted in the Bazaar.

Gold & White.

Street Style Project: Week 5

2012-01-24T02:39:00.000-08:00

Victoria. Spotted in the Baobab Crossroads.

Light Green & Black.

Street Style Project: Week 4

2012-01-17T02:35:00.000-08:00

Blaze. Spotted in the Bazaar.

Sliver & Red.

notes: This reminds me of like an explorer. Or a cold weather pirate. :)

Street Style Project: Week 3

2012-01-10T02:31:00.000-08:00

Sydney. Spotted in the Bazaar.

Yellow & Light Blue.

notes: a very unusual color choice.

Street Style Project: Week 2

2012-01-03T02:25:00.000-08:00

Melissa. Spotted in the Hatchery.

Black on Black.

notes: Usually hoods can just look frumpy, but actually in this outfit it is quite stylish.

Island Time

2011-12-30T16:50:00.000-08:00

You might say that I'm really slow in just getting Kestrel to the Floating Land when it's been out for .... um.... a really long time! I'd rather say that Kestrel just likes to run on island time.

It's actually really nice to be working in this sunny part of Celestia while it is all dark and wet and wintry outside. Ahhhh I just need some surf tunes....

Um. Now all I need is a tropical drink with a little umbrella!

...

What? No help here?

The Street Style Project

2011-12-27T14:22:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of "Street Style" or "Street Fashion"? It's a style of fashion blogging and general observation where people take pictures of the fashion of everyday people who catch the eye. I don't know about you but the "street style" of video games intrigues me. I find it very interesting when someone puts two pieces together that aren't intuitive, or puts colors together that are unusual. Whenever I see a person with an outfit I really like or think is really creative, I snap a screenshot of it. I have a collection of over 100 screenshots of interesting and remarkable outfits. It's about time I share them with you.

You can find a huge slideshow of my collection on the new Street Style page here. And starting today, I will feature a weekly snapshot, so as to go into a little more detail.

This week...

Esmee. Spotted in the Hatchery.

Black & White.

~Heather

Blame it on the Decongestants

2011-12-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

That's right I have a intense head cold. I think it's starting to make me rather silly.

Behold the Uggs of the spiral.

I seriously thought about getting everyone Uggs--I mean Santa boots for Holiday gifts, but fortunately my friend talked me out of it.

I have been working on my winter house Hogmanay Hall.

I have been crafting a few things...

I would give you more of a view, but since Wizard101 is down right now, extrapolate from this picture!

I also went to Luke' s party. By the by, really nice inside Luke.

Where long PvPing ensued.

Contrary to Fallon's belief, I have not been practicing with TPC without her knowledge.

I have however, been doing some ranked 1v1, I actually got to Veteran. Which is a big deal for me.

And I have been playing some team stuff in the practice arena, but more on that later.

So for now I shall say Happy Holidays! I didn't get you Uggs.

~Heather

Mirror Mirror

2011-12-19T17:28:00.000-08:00

So today I was bored. Really bored. So bored that I decided to finish Zafaria.

That's sayin' something!

So I run around the Elephant Graveyard and fight some people, then I talk to some animals and BAM! I'm off to Mirror Lake.

Well that was quick.

So I decide to take a peek into the instance, and size it up. Just me and my friend's wizard.

We hop on the sigils and start working our way through the instance.

We fought bosses. Then we fought some more bosses. Long story short, we fought a lot of bosses.

I kept wondering when the epic Morganthe show-down was going to happen, and thinking we'd probably die in that fight if not before.

Then we fought some spider bosses.

Then we got loot.

We finished it. Me and my friend Elijah (who is fire). Just us.

I was all: O_o

Okay apparently Mirror Lake isn't that hard.

It took us a while, but I think that was mostly because we had no clue as to what was coming next.

Zafaria...

DONE!

I wonder what world we'll see next?

~Heather

Celery

2011-12-16T13:52:00.000-08:00

I think most of you know by now. The Professor, is a blatant Doctor Who spoof.

But what you might not know is that they aren't just spoofing one doctor but a good handful of them.

Observe:

Long striped scarf -- clearly Tom Baker's (the fourth doctor)

Tennis shoes -- could refer to David Tennant (ten) or Peter Davison (five) as the both wore tennis shoes

Bow tie -- while plenty of Doctors have worn the tie, it's safe to say Matt Smith (eleven) made it an icon

I thought to myself: "Cool. They picked some icons, slapped them on a dog, and called it good. Groovy."

But then I was passing by this morning and saw this.

A leaf!

And you know what that means.

It means celery.

Snack anyone?

Peri : "Doctor, why do you wear a stick of celery in your lapel?"

The Doctor : "Does it offend you?"

Peri : "No, just curious."

The Doctor : "Safety precaution. I'm allergic to certain gases in the praxis range of the spectrum."

Peri : "Well how does the celery help?"

The Doctor : "If the gas is present, the celery turns purple."

Peri : "And then what do you do?"

The Doctor : "I eat the celery. If nothing else I'm sure it's good for my teeth."

-- "The Caves of Androzani"

Peter Davison (the fifth doctor) my personal favorite classic doctor has been payed homage to.

Bravo.

I am happy.

~Heather

Home for the Holidays

2011-12-14T12:13:00.000-08:00

After much bustle and hubbub, I've finally been able to get in some playing time for Wizard101.

Zafaria! I haven't finished it yet, but I have gotten up to level 70 and tried out my new spell Basilisk. Very cool. But I don't have a great understanding of DoTs yet so it'll take me a while to figure out how to use it effectively.

I've also been working on finishing up some houses I've been working on... Hopefully you'll get to see them really soon. And also I have more fun surprises coming up in the near future too! Stay tuned!

That's it for the status update. I hope you all are having a wonderful break, and I wish everyone luck on their finals!

~Heather

You oughtta be in pictures

2011-10-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

If Lenora was a punk rock star, this would be her poster.

Victoria and Ryan in this shot almost look like they should be in Vogue's fall edition in the article on Mod. They is too cool for school.

~Heather

Déjà vu

2011-10-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

Fool me three times?

...

INCONCEIVABLE!

("that word you keep using...")

Introducing the Nightmare pack for Halloween. Lord help us now they're seasonal.

Hmm anyone else having Déjà vu?

" ...I think adding a feature like this into the game is not .... healthy. If any of you can remember WAY back to when there was the big backlash over wishing wells (Here's a TFN post talking a little bit about it) well I was painfully reminded of that when DH packs came out. The only difference is the fixed price and the way they package it. Basically it's gambling. ...You aren't guaranteed anything but spending money. Who's the one winning? KI! Right. They want to make money, that's reasonable, they are a company and it's part of how you keep the game running. But there are alternatives. What they could do is have a DH or WH pack and then offer select items from the pack in the crowns shop so someone who just wanted that really cool sword, or bone dragon mount could get it. But of course at some expensive cost, so that the DH/WH packs would still be appealing. "Ooh I have a chance of getting something for only 399 crowns instead of 7,500! I guess I'll buy one!" But obviously they don't want to do that. They want to make as much money as possible with the DH/WH pack system. (I seriously hope they prove me wrong here.) Also did anyone else notice that they, just happened to not release it on the test realm, they saved that surprise for live? Are they so worried that they will get so much backlash that they won't even let people test this feature?

Well until something gives here there will be no more Wyvern's Hoard packs in Heatherville. Because as the old saying goes: "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." "

That was "On How KI Drives me Cukoo for Coco-Puffs Somedays" August 19th, 2011. (Is it just me, or are they increasing in frequency? Ruuuuuuun! They're multiplying!)
Okay. Unfortunately KI is just living up to my worst expectations. Not only did they add another new (seasonal! YIKES!) pack, they have not made anything available for straight up purchase. And once again they bypassed the test realm-- even though there was content up there that they realized as well!

As usual, we (ze #twizard community (twitter wizards)) exploded. There were split camps. I'm just going to adress some highlights from what was said there, because some of it is really interesting food for thought:

@witchwarrior said: @LukeGoldHorn I agree with you to a point. These packs would work better if they made them a little cheaper and less random.
<-- Alric pointed out that they are actually 100 crowns cheaper than the usual, and he did get a nightmare mount on the first try.

@AlricRavenWiz went on to say: @LukeGoldHorn It's only gambling when you don't have the will to stop. If you can't stop buying a pack then you can't stop playing the game.In part thats not only gambling crowns that gambling life and time for kids who become addicted. So should [there] be no more games?

<-- I rebutted: @AlricRavenwiz Gambling in Merriam-Webster as defined as: to bet on an uncertain outcome 2: to stake something on a contingency take a chance ... All of the hoard packs live up to that definition. ...I was just saying that "gambling" and "gambling addiction" are [two] different things and you *can* have one without the other.

For me this is disappointing. I remember us being pretty vocal about Wyvern Hoard Packs when they came out mid-August. I really love Wizard101 and I don't see how this feature enhances the game in a positive way. It just make people like me go "OH NOES!" and have heated debates about crazy things like gambling addictions. It's actually comical! Wow this a game and it's supposed to be fun! Good grief Charlie Brown. We all (yes KI too) need a bit of a reality check. New mantra-- Games are fun.

To end this on an upbeat: I don't have anything against people who buy the packs. Have fun! I hope you get all the awesome swag! (I cannot join yous since I have exactly one crown. Hehe.) I love you guys no matter what. Group tackle hugs!

So... what do you think the mystery pet that we're going to get will be? And what do you hope it will be?

~Heather

Boo

2011-10-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

Muahahahahahaha. Have to checked the calendar yet?

Yes?

October! That means Halloween is just around the corner.

I do love Halloween. It's oh so fun trying to scare yourself senseless.

While Halloween is only one night, I don't see why you can't enjoy it for the whole month of October.

So I've complied a little list of spooky entertainment for your enjoyment purposes.

(The Mythspent Youth features something everyday, if you need a daily dose of cobwebs for your health.)

Ghosts
Throne of Blood (1957)
*Topper Returns (1941)
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Shakespeare's Macbeth (I recommend the new Patrick Stewart version. Seriously creepy. No, I mean seriously.)

Mystery and Murder
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Strangers on a Train (1951)
Dark Passage (1947)

Monsters, Aliens, and other baddies

"Blink" -- Doctor Who Season 3

"Thriller" by Michael Jackson

"Monster Mash" Bobby Prickett

War of the Worlds (1938) as performed by the Mercury Theatre

If I think of more wonderfully scary things, I shall add them to the list.

Happy Haunting!

~Heather

P.S.
*Topper is actually a really silly comedy. FYI. =)

Say it with a sign

2011-09-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

I guess there shall be double posting today. Oh well. *shrug* Just don't get used to it.

You've probably already heard, but the test realm is up currently for some little things.

Panther mounts are now available for in permanent for 5,000 crowns.

And also they've added these cute little signs with pre-programmed messages for your house!

They range from 500-1,500 crowns each.

Here are some of the winning phrases:

And of course:

Overall they have very nice options but they are really missing an obious one.

"Don't feed the plants".

Please? A girl's got her Menken & Ashman fangirl needs!

(if you're not farmilar with them-- you are. They did the music for insane things like The Little Mermaid. And if you have not watched that, or one of their other classic disney movies that you did, you are dead to me. DEAD TO ME! Just sayin'.)

