EPT"Ok the game has begun, we have Sp1ralArch1tect in the top left as the Green Fanboy and Blizzcon in the bottom left as the Red Nerdfest. We all know Blizzcon has impeccable timing and his mechanics are insane, but can he stand up to the dirty little tricks up Sp1rals sleave?"
Blizzcon 2008, the words mean practically nothing if you aren't a fan of the namesake. If you are then those words mean the Mecca of gaming, a pilgrimage that every fan must make at sometime or another. This year it was my turn.
The trip all started a few weeks before Blizzcon with no entrance ticket, no plane ticket, no hotel and no other plans. Obviously I wasn't planning on coming after some issues had arisen with my travel plans and ticket. No biggie, I was going to head down to the local Circuit City to pick up some new goodies with the money I saved and watch the stream for the games. Not quite as good, but hell what can you do sometimes?
I still wanted to attend the gala and as I made some employment changes around the same time I decided to try my luck again, hopefully I could turn up a ticket under some random rock out there.
"Blizzcon scouts immediately in the right direction, Sp1ral however scouts late and appears to now know the map as he is sending his probe to a blank area of the map. I thought it might be a proxy, but apparently hes just dumb."
I wish I could start this paragraph off with some crazy story as to how long and arduous it was to track one down, but I can't, because it was none of that. In fact it was probably easier than obtaining a ticket through Blizzard on the initial release date. Just a few short hours after posting my plea for help someone responded to my Bat Signal. It was TeamLiquid Staff member and all around super fantastic person MnM. With some magical power I am too inferior to comprehend she found me a ticket, a shining peice of paper that would allow me into Blizzcon 2008.
The first task had been accomplished, though I procrastinated till the last second on every possible thing that I could, my ticket was in hand.
"Well Sp1ral held off that rush but who knows if he has taken enough damage to go under though. Blizzcon still looks strong as his expansion has just come online, Sp1rals timing may be bad here but we will have to wait and see."
Next up, a way there. The first option I considered was by air, the way seemed kinda blocked though as the tickets were upwards of 200 dollars which is just about as much as it would cost to drive there. Hell no problem, I will just drive the car... that I don' have. Well actually I have a car to drive, but at this moment its more my fathers than mine and she is a little on the old side. So the most problematic thing about all this was trying to sneak this past my dad and into California. Let the games begin.
"Sp1rals first Mutas are out, but there are only a few spaces where he can actually do damage due to his horrendous timing, this is not looking good. Not good at all."
For my first attempt I thought to butter him up real good before, we had just come back from the football game where the Cougars had thoroughly stomped their opponent (UCLA), not to mention it was a Saturday and my Dads day off. As we stood and chit chatted about what to do with all the misplaced stuff that had collected in our basement, I contemplated my attack plan. I needed to be subtle this time around, a steady hand always guides the ship to its destination right?
"So pop, I was looking at plane tickets the other day for Blizzcon and I am not sure I can afford one. Do you have any buddy passes"
"Sp1ral moves in cautiously, he has got to know those turrets and marines are waiting for him. He has got to make this next move now and he has to got to make it count."
"Well that isn't really my problem now is it?"
"His first attempt fails, he swings around for another!"
"Well I know that, but I was wondering if you had any buddy passes or frequent flier miles I could use?"
"No I don't."
"The marine turret combo of Blizzcon is just shredding the unarmored mutas of Sp1ral, this game could be over any second now."
"Ah nevermind then I think I can figure it out myself, at least I hope I can."
"He's decided to pull back."
"Hmmm, well you could probably just drive there.."
"Oh no, oh no. Why is Blizzcon moving out right now, WHY!? He was in perfect position, but as he moves out into the mid its apparent Blizzcon was off on his timing. This could be bad.."
"Yeah well I thought of that but I didn't think you would want me to drive the car that far. I mean is that ok? Will the car make it?"
"The car should be fine, I will have it checked out for you this week. Will you have enough gas money?"
"OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! Sp1ralArch1tect has massed up an impressive army of lings and mutas, hes moving right for Blizzcon. THIS COULD BE BAD!"
"Yeah I will, I could even get Dan to come with me to make it easier on the driving."
"Ok that sounds fine, now what should we do with all this sh..."
"BLIZZCON MOVES OUT AND GETS SMASHED BACK INTO HIS BASE! Perfect timing by Sp1ral, perfect! EEEE HAAAAN TIMING EEEE HANNN TIMING!"
The second task was alot easier than expected, it was just one of those times where things just tend to work out for you. Now with travel and ticket taken care of I was left the task of finding a place for me to stay, by far the easiest.
By way of the magical place that is TeamLiquid I found myself a roommate, LosingID8 (who just so happens to be the biggest NaDa fan ever and a Korean speaker, a perfect roommate for Blizzcon). I booked a room at Motel 6 for Friday night for the two of us and with that my Blizzcon preparations were practically done. For Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights I would be staying with my friends brother, and on Friday we would rest in the majestic halls of Motel 6. Everything was falling into place.
"After that blunder by Blizzcon I do not know if he can come back against Sp1ral in this game, it may be wise to drop this one and save his energy for game two. That attack really hurt and Sp1rals hive has just poppped, defilers will soon join the fray"
The last obstacle on the way was unforeseen, but nonetheless easily handled with a little bit of micro.
Before setting off we had to obtain "supplies" for the journey down, not to mention a little something something to do during the down time at Blizzcon. So I immediately headed out into the world, in search of the Holy Grail of travel accessories. My first stop was at what you could call a BO DE GA, but you could only call it that if you were stupid as it was just a house. I didn't find what I wanted there, but I did waste sometime couch surfing and checking out Sports Center. As of yet still unfruitful.
"Well Sp1rals humongous lead has disappeared into thin air, this is amazing. Blizzcon has fought tooth and nail to get back into this game, but Sp1ral still seems determined to win. This could be bad!"
After several stops much like the aforementioned one I was beginning to become discourage, my time and efforts were all for naught at this point. There had been a few offers but the quality was too low, and if I was going to be gone for a week I wasn't leavin half cocked. So I went the one place that I could think of that would never fail me, the last place I ever wanted to go again...
Just kidding, my buddy called me back, I went to pick it up without a care and went back home to go to bed. Sorry if you were expecting something epic.
"Oh well I guess I was wrong, Sp1ral just rolled over Blizzcon to bring the score to 1-0. Let's get ready for game two ladies and gentleman."
