Upon arriving at the studio, we met up with Symmetry and Marcus and promptly hopped in line, then grabbed seats when the studio opened up. Marcus was about as happy this day as I was on Saturday because his favorite team is CJ. In fact, I might go so far to say that CJ is his Firebathero. On top of that, the second match of the day included Samsung KHAN, my former favorite team (they ceased to be my favorite team when FBH was enlisted, now they're a close second). Kiett was excited because she really likes Stork and I was excited because I really like Jangbi. I think we both took entirely too many pictures of both players during the day.
The first match of the day was between CJ Entus and STX Soul. I've never really been anything of an STX fan and since CJ has Hydra (I keep commenting on how attractive these players are, but I swear I'm straight X__X) I was happy to root for them. I was pretty happy when Hydra was put out first for CJ. He went up against Modesty though, so it was a ZvZ. I was a little disappointed about that since ZvZ is my least favorite matchup to watch.
Modesty won't know what hit him.
Hydra talking with Horang2.
During the break after the first game, we were given food by STX. Our side of the studio was already pretty happy because CJ had given us banners/scarves (not sure whch one) and the addition of food from STX was also nice. It was a little cheap looking because all they did was buy some random snacks and slap an STX sticker on it, but I appreciated the gesture.
Kiett and I are picky (with pizza at least, I don't know if she's picky about food beyond that) and as people were opening up their boxes of pizza, we noticed that it was combo pizza. On the one hand, we didn't want to go hungry like the previous day (which was worth it though), but at the same time, combo pizza is gross. But I opened up the box and to my excitement, cheese pizza! Kiett and I happily shared the slice of pizza which was able to tide us over until dinner when we feasted.....on pizza again (just realized that now).
As for the stickers, I carefully ripped them off because I felt like it was special enough that I had to stick it on something, but at the same time, I didn't want the thing I stuck it on to be too important. So I eventually decided to slap the sticker on my Korean cell phone which in a couple months when I cancel my plan will be nothing more than a silly looking mp3 player. But who knows, if my plans work out and I get to come back as an English teacher, maybe I'll be able to use it again.
So after the snacks had been sorted out, we got on with the match. Second up was Leta vs Bogus. I've liked Leta for a while, but mostly because he saved my butt in fantasy a while ago (actually that was the season where three current CJ players saved me: Leta, Roro, and SkyHigh).
Leta forsees.......a victory.
Now 2-0 favoring CJ, they put up the big boss, Effort. I missed the picture of his ceremony afterwards, but I caught the end in which his arms seem very peculiarly shaped. Perhaps the alien rumours are true?
Hydra and Effort talking in the postgame lineup.
And because STX seemed kinda left out of my post so far...
After that, the four of us ran outside to go to the fan meetup for CJ because Marcus really wanted to see all of the players. One representative from the team came up to us and asked if we were from TeamLiquid (his English was really good) and said he knew a mod. I think it was Manifesto? If so, thanks because you totally got us hooked up! The players came out and Effort personally handed each one of us old CJ jerseys. I'm not sure if they were used, then cleaned or if they were new (mine looked a bit used) but either way it was really awesome and surprisingly, it fit! Having been 50 pounds heavier just a couple years ago, I still have that mindset that Korean clothes will never fit me, so when I fit into a shirt, it feels really cool. Anyway, the pictures from the meetup are below.
Finally meeting SkyHigh. I actually didn't recognize him, but thankfully the others did.
We all got the players to sign our scarves/banners. Symmetry helped hold it so Hydra could sign it. The fangirls there thought the way he stood around Hydra was pretty funny.
Hydra meeting with his fans.
The jersey fits!
I had forgotten about the collar.
Couldn't resist one of these shots. The closest I will ever come to looking like I just won an important Starcraft match.
My banner/scarf signed by most of the players (not snow who was talking with a cute girl the whole time T___T). Signatures from left to right (and top to bottom where applicable) are: Hydra, Leta, SkyHigh (put the date), Movie, Effort, and Horang2.
When Hydra signed, he asked for my name. He doesn't speak any English though, but seems to at least have some loose grasp of the alphabet. When I was telling him my name though, he heard Dabid (to his credit though, there's really no 'v' in Hangeul, they instead use a 'b' when romanizing) so my name is actually written as 'Dabid' instead of 'David.' Since it was Hydra, I totally didn't mind though and I actually just thought it was pretty funny.
We came in late to the KHAN match since we had stayed out there so long, but it was fine because we only missed Grape losing to Free. Kiett was mad because she wanted a 3-0 for KHAN for her fantasy team. Second up, they stuck in my boy Jangbi. I was pretty excited at that point.
Yayyyy.
Symmetry (left) and I on camera.
Possible reactions to our facial hair?
Bringing out Stork to put KHAN ahead.
This was right after Reality became so far ahead against Shy that he D-matrixed a high templar, then EMPed it.
I swear there were actually points during the day where Jangbi's tongue was completely inside his mouth.
Stork saying some things before the fan meetup.
The fan meetup was confusing because KHAN has a lot of fans. Fortunately, that guy in the KHAN fanclub that I keep running into was able to help me help the other three get autographs from Jangbi so that was a success. We missed getting Stork, but there's always next time. I plan to keep going as often as I can. My next post will be back to Starcraft 2 because a lot of things have happened there that I need to address as well. So until next time, have a good day(s)!