I mean... Little Shop is so prime for a KI corny quote!

My Fly Trap garden needs that sign. Really badly.

I think you should all help me pester KI to add that option. Hehe. ~.^

~Heather

You've got mail

2011-09-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to remind y'all to check your email, I think that KI's sent out some of their "Thanks for voting! Here's your free Wyvern's Hoard Pack!" emails today.
You could even get....

Um. Junk like me! WOOT!

~Heather

What we do when you're not looking 2.0 or Gaga ooh-la-la!

2011-09-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

Some of you probably know that I've been working on a killer PvP (WITH MASSIVE HELP FROM ONE DONNA SPELLTHORN! There I said it, are you happy now?) ring of my own for a while now. Today I finally made it public.

It's not without it's flaws. Actually it has some major ones. But when I get some time to fuss with it (and some more ingredients for teleporters) I will be working on correcting it.

Thanks everyone for coming out to PvP! I hope you all had some fun.

Here's a behind the scene's look at the construction:

minion!

partners in crime

many minions!

minion go bye-bye.

~Heather

Prepare for Trouble

2011-09-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

Today I have caved and done something I've been thinking about for a long time.

I created Wizard101 team rocket.

Yes, Jessica and James Star are out there in the spiral stealing poke--uh pets, and causing general mayhem.

They're fire and ice.

Dang.

I think I'm turning into a Pokenerd.

~Heather

The Sporting Life

2011-09-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

I've been watching a lot of PvP recently. And whether I've been supporting my friends, or just watching random matches I've noticed something. There are lot of bad sports out there. PvP is really the 'sport' of Wizard101. So why not treat it like the sport it is?

Okay as some of you might know, I am not a big sporty person at all. Once upon a time I thought 'March Madness' was football. (I know, I know. Please don't hurt me. I was young and foolish!) But something I have been taught and have learned over my life is the value of sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship that is.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines sportsmanship thus:

Sportsmanship: conduct (as fairness, respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport.

Does that sound all that hard? Really now? Okay it kind of does, but trust me it's not.

The integrity of the game is everything. - Peter Ueberroth

I think that there has already been a lot said about cheating and spamming in PvP by people much more experienced than myself, so I won't pretend like I've got that much more to add. Just, play nice. Don't abuse the system. It might be nice to win, but think about the cost. If your a spammer, nobody is really going to like you all that much.

Sports do not build character. They reveal it. - Heywood Broun

Don't accuse people. Of... well anything really. Saying it like it is, and accusing people of random bad stuff are different. Accusing people just antagonizes them and makes people generally feel bad.

Fans don't boo nobodies. - Reggie Jackson

One thing I also have been noticing is the lack of respect of the fans/audience/spectators of PvP. Cheering on your friends is one thing, ragging on the opponents is another. It's not cricket old boy.

Also chatting away like you're in the nearest Starbucks is really distracting to the players and it's disrespectful. I can speak from experience, when I was playing with KCK there was a lot of excess chatter that was very distracting. I mean have a good time, by all means! But if you want to discuss with your friend whether your outfit looks good for the up coming party you're both going to, try to whisper or group chat it. (I mean it was so bad I had to put people on my ignore list because I couldn't stand their chats running through my box all of the time.)

Something else I've learned as a spectator, if you feel the need to remind someone of the rules, or you would like to point something out to them, generally instead of smacking down, it's more effective to state it cleverly.

Victory is in the quality of competition and not the final score. - Mike Marshall

Winning isn't everything. Winning doesn't make you famous or popular. Playing cleverly does. 'Nuff said.

Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play. - Mike Singletary

I think most of all PvP should be fun. I think that whether you're playing with old friends or new, it should be a great time to learn and challenge yourself to play the game better. To become the best player you can be! (This sounds soo... olympian.)

I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent. - Sue Wicks

I think as both competitors and as spectators, we have to be advocates of good sports and fair play. Not like, go out and take down every team that is bad. Or get all preachy. Just do. Support people who play well. Whether they're your friends or not. If you play, play well. It's pretty simple when you think about it.

One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it. - Knute Rockne

So the point of this is really to remind everyone just like a little post-it note stuck to the edge of your computer screen. Play well. Be respectful as a spectator. Have fun. It's a game. Yes it's a challenge. But it's a game.

~Heather

paraphernalia

2011-08-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

Here's just a little status update because I couldn't even stand how deep and wordy this blog has become!

I beat Wysteria in an afternoon! Yay! I personally like Wysteria a lot.

Then I went on a Helephant tower run with some friends, but Wizard101 crashed at the final boss! That was not fun. But we did it again the next day and finished it off.

Our team and Headmistress Belladonna Crisp and a random dude

Yesterday I decided to get the funny new badge Napoleon Complex.

You know I love my Time Bandits quotations!

While on the one hand it might be considered as referring to Napoleon Bonaparte, it could just as likely be referring to Napoleon Solo! I am inclined to believe the latter.

The "Napoleon Complex" is an established phenomena where you daydream about becoming a suave spy on the side of goodness, with razor sharp wit, a cool name, a great tailor, and a very wry Russian side-kick.

~Heather

An Autumn Leaf Falls

2011-08-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

I am a sentimentalist. And a romantic (A deadly combination I assure you). So when I heard that Autumn was archiving Homework in a Graveyard, and that she was retiring from the Wizard101 blogdom, I became very sentimental. I could go on about how I've always admired her blog, and how many good times I've spent as the result of her kindness and ingenuity. But a picture's worth a thousand words.

So if you a newer to the community or the Wizard101 blogdom, take a minute to check out HiaG. Pursue the archives. It is one of the best wizard101 blogs ever created. I bow down to Basil. And never forget, TENURE FOR DORGWYN!

~Heather

On How KI Drives Me Cuckoo for Cocoa-Puffs Some Days

2011-08-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

Yes this is going to be a rant, but I have constructive criticism and specific complaints!

I have three things. Number one: The new pet display page (hotkey I).

Old display

New display

Okay besides the fact that it looks totally janky, there is no way you can convince me that having to click over to view the derby talents and then back to the 'regular' talents is more functional. I mean, why did they even mess with it in the first place? I can see no good here. So... I'd like the old one back please!

Number two: The Wyvern's Hoard Pack.

The one and only pack I have bought

Okay so when the Dragon's Hoard came out a while back I busted almost 2,000 crowns (all I had) on them. I did not get what I was really after, which was that awesome sword, or anything else that I deemed either cool or useful. I watched my friends spend huge amounts of crowns trying to get the items they wanted. It made me really glad that I had a limited amount of crowns to spend. I think adding a feature like this into the game is not .... healthy. If any of you can remember WAY back to when there was the big backlash over wishing wells (Here's a TFN post talking a little bit about it) well I was painfully reminded of that when DH packs came out. The only difference is the fixed price and the way they package it. Basically it's gambling. It's like buying a lottery ticket. You know there is a jackpot, but will the odds turn in your favor? Eventually you can continue buying lottery tickets and then you'll have more and more chances of getting the jackpot. You aren't guaranteed anything but spending money. Who's the one winning? KI! Right. They want to make money, that's reasonable, they are a company and it's part of how you keep the game running. But there are alternatives. What they could do is have a DH or WH pack and then offer select items from the pack in the crowns shop so someone who just wanted that really cool sword, or bone dragon mount could get it. But of course at some expensive cost, so that the DH/WH packs would still be appealing. "Ooh I have a chance of getting something for only 399 crowns instead of 7,500! I guess I'll buy one!" But obviously they don't want to do that. They want to make as much money as possible with the DH/WH pack system. (I seriously hope they prove me wrong here.) Also did anyone else notice that they, just happened to not release it on the test realm, they saved that surprise for live? Are they so worried that they will get so much backlash that they won't even let people test this feature?
Well until something gives here there will be no more Wyvern's Hoard packs in Heatherville. Because as the old saying goes: "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me."

Number three: No new houses.
This makes me sad mostly in combination with the other two things. "A janky pet display and a new gambling pack, and NO HOUSES! WHAAAAAA! D': " I know I wasn't the only one who thought that they were going to be coming out with this update. I would have liked to have had them with this as well because Wysteria is so short it would have been nice to have something else to do (but no, we got WH packs to spend time on instead. xD).

If you've gotten this far you're probably saying to yourself, "Well Heather what in the heckhound do you like?" I really do like Wysteria. I plan to hang out there a lot. :) And I also like that the teleporters are available to craft and to buy for crowns! I was very pleased with that decision. I like crafting so I can just craft them, but they are available to all people (not just GM artisans who have access to Celestia) to use them! Yay! Fun with teleporters for all!

Okay now I'm off to enjoy the new world of Wysteria. End rant.
~Heather

A little plug

2011-08-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

No not that kind of plug.

I'm here to talk about all the super contests that are going on with House-a-Palooza right now.

Yeah and before you go to sleep on me, hear me out!

You may have looked at the list of houses that are being given away (and if you haven't, go do that now) and gone "Aw man, there are a bunch of lame old houses on that list." To you I say, don't be to simple minded! Some of the older houses are some of the best! And think about this for a moment; if every one has the 'cool' houses (i.e. MFP, MSP, CL observatory, etc.) then won't your having an unusual house make you more unique and interesting? I mean, who wants to be a copy cat anyway.

"But Heather!" You're saying, "Those houses have a dueling circle!" Okay be honest, how often are you going to use that circle anyway? You need at least one other person to duel with, and if you make the PvP parties argument I can say from experience that it is a lot of work to keep people OUT of those circles. People kind of tend to help themselves without being polite, or asking permission. Well personally I prefer to have fun with my guests instead of wrangling them.

Here are some houses that offer an interesting potential:

Alia's giving away the Desert Villa. I personally love this house, and I made a video of a tour of my own.

Isaac is giving away the Oasis Camp. I entered this one! I haven't seen this house done very often, because of it's interesting structure. But I think it has a lot of cool features!
Valerian is giving away the Tranquil Cottage. You know how much I love a Japanese house. This house would be a great mini version of something like what I've done in my MFP.
Paige is giving away the Royal Playhouse. This was the first house I ever got and it remains one of my all time favorites. Not too big, not too small. I also did a bit of a zen/mooshu/Japanese theme in it.
Kestrel is giving away the Wooded Cottage. It comes with Doug the Unicorn. 'Nuff said.
Jessica is giving away the Great Citadels. I can think of no better place for an evil lair. Or you could work against type and make it this really posh, fancy house that some really nice people would live in.
We on the Petnome Team are giving away the Island Getaway. It's a really cool house that I have spent a lot of time with friends in. It's like your own personal Indiana Jones adventure... with a beach!

So I encourage you all to go and enter ALL of the contests! If you do, maybe Mr. Weasley could be persuaded to part with some of his plugs....

