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"You can never beat me!"
I've previously posted this same story in my other blog, but I decided to bring it here and try and update this more. The quote belongs to my cousin Patrick.
Starcraft 2 has been keeping me busy and entertained. I'm not very good at it, but I am trying to improve. Now I know for a lot of people, Starcraft 2 is their first Starcraft game or might be their first RTS game. As for myself and like a lot of other people, I've been hoping for this game for a long long time. This series is more than just a game, it holds a lot of connections to my childhood.
I remember when I first played Starcraft. Back in my room, learning to play the protoss and trying to right click every unit. I was about 9 or 10. My cousins, Patrick (1 year younger than me) and Tim (same age), introduced me to it and got me hooked. At the time, playing the actual RTS game was not as much fun as I now realize it is. I know I can go back now and actually enjoy the game, but back then, UMS was where it was at. Sunken D, V-tec paintball, but the almighty Matrix 4 way 3 race reigned supreme in my household.
Patrick and I could play Matrix 4 way 3 race and Lurker D for hours. Unfortunately, we never actually played together, as in cooperatively. I only had one computer with Starcraft actually installed, so we took turns playing the game. Although, when he did get home, we would play 1v1s every now and then. He would always beat me. His zerg was always superior to my protoss. He would always gloat the next day about how he beat me. I just couldn't beat him. I told him one of these days, I'll beat him and be the better player.
Growing up, I will always remember playing Starcraft, every summer, with my cousin Patrick. I remember joking about Starcraft 2 and how maybe we could fuse High Templars and Dark Templars and have some crazy combo. As years went by and we grew up and further apart, during family parties, we could still joke around about Starcraft and other games we played together.
I will never forget what happened next. I was at my girlfriend's house with her family just hanging out and talking. It was Patrick's high school prom night and he was going with my best friend, Tracy. It felt like a typical day until I got a call from Tracy. She was asking if I knew where Patrick was because he wasn't answering any calls. I told her to calm down and that he is probably just getting ready for prom. She said okay and hung up. I continued to talk and a few minutes later I got a call again. It was Tracy, sobbing over the phone. I couldn't understand her, so I tried to calm her down. Through the sobs, I could only pull out a few words. "Patrick...is...gone..." At first, I was confused. She continued, "Car...accident. Romeys are gone." At that moment, I felt it. I broke down and just completely lost all control of my emotions.
Unfortunately, my cousin Patrick has passed away at the age of 18. His family and him was involved in a car accident, died on impact. They were on the way to the dentist because that night, was Patrick's prom night. He was graduating the next week from high school. That was last year and he was excited for Starcraft 2. He wanted to play again and I was hoping to have new memories while reliving the old ones.
Now I know this may seem like a stupid goal, but I want to get really good at SC2. Not just be a gold or plat player. I want to be a top Diamond league player. I want to participate in LANs and Tourneys and hold my own. I want to do it not just for me, but for him. Call me what you will, but this is one achievement I plan on getting. I play Starcraft for the memories, for fun, and now, for him.
I'll do it. You will know my name. Watch out SC2 community, because I'm out to learn and win.
![[image loading]](http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/2/l_d527617152304ffb887c31ec9e87fa40.jpg)
From left to right: Tim, Myself, Patrick.
 
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Ok I'm actually going to cry : (
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This blog had me a little bit of goosebumps, but can I comment on the pictures?
Tim looks like a little bit of Stork
Then Pat (RIP) a little bit of Bisu
Then you bro, Haven't figure it out yet.
But have fun and goodluck becoming the best, for starters you can try learning and mastering one BO for each match up.
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I am very very sorry for your loss. I hope that you, your friends, and your family can find some peace and come to terms with something so terrible. I will be keeping you, and your family in my thoughts. Take care please.
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I will beat you, and crush your dreams in memory of my dog Billy.
R.i.P Patrick
EDIT: Patrick looks like HDStarcraft
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Pat looks more like Gretorp than Bisu.
RIP  Very sad story, I wish you the best of luck. Your goal isn't stupid, and hopefully your lost friend will keep you motivated in your journey to becoming the best. I've been trying to improve at BW for more than a year and a half and then SC2, and never have made it - it's a tough game, and you're only gonna get there if you really want it.
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gl on training ill help ya with reaching the top 
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With true dedication, one can accomplish whatever they set out too. I hope you achieve your goal and find some solace. I'm truly sorry for your loss and wish you the best of luck, I will be watching for your name.
5/5
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Man Bro, I respect you and I think its great that you could have such a good friend, and I really regret and empathize with your loss.
I KNOW you won't want to hear this, but I really feel I need to say it anyways:
Think about what you plan to do, is it responsible and honouring to Patrick and his memory?
I went through a time feeling like I wanted to become the best-ranked SC:BW player in my country. I know what its like to really want to achieve a top level in a game, though I NEVER had the sort of tragic inspiration that you have.
