Midsummer Fire Festival (pt 1)

I love the world events, and the Midsummer Fire Festival is one of my favorites. I decided to make this little guide on the fastest (I think) way to honor/desecrate the flames in all the towns, as well as stealing the flames in the major cities. This was done on a 70 human mage with all the flightpaths, but the travel paths are such that instead of flying you could run to the next stop, and grab the fp while you are there. I will also include notes for those doing it from the horde perspective as well. As for stealing the flames, it may be easier or more difficult for you depending on your level and class. The quest itself isn’t available until level 50, and even at higher levels (again, depending on class), you may have to die a couple times to get them done. Also, I will include landmarks as well as coords in my description. Here goes:

I started off in Booty Bay (Stranglethorn Vale); both Horde and Alliance fires are on the beach if you turn right out of town (33,73 and 32,75). At this point allys will fly/run to Darkshire (Duskwood), the fire is in a field south of town (74,51). Next run to Stonard (Swamp of Sorrows), fire is north of town (47,47). Then run to Nethergarde Keep (Blasted Lands) the fire is just outside of town (58,17). {Horde would fly to SoS, then go to NK, then Darkshire} From NK, allys would fly to Sentinel Hill (Westfall), the fire is right next to the fp (56,54), then fly to Stormwind and run to Goldshire (Elwynn), the fire is right outside town (43,65). Next, you would run to Lakeshire (Redridge Mountains), the fire is by the lake, near the fp (24,59). {Horde would run from Darkshire to Westfall, the try to steal the flame in Stormwind (it is in the canal district, near the stockades). Then run to Goldshire and then Redridge.} From Lakeshire, fly or run to the Burning Steppes. The alliance fire is right outside Morgan’s Vigil (80,62), and the horde fire is southwest of Flame Crest (62,29). At this point, I ported to Ironforge. Flying would be fine as well. For Hordies, going to Kargath (Badlands) would be your best bet. From IF, run towards Kharanos (Dun Morogh), the fire is on the right side of the road (46,48), then go back to IF and fly (or run) to Thelsamar (Loch Modan), the fire is northwest of town (32,40). From there, run to Kargath (the southern entrance is easier – 4,49). {Horde would do Kargath, Thelsamar, then Loch Modan, and try to steal the flame in IF}. At this point both factions would get to Menethil Harbor (Wetlands), the flame is right outside the city (13,47), then fly/run to Arathi Highlands. The Alliance fire is northeast of Refuge Point (50,44), and the Horde fire is south of Hammerfall (74,41). Nest fly to the Hinterlands, ally fire is at the bottom of the hill south of Arie Peak (14,50), the horde fire is on the beach north of Revantusk Village (76,74). Then fly/run to Hillsbrad Foothills, ally fire is north of Southshore (50,46), and the horde fire is southwest of Tarren Mill (58,25). Next you will run {or fly for hordies} to Silverpine forest, fire is east of the Sepulchur (49,38), then run to Tirisfal Glades, the fire is outside Brill (57,62). At the this point, the Alliance will want to steal the flame of Undercity. It is one of the easier ones. Simply enter the Ruins of Loredaron, and the flame will be on the left. Next, run to the Western Plaguelands and grab the flame at Chillwind camp (43,82), and then allies will want to fly to ZA, and hordies to the closest town to Tranquillin (Ghostlands). For allies, the fire is on the right side of the road after you run through town (48,26). Even though these are lower level towns up here, be careful as there are a lot of level 75 guards around. After getting this flame, I advise traveling north through the scar until you get to Eversong Woods. The flame here is west of the scar near the entrance to the ruined side of the city (48,50). Now you will attempt to steal the flame of Silver moon city. This is quite a bit more difficult that Undercity. After coming through the entrance, you will run straight until you hit a dead end, then turn right, then left through Murder Row, then straight down the hallway to the Court of the Sun. The flame is on the left once you enter. The hardest part is getting through the main entrance. If you use invisibility (potion or ability) or stealth to enter, once you are in the main hallways, it is easy enough to avoid the guards that patrol (if you notice the curtained area to the right once you have started going down the first hallway, this is a safe area, you can hide in here until patrols pass).
Congratulations! You have completed the Eastern Kingdoms!