~Heather

Guidance for Gobblers 101

2011-08-08T21:31:00.000-07:00

As you trudge your way to Cyrus Drake's classroom you ask yourself three questions. 1. Why you have to do 'trust building' exercises with your classmates? Surely you don't need to really know each other. If you both just ignore each other, that should work out great! 2. What kind of stuff you'll be doing? You pray to Bartleby for no trust falls, or blindfolded walks through Kensington park. 3. Why the Headmaster made Cyrus Drake school counselor anyway?
As you file into the large, deceptively cheerful classroom, you join your other classmates in the banks of desks. Patiently you wait for Professor Drake to appear. No one talks, and the sense of impending doom weighs heavily on the room.
You are about to pull out your notebook and quietly practice stunning the purple-haired kid in front of you, who you remembered beat you at PvP last week, but just then Professor Drake walks in. Sneering at no one in particular, but more the world at large, he settles himself behind his desk. With a smug expression on his face he begins, "You are all here, because you seem to require extra attention. You seek it constantly with your shenanigans, and now..." he paused for effect, "you have my full attention." There was an uncomfortable silence as everyone awaited their attention, but dared not seek it. "So today I am going to give you the advice of someone who is older, wiser, and cleverer than yourself." With a wave of his wand, writing began to appear on the blackboard. Success, Happiness, Joy: Stop being the baboons you are inside and pretend like you care!
Quickly you and all of your classmates scribble down the title in their notebooks.
"You will copy down the following for preparation for a practical examination in the following weeks of guidance," drawled Professor Drake. More words started appearing on the blackboard. Drake leaned back in his chair and began reading a giant spell book that looked hundreds of years old, as if it were the latest edition of Wizard Weekly.
1. Be nice to people, even if you don't like them because interacting with people is an unavoidable hazard of life. Get used to it. You grumble to yourself wondering why he couldn't practice a little of what he preaches.
2. Making people feel bad is only empowering temporarily. Just like the spell Empower, of the death school, by making yourself bigger (or your pips) in the long run you are damaging yourself, and you will end up feeling as slimy as humongofrog barf. You wish he could have used a different choice of words since you were skipping lunch break to keep this counseling appointment, and you're already feeling a bit queasy.
3. Careful what you say, because you never know who might be listening. I had a girlfriend once, and my brother kept -- you skip to the end of the paragraph, since you have no desire to hear about Professor Drake's personal life. -- and that how I ended up being bald. Just because my girlfriend heard something she was never meant to, and that had very little to do with her indeed.
4. Don't eat massive amounts of garlic chicken and onions before entering a battle with other students. This is a fast way to lose your study group. Would he stop talking about food!
5. Keep in mind that while your studies at Ravenwood are important they are not the only thing that exists in the world. In fact there are many other noble callings. But get this punks, you drop out and you'll never get a job in the spiral, and you'll end up peddling phony potions on the corner of Digdown and Hydrant Way! You feel that the described situation couldn't possibly be worse than what he had in store for you if you failed the practical. (Who gives an examination for counseling anyway?!)
And so young ~~baboons~~ students of the spiral. I hope you have with this session you have learned how to better interact with other students and members of the spiral. We will be meeting again soon. I expect you to practice the techniques provided here. If you are finished copying this message. LEAVE. And don't slam the spiral door on your way out!
Without wasting another second you scoop up your notebook, jam it into your backpack, and as if Malistare himself were after you, you sprint out of the class room.

The Storm is Rising

2011-08-07T12:07:00.000-07:00

Heather/Kestrel

Pride and Prejudice or First Impressions

2011-08-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard already, the Test Realm has been loaded up with new content for levels 25 and up!

So I logged on this morning, and my first impression was....

"If KI gets sued by JKR, we'll all know why..." I think this is the closest they've come to the Harry Potter stories. The "spiral cup", rival schools, an epic tournament. Everyone agrees. Why not just throw in a Dan Radcliffe voice over and call it good!

Ahem. Second impression...

Houston, Houston, we have bunnies.

Third impression...

I love the way Wysteria looks.

Fourth...

KI gives us some hints at new worlds.

She looks rather Free Realms-y to me.

Squeeeeeee! Can I come to your house over the summer! PLEASE?

Fifth...

Apparently we're really stupid if we think that putting our class ring in a chest of drawers in the public dormitory is going to a good safe spot to keep it.

When this gets stolen, I won't be surprised.

Sixth...

MORE BUNNIES!

Seventh...

We're voting Merle off the island.

And Cyrus...

Eighth...

HORSEY!

Oh so this is why they call it Pegasus Place...

MINE!

Ninth...

A cat librarian totally pwns.

He's rather nice too.

Tenth...

Okay where's the registrar's office. I need to look at your transfer paperwork...

Yes! I'd even wear that darn uniform! Sign me up!

And that's the truth.

~Heather

Behind the scenes

2011-07-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

I write stories. I mean, A LOT. Before class, after class, (during class? well only if it's boring. :P) in the car, in bed, with cats, with a mouse, in a house-- whoops! Slipped into Seuss. Sorry about that chief.

I don't just write one continuous story. Oh no! That way I'd be able to finish it! Well we can't have that. I'm sure there's some deep psychological reason for that, but imma move on.

How does one write a story, or many stories?

Starting with inspiration, let us take Wizard101 for example. I am inspired by Wizard101 to write The Adventures of Tristan Shadow. Not only am I inspired by Wizard101, but also I am drawing on the Edwardian and Victorian eras for inspiration as well. Take for example I wanted to have a scene where someone was singing a popular song. So I started researching popular Victorian diddies, and came up with "I do like to be beside the seaside" which was an actual music hall song, and it fit the mood of my scene.

After drawing upon several sources of inspiration, and usually having a conversation in my head that goes something like: Wouldn't it be cool to have a Wizard101 story that was a little film noir, a little Indiana Jones, and a lot of mystery?! Yes, yes it would. With awesome-ly named characters. Always. I start dreaming up plots. What's gonna happen to these characters? What's going to make this interesting? I mostly play with plots in my head right before going to sleep at night, and right before waking up in the morning. Then I can actually see the characters in my mind's eye, running around and working out the kinks in my story.

Then I write.

I like to write by hand. I write down all that comes into my head, refining my general ideas as I go along. This is really where the magic happens. Then usually I leave it. Days, weeks, sometimes months go by and I won't touch the thing. Then I read it again, a new idea comes into my head and I continue writing the story.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Of course this whole "leave it for weeks at a time" scheme is really not recommended if you are trying to get your work published. This is mostly an exercise, to practice writing and to free your brain from cluttering story ideas.

Well there you go. My normal writing practice in a nutshell. And for being so good and getting to the end of this post you get a special surprise. You get a character preview for The Adventures of Tristan Shadow. Somethings have already been altered (Strider is now Storm and not Fire) but there are still some juicy tidbits in there if you are following the story so far.

(clicky clicky for bigger)

I need to get back to writing this story actually. Must free brain from half-baked plot ideas for darn spy stories.

~Heather

What we do when you're not looking

2011-07-18T19:49:00.000-07:00

(clicky clicky for bigger)

Heather and Donna

The Kettle Corn Killers

2011-07-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

The last time we left our heroine, she was about to embark into the final frontier. This new and foreign land of Player versus Player was full of new and exciting challenges for our heroine and her friends.

***

As I approached the arena this morning, long before our match was going to take place I was nervous. Our team hadn't practiced. Would we preform well under pressure? Our line up was lacking a major offensive player. Sure we might live indefinitely but you have to kill the other team sometime! I personally hadn't played a 4v4 match since the fall, and I was second guessing my abilities. What about the other team? Would they play by the rules? I could see by their gear and by their attitude that they (contrary to their jocular name The "Noobs") knew their way around an arena.

Well we all took a deep breath and plunged into a battle that might go down in the books as one of the most interesting and dynamic matches of all time on Wizard101. KBB and Cassandra DragonHeart (our hostess) kindly recored and commentated the match.

I was so thrilled with how Paige, Ben, Angel and I worked together as a team (with NO practice (and some of us had very little experience in PvP) to boot!). And I was honored and truly delighted to hear such positive feedback on our plays. I was also just really grateful that we had such a very good team to go up against. They played very well and exceeded my expectations with good behavior. Even though they had annoying spritely pets. LOL.

I can't stress enough how grateful I am to my team mates for their exceptional playing today and for taking a risk and entering USWT with me. Because it was a risk. We met it head on. Bravo (and Brava Paige)!

I'd also like to thank Cassandra a lot because she presented a really great challenge (dipping my toe into PvP) in a very successful way. I was encouraged to try something new, and I was certain that I would learn new skills. Bonus! I even had fun.

Umm.... I forgot what I was saying. OH right! Thank you! Everyone who was involved. Thanks Hexy for shouting out "go heather and her frog!" Thanks John for believing that I'd do well in the tourney and helping me farm for gear in prep. Thanks to Donna for a seed that ended up giving me some very useful TCs! Thanks to everyone who came out and watched the match, and everyone who signed up for the tourney. Thanks to my team. And thanks be to Bartleby that I didn't make too many stupid mistakes, or press the wrong button! Hehe!

~Heather

Yeehaw

2011-07-14T22:29:00.000-07:00

I have been spending a lot of time in my Dorm recently. And also I have been on a bit of western kick. I mean westerns. Gotta love 'em. Chaps. REALLY love chaps. And the boots. And the horses! HORSES!
Ahem. Anyway. This afternoon after watching-- don't laugh! actually you can laugh, I do-- Bonanza with Adam West in it and getting a little silly with my friend ("It's BATMAN!" "No! It's Adam West!" "What are you talking about that's not Adam!" "Yes it is!" "No Adam's over there!" "Wait that's Pernell!" "No! It's BATMAN!" "Okay, okay. Be quiet so we can get back to Batman--I mean Maverick--wait! Bonanza. NO! Batman! Oh I don't know what I mean!") I decided to borrow a housing idea. Paige has this super dorm room that's a Marelybonian jail. Well here's my spin off on her idea, a la Wild West.

"Sheriff's Office"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

The Sheriff's office

The Sheriff's living quarters

Sheriff's Office

Okay what a really need to finish this off is a great outfit. HELLO! COWBOY HAT! I don't understand this... We have an indian headdress which goes with nothing, and yet no cowboy hat...

The Final Frontier

2011-07-11T16:27:00.000-07:00

As you may know, I'm not really a big PvP-er.

But when Cassandra DragonHeart announced her PvP Tourney, it sounded like a good time, and a good environment to learn in. So after a little persuading, I set off to create a team.

After some less than successful attempts, the ever gentlemanly Sir Winterbreeze volunteered to join me.

I, of course, started thinking up names, and then struck upon Team Kettle Corn Killers in reference to Angel's habit of eating popcorn whenever something interesting happens. I quickly created a this little recruiting poster....

And boy. People sure want to be with you when you have a cool name! What's up with that? (That is my tip, by the way to people trying to scrounge up a team. Come up with a cool/wacky/grooevil (groovy + evil) name!)

So now I'm venturing where none of my wizards have gone before. Into the heart of PvP-Land. I think we'll make it back. Alive? Maybe. But definitely with new knowledge and hopefully with some new memories of spending time with my friends.

All this sappy talk making you yearn to come and join us? Please do! Grab a team and (HURRY! submissions due tomorrow 7/12! ) submit it. Or just come and watch the matches. You can find all the details right here at Cassandra's blog: http://fromtheheartofadragon.blogspot.com/2011/07/watch-this-space-part-2.html?spref=tw
Also check out: "United We Stand -- Looking for a team?" on Diary of a Wizard™ ConnectX: http://ning.it/oiEgij

~Heather

Sam's Corner

2011-07-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

Hello again. It is once again time for your cultural exposure of the week. My name is Samantha Raven, and I have taken over the duty of being a good role model for all the youthful promise of the spiral. This week Victoria has agreed most kindly (how unusual) to read us a Limerick which is a very ancient and renowned form of poetic expression. This particular poem is from the Book of Nonsense (huh, I thought Victoria said she was going to do something down to earth, and not "lofty"...) by Edward Lear the renowned scholar.

