Club High Castle Pre-Pandemic

I can appreciate it when a cashier markets his or her store’s latest mailing list, sale, or offer. I understand that there is a push for numbers, and hidden behind those friendly smiles is an immense pressure to get those numbers.  I also understand that retail isn’t always a walk in the park. Tales of inconsiderate people screaming at cashiers, discarding their fast food cups and wrappings on shelves, and demanding discounts because they failed to read the price tag fill the Internet these days with colorful imagery that is sometimes hilarious.  However, it works both ways.  I bought some clothes the other day. I took them to the register and already had my wallet out by the time it was my turn (I hate holding up lines, and shopping takes away from “me” time, so I like to be as quick about it as possible).   Before the cashier even touched my items, she asked for my telephone number and email address. She barely cast me a passing glance as she told me about the store’s mailing l

As those who know me in real life already know, I am an enthusiastic MMOer (MMO stands for massively multiplayer online).  Most articles I read on the subject focus on the players who fall into the “hardcore” category. They are the ones who find the time to play several hours each day. They are the ones with the best armor, weapons, and equipment. They are the ones who run the guilds, fleets, and kinships, so it’s no wonder that they get most of the attention. * Screenshots from Lord of the Rings Online I consider myself to be a casual gamer, and this post is going to be all about those of us who log in for as little as ten minutes at a time! Let’s step into the spotlight for just a second. Every player is different, so I can’t say what is true for me is true for every other casual gamer out there. Star Trek Online Fanart External factors play a huge role in my casual MMOing.  Hobbies and obligations seem to be the most prominent ones—Time to call that relative from CA!

Get your mouse, dust off your keyboard, and gather around the monitor! It's time for a fan art picture spam fest! I was very busy when I didn't have Internet. It's amazing, the things one gets done without access to 1s and 0s that can traverse long distances. Elrond from Lord of the Rings Elven king Thranduil from The Hobbit Elrond and his wife Celebrian Awe! It's mini Elrond. He's ready for a hug. An original design by me. She's some sort of Sci-Fi space mage. I have a new profile picture! This is a self portrait.

It took a little longer than I anticipated to get Internet connectivity, but I am here now, surfing to my heart’s content! I think I’ll state the cliché and obvious: we made it through the road trip safe and sound. The wonderful world of DC: At one point, I could see the top of the Capitol Building, but it was too far away to get a good picture of from my phone.  I got to have a quick, highway look at the Pentagon (no joke!). I later pulled it up on google maps to make sure that it was exactly what I saw, and it was! It looks odd and unremarkable from street level, like a long, pale and ominous institution with many tiny windows (okay, so it actually is an institution with many tiny windows…). I wouldn't have known to look at it if it weren't for the signs. We passed several toll roads, and here is this gem: Granted, we were in a huge moving truck towing a car…but I have never seen a toll that costly! Stay tuned for some fanart that I did when I didn’t have Interne