Ok so today I played the most ladder games in a single day that I have ever done. And on top of that I managed to record my ladder show for youtube (www.youtube.com/siegestarcraft for those that want to see it - it should be up wednesday morning ish). And for once I had a shit-ton of fun while playing the ladder. I played 15 games... which for someone that usually plays about 7 a week is a marathon session. Out of the 15 I won 8 of them so I came out on the side of the big W overall which was nice but more importantly I managed to learn some things. Firstly that I need to watch the minimap a little bit more than I do. I got proxy pyloned right in my base and lost to a 4 gate because of that, but the darn thing was right there on the mini-map. Never mind - I wont make that mistake in a hurry. And it was nice as well to make decisions without conscious thought as well. Like I saw some zealots running into my base (because by that point I was watching the map a little bit more... ) went and killed them and then immediatley went and looked for the pylon. I learnt some things about holding off a 6 pool, but only through my own failiure really. I dont often get hit with that tactic so when it happens it is a bit of a surprise and I've not yet had to hold much cheese playing at T but I think I gave a good accounting of myself. I later lost to the 3rd all in that he did but only because each previous all in did just enough damage to me to allow him to continue on. If I had a little better micro I think I would have won the game but I failed a little bit

Even so - if I had microed my SCV's a little bit to keep a few more of them alive and if I had made sure to get the wall in a little faster I think I would have been ok. I need to do a little more work on early aggression plays. I cant seem to get them to work as well as I would like them to. I do some damage and all but Im uncomfortable doing it agains another T player, and every time I try it vs zerg I manage to mess up my bunker and lose a marine or so which takes a little of the sting out of it. As for protoss, well anyone can out mirco a zealot with a marauder with concussive shells, but I have real issues with doing it when there is a stalker or 2 out. I need to get some practice in doing that. Or at least find some awesome examples of people doing it to study.

Overall im happy with the day tho. This morning I was ranked 14 or 15 in my division and I ground out enough matches to get to the top 8 before I did my show (because I wanted the little gold star ) But after I recorded it I kept playing to use up all of my bonus pool - the first time since season one that I have had 0 pool. And now im in second place!! Im so happy - only a month ago I was top of the table in silver league and now im top of the table in gold league and playing and beating Platinum players on a regular basis. I really want to advance (even at the expense of my little gold star) but I can feel myself improving every game I play. finally

Jay/SiEGE