WHAT! WAS! THAT! That made no logical sense, what-so-ever. And what was with all the doo-wap-dee-doo-ing in the background! I distinctly told her (knowing her to have vulgar taste) to pick something instrumental! UGH! What a weirdo.
In wands we trust,
SAMANTHA RAVEN

Happy 4th!

2011-07-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

The story continues

2011-07-04T06:07:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, but here's the next installment! Action! Adventure! Excitment! Woo!

The Adventures of Tristan Shadow: Strider

Tristan stalked out of the dingy hallway leading to Fiona’s dressing room. He pushed his way through the crowded Air Dale’s and made his way out into Digmoore Station. Tristan paused just outside the wooden doors, and took the envelope out of his pocket. He looked at the smudgy scribbling, and then tossed it away with a sigh.

Tristan was just pressing the button to call the lift, when he heard footsteps behind him for the second time that evening.

Tristan spun around brandishing a walking stick with an eagle’s head at its top, and cried “Freeze!” There was a streak of golden light, and a loud thud as the spell hit its target. A young woman with long black hair let out a groan as she hit the tiled floor. As she picked herself up and dusted herself off Tristan approached her cautiously. “Who are you?” he asked, walking stick held at the ready. The young woman brushed her hair out of her eyes and placed her hands on her hips, “My name is Daphne Strider. I’m a reporter for the Chronicle.” Tristan eyed her suspiciously. “Why are you following me?” “I was in Mr. Burt’s when you asked about Wind,” she explained, “I was just following a lead. I thought it might make a good story!” Tristan remained still, he wasn’t convinced by her story. He had been fooled by the press gambit before. Sensing his apprehension the young woman reached into the pocket of her deep purple coat, causing Tristan to raise his cane defensively. She quickly withdrew her hand. “I only wanted to show you my press card!” she exclaimed exasperatedly. Tristan stepped forward and reached his hand into her pocket. He pulled out a square of stiff parchment with a picture of the same young woman grinning toothily pasted on it. Tristan inspected it closely but could find no fault. He lowered his cane and handed her back the card. “Okay,” he said, turned around abruptly and pressed the button which brought the lift clattering up. “Hey!” shouted the young woman and she trotted forward, her black hair swinging behind her.

She clambered into the lift just as the golden grate slid closed behind her. “What about my story?” she prodded. Tristan sighed, “Look, this is nobody’s business but my own. And I prefer not to have nosy reporters tagging along and asking too many questions.” She opened her mouth to protest, but then the grate slid open with a clang and Tristan strode out into the night. She rushed after him, and was brought to an abrupt halt, for he had stopped dead just a few feet away. His cane was held tensely in his right hand. She looked over his shoulder. There were half a dozen life sized wooden men without faces, slowly steadily marching towards them. “Bartleby’s beard!” She whispered. Tristan stepped forward. “I’ll distract them, get out of here!” With a flash of golden light Tristan waved his cane over his head and a shower of sparks rained down on the wooden men. Tristan looked desperately around, but he had barely even slowed the monsters’ approach. Then suddenly he caught a glimpse of black hair out of the corner of his eye. “Pulsus ventus.” Suddenly a great wind rose around him, and Tristan had to plant his feet to keep from being swept away. There was a thundering CRACK and lightning hit the ground directly in front of the wooden men, causing them to fracture into millions of splinters, before Tristan’s eyes. He turned and looked at the girl, who was just slipping a thin birch rod back into her pocket. She looked up at him, brushed her hair out of her eyes with the back of her hand, and smiled. “What did you say your name was?” “Daphne Strider.” “Follow me,” Tristan said, and they ran down the nearest side street.

Cultural Improvement

2011-07-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

Ahem. It has come to my attention that some people are not completely satisfied, with -- alright! Keep your shirt on! That some people are not completely satisfied with level of... how shall I put this... of cerebral and stimulating material on this blog. So I have made a compromise and -- yes! yes it was! Anyway, I've agreed to let my sister Sam Raven, post every once and a while. She has some crazy-- er um. I mean some really great ideas for making the blog more intellectual. Anyway I am proud to introduce our new cultural segment.

Hello everybody. I am Samantha Raven. I hope your minds have not suffered to much from all the twaddle that is on this blog regularly. This blog is frequently weird, and disturbing. Apparently since no one else feels it necessary to provide the upright role model that children require, I feel it is my duty to try my best to influence the youthful promise for the better. I have called upon the better nature of some of my friends and relatives to help me with my project. Starting today, you will receive a weekly relive from the swill, and enjoy a cultural experience. Without further ado, Lenora Ravenwhisper has volunteered to read us a poem by Edgar Allan Poe. My favorite British playwright.

... That was weird and disturbing. I do not think that was-- UGH. Just when I am trying to improve the culture of the youthful promise of the spiral, all the weirdos show up.
Well fortunately next week I have a different guest ( I won't make that mistake again.) who will provide a truly enlightening experience for us. Until then.
In wands we trust,
SAMANTHA RAVEN

Tell me why

2011-07-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

"Why do fools fall in love?" No. "Why you cry and why you lie to me?" No. "Why can't the English learn to speak?" No. "Why--" Are you finished? "... Maybe." Okay then.

Tell me why do they keep messing with my Spyglass?

Before

After

Stupid sparkle.

You may remember I crafted this wand a while back because it had no sparkle! I wanted it to look like a spyglass. But nooooo. KI had to put a sparkle on. Ugh, if you really want to improve the crafted wands, you could give them some better stats. (I mean it seems obvious...)

O Canada! or Victorious

2011-07-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Canada Day everybody! Since I do come from Canadians, I tend to get into the spirit of this holiday, even more than the 4th of July. hehe.

So let's hear it for all our Canadian players. Woohoo! Happy Canada day to you all.

But I do have other-- more Wizard101 related things to celebrate today. Mainly, Victoria's freedom from the tyranny of romulan outfits. Yesterday I managed to level up to Legendary. Woot. Then I dashed off to the Waterworks because I really wanted some new gear (and Mega Snacks), and after two and a half runs the lucky-duckie had her entire outfit.

Patriotic, eh?

With her new outfit, Victoria will venture back into Celestia and finish it off. Then she will travel to the land of Bears, Wolves, and Ravens, and attempt to work her way through with as little boredom as possible. Then, finally, she'll journey to the foot of the Grandmother Raven's tree to seek adventure excitement and pets(!!!) in Wintertusk.

rawr.

Victoria/Heather

Gotta Dance

2011-06-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard via twitter: Dude! We're getting the ~~band~~ flash mob back together! Here's the skinny peeps:

We'll be meeting Sunday afternoons at 3pm PST (5pm Central, 6pm Eastern)!
Location: Heather Raven's house, port bus will be at Golem Court (Vampire, area 1) from 2:50pm PST to 3pm PST. Feel free to invite friends to port and join in.

Audience members are welcome, but are asked to keep the talking down to a minimum so we can work.

A new feature that I am going to be experimenting with is Livestream. Hopefully (*crosses fingers*) I will be able to Livestream the rehearsals, so that I can communicate with people in multiple ways. Some times you just need to hear it, you know? Plus then I won't forget what we did because it's recorded. ;P

As I've said before, I love flash mobs. They're so happy! I really love flash mobs that
bring together the most unlikely group of people, into this big dancing mass. So that's why I am going to start off slow (Yes, some of you older players will probably find this easy). I want everybody to be able to accomplish something. As a long term goal, I'd love to have a group that could do complex, dazzling maneuvers, at a moment's notice. As I said, long term goal. LOL. I think my "super objective" for the project is basically to spread the spontaneity of Wizard101. Imagine, you're a wizard, doing your thing in the commons. Then out of the blue, a group of people start dancing. Hopefully that makes you smile, and hopefully you take that spirit of creating something and spread it. Aw. It's so sappy.

For those of you who can't wait to get started here's a little homework. Hehe. Don't worry this is just breaking down what the routine is. Nothing crazy.

I don't know about you, but I sure am excited! Hope to see you on Sunday!
~Heather

"You outta be in pictures..."

2011-06-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

("wah wah wah nah!")

I was reading Autumn's blog post about... oh well you've probably only read it. In it she said: "I get to be the Bad Guy. It's a pretty sweet role..." Heather thought: Basil Rathbone. Confused yet? Watson let me link that train of association for you. Bad guy - villain - movies - Robin Hood - Sir Guy/Prince John - (elimination round) Claude Rains - Basil Rathbone! So now and forever, I will think of Autumn as Basil. Not as the real person Basil, but as the caricature of the suave, sinister, clever, totally cool, dueling, awesome person I think of when I think of Basil.

So if Autumn is Basil, then that of course makes Miss Mythspent Youth Abigail/Lisa Sir John Gielgud. For me Sir John (that's what I call him, Sir John) is insanely brilliant. End of story. For me reading Mythspent is like eating candy, I can't get enough, Lisa is always really entertaining and clever. See the parallels?

Naturally that would make TFN Steve McQueen. Just. Totally. Cool.

And by process of elimination, KBB would be John Barrymore. (Kevin you were hard, I though of Spencer Tracy, Peter O'Toole, and Patrick Stewart, but none of them fit!) Barrymore is somebody who I think is a brilliant and actively smart actor and he has this charisma too, that makes you want to give him your attention.

Well now that I've probably embarrassed myself (and several other people, both living and dead) into the next decade, it's your turn! I want to hear what you think. Have I assigned people correctly? Who do you compare your friends with? Who do you think I am? (Don't be afraid. I won't find out where you live and turn all the socks in your drawer inside out or anything. What ever gave you that idea?) And mostly, does your brain think like this too?

~Heather

P.S. If you didn't understand anything that I was referring to in this blog post. DON'T WORRY! Most people aren't the insane old film nerds that I am. These are the people your grandparents grew up watching. Yeah. I know...

Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

2011-06-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

Victoria got her Ra today!

Rah Rah! Err. Ra Ra!

And now she looks ugly. Or like a romulan. (Same thing.)

But even more so when she is a victim of the creepy wings glitch!

Heather/Victoria

Spider Web Castle

2011-06-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

Here it is folks. A tour of my finally finished MFP! I was mostly inspired by the gorgeous palaces of Japan, and their temples and shrines.

There is closed captioning for the hearing impaired wizards. I recommend using full screen with them though, they are kind of long. And please forgive me if they are kind of hard to read. I talk a lot and it was my first time doing them.

Enjoy!

If you are interested in Japanese history I recommend Modern Japan: A History in Documents and also the TV mini-series Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire and Seven Samurai! Nah I'm kidding. Kurosawa is an awesome film-maker, but he's not really educational (ten points if you got the other reference in the post). ^_^

~Heather

Weekend Progress

2011-06-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

I made loads of progress this weekend. Including:

turning into a raven!

Getting a pet quest from my prof!

Kickin' some bad guy boo-tay!

