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Hi everyone.

I have gone inactive recently, as I started studying full time in cookery at TAFE. I was trying to mix SC2 practice into my afternoons, but I really don't have the time to keep improving, I'd just be trying to sustain a similar skill level to what I already have. I honestly can't play SC2 much for fun anymore, since I was taking it so seriously for a fair while, and to have to see my skill decline when trying to still dedicate myself to the game would be quite sad. Although, I don't want to be saying goodbye, as I will probably come back to SC2 eventually, although I don't know when that will be.

Basically I thought it'd be nice to make a blog to verify why I'm inactive for those who don't know, but I then also had the thought of contemplating how far I've come from the start of me playing SC2. I don't know when I'll be training hard in SC2 again, and since WoL is nearing its end, its worthwhile doing such a thing.

I started playing SC2 in late 2010, a month or two after release. I'd learnt about the pro scene of SC2, and became pretty interested in how people could be playing with such skill, in a video game. I'd heard of progaming before for FPS games, but quickly passed it off as a bunch of dudes who played too much. But Starcraft seemed different. Everything seemed to have a reason, everything was practiced and thought through. I'd been into strategy in the past, and also was struggling with dedication to things in life. So I made a pretty simple goal for myself, which I still follow whenever I'm training hard in SC2. Get as good as I can possibly be at SC2, as fast as possible.

So in a way, I've been learning more than strategies and mechanics. I've been learning how I can have confidence in my abilities, and how I can work hard and achieve goals. Although that sounds like a simple statement, its really changed me as a person over the period of time I've been playing. I used to have motivation issues, and had dealt with depression in the past. I didn't really deal too well with those issues, but the difference in me from before and after playing sc2 is like night and day. But I've also learnt things about myself as a person. I feel like I have a great insecurity, which gives me the desire to achieve things in my life, for example.

Of course, I have a lot to thank the community for. Without such a good community, it'd be a lot harder to learn and improve as efficiently as I was able to. But its more than that. The people that I've met at lans, the people that I've known well online, or even just competed against in tournaments all have made me want to stay in SC2 as long as possible. So, as a short list of people who have kept me playing SC2:

- Anyone from clan SPR. I know you all, and even though it caused confusion that I was joining a predominately korean clan, I feel like it was the right decision. An extra special thankyou to Demisoda, who was somewhat of a mentor for me, as well as inviting me into the clan.

- EdgE. I wish there was a guy in SA who was super BM to me, but then proceeded to crush everyone in each competition. That'd make me want to improve like a madman, truly montage worthy stuff. But instead, theres you. Super manner, super gosu. Keep winning Arenas buddy. ^_^

- All the SA guys I see at LANs. I won't make a list at risk of missing someone, but you know who you guys are. SASL FTW!

- Spartaz and clan ToR. I was an early member, and left when I decided I wanted to have a better practice environment (Only me and Dano were the higher end players, rest were BSG at the time). Even though I left, I feel like a lot of the guys, particularly Spartaz, didn't really care, and kept talking to me and encouraging me regardless.

- Benji and the Xeria Gaming members. Although I haven't been in Xeria for too long, nor contributed any amount near what I'd want to yet, I feel like I've had some good experiences. Playing vs StorM had me on the edge of my seat all night, and winning as a team by such a close margin is one of my best memories.

- Clan WA from broodwar, particularly Frostwind. I sucked at broodwar, and a lot of you guys sucked with me.

- Anyone I've practiced with regularly to improve.

- Anyone who has supported me when I'm playing.

- You for reading my banter ;D

Thanks everyone ^_^

Edit: To clarify, I'll still be playing on the 25th for ASL, for Xeria. I will have minimal practice for it, and if I get to the next round, I'll probably still not practice much for it.

Also, I don't plan to leave Xeria as a result of my inactivity, nor SPR, as Im unsure how long it'll be. Most likely I'll be back for a month or two, then disappear for a month or two at a time.