EPTA lot of TL.netters who went to Blizzcon this year made it their #1 priority to bring home a piece of the pros. For others, the main incentive was to get a chance to try out SC2. Me? I went for all these things. But my absolute, hands down, 100% top reason for going to Blizzcon this year?
Meeting the TL.net crew. Had I been that excited to play SC2 or get a chance to see progamers, I might have bought my ticket before they sold out. It was only because of some behind-the-scenes string-pulling by our beloved staff that I managed to get ahold of a ticket.
So, first and foremost, a sincere thank you to Hot_Bid, Manifesto7, and Meat. It is because of these guys that I actually got to go in the first place. Hooray!
Day 1, August 2nd, 2007
When I first landed in Orange County, it was very sunny. Lots of palm trees. It looked a lot like California should. And that's how it stayed the entirety of the time. 10 minutes later, I saw a green Toyota pull up with YUBEE written in big, purple block letters on a whiteboard in the passenger side window. My ride.
Neo and Hot_Bid stepped out of the car, introduced themselves, and helped me put my bags in the car. Special thanks to both of them for driving out to pick me up.
We got back to the hotel, where we saw Dknight passed out on the bed. I figured at first he was tired from his flight, but then I realized later he must have some health condition, since probably 75% of the trip he was passed out or vomiting. Hope everything's okay, buddy.
![[image loading]](http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3109/roommatesba1.jpg)
My roommates (left to right) -- Hot_Bid, Dknight, and Neo.
We went over to the convention center for a bit to get our tickets, and when we returned, Manifesto7 was waiting for us. We actually felt his booming voice before we heard it: the ground rumbled and the pavement cracked under our very feet. He described SC2 and told us his rendition of how he and Meat dominated the first ever SC2 tournament. Go TeamLiquid!
![[image loading]](http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4549/maniandmeatiq0.jpg)
These SC2 champions can handle the original without breaking a sweat.
Later that night, we met up with CharlieMurphy, PTC-Hurricane, PanoRaMa, DJEtterStyle, and omgbnetsux. omgbnetsux was pretty tired from his previous night, for some reason. I'm not sure why he was tired. Does anyone know what happened with Joe? If anyone knows just leave a comment. I'd really like to know why he was so tired.
We lanned all night until maybe 3 or 4 in the morning. Hot series were CharlieMurphy vs Etter, and none other than me vs Mani. I took that series easily, by the way, through the use of some unorthodox tactics. Anyone who questions the validity of these tactics should definitely check out Sirlin's Playing to Win.
Check out the rest of the lan pictures.
+ Show Spoiler [View Pictures] +
![[image loading]](http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/7291/hbvsmanimx1.jpg)
Hot_Bid vs Manifesto
![[image loading]](http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8149/neothumbsuptb5.jpg)
Neo giving a sweet thumbs up!
![[image loading]](http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/73/manisr3.jpg)
Manifesto threatening to ban me
![[image loading]](http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4697/hotbidhh9.jpg)
Hot_Bid
![[image loading]](http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8903/etter1oj7.jpg)
DJEtterStyle
![[image loading]](http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6730/charliemurphyxf8.jpg)
CharlieMurphy
![[image loading]](http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5656/charliemurphysmilingnn4.jpg)
CharlieMurphy giving a nice smile
![[image loading]](http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5461/etterandhbbs0.jpg)
Etter and Hot_Bid
Day 2, August 3rd, 2007
I woke up the next day at 8:30 am. I did not wake up easily, however. Hot_Bid shook me, calling my name, finally dripping water on my face for around 30 seconds before I finally awoke from my slumber.
We grabbed breakfast on the way to the convention, getting inside shortly after Blizzcon opened its doors.
![[image loading]](http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5858/blizzcon1os3.jpg)
The main attraction for us SC fans: the rows and rows of SC2 demos.
We did everything that day. We played SC2. We saw the pros. We took pictures, recorded video, got signatures, watched live matches, cheered at live matches, and most importantly, met the other TL.netters. Too much happened that whole day for me to even describe in words, so I'll leave some more pictures.
