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United States219 Posts
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/2KjzAbf.jpg)
This is my first blog post, and it somehow became super long. Feel free to scroll past all the text and skip to the pictures.
But please, if you will- I just have to say… The SC Community = Best people on Earth. ALL OF YOU. With all the negativity around lately, I felt like putting my positive thoughts down somewhere.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/JZVzXIC.jpg)
This past weekend I got my chance to go to my first ever live SC2 event. And Boy, did I pick a great one to go to. The IEM Finals were absolutely amazing, from the stunning gameplay to the infectious crowd, I had the best time ever!
Let me just be honest. I’m new to the game, barely started to learn how the game works right before the HoTs release, and I’m completely terrible at the game. I started following SC because a friend sat me down and forced me to watch some tournament with him in 2012, and that was the beginning of the end. I was blown away by the enthusiasm from everyone, the amount of passion and love (apologies for the choice of cheesy words) that was radiating from every single soul at the venue was infectious. How can you NOT think this is purely AWESOME?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/tKKpL86.jpg)
SC2 the game is definitely great. Personally I think it’s the hardest game ever made- there’s never a right or perfect way to play it, and the possibilities are endless. It requires so many things to be good at this game as you have to juggle strategy, mechanics, game sense, and basically be a multitasking KING. For a human to be able to achieve “pro sc2 player” status is a life achievement.
And yet, these superhuman APM machines are still… Human. They are humble, personable, cares about the eSports industry and their fans. No matter how busy or stressed they are, they find time for the people of the community. They take their time with autographs and picture requests, and are sincerely glad to see you. They show their true personalities without an ounce of disguise, and we love them for that.
And then we have the casters and commentators and observers. If you think the players are amazing, these people are even cooler. They are definitely what make SC2 the most enjoyable and watchable eSport ever created. To be the face of SC is an incredibly difficult thing. You need to have stage presence, a sense of humor, and basically be a walking Liquidpedia on every single player/strategy/history of the earth. Their knowledge of the game is endless, and they honestly LOVE what they do, and their hard work shows. It was my first time at a live event, and it put me in awe to see Apollo being so animated while casting, moving every single part of his body as he explains the players choices even when he’s not on camera. All the casters were fantastic backstage, bouncing around and talking to fans in between. I consider myself one of the luckiest people on earth, for having the chance to finally see them in person.
Putting on such a fantastic spectacle is no easy task. Some may forget just how complex and difficult to run a tournament like this. eSports is still new, and every event is still trying to figure things out. It needs coordination, design, and execution. IEM was not flawless by any means, but it was a good show. I saw many of the crew members back stage, and I just want to give a shoutout to everyone that worked so hard on this production. A thank you from a single fan is a small thing, but- to all the cameramen, production crew, editors, reporters, translators, TL forum moderators, Liquidpedia editors, referees, twitch geniuses, stream mods… EVERYONE, thank you for giving me the best weekend in years!
Lastly, let’s not forget the fans. I was so glad to be around other sc fans! It definitely is the fans that make many things worth it. I met other people who bought tickets from TL store like me, and it was so much fun talking to everyone, even the arguments over races/strategies.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3UUCOAt.jpg)
If nothing else, going to IEM has been one of the most inspiriting things in my life. I makes me want to be a part of such a wonderful community, and contribute to it. I am inspired to actually get over my ladder anxiety and play, and I want to be better at the game. I also want to possibly use my knowledge in other fields to help the eSports community grow, and watch this thing we all love blossom.
Now that I’m done yapping like a fangirl, here are some pictures!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Xfqitw4.jpg)
Shiny Trophy
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/1uchPW8.jpg)
Happy HyuN!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/b0jmpus.jpg)
:p
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/YFYSBKk.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/BkFubRH.jpg)
TLO and HerO forgot how to smile. 
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/z0f7Fdb.jpg)
I'm on stage!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/y94sk6X.jpg)
He looks so friendly. It's deceiving.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/metjzLe.jpg)
Photographers hard at work... Wish someone can ID them for me since I'm new to following SC <3
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/I7WKbH1.jpg)
ToD, why so tall!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3VZc1J7.jpg)
Okay, I got to hold the ESL Mic. I'm pretty sure that's life achievement unlocked.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/FHZXJL8.jpg)
LiquidSnute!!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/jLNh8gV.jpg)
Snute's Yoshi!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/KIu87jZ.jpg)
The ever so lovely and talented Smix!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/czGdktX.jpg)
Mr. Demuslim was a good sport
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/rh1yri4.jpg)
DRG... You so fluffy!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3nhzAJo.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ogKVntk.jpg)
Aww. (Sorry for the poor blurry quality.)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3vQC5DS.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/HpMQdKb.jpg)
I asked him if he was contagious. he said yes. Run away!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/UcJ5UFH.jpg)
DRG being creeped out by Zombiepollo!! 
>>Link to Full Flickr Photostream<<
 
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Hi and welcome! Your photos are great and you're clearly quite bubbly
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You had me at "I love SC". xD
Seriously though: 5 out of fucking 5. Welcome to SC and welcome to TL!
Edit/ Oh, and as to ladder anxiety: just play. Or, play on unranked. No fuss, no worries.
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Wow, your event blog is way cooler than mine from MLGs. Way to go. I feel EXACTLY the same as you do about the community. Going out and meeting them all is a wonderful experience.
Welcome! We're all very glad to have you.
Do you play a lot of SC2 yourself now, or do you watch more than you play?
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I came here looking for Flash pics
Oh well That was good. What's the story about all the make up and stupid costume at IEM ? Day 1 and 2 looked normal and Day 3 was... well.. Weird.
