another year, another job -- guess it is overdue that I write another blog of my career path
Walking Away Empty-Handed I'm sitting on the floor in an empty apartment - eating sliced watermelon and waiting for the clock to strike 4:30AM so I can beat the Los Angeles traffic to the airport. Everything I thought I would get out of moving to Los Angeles didn't happen and everything I tolerated just so I can get the things I wanted, ended up rotting from the inside - leaving me with a putrid smell of shame and grim outlook on life.
I've really disappointed myself, disappointed in what I expected in others and disappointed that I am leaving here with an unaccomplished feeling.
What would be the most apt way of describing my work in esports? 'Faiing Upward?','Luckiest Unlucky Guy?'. I realize this puts me in a very vulnerable spot to be ridiculed, as I am every time I write these blogs - but once in awhile, I'll meet someone in a game who says: "I loved reading your blogs back then' and I'm reminded that maybe I should just keep writing once in awhile. Check in to make sure I'm still okay with the community I've been a part of for so long.
Today I am leaving Los Angeles, remorseful that I didn't make the relationships I thought I could make in a country where, for once, I spoke the language. But happy I don't have to stay any more and move on to my next endeavour. Somehow, an esports group is impressed with my inability to succeed in another company and has taken me on-board to spear-head a new brand. I could not be more appreciative.
Everyone knows Billy Joel. I think he is, without a doubt, a music icon for a generation. But my favourite song has to be 'New York State of Mind. I've always admired what New York City, almost stereotypically stood for, but his song is the theme to my wildest imaginations of living there.
Biggest Bang for your Buck My initial reaction to America remained for most of the year I was here. My biggest dislike of the American lifestyle is how I feel everything that is essential to a comfortable lifestyle is pinched out of me. Upon moving into my apartment, I learned I had to buy a fridge. I also learned I had to pay every time I want to use the laundry machines. Tipping here is an almost mandatory 15% and you have to pay to get into certain bars/places. Gotta pay for the clicker to open the garage. If I want a substitution on a meal? Gotta pay extra. Seems small and minute, but it came up every so often that really grinded my gears. It was just a needless addition of cost that seems excessive to charge someone. Salaries were taxed less here, but a good chunk was taken out for a variety of reasons and if you owned a car and had to pay insurance - it was even more. How much were people expected to save monthly? How were they to make contributions into their 401K or Roth IRA if they barely have any financial liberties. I didn't have a car and made enough to contribute my maximum every year, but people just starting out, in their early 20s, were not even going to bother because of how razer-thin their cost of living/expenses and earnings were. It just felt awful overall.
In exchange, anything you ate in America were huge portions. I don't think I ever finished a meal during my entire time here. Everything was something and then more. It wasn't just sushi - it was sushi with appetizers, and garnishes and toppings and a variety of choices that had so many choices that I felt overwhelmed with the decisions. It wasn't just Pizza, it was a pizza stretched to the very size of the table. Everything was transmogrified to fit the appetite of this country's love for food. On the upside, in my last week, I had 5 great types of food from what I would consider, authentic sources of restaurants. They weren't all great, but knowing there was a street in Culver City that had French Food (Confit du Canard!), Sushi, a Bar and Chinese all on the same block was something special to me. I ordered a lot of delivery, Chinese, Indian and fulfilled that small wish.
Last thing I will say is that if you don't like the sun or the heat, don't move to Los Angeles. Being from many snowy places, I was not used to the heat of the sun. Seeing woman scantily dressed was a small upside to an otherwise brutal summer and subsequent months after.
Sushi Toshi in Little Tokyo was perhaps the best Sushi I've ever had in my life. On par with the Michelin Star Sushi in Amsterdam
A Superficial City I really thought I could learn to tolerate Los Angeles if it meant meeting old friends in the West Coast area. Being from Montreal or across Europe meant that everyone I knew was in another city, country, coast. But now, finally, I would be with the 'in' crowd. Except Los Angeles is a huge city and I don't know how to drive. On top of that, they are just so busy with their established friends and responsibilities that I just fell through the crack. I was acquainted with so many people. But to make that leap from friendly acquaintance/familiar-face-at-events to a genuine friend that transcends our industry ties is not an easy feat, even more so for me as someone who is socially anxious.
