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(Myke) -
2008-12-23 01:35
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#200731 - 2008-04-01 11:29
SoCal 2008 - my 10 cents
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Llanfair
Veteran
Registered: 1999-09-23
Loc: Toronto, Ontario
XBL GT: Llanfair
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There and back again. Fresh in my mind is the fact that the trip was well worth it and I had a great time. It was a return to a habit of traveling for VF that was both nostalgic and new at the same time - same feeling, same great game, new people, new place. My sincered thanks to both Plague and HowBoutSum for being such great hosts and making sure everyone was accomodated and pulling it all off.
It's always been a tradition for me to write up my thoughts upon returning from a VF gathering and this time will be no different - player by player, to the best of my memory. Here goes, in no particular order other than how it comes to mind.
Sillywilly - The first person I met as I walked through the door at Plague's. Although we never took the opportunity to play one on one, you were an absolutely critical component of what makes a gathering great. Your sense of humour and
contagious attitude made being there more fun. Thanks for the laughs and keeping everyone grounded that this game is a blast. Hopefully, we can meet up on XBL sometime.
TonyFamilia - It was great to have some games on XBL on the Wednesday night before I left. Definitely the connection from even Toronto to SoCal is more than playable if the conditions are right. I enjoyed your Brad and it was clear that as the weekend progressed, you got into a better groove. I hope to catch you online soon.
Incident, Ladon, Scamp - For the most part, we were always in the opposite room during the casual play, and we never
met up in the tourneys. But I did get some games in with Incident on Saturday and only a handful with Ladon on Sunday. It's good to see that Florida (Tony, you too!) still has a contingent of VFers willing to travel and get their game more exposed. Overall, I really enjoyed my games with you guys and hope to have more soon.
KoD - I think for me the key memory is that KoD and I could at virtually any time over the weekend and exchange a glance that would mean 'same page'  I'm glad I got to put a face to the online persona and although we didn't have any casual matches, I'm hoping we can live through some internet lag to have a few in the future. I was really happy to have KoD's insight in the many VF conversations that happen while waiting and watching - many thanks! Good man, good VFer. I hope to have the chance to meet up again sometime.
Sanjuro and BigBoy - So good to see you two again. There's really something to people who have stuck with it and keep showing up and contributing; they're what makes this community what it is, really. Sanjuro's gumbo on the Thursday was a welcoming warmup to the weekend. I had a chance for some casuals with BigBoy's Lau early on and they were great fun trading wins. Sanjuro, I agree it feels dumb we didn't get a chance - no issue, there will be more VF to come and I'll make a point of sparring with your fast paced Akira.
Plague and HowBoutSum - I sparred a little bit with Plague and trading wins with his Akira was a lot of work. Having HowBoutSum as a Pai player really gives me no element of surprise and it certainly limited my tricks. And those damn walls! HowBouSum's Pai gave me a lot of new insight into Pai's various play styles. Her ability to mix up the levels and keep the opponent guessing gives her an edge over many players and I was impressed with her game. We had some great casual matches on the Thursday and I wish we could have had a few more later on - here's to hoping we can meet up online. Don't let Plague hog the XBL matches!
Enchantin_Chloe - The third Pai! Again, not unlike HowBoutSum, you were able to show me some very neat tricks in Pai's playstyles and the mental notes I made in both our casual matches and watching you against others will be a lot of fun in trying to broaden my own style of play. Thanks for the matches, they were great.
001, CaliJared, Pinetree, KungfuSmurf - I don't think I played any of you, which is a shame. 001, I do that having the technical guy around really helps smooth out any hiccups during a gathering and I'm sure many of us are very much appreciative of that. To all of you, here's to hoping we can fill that gap of matches in some XBL games as I'd love to get to know your games and styles better. Oh, last thing on Smurf. Not only was it great to see you again, but I must commend you on the transition from Pad to Stick and on your execution and style in game. Honestly, I was blown away by the amount of hup-hup-HAH's coming from your games. Slick. Your dedication shows 100%.
Haunts - I wish we could have played some casuals. You took me to task in the team tourney and I was hoping we'd get a chance to get to know each other's styles a bit more. Your Goh was straight up on fundamentals and did very well - a solid example of what the simple game can achieve!
Brisal73 - More than once it came up that the two of us look very similar! Finally put a face to the VFDC tag. It was good to get some matches, albeit brief, during the weekend and your Wolf is excellent and nice to fight against with some good thinking during the rounds. I hope we can get more games in, perhaps on XBL.
