So I suppose that this is my first entry. Basically I made this blog in order to give updates as to how my life's going from time to time. I put so much time into my other blog (strictly Street Fighter 4...seriously video games are serious business!), that I was getting jealous when I'd read Mandel's or Deanna's blogs. All they write about is whatever comes to mind, and I was saying to myself "Hey! I want that kind of space to write too!" So I ended up making another blog and named it "Reality of Perception." Cool name right? If you knew me you'd know that as of recently, I've been kind of obsessed with understanding life and it's mysteries...the name won't come to a shock to some, but to others I can see why a lot of people would say "What's up with this name? He think he's creative or something?" To answer, NO, I don't think I'm creative, it's just something that I love to talk and think about! Anyways, I'm just going to branch away from all of that, and let the intro end here...lets go on to talk about whats been going on in my life recently.
The weekend was just like any other...Street Fighter tournaments galore, spending time with the lady, hanging out with the friends, all the regular stuff. The Street Fighter part of my life has gotten a bit crazy. Summer's finally here, and with it nears Evolution so close (the world's largest fighting game tournament in the world). I'll be attending Evo this year (my first time attending) in hopes to show that Seattle is buff, that I'm good, and to push myself to new heights. All that aside, the scene over here has been getting pretty nuts because of Evo coming up so soon. The 5v5 is a classic example.
Basically, at Evo, there will be a "Regional Exhibition" that's being called "The 5v5 Street Fighter 4 Regional Exhibition." Basically there's 6 region's...Pacific North, Pacific South, South West, Northwest (SEATTLE BABY!), Midwest, Atlantic South, and Atlantic North. So on top of that, each region is selected a captain, who then decides WHO will participate in the 5v5 tournament. So to put everything simply...each region chooses their 5 competitors, and come Evo, we all play against each other to see who the strongest region is. NOW...how does this affect our scene? Two words: Drama, and Politics.
A whole lot of drama is brought into the scene because NOW, we have to actually prove to each other who's "worthy" of getting on the team. Ego's get bruised (or some uplifted), feelings get hurt, it's not a pretty thing, because essentially it kind of pushes us away from the "scene" aspect, and it brings us to the "competitor" aspect of things. At the same time, it's almost completely contradictory, as this is a TEAM based effort. I mean honestly, everyone now has something to prove, yet the team aspect is completely lost while one's ego is trying to prove itself.
Now I also said "politics." Everything recently became VERY political in the aspect of HOW to choose the 5. Now, it's only fair to give everyone a chance, however at the same time, not EVERYONE should even HAVE A CHANCE, because of various reasons (not good enough, or can't go to evo, etc.). So now you take into perspective, we have to make a good way so that everyone gets a chance, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME trying to have a team of the best/strongest possible 5. At the same time, there comes the argument of, the team doesn't decide how good team Northwest is...singles does that too (by "singles" I mean competing in Evo as just one person...remember this "5v5" is merely an exhibition, purely for bragging rights and nothing else.). For example, say that I don't get on the team, yet I do well in singles and place top 16...have I not put Seattle on the map? Have I not proved that Seattle is good? It would surprise me to not hear a person say "Wow, Mike did really good in singles...I wonder why HE wasn't on the 5v5 team!" What it really gets down to is that this is for the NORTHWEST REGION...not for a personal ego boost to show how good you are to everyone....not to get on the Evo DVD (a DVD that comes out every year that highlights the best parts of the 3 day event). People have lost track that this is for our region, and not for personal gain. UGH! It's a cluster fuck if I've ever seen one!!!!
Street Fighter being my biggest hobby, I'm up on it all, however personally I try not to let the drama and politics sway me. I'm my own player, and recently have learned that I don't really play to show others I'm good...I play to show myself that I'm good! I play so that I can learn, and challenge myself. The 5v5 seemed to make a lot of people lose track of that...I've still got my eyes set on the prize...personal gain!
I sometimes think "if things are so fresh now, can they become old again?" I definitely don't outright that possibility...it's only logical right? I guess that's what love is though. Knowing how to remain new and fresh, even when things have become old and stale. It's silly because while THAT part in our relationship was happening...I was also falling in a slump in Street Fighter as well....Now what's the importance in that? It seemed like my life in general was just falling into a stagnate state....After I realized how to get out of my slump in Street Fighter, I got out of my slump with Deanna....Everything has become new, and fun....but most importantly FULFILLING! Everything is going great with her and me.
As far as my health goes, I recently got put on antibiotics last week (looks like I fell into a slump THERE as well). Things are going much better, I'm trying to stay consistent with everything...I'm on 4 antibiotics which can get kind of difficult to remember (aside from the other oral meds and treatments that I do) to take consistently. I'm gradually getting there though. I'm always amazed at how much better life is when I'm healthy compared to when I'm sick. I just can't wait to be able to experience summer at the prime of my health.
Over all, I was living in a stagnate slump for a bit there. I was enveloped in it and didn't even realize it. When I was having troubles with my relationship, I started having troubles in my health, which carried onto Street Fighter as well. Eventually, Deanna and I had a talk (about my SF slump), and it made me realize that there are some things that I can't achieve off of pure talent. In that....there are some things that I still need to work on as a person (or as a player in SF), to become more successful (or to win more often!). I took a deep look at myself, and began to reevaluate myself. It first began with our relationship. I tried to do things differently in order to make Deanna more happy. Then it carried on to SF....I looked at some of the strategies I had, and realized that they weren't working....I began to fine tune those strategies and look at how I could become a better player. It then carried on towards my health, where I began writing a daily schedule....in doing so, I began to achieve consistency in my meds....more calories when I ate....I even began exercising!
My life wasn't moving forward, so I took a step back with it, instead of trying to fight it and pull it with me. After taking that step back, I could finally understand what I needed to change. After I changed it...life's been great.
- Michael
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