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It all started when I was thirteen years old. Shortly after beating Final Fantasy 7 for the second or third time, after hours of grinding battles for limit breaks and levels to beat the ultimate weapons, I was thirsty for a new game to master and love. The next day at school my friend brought me a demo CD from PC Gamer. It had a new game on there that he said I had to try, and it was called Starcraft. Some space based strategy game. Okay, I thought, I will give it a try. Little did I really know, that this game would envelope the next decade or two of my life.
After playing the demo about a million times, obsessing over Siege Tanks and Goliaths, I was hooked. Shane and I would dial into each others computers, and play long drawn out turtle fests. Each game started out with buzzing, booping, and beeping, only to come to an end by a mined out map, nuclear explosions, hundreds of tank shells, or a haze of cloaked wraiths. The next day at school after playing, my mind was always encumbered with ideas and thoughts of different strategies. After weeks of the demo, I just had to buy the game. I went to the local store in my small town, and promptly purchased the product. Little did I realize, I could now play a deeper story line, and play as two different races. My heart raced.
Delving into the story was incredible. For some reason it just stuck with me. It had me. It owned me. After playing the story at least two times, I started to get into comp stomps with my friend. Then BGH. Then mini tournaments with more friends. Now my school-day strategizing turned into classroom map making, designing maps I thought looked fun. After that, I turned to wanting to create a Final Fantasy 7 RPG in Starcraft. It never came to fruition, but it also never seized to make me happy, just thinking about which unit would be which character. Broodwar enhanced my love, with a fresh story and new units. My friend Richard and I would spend hours seeing how fast we could DT or Lurker rush. I always returned to this game after finishing others. It was truly the definition of replayable.
It was around this time that I decided I wanted my own computer. I had been working summers and saving money every chance I could. I went to the same small town computer shop, and told him I wanted to build a computer. I only had $700, so I didn't get much. Windows 98, Celeron processor, crappy video card, and some ram. I told the owner, that I wanted it built and tested, and then taken apart. I did my research, and was ready for the challenge. It was my technological lego. After assembling it back up, I was ready for Starcraft again. Later, this skill and passion with computers would translate into my current job, as a computer technician.
Fast forward many years, after numerous revisits to the campaign, and the ever so popular fastest map ever, it was finally announced. The only thing that could possibly excite me more than a Final Fantasy 7 remake for PS3, Starcraft 2. I drooled over the Battle Reports.
When the beta hit, I needed to get it. Needed. I watched all of the lucky peoples videos....Rise, Husky, Day9. Oh how I was jealous. When I got in the beta, roaches were still one pop with two armor. It was an unrefined, unbalanced game, but I knew it would be my game for years to come, just like the original. After watching what I considered to be mediocre casts from random people, I decided, I can try this. I did my research, practiced a few times, and casted my first game. Two weeks later, I had emails from companies wanting me to cast their sponsored tournaments. Being on the Day9 Countdown video, Steelseries America vs Europe, Co-pro casts with my home-country hero Huk (then on Millenium), and Morrows map making showmatches. It blew up, and I had the most exciting year of my life. Casting was clearly my new passion, which fed off my Starcraft and computer passion quite nicely.
Unfortunately, my time came to a bitter end, and I had to make the extremely uncomfortable decision to stop casting. Work, family, relationships, all obstacles I knew I had to balance with my dream of casting in the big leagues. The next year I was distant from Starcraft. Never missing a Day9 daily, or a single GSL match, I kept my eye and heart on the scene as much as possible without thinking too much of my failed dream.
My now fiance, then girlfriend, soon wife, has been the most supportive person in the world, and I cannot thank her enough. Attending Barcrafts, local tournaments, and giving me the courage to apply for the IPL 3 volunteer call (never got the opportunity), she hasn't missed a beat. When we talked about marriage, I made the joke "You don't get a diamond until you reach diamond league". That was her cue. She started playing the campaign to get into it. She shared my passion, and I knew I'd never share her, she had to be mine. As she worked off the missions, I purchased the ring. We went to a concert, and she had five missions left. I knew it was time. I told her she could put the remaining missions on IOU if she'd marry me. That was over a year ago. We leave in four nights to the Dominican Republic to get married with a dozen or more friends and family.
