Do You Have a Sense of Humor? Part II The Starcraft Community

Okay, I bitched about losing my sense of humor when it comes to government. But there's another time I lose my sense of humor and it has to do with the Starcraft community.

The other night I watched the It's Gosu stream of the Omega Divisional competition. Actually, I asked avilo to enter and he did. woohoo! I also watched the Beta and Alpha divisions that took place on Monday and Tuesday, and enjoyed them immensely.

Like I said before, the casters are great and the people in chat are so awesome cool. Well they were in the first two competitions and I certainly expected the same in Wednesday night's competition.

I get serious when avilo competes, but that's okay, I can still find the humor. Of course I want him to win, but I know, too, that he does better at LANs than he does online. People in the It's Gosu chat usually like his play style, the casters even praise his play style, whether they like it or not. Lots of the Koreans that play Terran are using the style he developed in beta, incorporating their own flare. Of course, he won't get any of the credit.

So what makes me lose my sense of humor uncontrollably? When people get dumb!

It's Gosu just signed a Korean Protoss player, who goes by the name of, HwangSin, and he was competing in Wednesday night's competition. Avilo, having made it to the semi finals, had to play HwangSin. Names don't intimidate avilo. He plays his game no matter who he's competing against.

When avilo resorts to allins they call him a "noob" a "cheeser." I, for one, like to watch a game that offers strategic plays, but in a competition you do what you have to do to win. Incontrol and other Starcraft players have allined and cheesed their way to the top and people praise 'em. When avilo does it - he's called names.

As far as I'm concerned HwangSin allined to take avilo - 2-0. Were people happy with what I call all-in games? Well it seemed like it to me. The casters jokingly said, "Avilo did win the APM - 284 to HwangSin's 160." Guess APM doesn't matter too much when it comes to SCII. Anyway, did I lose my sense of humor? I felt it fading, but it wasn't over for avilo.

As avilo and I waited to see who he'd play for third place, we talked. Two of It's Gosu team members were playing each other for the finals - One a Zerg, the other Protoss.

I know little about the game's details. I don't have to know, because I'm a spectator. What I do know are avilo's weaknesses and where he makes mistakes so, I act like a coach - one who knows the player but not the game. lol It's nothing new. Before all his games I give him pep talks and tell him to, "Remember this and don't forget that." Then before he begins, I send him off with a glhf kiss and hug and a "gOgOgo Avilo."

The stream chat was alive with 184 viewers, most of them to support teamGosu, of course. I was there, as usual, for avilo and I think a few others there had faith in him.

When wbc - Protoss won over Zerker - Zerg, I gave avilo another pep talk. Avilo took the first game and I only hoped he remembered what we talked about and didn't do anything dumb.

There were already people in chat booing Avilo and saying nasty things, just like any fan of that player's opponent would do. It hurts me because I know how hard avilo works to succeed, it doesn't bother avilo in the least. Sometimes I think the haters motivate him.

I can't remember now what he did to make me type "Avilo, dammit, I told you to watch out for that." ToweLy, one of the It's Gosu site members, who was in chat accused "us" of cheating. I was driven to tears by a 17 year old and even though Voss, the mod, corrected ToweLy, it was too late.

After that I had no sense of humor. I lost it completely. Everything said, thereafter against avilo was an attack, as far as I was concerned. Once again I was dealing with the TeamLiquid and GR mentality. Nothing was funny anymore.

Avilo lost the second game and he and wbc went into the third. Avilo's in the "zone" when he begins a competition so there's no communication with him. As I read chat I kept repeating the mantra avilo told me say, "Hater's gonna hate." I stopped talking chat and instead of reading it, focused on the game. Then suddenly avilo was gone and the haters had a field day.

"He knew he was losing and rage quit." The tears that rolled down the cheeks of my all too sensitive self turned to sobs, because I knew better. I knew all too well what happened, because it's happened so many times before. I know his situation like no one else does and it's frankly no one's business.

The casters didn't believe he rage quit and gave him time to reconnect. In the meantime, ToweLy and I were having words. I was upset knowing what Avilo was going through and then having to contend with hater's in chat. Finally, I just told ToweLy to "stfu...seriously."

I was shaking by the time avilo got back to me, which was only minutes later. As soon as I got word, I got in chat and announced that his 'puter crashed and he'll be back. I was basically called a liar by haters.

ToweLy typed something, which I'm pretty sure was directed at me about "You're a (blank) and you know it." I have no idea what the blank was and at any other time would have probably replied humorously, because what people say about me, doesn't bother me. Now if I could learn to feel that way when people attack those I love, I'd be fine. But yeah, my sense of humor was gone.

When I was sure that avilo was back in game, I logged off of It's Gosu, so, I didn't see the third game, but I think it was really nice of wbc and admin to start a new third game. Like I said before, It's Gosu has a lot of nice people, and if they weren't so Terran heavy I might suggest Avilo talk to them about a spot. (Actually I did, before I learned how Terran heavy they are) They are to Terran what Reign is to Protoss. If you're a Zerg player, It's Gosu is lacking terribly.

I was disappointed that Avilo lost 2-1, but I'm sure he lost more than concentration and focus during the third game. Avilo keeps telling me to toughen up, but when it comes to those I care about, I'm all soft heart. I cried myself to sleep - not because he came in fourth, which I think was damn good. And yesterday, I spent the day disillusioned with the gaming community so much so that I couldn't even function.

So, yeah, when people attack avilo, I lose my sense of humor. I mean it's okay for me to attack him, though. lol. And ToweLy, I'm so not a blank. hehe

What makes you lose your sense of humor? I'd like to know I'm not alone. :)

P.S. Thanks to Voss, Shakemaster and Juan (new to chat stream) for your kind words of support.