Now, on to Kalimdor. I started off in Darnassus. There is a flame in Dolanaar (55,60), and the flame for the horde to steal for Darnassus is outside the city in Rut’heran Village (this is the easiest one for the Horde). Then catch a flight to Auberdine (Darkshore), the flame is southwest of town (37,46), then take the boat to Azuremyst Isle. The flame is southwest of Azurewatch (44,53). Next, run to Bloodmyst, the flame is south of Bloodwatch (55,69). {This is also an opportunity for the Horde to steal the flame of the Exodar}. Then take the boat back to Auberdine and fly to Winterspring, the flames for both sides are next to each flightpath (62,35 & 59,35). Then, fly to Ashenvale, the alliance flame is southeast of Astranaar (38,54), and the horde flame is south of Splintertree Post (70,69). From there it is easiest for allies to run to Forestsong, then fly to Stonetalon Mountains. The Horde flame is near Sunrise Retreat (50,60), from there run south to the Barrens {the Horde will be able to fly to these next few stops, obviously}. The first flame we want to grab is north of the Crossroads (52,28), the we ride to Durotar and grab the flame south of Razor Hill. Now is the opportunity for the Alliance to grab the Orgrimmar flame. This is another difficult one. The best way to enter is through the western entrance by the river (because if you enter through the front, A. there’s more people and B. its not on the right level, and if you aren’t super familiar with Org, you will probably die just trying to get up to the correct place). Once inside, you basically just follow the path around until you get to the Valley of Wisdom, the flame will be on the right by a bunch of buildings. Next, you will ride to Mulgore, the flame is east of Bloodhoof Village (51,60), and of course we can steal the Thunderbluff flame. This is not quite as easy as Undercity, but it is much easier than the other two. I suggest taking the northern-most of the two elevators, simply because it is slightly closer to our objective. Once off the elevator at the top, there are a couple of guards, but they aren’t too close (they did not see my level 70 as she stepped off the elevator, only once I ran past them), we want to take an immediate left (go north), hugging the cliff edge, once you hit the edge of a building that you can’t go around, go in this building, and across the bridge to Spirit Rise, then up the hill to the left, that is where the flame will be. To escape, you can go back the way you came, or simply jump off the cliff (assuming you have slowfall, or a parachute or something similar). If you are trying to escape and don’t think you will make it, go ahead a jump anyway, so at least you won’t have to go back up to retrieve your body. Now for allies, run to Dustwallow Marsh {hordies can fly}. The horde flame is west of Brackenwall Village (33,30), and the alliance one is outside of Theramore (62,40). Now, fly to Silithus, both flames are down the hill, Alliance to the east (57,34), and Horde to the west (46,44). Then fly to Gadgetzan (Tanaris), once again, allies to the east (52,29) and horde to the west (49,27). From here, {Horde can fly} Alliance will have to run. We are going to Freewind Post (Thousand Needles), the flame is to the west (41,52). Then ride {fly} to Feralas, the horde flame is west of Camp Mojache (72,47), the ride and take the boat to Feathermoon Stronghold, the flame is to the west (28,44). Now, fly {or run} to Desolace, ally flame is (65,17) down the hill from town, horde flame is (26,76) near the beach. Congratulations! You have finished Kalimdor! Now (if you’re high enough level to) its time to move on to Outlands.

Projects

I am a crafter. And I'm not monogamous about it either. As a result, I often have multiple projects going on at once. Right now, I am knitting a sweater coat for myself out of 50/50 wool/alpaca yarn in a lovely dark purple color. Right now I'm about halfway through with the back portion. I am also working on a cross stitch quilt, which has been hibernating for several years (by several years, I mean since I was 17). I am actually using three different quilt block patterns, a butterfly surrounded with flowers, a flower wreath in the shape of a heart, and a parasol girl holding a flower. There are 12 of each pattern (which is probably more than I'll need, since they are 9" blocks), and I've done about 6. When I started this as a teenager, it was with the intent of making it for myself, and as a result all the patterns are quite girly. Now, I figure by the time I'm done with this thing, it will probably go to my little girl (assuming I have a girl and not all boys or something). The coat, however is a project I'd like to finish a little faster, perhaps in time to wear this fall/winter. I also have a couple of planned projects that need to be done by November (a wedding present), and December (a Christmas preset), so as the time gets closer, the first two projects may fall by the wayside. I also have a 2x3 ft counted cross-stitch project, but that is something that has no deadline, and I haven't worked on it for several years either.