At first I was bitter at how so many people that I spoke to on a regular basis didn't have the time to meet me or even respond to me, then I loosened my grip and just sighed and let it go. I was holding them accountable for something they weren't aware or cared about, yet I felt I was entitled to. Eventually, that anger evaporated and so did my entitlement. There are some people who I did expect more from - but I'm sure they would feel the same if I was as important to them as I made them to me.
For the people I did meet, it felt like a superficial relationship. Someone to add to my wallet in case I ever needed them or vice-versa. I felt I was a part of someone's portfolio to show off. Not because I'm unique or inherently valuable, but because they wanted to make sure I was aware of their repertoire of friends in high places. I felt I was on a social ladder where I scaled up to meet even more 'recognized' people if I played along with their pompous charade. It all felt very exhausting. The younger they were, the more they wanted to name-drop, call-out or stand on top of others to appear bigger. For some, this was their first job, paid minimum wage or slightly above - I could understand why they acted the way they did. But it lacked perspective, understanding that as fast as you got in this industry, you could easily get ejected (I would know each and every time). And so it happened now with this company chopping 2/3 of their total employees, including their life-sucking ex-CEO and head brass gang.
I've been getting into more and more older music. Discovering some great soul, funk and R&B. I've been appreciating Curtis Mayfield as of recent
Working with Americans was a mixed pot. Where the working-culture is more homogeneous in Denmark or even Berlin. Americans was a mixed bag of truly genuine and generous people and a lot puffy chests. People with big mouths, big talk, small achievement and know an answer, right or eventually wrong, to every question. People know how to appear great without the substance to follow-through and it was difficult to decipher who was authentic, and who was giving me the run-around; until the dust settled and I was out of the cult of a work culture. It's all a compromise of pride, stubbornness and a confidence with the old and relatability with the new. Establishing strong opinions early on falsifies a sense of know-how and acting stern when others are unsure further stands you out. Other countries work through pride or inherent (Jante's) laws. Hierarchy and titles matter here, yet are a superficiality to establish order, not respect. Doubt and criticism of other's abilities seep in regardless how healthy or weak a company is.
I feel a little bad for saying everything above. It's a huge generalization on a very mixed and large country. But at the same time, it was very hard to pinpoint what I disliked the most working with (this specific) group of Americans. I didn't feel relaxed or at place, always tense, 'on' and there was no real balance of work and leisure. It felt like if I wasn't at work, I was talking about work and if I wasn't talking about work - I was being concerned about things at work until I returned to work and huddled over the key obstacles of work. With so much stress and attention to work, maybe that is why the obsession to appear important at work is so emphasized.
For once I was in a country where I spoke the language but felt the most alienated and out-of-place than any where else I lived. So much superficiality, sense of comparison and desire to stand out whether through boastful speech or sexual appeal. Common courtesy was hit-or-miss depending on where the person is from rather than it being a culturally ingrained ideal. One thing I did realize is that people will reach out to help if you ask as opposed to it being solicited upon mention.
I saw a lot of the characteristics I hate about myself from others. I can barely accept my own shortcomings and ironic judgement, seeing it in others only made me feel more self-conscious.
The Good Side of the West Coast During my time in Los Angeles, I got to see the entertaining part of it. The movie theaters were fantastic where I saw: Star Wars: The Force Awakens on New Year's Day at the famous Red Chinese Theater. It was an unforgettable experience and the best movie theater I've ever been to in all my travels! My only complaint was that people would not shut up and would yell, scream and applause the moment their favourite character showed up. It was distracting and aggravating. Even during previews, this girl would yell: "Marry me Deadpool!". Very awkward and I slumped in my chair feeling a little ashamed for her - though I doubt anyone cares in the grand scheme of things.
Red Chinese Theater
Universal Studios, I didn't get to try a Krusty Burger or drink at Moe's Tavern
Los Angeles as I returned from Vegas
Las Vegas I actually had time to see Las Vegas and even though I don't gamble nor really drink. I had a lot of fun seeing the colours that illuminated the night-sky. I enjoyed seeing Cirque du Soleil (though they weren't as good as from Montreal) and eating overpriced food. The only good food I had there was the seven-layer Lemon Chiffon Cake from Del Frisco (decent steaks too).
