rokman
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Rokman has the "Houston Nightmare"
written by rokman
4/18/2010
Disclaimer: If anyone gets banned because of the contents in this article, I deeply apologize. Of course I'll keep it PG for the Pokegym crowd. Please enjoy the included links. Also if you don't know me, I'm Michael "Rokman" W from D/FW, Texas.
THE BEEDRILL LIST!
Pokemon - 20
4-4-2/2 beedrill
2-2 claydol
1 azelf
1 uxie
1 unown g
1 chatot
Trainer - 35
4 roseanne
4 bebe
2 pokemon collector
2 Cynthia's
1 Palmer's
3 broken time space
4 Super scoop up
4 night maintenance
3 rare candy
3 pokemon communication
2 warp point
2 expert belt
1 luxury ball
5 grass energy
Friday 4/16/2010
Justin S and I pile into Cameron H's car and start heading off to Houston. What's awesome about Cameron's car is, it's painfully tiny (that's what she said hurhur) But to make up for that, the car has OnStar. Cameron calls Onstar and asks for directions to 2221 Greennfijaf, Houston, TX. See, I know he said Green something, he mumbles. This is important to remember for later. But, I'm really "big on" film, but Cameron is just as bad on cars and he flipped when this car, a Bugatti Veyron, passed us. Along the way we started talking about music and Cameron has this grand idea to show us how good his sound system is, so he cranks up the volume and then presses play. The shear shock of hearing something so loud and the subwoofers, Justin and I jumped up. Later, Cameron played some Godspeed You! Black Emperor, a post-rock band. One song he was playing reminded me of this RIDICULOUS song. I want you to wait until night, turn the lights off, and crank up the volume and listen to at least 30 seconds of this song.
Once we finally get into Houston and near our Hotel, we stopped at a red light. I can't remember what I was talking about but I was just looking out the window. And, by some kind of pokemon magic, the direction i was facing while I was talking was in the perfect line of sight of this young man at the gas station cursing at a truck stopped at another red light. This young man was quite angry and within seconds of us waiting on the light had already ripped his wife-beater off and started charging at the truck, which conveneiently could finally move because the light turned green. I want you to try and think up what you can say to someone within 30 seconds at a red light to cause them to charge at you inside your vehicle. It's hard to figure out, I've been trying.
We finally got onto Greenajijfaf and our hotel room, at the Howard Johnson was really close. For some reason, Cameron's OnStar leaded us in a little circle. Instead of going straight and turning left through the median, Onstar had us turn left, then right, then right, then right, then right. This is important to remember. Why would OnStar have us go in a circle? Cameron informed me that a few people might be joining us in our stay in the hotel. That's perfectly fine with me since I've bummed floor-space in hotels from Pokemoners before. Introduce Alex F and Billy C. It turns out I've known Alex F for a while. After a "spat" on **********, Alex left the forum thread with this to say "Good luck at Regional with your amazing Beedrill list." Even though he was being sarcastic, he actually did give me good luck. Even more so, I borrowed his silver Munchlax coin, which I forgot to return to him, and it hit me so many heads. So, after an awkward, "Oh yeah? I said that online? Well, I'm a jokester on the internet, so, nice to meet you" conversation, it turns out Butlerforhire or Alex F is a cinephile like myself! So, we had a lot in common, after all.
After playtesting all night, the guys in the Hotel room convinced me to drop my 4 Call Energy for 4 Super Scoop Ups. I was running Call Energy because 1. It's great for opening hands when going first. 2. It's useful late game as a drop energy-retreat card 3. It can supply my low energy count and allow me to actually be able to kill a Mr. Mime 4. It allows me to have the energy necessary to use Needle Shock. But apparently everyone in the room was convinced Super Scoop Up is better. And Peer Pressure is a witch. For Dinner, we went over to Waffle House. Billy wanted to see who got there faster, Cameron would use OnStar and Billy was using his GPS. So, we had kind of a race. The outcome of this "race" and it's aftermath is important to remember for later. At the first turn out of the Hotel, Billy and Cameron turned right, then right, then right, then right, and then Billy went left, Cameron went right. We were laughing at the messed up GPS and OnStar, but we didn't think about it. Anyway, once we got to Waffle House, Alex, riding with Billy, called Cameron and said we're stuck on Rankin Rd by the airport. (This is also important for later, I remember Rankin especially because it sounds dirty) So, Cameron tells him to use the GPS to get here and then hangs up. So, Cameron, Justin, and I all head in, eat dinner and patiently wait for Billy and Alex. Turns out Billy finally got Cameron to answer the phone, Billy called TWENTY times during our meal and Cameron never answered. This should of clued me in, it didn't. So, Cameron tells Billy how to get to Waffle House and they finally showed up. They ate then we left back for the hotel.
