Beware the Ides of March! Daily LoWdown for Tuesday 15 Mar 2005

[Yuglooc]

I played EQ2... I was part of a LoW group that worked on Zek access - made significant progress towards that.

[Zyzzyx]

Got out for a ride on the recumbent tonight. Sunday was the long ride, 2hr40min and 35 miles, yesterday was the day off, tonight was the short and intense ride, only 40min and 11 miles. Feeling good now, but am thinking the stairs are going to be annoying at work tomorrow.

Gaming wise I haven't been doing a thing other than waiting for SR to start up again. Lost the PSU on my main system over the weekend. There's two things you can't do with electronics. You can't let the magic smoke out, and you can't break the hidden odor capsule. This PSU has a busted odor capsule. I've got a s couple cheap spares on the shelf, so should be able to get it going, just going to be annoying since I'll have to mostly disassemble the system to get the PSU out with all the hidden wiring job I did. Bleah.

I applied for a job with Bechtel at the Richland, WA, location. Haven't heard anything from them yet, but I do have an inside connection. My dad is up there, and he's been with Bechtel for almost 30 years now. He can't get me the job, but he can get me an interview, so I'll take that advantage. He also knows the folks in HR, and thus knows they haven't made contact phone calls on the position yet. I'm excited and scared at just the possibility of getting a new job, especially one a couple states away. I've really gotten a bit comfy here in SoCal. As much as I complain about the cost of living, the weather really does make it worthwhile. But then, I'd love a chance to work for Bechtel; be a full employee and then have further openings at other job sites, around the world even.

Bummer news (but expected) was that I got a copy of my credit report. Not purty. I think the average score was 525 or such. Means nothing to me, but I guess that's not so hot. Need to get my student loans consolidated, get caught up with my remaining credit card, and start some lines of credit elsewhere. One of the possibilities should I get a job in Washington is buying a home, but not with my current credit status. Bummer. Good news is that I should be able to get it mostly 'fixed' within a year.

Been awhile since I've showed myself in the daily thread, so I'll call this done now.

[leng]

Played briefly and put on about 10% for both Tab & Tant. The drop rate for moderately usable armour & stuff seems to be improving - I just wish more spells would drop.

Oh, forgot to mention that I killed Holly on sunday. I intend that this should be the first of many deaths for that *****. She dropped the leggings of the Hunter, or some such. Quite nice for upper teens. I'm sure I have an alt who will appreciate them.

[Shiz]

Great fun doing Zek access. Nitz, Zyzzyva, Valdaras, Taurel and Sasaim did the rigamarole up to RoV when we were joined by Kullen. We completed most of the RoV part, but I had to log with 2 clays to go. Sounds like the group didn't finish them off. I gambled and bought some cheap melee adept 1s from the fence and put them up overnight, but I got disconnected at some point and didn't sell anything. The good news is that if I don't sell them, they are all skills that I can use and I paid 1g or less for all of them.

[kullen]

I logged in fairly late in the evening. Joined up with the aforementioned Zek access group and mentored down to 27-28. We were able to pick up the crawlers and had begun looking for clays. At that point the RoV Life/death book group was heading back and had a spot open. Needing these books I joined up with them and we headed deep into RoV. We managed to kill the life book after only a short wait. By that time a few of our group had to go.

At that point the Zek access group had broken up so we grabed Vald and killed a few more clays. Then Zoldan, Draeken, Valdaras, and myself headed out to have some fun in Nek castle. After finishing up the last bit of Vald's access, we jumped in and sat at the gates. When I was just about to hit level 35, I mentored down to 31 as to not knock Vald out of the exp range. We managed to keep the main enterance room clear without too much trouble. And I dinged 35 while I was mentoring. Nek Castle has to be the best place for experience i've seen thus far in the game. In the short time we were there (maybe an hour or so) Valdaras made over 30% exp.

[Sagar]

Found the scholar up (Thanks Ash!) and started the GBS quest. Managed to dodge all the aquatic baddies in TS to get the first power cell, then joined up with Biaxident for my first run through Nek. We made it to the waterfall and power cell 2 and, mostly accidentally, got one aggro on the way back.
Then we ran / swam back to the boat to get Power cell 1 for B and headed back to the scholar.