On top of Las Vegas, I also saw The Grand Canyon which I would say rival in beauty and awe as Egypt's Pyramids. I didn't think I'd care all that much about The Grand Canyon especially after seeing on a 6-hour bus ride looking The Hoover Dam,
Dota Guides & You This year was pretty revolutionary for my side-project. I reached 170 million subscriptions and still shows no sign of stopping. It was also at this time I started feeling a bit of a celebrity. People were noticing me in Hearthstone, Overwatch, Battlefield 1 and every where. It was a little frightening, but cool. Unfortunately the novelty started wearing off when I started realizing how many people were dependent on the guides and straight-up started getting obsessive on when I was going to update them to the next patch. Friends requests for miles and mass spam on my profile demanding I update all the guides. In-game, people would remember me and how I played and use it to either discredit the work or to tell me to quit/kill myself, etc. If I flamed or lectured someone on how to play, they'd remind the world on how I was in that particular game. Without knowing, I sacrificed some of my anonymity of a project that was once for me. If I changed my name or muted everyone in-game, people would mention how I didn't talk or would put Reddit posts telling people what I changed my name to (in case they were looking for my guides). The appreciation I'm receiving is invaluable and a true motivator still. But I also miss the freedom of speech and opinion without it being held over my head and making me ashamed. I say one thing and I cannot ever change in the public's eyes. I report someone for flaming or criticizing me on a personal level and someone told me that I would have to get used to it as I become more and more recognized. That stung a little. It stung that something I do for free removed some liberties and comforts I took for gratitude and am now trapped being a model citizen because it reflects on a passion project. I don't know how I feel about the whole thing and come December, I will have to review if it really is worth continuing for the sake of those depending on me.
It really hit me when I was in Vegas on vacation and I started getting a ton of messages about updating the guides. Like an idiot, I spent 12 hours (during a bus ride to The Grand Canyon) reading the patch notes, writing the changes I would make when I got back to the hotel room and then sitting with that shitty WIFI trying to do as much as possible. Wasting my vacation working at the demand of others. It got worse when as soon as I got home, before even unpacking, I spent the next two days updating those guides. I really felt shackled at the expectations of others, without them knowing my diligence to be thorough and complete in my process to get it updated.
On December 21 2015 05:39 Torte de Lini wrote: Schedule (PST) Day 1 (December 16) - 11:00AM-2PM: Publish draft versions of Arc Warden (Lane & Middle), adjustments planned when returned
Day 2 (December 17) - 9:00AM-2:00PM: On the bus tour to the Grand Canyon; reading patch notes and categorizing changes during long drive
Day 3 (December 18) - 10:00PM-11:30: During flight home, revise changes based on feedback - 11:30PM-2AM (Dec. 19): Arrived home, finalizing division of planned additions and changes
Day 4 (December 19) - 10:00am-11:30: detailing new items release with key identified heroes, compiling double-check questions - 11:30AM-5:30PM: Applying Initial Changes to Hero Builds - 5:30-6:30: Break and Lunch - 6:30-7:30: Rebuilding revised heroes (e.g Faceless Void, Death Prophet, etc.) - 7:30-9:00: Dinner/Shopping for Groceries - 9:00-12:30AM: Applying new items and adjusting their place in new heroes (Iron Talon, Aether Lens, Dragon Lance, etc.)
Day 5 (December 20) - 10:30AM-1:00PM: Update Titles and descriptions, bring unchanged guides up-to-date - 1:30PM-2PM: Minor touch-ups, final publishing and announcement
Total Elapsed Time (including lunch/dinner): 31 hours
My Roots, My Father, My Life During my stay in Los Angeles. My father invited me to fly with him to Egypt. Just him and I. I hadn't seen him in so many years, nor ever went on a trip with him since going to Switzerland with him as a kid where I made his life miserable - being the angsty brat that I was who couldn't appreciate the wonders he was affording for my brother and I. I always felt guilty about it and felt guilty how much I trudged through my whole time in Switzerland, even if it happened 10 years ago. Now was my time of redemption and I think we had a lot of fun despite my eventual exhaustion of being in an even dryer and hotter place for two weeks. For the longest time, I didn't know which part of my family I most resembled: my mother's Ecuadorian/Spanish side or my father's Swiss/Egyptian side. Now I knew as I kept being mistakened for being Arabic. The food was definitely not for me and my complained sometimes as far as Jewish people do - but I am so glad I did this and so glad I did it with him before his eyes are completely shut and he becomes unable to see entirely. I saw the Nile River, I saw the Pyramids, Sphinx and even rode Camels. I stayed in hotels that far exceeded anything I could afford and for once, I looked like the better person as I was lively and enthusiastic and my father was persistently grumpy/annoyed with anyone that wasn't me (that's just how he is).
