Lunar New Year 2018 Festivities

So the Lunar New Year event came this year, and like most of the previous years, I was really not too enthused... (At first!)  I think it's something to do with the event coming a little too soon after Wintersday.  It's also a bit more lacking of events other than purchasing envelopes to try to save for a profit and raise magic find.  Something about this is terribly unappealing to me and I've staved off the holiday, for the most part, each year.

This year, however, they added a race around the decorated Divinity's Reach, and the addition of this singular event had me really enjoying my time there for the duration of the holiday.  Below are a few videos I was inspired to make showcasing the festivities and some pictures I took before / after the event.  While I don't plan to showcase this every year, I really did have fun with the races and the video was a really fun way for me to show a little enthusiasm for a time when it, otherwise, would have been extremely lonely.

Through the course of this event and making these videos I came across a few kindred souls, and I've since joined a guild that seems like a pretty caring and fun group of people.  These videos and pictures will always serve as a reminder of taking a step forward, putting yourself out there and have confidence to try new things.  (Hence the inspirational song choice!)

This probably took me 10 times to reset and refilm.  There's an invisible barrier at the turn right above the Queen's Pavilion that you will crash into if you don't time it exactly right.  After I got through that turn, all the rest here is completely improvised. :P

I tried several times to record a "Winning Race," unfortunately, you have to be on the ball with getting there, getting your mount ready, getting the recording going, and starting the music...

Wanna guess which one I am?  HINT: It's the sparkley bright-blue sand doggy with an Asura wearing bunny ears on top. :)

I'm on top of the World!!!  (well, on the top of Divinity's Reach, anyway.  Below is a shot of where I was...

What they don't tell you is the top steeple is fake.  You literally go right through it and fall into a pit that's quite difficult to get out from.

And with that, Divinity's Reach was cleaned up, no trace of the festival left.  It was really kinda sad.  For a month of logging in, doing races, popping fireworks, buying envelopes to just log on and it's empty and gone... /cry






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Under the stars...

Almost assuredly, this will come across as a gushy, mushy recollection... And, you know what?  I don't care!  Sure, the Asuran side of me wants to be non-emotionally techno-babbly, astute with observations about location, ambient creatures, temperature and architecture; but, the Dott side of me wants to simply enjoy the moment and ignore the impulse to self-analyse my feelings.  Thus, I'll try to get this out without crying.  Oh, but they're tears of joy!  Not heartache (there's enough of that in this world to go around!)

"I have something to show you," he said.  "Meet me at the portal to the Mists."  Already, my interest was peaked - and not just because my young Asuran prize was such a cutie, but he has already genuinely showed me so much more of Tyria than I experienced on my own.  Granted, my own studies into the Mists had taken me away from exploration, but with this gentleman by my side, I really enjoyed traversing the lands and seeing new sights.  I suppose it's just better when you're with someone you love, no?

Happy Valentine's Day 2018!