EPTPart I: The waiting game
So DreamHack Summer Open was almost here, and I was expecting a great event. I say to myself I should look for a BarCraft and enjoy myself publicly. Unfortunately the Stockholm venue that had been booked was cancelled. Oh nay! People where desperately trying to find a new location. Among the chaos inducing dog barks, crying babies and explosions, one voice brings a glimmer of hope. "we did it" it said, with less then 12 hours until the event was scheduled to start.
Part II: Expecting the unexpected
Announcing the barcraft's location with less then 12 hours before the event kicks off (just the final day, not the entire thing) makes you wonder how many people will get the message. I call a friend and plan to meet him at dawn, together we would go and feast on cheap beer and high APM. But alas, that did not happen, as while I was on my way, a courier presents me with the sad news: "Sir Friend of Yours shall be going home, after feeling tired from work." I have to say I felt this coming. If one must go alone, then alone it be! There should be plenty of beer and APM lovers there.
Part III: Surprise, surprise!
As I enter the room, I am greeted with a near dead silence. At first there's a fear, but I could hear the casting. The room is packed, there's almost no places to sit, but there was no voice spoiling the continuous action on the screen. I grab a beer, because I need to take it easy and act cool. I have to think about how I am to approach my prey. I go to a table and ask "What happened in the other semifinal?" and I go from there. It was good.
Part IV: Mr. T and Mr. M
After a couple of beers we were getting along just great. M and T are great people, very warm and welcoming. We drink some more, we talk some more, everything was going great, except for one thing. That freakin' Dota 2 final was taking forever! It was almost 1 am if I remember correctly, and they where finally finishing, getting ready for the finals, when some bad news gets delivered. M and T live 70km out of town, and the last bus leaves in 10 minutes. How could this be? Just before the finals starts! M asked if they can crash at my place, to which a replied "sure!", but T had urgent matters to attend early morning, and that was somewhat impossible for him.
Part V: The Miracle
As we were discussing about what shall we do in such a dire situation, time slowly passed, and we realized its already to late for T to catch the bus! What is he going to do? He decides to spend over 100 euros on a taxi, so he can stay and watch the finals. What a guy! So some of you might think: maybe he's rich and doesn't give a shit about 100 euros; I am in no position to judge such a matter, but I can tell you rich people are cheap, and I don't know how many people, be them rich or poor or whatever,. would make such a gesture.
Part VI: A strange turn of events
So firstly, no Koreans in the finals. Weird. Then Dimaga GG's just as his all-in was starting to work. Finally Mana crushes, letting this be the 1st of more good results in the past week. The bar is closed, we need to get home. T offers M a ride in his cab, since they both live in the same town, but what was I to do? I had to walk about 40 mins or more to a bus stop, where I had to wait for a bus that comes every hour, and takes 35 mins to my place. But M offered me to crash at his place. Being drunk, that sounds like a great idea!
Part VII: A mystical night
As M was struggling to fin his keys, I come upon the information that he lives with his parents and sister. Well, to be honest, as drunk as I was, that made me feel somewhat uncomfortable. But we go in, and he pulls out the whiskey. We talk about nonsense, and nonsense slowly turns into gibberish. I realize, it's time to call it a night. I remember his mom showing up in the middle of the night, going for a cigarette. I also remember being sick and hugging the toilet. Some things might be best left unsaid, but it was a night that makes me feel funny when I think about it.
Part VIII: The second day
We sleep on couches in the living room. As we wake up we are both struck with a feeling of "oh my fucking god", as the hangover is pretty severe. I start asking myself, what am I doing 70km north of Stockholm? I've only lived here for 3 months, I don't speak swedish (not that you have to in this amazing country), and I find myself doing crazy shit like this. We get some good breakfast, drink some delicious water and head to the supermarket, cause I wanted some natural orange juice. We then pay a visit to Mr. T. He's home is like a nerd lair, it's awesome. We chill for a bit, listen to some k pop, and then watched GSL together. Symbol kinda crushed MarineKing
I almost forgot to mention, this was possible because T called in sick at work. What a baller.
Part IX: The end is nigh
So I took a bus home. Pretty long bus. Then changed and took the subway. Then changed subway. Then took another bus. OMG I was so far away, lol. But now, I have to great starcraft friends. There might be some mileage between us, but the spirit is strong, and I can feel that we are bound to meet again, and have great starcraft adventures. But with less alcohol this time...
I fall asleep, thinking to myself, what a great community and what fun, heartwarming people populate it.
The End.