Then we joined forces for a LowDown HoeDown in RoV. Nice little dungeon crawl feel where we kicked mucho butte :lowcool:. Exp flowed like water... many chests dropped and we worked our way to the books and all got them. Then we fought our way back out to near the entrance (more exp, baby!) and then gated for a quick run back to the scholar. Shadow generously rented us his torque and we finished that part of the quest. That scholar is developing some serious attitude, though. We may need to do something about that.

Anyway, by that time it was WAY past my bedtime so I begged off, hit the fence, and crashed.

[Lycos]

Felt a cold coming on.

DNP.

Went to bed early. I still feel tired today.

[Drax]

Left work a little early to take care of some errands, then went home to play... since my computer arrived mid-afternoon! Yay! It works like a champ, and is surprisingly quiet, given how huge it is. It's about 3-4" taller and 3" deeper than my previous machine, and 3.5x higher processor and 4x RAM. Also managed to connect to the internet without incident, compared to spending 2hrs trying and failing to set it up on my previous machine... *cheer*

The new PC is a 3.2GHz Dell Dimension XPS Pentium 4, w/ HT Technology and 2MB cache, 256MB nvidia GeForce 6800, dual 160GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200rpm), a built-in PCI card with tv outs, and Microsoft XP (a big improvement over my previous Windows ME). I'm so happy! :)

I have a question that I'll ask in a separate thread, tho', since last night I tried (and failed) to install my DVD-R/RW drive into the drive bay. I could figure out the wiring, but I couldn't figure out how to mount the thing in the bay. The computer is built too well, it seems. The PC seems ready for upgrades, as the side of the unit swings outward, ready for any additions. But the bay case (with existing DVD player + 2 open slots) is bolted tightly into the unit and onto the swing-wall. I couldn't figure out how to get it to work... Frustrating...

Tonight, I plan to work on that a little more, and also to install my printer, 5.1 sound system (from my older system), update all files and drivers, install the Studio 9 and related programs, and download some SpyBot and AdAware programs, if necessary. THe system comes with some of that already, tho', so it may not be needed. SO nice to have internet at home for the first time since November, tho'. :mrgreen:

[GravenStone]

Slowly moving forward in my quest to become EQ2 capable again. Midway through the process of moving my gaming box into a new case (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-112-022&depa=1), upgrading the power supply (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-007&depa=1) and finally replacing the CPU cooler (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-118-118&depa=1) and VGA cooler (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-186-116&depa=1). Today comes the fun part where I, the techno novice try to replace all the sundry wires and cables and pray the thing powers up. UPS is supposed to deliver my OS upgrade from Cyberpower tomorrow. Then I get to see how many hours of head banging against wall I face trying to fix the underlying problems that cropped up going on two weeks ago that prompted this whole sojourn.

With a lot of luck, I might be back in Norrath by the weekend. If problems persist, then I may just head back to CoH, since my other box can run that without problem.

[DirkDarkBlade]

Logged in and heard the above mentioned quests going on. I was told I had to be level 25 min to join in (sigh). I found a pick up group in the Down Below and finished off a couple of old quests. Took revenge on the rat queen. I wasn't expecting to get exp but ended up with about 5 percent.

Then I decided to go start watching the Incredibles DVD (see seperate thread).

I was told then that I'd been told I could join in and help out, its just I couldn't get the quest until I was 25. (Sorry to whoever told me that, I missed that tell). I had less than an hour left to play at that point and decided it was too late to start so I went ahead and left. Just wanted to explain why I didn't join in.

I plan to be on tonight. There is a chance I'll need to go help my Dad with his new PC though. So if not tonight I'll be on tomorrow night!

[Asharad]

Hope to see you back GS.

Kristin bought the new PS2 hack n slash EQ game, so I spent a lot of time playing that. I did manage to get on, grab the torque from drae and advance the GBS quest. I think I owe SG 1g rent on the thing.

[Raveneye]

DNP last night except in merchant mode. Sold over 4gp worth of bones and misc. crap while watching NCIS and Amazing Race with the wife. Went to bed early (10:30pm) 'cause I was really tired from work and woke up at 5:00am this morning unable to go back to sleep. (sigh)

Should be on tonight for some Writ Wednesday action.

[EricStratton]

DNP really. Came home, got on EQ2, and was still having 'net probs. Finished the Mysterious Dagger quest (gets you a 20 slot box. Just awesome) and then pretty much just went into vendor mode. I did sell 6g worth of jewelry and 3g for an Adept 1 before I lost connection some time during the night.