Getting my froggy pet!

Completing Wintertusk with John and Isaac!

Using exclamation points!!!

And I finally finished decorating my MFP. I am going to make a video tour. It is awesome. Just sayin'.

~Heather

Great minds...

2011-06-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

Think alike!

~Heather

"Meanwhile, We Dig..."

2011-06-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

Petapalooza. You're probably asking yourself what the big deal is. Normally I wouldn't be able to give you a good reason why it is getting so much attention. However, this time I can!

The wonderful #twizards discovered that in honor of petapalooza, KI Free Games and Wizblox have been updated with a new loot table! (Clicky-clicky to see!) This loot table includes mega snacks. You heard me. Mega snacks. That's enough to make anyone love Doodle Dug (aka the Great Escape game) at least a bit.

Also featured in the new loot table are some pets. Like the Death scarab, FOG unicorn, and Lighting Beetle.

While you have to play a lot of games to get all the cool loot you probably are drooling for at this point, think of it this way: you can sell all those extra pet snacks and cash in. Are you seeing gold yet?

Alright. Don't just stand there! Go go go! Get digging! Or dueling. Or block-matching (?).

~Heather

Surprises

2011-06-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

Last night on Twitter I said I had a surprise for you. Well here it is. I started a new Wizard101 fan-fiction for your entertainment pleasure. I hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I am enjoying writing it. Without further ado, I give you:

The Adventures of Tristan Shadow: Thief

Rain poured down. The cobblestone streets were slippery under Tristan’s soft leather boots. He pulled his collar up around his shoulders in a vain attempt to keep some of the rain off of his neck. A bobby stood on the corner of Houndslow and Digdowns, looking thoroughly soaked and miserable. Tristan hurried up the side street. The bobby watched him go by, wishing that he too could retreat to come place of shelter on this dismal night. Tristan’s footsteps came to a stop in front of a large steamy windowed shop. Above hung a sign that declared the shop: Mr. Burt’s, bones and biscuits. Tristan took an empty envelope out of his pocket. He glanced at the writing on the back, hurrying as the rain blurred the ink. Assured that he was indeed in the right location, he grasped the brass door knob firmly and entered.

The room was warm, dimly lit, and all the people sitting around in squishy armchairs, or at little tables, looked quite content to be waiting out the storm in such an agreeable location. At the back of the shop there was a large intricately carved and polished oak counter. Tristan walked up to the counter and perched himself on one of the plush stools. The bartender walked over. “What can I get ya mate?” he asked in a think marleybone accent. “A mug of hot apple cider,” Tristan said. “Comin’ right up!” said the bartender jauntily, and busied himself with making the drink. Tristan looked around the shop. All the groups sitting around were busy talking with their own parties. The only person out of place was a young woman with long dark brown hair, sitting at the other end of the counter, sipping hot cocoa. “’ere you are!” Suddenly a tankard of steaming, cinnamon smelling cider was placed in front of Tristan. “Thanks,” he said, and wrapped his hands around the warm mug. “That should warm ya up. Don’t want to get a chill on a ‘orrible night like this.” Tristan nodded and took a sip of the hot drink. After letting the hot liquid warm him down to his toes, he spoke to the bartender. “I was wondering if you would tell me something.” “I’ll try me best,” the bartender said as he leaned over the counter to listen to his customer’s question. “Does a lady by the name of Wind work here?” The barkeep shook his head. “Got ‘erself the sack she did. She was always nicking root-beer outta the cellar, see?” Tristan paused. “Thanks,” he said, pulled a few gold pieces out of his pocket and left them on the counter. He walked swiftly out of Mr. Burt’s, back into the gale. He pulled his wide brimmed hat down, and started walking.

He didn’t pass anyone in the square, but by the time he had gotten to Fleabridge avenue he was sure he could hear an extra set of footsteps. He paused. So did the footsteps. Wondering if he had only imagined the footsteps, believing that this whole affair was getting on his nerves, he plodded on. He soon came to the entrance to Digmoore Station. He got in the lift, and as it rattled to a stop, Tristan spied a small conglomeration of airship passengers waiting for their flights. As the metal grate clattered and slid out of the way, he stepped out of the life and made his way to the side of the station. Descending a small flight of stairs and pushing open an old wooden door.

Air Dale’s was packed, and Tristan had a hard time finding a seat. As he sat down at a small table in the right hand corner of the room, the crowd let out a great cheer. Tristan tried to look past the crowd to see what all the commotion was about, but the mass of cloaks, capes and full skirts was too dense to see through. Moments later the crowd quieted down, there was a jingle of piano keys, then a light trilling voice began to sing:

Everyone delights to spend their summer’s holiday

Down beside the side of the silvery sea…

From out of the crowd strode a lady wearing a violently pink dress and a large black feather boa. Atop her head was a whimsical hat, consisting mostly of a large black dove about to take off in flight, and a cascade of silk roses. She continued her singing, smiling and meandering through the crowd. She waved her boa and the crowd joined her in singing the chorus. She smiled and nodded encouragingly as they finished off: “Beside the seaside! Beside the sea!” The lady in pink twirled around and found herself facing Tristan. Her bubbly smile evaporated. She viewed him warily as she began the second verse:

William Sykes the burglar,

He’d been out to work one night

Filled his bag with jewels, cash, and plate…

Tristan nodded. The lady jerked her head towards a door at the back of the room. Tristan got up and slowly made his way towards the door. He opened it and found himself in a dingy hallway. On one of the doors a paper star, messily cut out hat been pasted. Tristan opened the door and entered the closet sized dressing room. It was poorly lit by one oil lamp, but it was tidy. Tristan was about to pick up a framed photograph on the dressing table and read the inscription on it when there was a muffled cheer and the door flew open. The lady came in, her hat looked almost sinister in the lamp-light. “Tristan Shadow,” she said. “I’d have thought you’d be sitting pretty by now.” “That’s interesting,” replied Tristan. “What makes you think that?” “Oh,” said the lady coyly, taking off her hat, “just something I heard from a friend.” “I see—and did your friend mention anything else?” “Not that I recall,” she said sweetly. Tristan switched approaches, “I liked that song you were singing.” “Really?” “Yep. Particularly the part about the thief,” he said smiling. “I thought you’d like that,” she said with a tinkling laugh. “Where is she Fiona?” Tristan said, still smiling. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Fiona said quickly turning away, and straightening the dressing table. “Where’s Wind Fiona?” Tristan said more firmly. “I know you know where she is. There’s no use denying that you two are best friends.” Fiona looked at him critically. His determination was unmistakable. “She’s not here anymore,” she said at last. “Wind heard you were coming and she cut and run.” “Where did she go?”asked Tristan, a touch of impatience in his voice. “Why should I tell you?” asked Fiona skeptically. “Because, she took it. And I need it back,” Tristan replied simply. “It is far more powerful than even I imagined.” Fiona stood there under Tristan’s hard gaze for a minute then said reluctantly, “She’s gone to work for the mander called ‘Hanif’ in Krokland.” Tristan nodded curtly. “Thanks Fiona.” He made to leave, and was just opening the door when Fiona called out, “She doesn’t have it you know.” Tristan whipped around. Fiona looked smug. “Sold it.” “To whom?” he asked a tenor of panic in his voice. Fiona shook her head. “You’ll have to ask her that yourself.” Tristan’s expression hardened and he left Fiona laughing to herself in the lamp-light.

A Hole in the Bottom of Crab Alley

2011-06-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

So. Water Works. Yeah. I think everyone has done it probably five times over by now. Anyway! My two besties and I decided, let's do WW just the three of us, without looking at any guide or anything! Woo!

Eventually, we figured it out. I am so proud of us, that we only failed once! It's just like the good ol' days. I haven't been sent to the commons in gosh only knows when.

It took us about ... three hours? Yep.

"Prepare for trouble, and make it double!"

Fear. The. Elf.

But we finally defeated Mr. Big.

I sincerely hope that we have.

I got my crazy super-hero/Lucha Libre mask. And did a victory dance.

Come on! Everybody do it! You put your left foot in...

Please give a big round of applause for my friends Eli and Jeremy! Yay!

Now to figure out how to do it right...

Summer Reading

2011-06-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Finally we are seeing some of that awesome summer weather. Well that got me thinking about beaches, and sunscreen, and ice-cream, and cold sodas, and lazy days. And books! I love a good summer read, don't you? I thought I'd share some of my favorite books with you. Be forewarned I love mysteries, so if you're not into that you'll probably not like what I've suggested. Also, some of these are young people novels but some are adult (but looking at young people novels these days you probably couldn't tell the difference anyway!). Ready? "Allons-y!"

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

One of the most famous detectives of all time; a great collection of Sherlock's tales.

The Séance by Inian Lawrence
There's murder and trickery are afoot when Houdini comes to town. One of my favorite mystery/thrillers.

The Princess Tales by Gail Carson Levine
Everyone loves a mixed up fairy tale right? Well these are some of the best.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Oh Narnia. I love that magical world. I grew up reading these books, and Wardrobe is my all time favorite.

A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck
This is my favorite book on my bookshelf. Short-stories about two kids' adventures with their kooky grandma in depression era rural Illinois. I read these over, and over, and over!

The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham
This book was written in1929, and boy does it sound like it. Murder, intrigue, a daring escape! One of my new favorite detectives, Albert Campion (known to be a pseudonym) makes his first sparkling appearance.

How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life by Melissa Hellstern
I got this book for my birthday. A lovely view at the life of Audrey, and full of lovely pictures

~Heather

Get Ready for a Ghoulishly Good Time

2011-05-29T20:40:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for this?

Are you ready to party like there's no tomorrow?

I hope you are because the biggest event of the year is just around the corner.

That's right witches and wizards, the Ravenwood Ball is coming up on June 25th!

Mark your calenders for June 25th at 6pm Central time (that's 7pm eastern, and 4pm pacific, folks!).

And apparently there is going to be a web of mini-parties to attend. Sounds like loads of party hopping fun to me! The wonderful Ms. Fallon ShadowBlade has pulled out all the stops, and has a GIANT loot bag to top it all off. Do check it out.

For the complete story, please check out diaryofawizard.com.

So what are you waiting for? Time to brush off the top hat and spats. Get ready to boogie. The party of the year has arrived.

~Heather

Into the Woods

2011-05-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

The only Wizard I have played through GH on is Heather. So she can go off and do Wintertusk-ness.

But everybody else...

did anybody see my picnic basket?

Heather/Victoria

Thinking of You

2011-05-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

After a long hiatus (mostly because of school commitments), I'm starting to think more and more about my beloved Wizard101 community. So I'm just taking a moment to let you all know that I'm thinking of you, and that I am playing in Wizard101 again. If you see me, port over and say hi! :)
So until I have something to talk about....
random pictures!

~Heather

The House of Raven

2011-04-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

I have a friend that plays Wizard101. He currently has gotten all the characters in his charge up to legendary.

If there is one thing he hates about Wizard101 it's the level 58 outfits.

We both agree that they look like a romulan outfit.

(Resemblance? I think so.)

Well since romulans aren't known for their fashion sense, my friend asked me to find some outfits that he could stitch his 58 clothes into.

Since I love the outfits in wizard101 I said, "sounds groovy" and designed four (if I must say so myself) smashing outfits for his characters.