Oh, one other thing. Yes, one time Meat got us through the line with his Press pass, and yes, I BBS'd while Neo rushed mothership. While many may look at this as mean or despicable, I wanted to remind these players that if they were going to play 2v2 instead of single player, they were going to get owned by TeamLiquid. It marked the beginning of an era. It foreshadowed the beatdown that everyone was to receive on Day 3 from the true Starcraft fans. Plus, I very well may be the first person to BBS in SC2, and that's something. Who knows, maybe once SC2 hits stores, the first people to log onto Battle.net may feel the power of the yu-BBS.
Now, on with the pictures.
+ Show Spoiler [View Pictures] +
![[image loading]](http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5081/teamliquidfw3.jpg)
x_woof_x with the TL.net sign. Nice kid.
![[image loading]](http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/107/tl1zr2.jpg)
Hurricane, CharlieMurphy, RaGe, and omgbnetsux representing
![[image loading]](http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/4435/panodknightya0.jpg)
PanoRaMa and dknight (a little blurry, sorry)
![[image loading]](http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/3383/charlieandhurricanehw6.jpg)
CharlieMurphy and PTC-Hurricane
![[image loading]](http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/3294/bigtlpicturedl6.jpg)
The big TL group
![[image loading]](http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/400/woofandraou5.jpg)
x_woof_x and Nal_rA
![[image loading]](http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1073/buttbuddiests9.jpg)
Former enemies
![[image loading]](http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/3470/manipointeh7.jpg)
"If you interrupt me one more god damn time"
Day 3, August 4th, 2007
Day 3 was a lot of the same as Day 2, since we had already seen everything the first day. However, highlights were how beastly the Iris vs Nal_rA series was, holding up the white boards, and the massive, massive beatdown that TL gave to everyone in SC2.
Like Etter wrote, between Hot_Bid/me, PanoRaMa/Neo, CharlieMurphy/x_woof_x, and Etter/omgbnetsux, not a single TL.net team lost to anyone NOT from TL.net. Hot_Bid and I chalked up an 11-win, undefeated streak before finally losing to CharlieMurphy and woof. PTC-Hurricane, sometimes playing as the odd man out, even won a bunch of 1v2 games in the name of TL, often slaying his partner afterwards.
Despite the fact that I knew the trip would be a blast through and through, every moment I spent with TL made it more and more worth it. I would fly across the country to do it again in an instant, and I suggest everyone else do the same.
Like everyone else has done, I'd like to give some special shout-outs to those I hung out with the most.
Hot_Bid - This guy is not only funny as hell, but generous to boot. He put good word in for me so I could get a ticket, paid the down payment for our hotel, and after everything was over, invited me and a bunch of other TL.netters to his house in NJ to lan. Thanks a lot. Sorry I had to rape you in Starcraft and Smash. Keep practicing though!
Neo - Thanks for driving us everywhere, I heard you and Hot_Bid paid maybe $150 in gas alone. You were a cool guy, albeit a little quiet. That all changed when you were drunk though LOL
Manifesto7 - You are awesome. In every way. I wish you stayed for the second day of Blizzcon. Sorry I had to own you in Starcraft. Keep practicing though, I know you might be able to win against somebody someday. Maybe.
dknight - I really hope you get whatever it is that's wrong fixed. I can't imagine what it would be like to be vomiting/passed out almost the entire day, every day. Good luck man. It sucks that your sick.
PanoRaMa aka Mr. Cool - This guy woke up and drove me around all day on the 5th just because I asked, and then took me to the airport. Really, really chill guy.
Etter - Very funny and cool. Was obsessed with finding a counter to phoenix, but then later broke down and massed phoenixes of his own.
x_woof_x - Thanks for translating where that shitty BlizzCon translator fell short, and props for repping TL with the white board
semioldguy - I am eternally grateful for the picture of Iris you gave me. Now I've got a signed picture of Iris =D
omgbnetsux - You were also funny and cool, but I have a little bit of concern. What happened wednesday night? Why were you so tired???? Does anyone know why Joe was so tired?
Meat - Very enjoyable person to be around. Like everyone says, always smiling. Good job carrying Manifesto in the 2v2 tournament.
CharlieMurphy - You are actually cheesier than me at SC. It's wonderful
PTC-Hurricane - His devotion for Starcraft had him sitting indian style with his legs pulled up to his chest amidst the hundreds of other people on the floor. Cool guy
OKay that's it whew
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/Blizzcon/maxout.jpg)
