This is for all my Evony alliance members. If you are not a member, this will make almost no sense but you are welcome to read and comment.

First I want to thank each and everyone of you for your great work during the recent unpleasantness.

I have been getting advice and support from a lot of other alliance hosts. The following are my recommendations based on advice from a couple of top ten hosts. (and one of them is a top 15 player so I think we can safely say these things do work)

First priority is to get yourself built up. I need you each and everyone of you to have/build at least 9 barracks in each town. More would be even better. Don't forget that you can build troops faster if you share the building between barracks. Be sure your mayor when you set the troops to training is as high in attack as you have.

I need each city to have an embassy at lvl 3 now and 5 with in a reasonable time. And be sure to click the garrison box. If you are attacked while gone we can send reinforcements even if your gates are closed. If they continue to attack and your loyalty gets low enough your gates will open up and we will be there to defend you.

Becon tower lvl 9 in each city. This is important so that you can get a better amount of info leading up to the attack. Informatics at lvl 10 for same reason.

Short term troop goals are:
10k each workers, warriors, pikemen, swords
15k scouts
25k archers
5k cav and cataphrat
1k each transports and ballistas

next troop goals are:
25k work, war, pike, swords
40k scouts
50k archers
10k each cav and cataphrat
5k each trans and ballista

Fortifications can be fit in as you can. Keep in mind that if they attack and there are no fortifications they get less honor.

Long term goal of all this is to get each of you a lvl 10 npc take over. When you take over a lvl 10 npc all the buildings are lvl 10...think what an advantage this will be to you.

Now...how do we do all this? What about feeding all these troops? Farm NPCs! If you don't know how to do this ask...many of us are good at it. Also use the wiki. This can be found at http://www.evonypedia.com/

this link will help you figure out what is needed to farm which lvl NPC.

http://www.evonypedia.com/evony/npc/npcs-vs-ballistae

this link will help you with where to farm medals for promotions.

http://www.evonypedia.com/evony/theory-crafting/medal-drop-rates

Mayors: high intel for building buildings
high attack for training troops
high politic for getting resources

set your mayor before starting a troop training or building. Once it is set and started you can change the mayor.

Now...if you have a need let us know...if you have extra let us know. Look for an officer or Presbyter, or send a mail to me and Lord Smackdown.

Thank you
Lady Ermenguard Host of MIRAGE4 server 56 evony.com
those of you who read this and are not members join the addiction.

My 9 year old daughter had her first showing at a fair today. She has shown her guinea pigs at 4-H shows this year but today was her first real fair. Her cavy (guinea pig) took Best of Variety, Best of Group, and Best of Opposite Sex (second in breed). She herself took Champion in the Junior Novice division, and Overall Novice Grand Champion. This means that she acctually won a cash prize. I am so proud of her that I could burst. She has her next fair next weekend. I am looking forward to it.

Yahoo is eaten my email account again...what is this...anyway...new email and messenger...if you were on my old one send me a message

amber_pooka@yahoo.com

Ok so most of you know that I went to my first con this weekend. Rain Furrest was, in my opinion, a huge success..I had a great time. I went with several friends from SL. AcidRaven came up by bus on Thurs, and after one slight messup on which city transit bus to take, stayed at my house Thurs night. Friday after Dan (my mate) got off work we loaded up and drove to Tacoma to pick up Relena and Bob. After a wait for them at the pick up spot we got to the hotel just in time to register (those of us who had pre registered that is, the others registered Sat morning). At hotel we met up with Eden, who bussed up from southern Cali. Did some exploring Friday and delt with a minimum drama (I did...others didn't know parties involved so managed to avoid being drug into it) Met up with; Drakon, Obanink, Kayla and Sabvriel. Much of the weekend it seems was spent with; Acid, Lena, Bob, Eden, Drakon, Obanik, Kayla, and Sabvriel...then add in a dozen or more that kinda floated in and out. Including but by no means limited to: Kiffin, Coonkun, Angelus/Angelita, Alfador. and plenty who I do not remember names. wow..as I sit here and try to remember names...I am almost in a vegitative state...too many.