My only annoyance with Egypt is how many people try to sell you shit. It was even part of the tour where they show you how they make carpets (government-enforced child labour), Papyrus art and more. Since I was Egyptian - most thought I was local. But my father looks like a tourist with his silly hat and fanny pack (and looking very old/slender), so he got approached a lot. Another thing is that all the knick-knacks I was looking at in Egypt were mostly made in China. That felt incredibly strange.
Photo Dump: (I have a ton of videos, but don't know how to upload/embed to this post)
I think, in short, Los Angeles is not for me. I was very pessimistic throughout my whole time there and truly felt I did not fit into the culture. I didn't feel above it or out-of-touch, I just didn't get what I wanted out of it all. That's my fault in some parts, because I didn't make the effort consistently throughout the year. I'll have to accept that and move on.
As for The Netherlands. I have visted and stay in this country many times already. In many ways, I am very comfortable with the food, customs and lifestyle, but I also dislike how antiquated and older it feels in terms of architecture. Rotterdam is my favourite city and stepping onto Leiden was really relaxing. I like what The Netherlands has to offer and we will see if that feeling remains throughout the year.
Your impression of LA seems in tune with what I've heard about it. As for American work culture, I can only say that it extends beyond work to everything else. People are either driven, or act like they know everything when they actually know nothing. Finding a balance between work and life is difficult, and not just for me. I've seen more than one boss of mine crack under pressure. It's quite frightening.
...and when we get to Europe, we're wondering how you all live on portions so small! Haha.
LA some industries the acquaintances are many and the hardy friends are hard to come by. I'm really only familiar with the acting and modeling industries being that way, but I can imagine it extends to more. I've had business contacts that were extremely friendly for 3+ years suddenly change jobs and start becoming very unresponsive.
But I've worked in LA for about a decade now and some of the people I met in the first year are still ones I would trust with my finances in a pinch and to be a warm bed if I needed it. East side, south side, Koreatown, the valley.
I really don't know how much of that was the outsider mentality for cliquey friendships, or even how few europhiles you run into in such a cosmopolitan city (going outside city limits south it gets friendlier I say from personal experience).
Some of that also sounds like the American big city culture compared to Europe. You'd find it anywhere. But if you ever spent time in the small town America atmosphere, shit gets nicer. People will stop you on the street to say hi and invite you out for drinks anytime.
On October 14 2016 19:30 Otolia wrote: Seems like every other year you start anew. That must be very tiring. I hope you'll find what you're looking for
Yeah, a new year - a new job. For all companies, they have either dropped funding for the project or laid almost all their staff. A lot of bad luck, but it hasn't costed me much of anything. I always leave with more than I left with and each new job is even more responsibility which I am thankful for.
Thank you, once I figure out what I want and to do, I'll settle in somewhere. We will see with this next job...
On October 14 2016 21:14 Liquid`Zephyr wrote: sounds like la.
enjoy nld
I was warned. Thank you very much.
On October 15 2016 03:46 yamato77 wrote: Your impression of LA seems in tune with what I've heard about it. As for American work culture, I can only say that it extends beyond work to everything else. People are either driven, or act like they know everything when they actually know nothing. Finding a balance between work and life is difficult, and not just for me. I've seen more than one boss of mine crack under pressure. It's quite frightening.
I was warned a bit, but I didn't realize it was ingrained with the city's culture and youth.
I mean, when you love what you do, the balance is important - but you spiritually don't mind the slightly devotion to the responsibilities. But I feel for some, they love the idea of being in esports, giving their all for a start-up and tie it to their own attitudes and view of success. It's a bit concerning, but I respect that kind of motivation, even if it is somewhat misaligned (on occasion)
On October 15 2016 13:52 Cricketer12 wrote: damn that sushi looks good
Best sushi I've had in awhile. Very simple, absolutely rich in flavour/texture and it just melts in your mouth. It was fantastic!
On October 15 2016 14:15 Danglars wrote: ...and when we get to Europe, we're wondering how you all live on portions so small! Haha.
LA some industries the acquaintances are many and the hardy friends are hard to come by. I'm really only familiar with the acting and modeling industries being that way, but I can imagine it extends to more. I've had business contacts that were extremely friendly for 3+ years suddenly change jobs and start becoming very unresponsive.
But I've worked in LA for about a decade now and some of the people I met in the first year are still ones I would trust with my finances in a pinch and to be a warm bed if I needed it. East side, south side, Koreatown, the valley.