Then I watched one of The Shield's from Monday. Will watch the season 3 finale and the season 4 premiere today during lunch-ish.

Connectivity looks good today. Guess they got it fixed...for now. Working from home until the connection goes south again. Praying that won't happen.

[shadowgate]

Most of my adventures where posted other than also closing a couple other quests in the process. It seems I should rent myself out as I see to be good bate! Everytime the group needs a mob to spawn I just need to walk out into the area by myself and they pop right on me! :) Happen with Windfeather last week and last night with the Book of Life and then Tailors. Was very happy to get another 5 or 6 people through the Torq portion of GBS yesterday before the patch hits!

Anyone in the 25+ lvl range should try to get to this point and rent the Torq off me before the patch hits! Otherwise your going to spend 40+ gold (this price will likely go up post patch) on a Palladium Torq on the broker or spend a ton of time trying to harvest a Palladium and then have it made into a Torq.

I am now 15% until making 30th so I would be up for helping with Zek writs tonight and then once I hit 30th I will port back and load up myself.

Also, this morning I finish Golem master and then went into vender mode.

[Nephthys]

Yesterday was a glorious day! It was the great culmination of everything that's been keeping me away for so long! Our game is done, my big maya project is done, i can finally lounge around in the evening and play a little EQ2 (of course, not until tomorrow night, as tonight is Buffy & Beer night) I am eagerly anticipating staying up late and doing nothing in particular! Hooray!

[BobHamfist]

work > class > homework > eq2 > more homework > bleh...

Was in the Zek group, and thus got some of the Gawar armor drops. Taurel now has all matching armor that is spiffier looking than the tailored patchwork stuff :lowsmile: (yes, my toons have to look right or I'm not happy... form over function... must be my BFA degree rearing it's metaphorically-only ugly head ;) )

Got about 30% through 27. I have been playing enough lately to run out of vitality consistantly. Believe me, it makes a huge difference.:roll:

Dunno if I'll be on tonight. I really need to work on some projects for school I've been putting off. I started them earlier this week, and I want to get to a point where I can get some help from the professor tomorrow night in the open lab. It'll be the last time I can talk to him before spring break next week.

[Crim]

Got about 30% through 27. I have been playing enough lately to run out of vitality consistantly. Believe me, it makes a huge difference.
Want some of mine? No matter how much I play I always seem to start the next day with 100%.

[Crim]

Good night last night. Spent most of it in the RoV GBS group. As was said, we got all the way to killing one of the two named books.

Also completed 2 old RoV writs that had been pending deletion.

Picked up a bunch of quest in the lower levels of RoV. This was probably not a good thing since I now only have 2 open quest slots and I need to pick up 4 writs for tonight.

[Winduforce]

Shadowgates and Sagar has already spoke of the adventure last night of the Torq and the RoV group. Kullen has already spoke of the Nek Castle adventure where we camped out at the entrance and racked up the experience. I am about 14% left to hit lvl 32 on Draeken and hopefully will ding it tonight. Which ever lvl 30 Writ group that plans to go to Zek I would like to know which writs we are doing so I can load up on the correct ones. I plan on loggin in around 7pm EST so I will seeya out there.

I am still in search of Blood Talon in TS and also waiting on a Giant adventure group to go over and speak to the giant to gain the quest from the Giant language. For some reason the other night the giant will not speak to me.:lowsad:
I also need to work on the patchmen in Nek around the castle.

[Aananla]

Played some more GT4.

Again, stayed up way too late playing. I did complete the training for the class A license. I now have a Toyota Celica, Nissan 300ZX, a Toyota MR2 Spyder, a Mazda6 and some antique British car I can't remember the name of, that screams like it's gonna blow any second at 50mph. Gonna have to save up and get a few more to complete all the circuits.

Surprisingly, the Celica is my favorite. It's also the one's I've sunk the most money into. It has a supercharger with a nitrous boost, a rigid frame, soft racing tires, a composite body, a stage 3 turbo I can swap out with the supercharger, the engine is bored out, polished, and balanced. It tops out around 184mph. There is still a lot I can do to boost performance, but it's starting to get absurdly expensive.

Makes me feel like Mad Max. :lowlol:

[DinbinFanfoom]

One of my favourite GT3 cars was a silver VW Beetle RSI 4wd with 470hp or somesuch. Ugly, but a lot of fun to drive, even on dirt.