I never got there. I joined a clan, trained for months, had 4 alternate acc.'s because '/Clearstats yes' has a cooldown of one week, and I sucked so bad I would go straight to D- and not be let into games. Funnily enough now I'm top-5 in Swiss SCORE rankings (as in iCCup points, not actual skill) and its not satisfying.
I challenge you. Think: "If Patrick could see what you are doing, would he feel honoured?"
Because what you plan to do will require a shitload of time. That's ok, and possible, IF you're  BaBy and Pokebunny's age, but now you're in your first year of college, yes?
This is a somber and heavy question, but what do you want to dedicate your time to at this crucial time in your life? Do you want to look back on it with shame, that you devoted yourself to something unproductive, or do you want to remember with PRIDE and honour, that you did the right, but hard thing?
I'll be blunt. The skills you will gain in becoming a star SC2 player are quite limited. You can be the expert master guru of the world, but that will only be for a virtual computer game that will last MAX 8 years before becoming obsolete or replaced. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE SC and play way too much for my own good, but there are more productive things to do.
TL;DR
Devote your time to something more worthwhile. You have INCREDIBLE inspiration and motivation, so channel that passion to create something or foster a skill. Art, even if you feel you suck, just try. Film, photography, dance (what I did), music, poetry, writing, Chemistry, Maths ANYTHING that will advance you in the world. I think the most amazing outcome from this situation would be if you become a recognized master in what you chose to do, and everyone knows what drives you: your lost cousin and friend Patrick. Don't throw away your life man, use your passion to create!
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God bless your friend. Best of luck to your future endeavours too
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On June 30 2010 04:06 bITt.mAN wrote:Man Bro, I respect you and I think its great that you could have such a good friend, and I really regret and empathize with your loss. I KNOW you won't want to hear this, but I really feel I need to say it anyways: Think about what you plan to do, is it responsible and honouring to Patrick and his memory? I went through a time feeling like I wanted to become the best-ranked SC:BW player in my country. I know what its like to really want to achieve a top level in a game, though I NEVER had the sort of tragic inspiration that you have. I never got there. I joined a clan, trained for months, had 4 alternate acc.'s because '/Clearstats yes' has a cooldown of one week, and I sucked so bad I would go straight to D- and not be let into games. Funnily enough now I'm top-5 in Swiss SCORE rankings (as in iCCup points, not actual skill) and its not satisfying. I challenge you. Think: "If Patrick could see what you are doing, would he feel honoured?" Because what you plan to do will require a shitload of time. That's ok, and possible, IF you're BaBy and Pokebunny's age, but now you're in your first year of college, yes? This is a somber and heavy question, but what do you want to dedicate your time to at this crucial time in your life? Do you want to look back on it with shame, that you devoted yourself to something unproductive, or do you want to remember with PRIDE and honour, that you did the right, but hard thing? I'll be blunt. The skills you will gain in becoming a star SC2 player are quite limited. You can be the expert master guru of the world, but that will only be for a virtual computer game that will last MAX 8 years before becoming obsolete or replaced. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE SC and play way too much for my own good, but there are more productive things to do.
TL;DR
Devote your time to something more worthwhile. You have INCREDIBLE inspiration and motivation, so channel that passion to create something or foster a skill. Art, even if you feel you suck, just try. Film, photography, dance (what I did), music, poetry, writing, Chemistry, Maths ANYTHING that will advance you in the world. I think the most amazing outcome from this situation would be if you become a recognized master in what you chose to do, and everyone knows what drives you: your lost cousin and friend Patrick. Don't throw away your life man, use your passion to create!
Thank you for writing that all out. Now I know I didn't state this before in the blog because it didn't seem relevent, but I guess since you brought it up, I also make music and perform in theatre and such.
This is not the only way I'm honoring him, but it is one way. I've been working on a song and making instrumentals. I just feel I have a large connection with Starcraft and it will always remind me of him. Now, I do plan to spend quite a bit of time, but I still have priorities such as school (Major: Nursing), girlfriend and family.
I don't plan to become professional, but just to be able to hold my own if I ever join a tournament or be able to see my name in the top ranks next to the greats. If I ever get that far, I will know I have achieved my goal.
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That was - wow. I offer you the best of luck and my condolences - even if its not much.
(A lot of people from '92 have been going this year... 2 people in my senior class passed away this year too)
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Best of luck and condolences. Always sad when someone passes away. Takes a wonderfull person to create something positive out of it. Good luck with whatever your goals will be, with an attitude like this you will succeed
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You have the motivation, a very strong one. You can do it, because thats all it takes.
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I hope you can pull it off, don't get frustrated and never lose focus of why you're doing this.
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Good luck on your achievements !
You have one hell of a motivation.
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Wow damn...touching story!
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Really touching, all these sad blogs almost makes me cry 
Good luck on becoming a pro, you deserve it!
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Thanks everyone for all the good luck wishes and support. I'm up for the challenge and I'll keep updating my blog periodically.
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EPT
