Waterbury: Good times, great company

[Shock Wave]

Hi all. I just stepped in from Waterbury and would like to thank Ray for organizing a great event and everyone from TMD that I met for making it a very enjoyable experience. I met a lot of cool people and had a blast.

For me, that's what the most enjoyable part of these events are. I'd love to win, but to meet the people behind the online aliases that comprise our community and to enjoy a chat is a big part of why I go to these events. I met most of Meandeck and other random members of the community, all of which were very personable people.

Aside from that, the attitudes of the players, from what I saw and experienced myself, were iconic for the way magic is supposed to be played. People were shaking hands, in both victory and tragic defeat, and comported themselves in a manner conducive to enjoyable, interpersonal magic. One player even chose not to call judge and have him issue a game loss to his opponent, who had a 13 card sideboard. My 8th round opponent cracked jokes the entire match (which were actually funny) and then laughed when his FCG deck totally shit on him. I heard players complementing their opponents on fine plays after having been totally owned. All in all, the players were just fun to be around.

Shouts out to Meandeck and Shortbus, particularly Kevin, Steve, and Marc, all of whom were present during an interesting conversation about the direction of the game over food at TGIFs . Good times. Take note that at the end of the debate, Steve Mennendian conceded to the Canadians and Shortbus that we were right all along about Trinisphere and several other issues.

...
...
...

... I'm just joking Steve.

Congrats to whomever won and did well, and thanks to all for a great time!

[Saucemaster]

Waterbury was fantastic!  Now I know what all the fuss is about with Ray's events.  Incredibly well-run, huge, and located in a reasonably-priced hotel.  That shit was hot.

It was great meeting all the NE players I hadn't previously met, and I'm glad I got to meet dicemanx and Shock Wave (for some reason I'd forgotten that you guys were supposed to be there), who were class acts.  I wish I could have made it to dinner with you guys.

[Zherbus]

It was great meeting the Canadians and the few NoVa people who made it. PTW in particular is a very sexy man, which made me so disappointed that we never got paired. I watched from afar... and sighed.

[BigChuck]

Waterbury was fantastic! Now I know what all the fuss is about with Ray's events. Incredibly well-run, huge, and located in a reasonably-priced hotel. That shit was hot.

And imagine what would have happened if you brought your ID!!

[Saucemaster]

Sad face.  Big sad face.

[TracerBullet]

Sad face.  Big sad face.

Yeah, your avatar is really starting to freak me out.

[Smmenen]

I definately agree.  It is always a pleasure to see Rich and Peter and the Short Bus gang as well as Rich Shay.  Classy folk.  

 It's too bad our trip to the nudey bar fell through due to Saucy not having his ID in spite of PTWs attempted bribery.

[The Atog Lord]

Guys, I just got back and am on the verge of collapse. But I have to say that this was a very, very fun event. Ray, you did a great job organizing this. You're the best TO ever. It was great to hang out with the people I know, and to meet new people. I'd start to list names, but I'm far to tired and I'd probably forget everyone. So, Props to everyone. This thing ruled.

[Pern]

Waterbury continues to get better and better.
How is that possible?

The triumphant return of Hulk3Rules to the game,
ending the swiss as top seed
while playing an entirely two year old deck
was a joy to behold.

I also enjoyed the absolute moral victory
of Mykeatog over Smemmemmemenen
in the round one feature match.
There were only about 200 other people waiting while Steve
spent 15 minutes considering each Brainstorm in final turns.
Of course, his care and deliberation were shown to be justified
by the all Meandeck top eight and his eventual win.
Oh, wait, those didn't happen.

Day two was larger than most other one day tournaments.
Totally cool.

[CHA1N5]

I'm very glad that I finally got to attend my first Waterbury.  I can only echo how enjoyable all of the players made the event, both during my matches and otherwise.

Great job, Ray... keep it up!

[CrazyCarl]

Waterbury am totally the rock.

Great time had I a.

I don't know why I'm typing like this but whatever.  This was a great Waterbury.  Record turnout.  Tons of non-New England players plus Marc Perez made this a great time.  Like I said to many people who asked me after I shitted out in the main event; It's Waterbury, it's so damn fun that I don't give a damn how well I do (Sorry Stephen :X).

Yeah, SX is a stupid deck and I'm sorry we all played it, but PLEASE RESTRICT DARK RITUAL ALREADY.  GOHD.

Nice to see all of you.  Well, except you.  And that guy in the back.  No, that one.  He's a dick.

[Phantom Tape Worm]

The tournament was AWESOME!!  Ray ran a fantastic event and I expect that this won't be the last waterbury I attend this year.  There were SOO many cool people there that I wish I had more time to chill with, but you can only squeeze in so many hours into one weekend.

PTW in particular is a very sexy man, which made me so disappointed that we never got paired. I watched from afar... and sighed.

This is one of my biggest regrets actually.  I didn't even get to have a conversation with you.  F magic, we should have gone out for drinks after the event for certain.  However, when I asked about you, word on the street was you already had an engagement...

So I had to settle for the company of other meandeckers.  Meandeckers that would forget their ID's at the most inopportune time imaginable...

ugh.