Chopsticks, Converter boxes and the Elderly

…or How my day went and what I’d REALLY love to say to my customers.

So, I may have mentioned that I work at a call center for a major satellite tv company. My days are monotonous and yet occasionally interesting. A vast majority of the people I talk to are not that bright (obviously the smarter ones don’t need to call me for stupid issues).

My dumb move of the day was to pack myself some homemade spaghetti for lunch… but no silverware. Most the time they provide some craptastic sporks, but having the latest shift means that the sporks aren’t always there when I take my lunch. Today they were out, but for some odd reason there were about a dozen plastic knives, so I grabbed two and used them as chopsticks. It was … interesting … to say the least, but it was (slightly) better than using my fingers. My spaghetti sure was good though!

So, on to the other part of my post (the ranting part, lol). These are just a few things I would love to be able to say/explain to my customers (and things that would get me fired if I did).

1. There is no “magic button” that I can press to fix your problem, sorry, I wish there was.
2. Yes, part of what we say is scripted. I hate it as much as you do, but I have to say it. It’s just as much a part of my job as actually fixing your problem.
3. Don’t lie about anything regarding changes to equipment, programming, or anything regarding money. I can see everything on your account. I can see those “special” pay-per-views that you order every week, the credits you got for making a fuss when you called in last month, and the fact that you are late paying your bill almost every month.
4. As much as I can see about hard facts and changes on your account, I can’t see every little thing that the last guy told you, unless s/he actually wrote it in the notes on the account.
5. Yelling, cursing and threatening me gets you nowhere. I am limited in what I can do in regards to money. You really want to get somewhere with getting money off your bill? Here’s a little tip: either ask for a supervisor, or better yet, threaten to cancel.
6. If you can’t work the basic functions of your equipment, (such as understanding what I mean when I say “select number six” or “press six on your remote”), then PLEASE get someone (family member, friend, neighbor, paper boy, I don’t care) who actually understands a little bit about technology and can work your equipment (generally, this means someone 1 – 2 decades younger than you). This will make it easier and quicker for everyone concerned.

Long time no see...

It's been a while since I've updated, mainly because my life is boring and there is not much to talk about. I did dye a streak of purple in my hair and it looks pretty cool. (there will be no pics posted here, but if you know me, just look at my facebook). Tomorrow I will be bridesmaid-dress-shopping with my bestest fried for her wedding as she has changed her mind from the first ones we picked out. Which is fine with me, as long as she doesn't change her mind after I finally buy the dress :) Let's see... what else is new... we moved into a duplex, so the doggy has a yard (thank goodness!) and we have more room (in general terms, although the bedrooms and bathrooms are smaller, but there are two of each!). Its just us right now, but one of our friends may be moving in with us temporarily/semi-permanently as her lease is up next month and she hasn't been able to find/afford another place. This will be one of the better roommate situations that I've lived in though as, A) she's a girl, and therefore less likely to be messy and more likely to help clean, and B) there will be no sharing of bathrooms! I will call her K. for the purposes of this; she is a friend met through a friend of my hubs at work (who was also my immediate supervisor at work for a while, and while he was nice and all that, it was mildly weird going out to the bars and stuff w/ a sup from work, and even more weird when I got sick and his girlfriend (K.) had to take care of me when I was sick from an over-indulgence of alcohol, so its better now that he is not my supervisor).

Also, since moving in here we have acquired a Tivo, which means the hubs can use the cable dvr in the living room, and I get the tivo in the bedroom. Not only have been catching up on episodes of shows I missed, but I've also been getting into some new shows. My current "Season tickets" list has: HawthoRNe, Moonlight, Angel, NCIS, House, and Ace of Cakes. The first two are totally new to me, and all the others I'm just catching up on re-runs of episodes I missed. Also, this has given me a lot more knitting/crocheting time, and I finally finished an afghan that almost covers my queen-size bed! (pics to come!)