2014 Thundering Spirit Pow Wow ~ Mt Dora, FL

 

Greetings, we are getting ready for the family pow wow coming up in 9 short days!   We have a wonderful lineup of entertainers including Arvel Bird, Joanne Shenandoah, the Aztec Family Dancers and much more.  The guys put the signs out this weekend to guide everyone in the surrounding area, a 90 mile trip!  Please visit our website for more detailed information on artisans, performers, special exhibits, head staff and the like....

Thundering Spirit Pow Wow

 

 

 

Thunder the American Bald Eagle will be there, as always.  Along with other animal friends from Wrede's Wildlife Rehabilitation.  There will be a village encampment with all sorts of things to see, learn, and participate in.  Come on out and bring the entire family.

 

 

 

If you are on facebook, share and invite your friends here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/721329187901266/?source=1 



****UPDATE**** Million Players Sanctiond over Free Housing item "exploit"

Well, if the people of the United States would come together as these millions of game players did, perhaps we could turn things around in this government too.  Here is a post from the Boycott Wizard page:
I have sent the petition signatures and comments to the Board of Directors, CEO AND COO of Kingsisle Entertainment. The fact that no one seems to be banned for the exploitation any more leaves us little room for legal recourse. Saying that, we have had a win! Those accounts that would have been banned are no longer banned. We have also shown KI that we will not accept unfair treatment. We will continue to show KI that they cannot bully us. Although many of us love the game, KI will understand that justice is more important to us than the game. Well done everyone! ~Gaff

It appears that my brother's ban has been changed to a suspension, although they never did email him.  These suspended days have given us time to shop for another game and rethink how these MMORPG's have unregulated power that NO Corporation should have. 

Big Thanks to all the supporters, and to Wizard101 for meeting us in the middle and understanding that it was not really a good idea to cut off that many paying customers.  We use Wizard to visit with one another across the country, so I will continue to do that, as I have sunk plenty of money into it and have the entire game open.  I seriously doubt they will get anymore of our money after this though. 

Wizard101.com game Entraps Players and waits until After the Holiday "Cash Cow" to Ban Tens of Thousands

Greetings,
I have not blogged in a year due to major health issues, which I will not go into detail at the moment.  In lieu of this Downtime, I was introduced to a MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) Wizard101.  This game was so Very therapeutically important to me, I was able to visit with Family and Friends across the country every day.  It kept me going, and gave my mind exercise being as my physical exercise was limited.  We could play this game, chat and catch up on a daily basis.  I loved seeing my brother every morning before he left for work, to tell him "I Love you and have a great day".  When I would see his texts in game, I could hear his voice speaking these words to me, it was very special and kept me going through the pain difficult times I had.  Like any good online game, you need to spend money in order to help the game continue to function.  We had no problem investing some extra curricular money into a diversion so Dynamic, with animations that made you "star in your own cartoon".   It is extremely Kid friendly and therefore his young daughter was enjoying it with us.  There are so many aspects to this game, you can never get bored of it, and the things it can teach a young person are absolutely amazing.  The value of money, priorities, teamwork, strategy, Math, spelling, social interaction, manners and much more.  For safety they have a menu chat for children under 13, they can only "speak" certain premade phrases and can only "see" these phrases spoken back to them... such as "Please may I join?"  "Would you like some help?"  "Thanks" "You're Welcome" and game specific phrases.  For those 13 - 18 years old, the open chat would show yellow as you typed a word incorrectly and would not show that word in public... if you typed the correct spelling you would see it in white and it would be displayed in your text.  Rather ingenious we thought, and so approved of this entire concept, we shared with other friends and got them "hooked" on it as well, because as you gain higher levels you need teams to defeat the difficult dungeons. 