LA Akira - I really enjoyed the conversations immnensely and the brief matches we had were great and put me to the test. I think that your enthusiasm for the game is already a massive influence on the players not only in SoCal but also across the continent. You're dedicated and the JP exposure you've had really helps normalize the scene we have here and provides that important sense of reality. A huge thanks for allowing us to visit your home, and really enjoy some great VF over your efforts in the garage with that cabinet. I think there will be more conversations in IRC to be had and you're welcome in Toronto anytime. A pleasure.
GoatCheeseBlues, Renzo - Two of the stronger players that I didn't get casual matches in with. I was extremely impressed with Goat's Sarah. Solid game, both in execution and in knowledge of the system. It's clear that you've set a standard in my mind of great Sarah play. Renzo's Brad was also very strong - I wish I knew more about Brad to be able to separate the gameplay strengths of Renzo's game from the edge one gets from opponent's lack of exposure, but Renzo clearly exploited his opponent's weaknesses as good as you can and was a force over the weekend. Great job in the tourneys!
Ken_I - I had a good session with Ken_I earlier in the weekend and was clear from the get go that his Lei was very strong. Nothing flashy, solid fundamentals, and probably the best I've seen in terms of never assuming and never giving your opponent more credit than he/she deserves. If it works, don't fix it. That mindset was enough to propel him to 2nd place in both tourneys - very impressive indeed. Thanks for the game, Ken - you definitely helped me identify where my game needs to improve.
Shag - It's been years online with VFDC, yet this is the first time I had the pleasure of meeting up with Shag. Great to finally bridge that gap. I had some great matches with his Goh, a powerhouse, and I really enjoyed his style of play. The first match we had, I think we exchanged tech roll trips 3 times each - hilarious. I need to play you more, Shag, as I thought the matches were intelligent and fun. I hope we can connect up online and further down the road IRL in NYC. Another salt of the earth VFer that is a major component of the reasons I keep coming to events like this.
Oioron - Can you believe we barely had a casual match? onetheless, to connect up again from so long ago in Boston was great and I'm really glad we have that same mindset (Me and Mats, baby! Me and Mats!). Music, VF, etc - our discussions were a big part of the good times I had in SoCal. I watched your Kage a lot (kick ass, imo. The flow, the style, the whole package) and I'm dedicated to ensuring we get games online soon. I need to have Adam send me the new ringtone, too.
Flash - Honestly, it felt like we had known each other from past gatherings of years gone by. I've said this before to others, and I'll say it again: there are a ton of players who come and go, and myself and some others have seen this time and time again. Flash, you are not going anywhere and it's apparent in your dedication and approach to both the game and the VF community. Your game is, well, nothing short of stellar and beyond some silly joystick troubles, you were a huge contender in every game you played in the tourneys. I know this, you know this, we all do. I could watch your Wolf all day. I have no doubt that we will meet up again soon and you've etched yourself into my mind's rolodex of VFers who not only are great players, but are the reason I still want to play and travel.
DubC - We had a ton of matches together, both in tourney and casual. Your Akira is fierce and you have the talent to kick it up a notch like few others. Each match was close and trading wins was a lot of fun. So, how bout that connection to NorCal? We've got to redeem our only XBL game and see if we really can connect and make it fun. I think that we'll see each other again, and I have that feeling that you intend to be around for the longer haul, I hope.
Dennis0201 - Son, you have hands. Like no other at the event, and like few I've ever encountered in VF, you have hands. I had a blast in our matches, trying to simply keep up with your pace. I don't think I know who your main is, as you moved around the character screen quite a bit over the weekend. I hope you find the time to continue with VF even as your school picks up over the next year and a bit. I certainly hope we get a chance to meet up again sometime - surely everyone needs a trip to the East Coast, right? Thanks very much for the games, Dennis.
DRE - Another long time no meet VFer for me. DRE, your Akira was light years ahead of many, in both execution and creativity. It was a lot fun to have some casuals with you and to watch you produce some of the highlight moments in the rounds of both tourneys. Such style! Anyways, we've caught up online before and I hope that continues - you make me want to switch back to my roots in Akira! Must resist!