Cameron built a last minute Jumpluff and played a few games. He was convinced it was the play and wanted to buy some Pokemon Comumication (how it's spelled on the theme deck boxes) and asked if anyone would ride with him to the nearest Wal-Mart. It was only about 10 minutes away from the Hotel so I didn't mind accompanying him. We left at like 10:15 pm. During the trip I explain to Cameron about the script I'm writing right now. He doesn't seem that interested, but now I know why, he tells me his favorite film is Castaway! Anyway, the Wal-Mart we went to had a few pokemon theme decks, but not of the most recent set. So, we decided to try the next nearest Wal-Mart. Turns out it's 20 minutes away from this one. So, we get there and head in. We head to where the usual card section is and we can't find anything except candy. I ask a very informative exceptional employee of Wal-Mart who responds with, "Pokaman?" I reply "The trading card game?" "Yiiya, cads ova deyur." Well, it turns out the only trading cards they had were of Upper Deck's College Football series and only half a box of that was on the shelf. Once we got back to the hotel, we watched some King of the Hill until we passed out.
Saturday 4/17/2010
For Breakfast, we stop at a Donut Shop and grab a quick bite. Cameron said we are going to eat inside because he doesn't want Donuts in his car. While inside, some music starts playing, the tune is familiar and it's an old song... I make a joke, "you hear this song?" and Justin replies, "Yeah, this song rocks!" He wasn't joking because he didn't do like a ha-ha chuckle or anything afterward. Then the lyrics start up "It's ladies night..." and we all start bursting with laughter and pointing at Justin. It was great.
Once we got to the venue, I run around saying hello to everyone I recognized and then began putting my deck sheet together. At the table next to me, Martin M shows up and is on the phone with John K getting his deck list put together. Not only is John K a Jedi Master to me, he apparently has a lot of padawans. So, I have to borrow a Palmer's from Robbie, who laters says I can have it, because I loaned him a Garchomp at another tournament earlier this season, and I borrow a Chatot from Billy C which I forgot to return, oops! Anyway, I also run into the locals in D/FW and I say what's up to the Houston crowd, Brent S, Adam G, and of course the infamous Donphan-Texas-winning-State-Champion DeMarcus. I found it humorous when Martin M had him sign a Phanphy for him. I should of got one, too!
So, we ended up with 165 masters, 8 rounds, and a top 32 cut. Before I know it, the tournament is starting.
Round 1 - Elisr G - Dunsparce/Shuppet Donk
It turns out the computer person at the tournament typed her name wrong, It's Elisa. I think she was a bit of a new player, but she was a great sport and really nice. I had a monstrous opening hand and went to town. I hit some SSU's and just kept refreshing the damage on me. She couldn't do anything but fade out with just a belt and send up a scapegoat. Elisa eventually got a Pokedex and had some draw, but it was far too late at that point. She didn't mind losing at all, so that's good. She had an Itchy and Skratchy shirt on, which was cool because The Simpsons rock! I wished her luck and prepared for Round 2.
While waiting between Rounds, I hear my friend, Justin S, who is playing Raichu X with Magnezone X beat Brent S! I was really proud because Justin's always been a mediocre player and him beating someone of the caliber of Brent, even if it was all luck, is a big deal!
1-0
Round 2 - Chas M - LuxChomp
Chas sits at the table carrying a bunch of stuff. He sits down his mat, his dice, and then a silver briefcase. He introduces himself and says, "I'm mostly a collector." So, I'm thinking this is a free win since all the "collectors" I know aren't very good at the actual game. Well, it turns out I was just having terrible luck. My opening hand is Unown G, BTS, Claydol, Warp point, Bebes, Candy, Flutter Wings Bee! Turns out I'm going first! He flips over a Garchomp and a benched Luxray. I draw and it's Super Scoop up! If I went with call I could live!!! So, I pass. He draws, uses Roseanne's and is looking through his deck. He says, "I think I got it, wait, nope it's prized. Here's one, I'll check again" and he drops one crobat. He looks again, "Oh, here it is" and plays a DCE on his Garchomp and says "good game" I love getting donked. I am blaming **********'s advice and it's all Alex's fault. (I'm joking but I had to throw that in)
It turns out Justin just redeemed himself as a mediocre Pokemoner. After round 2 he comes up to me and says, "dude I just played Spiritomb! I couldn't do anything!" I say, "yeah man, it sucks." and he responds, "I had everything in my hand too! Roseanne's, Bebe's, and Luxury ball" I said, "wait... You can play supporters against Spiritomb. It only stops trainers, duh" Justin, "FFFFFFF-"
1-1
So, I had to run to the restroom right here and when I finished up, people were still checking out pairings. So I checked the list in the back and I went to my table. It turns out I was playing against Justin S, my friend using Raichu/Magnezone! So, when I got to my table I see that there are different people there and I go to check the list up at the front of the venue. Apparently there were re-pairings and they never changed the list I looked at. So, right when I sit down the round starts. I ask a judge for a time extension because they did not change the pairings list. I only asked for an extra minute or two, in case I need it, but the judge rejected it.
