Runescape - The Mages

Another character that can be played in Runescape is that of a magician or most commonly referred to as a mage. An archer or a warrior can switch to this character anytime so long as they have built their skills on maging. One can be a pure mage and can be a dangerous adversary if you happen to face one. Most mages wear long black or blue robes with a matching hat. These are the only available colors in the non-members' world.

The robes actually play an important role for the mages. These help in their atttacks as well as providing defense for them. Anyone can cast a spell but a spell cast by someone wearing a warrior's armor may not be as potent as someone wearing a magician's garb. The same applies to an archer trying to cast a spell.

Casting a spell employs the use of runes which can either be bought, found or made. Certain runes can only be created in the member's worlds. There are a lot of places where these runes respawns but most of them are in the wilderness which can be dangerous for a new mage. The best way to get runes would be to make them and buy those that you can't readily do yourself.

As mages gain more experience, they tend to have an affinity on what kind of attack they want to employ. This is usually shown on the kind of staff they have with them. An all-around mage tend to bring an air staff while others carry fire, water or earth staffs. Some mage also carry a blade weapon and a shield just in case they need to fight hand-to-hand combat.

I have witnessed a group of mages deciminate an opponent in the wilderness and I always think that they are a force to contend with. For new players of this game, this is one character that is really worth exploring.

Day After Thanksgiving

Today is when people start flocking to the stores as early as they can to avail of certain specials being promoted as on sale. I don't think it's wise to be out there with the crowd even if the crowd is your family. There's going to be much impulse buying and most of these items bought will be returned to the store a few days after. The fact that you will will be spending money does not really mean you saved money. Think about it. You are spending money, not saving. No matter how much discounts are given.

The crowd can get rowdy too. So you're not just being hurt financially but you could get hurt physically too. But that's just me. I guess a lot of people out there likes the adrenalin rush they are getting from all these excitement. I think I'll pass though. I'll have my own adrenalin excitement at the gym burning out the calories I gained from yesterday. We may have slaughtered the turkey but they also have their revenge on us.

For those who didn't have the luxury of preparing their own turkey this year but would want to try their hand on doing it for next year, I leave a recipe and steps on preparing a feast for next year.

Fried Whole Turkey

1 big turkey (Butterball 10 lbs)
Soy sauce (or any marinade)
Injection (the type to put the marinade into the turkey)
Salt
Pepper
Deep Fryer (Make sure you can dip the whole turkey in there)

a. Defrost the turkey.
b. Inject the turkey with the soy sauce or marinade at the focal points (breast, legs, thighs).
c. Rub the turkey skin with some soy sauce, salt and pepper.
d. Place the turkey in a wire to be dipped to the deep fryer.
e. Make sure the the oil is boiling at 450 degrees constant.
f. Dip the whole turkey into the boiling oil and be careful not to burn yourself in the process.
g. Calculate 5 minutes for every pound of turkey (10 lbs = 50 minutes cooking time)
h. Cook the rice while waiting for the turkey to get done.
i. Prepare the table and serve the turkey and rice. Make sure you have some soy sauce mixed with vinegar, salt and chopped onions on the side. Add red hot peppers depending on your taste.
j. Call the neighbors or relatives if you want.
k. Sit down around the table, say graces and dig in.
l. Argue as to who gets to clean the table and the cooking materials.

Hope everyone had a great turkey day. Remember, the turkey that survived yesterday may be the turkey you prepare next year.

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

I know this movie came out last year and I watched it that same week when it came out. I have to say my experience at the movie theater was mediocre. Maybe it's because the movie quality wasn't as sharp as I hope it would be. I told myself there and then that I was going to watch this movie again once it comes out in video.

Maybe it was just the hecticness of work that made me forgot about it all. I haven't been to a movie theater or the mall for a very long time now. Not that I crave for it. I do tend to get satisfied just lounging in the sofa either reading or channel surfing when I have some free time.

