Atone with the game of laws
So, an update at last. This will be a FFXI-ish update, though as usual it encompasses many different things as well. It may also be the last FFXI-related update.
Yes, after four years, I've finally come to the end of my rope. There was not a single incident that sparked a sudden disinterest; rather, a culmination of smaller factors that gradually wore on my patience and resilience. I must say, I have barely logged more than an hour online these past four weeks, and it feels very good.
It's almost shocking how much of my waking time I devoted to the game (something that can only be appreciated after having not played for a set amount of time). I always said it was nice to unplug for awhile, but it feels like that phrase needs clarification. To 'unplug' for me was to unplug from FFXI, not a total unplugging from the 'Net. I think such a thing would be nearly impossible these days anyways, and something I'd never want to do anyways.
At any rate, it does seem somewhat premature to say what I am saying. The laptop I brought from Vegas, which was laggy to begin with, promptly got about every known virus and trojan on the internet (I blame my father, I use this computer for word processing only), so I'm surprised my account hasn't gotten hacked already. Who knows, when I get back to Vegas on Sunday I might fall right back into my routine -- but I doubt it.
The logic is as follows;
1. With both classes and a job this semester, I don't need to come home to a game that feels like a second job.
a) FFXI's failure of an economy and luck-based moneymaking methods have put me off for awhile now.
b) I consider FFXI to be an all or nothing game. At least for me. I don't see the point in being a weekend warrior if I'm not going to get anywhere.
c) I can't log on for an hour and do something productive. Things in FFXI take time; lots of it.
d) The goals I aim for, I cannot achieve without something like three more years of playtime, probably longer (See relic weapon, salvage pieces, etc). I call this point the 'reality check'
2. Freedom from a consuming schedule allows me more time for what's most important in my life: my girlfriend Lei, my school and my job. Also my writing, which I'm still determined to make a career out of.
3. Despite how often I complain about my mother, she's right -- I need to pick a major and start walking that road. While quitting FFXI won't help me pick a major, it will give me more time to research my options, which are considerable as I'm very indecisive on which major to pick (and sadly most of them aren't related to one another either)
4. There are other games I can play that require less amounts of time and stress than FFXI. See one-player games, other MMOs, etc.
a) Yes, I am strongly considering WoW. I always liked the lore, and some of my friends from Cali might join me as well, in addition to my friend in the Marines (where online will likely be the only way to contact him while he's in Iraq)
b) I've made countless arguments AGAINST WoW, and they all still hold. But if I can enjoy it for an hour or two a day, and still be somewhat productive, then so be it.
And, the results in a FFXI sense will be this;
I will log on for the following events -
a) Nyzul, because I started it and I'm not going to bail on a leadership role, that'd just be icky.
b) Limbus, because I'll be online for Nyzul and they basically overlap most of the time anyways.
And that's it. That fills my Monday gamingwise, and leaves the other days free -- mornings/afternoons now free leaves me more leeway in scheduling classes and applying for work. Official events maybe; most will likely end up starting too early in lieu of school and work. I'm at the bottom of all the lists anyways.
I really need to pick up a physical hobby anyways, I'm getting out of shape. My fast metabolism tends to take care of that, but I still feel physically unfit, which is something I can work on. I've been taking walks and such a lot here in Cali, which is something I rarely do in Vegas due to...well, lots of things (lack of pleasant landscape, have to drive to get to any kind of walking trails, etc etc). I tried looking up kendo schools but apparently they're all in Henderson, so we'll see. At the very least I can start working out on my own.
Comments on this entry are disabled; while it may seem selfish, I don't really intend to argue any of this information. It is what it is. If all of this changes and/or becomes irrelevant when I return to Vegas and fall right back into a routine of spending way too long online, then so be it. If not, then more power to me. If any of you really feel like discussing this, you can probably e-mail me. I'll log on at some point over the next week to return any gear I may be borrowing.
I'll probably make a post later on about the real-life things that have been going on recently (also known as Christmas and New Years), but for now, this is it.
Happy holidays all.