Round 3 - Aaron C - Raichu/Electivire
Looks like somebody really wanted me to face Raichu because I would of fought the only two Raichus in the entire tournament! Aaron opens with Electabuzz and Pikachu on the bench and draw-passes at first. I go and unload a full bench and just Band attack both pokemon. He whiffed on drawing a supporter of any kind. I hate doing that to people, it's really a dumb format right now. Looks like I didn't need the time extension anyway. But it's better to be safe than sorry.
Since the game was so short, I head off and do a pickup game with Desmond E, a Texan usually within the group that travels with DeMarcus. We had a really great game, at my 1 to his 3 prizes, I'm purposefully not benching more beedrills because I want to prevent his max damage. With only 3 bench pokemon, Desmond draws a total of like 6 cards and gets a Cherrim, an expert belt, and the plus power to do 130 to kill my belted bee. I go and then draw, I just need a warp and get out a third bee to win. I use claydol to draw what I need for the bee and put it down, I use SSU and get the heads to re-use claydol. I draw 4 cards and hit the warp to win it. So, I'm still feeling good about the Jumpluff matchup. Also, Andy M donks Justin S!
2-1
Round 4 - Walfred S - Cursegar
This was a very intense match. Probably one of my closest matches in a very long time. Not only was the match so close and intense, it came down to time and then it came down to a coin flip to determine the winner of the match. Basically, all game he had Gengar lv.x on top of cursegar active with expert belt (so 160 hp) and was doing 80 and then benching it, sending up Airy Wall Mime. I was able, with only 5 grass in the deck, to kill 3, count em, THREE, Airy Wall Mimes. He kept maintenancing or Palmering back and I had to repower up a Beedrill. Anyway, we're down to my 2 prizes and his 1. Time is called. He says "good game" but I say I get to finish my turn. His bench is 2 claydols, Gastly, Fainting Spell gengar, gengar x with 140 on it, and Airy wall active. I have to draw a warp point to tie up to not lose on time. I draw 7 of my 8 card deck and get the 1 warp left, if I didn't I'd be table-flipping. He sends up fainting spell and I send up a fresh Band Attacker with a grass. I know what will happen but I have to allow the game coming down to a flip. I band attack for the kill, going to 1 prize. Now, if he gets head he draws his last prize, if he gets tails, he has no way to kill any pokemon on my field and the turn after that I'd kill. But, of course, he hits the heads. Very good game Walfred!
2-2
Round 5 - Kyle S - Turbo Nidoqueen
I played against Kyle S in Texas States in 2007 in like top 8 or top 16. He beat my Flygon ex deck and I've never had a chance to play him since then. So, I was looking forward to the match. When I last saw him, years ago, he was incredibly skinny. I complimented him mentioning his arms were much buffer than I remember! He's using buffer piece! Anyway, he gets a Nidoran F and calls for family. I go second, T1 a beedrill with grass and drop belt. In my hand is a BTS but I'm worried he might be able to get a queen out and I can't T2 him. So, I save it even though I could Claydol on my first turn. I get the ko, he promotes his other nidoran and evolves to nidorina, hoping I can't get another bee to KO. But I get it and win T2 and it turns out he did have the Queen in hand! Sorry again Kyle, I hate winning that way, rematch some time!
In the match directly next to me, I see two newer players in the middle of their match. One guy uses Relicanth, drops a fighting on it, and uses grand swell. He asks his opponent if Unown G counts for Grand Swell. Of course it does, but they call a judge over. I expected to hear, "yes" but the judge surprisingly picks up the cards and read them. I wanted to say something, but I waited to hear the response. I'm sure the judge was just extra checking and I was thinking worse-case scenario, but the judge made the right call. I was just flabbergasted she checked, though.
3-2
Round 6 - Brent S - Gardevoir/Dusknoir
Brent is a great player and I was really excited to play him. I've played him like once since I've been playing Pokemon because he's out of state. I wanted to have a good match, either of us could win, I wouldn't mind, as long as it's good! Turns out this was not a good match. Basically in my hand was a rare candy beedrill, I'm second. So I rare candy bee and then get a claydol out and use it, I get a warp point. I could warp out his sableye and get something to retreat my active to attack and maybe get an early kill on ralts. I end up blowing 2 communication, two super scoop ups and an uxie, and I don't get the kill. I'm really worried because I blew so much resource early and just whiffed on the draws. He ends up turn 2ing Gardy and psychic locking me. Now I'm just ruined from here on out. I can't do anything. Then he T3's the Dusknoir. I scoop a few turns later. I'll be looking forward to a rematch Brent!
