MLG Anaheim for a Platinum Doodler.

Minor-spoilers, I think.

This a story all about how
MLG got flipped-upside-do...

Okay, I can’t do that. Listen, this is probably going to be an inane and ferociously positive blog about MLG. If you want critical analysis of the venue, talk about the games or anything remotely serious, you might want to look elsewhere.

A little context. I wasn’t feeling too great emotionally. You may as well insert a ‘yet-another-girl-thread’ into this spot, because that’s essentially what it was.

The first day was an absolute blur. All I recall was pouring my guts out when Huk snatched a victory and joining the immense wave of excitement when Boxer won. As far as I could tell, I was a glibbering mass of electric jelly, wandering stage to stage, still acclimating to the fact that I was in speaking distance with celebrity players.

However, my partner who came with me brought up a very good point: The small-stage is probably the reason we threw down a cool twenty-five because fan interaction is extremely plausible as well as surprisingly accessible. In fact, it appeared that the small stage was the equivalent of the GSL booth in terms of size on each side. It seemed familiar, welcoming and surprisingly personal.

It wasn’t all hype though, but a surprising deviation from that. Like many, I love TLO and Incontrol, but the day one placements were not treating either of them well. To see them lose, walk down and guts it out for autographs and pictures showed me that MLG isn’t just about positive emotions, but feeling the gravity of the negative. Manly-empathy, without question. To be honest, it’s hard to stay positive as a spectator. It is inevitable, especially as a foreigner-follower, to see your most highly respected idols experience that loss in its fullest.

At that point, this is where MLG truly deviated from my home experience. I couldn’t really bring myself to be as critical about play. I could only enjoy the games for what they were instead of worrying about what they weren’t, because despite the sense of a stagnating meta, the game is still hard as hell and I started appreciated that difficulty again.

While I was still watching at the small stage, my friend pointed out that Huk was right behind me, cracking jokes and having fun with some of us. He was also wielding some Laffy Taffy. I immediately wanted to buy some to sacrifice. Then, I realized I had nothing to sign. Hell, I didn’t even have a camera. As other people swam around, taking pictures with celebrities, I felt despair. I really did. He was right there, but I didn’t want to be the guy without swag/camera just to shake his hand and ooze all over his presence.

I had an epiphany at some point. I forget the exact time, but I left my sketchbook from a small date in my car. Wait a second. I can almost draw. Holy crap. I know what to bring!

The rest blurs out into walking for about 45 minutes to find a Del Taco, then more great and positive feelings until we drive home, get locked out of the house while searching for a soda and the subsequent hillarity afterwards.

This is the night of preparation. I love Huk, I must create something.

DAY 2.

Ugh. Okay, I had big plans for last night. I had sketched out ideas for about seven players but could only get one picture to be acceptable in photoshop. (My real medium skills are actually terrible, haha.) Even then, it wasn’t finished. Oh well. I got something to sign. I am excited. I feel like a little kid with heroes, unburdened by anything.

We get there fairly late, but not too late. Right after, Huk autograph signings. Oh god, oh god! I immediately run to the merch booth with the big MLG sign, because, you know, they said the MLG booth. WRONG. OH GOD. Panic, absolute panic. My phone starts ringing. It must be my friend. He saved me a spot because he knew I went in the wrong direction. Finally, safe, in line, heart racing. Freaking out. Calm down. Huk is here.

The line moves very, very smoothly. I see Huk in his baller jacket, signing with baller point pens and sharpies. He’s smiling. He’s so close. My friend goes first. My silly picture, which I printed onto a piece of paper, stands taped between sketchbook pages.

I come walking up with it, presented and I am grinning like an absolute idiot. For a moment, he looks.

“Did you draw that?” Surprise in tone. He seemed pleased (At this point, I feel like my eyes rolled up in my head from all the excitement.) I respond yes. I don’t even remember what I said.

“Where should I sign it?” Anywhere!

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After the signing, I am 100% hyped and energized. This is where I lose all objectivity whatsoever and simply explode through the rest of the convention. I also did very little planning and every event afterwards is result of raw luck.

