Didn't see that one coming...

Okay, first of all, I have just one thing to say:

WOOHOOOOOOO!!!

Okay, time for a bit of an explanation.

Back when I started playing WoW, I turned to various sources of information to try to get an idea of what this game was all about - one of those sources was the Wowinsider podcast. This podcast regularly featured a guest known as BigRedKitty, aka BRK, aka Daniel Howell; you always knew that you were going to get a fun and informative show if he was on. A bit of internet searching led me to his own podcast and blog, which to be frank, were pure internet gold.

The writing/podcasting style was spot on and the humour the kind of thing that would leave me in hysterics at times. Yes, he was a hunter, and yes, I only do plate-wearers, but the only reason that I have ever dabbled with anything other than a Death Knight/Warrior/Paladin is because BRK made huntering sound so much fun.

Some of those podcasts, in my opinion should be essential listening to all WoW players, especially episode 3 where he explains how the threat mechanic works. BRK was committed to ridding the World of Warcraft from all manner of huntardism.

Alas, nothing lasts forever and about a year ago, BRK announced his retirement from WoW blogging, podcasting and the game itself. It was a sad day indeed, and I can still remember the Tribute to BRK video that people put together. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, however and real-life priorities must come before playing WoW.

Daniel still maintained his regular blog, which focused on cooking, cars, Airman Howell stories and most importantly, his son; the same humour and writing style was still there, even without the WoW. If anyone happens to see a particular weapon drop from ToC25 heroic, namely the BRK-1000, you know who it's named after. Great as his blog is, WoW hasn't been the same since he retired.

Over the past few days, several cryptic and confusing blog posts have arisen on his site, but the gist of is seems to be that his presence has been requested on the WoW Cataclysm Alpha. Now, whilst this does not mean that he's coming back to play WoW, just a bit of blogging and the odd video here and there, it's going to be fun getting his perspective on some in-game things again.

It's just like Bryant dragging Deckard in for one last job...