Oh, JOY! I got my first troll!

During the weekend, I typically stay away from the blogosphere to focus on important things like family, life, and defending my homestead from aliens. (Or at least the aliens that I'm SURE will be attacking since John has started DVR'ing alien type shows with fervor.) While most bloggers do the same since according to the average family, the weekend is the only time everyone is together and the kids can't get pawned off on daycare, I will usually log back in on Sunday night to write up Monday's post, catch up on everyone else's weekend efforts, and check on any comments that may have come in while I was ignoring the virtual world at large.

So, Sunday night, since you read in the previous paragraph that I check in on Sundays, I logged on and caught up with the blogging world (not too busy, but traffic has been down since school started), checked People.Com (Omigod! Jon took money from Kate's account? That bastard!), and retreated back to my own little niche to find this:

"while the comments are closed i read your comments regarding your husbands playing wow and was just amazed.  On the one hand you complain that he plays but when he gets tossed out of the guild and stops playing some you find ways to get him back in the game.  In my opinion you have major issues and his retreat into a game is a direct reflection of his need to avoid your controlling temperament. 

Your controlling disposition will result in the end of your marriage.  You will blame all other things but the reality is you don't appreciate what you have rather you play the martyr than have a healthy relationship.  I sure hope your children do learn from you.

I would advise you to seek counseling asap in order to prevent your child from picking up you awful disposition."

The articles this commenter referred to was this one written back when I first addressed the "issues" I was having with WoW and then this one where I was trying to help John kick some guildmembers' collective asses for daring to banish him from raids because he didn't have enough experience. (Pardon me, but when did gaming require a resume?)

I thought I would ignore this person's comment considering the post WAS WRITTEN OVER A YEAR AGO and the post in question repeatedly reminds the reader that my comments are PLAYFUL. Hell, I even wrote a follow up on how John and I made our home life harmonious since I had received numerous comments from readers (mostly women) who were seriously at their wit's end with their partner's playing.

But this person's comment struck a chord with me. Because this person seemed confident that they had pegged me.

Researching my behavior based on two Wow related posts, two in a sea of at least 12 that are dedicated to John's online life, this commenter was able to verify that:

1. I have a controlling disposition. (He's right. Again, I'm assuming it's a he. I do have a controlling disposition when it comes to my own little world. I like things done a certain way and tend to "clench up" when it doesn't. Think of me as a brunette Kate Gosselin, but less, er, screamy. And I can poke fun at myself. So, hey! 1 for 1!)

2. I blame everyone but myself. (Hm, I'll have to disagree with you there, my friend. I am known for accepting my faults and apologize immediately when I am in the wrong. In fact, I apologize when I haven't heard someone correctly and need them to repeat themselves. The words "I'm sorry" are in the top ten of my life's word cloud, surrounded by others such as "seriously", "honestly", "Oy", and "meh". So, you're 1 for 2. 50% is still not bad!)

3. I don't appreciate what I have. (So I guess posts like this and this and this are just whims of what I want in my life? You must not be a regular reader or only played in one category assigned to World of Warcraft or you would have seen those posts. I'm gonna give you a no on this one, peaches.) (Oh, has anyone had the fresh peaches lately? WOW!) (And not THAT WoW..)

4. I 'd rather play the martyr. (Oh, no, my dear. Do you know just how much energy goes into that? I'm too tired from reality to take on everyone else's problems and make them my own. I have known many people in my life who tend to play victim and it's a lot more stressful than playfully bashing someone's gaming. I just don't have TIME.)

5. I need counseling. (Okay, this one I will give you as well. But then again, you need counseling too. Everyone needs counseliing. Everyone needs an outlet to unleash their emotions. good or bad, clear the mind, just talk out their lives, bring down the stress, bring up the ego. I'll tell anyone who has the insurance to take advantage of those free therapy visits even if they're not needed. It just feels good to TALK sometimes. Does my marriage need counseling? Nope. I'm not saying it won't down the road, I could never say that about anyone's marriage, including the Duggar's, but right now, my marriage is pretty damn fine. I married a good man, regardless of what online game he likes, and he's stuck with me, poor guy. So, our relationship is healthy, thanks.)

6. You hope my children learn from me. (I kinda got the feeling that you were being sarcastic.. You will find my own words peppered all over this site, oh, wait, my site, they're ALL my words!, that attest to the fact that I had hoped Sprite would come into this world with her father's laid back personality rather than my own which can run from as laid back as John to extremely regimented don't talk to me right now or I'll strike you down visually which usually only happens when you interrupt me during the Nord's time. Unfortunately, with no help from your wish, Sprite has proven that while she honors her father's side with her looks, her behavior channels me directly. And you know what? John LOVES it. Yes, you're right about this, but not the way you think you are.)

Thank you, he who has no URL but does have an email address. I will not be following up with you directly, because why? If you never come here again, I don't think I will worry as much about your well being as you apparently worry about mine. And even better justice? John is "on a break" from World of Warcraft! How's that for poetic irony? I've even asked him if he's sure that he doesn't want to play and he told me he's gone about as far as he can go with his character and just doesn't feel the magic right now. 

His choice, completely. But Sprite loves having the time with him and the extra time with me has only lengthened his time away from the WoW World. Allegedly, he actually LIKES hanging out with a controlling, obsessive shrew like me. 