Including getting out in line JUST in time to watch TLO vs Tyler on the small stage. The line already starts piling up to get an autograph, so I get in line and then realize I have a sketchbook in my bag. I start using it with my fat, ugly pen. I turn to the guy next to me and ask,

"How many lenses are on a ghost?" He stares at me and we both crack up, realizing that neither of us know but it is kinda' important. I just randomly guess and give up. I show my awful, awful art to TLO, he laughs then smiles his wonderful, charming smile. My heart is aflutter again.

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(This is pretty much what happens in one game. So cool to see it in person.)

More blurring until I randomly see QXC near one of the stages, signing and doing his thing. I think I might know this guy, but I better scan the island just in case. Either way, I start drawing again, except this line is literally a couple people long. I have no time to waste!

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My friend is pretty pissed off because he's a T and he LOVES QXC. I offer condolences and regret not calling him, but I thought he was nearby and I was, unfortunately, too busy being a complete nerd to be a bro first. Ugh. Anyway!

We go out to lunch. We didn't know this but, uh, Incontrol is literally standing out in the lobby area. I look at my friend, he looks at me. We're hungry, but not that hungry. The line starts. I discover a ball point pen and start working in line again.

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<3<3<3. I love you Incontrol. You're such a cool dude in person!

The rest of Day 2 is dinner and some more exciting games. MLG Anaheim feels so short, so very-very short.

Day 3

Sadly, my friend has to bail on this day because of some other arangements involving the (hopefully) permanent union of close friends. I am flying solo from this day and, uh, I slept in. So long that I didn't actually get to see Boxer vs Rain game 1 at the venue. I have some regrets, but I did at least get to watch it at home.

I go gliding into MLG, looking around. Today is the day of sadness. I basically see all the foreigners transition from games to packing up. I got to say hello to Sheth right as he is about to leave, which meant a lot, given that I broke my blog cherry on him, and I even got to talk to Grack. Well, encourage him. I even saw him smile a little. It was cool considering he just finished his consolidation match. I was left with warm, fuzzy feelings.

So the last matches are starting. I'm standing in the right corner just as the camera ends. I see myself waving. I get an idea. I want sign too. I have a sketchbook, but. . . oh god, I have no ideas. Yikes. However, the camera, at some point, swings near me. You know that guy with the horns dancing? You know that other azn guy dancing horribly next to him? That's me!

Of course, this was forever sweetened by the fact that my friend immediately texts me that he saw me on the stream. I was so happy!

Anyway, I was working on a sign. The two guys I was standing next to were totally bros, telling me that you're gonna' get shown. Subsequently, everyone in the general area started helping out by pointing at my sign when the camera was rolling by. Honestly, this seems small, but these guys were the coolest freaking guys ever and I'm forever touched that we shared a little camaraderie over something so poorly drawn.

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Then it happens, I finally get shown. I'm jazzed beyond belief. Thanks everyone, you really made my day. We need to play some SCII sometime, because I have nothing but respect for everyone who joined me in my sign-crusade. (Read: Kick my ass if you want. I will still love you!)

The rest, of course, was electric. The energy in the venue was basically nonstop. I can safely say that MLG Anaheim was not underwhelming. Cheering was loud, the atmosphere was tense when it needed to be and everybody was basically super, super cool.

My only regret is that I did not randomly run into any Korean players. As a huge fan of Cocoshoo, I wanted to be a MVP fanboy as well. Although I'll admit, I like MVP without the hat. Much cuter!

Anyway, thanks again MLG and the people who were there. It was truly a great experience and I'm coming better prepared next year.

Edit: Cool stuff I suddenly remembered that you might've been a part of.

The DRG lineup.

The girl who got interviewed for her blue cheese sign.

Sign on "How to win MLG. Be Korean. There is no step two." (I wanted to make a sign that said, "How to win MLG: Have a M in your name." right after XD)

The BALLS, the BOOS, then the BALLS again.

The guy who was currently up to zero stabbings.

Make Hellions Get blue flame / PROBLEM?

SC2Aterro (sp?) being a baller.

FXO's camera guy is a cool dude. Totally knows his stuff. Best person to stand next to.

MLG Anaheim for a Platinum Doodler.

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