The House of Raven presents --

" f e d e r a t i o n "

spring collection

men's wear

I no longer have to edit my friends out of screenies. This can only be a good thing.

~Heather

Nevermore

2011-04-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

Nevermore will I be able to call Lenora little.

Because yesterday, she faced Malistaire, and with a big "OH SNAP!" defeated him.

But then she had to go do some stinkin' side quests. How come I never level up at Mali?

But she leveled up really quickly. WHAM!

So now when she randomly stands around in the pet hatchery, she looks awesome!

I can see her hair! It's been so long...

Lenora/Heather

"It's Dead Jim!"

2011-04-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

My wizard101 life has been kind of dead for the last four weeks. Why? Well...

WARNING: Reading this explanation may make readers confused, be-muddled, or ticklish. Excessive use of the word "like" follows. First I was like so overwhelmed with schoolwork, I had so much work it was like I was a week behind but actually I was ahead. Then I got to write a really awesome paper that required watching excessive amounts of awesome people run around and be awesome. And Dr. Strangelove. Then I was like "Hey! Twelve pages isn't enough!" So then I got super sick. I mean like, I couldn't even play wizard101, sick. It was nasty. Then all of my family got it. Then we're all wheezing, and I'm trying to pick what to take next quarter. And my schedule is like, "Oh you only get ten days for break. Word." Nice. And because I want to be a superstar someday, I was trying to sing and not cough all over everyone. Then I'm like, "woot! In a musical with hyper people! Yay?" So we all started feeling better, and I was all into Moshi Monsters. That game is too cute for itself. Then my brother and I were sitting in front of the television going "what do you wanna watch. I dunno..." and I randomly put on Bonanza, and then we became like totally obsesed. We agreed that if we were in Bonanza I would have a Appaloosa, and he would have a blue roan. Then I would not shut up with the quote from M*A*S*H*: "it's got the three things that make a movie great. Horses. Cowboys. And Horses." But now I've moved on to randomly blurting out "WINDMILLS!" Much to my brother's chagrin. Then I was like, whatever happened to my life on the Herinteractive forums? Huh? So I revamped my sig shop over there. And I was so happy because I really like it over there. It's really controlled, so it's sorta limiting, but there isn't a lot of drama. And I'm writing an alternative ending to Trail of the Twister! It's really epic. Then I was really in a creative writing phase, and also a hound dog my brother and make him listen to my writing phase as well. Then he got all bored and decided to go off and watch James Bond. And meanwhile the quarter was starting and I was starting to freak out about all that good stuff. And I was learning all about Japan, and I was like "Hey look! A torii!" Then I went out and got an episode of an old television show where they go to a Shinto shrine, and kept pausing and going: "OOh, shimenawa! Buddhist influence. Get out of the way, I want to see the front of that building!" And then in my other class I learned that I am not really a raging feminist, which I find surprising. And yesterday I learned how to tango. And learned that you're supposed to bring sensible shoes to change out of when you're finished dancing. UH! If we had been spying I would have been so on it, but dancing? puh-lease. Then I was all like: "Adam is so cool! He's the smart one!" And my brother was like: "He's just an extension of Pa." And I rebutted: "Yeah, therefore he's awesome because Pa is awesome." And I learned how to play Crambo, which I also learned is really hard. Rhymes with "bat", only like twenty words! Geez! Then I was reminded of how much Simon and Garfunkel rock my socks off. And nobody wanted to watch Stagecoach with me. Sad panda face. WINDMILLS.

So yeah I think I'm going to be working on Wizard101 a bit more. You've probably noticed the "mount-a-palooza". And the roaming mounts. And the pets. Frog. Pet. Where. 58? I DON'T KNOW!

I have only one question. What is this totally freaking awesomely amazing pet, and where can I get my hands on one for me?

I leave you with this profound thought:
"You can fool all of the people some of the time,
and some of the people all of the time,
and those are very good odds."

~Heather

Monster Mash

2011-03-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. Forgive my absence, I'm wrapping up a really busy time in my life, and heading into yet another. That said, I haven't really had time to play much Wizard101. I've managed to keep my garden alive and sneak in a bit of leveling on my alts but nothing worth posting.

One thing new and interesting that I have to share is not about Wizard101, but Moshi Monsters. I won A2Z's gardening contest, and one of the prizes is a 3-day Moshi membership, so I figured I better hop on Moshi Monsters and figure it out. Oh. My. Gosh. THE CUTENESS! I don't always know exactly what I'm doing, but hey! at least I'm looking stinkin' cute while I'm doing it!
You all have to come and visit me and Razzi (my cutie little monster)! www.MoshiMe.com/wanderingconjurer

Power to the cuteness!

~Heather

BAM!

2011-02-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

Now... How am I going to decorate it?

~Heather

e p i c

2011-02-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

*does happy dance*

Now to get spell proof and spritely onto the same pet...

Kestrel/Heather

Oh You Beautiful Doll

2011-02-15T09:43:00.000-08:00

A couple days ago Lenora (FINALLY) leveled up to 48!

So Dworgyn sent me on the quest for Scarecrow.

It was very "vodo".

So I made my little scarecrow dolly and summoned scarecrow.
It freaked out a couple people. WOOT! I AM SO SCARY!

Yay! An AOE! HOORAY!

I also got a new Wraith pet. Which was only slightly cool, because then I had to wait 18 hours to actually get it.

Now Lenora is a big kid. She's got an AOE. She's got an awesome new pet. She's got a honkin' sword.

Level 50, here I come!

Lenora/Heather

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's day all! I'm not doing anything romantic or special today, mostly working, and killing spiders in the Crystal Grove. Hehe. But if you are, you might want to print out some of these! They're Wizard101 themed print out Valentines. I made them myself. I designed them to be like the kind you can get at a drugstore. Very corny. :) To print them out, click on the tab "file", then click on "Print (PDF)". This way it will be all neat and tidy.

What ever you're doing this Valentine's day have a great day!

~Heather

Fish n Chips

2011-02-11T06:34:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, you're spending most of your time in Wizard101 in the Lunarium searching for pearls.

Don't forget this little beauty of a quest that I rediscovered when I was working on Kestrel.

It's called... "Keep Clam". *giggle*

Rutherford West in the Survey Camp is where you can pick it up.

It's got some lovely rewards!

Now, why do I have a hankering for clam chowder?

~Heather

Slapdash

2011-02-10T17:48:00.000-08:00

Up here's a slapdash of updates from Wizard101.

I downloaded the Test Realm on my laptop and everything was loading up.

Here's a screenie.

Hehe!

I started gardening on my alt Vicky. I want to get her up to Prickly Bear level (4). :) They are the bestest.

Oh and she also got a new holiday wand from Mr. Oni.

I call it her "pea-shooter". It's too small to actually look like a crossbow. It's a pea-shooter!

Miss Darby got to level 20! Okay, this happened weeks ago, but still! It's a big milestone.

Yay for her new princess outfit!

Oh and I'm getting close to finishing up crafting for the CL observatory. (I hope they don't change anything. That would totally suck at this point.)

Gus is so happy! Look! He did a backflip!

All I need to make is 6 crystal street lamps. Woot! I'm on a role!

~Heather

Crafting Maniac

2011-02-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

I had a really good time playing PvP last night. Before we got started, I got some tips (thank you Kevin) that really helped me out.

I actually helped win a couple matches! Woot! New experience!

Will you be seeing me competing in the ranked matches anytime soon? Probably not. I don't really have a lot of time for the epic 4v4 warlord 6 hours battles. But I'll probably be jumping into the friendly MFP match a lot more. Which is good, because its another way for me to hang with my friends. :) And now I'm not freaking out about having a PvP ring in my house anymore. LOL!

In other news, crafting is going really well!

Here's what I've crafted so far, assembled in my dorm:

2 star icons, 2 sprig trees, 5 star chalices, 2 sconces.

Pretty good eh? Then I'll need to go get the 75k gold. Oof. That will be difficult. I'm really bad at saving gold. And I need a new super awesome farming spot, since I don't have one currently.

So it looks like I've got some more work to do. Better get to it!

~Heather

The Chalice for the Palace...

2011-02-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

As most of you probably know, I have decided to take the plunge and craft the new Celestial observatory.

Wow, have you seen Kevin's crafting list for this house?

Yeah it's a "project".

So I'm starting off with the Star Chalices because you need the most of them (8).

I crafted my first one a few days ago.

I really like it! It's so... "hooray for Hollywood"!

Plus it's a chalice!

Huzzah for chalices!

~Heather

Nargle Crossing

2011-02-03T16:58:00.000-08:00

Kestrel posted earlier about the new subscriber benefits and some other things.
I'd like to address the new subscriber benefits too.

I'm a subscriber. I like being a subscriber. I also really like playing with crowns players. I have nothing what so ever against them. That said, I think the new subscriber updates are a good thing. I mean, there currently is no benefit to being a member except ranked PvP and Derby (which a lot of people don't do).

So I like that we get a little bonus for paying more for the game over time. Also these benefits are minor. I mean we've all survived without them for almost two years. So it's not like suddenly subscribers have this HUGE advantage over everyone else in the game. That would be bad. So overall I think its a smart update.

And that's my opinion.
~Heather

New orthrus animation

2011-02-02T10:34:00.000-08:00

My good friend Alric mentioned this morning that there was a new animation for orthrus on the test realm.
Naturally I rushed over to see what the new animation looked like.
I took a video of the new animation in action.

What do you think? Do you like it better, or do you prefer the old animation?

~Heather

Garden Party

2011-02-01T16:50:00.000-08:00

Amber and Donna and I had a lovely afternoon chat in the garden.

So ladylike, so refined.

~Heather

P.S.

Oh. Are you suprised I'm not dead? Me too.

92

2011-01-17T18:32:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry for not posting guys and gals. I'd really like to be spending more time this way, but I simply cannot! Heeeeeeeelp! Heeeeeeelp! I'm drowning in homework!

Well anyway, today when I was logging in to take care of my plants, I saw this:

GASP! ...I need more crowns now.

But I bit the bullet and bought the Ninja Pig suit I've been drooling over since I saw it two Halloweens ago.

"HiYA!"

So now I have 92 crowns left.

Epic. Ness.

~Heather

Guide to Common Acronyms and Phrases

2011-01-10T06:15:00.000-08:00

Why I'm making this I have no idea, because you can find one of these practically everywhere. I dunno, maybe I felt that because I had such a hard time with all the lingo when I first entered the spiral I should help out other people who might not understand. Well anyway, here goes!