Which brings me to the subject of the Blog post, in the level 90 world of this game, over the holidays, we discovered four specific housing items that could be collected within the game.  No big deal, throughout the game there are many items you discover that you can pick up and either display in your wizards house or sell for gold, or even feed to your pet for it to gain experience.  However, these particular items in Azteca (a level 90 world) would give you an infinite amount of these items, you could fill your backpack.  We thought surely this was a gift from KingsIsle so that we could make some extra gold (in game currency, used to purchase in game items, with no real monetary value) and that surely we were not the first and only people to find this.  Well, KingsIsle waited until after the holidays, when all their players spent extra money on Crowns (in game currency to purchase Special in game items that cost real money) game pack bundles, gift cards, and all the special holiday sales on things we do spend our real money on to have fun in the game; to drop the hammer and suspend and permanently ban Tens of Thousands of players stating that we exploited a bug.  Without warning we could no longer play the game, the email sent to us said that we violated their terms of use  and they referred us to this post about Account Sanctions for Game Exploitation .  Which, as you can see they got so much feedback that first 24 hours from ALL the people impacted by this, that they added another post revealing that they had changed their minds on SOME and "reduced the sentence" of some that had been suspended, some that had been banned were now only suspended, and yet some were still permanently banned without reply to their  query's.  In normal instances of Permanent Banning, they allow an appeal, HOWEVER they are not allowing ANY appeal in this situation, it is their determination and you have no say.

Upon further investigation, this particular "bug" has been in the game for approximately a year and posts on the forum discussing it on December 25th 2013  had been removed (found in Google cache) There was No warning or explanation of why these items were left in the game so long, only immediate execution of at least 10% of their paying customers.  Now many of us have money sitting in our accounts that we will never be able to use again, and they will not refund or provide an explanation of the specific Terms of Use that were violated.  Here is the link for their Facebook post, and please take a look at the comments if you have time.  I would like to get a census of all the players that this has impacted by being suspended or permanently banned to get a grip on the true number, Please leave a comment if You have been a part of this Entrapment Corporate Greed Scam.

As of this writing my brother still has had no response to his query and has not had a "reduced sentence" to being suspended.  At the very least they will never get another penny from me, and if they do not reinstate my brother's account I will most likely give up the game entirely, as I have had only a suspension.  Thank you all for listening, I really hope the National Media Outlets pick this up because it is the Biggest case of Bullying I have ever seen, which is also one thing that KingsIsle says they do not tolerate.  How Ironic
Much Love and many prayers
wrulf

In memory of: Iridian Wyrmflame, Logan Runner, Allan Bearwalker, and all our brother and sister wizards that have been cut short of their life in the Spiral.

We as fee paying members of Kingsisle Entertainment's game Wizard101 are shocked and appalled to have our accounts banned because we took more than one free offer in the game, a free offer that the game allowed us to take! Do not punish us for your programming incompetence! We are your source of income, don't treat us like idiots! Restore all sanctioned accounts!
If you would Please also participate in the Petition that is available here

Adventures in Wizard101

I have had some medical issues of late and have needed a diversion from the norm.  A great friend had introduced me to the Online Game Wizard101 and I haven't looked back.  It is made for children about 10 years old through teen with an ESRB rating of E 10+.  You can read more info on the rating of this game here: https://www.wizard101.com/game/kid-safe-rating 
The game is free for most of the first world which is Wizard City, here you will learn how to navigate the game, follow quests, learn to duel,  acquire spells for a primary and secondary school of wizardry, and get the feel of the game.  It is also a social site where you can meet with friends or make new friends and chat while you play the game, fulfill quest and level up your wizard.  The schools of magic are Fire, Ice, Storm, Death, Life, Myth, and Balance.  This MMO, or MMORPG... Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game has great ratings for fun, safe, family game.  See article copied below.