Krsjin - My driving partner, and imo one of the best upcoming players we've had in VF for a while. I think everything we said over the weekend needs not repeating here, but I do hope that you're able to continue to put time aside for VF. You are talented and a thinker, two qualities that will allow you to be one of the stronger players in the US. Over the weekend, no one improved at a rate like you and your ability to implement changes on the fly to your gameplay, to recognize the holes, and then to ask the right questions to find the answers and fill the gaps was astounding. We will meet up again, I hope Thanks again, Krsjin, for all the chats - made my weekend all the better.
adamYUKI and Konjou_Akira - Ok, ok, so I saved you both for last. I would never had come to SoCal had I not seen the two of you confirm. It's importatnt to me that there are constants in how I view and play and enjoy VF, and you both are a big part of that. We have a lot of memories and I'm glad I was able to connect with you both again. No doubt more to come for as long as we can envision, I'm sure. Konjou - you are a marvel of VF. Your Akira is as strong as I can remember and you will continue to be successful at it simply because you truly love this game and have dedicated the time required in order to be as good as you are. I hope others take your example and develop an understanding of what it means and what it takes to be that good - because I do think there are many who are delusioned in this. Adam - what can I say? Wow You were as good as it gets this weekend. Defense like no other. Yomi beyond yomi. You have the gift, there is no doubt.
Lastly, to adam, Flash, and Konjou, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the games we all had and the support for helping me improve on my own game. I have pages in my head of where I need apply many many insights you all took the time to provide. I certainly hope that I can put the appropriate time into the game and improve as much as I can. This game continues to be a big part of my life and it's only appropriate I think that I try and ensure I don't lose it. You 3 are a big part of that for me moving forward. Thank you!
So, that's it. My 10 cents. Til next time!
Edited by Llanfair (2008-04-01 11:38)
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#200844 - 2008-04-01 19:18
Re: SoCal 2008 - my 10 cents
[Re: Llanfair]
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Oioron
Addict
Registered: 2002-11-05
Loc: NYC
XBL GT: Oioron
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#200858 - 2008-04-01 20:25
Re: SoCal 2008 - my 10 cents
[Re: Oioron]
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Tricky
Veteran
Registered: 2007-03-31
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
XBL GT: Tricky VFDC
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good photo's. ONe of these days I'll get in one of these shots. Def for evo!
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#200889 - 2008-04-01 23:34
Re: SoCal 2008 - my 10 cents
[Re: Oioron]
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KrsJin
Veteran
Registered: 2007-01-03
Loc: Aurora, Colorado.
XBL GT: KrsJin
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I'll finish up my shoutouts here if that's ok Owen. Seems like a fitting place. Like I've mentioned before, I'm sometimes hesitant to do shoutouts cause I don't want to leave anyone out or make some think I like others more than others. Also don't want to come off as kissing ass or being a fanboy (even if I am ^_-).
Immediate, huge thanks to Plague and HowBoutSum for letting us invade your home, eat, drink and be merry lol. Also huge thanks for making sure everyone had proper transportation to and from all throughout. It felt so well organized.
Huge thanks to S_Aki for making sure we got at least one decent, home-cooked meal while we were there this weekend. Really enjoyed talking to you bout various stuff and VF history man.
Extremely huge thanks to Llanfair for providing me with taxi service to nearly everywhere, even to LA_Akira's place. Really enjoyed our philosophical-esque discussions on what makes a good player, differences between various VFs and even music.
Two separate thanks to LA_Akira for letting us stomp over to your place and try out your more than amazing cabinets. I've never played on a cabinet that felt as good as it looked. Seriously. Also, I really appreciated you buying some of that VF swag and letting us pick it up. As goofy as it is, I love that skull and bones beanie man haha.
EDIT: Forgot to thank Shag for posting results pronto, and filming damn near everything. Really appreciated man.
SillyWilly - I really second what Llanfair said about you man. Within an hour I felt like I've known you for awhile and you really helped me relax and feel at home. Really gota thank you for that lift to the airport to man. Hope to see you at the NY event.
Shag - Mentioned you a bit in my first shoutout but, you were as cool as I imagined you'd be. Really helped me out, explained a lot, and really fun to watch your Goh.
Konjou - I was kind of intimidated by you to be honest. Probably just out of respect for your skill and knowledge because you're a really cool, down to earth guy. The shit you told me after having that session with me when you guys got there has really sunk in. I wrote it all down and am trying to implement more effective fuzzying and 'standing my ground' more. Also the line about 'don't just watch what your opponent is doing, but understand why it is they're doing it' has really helped me adapt quicker I feel.
Flash - Fresh to death Flash. As cool as I imagined from the forums too. Your Wolf is not only fierce, but really fun to watch. You're still my idol after this trip haha.
Adam YUKI - You might be the most humble person I've met in all of the gaming scene. To me, based off of what I saw at this gathering and what I have been told, would regard you as the US' top player right now. And yet, you dish out compliments, help scrubs (i.e. me lol) with advice. Even outside of the game, you remain humble and really cool.
