EPTThis was my 2nd live big Starcraft 2 event, the first being NASL. My NASL experience was recorded in another blog. Looking back to the first one, I said I wished that I could actually speak to the pros more and boy, was my wish granted! Because this time, I had some privileges from volunteering for TeamLiquid so I had access to some behind-the-scenes stuff. Even though I didn't really get to actually meet the TeamLiquid staff, I want to say thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this website especially Primadog! I really appreciate and love the content that you guys put out for the readers every day. With that being said, on to my experience.
So, friend of mine was kind enough to buy me a competitor pass to compete in the Open Bracket and lend me his gear as well. However, I'm only in Platinum league and frankly, not very good haha. But, my friend insisted on paying for my pass, so I relented and decided to play just for fun.Before the day of MLG, I couldn't sleep at all, I was far too excited and hyped up. My mom dropped me off at the Anaheim Convention Center at around 10:00 AM in the morning, I also managed to catch some few z's in the car ride. When I was there, I saw two huge lines for the convention center, one for spectators and one for players. Clutching my bulging bag of computer gear, I stood in the player line, where I met my first friend Zac. We exchanged our B.net IDs chatted a bit about who we thought was going to win and talked about Zerg strategies. I think I said that I hoped DongRaeGu or IdrA would win, or just any Zerg. Then we both saw the entire Team EG go past us to go to the back of the line, and I stared at the back of my Zerg hero. I had met IdrA before at a lan competition through the courtesy of his team manager where he let me stand right behind him while I watched his games. I always get a rush when I meet SC 2 pros. It's so surreal.
I finally got inside the center and got my green wristband to play, but I realized that we wouldn't be let in until 1:30 PM, Jesus Christ. I thought that 10:00 AM was when they let the early-birds in, but I was wrong. Kinda lonely, I just wandered the area, and sat at random places here and there. I took a look around the lobby floor of the Hilton hotel and finally just sat at the open court area. Then I spotted my first pro! I saw a suspiciously large group of people clustered around someone in my peripheral vision and when I examined closer, I realized it was none other than Kiwikaki!
I was unsure in my steps as I approached the gaggle of people. When I got there, the people left so it was just me and him. I think I kinda stammered as I asked him for an autograph and gave him my old NASL paper to sign on. There was no hard surface to write on so he just used my back lol. Afterwards, I tried talking to him, and I was super nervous. But he was really easy to talk to. I don't really remember much of our conversation cos I was so thrilled, but I think I asked him why he wears that gold necklace (a pair of cards) all the time. Apparently it's his lucky pair, 6 and 7? I think those were the numbers... I told him that I played Zerg, and I thought Protoss sucked (jokingly). I think later on I coaxed the great Kiwikaki to say Zerg great, Protoss bad. Score for Zerg!
Then I realized that there was a group of people standing behind him just chillin. I thought those were some other fans waiting to talk to him, but it turned out to be the entire Team Reign! I think a part of my mind nearly passed out right then and there. We went over to the team where I introduced myself to all of them. I think it went a bit awkward, cos I chirped "Where's Phoenix?? I watch him ALL the time!" Turns out there was a conflict of interest, and Phoenix was no longer a part of the team, oh my. But awkwardness aside, there was Scott, Brian aka Spades, Frank, Dawn, Paul aka SLUSH, Michael aka Perfect. I was in Starcraft heaven. After a bit of talking, I nervously asked if I could chill with them for a bit, cos I came by myself, and they said it was fine by them. I was nervous asking that because I didn't really want to bother them, but I was so excited. I asked so many questions haha but Team Reign was so friendly!
So there I was tagging along with all of Team Reign as the doors finally opened and people poured into the convention center. I stuck around with my new buddies, as we caught our glimpse of MLG. The place was cold and cavernous, but the more to hold the exciting booths and stages! I stuck around the player area, where the Open Bracket was to take place, and saw all the pros set up for warming up. I saw the fabulous Boxer, magnificent and composed, already into a game, surrounding by his admirers. I saw a bunch of pro players sporting their team shirts and jackets: FXO, dignitas, TeamLiquid, etc. So many pros all around me, everything was a blur...
Then Primadog texted me, he was going to pick me up and drive over to pick up White-Ra, who was staying at his friend's beach property. Freaking White-Ra! Of course I knew in advance, that I would be part of White-Ra's entourage for my contribution to TeamLiquid, but still, it was exhilarating. I took leave of my new friends,promising to hang out with them again, and left to meet up with Prima. We went along with another TLer, Hezzina (who was generous enough to offer his room to White-Ra for the duration of MLG), and braved through traffic. It was fantastic meeting White-Ra in person. He was this tall, Ukrainian guy. When we got there, he was in the middle of a PvP ladder game, so I sat down next to White-Ra to watch. He unfortunately lost because his opponent managed to snipe his warp prism that was carrying all his stalkers. After that, we helped him pack his stuff in the car and set out for MLG. Traffic was long again, and White-Ra passed out in the car which explains why he was so quiet.. I didn't know until after the ride.
I then escorted White-Ra to the center to recieve his player wristband. The MLG staff recognized him and tried to hurry the process for him.
Now this part gets fuzzy and I was started to get tired from the lack of sleep. I think I hung out with Scott, from Team Reign, and his buddy Austin while I was waiting for my round to start. Turns out I had another hour, so I just chilled for a bit. Fast forward to my first round match. I took forever setting up, I wasn't familiar where to plug in my gear. Then I realized that the MLG people didn't have a headset for me, much to my dismay. THEN, LiquidTLO came to the rescue! He's so awesome... he lent me his own headset for use. When I asked him where would he be when I was done with it, he just said give it back anytime during the MLG. So basically, he trusted me with his own headset, much love and thanks TLO <3 Then I proceeded on to my match, wearing TLO's gnarly headsets. I lost to a Masters Protoss, xxKunaixx. I think I put up a good fight because I didn't die in the first ten minutes haha. I kept making terrible mistakes though, like supply-blocking myself x 10. And not spending minerals. I also wasn't used to my keyboard so I kept messing up my CTRL groups.
Now as for the games, for the duration of MLG I didn't really see many on the main stage except for a few of the Zerg games. I felt as though I could watch the VODs later, but the people that were there were fleeting. So I preferred to talk and get autographs. I did watch Destiny play some games in the Open Bracket, he was surrounded by a huge, huge group of people, I had to squeeze in to get a decent view.
For the rest of the day (and MLG), I alternated between hanging out with Prima and White-Ra, and some of the Team Reign peoples, the staff not the players who were busy busy. I was also meeting up with Prima to discuss my contribution as a volunteer. We were planning on interviewing Spanishiwa but we couldn't find him, and eventually procured another. Prima said that I might interview HuK, but I thought that it would be too much for my first interview, and someone else should do the honors. In the end, I interviewed Sterling [popular featured TL Terran streamer], ePGimix [the one who forfeited 2 of his games to White-Ra], GosuSTX (aka ONEShield) [Top Terran player who gave a good run in the Odyssey lan where Team EG also competed]. All Terrans I know, mucho sorries to my Protoss and Zerg peeps.
So I gotta go practice now, but I believe that was the whole day one of my MLG experience! I went home at fucking 1 AM. I hope to post up the 2nd and 3rd day experience blogs sometime later. Thanks for reading!
Here are my interviews: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=250007
Sterling's isn't up yet, we're still waiting for his video by the camera people and transcribing it. Thanks again for reading!
