Approximately five years ago, I heard my first DING and I was hooked. I was a level 2 mage. In real life (henceforth known as IRL), I was a 130lbs scrawny twink. If you fast forward five years, I now have a lvl 85 mage, a level 85 druid, and my favorite toon (pictured to the left): a level 85 holy priest, now a goblin, at item level, or ilvl, 380). I am talking about World of Warcraft.
While I play other games, WoW dominates my gaming experience. In the five years that have followed from that scrawny boy I once was, I have to say that I am now a bit more rotund (185 lbs and sincerely out of shape).
Although people may look at me and see someone who has his act together, I’m still very much a newbie. From here on out, I no longer consider myself a high level raider. I am a noob. I am in the starting zone.
The challenge is to level up. I am level 1. I will reach level 40. At level 40, I will be in great shape. My coordination, my stamina, my flexibility, my body fat percentage will be significantly improved. I will eat healthier and cook regular meals. I will wake up on time and no longer scare the hell out of my SO with an insanely loud alarm clock.
I will document my challenges here, starting with the sacrifice and ultimate prize: a nice big slice of cake. I will fight for that cake. Stay tuned. The challenge is starting soon. In my next post, I’m going to roll my character and show you all what I’m working with.
Louis J. Marinelli, once a supporter and strategist of the National Organization for Marriage, has through much discussion and interaction with LGBT Americans (myself included) had a wonderful and beautiful change of heart. 
