Separate Blogs?? What???? ..but that's more work right?

I'm a tad confused. The internet experts seem to think blogs should have a nische. I just wanted a place to blow off steam and laugh a little, but since there couldn't possibly be another person out there who shares ALL my interests, perhaps I should make more than one.

Let's see...what ARE my niches?

• Computer Games/Techy topics from a middle aged woman's perspective.
• Religion from a Gnostic angle with a humorous twist
• Pets
• Family venting and celebrations
• Entertainment like books and movies

Something tells me the first two options are a tad more needed out there than the bottom two, so I maybe I should focus on splitting those two and letting the other three go.

Focus is good right? I could keep the My Secret Blog for all my muddled religious thoughts and ... well... CRUD ...         now I have to think of a gaming blog site name that hasn't already been taken *whines really loud*.

I better go think on this.

Working on Labor Day.... but.... I have an ulterior motive

It's Monday morning and here I sit, at work.

Most of the country is off enjoying Labor Day with family and friends, but since my kids either don't live at home or are off to college I've decided to save my work holiday for something special.

 See, I've pre-ordered Final Fantasy xiv and the magic day of release is Thursday, September 30th. Thank goodness Amazon has release date delivery *whew*. The plan is to take off on that Friday and the following Monday for a fun filled action packed gaming weekend.

I could order the ubber Final Fantasy xiv Collectors Edition. It would get me into the game eight days before all those standard edition players and a nifty hat with special powers:  

Onion Helm - Effect: Quickens recovery following KO.

There are a few other things in the Collectors Edition, but those are the only two things that made me sit up and pay attention.

BUT - I decided to go with the pre-order Standard Edition which won't be released till September 30th *weeps profusely*. To be honest, it wasn't because it was $25.00 difference, it was because of the special inworld item that comes with pre-order

Garlond Goggles - Effect: Increases the speed of skill progression due to the wearer having a more detailed view around them. Ahh.. A work of beauty!!

My goal is to be a Disciple of the Land (which will be non violent). This means I will focus on botany, fishing or mining. NOW look at the two items above - I want to see the plants and minerals better, so Garlond Goggles for the win!

Besides, which looks cooler?

I still need to develop my  role play persona. Always good to go into role-play with a plan. ohhhhh... That could be an interesting list!

Needless to say it looks like I'll be playing on the Besaid server since it seems to be the unofficial role-playing server. The ever popular Role-Playing Coalition for Final Fantasy XIV is a great place to check out while waiting for release.

For me this is more about the roleplay than the dash to the top of the mountain (if you get my drift). I'm a casual player who just likes to have fun.

Just remember to bring your sense of humor to the game

Secret TV Guilt

I rarely watch television these days and the few shows I do watch I would never actually confess about to my coworkers.So, what's you're guilty pleasure?

I watch Ghost Hunter's - NOT the clones like Ghost Hunter's International or Ghost Hunters Academy but the honest to God original Ghost Hunters with Grant and Jason. Here's a link to a few episodes on Hulu. I do admit to believing there's something out there, but come on, how many of us really admit to it out loud?

The one show I feel guiltiest watching hands down is -  Lockup on MSNBC ....all I can say is WOW!
It's like watching the creepiest train wreck ever!!! You follow the prisoners around and sort of see the place through their eyes and the documentary team let's you in on their stories. You see their rages and their lifestyle all up close and personal. Once again, here's Hulu, your viewing connection.... (says clips but they are full episodes).

The one I am REALLY waiting on is Sister Wives - oh yes...polygamy reality show!! Good ole TLC, what would we do without you? Now if you can't wait for this one check out this funny take on Sister Wives at youtube.

Bare in mind, Don't confuse the above shows with the stuff I'm proud to watch like Stargate Universe, Eureka, Warehouse 13 or Haven. Ok, I admit it, I'm a bit of a SciFi geek but almost everyone is these days.

So now you know I watch borderline crappy shows with a few gems mixed in:), but it's HOW I watch them that's MOST important.

Notice all the above links enable you to watch from your computer? The internet is killing television (but in a good way). I am indeed a tad spoiled. I like my entertainment on demand!! Now if only they could make a better computer chair so we could sit back at our desks and get really comfortable! Come on Lazy-boy, make it happen!! I's time to break the mold and think of a chair for the way most of us REALLY watch our stuff. It must be narrow enough to tuck into our desks, kick back so our feet can go up, rock and swivel a bit ... and it has to be on wheels. You can do it!!

I Had an Online Affair

Here are the facts:

1. It happened in Second Life
2. Lasted over two years
3. He was a real life Pastor (let's call him Pastor K)
4. My dear husband knew all about it as it was going on (see, he was involved with Lady A in Second life and still is..has been for 3 years)
5. Pastor K and I did speak in voice every once in awhile
6. Pastor K and I never met in real life....ever

Wait wait...I have to explain!

Raise your hand if you've HEARD of Second Life .....ahhhh..but have you tried to explore it? I went in just to check it out and be creative. I've played TONS of computer games and building in Second Life is like a Lego set inside a coloring book for me...with Barbies on the side! OMG... and the Barbies can talk back to you!!!

Well, It didn't take me long to realize flirting is a huge HUGE part of the game. Tons of dancing, cuddles and intimate moments to be had by one and all. I decided to be honest with my husband and tell him ALL about it. No secrets here! We had a very good marriage and I didn't want him worried.

So.. I made my husband an avatar, sat him down and put large ear muffs on him. I then went to a different computer, shut the door and logged in. Oh yes...I seduced my husband in text across the house. See? no secrets. To this day, we play the game separately and have different priorities in the game.