3-3
Round 7 - David B - Machamp/Flygon/Donphan
I open with an Unown G and draw pass. He turn 2s out a Machamp and an expert belt. To win the game he needs to draw 1 energy and he uses uxie for 5. I'm praying he doesn't get it because one more loss and I'm out. he misses the draw and passes. After that I'm able to build a solid field out and he can't recover because he blew his only uxie early and didn't get claydols until it was too late. I'm also able to use a few Super Scoop up's effectively to keep it in my favor after he does like 60 with hurricane punch. Over two turns of hurricane punch he only hit 1 heads.
After I win, he drops and says he's leaving to watch NBA. I know this will hurt my resistance, especially since my 3 losses thus far are all 5-2, I'm the highest 4-3 previous to the drop. I hear a few people estimating the number of 5-2's making it in, most said 12 should make it in.
4-3
Round 8 - Robert L - Dialga/Honchkrow
Robert is a great sport. He ended up being a Pokedad and he told me his kids are out of the tournament and he's the last hope. I had a feeling he wanted to leave anyway so he could get home at a decent hour. Our match would of been completely different if he actually deafened. But instead he went for a T3 KO with second strike. After that I was able to set up and get going. All game though we were about tied and he had a Garchomp on the bench with one dark on it. I was worried he ran Garchomp lv.x and was going to snipe my claydol right before time. He was reading each card carefully, we both knew what was at stake, and he was just playing slower than the average person. I wasn't going to call a judge or mention the speed of play because he was a cool guy and told me he doesn't even run Garchomp lv.x. So, I told him if he had deafened he probably could of won and he agreed. I ended up taking all 6 prizes and we shook hands. It looked like he was relieved to finally get to go home, it was probably around 11 about then. Anyway, good game Robert, like I said you're a good Pokedad!
5-3
So, Top 32 gets posted and I'm talking to Jose E from San Antonio and I say wouldn't it suck if someone gets 32nd seed and then they repair and he ends up 33rd? And almost out of nowhere, like I predicted it, Cameron runs up to me and says you're 32nd seed! And then Mike Cook says over the speaker that they are posting new standings! Eeeek!
They needed to repair because Martin M's record was wrong. So, I ended up making the top cut at 32nd still, not knocked out! And I'm playing Will B who has Luxchomp. While I'm waiting around during deck checks, Mia Cook calls Billy K to the front of the room. As soon as he starts to walk away I realize he might be in trouble, so, I tell him it'll be okay.
I watch as he goes up to the front of the desk and Mia Cook just asks him to sit down. That's when I knew it was bad for him. So I'm looking for John K to ask him if he knows what is up and he's as clueless as me. So, I see Billy K shaking his head and comparing his deck cards to his deck sheet. I'm guessing there's just a card error and they'll replace it with an energy or something, not that bad. Well, it gets worse. It turns out Billy had 61 cards in his deck and I asked him about it and he was making a bunch of changes recently and I guess he never counted his deck after he made the changes. What I hate is, it had to happen to Billy at such a big tournament, he's an awesome guy in general and definitely not shady. I also heard that somebody went like 6-0 in seniors and dropped to play in the gameboy tournament!
TOP 32 Game 1 - Will B - LuxChomp
At the start of the game, Will says that the LuxChomp matchup against beedrill is 90-10 in favor of bee. I tell him I don't run Luxray or anything and he says it doesn't matter. I don't where he gets his calculations but a lot of people were telling me I've got good chances in this matchup. So, I think Will gets like 2 or 3 Sprays in his opening hand. He ends up spraying claydol two turns in a row and then killing it. I play out my hand and Uxie setup for 5 and he sprays it. I'm ruined at this point. But he makes a misplay and Trash Bolt's me with a psychic and DCE. I don't catch it because he stacks his energy so tight together and neatly, plus it's all reverse holo so I'm partially blinded. The judges did everything right, they just had to double check everything. I also asked for a time extension, they gave me 3 minutes. After he gets a Luxray and bright looks up my flutter wings I just scoop.
0-1
TOP 32 Game 2 - Will B - LuxChomp
He does almost exactly what Chas M did to me in round 2 and I had the exact same hand. I had the Super scoop up which would of been a Call Energy and I would of survived to Turn 2 so I could setup. But, that's pokemon now. Donks.
I proposed a scenario to describe how ridiculous donks like this are and I'd like to share it. Pretend that you've never been introduced to Pokemon. You see two children sit down at a table and challenge each other to a match of the Pokemon Trading Card game. Each player shuffles their deck and cuts their opponent's. Then they set basics and place prizes. One boy has a Sableye and the other a Magikarp. Sableye goes first because of his body, the boy draws, places a dark energy, and then kills Magikarp and wins the game. That Magikarp boy didn't even get a chance to do anything! What would you think of Pokemon TCG? Would you even consider playing it?
0-2
Click here to see the top cut tournament bracket!
