I just discovered Synergy, and it’s awesome. Last week, the power supply on my computer at work began screaming and dying a slow death. During this time, the computer would shut down by itself when it began to overheat. As you could imagine, this was extremely frustrating. This was effecting my productivity and mental well-being. I started using a backup computer that I used for remote connections and data backups while I waited for the power supply to be replaced.

After I received the new power supply, I decided to make use of my backup computer to manage databases, execute long-running processes, etc. Just this morning, though, I hit a snag. I had modified a stored procedure on my secondary computer and needed the contents of the procedure moved over to source control on my primary computer. Since you can’t share clipboard contents across machines, I was stuck.

Along came Synergy, a desktop sharing application that lets you share the mouse, keyboard, and clipboard contents across multiple computers. This is purely a software-based solution, making the need for a KVM switch and cables disappear. I followed the setup guide from lifehacker.com and was up and running in about five minutes.

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We ventured into Naxxramas for the second time, attempting to clear the Arachnid Quarter and explore the Plague Quarter. We had some troubles with Maexxna the night before, but we were able to one-shot her. I was concerned with rounding up her spiderlings and trying to tank them before they reached our ranged players. I posted a question on the Maintankadin forums and received some solid feedback. Users replied with their experiences of ignoring the spiderlings. I took this approach and focused on helping with the Web Wrap and healing.

The Plague Quarter was a nice change of pace after battling spiders for a night. I was tasked with handling the adds during the Noth the Plaguebringer encounter. I controlled them fairly easily, and our healers did an outstanding job of keeping me alive during phase two. It was another one-shot and on to Heigan the Unclean. After great progression on each attempt, we took him down. I assisted with cleansing and healing during the fight, and had fun running through the eruptions to the safe zones.

We’re going to try it all again next week in hopes that we’ll get through these two quarters even faster next time around.

Posted in 200 Words, World of Warcraft 1 Comment »

I ran Naxxramas with my protection Paladin for the first time. We started with the Arachnid Quarter, like most new raid groups do. I wasn’t sure how far we’d get, especially since my gear is not quite optimal for tanking Naxx. I studied a video created by Tankspot that showed how to tank the first boss, Anub’Rekhan. As it turns out, I was made the off-tank for the boss fight. After a few wipes, I finally had control of the Crypt Guards and avoided the Locust Swarm’s silence. He ended up dropping the Chivalric Chestguard and Gloves of Dark Gestures. I took the Chestguard since our Holy Paladin had something better.

Next was Grand Widow Faerlina. This fight was pretty easy for our group with me tanking the adds (in this case, the Worshipers). It was a bit difficult to round them up (as casters), but my Arcane Torrent ability helped keep them grouped together. We nearly wiped when I forgot to change my target icon when it was time to kill the third Worshiper. We recovered nicely and were rewarded with the Avenging Combat Leggings for our Restoration Shaman, and the Bracers of Lost Sentiments for our Fury Warrior.

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I attended “Art Night” at my son’s preschool last night. It was great to see some of the creative ideas his teachers came up with. Shown first was a flashlight painting, along with a photograph taken of him working on his piece. Basically, he had a roller attached to a flashlight, and applied the paint onto the page by following the light with the roller. Next was a design he created out of shaving cream. The shaving cream was glued on the paper, which gave the picture a soft and puffy feel. I thought it looked like a fish swimming towards me; probably in the same way a cloud in the sky sometimes appears to be a fish. His teacher showed us how they work with textures, explaining how my son took small squares and meticulously glued them to paper. Last was an original drawing that he painted. He chose to draw a football and paint it yellow. He proudly said to me, “Look, daddy, I made a football.” I was very impressed by the school’s organization and display of the kids’ artwork, and pleased with my son’s ability to follow directions and participate while showing off his creative side.

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A week later, I received a phone call from my buyer that purchased apples for the upcoming apple pie bake-off. The buyer was in a panic. Apparently, all the apples I delivered to them were rotten! I had no idea how this could be. Although I know the order was a bit rushed, we care very much about our apples and ensure that they are of the highest quality. The buyer went on to explain that they did nothing with the apples after they were transported. This was particularly surprising to me, considering that they requested the apples be delivered right away for their event.

The buyers let the bushels sit out in the open while they tended to other situations regarding the bake-off. I learned that the apples sat out for a week, and now they only have a few days left before the event begins. I wondered why the buyers didn’t put the apples in proper storage. Although I was confused, I figured that it’s their right if they changed their mind to not make use of the apples immediately after I delivered them.

I was most troubled when I was told that this was all my fault.

