Lady Jess

SWTOR Scenery

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:07:00 +0000

{Fan Art Friday} Payroo

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 19:44:00 +0000

Before I launch into Spring break with my Doctor Who Queue and Mass Effect 2 fired up, it's Fan Art Friday! this is a piece I commissioned from Payroo, of my Lady Aeducan and her favorite assassin Zevran Aranai of the Dragon Age Origins universe. I love her style so much!

Commission - As the City Burns by ~PayRoo on deviantART

{Gaming- ME3 Multiplayer} In Memory Of…

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:18:00 +0000

I don’t usually brave multiplayer. I’m not good at it, I’m clumsy, uncoordinated, and easily frustrated. But when Bioware announced “Operation Tribute” I had to complete it. The goal was for each individual to get 50,000 points from the M-8 Assault Rifle and another 50,000 from Inferno Grenades. The preferred method of killing of that loveable badass merc Zaeed Massani. Who, if you didn’t know was voiced by the late , great, Robin Sachs who died on February 1, 2013.
Mass Effect fans will miss him, and his unique voice that MADE Zaeed Massani into a character we all loved. So for him, I braved multiplayer, and tried to be the Big Guddam Hero.

{Gaming- ME3} Citadel DLC!

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:39:00 +0000

Bioware announce last week that the final single player DLC is coming on March 5 for PC, PS3 and Xbox (March 6 for PS3 in Europe). It’s focused on The Citadel. Of course there’s a mission to complete, but this is different than anything I’ve seen. Features include Shepard having an apartment on the citadel to furnish, casinos to try your luck in, and more time with your squadmates old and new. But they aren’t saying much on that subject. In fact, they are being teases as usual…

Lots of Citadel stuff we don't want to talk about yet...but, rest assured - the characters are a HUGE focus.
— Michael Gamble (@GambleMike) February 21, 2013

Mass Effect 3 is the most polarizing game I think I have ever seen. A portion of the fanbase loves it, with some annoyance at the endings, and another portion hates it, and even after the extended cut DLC are still demanding better endings, and will never forgive the day one DLC debacle.

I understand both sides. And both feelings are completely valid. I just happen to fall on the “Love it” side, well, since getting the Extended Cut release. Before that I was pretty annoyed with it. That’s why it bothers me so much that when Citadel was announced, anyone that was thrilled, was quickly told why they shouldn’t be, why it was trash, why it was worthless. Now, if I come across someone that hates ME3, I’m not going to waste my time and theirs trying to tell them why they should love it. I think that should work both ways. Don’t rain on my parade you know?

The biggest criticism though so far (not counting the “it’s not post game I don’t want it” and “if it doesn’t change the endings I don’t care” arguments) is the ability to furnish Shep’s apartment. I find this exiting, I love that aspect of Skyrim, and The SIMS. Every hero deserves a sweet place to call home. Apparently even the Bioware Staff enjoy it!

My favorite part of today's announcement: "Furnish Shepard’s own living quarters on the Citadel" HELLS TO THE YES! @masseffect #decorating
— Jessica Merizan (@JessicaMerizan) February 21, 2013

But the moist annoying criticism of this feature was… “it’s girly”.

Seriously? Men don’t enjoy this stuff? That’s false. One look at Skyrim Nexus tells you that men enjoy improving, building, furnishing and perfecting their Skyrim abodes possibly as much as we women do. I personally find it relaxing during my study breaks. Seriously guys, we have been begging for more time with Sheps companions outside of battle, something charactr based not just another mission where Shep saves the day. We finally got that. So let us enjoy it, and stop raining on our parade. We in return shall endeavor to not try and rain on yours.

{Gaming- Skyrim Mods} Making Your House a Home

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:26:00 +0000

I love having homes in Skyrim. One of the first things I do is pick a hold, and get a home. But Hearthfire DLC lets you build your own, even better! Or so I thought, until I built my fist one and found the limitations. Each side of the house has a strict set of options. The east wind can be an armory, kitchen, or library only. North wing can be storage room, alchemy, or trophy room only. The west wing can be bedroom, enchanting tower, or greenhouse only. Might I add that the bedroom is shared with your kids, awkward.