I really don't know how much of that was the outsider mentality for cliquey friendships, or even how few europhiles you run into in such a cosmopolitan city (going outside city limits south it gets friendlier I say from personal experience).
Some of that also sounds like the American big city culture compared to Europe. You'd find it anywhere. But if you ever spent time in the small town America atmosphere, shit gets nicer. People will stop you on the street to say hi and invite you out for drinks anytime.
Haha, yeah!
I've had a lot of friends from this community who just prospered to these great people and maybe I'm just not that good keeping in good touch - but I used to wish them luck and congratulate them on their latest events, etc. It's all really washed away and I'm sure I am partly to blame from their perspective.
I've been and lived in smaller towns in America. Boisie, Idaho, Millstone, New Jersey and my father is living in New Bern, North Carolina. I come from a town of a town (St-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, Quebec, Canada). So I definitely know the rural/suburban communities. I agree they are a lot friendlier, but more nosy and curious which I cannot stand. I don't have any friends in these locations, so I guess it is more akin to what I am looking for - though I love living in a concrete jungle like the city.
On October 15 2016 15:48 Thaniri wrote: Make a smurf account.
I have now, first time for everything. My hands have been hurting a lot though, so I can't play as great as before.
On October 15 2016 17:07 Ragnarork wrote: Damn, sad that LA didn't work out for you in the end. It still looks like a valuable experience from what I read! Welcome back to Europe
We still have to meet at an event one day! o/
And we'll definitely go back to some CS silliness, although people came and went, so the landscape has changed quite a bit.
I think it was overall my location as well. I was in Sherman Oaks which is just awful. Living in Los Angeles definitely told me that I am not a West Coast guy and I appreciate living in Copenhagen and Montreal all the more. We will see if the Netherlands will be better.
I will be at Epicenter if you are going (: !!
Who's still playing CS? I play a lot of Overwatch, Dota 2, Hearthstone, Battlefield 1, Civilization and I'll reinstall Counter-Strike if I play with some of you guys!
the thing i like most about working with Americans is that they are calculated risk takers and "idea people". I find Americans are very transparent.. which is a good thing.
On October 14 2016 17:29 Torte de Lini wrote: A Superficial City I really thought I could learn to tolerate Los Angeles if it meant meeting old friends in the West Coast area. Being from Montreal or across Europe meant that everyone I knew was in another city, country, coast. But now, finally, I would be with the 'in' crowd. Except Los Angeles is a huge city and I don't know how to drive. On top of that, they are just so busy with their established friends and responsibilities that I just fell through the crack. I was acquainted with so many people. But to make that leap from friendly acquaintance/familiar-face-at-events to a genuine friend that transcends our industry ties is not an easy feat, even more so for me as someone who is socially anxious.
you want to become "friends for life" with an american? find an american who loves baseball. and just start yappin'. i'm always getting invited to Red Sox, Tigers and Mets games.
unfortunately, the USA is no longer a beacon of hope and freedom. unfortunately, the USA is no longer a top 5 country in the world. it still remains a top 25 country though. New York, Michigan, and Mass., and the people of those states are still plenty good enough for me.
Maybe the USA isn't great any longer.. but its still plenty good enough for me.
Also, the community nights kinda died, and with a few people we tried to go the serious route (not too serious, but still), and gather the same five people (cbRRR, Ardor, Luolis, Sugarfluff and myself currently) to practice a bit and play some official matches in leagues like CEVO Amateur, ESL Open. So there's less of that "open play" that we did before, although some people on TL still play pugs/MM and we still play that a bit from time to time.
And from this list of games, only DotA 2 I think, and a bit of Civ.
Love your DotA 2 builds. Carried me from 2k MMR to 6k MMR when I had 1.5k hours. Only thing I'd check with the latest patch is you've got stats lock instead of Fatal Bonds for levels 2-3.
Sorry LA wasn't for you, but at least now you know! What's next? You alluded to it briefly, but where will you be living, etc.
Also, haters gonna hate. As a naturally anxious person, kind of like you. I over analyze and overthink a lot of situations. But, sometimes you gotta just ignore it all. If you're confident in what you're doing or how you're doing it then block out the rest (ie. Make a smurf as suggested above)
On October 16 2016 01:04 JimmyJRaynor wrote: the thing i like most about working with Americans is that they are calculated risk takers and "idea people". I find Americans are very transparent.. which is a good thing.
