5 Things to Do when World of Warcraft is Down for Maintenance

Summer vacation is almost over, and it's the dreaded Tuesday of Doom. All World of Warcraft realms are down for maintenance. If you're not on Pacific Standard Time, that makes for a long Tuesday morning. And kid time runs so much slower that grown up time. Sort of like dog and cat years: you know, one people year is seven dog years. So what's a kid to do?

Believe it or not, there's a very real, truly exciting universe beyond the World of Warcraft. Even if it's not all that exciting, it's a world that really demands your attention.

Exercise Your Combat Pet

You may not own a two-headed chimera named Deathwing, but perhaps there's a puppy in Pittsburgh who goes by the name of Scruffy who would just love some attention. See, he's carrying his leash in his furry little mouth.

Pretty hard resist those big round eyes that say, "I love you."

Isn't it?

Scruffy would really love to check the perimeter against those invading orcs. Besides, you won't score any honor points, if you have to clean up his indoor messes, will you?

Besides, Scruffy needs that walk, even if your toon is a paladin.

Feed Your Companion Pet

Companion pets are wonderful to show off when you are socializing in Goldshire or at the Crossroads. In Dallas, you need to feed them, though. You think Whiskers doesn't know any cool kung-fu moves, like the panda you purchased on the website? Watch her knock that Horde beer stein right off your computer desk. It's her way of letting you know the food dish is empty and her drink bowl could use some clean spring water. And Fluffy is great at climbing up your pants leg, so you better not be wearing shorts.

Besides, you won't like the kind of experience Mom will award you, if Fluffy leaves "protest packages" around the house. Picking that stuff up is not a fun quest.

Right?

Socialize With Your Guildies

In Sioux Falls, they're called friends and family. Remember them? Home is a far way from Orgrimmar or Ironforge, but it's a lot closer than you think. And while your folks may not promote you to officer, they appreciate you for who you are, not what gear you bring to the raid.

Buffs? Your folks sure have them, and they'll give them freely. They may not help you slay night elves, and they may not improve your haste rating. But spending some quality time with people who love you for who you are and not how macho your toon looks is a feeling all the WoW Gold in Azeroth can't buy.

Earn Something Better Than WoW Gold

Speaking of WoW Gold, Blizzard doesn't accept it for subscription renewals. Not in San Diego and not in Charleston, either. Sure, there is the Bank of Mom and Dad. But you have probably noticed that their money tree isn't as bountiful as it used to be. Part of it is that times have gotten a bit tough lately. But part of it may also be that the grass in the backyard is getting taller than it really ought to be. Somebody was supposed to take care of it and didn't, so Mom and Dad get a bit testy, when you ask them to renew your subscription.

Hint. Hint.

All right, let's get to the point: you weren't playing World of Warcraft instead of mowing the lawn, like you were supposed to, were you? Hey, since all the WoW realms are down for maintenance, why not get that chore done. It will do wonders to Mom and Dad's willingness to renew your WoW subscription.

And if the WoW realms are still down for maintenance, why not ask the neighbors, if their lawns could stand some mowing? With all that extra cash, you'll be able to replace that Horde beer stein Fluffy knocked over in no time at all. And chances are, you'll even have some money to spend on that Celestial Steed you've been jonesing for all this time.

Maybe you can even swing that Alliance Father's Day tie. Won't that be a hit at the office?

Read Up on Your Next Move

Here's an idea, if you still have some Summer reading to do. Those World of Warcraft discs came with a book, even in Vancouver. Yep. That's probably why the box was so big. It's the World of Warcraft Game Manual. It has all sorts of helpful information that will allow you to level up - and not look so noobish in the Trade Chat. While you're at it, go on a Thottbot web quest, so you know exactly where to find that Dragonscale Leatherworking Trainer.

Oh, you thought this grown-up was making fun of your online gaming? Far from it. My sons and I love World of Warcraft. It's one of the things we enjoy doing together - after we're done with our chores.

And guess when this article was written? You're absolutely correct: the Tuesday of Doom.