I always thought it silly that behind the main hall was a room full of storage, yet the option for expanding that area was also storage. It made that messy little room a bit silly. But I found a mod that solves that, as well as eliminating the need to build a kitchen on the east wing. Because I wanted a kitchen, but not on that wing. Then I found Shezrie’s Hearthfire Kitchens! Low and behold, a kitchen, nice and neatly organized, in an area that was previously wasted!

Perfect! Problem solved. You see, I wanted the wrap around landing on the second floor. The kitchen, and greenhouse, and towers don’t allow that. I wanted the bedroom for my character’s husband a herself. Not shared with the kids. So I set out to experiment. I built the bedroom wing, with no kids beds. I put the two single beds in the upstairs section of the great hall addition. And…it worked! My kids sleep in the beds, play in that room, etc. All it needed was two beds and a dresser. I had previously only found info saying you had to build the “child bed” specifically. Thankfully, not so. The kids sleep upstairs, on the opposite wall is my very large steward/nanny. Husband and Dragonborn downstairs.

My full house layout is West Wing- Bedroom, East Wing- Armory, North Wing- Storage. This gets the wrap around deck. But what about a library? I hoard books. My character is also the Guild Master of the Thieve’s Guild, a studying apprentice at Winterhold, and as such needs a study. All my houses currently have studies modded in. Well, someone made an alternative library for the hearthfire houses! It is shockingly named “Alternative Hearthfire Libraries”

Now, that is a home. And if you’re curious, the mods that add studies to other playerhomes.

Hearthfire Proudspire Manor Upgrade adds a study below the kids room, and a wine room in the cellar. Also adds hearthfire food items throughout the house.

Honeyside Improvement this one adds a secret room to Honeyside in Riften, downstairs. In there is a desk and chair, bookshelves, display cases a safe, and mannequins. I love it.

To see all the mods I used for Honeyside as well you can see my Tumblr post here.

{Fan Art Friday} Dragon Age - Isabela

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:11:00 +0000

Dragon Age 2: Isabela by *Artshardz on deviantART

There aren't even words to describe how much I adore Isabela. She is one of the most well written and fleshed out characters in the Dragon Age universe. When we first meet her in Origins, she seems like just another NPC we can get something from. She teaches the Duelist specialization after a card game, and offers some *ahem* company. But come Dragon Age II we find out she is so much more.

She's courageous and independent, only trusts herself, has no loyalties, no commitments. Until Hawke enters the picture. But does she instantly adore and worship our hero? No. She flirts, she teases, but she is still her own woman. Yet aas the game goes on, she forms bonds. What starts as a dislike between her and Aveline, grows into a friendship. If Fenris isn't romanced by Hawke, He and Isabela get together. She nurtures and teaches Merril throughout the game (we only hear about it in dialog snippets). And in the end she becomes a true friend to Hawke.

It's a shame however, that so many people see her as just her image. She is so much more than that.

{Fan Art Friday!} Aria from Mass Effect 2 and 3

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:56:00 +0000

Aria T'loak - Afterlife by *ChrispyDee on deviantART

There's one rule on Omega.

{Games-Skyrim} Creepy Much?

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:19:00 +0000

Oh hey, that isn't creepy at ALL.

{Fan Art Friday} Maeve's Child

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:43:00 +0000

As of today, I'm instituting Fan Art Friday on this blog. I'm always amazed by the beautiful work I see crafted from the gaming and comics world. I might also be a little envious. So since I can't make the art, I can promote the art.

Today's piece is one of my favorite Skyrim characters. Sadlly, he can't be married...without mods on PC to make it so. Which I am not above using, so next time Brynjolf...

It's good to see you, Lass by ~MaevesChild on deviantART

Gorgeous! As most of her art is. Go have a look!

{Games-Skyrim} Fus Roh!

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I realized finally that I love Skyrim. And I love it for many of the reasons I thought I didn't like it. The story isn't fed to you, you have to pay attention, listen, read, and find it yourself. You aren't led through the game on rails. You have to explore to get from point A to point B. Nothing is obvious. I find myself tabbing out to research things for long periods before I make a choice, or go to a certain quest.

There is no good guy or bad guy. Well except Alduin of course. This is only my second run, and I only realized this time that the civil war isn't part of the main quest. As much as it's talked about and seemingly in the forefront, you can let it go unresolved if you so choose. Or so I have heard. My first run I killed Alduin before I resolved the conflict on the side of the Stormcloaks. I can't even tell you why I chose the Stormcloaks aside from the thought that it was the right choice. I hadn't stopped to eavesdrop on Tullius and Rikke. Had I done so, I would have been as conflicted as I was this time.

