World of Warcraft

"Hi, my name is Nihon, and I'm a Warlock."

"Hi Nihon!"

Alright, alright, I'm not really a Warlock but I play one online in Blizzard's World of Warcraft MMORPG. I've played since December 2006 and it's been the best gaming experience I've ever had. It's been a long, hard road but I've reached max level of 70 and started exploring end game content. I'm in a great guild that's on the verge of serious raiding and look forward to gaming with them every day. But, being a Navy Man, I'm away from home alot and there are weeks/months that I can't play.

It's my son's fault. He started playing in September 2006. I've always been a gamer so when he asked me if he could play this game, I had no problem with letting him get a subscription. Little did I know I would find myself with my own account shortly thereafter.

We play together all the time! It's almost been a competition between us with our characters but that's alright, a little healthy competition never hurt anyone. He's been the first to reach all the great milestones of leveling a character. First land mount, first to Outlands, first epic land mount, first to level 70, first flying mount...

Then he was first to get his epic flying mount.

What? Are you kidding me? How can you do this to me? All those other things are soooo different than this!

I've talked so much about farming the gold for my epic flying mount and never followed through. It's been bad enough I haven't played the game for over a month but now my son has achieved what I consider the BIGGEST in-game accomplishment EVER and it's driving me crazy! For the past two days I've sat in my room listening to the WoW soundtrack and watching WoW videos. All I can think about is how great it will be to farm MY epic flyer, re-exploring end game content and just playing in general! I'm pathetic.

Son, I bow down to your awesomeness!

Him

Me


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Mountain Biking

My first blog, my first post. I might as well start with my current passion.

Way back when, 1989, my buddy Jeff barges into my room one day.

Him: "Hey Donnie, let's go mountain biking!"
Me: "What's that?"

Being Navy, we lived in the barracks in Mayport. Hanna Park was right next door to the base. There were a few miles of trails and Jeff was riding out there frequently. I didn't have a bike though so borrowed one from another buddy, I think it was a Huffy. Jeff had a Cannondale. What I didn't know then was good gear is a BIG help.

I learned mountain biking the hard way. Several scrapes, bruises and bumps later I was hooked. Eventually I bought my own bike, I think it was a Murray (I know, I was young, stupid and broke), and rode with Jeff often. I wouldn't say all the time but enough to keep the fire burning.

Fast forward to 2001. Marriage, children and career put my mountain biking on the back burner and I hadn't rode for 6-8 years.

Enter John. Epitome of physical fitness. Metabolism of a hummingbird. Avid mountain biker. He stokes the fire once again. I'm at a point in my life where I can start taking up certain hobbies again. I break out my Murray. He breaks out his top-o-the-line, best parts money can buy, mountain bike. I still haven't learned good gear is required.

Wow! It's been a looong time! He's fast! I can't keep up! He's leaving me behind! I have to peddle faster! How'd he get through those trees?

Him: "You alright?"
Me: "No..."

University of West Florida had some great trails. He laughed at me every time I dragged my bike on the trails. I think he may have been embarrassed to be seen with me and my Murray but he still rode with me. 2003-2004 I hang up my mountain bike again.

Fast forward to 2006. Stationed in Japan, return from deployment for a short in-port period before heading out for the fall.

My loving Wife: "I saw an awesome mountain bike at the store while you were gone."
Me: "Really? What kind?"
Her: "A good one. You should look at it."
Me: "Really?"

2006 Cannondale Scalpel, made for speed, on sale to make way for 2007 models.

Her: "You should buy it."
Me: "REALLY?"
Her: "Yes."
Me: "NO! REALLY? YOU MEAN IT? YOU REALLY MEAN IT?"
Her: "Calm down, we're in public, you're acting a fool."

November 2006, my buddy Dave is a hardcore mountain biker. He's excited I have a mountain bike and is chomping at the bit to show me what he can do. And he can do it like nobody's business! We find a trail in Sasebo, my first trail ride since 2003-2004. Easy, flat, FAST! I'm excited to show him MY skills! I'm on his tail, he can't get away from me! The trail curves left, nice little downhill, a few rocks, he picks his line, I pick mine, where'd that overhanging tree come from? I picked wrong...

Him: "You alright?"
Me: "No..."

I'm not as young as I used to be, but the fire is lit and blazing strong!

Since that Sasebo ride, I've ridden Yokosuka and Muroran, Japan, Guam, Hong Kong, Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, with our next stop in Hawaii. Got a great group of guys to ride with every port visit. Each port visit averages about 4 days and we ride hard and long everyday. Riding with Dave, Boss and Hank has increased my skill level ten-fold and I'm better than I ever was. The difference between then and now though is I will never hang up my bike again.