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Am I not going fast enough? Why is this my fault? Why won’t they go faster? A mile on the odometer. How long will it all hold up? Is something happening that I should be aware of? What if it all came to a simultaneous halt? A mile on the odometer. Does he know? Does she know? Do they know? What are their expectations of me? A mile on the odometer. Why won’t it swing slower? How does this relate to what’s happening? Am I missing the signs? Isn’t this the easy part? Can I keep tricking myself into ignoring it all? A mile on the odometer. Will he be healthy? Will everything be ok? What if we’re not ready? What if he’s not ready? What will happen then? A mile on the odometer. What did I miss? Did they all wait for me? Why are they waiting for me? Why wait if it can’t be stopped? A mile on the odometer. What if I did nothing at all? Would anyone notice? Does anyone hear me? A mile on the odometer. Who is keeping track? Is its only purpose to exist forever? What if I don’t have all the answers?

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I still felt bad about not being able to provide my buyer with the best apples I had to offer. Even though I was told that they couldn’t wait for the large, premium apples, I went ahead and gathered almost around the clock to fill a third of a bushel with the large apples. I included them with the order at no charge. While I know that all of my apples are delicious and deserve to be used in a pie, I was certain that my premium apples would win the judges over.

I packed up all the apples and delivered them to the buyer. I was pleased to inform them that extra apples were included in the order, and recommended that they use the large apples in the pies for the judges. The buyers seemed to be distracted and simply paid for the order.

I was expecting to receive a thank-you for the extra apples, or at least an acknowledgment of delivering the order on time. I realized, though, that I was only asked for the medium apples, and that the delivery be made punctually. The buyer had paid for the order in full, and that’s all that mattered.

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One of my apple buyers approached me recently about a big purchase. I asked how many apples they needed, and the buyers had no idea. They were not actually the bakers, and knew very little about how to make an apple pie. The buyers explained that they’re hosting an apple pie baking contest in three weeks. They needed enough apples for their bakers to make thirty pies: twenty-five for the attendees, and five special pies for judging. Since I’m an apple expert (and a lover of pies), I told them that they’re going to want to use my large, premium apples for the five pies that are being judged. It would take me longer to gather those and build a special, premium basket, but it’s well worth the wait. They would almost be guaranteed to win the apple pie bake-off with these!

The buyers ignored my recommendation; They claimed that they only had two weeks to prepare, and they needed the order fulfilled as soon as possible. Disappointed, but happy to have the business, I told them that I would be able to gather and deliver one and a half bushels of medium-sized apples to their event in three days.

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I received the whisper, “Want to tank heroic AN?” I replied, “sure,” and accepted the group invitation for heroic Azjul-Nerub. Our group consisted of a Warlock, Druid, Death Knight, Priest, and me (Paladin). The Druid is a tank, but will DPS for this instance. The Warlock is party leader and doesn’t want to mark. We pull the first group that initiates the boss fight, and the Priest — our healer — grabs aggro and dies almost immediately. I die next and we wipe.

On the second attempt, I ask that the mobs be marked or I be made leader. The Druid is made leader, but still doesn’t mark the targets. I ask for the adds that come with the mini bosses to be crowd controlled. I’m assured that one will be shackled, and one will be rooted. I then ask if everyone is ready and the Warlock replies, “y.” I pull, and, as you can imagine, the Priest does not shackle, and the root attempt is either resisted or the mob is immune. We wipe again. The Priest then states that the group does not have the “right consistency” and leaves. We disband at this point and I go back to questing.

Posted in 200 Words, PUG Tales 2 Comments »

Sick, you have returned.
So why won’t you leave me alone?
My foe for the time.

Sinuses are clear.
Will my condition get worse?
Feeling different.

Throat is a bit sore.
Could it be strep or mono?
No tonsils exist.

Pain, I can handle.
Will the cycle ever break?
Fever comes and goes.

Hands are mostly pure.
Am I not conscious of germs?
The blue soap cleanses.

Preschool, I loathe you.
Can it really be their fault?
A first-time parent.

Son, get better soon.
Does he deserve this again?
It’s what’s best for him.

Body not immune.
Is it alternating weeks?
More days will be missed.

Sweet, lemon packet.
Why are you hard to open?
Water almost clear.

Desk, you are a mess.
Will you be clean again?
Yellow dust wiped off.

Food hard to consume.
Nutrition necessary?
Hunger subsided.

Liquids pouring in.
Should I worry about it?
It hurts just the same.

Meetings, I attend.
Can anyone else notice?
Just keep a bright smile.

Yogurt, I forgot!
What kind did I bring?
Light plain vanilla.

Work, you are on hold.
My health not more important?
Time to leave early.

Doctor will see you.
What is the diagnosis?
Prescription hopeful.

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