He has been in Second Life ever sense. I was all about the building and he was all about the flirting. Time passed and he met Lady A. She and I have never exchanged so much as a hello and never will. I suppose you could say I have an "open marriage" as it relates to virtual worlds.

A bit of time passed and I met Pastor K. No idea what he did for a living when we met online. Actually he said he was a teacher. Later he let slip that he was a counselor. I soon realized he played mostly weekdays and never Sundays. Then one day he told me he would be gone for the next 6 weekends because it was his "busy season". So was I dense or what???

Then I asked - "Are you a Preacher?"
He replied - "Let's not call it a Preacher. Pastor sounds better"

Nooooooooo...say it isn't sooo...Tell me I haven't just been sexually intimate (in text of course) with a Preacher!

Well, actually, I had been, but by THAT time I realized I loved the guy. I had shared all my deepest thoughts with this man, even religious ones...and he never once laughed at them. So he told me his real name and where his church was. I, being a snoop at heart, Googled him till I not only had photos of him but video too. Don't you dare raise your eyebrows...I was NOT online stalking...I was just...nosey.

Time passed..2 whole years. It was an intense emotional affair. This was a man who not only listened to me, but who helped me look deep within myself. He needed someone to confide in. That fact really took me by surprise. He once said "Pastors eat their own". He had vices and not a single person to talk to about them.

He was such an insightful man! I say "was" because the affair is over. He was able to finally seek help as I'd hoped he would and to be honest, as long as he and I shared that emotional bond I was simply a part of his problem.

I don't have any regrets. I DO get a bit frustrated that dear hubby is still partnered to Lady A after 3 years. Sometimes it take a lot of love to let someone go. When I turn 70, if I find out Pastor K is single....those little ole church ladies better beware, there just may be a new old lady in the congregation who isn't afraid to flirt with the man:)

ONE of the Worst Top 10 Questions People Ask

Don't you just hate it when people (especially family) ask "What religion are you?"

Well crud, I've only been to church for weddings and funerals for the past 36 years. THAT means for the first fourteen years of my life I was Christian. We're talking bible thumping, no dancing, Evangelical Southern Baptist. One morning, somewhere in my fourteenth year, my mom tried to nudge me out of bed for Sunday service.

I'd HAD it !! Maybe PMS helped me get my point across to mom. I wasn't going to go!! My parents regularly drove me to the door of the church and pushed me out of the car...then off they'd go. At some point I realized they ducked church almost every week.

I read an article on CNN this week about how today's youth are acquiring a watered down version of Christianity. Between you and me, it's the only way they're going to keep these youths close to church in modern times.

In Sunday school we were told the easy bible stories. Even Noah's Arc had pretty pictures and it was about saving the special ones chosen by God and how aren't we lucky to be choosen? Well, unless you got the scary Sunday school teacher who emphasized the people in the water with arms wildly flailing (it was the 60's and a Baptist church, so arms flailed). THAT teacher would always comment - "see what could happen if you don't follow God?" Seems to me if we feel like one of God's "chosen" sooner or later that just leads to religious arrogance. The only other option was eternal death.

So damn straight I always said  Christian when people asked about it. Note I did NOT say Southern Baptist. I decided to study other religions. You name it, I considered it. Initially all that reading and studying lead to religious frustration. Lordy, (yes, I curse on my secret blog) why couldn't I take all the bits and pieces that I liked from all the religions I'd looked into and make my own? I could call it Eclectic something or other... Just me and God.

For many years I was a closet Agnostic. Words like that just scare my family, so I nodded my head and still said "Christian" when asked. Besides, I was still scared of eternal damnation if I didn't believe the whole Christian thing.  If I said the wrong answer out loud it would just make it all so...final and real....hell was nipping at my heals!!!

Even to this day if my sister asks (because she picks up my odd religious vibes) I still say Christian.....BUT, between you and me .... the answer isn't so simple at all.

This Wasn't Supposed to Happen!

My middle child who is brilliant and has a very nice degree in Management Information Systems, an apartment and two pets has asked to move back home. Seems she wants to save for a house (a fine goal). Only one major draw back *lays her head in her hands and weeps*.

Pee Kitty....you read that right - Pee Kitty is coming home!!! See, I confess - Once upon a time we had 4 cats. One shy and timid, the next was a tad blind and easily spooked, the third was Fat and Mean (well, mean to everyone but me *snickers*) and last but not least .... the ever ungrateful Pee Kitty.

Pee Kitty is my daughters cat through and through. He never liked ME unless I held the food. When mad, he felt the need to make a statement.... with a puddle of pee. You name it and he's gone there. He hates our dog and all three of the dog beds were marked weekly (thank God) for the huge washer we have.

Beds - OMGosh - he wets anyone's bed! That cat needed to GO! My daughter pleaded that some day she would take that cat and he would move out with her after college. The day came and off he went, howling in the back seat of her car. My husband and I celebrated the minute Pee Kitty was out of site *Cheer - Clap - and Hoot!!*

Time has now passed. My daughter now has a dog, Pee Kitty and a goal....a house. No way can I say no. She adores that cat as much as I love Fat Mean Kitty.

The other animals haven't seen that darned orange Pee Kitty in 2 years so Shy Kitty and Spooked Kitty will be harassed by the ex alpha and Fat Mean Kitty will freaking declare war!

The things we do for our kids. On a positive note, my daughter LOVES to cook!