Pay The Iron Price (Get Off My Lawn Part I)

So, I have a confession to make to you all.
I have joined the madness....I now play World of Warcraft.
Hey, before you mock me (as I have done COUNTLESS others), have you played it? NO? Then how about you run your mouth elsewhere, because you're speaking out of ignorance. I understand, believe me. I used to do the same thing, just ask my other half.
Then, very recently, I decided to create a character and try the game. My logic was sound: My S.O. loves WoW. I wanted to have something that we could do together! If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em!
Then the unexpected happened. I found out it was fun. Before you could say "Lok'tar Ogar", I had not one, but TWO characters.....DragonsTears (a Level 38 Blood Elf Hunter) and GrollGmar (My level 35 Orc Warlock) and I'm having a grand ole time, questing, running through dungeons, and exploring this super-amazing world, that so far, I have not found the edges of. Really, I must give the fine folks at Blizzard a lot of credit for the detail and depth.
You're probably wondering why this is relevant and why I'm not just hiding my shame at becoming the WoW nerd that I have mocked for more than 10 yrs now. Funny you should ask.

I was running around Orgrimmar (the main city for The Horde) (I KNOW...me? Dark side? whoda thunk it?!), when this level 99 Blood Elf approached me and reared the horse he was riding. I did the same and laughed (you can make them actually laugh out loud!), then his horse sprouted wings and flew up in the air.......and I reared mine again from the ground. I didn't laugh that time, but he did. What a jerk. You see, my Hunter is not Level 60 or higher yet, so while I am able to have a mount, I can not yet have one that flies.
A moment later, he lit back to the ground and said in in-game text "Follow me, we're gonna get you leveled up to 60 so you can fly". I thought, huh! Cool!! He's gonna help me run through some quests and dungeons, so I can level up faster! How nice, right? We were off like a light-switch, and before you know it, we had entered Ragefire Chasm (the dungeon under the city). "Follow me," my new friend yelled, and off we ran.....he much faster than I. But, everywhere, instead of enemies to fight, there were dead enemy bodies. Then I saw my friend up ahead. As he would run up to these level 14 enemies, his level 99 Elf simply waved it's hand, and enemies just kinda fell dead.
BORING! I said "Stop". He stopped running forward, and I said "This isn't how I want to level up. I want to EARN it! But, thank you anyhow" He simply disappeared and left me in the dungeon alone. What's the point of playing the game, if you're not gonna, you know, PLAY it? This is why cheat codes make no sense to me. Where's the fun in that? I digress. I texted Jennifer about the incident, and she said "That's what people do. Level up fast so they can get end-game content and go on raids".
Really?

It got me to thinking about a whole generation of people who just want everything handed to them. They don't want to have to work for it. Just give me my reward, and let me be on my way. Granted, NOT ALL of you are like that, and thank you for being the exception, and thanks to your parents for raising you better! But somehow, I buy into my Dad's lectures about working hard for what you want. There is such a feeling of satisfaction from doing something and accomplishing it through hard work and dedication. I have never had life handed to me. I've had crap handed to me. I've been SPOON-FED heartache and misery! But all the positives in my life, I have worked hard and long for. And at the end of the day, I have the love of a beautiful woman, the respect of my children, the joy of grandchildren, and more stories to share, than I can shake a stick at. I could go on and on about kids who have things handed to them, and don't care for what they get. It has no value, because they didn't bleed, sweat, or cry, to get it.
It's sad to me. Call me old, call me crazy, call me the Get Off My Lawn Guy! But, i'm sad that mine was the last generation to be able to play outside until the streetlights come on, without my parents freaking out and worrying that I had been kidnapped. Of course, my parents would both say "Let them take you! They would only get you in the light and let you go". Thanks Mom and Dad. My self-image has never been the same! haha!
Anyhow, my own children will tell you, that I am full of that same crap that my father was. I have tried my best to give them a solid moral compass, and protect them from the harm of this world, while NOT shielding them from the realities. I have tried my best to make MEN out of my two sons. I think I've done a pretty good job of it.
Know why?
I WORKED for it.
I appreciate that reward.

End of Rant....for now