Well, what can I say about the new Bat map changes that hasn't already been
said?  Martow's post in general news group sums it up much better than I could
have said it.  Good idea, just that too much of the game is now bent towards
moving around rather than hack-slash due to the implementation given. 
Travelling = boring, and even more so on a limited hack-slash time budget that
I have to live with.  The casual gamer suffers once again!  I"m sure the 24-7
gamers will adjust and adapt with time, a few of the explore types are getting
daily woodies with the changes, the noobs and the casuals, bent over the table
top.  I'm concerned with Gore's reactions though, but then again, I don't see
but a fraction of the "dislike" spam that I'm sure that he sees.  I recognize
he has this grand vision, however the reality of here and now is that we don't
have this additional content now to make the changes seem "positive" and so we
players are typically short-sighted and can only see how it affects us today. 
As of now, movement is obnoxious, prohibitive, and boring.  Correct that, and
I can live with the changes.

Anyways, RL is crazy at the moment.  The end of the year projects must be
wrapped up, so I'm pushing hard this week and next.  After next Thur., our
company shuts down and we get 8 days paid off to enjoy the winter weather.  I
still haven't gotten much accomplished on the X-mas shopping front.  I have
ideas for most opeople, which is 75% of the effort, now I have to actually go
out and purchase.  I have 3 shopping trips planned for the upcoming week, so I
should be set soonish.  I just need a gift idea for my Dad, for whom I
typically have a tough time finding something he a) would like and b) hasn't
already bought for himself.  

Sadly, it looks I'll have to break my rule about buying at Wal-mart.  It would
appear that 2 of my gifts I can only buy from there.  I really detest
Wal-mart's geo-political policies, but they carry a selection that I can't
find anywhere else in my town.  Bah.  I hate X-mas shopping.

Looking forward to yet another lovely weather weekend here in Iowa.  Talking
highs in the upper 40's.  Last weekend was pretty nice as well.  Dad and I are
getting really close to having my acres and acres of oak tops blocked up into
firewood.  This weekend should do it barring the chainsaw giving out on me or
some other bad luck thing happening.  After this, I can focus on splitting
next year's firewood, which I prefer doing during the winter time.  Frozen
wood splits so nicely, fewer splinters, wood pops apart and doesn't string
out.  Only downsides are needing the maul to bust the wood apart from the
ground and each other and various bodyparts getting cold.

Alright, guess I had better get back to work.  Tonight's blog entry brought to
you by "Run to You" Bryan Adams