All right, I think I'm done writing about World of Warcraft for a very long time. Sorry, dude, I just don't have any more material as long as John isn't playing. And for your own sake, you may want to check your own "opinions" before you unleash them in a venue where they can be used against you. I at least take responsibility for my words and I take it seriously. Seeing as you shoot before you aim shows some sloppy marksmanship in your judgement calls. And that's all I have to say about that.

So. how is everyone ELSE's Wednesday going?

Comments

[kyooty]

pssssssssssttttttt don't feed the trolls they come back

[beccabec]

AMEN!!!! I think it is sad that people have to judge others based on a BLOG. Come on people!

[Jan]

Methinks your troll has one of two problems, here.

1. He has had the female person in his life (most likely his MOTHER, the pimple-faced little puke) take issue with the time he spends playing WoW.

2. He is, well, a pimple-faced little puke with nothing to do but play WoW because he has trouble relating in real life and takes offense with *anyone* he perceives as attacking his comfortable little fantasy world where no one - especially GIRLS - know he is a complete dork.

See, troll boy? Two-way street.

[K]

I think some people just really like to write negative comments in cyberspace. It gives them a feeling of power.

As long as you and the husband are happy, who cares what he says?

[Heather]

Yesterday I said I would ignore him, maybe I was wrong. Sounds to me like he really needed that tounge lashing and girl you really gave it to him!

I hope I don't ever make you mad, I might not recover. LOL!

[Charity]

You go girl! I love nothing better than an extremely well-written dressing down :-) He needed it for sure. Good job!

[Arwen]

You have to wonder what the google was that brought him/her here... "Problem with husband's WoW addiction?"

[Sprite's Keeper]

Thanks! I think this will be the last time I write a rebuke to a troll since kyooty is right. You feed them, they may come back. And ranting is like gourmet to them.. :-)

[Michelle]

Yeah, I'm with Kyooty on this one. Feeding trolls... ::shudder::
Although, perhaps if s/he read on, s/he may LEARN a little something about, oh, I don't know... SPELLING and GRAMMAR. That quote was painful to read, I'm amazed you got through it!

[Belle]

What baffles me most about people like your troll, is WHY they read blogs that supposedly piss them off so? I mean, why not move along? No one is forcing you to read a blog. * Reminding myself to breathe... *

[thegamerswife]

You know I'm on your side! It's ridiculous that someone would take all that time to bash you regarding this subject - the nerve! Gamer's wives are AWESOME - we might make some snarky comments from time to time but it's all in good fun and we usually don't take the situation so seriously. Great retort from you!

[Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt]

I'm sorry.

I say it a lot too. But I really mean it.

[Nel]

TALK TO THE HAND CUZ THE FACE DON'T GIVE A DAMN! You tell him!

[Jennifer M.]

Trolls suck! Just ignore "him". Here's a laugh for you: http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/item/off-wow-long-enough-to-knock-me-up-maternity-t/132835939
I was saving it to send you when you actually let us know that you're pregnant again but as the troll showed up I thought you might need the laugh. My brother-in-law is WoW fanatic and I'm sure the only reason my hubby isn't sucked into it as well is that we don't have Internet at the house. He has all the PC games though.

[Middle-Aged-Woman]

Wow! Dr. Laura reads your blog? That's a...pain in the ass!

[Baba]

Wow! and I don't mean the game. You tell him Jenny My girls rule! And your right sprite is just like her MOM.

[Casey]

Wow, what a dick. So you said you have his email address? Mind sharing it?

[jen]

holy. really?? crazy.
thing is ... a blog is really only what ... maybe 5% of your life?
totally worth making judgements from.
you know you ... and that is what matters.

[Laufa]

My hubby hasn't played WoW in quite a while, he is playing a new Dungeons & Dragon game...he says it is just like the real thing and has great visual graphics. And the great thing is it is free.
Way to vent your hostility to the know-it-all, that doesn't know anything.

[Michele]

Nice set down. Now, ignore him. Love the maternity T-shirt Jennifer sent.

[The Stiletto Mom]

CONGRATS! Your first troll? Does hallmark make a card for that? If not, I'm sure some e cards does...must get on that right away.

Having roomed with you, I'm seriously scratching my head bc you are one of the nicest people I know. Laid back and thoughtful...I think this guy must have been on something when he read you.

[Robin]

I dunno... I think trolls are a badge of honor. Getting a rise out of someone means your words matter. And is there a better compliment than that? Methinks not! (Ugh, did I just really use the word "methinks"?)

[Lisa @ Boondockramblings.com]

I've never had a troll, now that I read what he/she/it said. I have this guy who tries to promote Freedom From Debt Relief, but he doesn't insult me in the process.

Sounds like someone with some repressed issues.

this all makes me feel even more guilty about not being able to block those dang WoW ads on my site. I've tried everything and I think leaving the network is the next move.

[jenni]

I wrote a post about Nelson having a man cold and got a troll who said something like my husband was, "kind and understanding to a fault and while it is difficult for men to leave their wives when they have small children, it is not impossible." WTF, asshole! It's a blog, it was a joke, sheesh. But, it really upset me (I was also pregnant w/Miles at the time.)

My dad's wife also sent me a nasty email about a post I wrote about my DAd (about how disappointed I was that he was bailing on Oscar's first birthday) over a YEAR after I wrote it.

People need to get lives, ya know?

[mrsbear]

This guy is definitely projecting. He's got some unresolved issues with his own shrew...er...significant other, that's ending up as verbal diarrhea on you site.

Besides I watched you share your cake ice-cream with John, so I'm a witness, you're officially the best wife ever. ;)