Wizard 101 has been heralded as the kid's MMO for adults. The game is geared toward a younger audience with its playful characters and cartoon graphics, but don't be fooled by its exterior. Inside Wizard 101 is an intense MMO that uses great special effects for spells, daring and risky card game style combat, and a fun universe to explore for players.
The reason Wizard 101 takes home our Best Family Game of 2009 is because kids can play it with their parents and no one will be bored. Hardcore MMO players have come forward and said the game is fun and exciting to them as well.
Wizard 101 players begin as a novice wizard in school that can specialize in different school of magic. The range of possibilities from the Elements, Necromancy, and even Mythical legends really give the players some fun spells to cast. The deck based card combat system gives players a lot of options to build their spells and go out and battle ghouls, pirates, mummified alligators, and dark fairies. Not only that, but there is a PvP dueling system in the game, yes PvP in a family MMO! Wizard 101 recently added mounts to the game and is working on new areas for players to explore. Another fun part is playing the old school style arcade minigames to regain some mana points or win new rewards.

I have a little family of wizards going now, with the two main ones being Logan Wyrmflame and Iridian Wrymflame.   The Realm I play in is usually Humongofrog unless it is crowded on the weekend.  Please feel free to contact me if you would like to meet up in the game.  If you think you may be interested in trying the game you can use this link:
https://www.wizard101.com/home/game/friend/F6L2D-4L8N5-33G9M-5L257
and use this friend code:  F6L2D-4L8N5-33G9M-5L257

 

Logan is a Fire wizard and his secondary school is Death, hes is just over level 30 right now and working on the world of Marleybone.  Iridian is a Death wizard with a secondary in Myth and has just hit level 40, she is working on Mooshu and both of them are also in Grizzleheim.  I started a Storm wizard named Evan Wyrmfalme and he is just over level 5, so he can help anyone new who wants to come experience the game. 

 

 

As I said, most of the first world is free, you can get yearly memberships, but I like to pay per zone and just open each area as I come to it.  So if you join and want to finish the  Wizard City world, it will cost 3750 crowns.  You can purchase crowns online through the site, there are prepaid card for $10 and $20 that you can purchase in various stores like Dollar General or Walgreen's... for $10 you will get 5000 crowns, enough to open the first world completely and perhaps get some extra in-game goodies.    The Zone pricing chart can be seen on this page:  https://www.wizard101.com/game/area-pricing 

 

While many World of Warcaft or HALO players may think this game below them, I am thankful for it's ease of play and navigation.  There is a lot to it, that they give you in stages, accuracy of a spell, damage, resistance to certain magic, as I say, it can practice your math too :)  The game really leads you through the levels and teaches you about statistics, strategy, and team work.  It can really get your brain working as you get into the character.  You are sent to duel all kinds of creatures with the spell book and wand that the Headmaster Merle gives you to start your Journey in the Spiral.  Sometimes there will be puzzles that you have to figure out from clues in order to get a door too open to reach the next room, dungeon, boss or quest .  There are also things such as gaining a pet that helps you by casting spells or adding to your statistics in a duel.  You will train your pet by playing arcade style games with them and feeding them snacks, and just like you they will go up in levels and gain more abilities.  I hope this introduction has helped some and perhaps peaked your interest in the game.  Hope to see you in the Spiral!

Happy Sunday!

Greetings,
It has been a Whirlwind lately and I have not blogged in quite some time...  Well, here's a little something to get ya caught up.

We went to Folkston, GA to help with the Gathering of Eagles Pow wow.  The grounds here are always so beautiful, and accomodating to this event.  There was mowing, clearing, cutting, and such... along with the usual setting up of the Circle, Drum arbor, parking, perimeter, and Tipi Lodges. 

by Unknown Photographer

This is always such a nice encampment.  Buffalo Lodge by Grey Squirrel.  There were many dancers, vendors, and demonstators from Maine to Florida.  The weather could not have been any better for all as well, nott too hot not too cool. 

 

After the pow wow was over some people stayed the week until the Saturday event at UNF Jacksonville, FL.  That was a LOT of fun and a great social, there is a cook chickee on the grounds with a huge metal Triangle... we would take turns cooking Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner and when done would ring the "Come and Git It" Bell LOL!!  Then usually we hosted the Campfire, and would sit around and laugh, tell stories and juss catch up. 

