Not Very Merry

I have an unhealthy relationship with achievements. I don't need them, I don't want them, but I continually find myself drawn to them, like a moth to the flame.

When I'm raid leading it's a constant internal struggle, should we go for the achievement or just go for the easy non-achievement kill? Usually at the encouragement of the raid we go for the achievement. Same with running heroics. "Oh if we kill this boss while dancing on our heads we can get 10 Achievement points that are good for nothing!" Awesome let's do it!

At one point I almost discouraged inviting two non-raiders to an guild Naxx25 because I knew we could easily defeat two wings with only 20 players and thus start working on Heroic: The Dedicated Few. Almost. But the diplomatic side of me (not The Diplomat mind you) quickly quashed that unhealthy fixation and did not protest to their invitation. In those players' defense they are solid players that I would gladly have in my raid--it wasn't about them per se, but about the damned achievement.

Thus is the relationship of achievements and the World of Warcraft player: love/hate.

I easily nailed The Hallowed title once they took away the mask requirement. I plan on being an Elder because I love the Lunar Festival (as my girlfriend would say, that's the wannabe Asian in me (hi, 8 years of kung fu and extensive travels through China and Thailand)) (Wow was that two closing parentheses?) Ahem. Where was I? Ah yes, Merrymaker...

I went into this Winter's Veil with the expectation that I would never get the Merrymaker title and thus would never get the coveted Violet Proto-Drake for banging out all the holiday achievements. I was sure I would miss Merrymaker simply because I would be offline for 7 days and would not be able to open the gifts under the tree in Ironforge.

I logged back in on Tuesday night and much to my dismay the presents were still there and I looted my Crashin' Thrashin' Racer. At that point I had a decision to make: to Merrymake or not to Merrymake. I would have to complete:

• Fa-la-la-la-Og'rila
• Crashin' Thrasin'
• 'Tis the Season
• Bros. Before Ho Ho Hos
• Let It Snow
• With a Little Helper from My Friends

And I would have until 6AM Friday 1/2 to do it.

For me, this is was the line of demarcation. If I went for it and committed myself to be a Merrymaker then I would be compelled to go for the whole shebang and get the damnable title and mount. If I opted not then I could breathe easy and enjoy the Achievement metagame at my leisure.

All or nothing.

I chose not.
I chose against Merrymaker.
I chose against Achievement obsession.
I chose to just play as I play, enjoy as I enjoy, and Achieve as I Achieve.

I have enough work to do in real life, on side projects, and in game without worrying about getting some stupid snowflakes to camp Dalaran for a freakin' Blood Elf Warlock.

I feel better about my Achievement decision. Thanks for listening. Oh and I updated my latest Achievements on the sidebar, check em out! (ARGHHHH!!!! DAMN YOU ACHIEVEMENTS WHY DO YOU HAUNT ME STILL?!?!)