So this time, I'm more careful. Going more slowly. I put 74 hours in the first time. I have 86 hours in so far and I'm nowhere near the "end" if such a thing exists.

This game challenges me on a level above anything else I have played. Not in combat, or questing. But emotionally and mentally. The way I prefer to be challenged.

Now I just need to find some money for the new DLC.

{Gaming} Where Are The Women?

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:44:00 +0000

I’m finding it very frustrating being a gamer these days. I know it’s partly my own fault for being so finicky about what I play. More specifically, because I refuse to play a game unless my character can be a female. I’ve had the arguments, heard the eyerolling, but everyone has their standards and this is mine

In most cases, the game wouldn’t be hurt by providing the option to play as a female rather than a male. The only notable exception being “The Witcher”, because it is based on a series of books about that specific character.

I see so many games that look absolutely amazing. “The Last of Us” for example. The trailer and story seem promising. The graphics are gorgeous and intense. But yet again, the protagonist is Mr DudeBro.

This leaves me with no new games to look forward to, and a handful of games I own being fully immersive for me.

Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age II
Mass Effect 1-3
Skyrim
World of Warcraft
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Guild Wars 2

Of that list, three are MMO’s which I can’t commit to during school. I can’t even really credit WoW with having a story I’m immersed in and want to follow to it’s conclusion.

It’s easy to say I’m too demanding as a consumer right? Heck, I blamed myself in the beginning of this post even. But the fact is, as a woman and a gamer the big titles just are not marketed to us. As usual they are marketed to the men in the hobby. When Mass Effect 3 released, it was the FIRST time Jane Shepard shared in the marketing with her own trailer, and a place on the box. Dragon Age 3 has promised the female character will get face time in the marketing as well. That is a great step forward for Bioware. One that other companies need to take notice of and follow.

Bioware, Blizzard and Bethesda seem to think women can be heroes in the story. It’s time for the rest to step up.

Live Your Dream Little Turtle!

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:01:00 +0000

A New Home

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 22:47:00 +0000

I had said I was done blogging. I moved to Tumblr for the social aspect and that was that. But...I just couldn't stay away. I realized today when my hosting lapsed, that I would miss it.

So, I decided to start fresh. I had around 10 years of blog posts. I'm a little sad they're gone, but I have the backup somewhere. I no longer have fancy hoting, domain names, databases, and bandwidth to deal with. No more updating software and backing up regularly. Just a nice, simple, blog.

A home. That's what counts.

I’ll Take Mine Rare

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 07:55:00 +0000

Rare tame of the day:

Olm The Wise. As I was browsing Petopia’s Rare and Unique pet’s, I found one of my long ago favorite tames had gone through a change. Olm used to be a white owl, the same model as the Alterac Valley and Winterspring ones.

So, I figured he’d be off my list this time, until I saw his picture. It took four hours of camping his spawn point in Felwood, but patience paid off.

I never thought I’d like a big flappy bird pet. But I love this guy.

Too bad he thinks doing tricks is below him.

Panda-Monium

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:31:00 +0000

Leveling little Lieshou has been a blast so far. I love her looks, her /dance, all her jokes, her laugh. Just Everything about her is adorable. She’s now level 44. A Beast Master hunter, because that’s the only spec for me. And did I mention CUTE??? (click to enlarge!)

Arriving at Stormwind with her first tamed pet (I do not consider the freebie my first pet. My first pet is one I tame MYSELF.), Her friends JoJo and Aysa.

Hanging out in the Dwarven District with Azzere, her windserpent (Rare, Barrens).

Making friends with Shadowclaw (Rare, Darkshore)

Failing to convince Bailey that no he can’t ride the big birdie. (Bailey is the Silithid Harvester, Rare, Barrens)

Death sucks, someone’s gonna pay

Bring It!

Priority : Pets

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:47:00 +0000

When learning to play a hunter again, keep the most important resource at your fingertips.

Petopia is still the best way to find the right pets for your hunter. Especially if you plan to have all rare unique pets in your stable like me.

So far I have tamed
Duskstalker
Shadowclaw
Ghost Saber
Azzere the Skyblade
Silithid Harvester
Pogeyan
Ashtail

Not bad for level 35!

