GamerBlake90
Blue Blurs for Life!
After what felt like an eternity, I've finally returned from ECT. My first instinct was to collapse into sleep, but I wanted to release this thread first in order to give some well-deserved shout-outs to awesome people.
Before that, though, I'll explain something right now. Obviously a large amount of members are astonished at the unexpected entrance from me and @AK SaltFace for this tournament. It was sort of a last-minute decision to go...however, it was one I almost passed up by my own will.
When I was first presented with the opportunity to go, I turned it down, because the week prior to ECT I hadn't had the greatest running in Injustice and Killer Instinct, both of which I play seriously now. I was getting my ass kicked left and right and not only was my skill level starting to look lacking, it was clear that my match-up knowledge was in the pits. I can excuse it for KI because, well, I did just pick up the game and can't be expected to dish out defeats left and right, but for Injustice it was absolutely unacceptable for me. I felt I was far from tournament shape when all was said and done, so in an effort to resolve this I opted to remain behind and improve my match-up knowledge before I gave it another go.
Looking back, however, it would have been foolish to do that. Because by going to ECT, I not only gained some of the match-up knowledge I speak of, I leveled up in ways I never would have imagined, AND I had a Hell of a time expressing myself (you should know this from watching the stream). Breaking my first Top 16 in a stacked Injustice tournament was a shock, and it provides a spark of motivation that will push me to place even better at my next tournament.
I forewarned you guys in this thread - http://testyourmight.com/threads/i-am-done-regretting-the-past-i-am-coming-out-of-retirement.41793/ - that the old me who clung to the past was no more and this weekend ought to have provided clear evidence of that. Although I'm still not at my desired level yet...well, just wait.
Anyway, enough with the confidence. Time for the shout-outs. We begin with:
- the staff team responsible for the running of ECT. From what I saw, that would be @Mikemetroid, @Shock, @RapZiLLa54, @Frantastic23, @Ray Riazy, etc. Whoever else I failed to mention, I'd like to be reminded of your tags on here, but you're not being overlooked for your efforts. This tournament was shown intense love and care by all of you guys and I am privileged to have been a participant in your event. Shock, your UMK3 exhibition was amazing to watch and I have a feeling I'm gonna rewatch it at least a thousand times before the month is out. And to MikeMetroid, good games in the MK9 side tournament. You reminded me of why I despise Johnny Cage.
- @flipkev and @Tom Brady for their commentary that they provided throughout the tournament. You both do keep it interesting. I'm fairly sure that other people got their chance to speak on the stream, so I'd like to know who else it was that chipped in so I can thank them properly. Also, to flipkev and to Viking305, thanks for the advice on Zod. Hopefully I can make up for the $10 I lost in that money match with Viking, haha.
- to all my RMs who came out to this and gave it their all, but I especially have to mention @RM xSTRANGERx who also made a last-minute call to drive out to ECT and support our crew. I worked my heart and soul out to provide you with the best crew you could ever hope to see and I am certain you weren't disappointed. We showed that we're more than just a gaming team, we're also very tight friends who can learn from one another. And along the way, we had @rev0lver, @Captain Oxygen, and Viking305 a.k.a. @MK_Chameleon join the RM empire. Add in the fact that some of us broke Top 16 and you cannot get a more complete weekend than this!
Oh, and the RM dinner at IHOP is one that will never leave my memory.
I thank everyone who joined us for it and, again, I thank Stranger for volunteering to cover the entire bill on the behalf of all of us...we had like, what, about fifteen people there? I wish you had allowed me to chip in with my own funds, but you can be just as stubborn as me, LOL. To those of you who aren't RM, don't let that stop you from joining any of our gatherings, and definitely don't hesitate to come up to us and ask for a chance to join. We're not the type to stay secluded...we are a very open group.
Aside from myself and the new faces who joined, the RMs who competed in ECT are:
@xKhaoTik
@7L
@astronout
@WITNESS
@SonicFox5000
Stranger didn't get to register on time, so sadly he could not join in on the Injustice hype.
But he did get to have some fun in the MK9 side tourney, if I remember right. We all represented well and I am proud of every single one of you. I regret that we had to eliminate one another near the end of pools, but we still showed the world why RM is a force to be reckoned with.
- to @RG Rico Suave, my first opponent in the tournament. I took my matches with you very seriously and was amazed that the set turned out as epic as it did despite my loss. I hope I didn't freak you out too much with my antics on stage, LOL. Nice job breaking Top 8 in three tournament games at ECT, by the way!
- to @HoneyBee and @KHAOTIC_Biohazard, the guests from Canada who left us all feeling star-struck online AND at ECT. HoneyBee, congrats on the Top 8 and thanks for your help with the Flash match-up. Biohazard, I noticed we hadn't got to play casuals...but next time, I promise.
- to @Bibulus for helping me and Saltface out with the drive.
- to 7L, Jeremy KO, Astronout, xKhaoTik, MikeMetroid, NY Chris G, and @CptXecution for all our great matches in MK and Injustice. There was also a Sektor player and a Scorpion/Kung Lao player in the MK tournament, but unfortunately I forgot their tags.