Oh...but I did get a Marci badge!...ok...so I look like I have the measels in it...that is what I get for trying to describe the pooka after forgeting the referance pic.

We fed Lena too much sugar...and Bob too much liquor.

Most of the panels I wanted to go to got canceled...I slept thru the parade...got called out of the SL Building panel so many times I gave up on it...but had a great time.

Let me know if there are questions you have I didn't answer...

mood: tired

Is it being away from internet/friends for 11 days? or is is being trapped in O'Hare airport for 3 days? STANDBY (after they cancel your flight) SUCKS! sleeping in airport on seats and cots SUCKS! airport food costs way too much for the quality.

mood: exhausted

With some recent illness' and losses I have been thinking. As I was revising my will I included a page of sign-in information complete with step by step instructions to let my on-line friends know if something happens to me. I have come to realize that I do not want to be one of the people who simply disappeared into the night. I hope it will be a long time before that message is posted for you all.

I would urge all of you to write down the information needed to notify people. Don’t take it for granted that your loved ones will know who and how to notify.

And before a single one of you says "but I don't need a will I am only "_" years old" I recently lost a 19 year old friend to a car accident and didn't find out until today because no one knew how to contact me. Get a will written out...doesn't have to be formal. Just a letter telling your loved ones what your wishes are.

most of these answers come up in convosation with me on a regular basis...




Create your own Friend Test here

mood: bored

On the edge
On the edge
I stand on the edge
Wanting to reach out
Afraid to touch
I can't step back
I won't step over
So here I stand
On the edge
alone again
I am so alone
I want to touch
But I am afraid
Of what they want
And so I stay
alone
In the dark
So dark
It is so dark outside
So I turn out the light
In my room so now
It is dark inside too
In the light I have to look
At all my failures
In the dark I am blind
So I keep it dark in my heart
I stand on the edge
alone
in the dark.

Dark and Light
Pain and Comfort
Joy and Sorrow

With out one we can not understand the others
If we had no sorrow in our lives, we would not be able to understand and feel the joy

If we only had light we would not understand or enjoy it.

We could not receive comfort if we knew not of pain.

Our lives both physically and spiritually crave balance.

The world around us craves and works for a balance. With out it we would not have the wind, nor the rain. If all we had, were calm sunny days the planet would be a barren wasteland. Therefore, our lives are the same. We must receive and accept all of what is given to us.

mood: contemplative

Ok...I know that most of you don't know about this part of my life but I have to share. As of December 4, 2006 I am a free woman. The judge signed my divorce papers. I am as rid of that slime ball as I can be until our daughter is 18. Although we have been seperated for a little over 4 years it feel good to have it final at last. He is no longer a legal part of me.


Edited to add:
I celebrated today by purchasing a new shiny pretty...a bracelet with 8 good feeling stones carved into scarabs set in gold. It was pretty at $149 when it first came in...very pretty when it went on sale for $119...mine when it was marked down to $44 today. Wow...now waiting for other shoe to drop, this much good means something bad is bound to happen.

I didn't realize it was that bad...do I win something? I didn't think so...I never do.

HELLISH Your life has been 74% difficult.

It's possible you were joking when you took the test. If not, I'd like to say I'm sorry. Based on your family, money, political context, and personal situation -- during the important years of your development -- it appears your life was HELLISH. It...sucked. I hope you have a place to vent about this. A diary for example. Use ink, not blood. The "difficulty" of your life is a measure of how rough you've had it. Undoubtedly, you've struggled to survive. You therefore deserve the highest possible score: hellish. I have a new test! Straight males and gay/bi females, check out my brand new How Low Are Your Sex Standards Test

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 99% on difficult

Link: The How Difficult Is Your Life Test written by chicken_pot_pie on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

This is too true for my comfort...on the other paw, read this and it will help you understand some things about me.