This year she bought a pumpkin and wanted to carve it with a theme. Somehow, she picked Starcraft. After she finished the Terran logo (my current race), I wanted to make 3 more. The Teamliquid logo, and the other 2 races. Here they are.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/qSePw.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/IN7fB.jpg)
Recently I was on local TV for a Starcraft tournament, that shows episodes weekly. In January I will cast the King of the Prairies tournmanent. I can't wait. I still dream Huk could attend.
I used to have one passion, now i have two. Even though I never reached my dream of casting for a living, I have my dream girl, and still have my dream game. We both eagerly await Heart of the Swarm, to play the missions and laugh and kill Zergs. (This may pose a challenge for her, cause she hates those ugly bugs). Though, shes proven she can tackle anything. Maybe one day I will get to work with esports, and do some casting.
Here is a picture of us. It really makes me cherish the saying, shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you will still land among the stars. April is my Star, Starcraft, you're my moon.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/uhko6.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ppds2.jpg)
 
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This is glorious ^^
Congratulations you two!! Enjoy the trip 
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wow congratulations and gl with everything, the pumpkins are just to beautiful
you guys are a cute couple ^^
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It appears you have the perfect life <3
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That rock is huge! Gj
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Awesome blog Schicky! Congrats and can't wait to do King of the Prairies and more events with you in the future.
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Thanks everyone. It was both of our first times carving pumpkins.
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I thought your name was schticky sc at first. You know, the schticky, that's good for removing pussy hair? Anyways I enjoyed hearing your story.I have never seen your casts, but now i'm curious.
I liked your younger days when your passion for starcraft would come to you uncontrollable. It's nice to read stuff like that because i came to the game online aorund 2001-2002.
Great pumpkins. I would totally love to lounge in their starcraft inspired mystique. Nice lady you found there too.
-all the best
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This is..... beautiful ='( . All the best you bouse's =D
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Cool blog. Congrats to both of you.
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Baltimore, USA22251 Posts
Awesome! Spotlighted.
Also, 'grats on the future wifey. She is a cutie! Make sure you remind her every day that you know how lucky you are.
My wife loved that she was also wearing a TL shirt. 
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Most amazing ! Many cognratulations :D
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Like a boss. I'm currently in the process of getting my girlfriend to play StarCraft 2. She's tried it before, but never really committed to it (not really her fault though)...
I told her the only thing I want for Christmas is for her to learn how to play the game so we could play together.
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Dude there's no way to easily express how flat I read most blogs. Read title, scan blog, scan comments, mostly move on. There's just so many long and useless blogs that.. anyway, I skipped back and read from the top when I saw your signature matched the title. It was an anomaly and it interested me. By the end you had me grinning by myself. From remembering when we were kids and computer games had complete surprises that were in every sense wonderful (two more races!) to making the analogy that building your first computer was like picking up where your last lego set left off, to the end.
Great blog man. Thank you for sharing it.
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5/5, story is heartwarming, and the pumpkins are perfect. Especially the Protoss one ^^
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Great pumpkins, I knew we'd see some Sc2 themed pumpkins this year. Your fiance looks like Jennifer Aniston in that picture.
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Great story and good luck with your marriage and trying to cast again. ( I loved the pumpkins)
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wow that liquid pumpkin was the most awesome thing ever! shame you live on the other side of the water or i´d ask you to do one more
gongrats and gl
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Wow spotlighted, thank you so much. I never even imagined. April is so excited she loves hearing your wonderful comments.
*The Protoss was my favorite too! I took my time on it for sure.
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congrats! also, amazing pumpkins
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On November 02 2012 10:17 KurtistheTurtle wrote:Nice pumpkins! Found a cool stencil and made a blizzard themed one too, but.. sc! <3 I'll get a picture up lights on + Show Spoiler +lights off + Show Spoiler +
Very nice Diablo! I like how the left half looks like its on fire.