And So It Starts

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 12:43:00 +0000

Fall semester kicked off last Monday for me. I’m once again taking four classes, another 12 credits. One of my classes, is a retake. Algebra, ugh. I’m hoping I do better this time, since surely some of what I learned last time through should help this time.

The rest are all rather writing intensive. So for the record, here is the what and why of Fall Semester 2012.

Pets in Society (Animal Science 215)

What: Introduction to the various roles that companion animals play in society, and their impact on human activity and well being.

Why?: I plan to move into a BA in Psychology after I finish this AA in Letters, Arts, and Sciences. Specifically, I aim to work in some capacity with servicemen and women, and their families dealing with PTSD. As the military is beginning to embrace pets, in that you now see soldiers with service dogs that are specifically trained and assigned to assist with PTSD. In a broader scope, I think knowing more about the connection between pets and mental health is a great stepping stone in my chosen field. I have anxiety issues, and I know my pets have helped me when I get to anxious. Yes it sounds like a fluff class, but the workload says otherwise. Plenty of reading, and writing due every week along with class discussions.

Religion in American Life and Thought (AM ST140Y)

What: Exploring some of the interesting questions and ideas of the way religion and culture have interacted in American history.

Why: Much like the earlier class, religion and faith play an integral part in our society, and our mental health. No matter the beliefs, each of us depends on our faith in hard times. This also contributes to my future studies. I also needed a “Writing Across the Semester” class (the “Y” designation) to fulfill my current degree requirements.

Biology, well that’s pretty self explanatory, I needed a science, and Biology is a basic requirement for any health field really. Might as well lay that groundwork too. Again, writing intensive. So basically my semester is Math, Science, lots of writing. I hope I can keep up. The first week went well enough. Usually that week is all introductions, and syllabus reading/quiz. But this time every class jumped right into assignments.

I finished Friday night, just in time to have the weekend off. Which is my goal most weeks. Finish early, and then enjoy my free time.

I’m also keeping with my self made rules. As you have to with online learning. Not only does it take discipline to DO all your work, it takes just as much to know when to STOP. My children attend school from 8-4, and my husband usually gets home sometime later. I make myself work within the kids school hours and STOP when they arrive home.

When you are balancing life and classes, you have to have limits. When 4pm hits, It is time for me to shift from Student, back to Wife and Mom for the evening. The kids assist with the housework, so that isn’t a huge issue, but I need that time to wind down, and relax as well. I also need time for ME. So once we all finish dinner, and the associated cleanup, we split up and do our own things.

I also like to help out with his unit, so I will be making time for volunteer activities as well there. On top of that, I’ll be looking for opportunities to volunteer on post, to build my resume and make needed connections. I’m adding things a little at a time, but hopefully I’ll end up eventually working, AND going to school. Then all my well scheduled time will need rescheduled.

But it’s working for me now.

WoW: Preparing For Expansion

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 08:54:00 +0000

I have never prepared for an expansion. I always just grabbed a character and started playing. Even when Draenei and Blood Elves were introduced, I stuck with my existing characters mostly. This time is different. Now we have heirlooms to boost our new characters through the leveling experience. We have account wide pets and mounts coming. We. Have. PANDAS!
I have 2 baby characters planned and their names saved. One will be a Pandaren hunter named Lieshou. The other a possible Night Elf monk named Dorienne. Dori for short! Just keep swinging, just keep swinging! I have 4 heirlooms collected for the hunter, and I’ll be working on the Monk’s this week before school begins on Monday. While doing that, I’ll be running my Priest through heroic randoms, since she has the best gear and gets the most out of it. She’ll get bonus cloth, to make everyone bags, and maybe sell some. She’ll also be working on the Pug pet to add to the team collection, which currently sits around 158.
Jess the Druid is still working on Archaeology to get that damned crawling claw, and doing dailies in Hyjal for the Mini jouster, and Hyjal cub.
Apparently most of my preparation centers on pets. Shocking.
Other things I should do:

stockpile herbs to ease leveling inscription on the monk.
max Jesswyn (priest) in enchanting
consider getting heirloom weapons
work out some sort of schedule so I don’t freak out and vanish when school starts
get a new PC so I can play SWTOR too!!
stop typing and go pug some heroics.

WoW: Fo Damn Shizzle!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 10:32:00 +0000

Who’s the Big Red Kitty Now???

Fo’Shizzle!

