Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2016 21:34:28 GMT
OFF-CAMERA
Two days.
Two days until I get the opportunity of a lifetime. Two days until I prove that not only do I deserve the belt I'm carrying, but I'm also good enough to be a double Champion.
Two days.
Forty-eight hours.
Forty-eight hours until I fight the battle of a lifetime, against two fierce competitors Forty-eight hours until the moment that could make or break the second wave of my career.
And how am I spending that time?
Playing videogames.
Now, if it was anyone else, I'd probably see it as a sign of disrespect. And I'm not saying that's not how it comes across to others. Maybe that's exactly how they see it. Maybe it looks to them like I don't care, like I'm not taking this match seriously.
The truth is, it's the exact opposite.
Videogames are what I turn to whenever I'm nervous. Before every big moment, every turning point, every title match, the first thing I do is fire up the GameCube. It's my way of coping. Some people smoke, some people drink, some people need drugs, or coffee...I play Super Smash Bros.
And it's always Super Smash Bros. It's never any other game. Not just because Brawl is my favorite game ever, but because it's one of the few games where I can shut off my brain while playing and still be good at it. Or rather, I can think of anything but the game, and it won't cause me to lose. So whenever I want to think really hard about something, I put the game on and just let my thoughts free.
That is exactly what I'm doing now. And that might be why Walt is thoroughly whupping my butt. The dude is no slouch, even if he abuses Jigglypuff a bit too much sometimes, and with me kind of distracted and playing on autopilot, he's been making his chances count.
'Gotcha,' he whoops, as Jiggly knocks Link off a high platform and settles another game. 'What's that make it, 3-1?'
'Yeah, you're killing it today, buddy.' I grin at him, to let him know I'm not angry, then turn back to the TV. The game has gone back to the select screen, and I prepare to choose my character for the next round; before I can do so, however, a third voice chirps in:
'I wanna play now! Can I play?'
'Sure.' I get up off the couch – it's only fair that the loser makes way – and leave the seat free for the newest member of our merry band of dorks. Cherry drops down next to Walt and picks up the GameCube controller, giggling excitedly.
'Oooh, I'm gonna pick Princess Peach! She's my favorite!'
I can't help but chuckle. Of course she picks the blonde princess who looks kind of like her. Still, not a bad choice, if you know how to user her...
'Okay, what button does like, punches and stuff?'
I leave Cherry and Walt to go over the controls of the game and step out onto the balcony to take in the view. Houston. Home from home, Not a whole lot similar to Gary, Indiana. Probably not a whole lot similar to St. Louis, Missouri. But nice in its own way. Friendly locals. Good food. Career opportunities. And, at one point last year, a fresh new start for a Vanilla Midget going through a rough patch.
Thinking about it, I can't believe how far I've come. From the kid working his butt off in the indies and getting paid in salami sandwiches, to fan-favorite rising star, to blowing my big chance at the spotlight, to hiding under a mask for half a year pretending to be Mexican, to now being the top name in a fledgling independent company. A company nobody gave much of anything for even as little as six months ago. A company I saw grow and thrive and become what it is today, a beloved promotion with a dedicated cult following and a unique approach to the sport I love. To know I was a part of that, to know I helped them get where they are today...it makes me smile. It makes me want to continue setting the standard. Continue representing the best of the best of a small but unique promotion.
And at Finger Lickin' Fun, that's just what I intend to do.
Final Word Count: 729
Two days.
Two days until I get the opportunity of a lifetime. Two days until I prove that not only do I deserve the belt I'm carrying, but I'm also good enough to be a double Champion.
Two days.
Forty-eight hours.
Forty-eight hours until I fight the battle of a lifetime, against two fierce competitors Forty-eight hours until the moment that could make or break the second wave of my career.
And how am I spending that time?
Playing videogames.
Now, if it was anyone else, I'd probably see it as a sign of disrespect. And I'm not saying that's not how it comes across to others. Maybe that's exactly how they see it. Maybe it looks to them like I don't care, like I'm not taking this match seriously.
The truth is, it's the exact opposite.
Videogames are what I turn to whenever I'm nervous. Before every big moment, every turning point, every title match, the first thing I do is fire up the GameCube. It's my way of coping. Some people smoke, some people drink, some people need drugs, or coffee...I play Super Smash Bros.
And it's always Super Smash Bros. It's never any other game. Not just because Brawl is my favorite game ever, but because it's one of the few games where I can shut off my brain while playing and still be good at it. Or rather, I can think of anything but the game, and it won't cause me to lose. So whenever I want to think really hard about something, I put the game on and just let my thoughts free.
That is exactly what I'm doing now. And that might be why Walt is thoroughly whupping my butt. The dude is no slouch, even if he abuses Jigglypuff a bit too much sometimes, and with me kind of distracted and playing on autopilot, he's been making his chances count.
'Gotcha,' he whoops, as Jiggly knocks Link off a high platform and settles another game. 'What's that make it, 3-1?'
'Yeah, you're killing it today, buddy.' I grin at him, to let him know I'm not angry, then turn back to the TV. The game has gone back to the select screen, and I prepare to choose my character for the next round; before I can do so, however, a third voice chirps in:
'I wanna play now! Can I play?'
'Sure.' I get up off the couch – it's only fair that the loser makes way – and leave the seat free for the newest member of our merry band of dorks. Cherry drops down next to Walt and picks up the GameCube controller, giggling excitedly.
'Oooh, I'm gonna pick Princess Peach! She's my favorite!'
I can't help but chuckle. Of course she picks the blonde princess who looks kind of like her. Still, not a bad choice, if you know how to user her...
'Okay, what button does like, punches and stuff?'
I leave Cherry and Walt to go over the controls of the game and step out onto the balcony to take in the view. Houston. Home from home, Not a whole lot similar to Gary, Indiana. Probably not a whole lot similar to St. Louis, Missouri. But nice in its own way. Friendly locals. Good food. Career opportunities. And, at one point last year, a fresh new start for a Vanilla Midget going through a rough patch.
Thinking about it, I can't believe how far I've come. From the kid working his butt off in the indies and getting paid in salami sandwiches, to fan-favorite rising star, to blowing my big chance at the spotlight, to hiding under a mask for half a year pretending to be Mexican, to now being the top name in a fledgling independent company. A company nobody gave much of anything for even as little as six months ago. A company I saw grow and thrive and become what it is today, a beloved promotion with a dedicated cult following and a unique approach to the sport I love. To know I was a part of that, to know I helped them get where they are today...it makes me smile. It makes me want to continue setting the standard. Continue representing the best of the best of a small but unique promotion.
And at Finger Lickin' Fun, that's just what I intend to do.
Final Word Count: 729