Breakfast Topic: Have your guildies inspired you in real life?
by Josh Rose 
Nov 12th 2010 at 8:00AM
We all have people in our guilds who are better at WoW than we are. They have amazing reaction times, are great leaders, or put up amazing numbers on the damage or healing meters. But often we know little about the person behind the keyboard. Since my guild is full of mostly adults, we talk a lot about real life in guild chat and on our guild forums. Some of the stuff is merely about TV shows we are watching or books we are reading; seriously, we have a 15-page forum about MMA from all the UFC fans in our guild.
Occasionally, however, truly major life events are discussed, some of which are sad and some are inspiring. We have used the forums to say goodbye to a few members for reasons ranging from personal tragedy, to moving and changing jobs, to simply getting tired of the game.
Some of the stories inspired me to make changes in my own life. One of our guild members talked about his diet and how through exercise and cutting out some fast food, he has lost nearly 60 pounds. This caused me to start watching how much I was snacking during raids and got me back to the gym. Another guild member went back to college for his master's degree, and this led me to look into what it would cost for me to go back and get my culinary degree. Two of our guild members got engaged, and this led me to realize I had better start thinking about ring shopping before my girlfriend gets fed up with me.
Do you ever discuss important real-life events with members of your guild? Have any of their stories made you examine your own life? Have any of their advice or personal insights inspired you to make changes or tough choices in your life?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Darky Nov 12th 2010 8:05AM
I know its not really a life changing experience but it's still fairly defining. An ex guildy that is now an IRL friend got me to start writing although I was already a lit nut hearing about him working on a novel got me inspired. ^__^
Banaoil Nov 12th 2010 8:08AM
Family guild, almost all of us are married, most have kids. We swap dinner recipes, Good food is most definitely a quality of life raiser. Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas is my fav.
Shade Nov 12th 2010 8:28AM
If the recipe isn't horrifically long, would you mind posting it? XD
...8:30 in the morning and now I want mexican food. Hoo boy.
Hiwa Nov 12th 2010 8:46AM
@Shade--are you pregnant?
Heather Nov 12th 2010 9:07AM
I don't think you need to be preggers to have a sudden craving for Mexican.
I pretty much love anything with green chiles in it. I want to see this recipe, too!
Grovinofdarkhour Nov 12th 2010 11:02AM
Dangit, now I want a breakfast burrito.
Jason Nov 12th 2010 11:28AM
Anytime is a good time for Mexican.
Hiwa Nov 12th 2010 8:11AM
I have a guildie who let slip that he's a pastry chef. Ever since then I've been craving donuts.
Gendou Nov 12th 2010 8:31AM
One of my guildies sent me venison jerky, from a deer he himself shot.
It was delicious, and was gone far too quickly.
That inspired me to want more jerky.
Kurtis Nov 12th 2010 9:39AM
I don't know - hearing someone talk about their jerky guildie...
Palabobo Nov 12th 2010 8:22AM
I finally took some time to get to know someone in my guild years ago, and he turned out to be the best friend I'd never even met. The guy was almost never caught in anything but the best of moods, and his upbeat attitude always rubbed off on everyone for the most part. Either through his random and hilarious humor, or simply giving some kind words to cheer you up, he was there for you. It wasn't until after I got to know him better that I found out how he'd been struggling in real life, that I truly respected his constantly positive attitude. He'd been laid off due to the recession from a good computer-related job, and had been job searching for almost a year. Anytime he wasn't in game, he was simply trying to get interviews and putting in job applications, but nobody in the computer field was looking for new bodies at that time.
Finally, he had found a new job, and it seemed the stars were aligning for him. One night when he hadn't shown up for a raid, we simply assumed he was busy with his new job (he'd only been working maybe a week or two at most). Suddenly, members of the guild started getting phone calls from his cell phone. It turned out that Richard suffered a massive heart attack on the job, right at his desk, and had passed away. His brother (I believe) was taking the time to call everyone in his cell phone book to tell them of his passing. I'd never really had a friend pass before, much less one I'd never even met, but it was impossible to not feel devastated.
From this, I was simply reminded that life is short, and to enjoy the time you have - even with the people you've never even met.
Leroy Nov 12th 2010 9:38AM
Coming from someone who has done some Master's level work, my advice would be to be yourself. If you were friends with these guys before you knew what they did, then my guess is that they are a good group who don't care what someone's educational background is, but rather what kind of person they are.
My father never went to college, but he is one of the best guys I know. I might know more about Plato and Aristotle, but he knows more about cars and mechanics. And our difference in education doesn't preclude us from having a lot in common.
Leroy Nov 12th 2010 9:41AM
Darn comment system replied to the wrong post, that was meant for @Szass
Lipstick Nov 12th 2010 9:47AM
This makes me sad -- and happy at the same time. Life can be such a dark place sometimes, but it always seems as if there are a few "bright stars" among us that blaze brightly, leaving a path of light in their wake. They always seem to burn out way too soon.
I'm sorry for your loss, though I'm glad you got to know someone this special.
sir_insomniac Nov 12th 2010 8:24AM
I went into business with one of my guildies...the business didn't work out, but we're firm friends still, and still love to play together. :)
Muse Nov 12th 2010 8:30AM
One of the advantages my guild has is that we have three really old players, one's over 50, the other two well over 60. They've lived long lives and they're very resistant to drama or getting worked up over things because they've been there, done that. They bring an amazing stability to the guild, and the fact that all of them have managed to live through some depressing crap and hard times, and have turned out perfectly healthy and balanced people. It's given me hope that just because stuff might be hard now, it won't always be. I want to be a cool old person like them when I grow up.
Sleutel Nov 12th 2010 8:52AM
50s and 60s is "really old" now? Yikes, don't tell my parents.
Darky Nov 12th 2010 9:37AM
As far as gaming goes over 50 is pretty old.
Hangk Nov 12th 2010 3:01PM
"[they're] resistant to drama or getting worked up over things because they've been there, done that."
Of all the advantages of getting older (and there are more than a few), this is my favorite.
Eisengel Nov 12th 2010 7:40PM
@Hangk
I both agree and disagree with you. :^)
People naturally react to what happens to them based on what has happened before. It's natural that as you grow older, you'll encounter more stressful situations and will have a very different perspective than someone younger, however I see a lot more 'growing older' and not so much 'growing up'. I guess it could just be my own curmudgeoness (dang kids! /shakefist), but with all the ubiquitous interconnectedness it seems less and less people come up against actual difficulties and crises that they have to deal with alone. The extreme popularity of 'reality' TV also seems deleterious, since it all but lionizes being a preening mess; unable to handle things happening around you but at the same time massively convinced of your own value and importance.
I would agree that age can certainly help in that regard, but especially these days, I wouldn't count it as a strong indicator.