2011 – Review

Quite a year it’s been! We’re quickly approaching our 1 year anniversary here, and while I do have a plan for that, I wanted to at least take a minute to highlight some of the highs and lows of this past year.

Best of 2011

• Break the Bank was started. Obviously
• Being accepted as a Wind Trader over at The Consortium. It has been a real honour to have the opportunity to get to interact with some of the greatest gold-making minds out there, bar none.
• Hitting old gold cap. I actually accomplished this before I even dinged 85, IIRC. Guess I had different priorities…
• Hitting new gold cap. I have to admit, this one didn’t feel as satisfying. Felt more like a hurdle than a milestone. Blowing past it with a big patch week in 4.2 was kinda fun, but nothing has really been the same ever since.
• White Ribbon co-operative community initiative. The gold-blogging community was challenged to stand together in support, and we came through. It wasn’t easy, but this was far and away my proudest moment as a blogger.
• Having more than 1 toon at max level (I REALLY hate leveling…)
• Watching the gold-making community over at The Consortium flourish and grow. This has been a really awesome thing to be a part of.
• The Consortium Total Goblin System – my first ever “legit” application. Here’s hoping I keep it up
• New server, new friendships, new opportunities.

Worst of 2011

• Watching Blizzard destroy the WoW economy. (Feel free to discuss)
• The gradual decline and then rapid descent of JMTC. Once a driving force in the gold-making community, Marcko (IMO) kept this thing propped up to milk profits just a tad too long. You’re supposed to go out on a high note…
• The day after the White Ribbon Campaign. I’m sure most of you know what I’m referring to. Whether the “notion” was justified or not, the timing of it all was wildly inappropriate. I lost more respect for humanity in one day than I have in a good solid 20 years right there.
• Lack of motivation and interest. This is supposed to be fun, and I will be the first to admit that there have been a couple times when it really wasn’t, and I do regret that. Time to make it fun again.

All in all, I really think that 2011 was a successful year. When I think about what 2012 appears to have in store, I feel really blessed and am grateful to everyone who I’ve crossed paths with through my travels. Without you, I wouldn’t have ended up where I am, and I can’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather be, so thank you. Both friend and foe, you’ve shaped an experience that I’ll treasure for a good long while.

Stay tuned for a “new year’s resolution” post next week and then the anniversary post after that. I’ve had a lot of time to process all these ideas bouncing around in my head, and I’m really excited about what’s in store.

Hope your year has been as good as mine, but if not – let’s take 2012 by storm, together.

-Kathroman