Hope

  February 13th, 2013 was the date of my last post on this blog. I think an explanation for my considerable absence is overdue. In June of 2012 my family and I moved from the USA to India, this entire change was extremely taxing on me. I had visited the country prior almost every summer (save for the summer of 2007) however was born and spent the first 14 years of my life in the United States so I hadn't attended school in India, this turned out to be the biggest challenge.

  

  I enrolled at a private school in India in the 9th grade. I often felt betrayed in a way since I was ecstatic to begin High School and I felt as if that was taken away from me. My school in India is mainly comprised of children who have moved from the United States as well but many of them had moved much earlier than I had so while they could relate to my issues, almost no one could relate to the extent. At the first day of school the teachers left an extremely terrible impression on me, I clearly recall my Physics teacher screaming at a chid for smiling in class. This behavior prompted me to begin to not go to school at all. I didn't attend school for another month afterwards and when my parents finally forced me to go I was very bitter. I built up walls around myself in order to shut out the world and this caused me to develop an enormous superiority complex and made more cruel in general. This attitude initiated a long era of my life where I was severely bullied. All the changes and hardships I was facing caused me to spiral into depression where every day was a battle against myself, one that I seemed to clearly be losing. I was trapped in pure darkness and the only way out seemed to be through ending it all.

 December rolled along and not much had changed since the move, at least until I attended my first Model United Nations conference. Attending that conference presented me with an opportunity to turn my life around and hopefully step back into the light that was I longed to return to. I made friends and discovered a passion I had previously never known of. Slowly yet surely my life started to become a little brighter. Naturally ,as many who have struggled with similar problems can attest too, there are times where you seem to begin that downward spiral once again. However, through the incredible friends I have made and the support of my family I am not as afraid of that darkness anymore. I’ve endured numerous tribulations, most notably an abusive relationship and anxiety, but since then but I’d like to think that each one was an opportunity to learn and grow.

 Now throughout this time period I did not stopped playing Wizard101. Connor is now an exalted wizard eagerly waiting for Polaris and still trying to get his Darkmoor gear. The spiral was truly one of the few places during this entire time period where I could still feel happy and safe and valued. This post is not to explain the death of this blog or to attempt to heal old wounds but rather to help me understand how important this game has been to me and how much I love it. Wizard 101 truly isn’t a game for me, it was and still is a sanctuary. I always knew that I could log into the game and at least for some time be happy. 

 Although cliché, there is one statement that has always held true for me; “it gets better”. I do not dwell in the shadows anymore because I have learnt to walk in the sun. Maybe this is the last blog post on “The Myth Wiz” or maybe I’ll find inspiration (because I honestly miss blogging immensely) and begin anew. Either way I would like to personally thank the entire Wizard 101 community for simply existing. Regardless of my participation in the community, I’ve always felt safe in game because of it. Hearing Stephen and Christina on Spiral Radio brings me back to my first days as a wizard just as Ravenwood Radio was beginning. I look at how far Friendly has gone, from a player to our community manager and I cannot help but feel overwhelming joy at his achievements. The bustling Wizard101 YouTube community that has formed in the last few years is just another example of how inspirational and creative the players of this game are. I ,of course, look back fondly at the people and websites in the community who may have left the game but who have created an impact on me that will never be forgotten (specifically Diary of a Wizard). This community is truly something spectacular and I am so proud to see how it has grown. Before I wrap this post up I’d like to leave anyone who may be reading with one word, hope. Hope is light and darkness will never win as long as that one word is honored. Always and forever, see ya in the spiral.

Magic On The Mac

   Since its creation Wizard 101 has only worked on Windows computers due to the complexity of transferring the game onto a completely different operating machine. Now after over 5 years this has changed. Wizard 101 is finally available on Mac computers! This feature is one that has always been requested for by the playerbase. Now Wizard 101 will reach a larger audience (and I finally have no excuse not to get a Mac). Here are instructions on how to get Wizard 101 on your Mac. See ya in the Spiral!