The event at UNF was nice, there were several campus tours that came by to see us.  We were fed well and enjoyed the students interest in what we were doing.  Utah played his "Stick with Holes" and the demonstrators had a wonderful display.

The dancers were many for such a small event, Special Thanks to all those that came out and supported this event!

And then came time to load out and move on... One broken camper part and 40 miles later... a wonderful stopover with G-ma in Yulee, Fl.  

The acceptance into the Pack, does not guarantee, that you will not get bitten by the Individual Wolf.  

And finally we come to rest in a spot for the winter.  Wheeew... just in time for me to be busy, busy, busy, online!!  I got the workshop set up and Inventory updated online.  We had a great Turkey Day and Mommy, Daddy, and Doggies Weekend.  Already mapping out this coming Work Week... So Enjoy the weekend that's left, my work week starts at 4am!  
Much Love and many prayers ~wrulf

Be sure to check out Six Directions Traders online, Everything is 25% off to the end of the Year!  No coupon necessary

folkston powwow

folkston powwow, a photo by spiderwrulf on Flickr.

folkston powwow

Amazon.com Vendor Charges $200 Shipping for Craft Supplies

Please click on this picture to see it better

On Mon, 17 Sep, 2012 06:39:35 AM EDT, Six Directions Traders - Amazon Marketplace asked:
I was delighted to find your sale on Jingle Bells, as I have been looking for a bulk of them.  Darice Jingle Bells .75 30/Pkg-Silver $0.80
Jingle Bells 1-3/8-Inch, 4-Pack, Gold $0.15   Not sure why the Gold colored .75 bells were $7.57 per pack... that should have been my first Red Flag.  I certainly DO NOT appreciate being Raped for shipping!  How do you possibly come up with Shipping & Handling: $187.40  to ship to Florida USA.  Even if China was shipping them it would not cost this much!  Rest assured this Gouging will be reported to Amazon, Darice, and anyone else I can contact.  If this was an oversight, It is one Hell of an Oversight... Looks like a Scam to me, I have been in Retail for 25 years and selling online for 10 years.  I will hold further opinions and reporting on this situation to give you a chance to respond. 
Wrulf


I ordered 40 packs of bells and got a Shipping bill of $187.40!! 

Hello,
I apologize for this, because Amazon uploads their own product weights sometimes products will have a very high shipping cost if it is calculated by weight. To try to fix this we charge shipping by the item. Sometimes this can get out of hand when customers are purchasing more than 1 small item. If you would like to place an order we would be more than happy to refund you so that shipping will be more reasonable.
Hope this helps.
Thank You
Christine
Stuff4Scrapbooking

So, they want me to just go ahead and make the $200 purchase (most of which is shipping) and they will refund me some?!?  I think I would have to be the Biggest IDIOT on the planet to just go ahead and place that order!  I responded that I would rather purchase Overpriced bells than to Order with them.  AND As I was typing this post, they responded to my response:

On Mon, 17 Sep, 2012 11:50:42 AM EDT,   asked:
Greetings,
So, you are asking me to make the purchase with the outrageous shipping...
and Then you will refund me some?  I think I would rather purchase
overpriced bells than go through all that.
wrulf

Hello,
Thank you for letting us know.  If you need any further assistance in the future do not hesitate to contact us.
Christine
Stuff4Scrapbooking


I think Darice should know that this HORRIBLE Business is promoting their products... I should also like for Amazon to know that this vendor of  is basically blaming them for some sort of Shipping Gouging Scam!  Do NOT be Fooled by Stuff4Scrapbooking's LOW Sale Prices!!!  BEWARE of Poor Business Practice, Bait and Switch, Gouging or "Oh it's Amazon's Fault"

MY Measly little craft store is on Artfire, and I have functionality to charge Proper shipping, with per item additions on multiple purchases, without Raping my Customer. 

Only my Opinion, Feel Free to leave your take on this below in a comment if you'd like.
.........................wrulf