I'm back! (No not really)
Hello everyone!
No I'm not really back as in back in FFXI, but I thought I'd just make a little update and let anyone who may care that I'm still alive and well.
My first (soon) two months without FFXI has gone relatively well, I've mostly entertained myself doing other things; read a few books, blogging and reading blogs of political stuff, joined a party, keeping far better updated on world news and hanging out with GF more than I used to. So all that is well.
Still, the reason I'm even writing here is that FFXI did leave a gap that has not been filled fully, and while I do miss punching, gaxing, jumping, slicing stuff (though not haste/refreshing stuff), the thing I miss the most is the social part. Just hanging out doing whatever with friends in FFXI. Particularly evenings when I'm home alone I'm really fighting the urge to come back, and it's difficult. I've kept myself *somewhat* updated with the comings and goings of FFXI, I did not expect SE to nerf AV to that extent, and I surely did not foresee something as awesome as level sync coming, which according to my sources makes casual playing hella much easier.
I'm gonna break it out and say that in spite of my previous conviction, I am not entirely alien to the prospect of making an eventual comeback. Though such is dependant on various factors. For starters, should I ever come back I would be *very* casual, like a few hours of playing per week, and to be mentally able to do so I first need to completely distance myself from everything elitist/endgame etc. Should I start again today I know I would be all too tempted to going hardcore again. So yeah, I still need a few months for that I expect.
The second factor is work. This fall I'm working away 2 or 3 day per week, but starting spring I expect I'll be working a regular 5 days per week and longer hours, meaning I'll have less time for just about everything. So there might not be any point.
The third factor is personal. Do I really *really* want to return to something that took me such a long time to get out of? I'm really not sure if it would be wise to try it, given how easy it is to get sucked in and strive for more and more.
The fourth, and perhaps the most important one, is that my GF is dead against me starting ever again. She even got a bit mad when I wanted to discuss the topic with her, claiming I had gotten alot more fun to be with since I stopped. And while she changed her mind a bit afterwards, saying I should of course do what made me the most happy, it doesn't quite change the impression I got at first. Also the other day I was playing the WotG and ToAU title screen soundtrack songs, and she said she was filled with a sense of disappointment, like "oh no, not that again!"
So frankly gentlemen and gentlewomen, the odds of my return are not looking all that good. A good lot of depends.
Regardless, I just wanted to tell my friends who are still playing, I'm doing well and I miss you guys and the fun we had!
Take care,
Gathzel
No I'm not really back as in back in FFXI, but I thought I'd just make a little update and let anyone who may care that I'm still alive and well.
My first (soon) two months without FFXI has gone relatively well, I've mostly entertained myself doing other things; read a few books, blogging and reading blogs of political stuff, joined a party, keeping far better updated on world news and hanging out with GF more than I used to. So all that is well.
Still, the reason I'm even writing here is that FFXI did leave a gap that has not been filled fully, and while I do miss punching, gaxing, jumping, slicing stuff (though not haste/refreshing stuff), the thing I miss the most is the social part. Just hanging out doing whatever with friends in FFXI. Particularly evenings when I'm home alone I'm really fighting the urge to come back, and it's difficult. I've kept myself *somewhat* updated with the comings and goings of FFXI, I did not expect SE to nerf AV to that extent, and I surely did not foresee something as awesome as level sync coming, which according to my sources makes casual playing hella much easier.
I'm gonna break it out and say that in spite of my previous conviction, I am not entirely alien to the prospect of making an eventual comeback. Though such is dependant on various factors. For starters, should I ever come back I would be *very* casual, like a few hours of playing per week, and to be mentally able to do so I first need to completely distance myself from everything elitist/endgame etc. Should I start again today I know I would be all too tempted to going hardcore again. So yeah, I still need a few months for that I expect.
The second factor is work. This fall I'm working away 2 or 3 day per week, but starting spring I expect I'll be working a regular 5 days per week and longer hours, meaning I'll have less time for just about everything. So there might not be any point.
The third factor is personal. Do I really *really* want to return to something that took me such a long time to get out of? I'm really not sure if it would be wise to try it, given how easy it is to get sucked in and strive for more and more.
The fourth, and perhaps the most important one, is that my GF is dead against me starting ever again. She even got a bit mad when I wanted to discuss the topic with her, claiming I had gotten alot more fun to be with since I stopped. And while she changed her mind a bit afterwards, saying I should of course do what made me the most happy, it doesn't quite change the impression I got at first. Also the other day I was playing the WotG and ToAU title screen soundtrack songs, and she said she was filled with a sense of disappointment, like "oh no, not that again!"
So frankly gentlemen and gentlewomen, the odds of my return are not looking all that good. A good lot of depends.
Regardless, I just wanted to tell my friends who are still playing, I'm doing well and I miss you guys and the fun we had!
Take care,
Gathzel