Tony - I knew you'd crack me up before I went, but you had me rolling sometimes man lol. Like at the freaking BBQ place, "Ehy yo K-R-S", wait for me to stand and look to you, then you just sit down like you never called me lmao. The trip back from Gerald's seemed short too with the conversations we kept going in the van haha. Felt bad for Catherine but I was cracking up the whole way back. I really dig some of your flow charts with Brad man, and you're a soldier for trying out stick even though you're so use to pad.
Richard - Lau Pow. We didn't talk all that much but you were as cool as it gets. Your Lau has some nasty shit too man. Hopefully you can make it out to the NY gathering.
Renzo/Stephanie(Stephany, Steffani me no know how to spell :\) - Met you two right out the gates as Plague picked me up and was really glad I did. The small talk we had helped me ease my way into the event. Both of you are great people. And you are extremely solid at this game Renzo. Both your Brad and Jacky are scary. For someone who hasn't been playing, you did great this weekend.
Ladon - Man, you got off to a rough start getting to SoCal. You had to use stick when use to pad, and you still impressed me. Really appreciated your advice on some of my frame options and information on what Blaze can do. Can't wait to see how good you are once you get use to stick and make it to the next event.
Incident - Glad you were able to come clear out from Florida too man. Watching your Jacky I was able to learn some things I never thought of and your Jacky has really improved since I last saw it. Glad I got to see you again since EVO last year and even more glad you're still playing.
Smurf - They don't come much cooler than you man. Our sessions we had were real fun. And I have no doubt that you can't beat Willy in a drinking contest (No offense Willy, but Smurf seems to have this drinking thing on lock lol). Great pictures too man, thanks for taking those along with Oioron.
Dennis - My teammate! Really glad I got to meet you. I had heard you were good at the game but you're REALLY good man. With many different characters too. Really glad you were on my team and you bailed us out a few times haha. Hope to see you in NY too.
001 - Yeah man I really appreciated the beers, but more so, I appreciated your dedication to work on everyone's sticks during this event. Don't worry about Haunts, we'll be sure to take care of em while he's here. Hope to see you at NY.
Oioron - Fresh MC Oioron. Great pictures as already mentioned. To be honest, I was confident about facing you in the team tourney... until we began lol. Your Kage is really calculated and well executed, and you seemed to really be playing well towards the end of that tourney. Really glad I got to meet you.
Haunts - Don't think we actually played but I did watch your team tourney matches and a few others. I think your Goh has a ton of potential, especially with your level of execution. We talked a bit and it sounded like you knew some stuff you needed to work on so I expect to see a crazy Goh in June man.
KoD - You bailed me out on that random character tourney with the last min Jeff tips and the Jeff tips from Friday lol. Really great to meet you after reading all your posts here. I always tend to view mods as being real stern and maybe a little scary lol, but you were really cool and enjoyed talking with you. See you in NY?
Scamp - Wish I spoke with you more than just the last day. Glad I got to meet you though. Seemed like you decided to go with Van that last day there, hope that goes well for you, but you seem really familiar with many characters so you've got options.
PineTree - First off, thanks so much for that random ride from the hotel on Sunday haha. That was crazy to just walk by and see you guys. But yeah, for someone who hasn't played others offline and hasn't played much, you were really picking stuff up with your Brad. Bet next time I see you it's gona be day and light with your level of skill.
Jared - My teammate! Some asked that I tell you Jacky tips but really, I learned a lot from watching your Jacky. Especially the P strings and elbow pressure, which I feel you excel at. Pretty cool guy... for a DoA player... lol jk/jk. See you again man.
Ken I - Duno what to say really, we didn't really talk but from observation, you really leveled up from last year. Your Lei Fei is on another level from when I saw it at EVO last year. I really hope you stick with the game cause you're already beasting as it is.
DRE - Glad you were able to make it on Sat. Not glad you put me into losers first round!!! >< !!!! lol just playing. You're as good as I heard you are man. Definitely a veteran I respect even in the short time I got to talk to you.
DubC - Keep up the progression on Akira man. Your execution is there, and I'm no Akira pro or anything, but once you add a little variety to your arsenal, your Akira should become pretty scary.
GoatCheeseBlues - Your level of adaptation is damn scary man. I'm trying to convince a friend of mine to watch your Sarah matches to help encourage him to play her again, and I think they'll really help. Hopefully we'll get to play more in the future.
Again this wasn't for a popularity contest or anything like that, and while I feel like this was an end of the year signing of yearbooks type of writeup, I just wanted to let you guys know what I felt after the trip.
_________________________
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