Ok, so it's now Wednesday, and I FINALLY have the strength to do something other than sleep.
ECT3 was an amazing time, mishaps notwithstanding. We had a 90 minute power outage, along with systems not recognizing the SSF4 AE DLC that delayed AE pools for HOURS. This is what really delayed every tournament. People were stuck at their AE pools waiting for matches... and MK had to search for those players because they were at AE, and vice versa. I personally ran 3 pools of AE and never once got to even touch MK9 aside from setting up the entire MK station with Shock and Rob(my brother), and Summoning. This all comes with the territory though... and I would be there again tomorrow to do it all over again! Nothing can compare with feeling of being at a tournament and the electric atmosphere that it generates.
First and foremost, to John and Joe. You guys are simply amazing. Thank you so much for putting on an amazing tournament that is continuing to get bigger and better. I will be there year in and year out to support you guys and run anything you need. You have both been a driving force in supporting and promoting Mortal Kombat and we thank you for all you have done for the community.
The NE MK Krew - Shock, Nit, Dark Rob, Rob, REO, Simon, Scott - There is nothing that this group can't accomplish. It's amazing how something as small and insignificant as a videogame can generate long lasting friendships like this. It makes you realize that something like a video game can be more than just small and insignificant in a person's life. You're all part of my family and it is a pleasure to go into each tournament with you at my side.
The Valley Stream Monsters - No single group of players went further, deeper or did better than the VSM did at ECT in MK9. 2 of our regulars made it to top 8: ClassySasquatch (tied 7th) and REO (3rd). Chris G who has come to the VSM once and came to the first VSM tournament took 2nd. Our very own Dark Rob, TYM Lead Mod and VSM regular came in top 16. Arturo who has come to VSM I think came in top 32. VSM Regular Scoot MaGee came in top 32 I believe. Darth Arma, who came to one of out VSM gatherings also went to top 8 (tied 7th). Congrats to all the VSM who played MK9 at ECT3.
TYM Members - There were so many of you there. I didn't get to see many of you or talk with many of you because I was so damn busy running 3 pools of SSF4AE. Thank you to all of you for coming out and supporting MK. I hope every one of you had a great experience and decides to come to more tournaments in the future. Summer Jam will be great and I will be doing nothing BUT MK there, so I hope we get a chance to meet and talk more there.
rsiegel28 - Rob, you handled your first major tournament like a veteran as if you had been there before. You developed a little following of players who want to chill with you at tournaments as well. You've garnered the respect of a lot of people. Job well done, and we will see you at future tournaments doing what you do best. Also, shout outs to you for being the single loudest human being on planet earth.
SSF4AE Pools C,D, and E - I know that most of you don't come here, but a few do. I believe Darth Arma was in one of the pools as was Spyk. Thank you for any of you who stuck it out, stuck around and played though the delays and problems. I was screaming names for almost 13.5 hours and completely lost my voice...but we got it done!
Shock - Anything I can say, I've already said. As you said, we're on another level with this stuff and we keep getting better each tournament.
Nit - What a friggin Cyrax in UMK3! I know we're all rusty, but damn bro... beating Crazy Dominican with Cyrax!
Dark Rob - I TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE THAT DAMN GOOD IN MK9!!! Mr. Top 16...
REO - Always a pleasure to see you work no matter what MK game you're dominating in.
Simon - ALWAYS beating my ass in UMK3. It's an ass kicking I look forward to... we don't see each other often enough. Get your ass to Valley Stream at least once though. Hopefully I'll see you at my wedding and then at Summer Jam.
Storms - The media man. You are the media line from the TYM and tournaments to those at home. Pictures, videos, cameras, streams, interviews... this man needs his own cable channel.
Tom Brady - It was great to see you again. We don't get to chill often and I was stuck behind SSF4AE for 13+ hours, but when we did get to chill a bit it was fun. We will eventually get to play...LOL. See you at Summer Jam.
Spencer - I'm glad you went to ECT3... I think after a top 8 performance, you're glad you did too.. great stuff... I'll see you on Thursday.
Mario - Didn't get to chill with you much there but we'll make up for lost time at the Gamers Edge.
Scoot MaGee - didn't talk much with you at the tournament but we saw each other a few times. From what I hear, you did very well in the MK9 tourney. Great stuff and I will see you again on Thursday.
Crazy Dominican - As always a friggin beast at MK. Top 8 in MK9 and 2nd place in UMK3... not to mention top 4 in MK2 I believe. Always a pleasure. I'll give you a call soon and hopefully we'll get you out to Valley Stream ASAP with your brother.
Maxter - speaking of... it was great meeting you and talking with you for a good part of the day on Sunday. I'm glad you played MK2 and hopefully UMK3 soon enough. Hopefully see you at Valley Stream soon too.
Darth Arma - great showing in MK and in SF. Top 8 in MK... great stuff... Nasty nasty Cyrax. Hope to see you soon at Gamers Edge. Rob and I will be throwing stuff all around the place...
MagnetoHalfway - we talked for like 6 seconds...LOL. It was great to meet you and great showing in MK9 as well. We'll get to spend more time talking at Summer Jam.
Michaelangelo - One chill dude. Seriously... down to earth, very humble, and very talented. Great that we got to talk and chill a little after both MK9 and UMK3. Can't wait to help you learn some UMK3 when the Kollection comes out.
Riu48, Dan, and ReyTheGreat - saw all of you...didn't get to talk/chill much because of SSF4AE Pools. I hope to see all of you soon at Summer Jam, and Riu, I'll see you at Valley Stream soon enough.
Arturo(Sabin) Sanchez - great seeing you as always bro. Great showing in MK and SF as well. Hopefully see you soon at Valley Stream and definitely at Summer Jam.
Chris G. - always a pleasure when I see you . Congrats on 2nd place in MK9 and winning MVC3. You're a beast at any game you play and I hope to see more of you at Valley Stream.
Spyk - great seeing you again. Hopefully I'll see you at Valley Stream but you better be at Summer Jam!
Kona - you keep getting better and better at UMK3. When you get to play more consistently it's gonna be scary what you can do! Great seeing you again.
David Gem - an MK2 legend. One of the best out there and an all around good guy. Very chill and very talented at MK2. 2nd place in MK2 this time. As I said, if you and Billy Bats come to Valley Stream, I'll set up MK2 for you.
Billy Bats - great job. 1st tournament and you come in and stomp everyone on MK2 to take 1st place. Great meeting you and I hope to see you at Valley Stream as well with David Gem.
JamesMK - Great meeting you, and talking MK with you. I'm glad to see the older players getting involved again with MK9. See you soon at Valley Stream
To all those I didn't get a chance to meet or talk to much: BattleBear, OSU 16-Bit, Error Macro, Organelle, Mike Metroid, Mcpeanuts, SwiftTomHanks, CptXecution, Jim Coastin, Guy in Green - I will hopefully see you all and talk with you all in the future, either at Valley Stream, or at Summer Jam or a future tournament.
I only really met Organelle... I hope some serious north jersey casuals happen after this!