The Sun Will Rise

    This is not a Wizard 101 post but I personally believe that this may be the most important post I have ever written. Many of us have been bullied and even if you haven't chances are you know someone who has been. Recently I saw a video titled "Making The Bus Monitor Cry" (I will not post a link because the video is horrible and contains inappropriate language). This video shocked me, stunned me, and broke my heart. I have never seen a group of children bully someone else so extensively. These children tormented an elderly lady named Karen Klein to the point of her crying. They teased her about her weight, her age , and even her economical status. Another thing that shocked me is that NO ONE stood up for her. This sort of think happens everyday throughout the world and very little attention is brought to this major issue over a long period of time. To all the Wizards out there, remember you are not the only person in this world with emotions. Behind the computer screen there are real people. No one deserves to be treated in such a manner. Karen makes very little money and she works diligently on her job but the kids still treat her this way. Here is a site where you can donate money to Karen to let her take a well deserved vacation or retire. If you or someone you know is being bullied don't sit there and let it happen take a stand and help them or tell an adult. If you are being bullied right now remember that you are not alone and that there will always be someone there for you no matter how bad things may seem. And to Karen, I applaude you on the way you handled the situation you are a remarkable woman and I hope for your well being in the future. "The sun will rise."

When Real Life Strikes Back

   Sorry for not posting for a while. I've been in the middle of moving so a lot of my time has been occupied by IRL commitments but since it's summer I have free time now! The only bad thing is that my school starts in July but it does end in April. During my absence I have finished Avalon and I can honestly say it was great. More on that later, see ya in the spiral!

PS: Post number 100!

Having A Wild Time in Avalon

    Though I haven't been chronicling my adventures throughout Avalon yet (I will start with this post though) I have been adventuring through it. I am presently in "The Wild" and it is an absolute blast. I love almost every part of the update and world. The only thing that could make it better would be a level 80 dungeon and level 78 spells but that might be a bit much. I have also noticed that throughout the world you often re-visit past areas for your quests. I really like this mechanic. It helps make a world longer without having to make entirely new areas. When you come back to an area after a long time it all feels new and it saves time for Kingsisle! Another thing I noticed about the world is that the characters are not very responsible or hard-working. The "Sword of Kings" is literally passed down from person to person and so far none of them have kept it. This shows that before the events of late that the world really didn't face many hardships or troubles this is attitude is especially true among the wealthier residents of the world (stereotype right there).
     Another thing I adore about Avalon is the scenery. Everything is so detailed that I sometimes forget that this was once just computer code. Each house has it's own unique story to it that can be interpreted in many different ways personalizing the game experience toward the mind-set of each player. To me one house may have been ransacked by "Froudlings" to another the owner may just be to lazy to clean up the mess he or she made. I can look at the Toadstool Village in "The Wild" and say that all the Leprechauns there make shoes and worship Cassie the Ponycorn. Or I could state that Cassie is their prisoner. Though you could do this with other worlds it is much easier in Avalon.
   So far Avalon is a fantastic world and I will be posting more in the future. Till then at the bottom are a few pictures of my adventures in Avalon. See ya in the Spiral!

This NEEDS to be a mount.

Looking out towards the moat surrounding Caer Lyon

Me using Basilisk on some random fox person. 

Badgers casting Forest Lord on me in High Road.

Thawing out the Fire Elf Village in "The Wild"

Earth Day

    Today April 22 is Earth Day. A day to celebrate our planet and strive to protect it. Each year the United States alone produces over 360 billion pounds of waste and 14 billion of those pounds are dumped in our oceans. Oceans provide vital resources for many different types of marine animals as well as millions of people around the world. All this trash pollutes the ocean which produces half of the worlds oxygen. If the ocean is polluted so is our air. If you live near a body of water that is polluted let your local government know that you would like it to be protected.  Energy is wasted as well. Did you know that enough solar energy reaches the earth everyday to power the planet for 27 years. See if you can get your community to start installing solar panels. Habitat destruction is a major cause of animal extinction. Don't buy products made from palm oil to save rain forests in Borneo. Try not to litter as well. Litter may be eaten by animals and cause them to have health problems. These are only a few of the things we can do to help our earth here are more.

                                        The cast of Glee sharing tips for helping the environment.

A 1992 speech to the UN.

Earth Song- Michael Jackson

     There are so many things we can do to help our earth. Even informing others about the actions threatening our home makes a difference. One person can change the world. Why not start today?

Basilisk in the Jungle

    In my scrambling to finish Zafaria I have finally reached Drum Jungle! I also received my basilisk spell right before that as you can see in the new header. So far I'm doing good right now I'm on a quest to defeat Gorilla Spider Witches. The problem with them is that they're myth. If only I had the mass prism spell. At this rate I should be done with Zafaria really soon. Hopefully just in time for Avalon! See ya in the Spiral!


-Connor Mistblade