*Caleb C instead of Caleb E
*Nikkei instead of Nikel
The Real Nightmare begins Sunday morning 4/18/2010
So, after Top 16 and Martin is out, we head over to the horse race track's beverage area. Martin and I talk about Pokemon, relationships, and our future. What's great is I've known Martin M for a really long time, I've always wanted to meet him because he's such a character. He's really good at Pokemon, he's been banned by PUI, and he's a contributing member of the elite group of e-famous pokemoners. We ended up talking for about 45 minutes and when we headed back I didn't see Cameron anywhere. We were in Cameron's car on the way to the tournament and he isn't here. So, I automatically go to worst-case scenario that we'll be stranded up at this race track and won't be in D/FW any time soon. At this time it's in top 4 and it's just Justin and I, Alex F, Cameron H, and Billy C are all gone!
It turns out John K who is in top 4 said he would go to our hotel room to crash, which Justin and I were happy to offer since we paid for the room and John is a local friend of ours. So, there's about 12 pokemoners still in the tournament area spectating matches and just making trouble. John K finishes his top 4 match pretty quickly and heads back to hang out with Justin, Adam G, William C, Austin C, and myself. It was about 2:30 in the morning and we were all kinda loopy from lack of sleep. John K was pretty hysterical, he grabbed a June bug with his hand! He said it was good luck! He threw it out of the door and it kept flying in. It was flying funny, though. It surely died later cursing John K! Mia Cook came over because we were being loud and said to John K, "you're being giddy" and for some reason, he responded, "Gittee?" We all busted out laughing.
So, to try and explain why he replied with "gittee" he says, "I thought she (Mia Cook) said Idiot, so I spelled it in my head and said gittee?" quoted word for word. He was so tired he doesn't even know what he's saying! So, soon enough the final match is ready and John K had to depart. He did tell me he was going to room with us, so I assumed we could ride with him to the hotel, so I wasn't even worried.
After John K wins Regionals I'm happy that D/FW took home the glass. In case you're wondering, here's a map of the D/FW playerbase, it includes Dallas, Fort Worth, and College Station. I was ready to get out of there, since it was like 3:45 in the morning! We are walking out and almost to John K's car when we ask him, "hey, since you're crashing in our room, we're riding with you to the hotel right?" and he says he isn't going to go to the hotel, he'll just drive back! So, he recommends we turn around and ask Adam G and William C for a ride, our hotel wasn't even that far away. So we run over and they have a GPS (dun dun dunnnnnn) and they can get the way to the hotel.
So, we're in the car with them and they are heading over to a Denny's. I don't complain since I am a little hungry myself. We're all laughing and joking because we're SO tired we are delusional. I'm not even sure if I imagined this or not, but I remember Adam freaking out about it. But on an empty neighborhood road was this guy on a bicycle. He has his hands folded on his lap and he is riding the bike in a perfect line, it isn't even wobbling. He also has a hoodie over his head and just slowly turns his head to face us and is so creepy looking.
Anyways, at Denny's we're cracking jokes to the Waitress. We just know she thinks we're on something because we're laughing at everything and all half asleep. Adam G asks if Chocolate milk has free refills and the waitress responds with no. So then, Adam asks if Hot Chocolate has free refills and it does. So he says, "Well, can I get cold Hot Chocolate? Can you like put some ice cubes in it?" And we all burst out laughing. We all order the $4 infinite pancake deal or whatever. After two plates of pancakes each, we're all motionless, bloated, and sick. We finally leave and not only am I starting to panic, I'm painfully tired and exhausted. I can barely hold my head up at this point.
So, William C asks me the address to the Hotel room. I say what I can remember best, "Howard Johnson hotels 2221 Green Rd Houston, TX" and his GPS doesn't find anything! I immediately start worrying because I don't want to send these guys on a night-long wild goose chase trying to find my hotel room. We call Cameron and he isn't picking up at all! We call like 10 times before Justin's phone runs out of battery! The GPS sends us to Ranking Rd and I've got a sliver of hope because I remember Rankin Rd is by Green Rd and we can get there from Rankin. So, we end up driving around for an hour or so before I've hit rock bottom. I'm practically having a break down because it's 5:30 in the morning, it doesn't matter how nice William C is he doesn't want to be shuttling Justin and I around, and I just feel horrible because I'm wasting William's time and we're all tired. Adam G is passed out in the front seat and every now and then just saying, "I want to go home".
Finally a ray of hope, after talking to three different foreign gas station attendants who did not help at all, we find a Greensfield Rd. Apparently there is about 10 different roads with green"something" in Houston. Check this picture for proof. we're on Greensfield Rd or something and he tries the GPS again. For some reason it works on Greensfield Rd and it gives us some direction to a 2221 GREENS RD. It's GreenS not Green! Oh my god! Anyway, we get to the hotel at 6:30 in the morning and I bow down to William for being so generous and being patient figuring out where our hotel room is. I'm really grateful he didn't just kick us out and say good luck! I love how Pokemon attracts really good people!
