EPTOn this day of giving thanks, I figured it would be a good time to write this blog. I have been on TeamLiquid since beta of SC2, not long by any means, but I have watched SC2 develop from the beginning. I played BroodWar for about three years prior to SC2, but that isn't why this blog is being written.
A little back story, I am 18 years old, High Diamond Zerg(recently Protoss) player, not your high level OMG I'M JUST SO GOOD READ MY BLOG type, but I watch the game a lot, have worked with the whole ESV crew(guys behind the Korean weekly in case you live under a rock) and in general just love the game. I go to school full time(UNLV, studying Economics) and work full time as well. Now for the sappy part, I suffer from chronic depression and mild cerebral palsy, now for those who don't know what Cerebral Palsy is, it is a group of disorders that can involve brain and nervous system functions such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking. My case is mild, and only effects my hands, legs, balance, and fine motor skills. My hands shake, it's difficult to run for long periods of time, I can't stand on one leg, etc. My depression stems from the handicap, and a lot of other factors I'm simply not willing to share. That's the basics, and now onto the good part of my blog
I discovered team liquid in May of 2010, shortly after acquiring my beta key. I instantly fell in love with all the strategy posts, the streams of awesome high level platinum players, the posts about balance, how to beat what, the day9 daily, and anything that was ever posted by a high level player. I followed what tournaments there were at the time, and tried to learn as much as I could. I was never that good at BW, so I was really bad when I started up SC2. Before TL, I was bronze status(Like a boss?) and after TL, I got straight into gold(which would be the equivalent to diamond today, man I haven't gone anywhere in a year, wtf *rage*) I posted a lot in my early time on TL, even streamed BW pro league for people because I figured it would be a nice thing to do for the community that has done so much for me. That eventually ceased, as OGN just stopped working on my computer.
But, my fascination with this site has never dimmed. It's a crazy feeling, being able to go on here, see posts by IdrA, or NoNy, or Incontrol, or any of the other pro players, read their insight, interact with them, it is just astounding to me. That would be like if on a basketball forum, suddenly Lebron James was giving advice on how to dribble. The world would explode. To come on here and see all the streams of the pros, watch SotG, or the Day[9] Daily, and just have so many tools to learn and watch the game, is an incredible thing. This website isn't just another forum, it has it's own soul, personality, character, it's a living thing in a way. Constantly evolving, changing, adapting, and never losing the sense of love for the game. Without TL, I don't think Starcraft 2 would be nearly as popular as it is right now.As for SC2, well, there is just no better feeling then playing this game. When I boot up the match screen, and start up the game, every single time a feeling of excitement and preparation overwhelm me. What am I going to do this game? PvT, oh, Double forge builds with a zlot focus into late game archon/ht/chargelot. PvZ? Oh, FFE into stargate and then react based on what I see. PvP? Oh, rage out cause PvP is BULL SHIT OMFG@$#$%@, lol. But in all seriousness, playing this game is just plain awesome. I love every aspect of it, and the feeling of just getting your timings right, knowing that you're ahead in a match, doing a sentry drop in their main(yes, I'm an ass hole <3) and just knowing you're winning the match, is a feeling I can't describe. This game creates a more personal sense of joy than getting an A on an exam, or winning a sport match with your buddies, because it is you being triumphant against another human being. The game is the most direct sense of hey, I outplayed you, I win, now go cry in a corner. I love this game, I spend all the free time I have playing this game, and there's nothing else I would rather do. There's just nothing like watching Psi Storm kill an entire army, or that sinking feeling you have when you lose to proxy banshee Tech T_T, it motivates you to never lose to that again. The game is still young and evolving, and I can't wait to see what else comes out of WoL, and soon to be HotS.
Now, for the more personal section(but still happy section) about what this all means to myself. When I discovered SC2, I felt really good about myself, because the game is entirely about hand control and speed. I have to have a wrist rest as a pivot so my left hand can actually hit the keys properly, but I push about 180 APM(Not fast I know, but it's fast to me) and I understand the game well enough to execute what I need to. The game helps me deal with my depression, I'm really happy when it's just me, my keyboard, mouse, and the game. When the only thing holding me back is my own skill, something I can actually improve on, and while my handicap may get in the way, it doesn't stop me from being decent, and being able to play. This game literally changed my life, gave me a new outlet, and made me really overcome a lot of self doubt in order to try and achieve something more. TL played a similar role, because I fit in just fine behind a monitor, talking about starcraft with a bunch of my fellow nerds who love this game as much as I do. It's the best feeling in the world.
So on this day of giving Thanks, I want to thank TL, I want to thank Blizzard, and I want to thank all of you for making my life just that much better. This isn't just a game, it's a passion, a lifestyle, and I am so glad to be along for the ride. So if someone ever asks me what Starcraft means to me, well it saved my life, it changed everything, and there is nothing else I would rather do with my free time then play this game, be on TL, or be watching a stream.
Thanks for reading
Johnathon "TheAngelofDeath" Smith