Your Birthdate: November 6

You tend to be a the rock in relationships - people depend on you. Thoughtful and caring, you often put others needs first. You aren't content to help those you know... you want to give to the world. An idealist, you strive for positive change and dream about how much better things could be. Your strength: Your intuition Your weakness: You put yourself last Your power color: Rose Your power symbol: Cloud Your power month: June

mood: tired

It is that time of year again...time to update my holiday card list. If you want to be included then reply here with the info I need to send you a holiday card...please include what holiday you celebrate.

replys are screened so no one will get the info but me.

Just a rant
Ok so the holiday season is fast approaching. I like to take this chance to eduacate some people a bit. Last few seasons were incredibly tough on me. I have had customers cuss at me and one even take a swing at me. Any one who complains about long lines or long waits at the check outs should work for a season at Wal-mart or another large retail store. For those that don't here are a few things I would like you to realize.

1. Believe it or not we are not out to ruin your day and/or holiday. We are working as hard as we can to be sure you get what you want for a fair price. Please do not accuse our cashiers of deliberately double ringing something or of changing the prices. Yes accidents happen (GASP!! you mean we are human?!?!?!)We will be happy to fix the problem for you. (and happier to fix it if you are polite about it)

2. If there are long lines be patient. We are working as hard as we can to get you through the line so that you can continue your day. We do not close down registers for no reason. If there is one that is not open chances are that it is broken (and trust me we have called someone to fix it) or we plain do not have the manpower to put someone on it. And before you suggest hiring more people please stop and think. We have hired dozens (or in our stores case hundreds) of new employees for the season. However they do not all show up for their scheduled shifts. (I had a day not to long ago were 8 out of 30 people called or or just didn't show OUCH!!!!) At Wal-Mart look at the cashiers when it is really busy, anyone who is not in a blue vest is management. (ie a Red vest or no vest) I acctually had a day when we had Assistant Managers on the registers.

3. If you think the price an item is not ringing up correctly then POLITELY point it out when you notice it. By waiting until the purchase is complete you are delaying not only yourself but everyone behind you. Also think a second before you jump at the cashier. (Yes I actually witnessed this conversation.:
Customer: That movie didn't ring up the right price.

Cashier: I'm sorry. Which movie? (pulling four movies out of the bag.)

Customer: That one. (grabbing one of them and shaking it in the cashiers face)

Cashier: Ok this one rang up for 9.97 and what price did you see for it?

Customer: (grumbling and getting loud) You do this to me everytime. I don't know why I bother to shop here. There was a sign back there that said it was 14.97. I can't believe this.

At this point the cashier stood and blinked for a moment and I started to move toward her register. The cashier later told me she was trying to figure out if the lady understood what she had just done.

Me: Hi can I help you? (said to both the cashier and the customer.

Customer: This movie is 14.97 but this girl (said with a snarl) is trying to over charge me.

Me: (looking at the price slip the cashier had printed) I see that it rang up at 9.97.

Customer: Yes, but the sign said 14.97.

Me: Mame if you really want me to sell this to you for $5 more that what it is ringing up I am sure we can accommodate you. But wouldn't you rather save that five dollars?

The customer paid and left very angry at us and wrote to my store manager about how rude I was to her. Good news is that I had plenty of witnesses including a customer behind her who also wrote in about it telling how calm I stayed and how polite both the cashier and I had been in trying to get the customer to realize her mistake before pointing it out to her.

So just take a moment to think...Is this a mistake worth getting upset about?...Is it a mistake at all?

4. As long as I am on the topic of pricing...let me touch a bit on clearance prices. Just because it is on clearance here does not mean it will be at another store. And Wal-Mart does not price match itself. So if you saw it for $5 at Lynnwood but it is still the original $15 here then by all means go back to Lynnwood.