But I made a B-line to our Hotel room because I wanted to give Cameron a piece of my mind! I can't really go into detail because it involved a lot of bad words that aren't PG. Not even PG-13. But I can share you a bit of my clean commentary that was taking place during a hysterical/melt-down/anxiety/panic attack. I was laughing the whole time I was talking but I wasn't finding anything funny.
"I'm crying and there aren't any tears!"
"Cameron, I'm going to murder you!"
"LOOK AT YOUR PHONE! HOW MANY TIMES DID WE CALL???"
"You didn't even set up your voicemail! It says "thank you for calling......... please leave a message"! You're such an idiot you didn't even say your name for that!!!!!! and I had to hear it TWENTY TIMES!"
Cameron asked me if I'm going to hold a grudge against him or something. Actually after typing all this up, I've already gotten over it. But man I was so livid that night, I don't blame him for being afraid I actually will hurt him! haha! It wasn't even just Cameron's fault all that happened. It was mostly my fault for not figuring out a ride first and foremost. But I think blaming Kettler for being so flakey is better, since he did win the whole thing anyway. But the real person that should be blamed is the Houston city planner's naming every other street a green street. sigh.
Now that I'm home I looked online for this Howard Johnson company's site. I wanted to write them in excruciating detail everything I went through that late at night and how incredibly unhelpful it was calling another HoJo in Houston for help, there isn't a HoJo location map or anything like that! I thought one hotel would have some information on it's other locations! Well, after some investigating I think I figured it out...
Our Hotel is called Howard Johnson at 2221 Greens Road Houston, TX 77032. Please click on this link and see the Google maps street view. Do you see that empty slab of concrete? Yeah, that's where our Hotel is. Checking out Hojo.com, I see that our hotel is "New Construction, 4.3 miles from George Bush Intercontinental Airport". So, I think that's why the GPS's were being so picky and OnStar had us go in a circle. The dang hotel was just built!!! aaaaghhhhghghghh!!!!! I think that nightmare was worth it because I had such a great time in Houston. I got to hang out with Adam G, William C, Martin M, Alex F, Billy C, Cameron H, John K, Billy K, Brent S, and Absoltrainer! Thanks to everybody I played against in the tournament and/or a pick up game. I would do it all over again even though I wanted to die.
THE END!
PROPS
John K taking the whole tournament
Top 32 with a bad beedrill list no luxray
My opponents for being awesome in general
All my poke-friends being cool
Talking to THE Martin M about poke-hearts being broken hahaha
Denny's at 4 in the morning with Adam G!!!!!!
Meeting Butlerforhire lolol
********** taking 3?4? regionals
cold hot chocolate
Bugatti Veyron
Robby for giving me palmer's
Billy for loaning me Chatot (I'll get it back to you)
Justin beating Brent
"6-0 drop for gameboy"
Pokedads being awesome for kids
165 masters
half of top 8 was D/FW (andy, robby, michael s, John K)
cameron for driving to and from
Alec N's awesome shirt I saw months ago called King of the Arctic
SLOPS
getting STRANDED in houston! (blaming john k)
donking people
getting donked
nightmare in houston
scary guy on bicycle in neighborhood
Justin thinking Spiritomb blocks supporters
Billy getting a DQ
Judges weren't top notch
John K using communication and holding the pokemon he is sending in up really high in the air
wal-mart not having pokemon cards
Call energy > SSU
bad game against Brent
written by rokman
4/18/2010
Disclaimer: If anyone gets banned because of the contents in this article, I deeply apologize. Of course I'll keep it PG for the Pokegym crowd. Please enjoy the included links. Also if you don't know me, I'm Michael "Rokman" W from D/FW, Texas.
THE BEEDRILL LIST!
Pokemon - 20
4-4-2/2 beedrill
2-2 claydol
1 azelf
1 uxie
1 unown g
1 chatot
Trainer - 35
4 roseanne
4 bebe
2 pokemon collector
2 Cynthia's
1 Palmer's
3 broken time space
4 Super scoop up
4 night maintenance
3 rare candy
3 pokemon communication
2 warp point
2 expert belt
1 luxury ball
5 grass energy
Friday 4/16/2010
Justin S and I pile into Cameron H's car and start heading off to Houston. What's awesome about Cameron's car is, it's painfully tiny (that's what she said hurhur) But to make up for that, the car has OnStar. Cameron calls Onstar and asks for directions to 2221 Greennfijaf, Houston, TX. See, I know he said Green something, he mumbles. This is important to remember for later. But, I'm really "big on" film, but Cameron is just as bad on cars and he flipped when this car, a Bugatti Veyron, passed us. Along the way we started talking about music and Cameron has this grand idea to show us how good his sound system is, so he cranks up the volume and then presses play. The shear shock of hearing something so loud and the subwoofers, Justin and I jumped up. Later, Cameron played some Godspeed You! Black Emperor, a post-rock band. One song he was playing reminded me of this RIDICULOUS song. I want you to wait until night, turn the lights off, and crank up the volume and listen to at least 30 seconds of this song.
