Opening comments by J. Evan Dean.
11:25am
It’s been a couple of days since I got to the Atlanta House, I think. I’m actually not sure if it is Tuesday, Wednesday, midnight or noon. So much happens; with so many monitors my brain is on stimulation overload. Here are some things that I think have happened, but can neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of them.
Last night (Tuesday???) The house decided to join a 2x Standard midnight premier event. Four went in, and one Kyle Goodman Top 4’d. We celebrated by running through the street of downtown Atlanta naked. I think. I do remember Kyle trying to tell Ken that his round was starting, but he kept calling him Ted. They have not spoken since, and it has made the whole house a little awkward.
It now being 7am the only obvious play is to join another 2x premier event.
Pelcak’s deck is the nut high, and he has just drawn himself into Top 8. In an earlier round Mr. Goodman was squaring off against his opponent. He has the option to cast either Shambling Shell or Dimir House Guard. He defiantly taps four mana and lays the Shell. He quickly tries to cover his error by tapping two more mana and ending his turn. With Kyle dominating his opponent, the house decides that Kyle with be mana-burning every turn from here on out, as the only cover for the bad play. A couple of turns later, with damage on the stack, we add one to the pool and move to the main phase… where we add one to the pool and end the turn. Next up we sack our Rotwurm targeting Kyle. That’s just how ya gotta roll in Hot-lanta.
12:28am
Pizza has come and gone. It was good… Papa Johns, actually. Unfortunately I got blown out of my draft while enjoying the delicious Za. The draft went well (I thought), but I just could not deal with RG Beats my opponent delivered. Here is the list, for the two of you who actually care.
Gather Courage
Riot Spikes
Golgari Signet
Silhana Ledgewalker
Train of Thought
Simic Signet
Centaur Safeguard
Compulsive Research
Gristleback
Cytoshape
Plaxcaster Frogling
Vigean Hydropon
Burning-Tree Bloodscale
Gruul Scraper
Torch Drake
Cackling Flames
Ocular Halo
Sporeback Troll
Helium Squirter
Golgari Rotwurm
Streetbreaker Wurm
Vedalken Dismisser
Primordial Sage
Battering Wurm
Simic Growth Chamber
Gruul Turf
1 Swamp
3 Mountains
6 Island
4 Forest
1:18pm
Ted – I mean Ken – has left to pick up some more people because he said the house was not fun enough. Let’s keep this between us though, I don’t want him to know I told you.
2:34pm
The Face has arrived and has set up his laptop, and is playing limits of poker most would only dream of. Sadly for some reason he’s the only one able to get on Party Poker. Thankfully, MTGO is back up, so we’ll have something to do while we wait for Kyle to wake up and Coldsnap draft.
7:48pm
Still waiting for Kyle to wake up for the Coldsnap draft.
10:14pm
The gaming today was almost primarily played online. Kyle is finally awake, but the live draft never got started. Today has been pretty laid back. Lots of good food. Espo showed up from New York today, to celebrate his birthday, and the Face is showing everyone how it’s done in poker.
I’d have to say the highlight of the day was my ice cream date with Tim. The ice cream itself was a little rich, but it was worth it for the company…
Everyone seems to be gearing up for Nationals. Everyone has their deck that they want to play, most have their cards. Crosby has actually expressed interest in playing in the event, now he merely has to acquire the cards. Don Smith is planning on sitting out. Also, the deck I was planning on using is now going to be used by Tim in the main event, so I won’t bother playing it in the grinders. It’s just as well, as much as I appreciate my friend Dan sending me the deck in the mail to play – Timmy will put it to better use. Plus, like everyone else, Dan loves Timmy, so he’d want the best for him.
Right now, Don, Even, Tim and I are taking a stab at beating Megaman 2. We blew through the initial bosses, and now were onto Dr. Wily. Wish us luck – no one is looking forward to beating the dragon.
Tim just updated me. Evan tried the dragon twice, no good. Timmy perfected it.
Tomorrow the grinders start. Face, Espo, and Rodman will be playing. I’ll be watching and cheering, but mostly just chillin’ with my friends.
So wish those guys luck. I’ll have an update on their progress tomorrow.