PLOX = Peace, Loot or Experience (XP). More commonly known in the spiral as Pets, Loot or XP.
LOL = Laughing out loud/Lots of laughs a general display of laughter and enjoyment.
ROFL = Rolling on the floor laughing.
IDK = I don't know.
IKR = I know right!
IMO = In my opinion.
IMHO = In my humble opinion. Or, In my honest opinion.
AFK = Away from keyboard.
BRB = Be right back. Could be you leaving your computer or you leaving momentarily in game.
MIA = Missing in action.
ITS = In the spiral. Logging/logged onto Wizard101.
ITO = In the office.
TR = Test realm.
TP = Training points. No really. STOP LAUGHING!
TTYL = Talk to you later.
TTFN = Ta Ta for now.
WB = Welcome back.
TY = Thank you.
THNX/THX = Thanks.
YW = Your welcome.
NP = No problem.
AOE = Area of Effect, a spell that effects all enemies.
DOT = Damage over time, a spell that does damage over multiple rounds.
PVP = Player versus player.
PVE = Play versus environment. When your playing against the game.
WC = Wizard City.
KT = Krokotopia.
Krok = Krokotopia.
MB = Marleybone.
MS = Mooshu.
DS = Dragonspyre.
CL = Celestia.
ToS or TotS = Trial of Spheres, the final dungeon in Celestia.
GM = Grandmaster.
LG = Legendary.
OJ = Orange Juice.

If you've got any other good one's to add that I've overlooked just comment and I'll put it in. :) (But only if it's appropriate guys.)
~Heather

Tour of Kestrel's Krokotopia House

2011-01-09T06:24:00.000-08:00

I mentioned making a tour of Kestrel's house ages ago, and yesterday I finally got around to making it.
WARNING: The following video contains blathering, which made cause a serious case of the giggles by viewers.

Well I hope you enjoyed it. Or at least got a laugh out of me blathering on. That's good too.
Kestrel/Heather

Just keep digging...

2011-01-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

Okay this is old news, but have you all been over to KI Free Games yet? Its KI's own site where you can play mini games from Wizard101 and win prize codes! Yay! Of course, you can always play Wizardblox on the itouch/iphone (which is what I do), but if you don't have one of those nifty gadgets this is a great way to get some free loot!
There are three different games you can play: Dueling Diego (which I stink at), Sorcery Stones (which I stink at on the computer, I can do it on the ipod for some reason) and Doodle Dug (which I really stink at). I wish I wasn't so bad at Doodle Dug because Fallon put through on twitter:

"@diaryofawizard Tip: To win elixirs from http://kifreegames.com your best bet is Doodle Dug! 25k+ usually gives Damage, Health or Regeneration #wizard101"

When ever I play Dug, I think of The Great Escape. You know, all those tunnels? Well then I start humming the theme song, and quoting some of the more memorable lines ("It's indecently brilliant!") and talking in a funny British accent and cursing Mac for killing Illya, and exclaiming at how cute Bret was. Well all that distraction kind of gets in the way of my concentration.

But if you are good at tunneling you should try it out! You could get some cool stuff!
~Heather

To Jessica:

2011-01-07T14:35:00.000-08:00

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Jessica-- Happy birthday to you!"

I think all I have to say is summed up nicely by porky.

Okay minus the blowing up part. xD

Thanks for getting me into blogging, and continuing to have one of the best Wizard101 blogs out there.

(Oh and by the way you can't say that everyone always forgets your birthday, I remembered last year! Remember?)

Thanks for being such an awesome friend. I hope you have a fantastic birthday and a superb year!

Much love,

Heather

Not a flashlight

2011-01-07T10:24:00.000-08:00

I really like the new spyglass wand design in Celestia. That and the cutlasses! So epic!

So of course when I got to level 55, I went to the bazaar and bought a Insightful Spyglass.

Oh I really liked it.

Then one day I was playing with my friends and we had just finished a battle and we were chatting. Well one of my friends looked at me and said, "Oh look! A flashlight!"

... *facepalm*

It's not a flashlight, its a spyglass!

It's a spyglass. Spyglasses are cool.

So I was sitting there suffering, no one realized the true awesomeness of my wand. *sob*

So I decided to craft a new one.

Yes I said craft. You can get wand recipes on the Floating Land in Celestia.

They are actually rather lame wands. They do less damage, have less critical rating, and don't have the sparkle that the dropped wands do. Actually the first time I saw them I thought, well that is stupid. Who is going to spend a ton of time and reagents for a wand that is lame-er than the wands you can easily farm for or buy at the bazaar? The people who want their wands to be recognized as a spyglass and not a flashlight I guess.

Spyglass FTW.

So now I have a wand that is most definitely a spyglass. Yay! I feel better now...

~Heather

The Death Ninja and Dragonspyre

2011-01-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

After overcoming my Dragonspyre block, I have started working on Lenora again (whom I refer to in my head as "the death ninja" because of her cat/ninja mask she wore throughout Mooshu).

Well yesterday I zoomed through the Tower Archives, and got all the glow sticks glowin'.

Then we zipped over to the Plaza. Or as I like to say "DAS PLAZA!" I don't really know why but the German accent seems to really work there. My brain is so random some times.

In "DAS PLAZA", Laszlo gave Lenora the experience she needed to level up! Yay! So now she's 45, the level of fashion disaster. Although Lenora doesn't look too bad.

I think that butt-kickin' sword and epic pet have something to do with it.

Lenora/Heather

So Crafty

2011-01-05T03:43:00.000-08:00

If you've ever tried crafting beyond Krokotopia, you probably have encountered every crafter's bane. Black Lotus. It's evil. Pure and simple. The problem is that you often need it for crafting quests. Or for something really cool that you want to craft. Well unless you're going to drop thousands of gold at the bazaar sniping them whenever you can find them, you're probably going to resort to farming for them. "Where do I go?" you're asking (or maybe you're singing if you're familiar with Hair). Well it just so happens that I have my very own top-secret black lotus farming route! Today it becomes top-secret no longer! Because I'm going to share it with all of you my readers. Yeah, not sure how wise this is, but I'm doing it anyway.

This route takes place in the Tatakai Outpost a long time ago in a Galaxy far, far---oh wait. That's Star Wars.

Well there you have it. I have relieved my greatest crafting secret to you. Use it wisely young wizard.

~Heather

The Greenhouse Effect

2011-01-04T19:54:00.000-08:00

I don't know where you keep you're garden, but personally I'm keeping mine in the greenhouse in my Royal Estate (the big MB house).

I have learned a few things about making this space more efficient.

Mainly:

Use pots not plots.

When you make a plot (of whatever size) in your greenhouse rows, you only have enough room for one row.

Like so:

Silver Trumpet Vines, in medium sized plots.

However, you're greenhouse rows actually have room enough for two side-by-side pots!

Like so:

Two empty medium pots.

This is also true of the small sized pots as well.

Pink Dandelions in small pots.

Of course if you want to be really efficient you'll arrange you're pots in a hexagon or something. I haven't really explored that yet. For now, keeping my garden confined to my greenhouse is just right for me.

~Heather

Keep it cool

2011-01-03T12:25:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned lately how much I like my ice wizard, Darby?

I mean, look at her!

She's so cute!

Well, except for when Gloria gives her ugly clothes...

I really like playing ice. This whole not dieing thing--rocks.

Darby/Heather

Trashing Treasure Cards

2011-01-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, you don't use treasure cards all that much.

The occasional Satyr when you're in trouble and you don't have one in your hand is about all the usage your treasure card deck gets.

Well now with gardening and Celestia, we're getting a lot more treasure cards.

In fact I keep maxing out my treasure card deck (or if you want to call it by it's proper name: "vault").

Well you can get rid of treasure cards you aren't using a couple different ways. First off, you can go to the Bazaar and sell them. You can only see non-enchanted cards though. Not really practical if you have a lot of enchanted ones. If you have a lot of enchanted ones or ones you cannot sell at the Bazaar like moon treasure cards, you'll have to "trash" them. You can do this by right clicking on the card...

...then a little window will pop up asking you to confirm.

You can rid yourself of all your unwanted, unused treasure cards and Harold Argleston's face popping up every time you get a new treasure card.

~Heather

Children of the Resolutions

2011-01-01T10:12:00.000-08:00

New Years resolutions. Can't live with 'em. Can't live... Well I could live without 'em, but anyway. My resolutions! Here they are (the in-game ones, you probably don't want to hear all my boring real-life goals) in no particular order:

1. Spend a week without using text-chat. <- Why? Because I can. It's good to step into other people's shoes. I think might blog these adventures too.

2. Finish decorating my MFP. <- This will take forever. Can I complete my house in only one year?!

3. Hold a huge party in my completed MFP. <- Sounds easy, but is much harder than you think. I've had little success hosting events in the past. Maybe I'll be able to actually hold a real party this time.

4. Get another one of my wizards to legendary. <- This will probably be Victoria. Or maybe Kestrel. I dunno I really love Ra so I'll most likely be working on Vicky. Yes I call her "Vicky" in my head. I'm just typing it this time.

5. Get another of my wizards to Grandmaster. <- 99% sure this will be Lenora. She's already 44. I just have to get over my Dragonspyre block.

6. At least start crafting a Watch Tower Hall. <- I love this house. I really do! I am just really intimidated by all the work it will be. Crafting one stepping stone does count as starting. I am banking on that.

7. Continue to work on always being as polite as I can to the other people in the game. <- Yeah... do unto others... and all that jazz...

8. Work on keeping my mouth shut when people are out to bug other players. <- Yeah. Ahem. I need to work on not getting involved in unnecessary drama. It is... well, unnecessary!

9. I want to work on being a support player. And helping others and being generous. <- I'm hoping this will come back to me tenfold. Nah I'm kidding.

10. Remembering that this is a game and I do this for fun! <- This one's a toughie!

Well that's all I got for this year. Happy New Year once again.
~Heather

The Year in Review! (echoes iew iew iew)

2010-12-31T11:23:00.000-08:00

Thanks Mistheart. ;)

Well I'd say that this a been a pretty good year! Let's review my resolutions for 2010, shall we?

To get Victoria to be a grandmaster

Mission accomplished: January 4th, 2010

To have one of my other wizards be a grandmaster

Mission accomplished: May 12th, 2010

To finish all of my crafting tasks as Heather AND Victoria

Mission more than half way done.

Heather completed Master Artisan on February 16th, 2010 and Grandmaster Artisan on December 12th, 2010. As for Victoria.... weeeeell she's one quest away from becoming a Master. But I decided that all those Black Pearls would be better spent on crafting things for my new house. (More on that later.) So she's on hold for a while.

To read a fan fiction story

Mission accomplished. I've read some fan-fictions this year. I couldn't really name specifics...
To write a fan fiction story
Mission accomplished: January 26th, 2010
Legend of the Death Shark plus I started another longer fan fic: The Wandering Conjurer. Err... that one is yet to be completed.

And that's just the tip of the iceburg! Good heavens. I did a lot this year. I got to work on the petnome team. I got to legendary and got Medusa. I hit the one year mark for both playing Wizard101 and blogging. I met a whole herd of great people, and I had a whole bunch of fun. Thanks everyone to contributed to a wonderful year. Here's to another fantastic one!
~Heather

Debriefing

2010-12-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

Happy second day of Kwanzaa! And late boxing day!

