In the zone

NOTE: I recieved a great comment on yesterday's post about selling obscure cooking recipes by Archangel. If you like using out of the ordinary ways to make some extra change check it out. Well written guide of what and where. Here's the list of recipes they sell, but read their comment for the whole deal on it. Good stuff indeed!


Archangel says:
Booty Bay: Cooked Glossy Mightfish, Fillet of Redgill, Giant Clam Scorcho, Hot Smoked Bass
Westfall: Clam Chowder, Spiced Chili Crab
Loch Modan: Loch Frenzy Delight
Felwood: Chared Bear Kabobs, Juicy Bear Burger
Winterspring Monster Omelet
Feralas: Baked Salmon, Lobster Stew
Tanaris : Grilled Squid, Poached Sunscale Salmon, Spotted Yellowtail
Azuremyst: Crunchy Spider Surprise
Desolace: Heavy Kodo Stew
Auberdine: Fillet of Frenzy
Arathi Highlands: Barbecued Buzzard Wing
Feralas: Hot Wolf Ribs, Mightfish Steak
Ashenvale: Big Bear Steak, Lean Venison
Theramore: Dragonbreath Chili, Roast Raptor, Mystery Stew
Stormwind: Crocolisk Steak, Curiously Tasty Omelet, Crocolisk Gumbo


Anything repetitive can get old and boring fast. Somethings you only need to change up just a tad for them to be just as awesome as when they were new. Others you might need to entirely change how you do things to keep interest in them. And sometimes, you just need to be in the right frame of mind. That's what today is about, getting into the zone where you're all fired up and ready to do some awesome something of something to something! Heh, way back when I was leading raids, my call to pull was always shouting "GO DO STUFF TO THINGS!" No need to delay things with something silly like specifics. Pushaw!

Even as much as I love playing the AH, it can get a bit boring and become more of a grind at times. But I know that's mostly because of doing the same thing over and over and not enough inspiration. What I do to keep perspective is keep track of my goals. I go over in my mind the many ways that I can go about them. Come up with other potential avenues to get there. Or just remind myself why I'm doing it in the first place; it's fun!

First there's the obvious one: music. Damned near everybody uses music to get them into the mood for something. For me I prefer energetic music with a groove to it. Not in the typical hip-hop or dance type of groove specifically, but anything that MOVES. Apparently though, there aren't any songs entitled "LETS KICK SOME ASS AND MAKE WOW GOLD ON THE AUCTION HOUSE!" that I'm aware of. And dear god for the sake of all that is good and holy I hope there aren't any. In any case here's a few youtube links to a few songs that I've had on replay lately. I tend to find the odd song here and that that I get hooked on and play it non stop. Yes it gets annoying. Yes it gets annoying to me at times. But dammit, it's just so cool! One is rock-ish, another is heavy, one is electronic, and the last is just plain weird. Most songs are rated PG-13 but I'm sure at least one reader here will have an appreciation for my bizarre tastes in music. Check them out.

Something rockin'.
Something electronic.
Something extra heavy.
Something completely different.

I also like to remember my first gold cap personally, I was so proud of myself for achieving that. I also remember when my guild got its first KT kill. KT as in Kael'Thas Sunstrider, NOT the pansie ass bag of bones in naxx. Honestly if you're proud of killing him in the level 80 version of naxx... go away. Unless you did it in all level 70 gear and questing greens, just go. I'm such a friendly guy aren't I. I remember the feeling that I had and know that once I get to where ever it is that I'm going I'll have it just like that again. When I'm thinking that playing the AH is getting a bit old that revs me up and sets me right back on track. Usually with even more determination than before.

Remember me mentioning a while ago about personality traits and the AH? Well if you know yourself well enough that you can consciously identify certain things that make you YOU, then you can use them to your advantage. One of mine is that I can be a spiteful bastard at times. Sometimes without any other reason than just to be spiteful. Granted, that's not the most attractive thing you can say about a person, but if you're aware of it, you can use it can get things done. And fast. But as with anything that falls into the "not so nice" category you should be careful of course as things won't always work out for the better in the long run. Go undercut every seller in every market by 50g just to "stick it to them" and see how much closer to the gold cap you get. Or buy up a billion and five materials for something that sells slow just to make damned sure a competitor won't have any stockpiled mats for the next decade and see what you get left with. A big number in the red, that's what. Tread carefully.

Since I'm obviously all about getting things accomplished though, it can be a good thing in some situations. Example. When somebody tries to work their way into a market that I've fallen in love with or tries to knock down a few niche items that I'm selling, that's when the nice-guy-hat you'll see Stokpile wearing in his armory comes off. Usually replaced with something metal. With horns. And fire. I will vehemently defend my scroll and epic gear markets. They're too much fun to stop working in so I'll very quickly thrash the prices to keep somebody out. Not because it's good for business, but because I love doing it and it's mine. But mostly just because >:D

One other thing that I do to get into the zone of working the AH is reading. Completely unrelated since what I read tends to be on the opposite end of the spectrum that playing an MMO is on. But it gives me something to occupy my thoughts and I'll ponder over what I've read while I play the AH game to give me something to do with my hands. I'm not the type that can stomach sitting still for more than 2.3 seconds at a time without going insane. While I'm at the AH I'll be pouring over what I've read and/or learned and once I'm done with my craft/sell bit I'll have let what I've read sink into the back of my mind to give me a better understanding and "digest" it all if you will.

This is especially useful when you're trying to teach yourself something IRL such as a new language (WoW is actually a good tool for that believe it or not) or refine a skill that you already have. Basically it's forcing your mind to focus on something legitimately productive while your hands are busy at the key board. Sort of killing two birds with one stone. When I'm actually working, I still spend a little bit of time on WoW while I think about my next step to take. And I coincidentally happen to be making large sums of WoW gold while I get some real work done. Cool, huh?


Thanks for stopping by!