Which brings me back to the Harry Potter movie. HBO showed this one last night and I was glued to the tube for the whole duration of the movie. And after which, I recalled that I was suppose to rent it from Blockbuster. This would be one of those cases where inaction sometimes lead to solving the issue itself.

Now, what else did I put off my list?

A Little Darkness..

Once in a while, a little darkness in our lives is okay. I guess the emphasis is on the term 'once in a while'. I'm not even sure how to discuss this but for the sake of having something to wite, I'm going to try to.

I actually read this from a Spiderman comic book. I think it was Norman Osborne who muttered it. Norman Osborne is the Green Goblin and is one of Spiderman's toughest enemy. I guess it stems from the fact that both of them knew each other's identity. And somehow that was one of the common bond between them aside from the fact that Norman's son Harry was Spiderman's best friend.

Anyway, Norman muttered those words when he was visiting Harry's tomb and for some reason, he was trying to justify his role in the world as the Green Goblin. Though those words seem to come as a bit deep, it shows Norman's demented reasoning. He has embarked on a life of crime from robbery to murder yet he calls these as 'little darkness'.

I guess 'A little darkness' can be interpreted whichever way by anyone. And for once, I'm befuddled as whether to agree or disagree that it is okay to have a little darkness once in a while. Part of me wants to accept that tenet. The other half is saying the glass is never half empty or half full. It's all or nothing.

A little candle will always shine brightly in a dark room.

Heart and Souls

I was surfing the channels last night and came upon a channel that was showing 'Heart and Souls'. I know this was an old movie and I probably have watched it for like the nth time but this movie still entertains me. And when I say entertain, I meant it will keep me glued to the tube making sure I don't miss a single scene.

The movie stars Robert Downey Jr. and for me, he's one of the most talented versatile actor out there. If only he doesn't waste himself on drugs and other substance abuse. I'm sure he has cleaned up his act the last couple of years but being in that mainstream place where the temptation to easily fall back to the habit is great, he has to be always wary.

The movie was about how 4 people died the same time the character Robert was playing got born. For some reason, their souls were attached to him. You can say that his upbringing was really interesting considering he's got this 4 people watching over him. Now I can discuss more about the movie in here but I'd rather let you readers have the satisfaction of watching it for yourself. I know you'd be as entertained as I have been.

I'm just going to say though.. walk like a man.

Runescape - The Way Of The Archer

Another character that can be played in Runescape is that of an archer. Anyone in the game can become one but has to train hard to be able to inflict real damage if one's ultimate goal is to be able to stand up against other players in a duel. The character looks pretty much like Robin Hood and has a variety of armors, bows and arrows for his use.

A first time or new archer will need to work on this particular skill in order to avail of the better armor, bows and arrows that's available in the game. As they say, baby steps. As one brings their archery levels up, more armor that provides better protection becomes available. So will the selection of bows and arrows. Members can also make their own bows and arrows but since most players are from the free world, one has to build up some wealth in order to afford these arsenal of weapons.

A good safe place to train in bringing one's archery experience up will be at the cow ranch south of Falador or North of Port Sarim. Not only will one be able to train safely from behind the fence but one can also bury the bones to bring one's prayer experience up and gather the meat and cowhides. The meat can be used to bring one's cooking experience up while the cowhide can be sold for 100 gold pieces to anyone who's working on bringing their crafting levels up. One could also use the cowhide to work on their own crafting level and sell the finish products afterwards.

One can also train with the chickens just below the cow farm. The same principle applies. Bury the bones, cook the chicken and gather the feathers. Feathers can be sold to member for their arrows or one can use them for fly fishing. Or one can just sell them to other players jsut to gain more gold pieces.

Anyone can be a pure archer. A pure archer is someone that trained only on being an archer and thus can be a lethal opponent. It would be wise though to also bring one's defense levels up before engaging other players in combat.

Try to make loyal friends in the game. There's always strength in numbers.