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great story, great write up, best of luck with everything!
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Impressive work! I love jack-o-lanterns.
Hey, please smile more, like your lady friend [and congrats on engagement]
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Hey you have starcraft the board game. I love that game.
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Very cool stuff. A good read. Good luck with everything.
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GG Well Played good sir.
She sounds like a keeper 
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"It never came to fruition, but it also never seized to make me happy, just thinking about which unit would be which character."
Huge grin when I read that line, I remember those exact feelings. Sadly, my Gundam Wing UMS map also never came to fruition.
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Somehow, this read made my eyes moist with tears...
Thanks a lot for sharing your story.
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Great read, great post! Congrats your engagement, and I hope you have a wonderful trip! :D
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Great, inspiring read. Good luck to both of you !
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Probably the most heartwarming post on TL right now. Thank you for sharing this magic with us, and Congratulations!
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Wow, your blog made me really happy. It feels nice for a change
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I'm very happy for you. For both of you.
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Nice write-up! Thanks for sharing!
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Nice post, best of luck to both of you! I'm sure you'll have a blast with your wedding =)
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Most romantic Starcraft related marriage ever, congratulations to you both!
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Congrats on finding that dream girl! Your story really captured me
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Leaving to Toronto in 8 hours! I will be either updating this thread with some pictures, or I'll make a new blog sometime in the next few weeks with updates.
Also! My fiance and I have a great idea for a weekly blog, regarding how fitness helps play a role into performance in Starcraft 2. She brought home accelerometers and heart monitors. Can't wait to see some data from when I ladder. Would anyone find that type of thing interesting?
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very nice blog
have a nice wedding
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Amazing story. I can see the love you have for the game. Congrats to you and your wife. You guys are awesome!
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Good luck on the marriage! Your story is really inspiring.
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On October 31 2012 12:28 Schickysc wrote:
I made the joke "You don't get a diamond until you reach diamond league". That was her cue. She started playing the campaign to get into it. She shared my passion, and I knew I'd never share her, she had to be mine. As she worked off the missions, I purchased the ring.
Best girl blog ever ahahahah
(plus white usually look old or masculine to me but she looks hot ^^)
I don't like SC2 but this time I don't care. Congratulations!
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Cuter than any romantic movie to be honest. I hope we all get to be so lucky to end up with such an amazing relationship!
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Awesome! Really nice read.
Good luck!
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We both eagerly await Heart of the Swarm, to play the missions and laugh and kill Zergs.
</3
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Great read!
I hope you all the best for your marriage and future!
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Wow. I am amazed. Thank you very much for sharing! I brings a smile to my face.
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Great read, a very inspiring story. Your fiance seems very nice and congratulations to both of you!
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5/5, this is great man! Thanks for sharing this, gave me a smile
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Awesome read!
I still remember the day I met you in FutureShop.. lol
Looking forward to seeing you at the King of the Prairies!
PS your pumpkins turned out way better than mine
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Very cool. Congratulations on finding the one, and gl with your dreams of working in SC.
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Awesome pumpkins, how long did it take to make them? Also you guys look like an awesome couple :D hope to find a girl like yours!
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On November 06 2012 10:55 HeeroFX wrote:
Awesome pumpkins, how long did it take to make them? Also you guys look like an awesome couple :D hope to find a girl like yours!
It took about 45 minutes each, once it was hollowed out. Thank you!
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awesome ! btw did anyone tell you yet, that you look a bit like mondragon? :D
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Wonderful congrats
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Netherlands19133 Posts
Congratulations! Great topic and always happy to see such love and enthusiasm for something we all love!
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WoW very very well written man gl for both of you in the future that was really entertaining to read
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Holy sh*t! Those are awesome!!! :D
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Congratulations! Your girlfriend is awesome.
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You kinda look like Dan Henderson. GL to both of you. :-)
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Well I preordered and got my betakey. yay. coming home from the trip sunday, i will blog with some pictures when i can! Thanks for the warm reception of my first blog and all the kind words and well wishes.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/cF71J.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/YOJCm.jpg)