WoW: Pet #157

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:10:00 +0000

(click to embiggen)

It’s about #$%$^%^& time!!

He was my Unicorn. I did nothing but fish the last 2 days, after trying on and off since BC. Finally hooked him this afternoon!

Still working on my last couple pets. The ones through Hyjal dailies, and the mini jouster daily, and Pebble from the random Deepholm daily.

WoW: Getting Ready for MoP, No More ZG!

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 06:01:00 +0000

Part of getting ready for Mists of Panderia means getting what pets I can before release. That meant pugging ZG to get my Lashtail Raptor < Jessmyn’aka" >

Never. Again. In fact, I may not pug any heroics again ever. 4 different times the queue popped, once the other dps didn’t accept so it was another wait, when I finally got in, with a full group, our tank pulled too many mobs, wiped us, and the group fell apart. The next tank refused to click the cauldrons to get the debuff, and repeatedly died in the goo. Then he dropped group after wiping on the…well goo boss. The final tank never said a word to anyone, rode straight to the Raptor boss, leaving those of us from the earlier group to catch up. Started bang smashing through the place like the incredible hulk on crack but with less personality, down Raptor boss, grabbed my little Raptor out of her chains, then we went to somewhere with panthers and shadow hunters. This is where I threw up my hands, grabbed Jessmyn’aka and left.

He pulled every trash mob in that hut.

So, from now on? my get ready for MoP plan?

Fish for Mr Pinchy.
Dailies to build gold
Fish for Mr Pinchy
try to get Pebbles
GIVE ME MY MR PINCHY!!!
Drink More Wine.

Final Respects

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:36:00 +0000

It is with a sad and heavy heart, I say goodbye to the best damned Orc I ever knew.

Ratters, you will ALWAYS be Ratters to me, you were the 2nd WoW blog ever read, the first I subscribed to, and all the reason my characters have developed voices in my head no matter what game they are from. I have laughed out loud, and burst into tears more than once in the years I’ve been following you, you did good son. Real good. (sorry, I channeled some Mass Effect 3 there).

I’ll be following you on Tumblr, and Twitter, and I damned well better see you around. I kinda loves you and your crazy wife, and I’m proud to consider you both my friends.

WoW: Final Touches

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 10:35:00 +0000

A Feral transmog set for Jessmyn, a hair change for Seenah (both forms) and Theena. And I think, I have them ready in that respect for Mists of Panderia in September.

Seenah in her human form. What? She doesn’t always run around with her fangs beared. It still freaks some people out.

Seenah in her true form. No more brown fur/skin, we’ve gone to charcoal.

Our trusty druid with the pet collection that needs it’s own city, Jessmyn. This is her Feral (cat) set.

and finally, Jesstheena, or “Theena”. A holy little ray of feckin’ sunshine eh? What can I say, she was born to be blonde!

World of Warcraft: Living in the Shadows

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:54:00 +0000

I could’t just leave it at transmogging the gear. My rogue and pally needed a little something more. So there were some hair color changes. And for my rogue, picking up her racial mount. I don’t care what anyone says, those big horses are cool. She also looks amazing on Tyrael’s charger.

and…you can’t see me…

I <3 Her.

World of Warcraft: Transmogs Complete

noreply@blogger.com (Lady Jess) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:06:00 +0000

I spent all day yesterday finishing up the outfits for these guys. Well, except the Priest, hers was done months ago. With a LOT of PvP.

I didn’t touch PvP this time. I used old dungeons, watched the AH, used what I had in my banks, did some lowbie class quests and at one point even hired a leatherworker.

I’m not going to do wowhead links, just Armory, since I’ve had no coffee yet.

Jessmyn: Resto druid, Phae’s Robes have been in my bank since I upgraded them. But I’d never ever part with them. So that, is what I based my druid’s entire look around. And yes you read that right. She went back to Resto main spec, thanks to Mists of Panderia. Can’t wait! Her off spec is feral (cat) for now but that will be going back to Boomkin. Thus, same outfit.

Jesswyn: Shadow priest, all pvp mog gear. Based around the talent “Dark Archangel”

Seenah: Assassination/Combat Rogue. Obviously this set is just based on being a rogue, greys and blacks, no flashy colors.

And finally Jesstheena. She has the same set for both specs. Which are currently Prot and Ret. So she’s shown here with both weapon sets.