FFXI & Life, or Something Like ItFollow

'When you look at it, all you see is the meaningless endless task that lies before you. When I look at it, I see just how far I have come, yet so far I must still go.'

Over this past year and some odd months playing this game I have changed tremendously. I now view the world with a renowned sense of admiration. As I became legal I was entrusted with new responsibilities, which give my life that much more meaning and purpose. Over the next month as I consolidate my life of the past 18 years, and prepare to head off to college (Go Hofstra University!) I took a look at my life and what has become of it so far. Not only am I proud of the way my parents have raised me, but I would not prefer to have turned out any different. We all have our fair share of negativities inherent in each of us. I think I was endowed with an extra portion by mistake. Nonetheless it got me thinking where I would go from here. What would I encounter along the way as I matured and grew further. Of course, college while seeming to be a monumental step in my life. Which obviously it is, but in the overall aspect, it is just one small part.
Naturally these ponderings eventually strayed to my FFXI Life (Cmon, it's an addiction. What else am I gonna do sitting on my couch thinkin' about life.) My...alternate reality I will call it. Whenever I felt a reason, I drifted into Gamion over the past year, and eventually built myself up to something I am proud of, virtually speaking. It was then that I noticed correlations and similarities between both lives. You begin your 'FFXI Life' as a new, lonely character in a large city with many strange and wondrous things to explore. It is only by looking back now that I see how incredible everything was back then. I was the only Lv 10 Warrior with a Rank 3 and Fame of 4 in San d'Oria. The music was the most phenomenal thing I had ever heard. I am not quite sure when I stopped noticing it, but back then, it lifted my spirit and reminded me of just how far I had yet to travel. I looked upon Lv 30's with Awe, 50's with Respect, and 70's with Wonder. Would I ever attain those unattainable heights? The question was never, 'Will I be playing this game long enough to reach them?', they were always, 'Will I be able to reach them?'. I soon attained Lv 30, a new job of Paladin, Rank 5, San d'Oria Fame 3, Smithing 55, a stupendous Linkshell, and tons of new friends. I say to you once again:

'When you look at it, all you see is the meaningless endless task that lies before you. When I look at it, I see just how far I have come, yet so far I must still go.'

Rank 10, 75 paladin, San d'Oria Fame 1, 100 Smithing, 60 All Crafts, ZM14, PM Chapter 10

Master's Degree, Doctorate Degree, A Wife, Kids, A Fulfilling Life whatever that may be

These are my goals, they will be reached.

When you tire of school or work, what do you do? Play hookie, or visit the movies. Correct? Enjoy your life to the fullest for though our lives are short, we miraculously have all the time in the world.
It is 3:00A.M. and I am up writing this. Why? I do not know. Perhaps I have not yet found what my mind and soul seek.

And now I ask you, how will you affect the events that unfold before you. Only you control the events that guide your life.



Edited, Thu Jul 21 02:58:15 2005 by Gamion