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday break! Even if you don't celebrate Christmas it's nice to have a break, eh? :)
Well... Want to hear what I got? Of course you do. Hehe.
I got some really awesome Motown tunes (The Supremes, The Four Tops, The Temptations.) and Paul Simon. I got a book about Jane Austen and tea time... yeah not really sure what thats about quite yet, and the anthology I was published in. I got a cool t-shirt with the planet Venus on it. Oh yeah and a season of Doctor Who, a season of ISpy, and Rear Window. Love that movie. I also got this really spiffy Star Trek calender for 2011! I <3 it! It's so cute!
I got a really fun new board game. I don't think you know this but I love board games! I used to pwn at Monopoly and Clue. My friend got me this one and it's called, "Ticket to Ride: Europe". It kind of reminds me of Castle Risk, but shorter, and with trains! I've beaten my friend two times already. Its really cool and I highly recommend it. :)
I also got a Double wide gift card. FINALLY! Okay, I've been wanting this one forEVER. I'm really liking my griffin mount so far. His name is Chucky. I also have a lot of work to do on my ginormous house. I need to craft a bunch of furniture now.
I got a reeeeeeaaaaaally cool new laptop too! :D It's all black and shiny. The first two things I installed: Itunes and Wizard101. To heck with MS word! I want me some wizards!

Did everyone have a good holiday?

~Heather

A gift for the team

2010-12-24T05:08:00.000-08:00

This is a little something I made for all the people who are and were, part of the Petnome team. You guys and gals are awesome! Thank you so much! Its a pleasure working with you. :)

This is for you all, think of it as a little holiday card.

Happy Holidays.

~Heather

Hickory Dickory Dock

2010-12-22T15:29:00.000-08:00

I have this love/hate relationship with crafting.

Some days, I love it.

A while back, I had one of those days.

I took a trip to the best crafting anvil ever...

...and made myself a clock!

Oh I really like it. It even has a tick-tock sound effect! I can hear it practically all throughout my house!

~Heather

Party Human

2010-12-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

Let's face it. I'm a party human.

Here are some party pictures I've been meaning to get up forever.

Mythspent Youth's:

Lisa's myth statues.

Cheese!

Lisa's awesome garden.

"I am invisible."

The Piggle Rally:

Leesha and I sporting piggles.

A rally cry to piggle activists everywhere.

Leesha hops in.

Hehe! :)

When is the next shindig? I'm ready to roll!

~Heather

My Super Fantastic Day

2010-12-15T15:01:00.000-08:00

Today has been awesome! Let's recap shall we?

1. I got into another play, in which I get to play a really cute role (It's rather Laura Petrie if you know that character. "OH ROB!")

2. I got spritely! Yep! I've been trying to get it for months on all kinds of different pets. And this morning I finally got it on Gus my Sea Turtle pet I won for best costume this Halloween. Thanks Ms. Paige!

3. I got my grades back today. I'm a straight A student! Yay me! hehe.

4. I'm sporting a new look, and I'm loving it. Hmm, why do I want french fries all of a sudden?

Anyway, I'm having an awesome day! And know what the best part is?

Its not even over yet!

~Heather

A break from my break

2010-12-12T10:31:00.000-08:00

Well my wizardly friends. I am officially on break (which in my mind is WAY too short. Just three weeks?). And for the first few days I've felt like I really don't want to play wizard101. Wizards makes my brain work, and I couldn't think of anything that I wanted to do less. Fortunately that "flop on the sofa and watch all the Sherlock Holmes I could get my hands on and a little Voyager but not so much because its kind of depressing and try not to eat too much chocolate" phase is over and I'm back on a wizard kick. Which mostly consisting of farming because I am low on gold on all of my girls (How can that be?). I'm dying to get a gift card for myself with a spiffy dragonblade card. But everyone keeps screaming at me "NOT BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!!" Alright already. On a side note, I'm back into Animal Crossing. I love that game. Oh where was I? I forget. Hmm. Well I guess I'll see you all in the spiral or something. Yeah yeah. Hopefully next time I post I'll be able to come up with something a wee bit more creative. ;P
~Heather

The Legendary Medusa

2010-12-05T17:52:00.000-08:00

Well yesterday I was able to find the time to procrastinate again, and I got around to beating Talos.

I used a few tips that my friend Arlen suggested. I used a minotaur minion and bought a level 60 life henchmen. The henchmen made all the difference in the world. Although she slowed things down quite a bit by constantly casting blades and traps and triggering Talos' cheater interruptions.

"Die frantic wretch for this accursed deed!"

Oops. My professor spellz reel good. :P

Medusa is sooooooooo awesome. I. love. her. Although, she's not all that Medusa-y. I mean the whole point of Medusa is that she turns people to stone right? So what's with the swords? It's awesome, it's just not very Medusa.

Oh and I also, like, got to legendary too.

It was rather unremarkable actually. It took me a long time to figure out I had leveled up! Heh.

I still have a ways to go until I finish Celestia though. I think Calypso is the next major boss I've got coming up. Then I start it all over again! I'm going to take Victoria though next. Ra calls me! :D

~Heather

Productive procrastination

2010-12-04T08:57:00.000-08:00

This upcoming week is finals week. I am so busy at the moment. I can't wait until it's all over.

I did get in a little time on wizards though!

I decided to go questing on Heather.

I got my Jellyfish pet! His name is Mister Tucker. Best jellyfish name ever!

Then I leveled up in the Lunarium. Woot ding! 57!

Then I got to the Science Center.

And met...

SCOTTIE!!!

Hehehe! It's Scottie! (Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott aka Scottie, from the original Star Trek.)

I'm going to be so sad to leave the Science Center, I can tell you that!

I quested a lot, and I hovered on the very edge of leveling up.

Of course, Scottie gave me the boost that I needed.

These are some of the best speech card... thingies, EVER!

I uh... haven't beaten Talos yet though. Wow, he's tough. Mostly because he's got more health than Malistare, and for a Myth person to solo that is a real challenge. I have gotten pretty close though, and I have a few ideas I'm going to try. Oh hey and before I forget, after doing a Orthrus on Talos, my orthrus pet cast a spell for the very first time! Yes! I shrieked with delight! It was only a myth trap though, (It didn't trigger his cheater-cheater thing either.) and he killed me on the next round. But it was still really cool!

Well, I really ought to go back to work. I'm over half-way through my writing, so I'll be seeing you really soon! Hopefully with Medusa. *crosses fingers*

~Heather

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Or if you prefer...

I hope you have a good, safe, holiday.
I'm thankful for being with my family, safe and warm.

~Heather

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2010-11-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

Hi guys and gals! I'm on snow/thanksgiving break. :)

So you might have heard about the test realm being up. Yup yup. Well it's all "Harvest Moon" over there in test realm land. Only it's like a mash-up of Farmville and Harvest Moon.

And did I mention there were gnomes?

Cassandra calls it the "gnome shrine". :)

Paige is the one with the really awesome garden.

I haven't really gotten that deep into farming/gardening yet, but I have learned a few things.

First, unlike two-year-olds, plants will tell you what they need.

So this plant needs some watering and music.

After you address one of it's needs, the message will go away.

Second, you can see plants needs at your friend's house.

Paige's shroom needs some music here.

So make sure all your plants are well taken care of before holding your garden party! Because if you don't, we'll all know that you're a slacker! Ha!

Personally I'm interested in this update, but it's a bit slow moving for me. We'll see though, maybe some plants give you really nice pet snacks! I could always use some more pet snacks.

Do you like the new update? And more importantly, how does YOUR garden grow?

~Heather

One-Quarter

2010-11-17T19:35:00.000-08:00

Hey hey hey!
Just a quick note to let you all know that I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. ("Curses! Foiled again!" OY!) I'm just in the depths of end-of-quarter drama. Wheeeeee. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And after that, the spiral will be one of the neglected areas that will get much love! Woot! It's been terrible not having that around. I miss you guys!
Well, I should go do some homework organization. Ugh. Can't wait for that to be over for a while! Anyway, what I mean to say is that if you don't see me around in the spiral for a bit, don't worry, I'm just trying to get finished faster.

~Heather

Welcome to Stormriven

2010-11-07T12:04:00.000-08:00

Woot! This morning I dinged level 55 and made it to Stormriven!

Check out the awesome new staff.

I really love it. I need to design a whole outfit around it. ;)

Not much else to report, just that I'm dying to get to level 58 to get my new spell now.

Medusa is really too awesome and I must have it. Right now!

~Heather

Where no wizard has gone before

2010-11-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

In Celestia I have been working in the District of the Stars. First I thought, "this is all very Dr. Who." But I've decided that it reminds me more of Star Trek.

This is totally a place where I could see the crew of Voyager exploring. I keep expecting to see Tom Paris around every corner. And I could have sworn I heard the familiar hum of a transporter. Well I'll keep my eyes open and let you know if I see anything. Hey look! It's the Enterprise--- oh wait that's a piece of coral...

~Heather

It's Thriller Time

2010-10-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

Well Halloween is upon us. A time when two of the scariest monsters roam the streets. Ghosts and Candy-Hungry-Small-Children. Terrifying! If you're like me and you're too old, or just too cool, to face the night, why not stay in and get spooked instead? I love mysteries, and thrillers, so I take the time every Halloween to get jumpy and watch some of my favorite spooky movies. I humbly submit a list of good movies to get you in the Halloween mood.

The Black Cat
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Sherlock Holmes: the Spider Woman
Arsenic and Old Lace
Charade
Hitchcock, any Hitchcock (some of my favorites are, North by Northwest, The Man Who Knew Too Much, The 39 Steps, Rear Window, Strangers on a Train, and Notorious.)
A good classic Film Noir (Key Largo, The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, any Bogart and Bacall would do nicely.)
Murder on the Orient Express
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein

Disclaimer: While all these movies are generally "age appropriate", they are designed for more sophisticated audience. (With the exception of Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.) What I'm trying to get at is if you have over-protective parents, which some of you do there's no shame in it, check with them first. Get it? Got it. Good.

Whatever you're doing this Halloween, have a (safe!) fun time! I hope you all get loads of loot. :)
~Heather

"Gulb-gulb GUBBITY!"

2010-10-29T16:29:00.000-07:00

(Celestian for Welcome to Celestia! (No not Heather is a smart alec.))

Unless you have been living under some rock or a pile of homework, you probably know that Celestia has finally come to the spiral! The crowd goes wild!
I know that I am probably not alone in saying that Celestia really confuses me.

Oh well I'm sure I'll figure it out. Oh hey before I forget go pick up a Seastar (or Starfish as it's called in game) pet! They've got some loverly talents for under 20,000 gold. Check out the Petnome page!

~Heather

Hello Goodbye

2010-10-26T18:54:00.000-07:00

Well kids this is the last time to "save the princess". Miss Selena is leaving the spiral.
I ran my final wizard through the quest, Darby. Ah the last time we shall see Miss Selena dancing.

...WOOHOO! Okay maybe that's a bit harsh, but Celestia is coming! And it's only coming after she leaves, so... See ya Selena!

Speaking of Celestia, I hear it's coming out tomorrow. Everyone keeps asking if I'm getting ready when I see them on the live realm. Eh, not really. I'm just going to go with the flow and ask the clever people a lot of questions. ;) Also,

I AM NOT GOING TO JUMP RIGHT ON THE LIVE REALM WHEN IT FIRST COMES OUT! I lost my Teddy that way. I'm not doing it again. I advise you to do the same. 'Cause you know what they say, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

Okay little rant is over. Besides that I can't wait for Celestia! :) The pets there are out of this world. Hehehe.

~Heather

Just in Time

2010-10-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

I did it!!!!

Lenora got her Death House! Just in time for Halloween!

Muhahahahahahahahahahahha.

Now to go decorate.

So awesome! I love this house!

Lenora/Heather