Also the clearance price tags are coded with the department # and a product code. If you bring me a $30 game from the toy department with a $5 clearance tag from infants on it you are not going to get it for $5. If you state that there is "a whole pile of them with that sticker on them" I will go back to verify it. (when this happened the other day I went back and there was a stack of the games with a large yellow sticker stating the $30 price. when I came back to the customer and explained that she got mad at me saying that I was accusing her of trying to steal the game. I explained that sometimes other people put the tags on things then realize that security is watching them and put it back with the sticker on it and innocent people like her pick it up. Personally I have to wonder about this particular woman because she had three or four items from different departments that had clearance stickers from the infants department on them.)

5. If you pick up something that doesn't have a upc (the bar code thingy) on it then this will slow down your check out experience. I have seen several of what I would call experienced shoppers who will bring up the item they want and the same item with a upc on it to ring up. This is great! It will speed up your checkout experiance, as well as that of those behind you, and get you a big smile from your cashier. Who by the way will be happy to see that the extra item gets back to where it belongs. which leads me to my next point.

6. If you decide that you do not want something then please do not just stick it on the shelves any where. give it to an associate or better yet to the cashier. The cashiers are trained in how to deal with it. It is very difficult to train steel shelves to do anything.

7. When handing money or checks to the cashier please be polite. Don't just throw it at them. If you don't want them handing you the money please say it politely. "Just put it there I will put it away in a minute" is ok. Remember that when we ask for your ID for a check or credit card we are not accusing you of anything we are trying to protect you from identity theft which is running rampid right now. Oh and for all of you married folk out there...Wal-Mart will not let you use your spouses credit card if your name is not on it. And just because some cashier in the past let you get away with it (and they prob. do not work there any more) does not mean you can still do it. Please if you are authorized to use the card get one in YOUR name. Don't make me call an Assistant Manager.

8. We do not barter and are not a swap meet. If you don't like the price of something, please do not put us in the very uncomfortable position of having to explain to you that the price marked is what we are charging you. I get people all the time at the jewelry counter that see something, say a watch marked $50, and offer a lower price. (ie: *pick out and look at a watch marked $50* "ok I'll take it" get to the register then say "I'll give you $40 for it"...or try on a ring and say, "that is to expensive how about you give it to me for half price") This is just plain tacky and puts us in an ackward position. We do not have the power to just sell things at what ever price we wanted. Trust me if we did, rude customers would be paying a LOT more.

Ok sorry about the long rant. If you made it this far then chances are you are not the kind of customer I am ranting about anyway.

mood: depressed

The School and Year you graduated : Blaine HS 1987

Nickname in high school? : Squirley Ann or Burley Ann also Mildred

Sport you were into? : Wrestling (something about flexable men in tight singlets)

Had a circle of friends? : We were the missfits

Best subject? : Science. Any Science

Worst subject? : the spelling part of English and Gym (yes I almost flunked Gym)

A teacher you owe life lessons to? : Ms Selleck who was Ms Altona until my Junor year. It was then that she decided she had had enough of being associated with her ex (who was the town drunk) when she went to change her name she discovered that she could pick any name she wanted. She was in love with Tom Selleck so...

Also have to mention Mr. Bianci He taught math and more. He always had a kind word and tried to inspire. He helped us start SWAP (Students Working Against Poverty) we sponsered a little girl from India the first year. Now 20 years later they sponser 15 boys and girls from around the world. The lesson he taught us with that is that one person can change the world.

Describe in one word...

Freshman (year 9) : Scarry

Sophomore (year 10) : Bullied

Junior (year 11) : Blurry

Senior (year 12) : Depressing

Your best friend was...?

Freshman (year 9): ?? Don't know that I had a friend??

Sophomore (year 10): Dorothy (still is a good friend)

Junior (year 11): Dorothy, Crystal, Kimmy and Mattie

Senior (year 12): Dorothy, Crystal, James and Mattie

Worst friend : I thought "T" was my friend then found out was only around me on a bet. Even took me to a "Dog" party once.