On October 14 2016 17:29 Torte de Lini wrote: A Superficial City I really thought I could learn to tolerate Los Angeles if it meant meeting old friends in the West Coast area. Being from Montreal or across Europe meant that everyone I knew was in another city, country, coast. But now, finally, I would be with the 'in' crowd. Except Los Angeles is a huge city and I don't know how to drive. On top of that, they are just so busy with their established friends and responsibilities that I just fell through the crack. I was acquainted with so many people. But to make that leap from friendly acquaintance/familiar-face-at-events to a genuine friend that transcends our industry ties is not an easy feat, even more so for me as someone who is socially anxious.
you want to become "friends for life" with an american? find an american who loves baseball. and just start yappin'. i'm always getting invited to Red Sox, Tigers and Mets games.
unfortunately, the USA is no longer a beacon of hope and freedom. unfortunately, the USA is no longer a top 5 country in the world. it still remains a top 25 country though. New York, Michigan, and Mass., and the people of those states are still plenty good enough for me.
Maybe the USA isn't great any longer.. but its still plenty good enough for me.
I've found the opposite. They withhold information to make their risks seem more ideal rather than it being actually. They talk to minimize risk or play up greater reward. I think this is for the company I worked with though and not reflective of an entire country.
I've found Football and Basketball a lot more popular than Baseball. I don't care much for Sports - I'll watch the games my father suggests because he really loves watching and playing it.
On October 16 2016 01:10 Ragnarork wrote: Wish I could've been at Epicenter but no...
Also, the community nights kinda died, and with a few people we tried to go the serious route (not too serious, but still), and gather the same five people (cbRRR, Ardor, Luolis, Sugarfluff and myself currently) to practice a bit and play some official matches in leagues like CEVO Amateur, ESL Open. So there's less of that "open play" that we did before, although some people on TL still play pugs/MM and we still play that a bit from time to time.
And from this list of games, only DotA 2 I think, and a bit of Civ.
VISA process for me is taking awhile, so I might be late for Epicenter as well.
I never played community nights - I didn't like when we all played each other. I like the pub stomps we did where we wrecked fools and you guys all had to carry me because I sucked but provided great comic relief.
On October 16 2016 02:00 YokoKano wrote: Love your DotA 2 builds. Carried me from 2k MMR to 6k MMR when I had 1.5k hours. Only thing I'd check with the latest patch is you've got stats lock instead of Fatal Bonds for levels 2-3.
Fucking sushi.
I don't think the guides helped you get that far. Maybe from 2K to 3-4K, but getting to 6K is definitely your ability to play Dota very skillfully and adapt according to the matches. You've far exceeded anything my guides could achieved and it sounds like you should be teaching me to play haha. Congratulations!
I'll double-check Warlock when I am settled in the Netherlands, thanks for the tip.
On October 16 2016 21:55 Cauld wrote: Sorry LA wasn't for you, but at least now you know! What's next? You alluded to it briefly, but where will you be living, etc.
Also, haters gonna hate. As a naturally anxious person, kind of like you. I over analyze and overthink a lot of situations. But, sometimes you gotta just ignore it all. If you're confident in what you're doing or how you're doing it then block out the rest (ie. Make a smurf as suggested above)
Yeah, I definitely went there thinking I would fit in better or at least find a more stable job - but I was just wrong. I will be living in The Netherlands now.
That's what I am doing now - just ignoring it all, focus on people I can or want to talk to and try and build myself there. Thanks for the advice.
Oh god I haven't played CS in so long, but I guess this would be as good a time as any to start again. I might actually visit Holland this spring as well, we should grab a beer or something when I do.
On October 16 2016 02:00 YokoKano wrote: Love your DotA 2 builds. Carried me from 2k MMR to 6k MMR when I had 1.5k hours. Only thing I'd check with the latest patch is you've got stats lock instead of Fatal Bonds for levels 2-3.
Fucking sushi.
I don't think the guides helped you get that far. Maybe from 2K to 3-4K, but getting to 6K is definitely your ability to play Dota very skillfully and adapt according to the matches. You've far exceeded anything my guides could achieved and it sounds like you should be teaching me to play haha. Congratulations!
I'll double-check Warlock when I am settled in the Netherlands, thanks for the tip.
