The Furball

Showing Appreciation

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.
- Margaret Cousins

I want every day to be a new adventure, and every person to be a new friend. When I set out from my home on Elshimo Island to become an adventurer, I vowed to myself that I wanted people to like me, and that I would make lots and lots of new friends.

Lately I’ve been thinking about showing people your appreciation, and taking the time to show them that you value their efforts. I wrote an entry about encouraging people a few years ago, and it’s never been a better time to start to be honest.

My favorite job has always been White Mage. White Mages have the pleasure of teleporting people when they need to get somewhere, tend the wounds of weary adventurers and raise the unfortunate ones. Some have become my close friends, and some have helped me in countless ways. I’m eternally grateful for the things they have done.

Showing people your appreciation is easy. A simple thank you is all it takes. Yet no one really takes the time to thank others for their hard work. Some, especially those in the east, show their appreciation for even the little things, like getting a teleport. You are an awesome Red Mage, thank you for keeping me refreshed! Just a simple line like that is enough to put a smile on someone’s face. Sure, it may be “their job” to keep you refreshed, but show them that you appreciate them helping you.

Take a moment to think about how someone you know have helped you. Maybe they gave you a valuable item once, or just cast Silena on your for the 108th time. Thank them for being a good friend. I’m not saying you should send them 108 tells, thanking them for casting Silena on them though.

Imagine how encouraged people would be if you took the time to thank two or three people every day.

Beginning of a New Journey?

The sky was filled with ominous dark clouds, not that I the least worried. A gentle wind was brushing through my hair, and I felt really relaxed, listening to the seagulls squawking in the distance. The sea was calm, and the small waves hitting against the bow of the ferry taking me to Nashmau.

As I stood here, enjoying the salty air and serenity of it all, I kept thinking of the long journey I’ve been through. Oh, you thought I was obsessed with all the fishies below, didn’t you? They didn’t even cross my mind. After the incident with Ulbrecht just a few weeks ago, it’s been pretty crazy around here. I’ve been working hard as a student, trying to become a better mage. My approach to Scholar is very similar to White Mage, with minor differences. I’ve been amazed so many times by how well a Scholar can retain her mana, even without a refresher or secondary healer. It’s fun, yet very demanding.

I’ve met so many wonderful people on my journey to become a level 75 Scholar, and I’ve learned so much. Some of the people I met have even become close friends of mine; and of course there are those I would rather forget as quickly as possible. You meet all sorts of people out there: the gentle, the carefree, the obnoxious and the know-it-alls. But I wouldn’t have been able to attain my level without the continuous help and support of my friends and allies.

But just because I’ve reached level 75 doesn’t mean my journey is over. Far from it! Today marks the beginning of a new journey to become better at the jobs I already have. I’m too burned out right now to even think about getting another job, so right now I’m going to give it my all.

My motto: Be kind, diligent, playful and adventurous.

Prepared for Battle

I’m sometimes appalled by how unprepared some people are, whether it is for a linkshell event or an experience party. Making preparations is the key to any successful journey, yet few people take the extra time to go over their inventory before leaving their mog house.

When you show your interested in partying, you should be ready to go. Some people spend nearly twenty minutes finding gear stored in some goddess-forsaken place. Here is a few things you should prepare before leaving:

Subjob
The first thing you should check is your subjob. Are you a tank with a Black Mage as support job? Is that even remotely useful among the people you will be going with? Really now, having access to Warp beats Provoke any day?

Equipment
Have you checked and double checked that you have all the necessary gear with you? Sometimes I wander off without a few pieces I only macro in, but they can make a big difference!

Also, don’t underestimate the power of your weapon. Some monsters are naturally resistant to certain kinds of weapons. Swinging a club at a Robber Crab may not be the brightest of ideas. Weapon compatibility can make a huge difference in how long it takes to take down a monster.

Supplies
Make sure you’ve got all the ninjutsu you need for at least two or three parties worth. You’ll look like a fool if you run out of Shihei or ammo for your weapon just fifteen minutes into partying. With the recent adoption of the Mog Satchel, it is a good idea to stock up between each party.

All mages and jobs that require the use of any kind of spells should carry a stack of Echo Drops on them. There are no excuses for being lazy about this, and don’t make any excuses about not having the gil. Farm some honey and go see your local alchemist!

Also, what’s the deal? Why did you just come to the middle of nowhere with no oils or prisms to help you get safely to your destination? Oh, now you are crying it’s the mages’ job to get you there? Think again! We’ll give you the first sneak for free, but after that you should expect to be on your own.

Bring your food!
Mmmm.. delicious fishies! I love my fishies more than the average mithra. Don’t leave your home without packing your bento box, okay? Bring the appropriate food for your particular camp and job. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt when up against Colibris — those birds are vicious if fed!

Signet / Sanction / Sigil
Don’t wander off without seeing your local gate guard first! The signets can make a world of difference on the battlefield.

Reraise Items
Bring reraise items if your linkshell event requires this of you. Remember that certain fights leave you with limited time, and mages won’t have the time or the mana to spare to cast Raise on you.

Warp Items
Sometimes it can be a lo~ng way home. Don’t forget your Warp Cudgel or Instant Warp scroll.

And above all, be ready! Don’t leave your party waiting because you are tardy or have to run off doing some other errands.

Random Acts of Kindness

See to do good, and you will find that happiness will run after you.
- Helen Keller

Good girl, I told my chocobo, as we rode through the Sauromugue champaign. Her eyes gleamed with satifisfaction, enjoying the good weather. The sun was shining and the sky was blue as far as the eye could see. She khewed as I petted her neck and saying kind words. And although I was in a hurry, I couldn’t help but share my chocobo’s cheerfulness.

I was on the way to Port Jeuno to catch an airship, and had but a few minutes left before it was supposed to depart. Suddenly, as I passed a group of yagudos, I noticed something lying on the ground up ahead. I made my chocobo slow down, and we walked toward the obstacle. It seemed to be a tarutaru that had gotten knocked out in battle.

I got off my chocobo and quickly raised the tarutaru, praying that his wounds would disappear and hoping for a quick recovery. Other adventurers gathered around me as I raised the tarutaru, helping him get up on his feet. The tarutaru bowed to me and thanked me for having taken the time to raise him.

I didn’t make it to the airship in time and I had to wait for the next one. But having helped a fellow adventurer was more meaningful to me than to just run off selfishly.

Random acts of kindness can mean the world to those in need. The act itself costs so little, yet helps so much. Take a moment to stop and help a fellow adventurer in need, heal their wounds, help kill a powerful monster they would otherwise have no chance to win against—or donate an old piece of equipment that you no longer need. Support your fellow crafter by giving some of the crystals you’ve gotten in a recent party instead of littering the streets of Vana’diel.

Don’t Just Walk Away

For a long long while now, I’ve noticed how people seem to stand in everyone’s way when they are off doing other things. Be it talk with someone over the linkshell or eat. People, everywhere, find it amusing to park themselves right outside the auction house at end, outside the residential area or around various Vana’diel citizens.

Honestly, are there not any better places to doze off? Like, say, inside their own moogle house? Not only are they obstructing the way, but they are also congesting areas that would otherwise be busy as it is.

Recently my linkshell has started gathering at the opposite side of Sagheera in Port Jeuno. This way we won’t stand in everyone’s way when we are getting together to do limbus. If people would sit or stand in their own groups, it would make organizing these runs so much easier, while at the same time not congesting the area for others.