How much is too much?

After transferring to Nagrand and joining up with what I suppose one might call 'hardcore' I've come to a few realisations.

I prefer being casual.

I love raiding, don't get me wrong, but when I can't go out with friends, can't play sports after school, can't do anything, because 24 other people I don't even know are depending on me to push 6 buttons for four hours, it really makes me think, 'How much is too much?'. I don't regret transferring. I'm learning new things, I'm actually making progress (Al'ar down tonight), and I'm having fun while I raid. But I'm trying out for a university football team on wednesday (nfl football), and I was actually worried for a bit because it would break my 100% attendance; then I thought about it more. I'm 17 years old. I shouldn't be spending 68 hours a week playing a game with nobody that I know from school or other shit.

You ask other 17/18 year olds how they spent those years, they'll probably say;

Studying hard
Partying with friends
Playing sports

What do I say?

Playing an online game.

I'm sick of putting everything else out of the way to play this, I'm failing 4/7 classes at school, I don't play any sports when I'm not forced to, and I go out with friends on average once or twice a month. I need to get my shit straight and instead of wasting my time doing this crap.

68 hours a week. Lets assume I worked for 68 hours a week instead of this shit, and got paid minimum wage for it. It's around $43,000. If I sold my account? I'd be lucky to get $1000. Have I enjoyed the time spent on this? Yeah, I have. But I think I could be doing better, bigger things.

A lot will come down to this football team, if I get on, my attendance will drop to 50%, which is below the minimum, so I may be kicked. But will I regret it?

Fuck no.

Leaving Alexstrasza.

It was a big decision for me, but I think I've made the right one. Here's the copy+paste of my forum post.

Goodbye.

I'll be server transferring as soon as I can find a guild which plays oceanic hours and will accept me.

For a year and a half, I've called this server home, whether it was on Jezzastipsy or Bbqq, or even Tynis my neglected rogue alt. I've decided it's time for me to move on and find a place where I can actually make raids and achieve things.

So here goes my long winded list.

Thanks Peace Keepers, for taking me in at 40 and helping me all the way to 60.
Thanks Zeal, for giving me my first taste of raiding and having a great atmosphere in general, never change.
Thanks Identity Crisis, for the epixx. Thanks for the friends, the great times and all the raiding experience you gave me.
Thanks Prom Kings, for taking me in when I came to horde side, and showing me the ropes of horde raiding.
Thanks Equinox, for my free King's Defender.
Thanks Onyx, for all of the fun times you've given me whether it was with or against you. This is the guild I will never, ever forget, and I hope soo much that wherever I go can come close to measuring up with the entertainment and fun I had with you all. Thanks for letting me show you warriors can be > pally tanks. :p

Now for the people. Sigh, I know alot of people, so please, I beg you don't get offended if I don't put you down, it just means that I'm not in that thinking zone currently. I might come and revisit this and post more as I think about it.

Craze: Thanks for everything you've ever done. You've always been helpful, whether it was explaining a boss strategy to me again in whispers, or telling me how I can increase the pace on my bowling. You're a great guy, and keep doing what you do.

Jagoex: It has always been great to talk to you, always been willing to talk to me about stuff that I find I can't talk to others about. You're easily in the top 5 warlocks I've ever known.

Knoxx: Your stories are awesome, I'm glad I have them recorded. You're always happy to listen to people, and helped ease concerns. You're a great asset to Onyx as an officer.

Robbert: I LOVE YOU MAN. I'll be back to talk to you, I promise. You're by far one of the best people I've ever met.

Scholle: I hate you. <3

Proscriptor: Man, you're an awesome guy. Always happy to listen to me talking !@@%, and help me out with things when I needed it. Thanks alot.

Sixis: I'm not sure what to say for you, but it doesn't matter, I'll still be around to talk to you on vent.

Zyphre: I know you don't play here any more, but I'm sure you still read. You're a cool guy, always had fun with you.

Worldwidekid: I don't care what others say, you're another of the most awesome people I've met in this game. Don't ever, EVER change the way you do things.

Nard: Keep looking for the 0/0/61 without shield slam man, we'll find it eventually.

Ram: Dude, ease up on the forums a bit. I love you and all, but you take a lot of stuff too far and there are times when you do need to just shut up and cool off before posting.

Mashed: Your voice still turns me on.

Vende: Much love man, you're one of the best rogues I've ever met, and you never cease to amaze me. Keep up the great work man.

Boney: Dude, you so got me suspended from school. Not cool. <3 Best mage I've ever met, and you're a great guy. Don't lose touch with me.

Majinn: I don't know what happened dude, but, whatever. You were a great pally.

Cheezeh: Dude, I love you man. Great healer, never let me down when I needed a hand or... other favors. Thanks.

Bevill: Didn't know you real well, but I know you were the best warrior I've known on alliance.

Bixxie: You were pretty cool, but could say stupid things without realising it. Watch out. ;)

Luma: WRU?! :(

Glum: Hope you're having fun with whatever you're doing now, you were always fun to hang out with and play with.

Elanna: Keep a tighter leash on phase, make him log on more. :p You're a good leader, but you need to take others advice and suggestions more often, you'd be surprised how many work out. :)

Neert: Same as knoxx, but watch those stairs. I'll never forget that.

Thats all I can think of for now, more will come to me later, but for now I have to keep organising my transfer.

Thanks for all the great times everyone, don't forget me, I know I wont you.

I'll drop by from time to time, but this is a goodbye for now from playing here.

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For anyone that actually reads my blog, I'll keep updating now and then, let you know what's going on. Thanks again for the great times.