Once we finally get into Houston and near our Hotel, we stopped at a red light. I can't remember what I was talking about but I was just looking out the window. And, by some kind of pokemon magic, the direction i was facing while I was talking was in the perfect line of sight of this young man at the gas station cursing at a truck stopped at another red light. This young man was quite angry and within seconds of us waiting on the light had already ripped his wife-beater off and started charging at the truck, which conveneiently could finally move because the light turned green. I want you to try and think up what you can say to someone within 30 seconds at a red light to cause them to charge at you inside your vehicle. It's hard to figure out, I've been trying.
We finally got onto Greenajijfaf and our hotel room, at the Howard Johnson was really close. For some reason, Cameron's OnStar leaded us in a little circle. Instead of going straight and turning left through the median, Onstar had us turn left, then right, then right, then right, then right. This is important to remember. Why would OnStar have us go in a circle? Cameron informed me that a few people might be joining us in our stay in the hotel. That's perfectly fine with me since I've bummed floor-space in hotels from Pokemoners before. Introduce Alex F and Billy C. It turns out I've known Alex F for a while. After a "spat" on **********, Alex left the forum thread with this to say "Good luck at Regional with your amazing Beedrill list." Even though he was being sarcastic, he actually did give me good luck. Even more so, I borrowed his silver Munchlax coin, which I forgot to return to him, and it hit me so many heads. So, after an awkward, "Oh yeah? I said that online? Well, I'm a jokester on the internet, so, nice to meet you" conversation, it turns out Butlerforhire or Alex F is a cinephile like myself! So, we had a lot in common, after all.
After playtesting all night, the guys in the Hotel room convinced me to drop my 4 Call Energy for 4 Super Scoop Ups. I was running Call Energy because 1. It's great for opening hands when going first. 2. It's useful late game as a drop energy-retreat card 3. It can supply my low energy count and allow me to actually be able to kill a Mr. Mime 4. It allows me to have the energy necessary to use Needle Shock. But apparently everyone in the room was convinced Super Scoop Up is better. And Peer Pressure is a witch. For Dinner, we went over to Waffle House. Billy wanted to see who got there faster, Cameron would use OnStar and Billy was using his GPS. So, we had kind of a race. The outcome of this "race" and it's aftermath is important to remember for later. At the first turn out of the Hotel, Billy and Cameron turned right, then right, then right, then right, and then Billy went left, Cameron went right. We were laughing at the messed up GPS and OnStar, but we didn't think about it. Anyway, once we got to Waffle House, Alex, riding with Billy, called Cameron and said we're stuck on Rankin Rd by the airport. (This is also important for later, I remember Rankin especially because it sounds dirty) So, Cameron tells him to use the GPS to get here and then hangs up. So, Cameron, Justin, and I all head in, eat dinner and patiently wait for Billy and Alex. Turns out Billy finally got Cameron to answer the phone, Billy called TWENTY times during our meal and Cameron never answered. This should of clued me in, it didn't. So, Cameron tells Billy how to get to Waffle House and they finally showed up. They ate then we left back for the hotel.
Cameron built a last minute Jumpluff and played a few games. He was convinced it was the play and wanted to buy some Pokemon Comumication (how it's spelled on the theme deck boxes) and asked if anyone would ride with him to the nearest Wal-Mart. It was only about 10 minutes away from the Hotel so I didn't mind accompanying him. We left at like 10:15 pm. During the trip I explain to Cameron about the script I'm writing right now. He doesn't seem that interested, but now I know why, he tells me his favorite film is Castaway! Anyway, the Wal-Mart we went to had a few pokemon theme decks, but not of the most recent set. So, we decided to try the next nearest Wal-Mart. Turns out it's 20 minutes away from this one. So, we get there and head in. We head to where the usual card section is and we can't find anything except candy. I ask a very informative exceptional employee of Wal-Mart who responds with, "Pokaman?" I reply "The trading card game?" "Yiiya, cads ova deyur." Well, it turns out the only trading cards they had were of Upper Deck's College Football series and only half a box of that was on the shelf. Once we got back to the hotel, we watched some King of the Hill until we passed out.
Saturday 4/17/2010
For Breakfast, we stop at a Donut Shop and grab a quick bite. Cameron said we are going to eat inside because he doesn't want Donuts in his car. While inside, some music starts playing, the tune is familiar and it's an old song... I make a joke, "you hear this song?" and Justin replies, "Yeah, this song rocks!" He wasn't joking because he didn't do like a ha-ha chuckle or anything afterward. Then the lyrics start up "It's ladies night..." and we all start bursting with laughter and pointing at Justin. It was great.