How was the prom/Year 12 Farewell? I went to the prom with the man that later became ex-hubby #1. It was great (he is a good guy not the ex you see me complain about) Ended up dancing with James more than his date did. (She was a peice of work found out at 10 year reunion that she is gay. Could have saved his heart if she had come out earlier. But he is still a good guy.)

Who were the prom king and queen? Don't remember

Any achievements? I graduated in the top third of my class. (does it still count when there were only 88 students in the class?) I don't know that I had any real achievements other than the fact that I graduated.

Were you popular? Only as the bully target.

Best song that reminds you of high school? Footloose

Memories: I was in on the Senior Prank (only cause it was my idea and they figured I would tell if I wasn't included) We had five teachers who drove VW Bugs. The door hinges on those things are on the outside. We took the doors off and put them on the wrong car, LOCKED! No car had the right doors and no car had the same two colored doors. I remember Ms Wright standing in the parking lot keys held up shouting "I have the blue keys."

I made formal engagement announcement at graduation. I was a virgin when I got married. Does that explain how goody-two-shoes I was. I was the fat little wall flower that everyone picked on. At my ten year reunion I managed to shock a lot of people. I had lost 100 lbs and Miss Goody-Two-Shoes now smoked, drank, cussed, and *GASP* had a tattoo! But I still felt left out. The funniest parts were when the police were called with a noise complaint and the class president (also voted class clown) walked up to them (stone assed drunk) and correctly identified himself as a Sherrif from California. Also the only other person at the party who was single, turned out to be gay. When I commented on this to my best friend, her response was "Oh yeah we all knew that in high school." WTF couldn't someone have told me BEFORE I bought him 2 drinks? Oh well we found out that he wears the same size as I do and I donated a large part of his now succesfull drag queen show outfits. :)



Thanks for reading my rant on high school. It has been fun.





I am coping info stuff from my other LJ account to this one so that you all can get a chance to get to know me...feel free to skip all of this.

Rules of Chocolate


If you've got melted chocolate
all over your hands,
you're eating it too slowly.


Chocolate covered raisins,
cherries, orange slices &
strawberries all count as fruit,
so eat as many as you want.


The problem:
How to get 2 pounds of chocolate
home from the store in hot car.
The solution: Eat it in the parking lot.

Diet tip:

Eat a chocolate bar before each meal.
It'll take the edge off your
appetite and you'll eat less.

A nice box of chocolates can
provide your total daily
intake of calories in one place.
Isn't that handy?

If you can't eat all your chocolate,
it will keep in the freezer.
But if you can't eat all your chocolate,
what's wrong with you?

If calories are an issue,
store your chocolate on top of the fridge.
Calories are afraid of heights, and
they will jump out of the chocolate
to protect themselves.

If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and
white chocolate, is that a balanced diet?
Don't they actually counteract each other?

Money talks. Chocolate sings.

Chocolate has many preservatives.
Preservatives make you look younger.

Q. Why is there no such organization
as Chocoholics Anonymous?

A. Because no one wants to quit.

If not for chocolate, there
would be no need for control top pantyhose.
An entire garment industry would be devastated.

I'd give up chocolate, but I'm no quitter!!!
Put "eat chocolate" at the top of
your list of things to do today.
That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

Ok so the short of it is that I no longer have my old yahoo account. If you were on my messanger (or would like to be now) my new account is
pooka_amber@yahoo.com
...feel free to add me you your yahoo as such...and remove wild_honey_wine from your messanger as it is no longer under my control.

Yahoo is being male and not letting me access my account...grrrrr

on better news: my new vid card and memory is here...anyone in the Marysville area that is willing to come install it for me? I am useless at that type of thing. *headdesk* the one who was gonna install it for me doesn't have a day off until next monday...I want it now!..*crys*...when it is up and running I will finally be able to see things in SL...wow...just the idea of being able to get mre than 3fps...I don't wanna wait. But I will 'cause I have to.