A Great Day, Once Again Driven

Yesterday was an amazing day for me. I got to talk, throughout yesterday, to two of the people in this game that I truly respect head-and-shoulders above most of my peers. One of them will be obvious, the other will take some explaining.

Hamchook.
Speaking to Hamchook yesterday did a few things for me. For starters, it gave me some extra insight into the workings of WSVG and how things work there. He was also a very good sport about the WSVG "drama," which ended up not being a big deal to YWL after all. I would've imagined he'd've been steamed about it, but once again the true maturity if eSportsmen shines through.

We talked on a few topics. One primary topic was debating whether or not I should learn the MM playstyle (whether it's in my best interest), or if I should stick with what I'm comfortable with. Going into the conversation, I was leaning towards putting the work into learning MM; Hamchook agreed, and I've decided that once NT2 is complete and Season 3 begins (which is where, I firmly believe, my WoW career will truly begin), I'll be switching to full MM solely for Arenas.

The new server (information I still can't release until it happens), new guild, new talent pool, and new season will allow for me to find some talented players, period, to form or join a team that shares my interest and plays on the same level that I do (meaning, steering clear of low 1700-1800s and settling for nothing less than what I feel capable of, 2K+). Right now, I have an abundance of drawbacks that I simply can not work around; every 1900+ team has a Bench Hunter or doesn't want one, so there is -literally- no place for me to go other than where I currently sit. It's for that reason that I've been leaving my MM learning in the hands of my PTR copy (non-premade, of course).

Dicking around with MM on the PTR hasn't done quite everything I hoped it would. But I'll get to that in a bit. Enough about me, let's get back on the topic of the two big names I had the pleasure of speaking with.

Speaking to Hamchook gave me a lot of insight, not only about WSVG and my spec but, on dealing with the Boar pet and how he plans on preparing to use it for LA if he needs to. They're also discussing how to counter Druids (a point that Ming and others have been discussing), and even if there was something to say on the topic, I couldn't say it.

A lot of the conversation between Hamchook and I, he asked me to keep under wraps. A lot of questions will be answered before or throughout WSVG: LA. He's not a hugely secretive guy, but there's also a point to be made that giving away your strats a month before an event probably, in and of itself, isn't a solid strat. Regardless, speaking to, whom I now consider, my good friend and getting his thoughts on the WSVG drama and how he handles certain things was a very good experience. I am currently discussing, with him, the possibility of having him write for the other half of my blog ( http://huntarena.blogspot.com ). With any luck, that will help, largely, to build that blog and get it back on track.

So enough about Hamchook, as though there's not enough to be discussed about Hamchook, especially now. Let's talk about the other person I met last night.

Evertras. Hunters may not recognize the name, but a lot of Mages will. Evertras is one of my primary inspirations as far as video-making. You may recognize his "I Suck At Dueling" and "I Suck At PvP" series from WCM, even if you don't recognize him on AIM. Once more, my conversation with Evertras was, unfortunately, mostly confidential, but I'm not going to drop his name then not tell any stories about it.

We talked a lot about video editing, about content, about current and future projects, and about transitions. We critiqued each other a bit, an activity of which I felt unworthy to be participating (I don't believe I have the right to critique the work of a potential WCM Hall-Of-Famer when I've accomplished so little in the video world). He gave me some good advice and positive feedback about my video (after showing him the progress I'd made thus far), and something a lot more important.

After discussing the explosion of my computer and how it demoralized me from even working on the project, Evertras was a very good friend-figure, giving me some great advice, analyzing my situation, and just helping me turn it around. When I spoke about all I had in front of me and how anxious I was for it to all happen, he advised me to not look at the bigger picture, but look at the here and now. That was probably the best piece of advice he gave me. I'm more focused now, after talking to him, than I have been in the last month.

We also discussed the opportunities, what's in front of me, and how I can work with it. We discussed my accomplishments and how I can work on returning to my "glory," if you can call it that. And all along the way, he was incredibly friendly and had a golden heart and an amazing sense of humor. I don't think I've had many opportunities to laugh since my computer baboomed itself, but he's definitely been one of the best voices in my ear thus far.

We didn't just talk about me and my situation, we spoke about his. Recently (as in, two days ago), literally almost everyone Evertras knew transfered off of Chromaggus to different servers. I don't believe I'm at liberty to talk about what server they went to, but I will say that I expect to see the next "I Suck At Dueling" video to be from "Evertras @ (someotherserver) US".


It was almost awkward, speaking to Hamchook and Evertras yesterday, in that a lot of what we discussed concerned me more than them. While I felt self-serving, I can't help but think they appreciated the spotlight moving away from them for a change. Speaking with both of them in great length (probably three hours apiece) has me back on track, and I'm now completely focused and driven once again. The October 31st deadline will not only stick, but probably be beaten. This video will not become a last-minute work in progress. I'm focused completely, over the next few weeks, to get all the footage I possibly can.

Thank you to every last person that has supported my computer situation and given me advice. Hamchook and Evertras were not the only ones to speak with me and help me. There were others, but these two were the longest and stood out to me the most. Absolutely everyone is appreciated for the advice and conversations they give me. I always, largely, look forward to talking to any fans and potential friends, whether it be from the forums or from WSVG or the server. Anything. You are always welcome to speak with me in-game or on AIM.

AIM: xTreisk
In-Game: Treisk@Illidan US

Also, on another note, I will probably be gone from Illidan by 9/15. I will inform everyone here and via the forums when I've moved and where I've moved to.