Starcraft has been quite an inspiration in my life. When people ask me what my hobbies are and what I enjoy doing, I simply respond with a one word answer, "Starcraft". For me, Starcraft was a way to block out what was happening in the real world around me, a world where all my problems could magically just disappear.
As a child, I had quite a fair share of issues with family and peers. I felt as if + Show Spoiler [nobody] +
could understand what I had to go through. Growing up, I basically wasn't allowed to do anything I ever wanted to do. No television, no computer games, not when the burden of upholding the family name was all on me. As my parents would say, "Hey + Show Spoiler [Mister] +
we worked hard to get you here to America, so you better work hard in return for our sacrifice". Hindsight 20/20, they simply wished the best for me, but as a child, I simply didn't care. Every chance I got, I'd look to find a way to spite them, whether it be picking up smoking, drinking, or sneaking out of the house just to chill with some friends.
As a result, I was quite a bitter child who basically didn't have any friends. When my neighborhood was redistricted to a different high school in my freshman year, I was basically left without a single friend. I felt like a complete + Show Spoiler [loner] +
that I basically had to start fresh, start new, and start a whole new life. Fortunately for me, I found a few new friends who were pretty much addicted to the game of Starcraft. While I'd played sparingly before, I became literally addicted to Starcraft. Day and night, I played Starcraft just for the hell of it because it was my way of escaping reality. Slowly, I smoked and drank less and less, all while playing Starcraft more and more. It was + Show Spoiler [time to love] +
something new, and that something new was Starcraft. Looking back at it, I'd say that was a pretty good tradeoff.
Sometime in my sophomore year, my friends and I found Teamliquid. At that time, it was quite the discovery. Replays galore, strategy on how to counter different builds, and those small VODs of progamers. I finally had someone to + Show Spoiler [tell me] +
what exactly I should be doing when playing in game. Having never seen progamers play before, I was quite astonished at how good they were. The micro, the unit production, the multitasking, all simply incredible. It was as if a magical + Show Spoiler [genie] +
just popped out of its lantern and granted me my wish.
After years of browsing Teamliquid, I've come to accept it as my second family. A place where most everyone cares about the community, open to sharing ideas and thoughts about the same game that everyone still loves so much. + Show Spoiler [Again and again] +
I try to keep myself away from Teamliquid to start something new, or to focus on studies, but the magic keeps drawing me back. Even after 12 years, Starcraft still stands on top of the RTS gaming ladder. The balance, the gameplay still so good after all this time. But most of all, the community is what makes Starcraft such a great game. To date, every time I browse Teamliquid, I still feel as if I'm flying + Show Spoiler [into the new world] +
To everyone out there who's reading, I hope you all have a great holiday season wherever you might be!
PS: Konadora and l10f are awesome. Keep that in mind! You'll find out why during this holiday season. =D
On December 03 2009 10:21 l10f wrote: Wait, are we doing something for the holidays? I'm confused
Nope, just figured a couple of my favorite people on TL could use a little more recognition. Really grateful that you guys are here, and I just want to spread the word. =D
On December 03 2009 14:31 konadora wrote: Waffles = Roffles' son?
...my id used to be roflmywaffle so i shortened it since some games cant take that many letters or already taken.. thats rofly. but as i said before nada video of gee dancing link pls.
First of all I'd like to bring to your attention that your experience with alcohol and tobacco and the transference to sc. Although fully understandable due to its total pwnage, brings to light your internal struggle with your addictive personality. This is obviously dangerous and you should make an effort to change yourself for the better.
Niceties aside. I found your writing to be more than juvenile, Your thinking is so one dimensioned and bland, that it gives little meaning to your supposedly heart-felt struggle with your loneliness, which from what I can gather about you, seems to stem from the fact that you take no responsibility in your own upbringing, and thus your resulting personality. Yes asian parents are harsh and controlling, but the fact that you resorted to such extreme measures show not only your inability to create a real persona (instead attempting to emulate the badass stereotype) for yourself but also makes you seem like (if you'd pardon my language) an attention whore.
Next I'd like to address the fact that it's extremely pathetic that you would throw the term "family" around in such a cavalier manner. Though I cannot, and will not attempt to fully empathize with you; the fact that you have decided to find solace in a forum instead of a real human connection is truly baffling and disconcerting. I recommend you to stop "escaping reality" because the truth is: it's there. We all have our share of problems, but if we all just hide away in our own little constructs then I dare say the human race will end itself on the lack of fornication (yes I am provocative).
ps the kpop thing? come on, that's beyond cheesy. I challenge someone to find an art form that has LESS emotional background. It's all farce