Time is one of those things that never seems to hold value until you're just about out of it. I had foreseen this day coming for a few months now but as it arrives I can't help but feel anxious as ever.
Up until my return from MLG Anaheim, I dedicated myself 100% with very few breaks to casting/playing. Even after I came back I still went hard at my events, but in a more limited manner.
When I first started really committing to StarCraft and began to stream full-time, I lost a lot of friends. I was so busy either streaming, casting or trying to network to get gigs that I had time for no one, even neglecting myself in many aspects. Family and those close to me had a difficult time understanding how I could possibly hope to make a career out of sitting at my computer and talking about videogames. I was left with two people to speak with, both of them only halfheartedly accepting my unresponsiveness as byproducts of actual work.
With a potentially distant future ahead of me, I made sure to spend the last few weeks as much as I could with the people I cared about. The stress was compounded by staying up late at night to cast EU events while missing sleep to see people in my local time. The last two weeks of my life are a blur, complete with blacking out during a WCS EU cast and napping in-between group stages of Dreamhack Valencia. I know that the only way to make my dream a reality is to keep pushing the limits but every hour I rest seems to be a missed opportunity, including a tournament for Teamliquid and the NFS Showmatch played earlier today.
As things wind down and I brace for the big move West, I know there will be less distractions to the work that I've been doing, but the 20-year old in me has been dreading leaving everything behind for the last two months as I attempted to delay as long as possible. After receiving a deadline for being able to get work, I know this is choosing between making my career happen or making myself comfortable.
I look forward to my stay at the ROOT house, of course. I can finally have a real practice environment where I will be able to achieve my goal of Grandmaster, with the only thing that could stop my practice being paid work (something I am not going to turn down). I intend to produce a few new content pieces that I could not do on my own, and can't wait to share the work I do there with the community. I see nothing but a bright future for the organization and myself, as long as I can keep my legs (hands/voice?) moving.
Once again thanks for taking the time to read this, and as I come closer to a stable living condition I look forward to giving back to a community that has done so much for me. Big plans on the horizon.
Great blog man. I know this feeling well, it happened to me a year ago when I spent all my time working/studying/heading an eSports site on the side. I stopped going out with friends, didn't play games with anybody for months and eventually people distance themselves, that is when you realise who your real friends are; those who stay with you, don't forget them.
In their defence I'm not the easiest person to get on with and I've always been a loner with only a handful of friends, and it was at the time I left secondary school, so naturally we all started going our own way. Regardless, it was surely my lack of caring for anything outside of my commitments at hand that caused this chasm.
You're an amazing caster, don't give up on your dream, keep at it!
Huh. Never really realised how much sacrifice you have to do to get into esports. Thankfully, my family and friends already don't talk to me, so that shouldn't be a problem. Good luck nate, i hope you can have a good time in the ROOT house and achieve your goal. Work hard, Play hard.
Nate, I've watched you come along way. I started watching a little before you moved into that dreaded dorm lol. I've picked up how much you pursue this dream of yours and I can easily tell you that you've headed down that road. We will all lose friends in our life time, but that doesn't mean that we will make new ones in the future. I love watching you're streams and soon will be able to subscribe. I hope the ROOT house will treat you well and that will be one step closer. This past year I've only seen you pick at the career of casting, showing this is really what you want. Work hard, Play hard. Much love coming your way Nathan.
Keep up the good work! Seems to me like all your sacrifices are paying off! Also once you are more established in eSports (as you are fast becoming), you may have more time for loved ones/friends but yeah breaking into Esports seems very difficult...
I can't imagine how hard that is, but you do have the support of your fans and the community behind you and you're sure to meet some great guys at the ROOT house (if you haven't already met them). I believe in you, Nathan, you can do this. :D You and your headband are gonna rule the world someday, I know it. Nathan fighting ~
You´re such a hard-working and pleasant caster, one of my absolute favorites. You have the stuff to go the full distance and establish yourself as one of the greats. You sure deserve and I´m glad I am entertained by such a likeable fellow. All the best!
Also you´re hilarious when you don´t sleep, but it would be a bad health-choice to build on that.
EPT