Your guides work fine at 5k+ still. You have to deviate from them depending on the game and not follow them to 100% but the basics in them is very usable. Especially when you play one of the heroes you don't normally play, since there are 100+ heroes there might have been a year since you last played a hero even if you are active.
I personally use them to see the suggested items and pick among them most of the time. Skill builds are also nice to see but I deviate there more often.
On October 17 2016 01:12 Torte de Lini wrote: I've found Football and Basketball a lot more popular than Baseball. I don't care much for Sports - I'll watch the games my father suggests because he really loves watching and playing it.
the dodgers and yankees draw in the neighbourhood of 4 million fans a year. its popular enough to meet baseball lovers just about any where in the USA. its really not about over all popularity.. its about creating the opportunities to "network" with Americans that will take things beyond "acquaintence mode".
for whatever reason baseball creates more hardcore in depth conversations than basketball and football. that is why you can network and land in friendships that go beyond acquaintance level.
there is so much time between pitches... to just yap and yap non-stop. sure there are breaks between plays in the NFL.. everyone is plastered stinkin' drunk .. and the violence of NFL games does not lead to very many hard core intellectual convos during games.
On October 17 2016 05:15 sabas123 wrote: Welcome back to europe man!
We should totally play some csgo again, and welcome to the netherlands
Thank you and I agree (: !!
On October 17 2016 05:24 Alur wrote: Welcome back buddy!
Oh god I haven't played CS in so long, but I guess this would be as good a time as any to start again. I might actually visit Holland this spring as well, we should grab a beer or something when I do.
Carry me in Dota! I've pretty much forgotten all your teachings haha I agree though, it's been a few months for me in CSGO - but I always preferred Europe over NA. It's strange how much I miss Polish kids screaming at me over American teenagers who criticize me all game and relentlessly mock you like it's high-school again.
On October 16 2016 02:00 YokoKano wrote: Love your DotA 2 builds. Carried me from 2k MMR to 6k MMR when I had 1.5k hours. Only thing I'd check with the latest patch is you've got stats lock instead of Fatal Bonds for levels 2-3.
Fucking sushi.
I don't think the guides helped you get that far. Maybe from 2K to 3-4K, but getting to 6K is definitely your ability to play Dota very skillfully and adapt according to the matches. You've far exceeded anything my guides could achieved and it sounds like you should be teaching me to play haha. Congratulations!
I'll double-check Warlock when I am settled in the Netherlands, thanks for the tip.
Your guides work fine at 5k+ still. You have to deviate from them depending on the game and not follow them to 100% but the basics in them is very usable. Especially when you play one of the heroes you don't normally play, since there are 100+ heroes there might have been a year since you last played a hero even if you are active.
I personally use them to see the suggested items and pick among them most of the time. Skill builds are also nice to see but I deviate there more often.
Sounds like they're being used for what they are: guides. Glad they still work but it feels very peculiar to see people miles better than me (if MMR is any measurement) use my guides.
On October 17 2016 01:12 Torte de Lini wrote: I've found Football and Basketball a lot more popular than Baseball. I don't care much for Sports - I'll watch the games my father suggests because he really loves watching and playing it.
the dodgers and yankees draw in the neighbourhood of 4 million fans a year. its popular enough to meet baseball lovers just about any where in the USA. its really not about over all popularity.. its about creating the opportunities to "network" with Americans that will take things beyond "acquaintence mode".
for whatever reason baseball creates more hardcore in depth conversations than basketball and football. that is why you can network and land in friendships that go beyond acquaintance level.
there is so much time between pitches... to just yap and yap non-stop. sure there are breaks between plays in the NFL.. everyone is plastered stinkin' drunk .. and the violence of NFL games does not lead to very many hard core intellectual convos during games.
At the office and bars, a lot of them talked about Basketball and Football. But there is no way I can talk about these things comfortably or with any knowledge. The relationship wouldn't last long if there isn't a common interest, no? I have a friend who is very interested in UFC, and I would watch with him, despite my disinterest. I think after a few times, I just stopped coming over because I had no input to give and our schedules to meet would surround pretty much those fights.
I don't drink either unfortunately. It would be unlike me and completely 'superficial' for me to pretend I like something to spend time with people who enjoy this sport. I grew up on many sports, Soccer and Football growing up, Hockey later on, etc., but I don't think it's a part of my identity any more and taking an interest in other people's passion is an important step in relationships, but for it to be the foundation or the only methodology to connect with people (either during or in-between innings) is a bit over-the-top from my perspective.
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