Great blog ! Post another at your next event !
Also this could be spotlight no ?
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On October 15 2013 18:32 FFW_Rude wrote:I came here looking for Flash pics Oh well That was good. What's the story about all the make up and stupid costume at IEM ? Day 1 and 2 looked normal and Day 3 was... well.. Weird. Great blog ! Post another at your next event ! Also this could be spotlight no ?
This IEM event took place at ComicCon, which is a massive convention for comic books, scifi, and other nerd culture stuff. There's always tons of cos players and weird stuff like that at these types of events.
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On October 15 2013 18:57 imJealous wrote:Show nested quote +On October 15 2013 18:32 FFW_Rude wrote:I came here looking for Flash pics Oh well That was good. What's the story about all the make up and stupid costume at IEM ? Day 1 and 2 looked normal and Day 3 was... well.. Weird. Great blog ! Post another at your next event ! Also this could be spotlight no ? This IEM event took place at ComicCon, which is a massive convention for comic books, scifi, and other nerd culture stuff. There's always tons of cos players and weird stuff like that at these types of events.
Oh ok So that's why casters were dressed and DRG's bunny ears Thank you.
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is that carmac why is he there
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United Kingdom36160 Posts
Love the Hyun+Apollo pic
DRG was pretty adorable too
I agree with your intro too, it was nice to see a positive, upbeat post for a change ^_^
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nice shots, thanks for sharing!
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United States219 Posts
On October 15 2013 12:10 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:Hi and welcome! Your photos are great and you're clearly quite bubbly
Thank you!
On October 15 2013 12:15 aZealot wrote:
You had me at "I love SC". xD
Seriously though: 5 out of fucking 5. Welcome to SC and welcome to TL!
Edit/ Oh, and as to ladder anxiety: just play. Or, play on unranked. No fuss, no worries.
Thank you very much! And regarding ladder- I've yet to play hots ladder at all cuz scary. I know, it's the initial "get over it and play" damnit hump. I can do it!
On October 15 2013 12:50 Kommatiazo wrote:
Welcome! We're all very glad to have you.
Do you play a lot of SC2 yourself now, or do you watch more than you play?
Thank you very much! I'm currently watching more than I am playing, but I'm definitely going to start playing more. Time to hunt for friends that play SC so they can teach me things!
On October 15 2013 16:46 TOCHMY wrote:
Tod always look baked
Yup. Always. I have multiple pictures with him, and he looks like that in every single photo.
On October 15 2013 18:32 FFW_Rude wrote:I came here looking for Flash pics Oh well That was good. What's the story about all the make up and stupid costume at IEM ? Day 1 and 2 looked normal and Day 3 was... well.. Weird. Great blog ! Post another at your next event ! Also this could be spotlight no ?
Flash took his loss super hard, he wasn't in a autograph/picture-y mood, so I didn't bother him after his match. :/ Maybe next time! I'm actually going to redbull battlegrounds next month, I will post another one!
On October 15 2013 19:12 Shauni wrote:
is that carmac why is he there
Because uszat is awesome. Haha he was actually sitting in the audience waiting for the last match to finish so he can go on stage and do the final ceremony.
On October 15 2013 19:16 marvellosity wrote:
Love the Hyun+Apollo pic
DRG was pretty adorable too
I agree with your intro too, it was nice to see a positive, upbeat post for a change ^_^
If you like that... I think you'll love this one more. I didn't include it because it was blurry. but look how AWWW.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/rfMTYmX.jpg)
On October 15 2013 20:44 tar wrote:
nice shots, thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
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Oh I was waiting for this! I knew awesome pictures were coming.
I was there when you took the picture holding the ESL mic (I was wearing the hwaseung oz jacket)
So many awesome people were backstage and it was cool to see fellow TLers IRL :D
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great pictures, thank you! really looking forward to your Red Bull Battleground pictures now!
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I am planning a for fun tourney with some noob friends (guys and girls) who have either played very little or none at all. You can play with us if you wanted. I've done noob show matches a bunch before. It's always so fun for the players and a blast for the experienced friends to watch/coach. Might help get you over that initial, and totally normal, anxiety. Plus you can meet people who are new and also like Starcraft! Win win.
Also, looking forward to that Red Bull Battlegrounds blog! So jelly I can't go to that one.
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United States219 Posts
On October 16 2013 00:27 Shigure wrote:
Oh I was waiting for this! I knew awesome pictures were coming.
I was there when you took the picture holding the ESL mic (I was wearing the hwaseung oz jacket)
So many awesome people were backstage and it was cool to see fellow TLers IRL :D
It really was great meeting TLers irl!
On October 16 2013 03:10 Kommatiazo wrote:
I am planning a for fun tourney with some noob friends (guys and girls) who have either played very little or none at all. You can play with us if you wanted. I've done noob show matches a bunch before. It's always so fun for the players and a blast for the experienced friends to watch/coach. Might help get you over that initial, and totally normal, anxiety. Plus you can meet people who are new and also like Starcraft! Win win.
Also, looking forward to that Red Bull Battlegrounds blog! So jelly I can't go to that one.
I would love to join! That's actually exactly what I'm looking for, people to play/learn/grow with I'm on the NA server under Meru #324
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Flash took his loss super hard, he wasn't in a autograph/picture-y mood, so I didn't bother him after his match. :/ Maybe next time! I'm actually going to redbull battlegrounds next month, I will post another one!
That was a sad thing to read
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Awesome awesome blog. You look like a very happy/fun person.
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great pictures!!!
esports is an amazing thing to get into
expensive though TT
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EPT