- to @CD jr for winning Killer Instinct in a nail-biting Grand Finals with EG Justin Wong! What I saw makes me glad that I picked up the game! I didn't enter KI at ECT, but I definitely will do so for the next tournament, in addition to Injustice. Of course, practice must come first.
- to everyone in the stream chat who threw out their support to me, and also to those who texted or called me to wish me well. Supporters include @BlackBryan, ESP Nubcakes, @I$AAC, @AK Pig Of The Hut, @AK Trepound380, and everyone else who wished me luck. Seriously, I lost count.
- to @EMPEROR_JUPITER for not only proceeding to win Injustice and cement the rule of the Emperors over the East Coast, but also playing me in casuals at his hotel room, although those watching had to witness my grim demise. Damn you, LOL. But I will see you on XBL for the training.
- to @Zyphox for being the Hollywood smartass he always is - no, but seriously, he's fun to be around and he tore shit up at ECT. I'll always support him.
- to @Indecisive for the competitive matches with his Shazam and for the tips he gave to me. I'm going to make great use of those, trust me. Missing out on damage this whole time aggravates me.
- to @Sabin for the surprise encounter outside the venue after the conclusion of the tournament.
- to the guy who sold me my Batman sprite that I now wear proudly around my neck. Take THAT, @HomeLee1121! You're no longer the only badass with a Batman accessory to show off. Salty bitch.
- to @chemist4hire who gave me awesome casuals with his Catwoman.
- to @SonicFox5000 for getting salty when playing me.
You gotta love the kid, man.
- to Saltface for being a truly awesome mentor from the moment we met and played in Injustice.
And honorable mentions go out to everyone else I've met, including:
@Peckapowa
@DarthArma
@KDZ
@Grrr
And...damn. That may be just about everyone I've met. If I forgot, it's definitely because I'm in zombie mode and am about to slip into oblivion for a good amount of time...you know, I DIDN'T SLEEP FOR TWO DAYS SINCE THE MOMENT WE GOT IN THE CAR TO GO TO ECT! BET YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF WILLPOWER, HUH?!
...uh, forget that last part.
Once again, I thank the staff team responsible for the running of ECT and I thank all the players who played me and supported me. While breaking Top 16 is a sign of progress on my part, I don't intend to stop there. Unlike back when I would just call it quits and sit it out, I'm taking a new approach so I can actually level up.
I love competing, and I'll never put away that part of me...and I definitely won't say "no" to going to a major again because of a bad week.
Later, all.
Before that, though, I'll explain something right now. Obviously a large amount of members are astonished at the unexpected entrance from me and @AK SaltFace for this tournament. It was sort of a last-minute decision to go...however, it was one I almost passed up by my own will.
When I was first presented with the opportunity to go, I turned it down, because the week prior to ECT I hadn't had the greatest running in Injustice and Killer Instinct, both of which I play seriously now. I was getting my ass kicked left and right and not only was my skill level starting to look lacking, it was clear that my match-up knowledge was in the pits. I can excuse it for KI because, well, I did just pick up the game and can't be expected to dish out defeats left and right, but for Injustice it was absolutely unacceptable for me. I felt I was far from tournament shape when all was said and done, so in an effort to resolve this I opted to remain behind and improve my match-up knowledge before I gave it another go.
Looking back, however, it would have been foolish to do that. Because by going to ECT, I not only gained some of the match-up knowledge I speak of, I leveled up in ways I never would have imagined, AND I had a Hell of a time expressing myself (you should know this from watching the stream). Breaking my first Top 16 in a stacked Injustice tournament was a shock, and it provides a spark of motivation that will push me to place even better at my next tournament.
I forewarned you guys in this thread - http://testyourmight.com/threads/i-am-done-regretting-the-past-i-am-coming-out-of-retirement.41793/ - that the old me who clung to the past was no more and this weekend ought to have provided clear evidence of that. Although I'm still not at my desired level yet...well, just wait.
Anyway, enough with the confidence. Time for the shout-outs. We begin with:
- the staff team responsible for the running of ECT. From what I saw, that would be @Mikemetroid, @Shock, @RapZiLLa54, @Frantastic23, @Ray Riazy, etc. Whoever else I failed to mention, I'd like to be reminded of your tags on here, but you're not being overlooked for your efforts. This tournament was shown intense love and care by all of you guys and I am privileged to have been a participant in your event. Shock, your UMK3 exhibition was amazing to watch and I have a feeling I'm gonna rewatch it at least a thousand times before the month is out. And to MikeMetroid, good games in the MK9 side tournament. You reminded me of why I despise Johnny Cage.
- @flipkev and @Tom Brady for their commentary that they provided throughout the tournament. You both do keep it interesting. I'm fairly sure that other people got their chance to speak on the stream, so I'd like to know who else it was that chipped in so I can thank them properly. Also, to flipkev and to Viking305, thanks for the advice on Zod. Hopefully I can make up for the $10 I lost in that money match with Viking, haha.
- to all my RMs who came out to this and gave it their all, but I especially have to mention @RM xSTRANGERx who also made a last-minute call to drive out to ECT and support our crew. I worked my heart and soul out to provide you with the best crew you could ever hope to see and I am certain you weren't disappointed. We showed that we're more than just a gaming team, we're also very tight friends who can learn from one another. And along the way, we had @rev0lver, @Captain Oxygen, and Viking305 a.k.a. @MK_Chameleon join the RM empire. Add in the fact that some of us broke Top 16 and you cannot get a more complete weekend than this!
Oh, and the RM dinner at IHOP is one that will never leave my memory.
I thank everyone who joined us for it and, again, I thank Stranger for volunteering to cover the entire bill on the behalf of all of us...we had like, what, about fifteen people there? I wish you had allowed me to chip in with my own funds, but you can be just as stubborn as me, LOL. To those of you who aren't RM, don't let that stop you from joining any of our gatherings, and definitely don't hesitate to come up to us and ask for a chance to join. We're not the type to stay secluded...we are a very open group.Aside from myself and the new faces who joined, the RMs who competed in ECT are:
@xKhaoTik
@7L
@astronout
@WITNESS
@SonicFox5000
Stranger didn't get to register on time, so sadly he could not join in on the Injustice hype.
But he did get to have some fun in the MK9 side tourney, if I remember right. We all represented well and I am proud of every single one of you. I regret that we had to eliminate one another near the end of pools, but we still showed the world why RM is a force to be reckoned with.- to @RG Rico Suave, my first opponent in the tournament. I took my matches with you very seriously and was amazed that the set turned out as epic as it did despite my loss. I hope I didn't freak you out too much with my antics on stage, LOL. Nice job breaking Top 8 in three tournament games at ECT, by the way!
- to @HoneyBee and @KHAOTIC_Biohazard, the guests from Canada who left us all feeling star-struck online AND at ECT. HoneyBee, congrats on the Top 8 and thanks for your help with the Flash match-up. Biohazard, I noticed we hadn't got to play casuals...but next time, I promise.
- to @Bibulus for helping me and Saltface out with the drive.
- to 7L, Jeremy KO, Astronout, xKhaoTik, MikeMetroid, NY Chris G, and @CptXecution for all our great matches in MK and Injustice. There was also a Sektor player and a Scorpion/Kung Lao player in the MK tournament, but unfortunately I forgot their tags.
- to @CD jr for winning Killer Instinct in a nail-biting Grand Finals with EG Justin Wong! What I saw makes me glad that I picked up the game! I didn't enter KI at ECT, but I definitely will do so for the next tournament, in addition to Injustice. Of course, practice must come first.
- to everyone in the stream chat who threw out their support to me, and also to those who texted or called me to wish me well. Supporters include @BlackBryan, ESP Nubcakes, @I$AAC, @AK Pig Of The Hut, @AK Trepound380, and everyone else who wished me luck. Seriously, I lost count.
- to @EMPEROR_JUPITER for not only proceeding to win Injustice and cement the rule of the Emperors over the East Coast, but also playing me in casuals at his hotel room, although those watching had to witness my grim demise. Damn you, LOL. But I will see you on XBL for the training.
- to @Zyphox for being the Hollywood smartass he always is - no, but seriously, he's fun to be around and he tore shit up at ECT. I'll always support him.
- to @Indecisive for the competitive matches with his Shazam and for the tips he gave to me. I'm going to make great use of those, trust me. Missing out on damage this whole time aggravates me.
- to @Sabin for the surprise encounter outside the venue after the conclusion of the tournament.
- to the guy who sold me my Batman sprite that I now wear proudly around my neck. Take THAT, @HomeLee1121! You're no longer the only badass with a Batman accessory to show off. Salty bitch.
- to @chemist4hire who gave me awesome casuals with his Catwoman.
- to @SonicFox5000 for getting salty when playing me.
You gotta love the kid, man.- to Saltface for being a truly awesome mentor from the moment we met and played in Injustice.
And honorable mentions go out to everyone else I've met, including:
@Peckapowa
@DarthArma
@KDZ
@Grrr
And...damn. That may be just about everyone I've met. If I forgot, it's definitely because I'm in zombie mode and am about to slip into oblivion for a good amount of time...you know, I DIDN'T SLEEP FOR TWO DAYS SINCE THE MOMENT WE GOT IN THE CAR TO GO TO ECT! BET YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF WILLPOWER, HUH?!
...uh, forget that last part.
Once again, I thank the staff team responsible for the running of ECT and I thank all the players who played me and supported me. While breaking Top 16 is a sign of progress on my part, I don't intend to stop there. Unlike back when I would just call it quits and sit it out, I'm taking a new approach so I can actually level up.
I love competing, and I'll never put away that part of me...and I definitely won't say "no" to going to a major again because of a bad week.
Later, all.
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