Once we got to the venue, I run around saying hello to everyone I recognized and then began putting my deck sheet together. At the table next to me, Martin M shows up and is on the phone with John K getting his deck list put together. Not only is John K a Jedi Master to me, he apparently has a lot of padawans. So, I have to borrow a Palmer's from Robbie, who laters says I can have it, because I loaned him a Garchomp at another tournament earlier this season, and I borrow a Chatot from Billy C which I forgot to return, oops! Anyway, I also run into the locals in D/FW and I say what's up to the Houston crowd, Brent S, Adam G, and of course the infamous Donphan-Texas-winning-State-Champion DeMarcus. I found it humorous when Martin M had him sign a Phanphy for him. I should of got one, too!
So, we ended up with 165 masters, 8 rounds, and a top 32 cut. Before I know it, the tournament is starting.
Round 1 - Elisr G - Dunsparce/Shuppet Donk
It turns out the computer person at the tournament typed her name wrong, It's Elisa. I think she was a bit of a new player, but she was a great sport and really nice. I had a monstrous opening hand and went to town. I hit some SSU's and just kept refreshing the damage on me. She couldn't do anything but fade out with just a belt and send up a scapegoat. Elisa eventually got a Pokedex and had some draw, but it was far too late at that point. She didn't mind losing at all, so that's good. She had an Itchy and Skratchy shirt on, which was cool because The Simpsons rock! I wished her luck and prepared for Round 2.
While waiting between Rounds, I hear my friend, Justin S, who is playing Raichu X with Magnezone X beat Brent S! I was really proud because Justin's always been a mediocre player and him beating someone of the caliber of Brent, even if it was all luck, is a big deal!
1-0
Round 2 - Chas M - LuxChomp
Chas sits at the table carrying a bunch of stuff. He sits down his mat, his dice, and then a silver briefcase. He introduces himself and says, "I'm mostly a collector." So, I'm thinking this is a free win since all the "collectors" I know aren't very good at the actual game. Well, it turns out I was just having terrible luck. My opening hand is Unown G, BTS, Claydol, Warp point, Bebes, Candy, Flutter Wings Bee! Turns out I'm going first! He flips over a Garchomp and a benched Luxray. I draw and it's Super Scoop up! If I went with call I could live!!! So, I pass. He draws, uses Roseanne's and is looking through his deck. He says, "I think I got it, wait, nope it's prized. Here's one, I'll check again" and he drops one crobat. He looks again, "Oh, here it is" and plays a DCE on his Garchomp and says "good game" I love getting donked. I am blaming **********'s advice and it's all Alex's fault. (I'm joking but I had to throw that in)
It turns out Justin just redeemed himself as a mediocre Pokemoner. After round 2 he comes up to me and says, "dude I just played Spiritomb! I couldn't do anything!" I say, "yeah man, it sucks." and he responds, "I had everything in my hand too! Roseanne's, Bebe's, and Luxury ball" I said, "wait... You can play supporters against Spiritomb. It only stops trainers, duh" Justin, "FFFFFFF-"
1-1
So, I had to run to the restroom right here and when I finished up, people were still checking out pairings. So I checked the list in the back and I went to my table. It turns out I was playing against Justin S, my friend using Raichu/Magnezone! So, when I got to my table I see that there are different people there and I go to check the list up at the front of the venue. Apparently there were re-pairings and they never changed the list I looked at. So, right when I sit down the round starts. I ask a judge for a time extension because they did not change the pairings list. I only asked for an extra minute or two, in case I need it, but the judge rejected it.
Round 3 - Aaron C - Raichu/Electivire
Looks like somebody really wanted me to face Raichu because I would of fought the only two Raichus in the entire tournament! Aaron opens with Electabuzz and Pikachu on the bench and draw-passes at first. I go and unload a full bench and just Band attack both pokemon. He whiffed on drawing a supporter of any kind. I hate doing that to people, it's really a dumb format right now. Looks like I didn't need the time extension anyway. But it's better to be safe than sorry.
Since the game was so short, I head off and do a pickup game with Desmond E, a Texan usually within the group that travels with DeMarcus. We had a really great game, at my 1 to his 3 prizes, I'm purposefully not benching more beedrills because I want to prevent his max damage. With only 3 bench pokemon, Desmond draws a total of like 6 cards and gets a Cherrim, an expert belt, and the plus power to do 130 to kill my belted bee. I go and then draw, I just need a warp and get out a third bee to win. I use claydol to draw what I need for the bee and put it down, I use SSU and get the heads to re-use claydol. I draw 4 cards and hit the warp to win it. So, I'm still feeling good about the Jumpluff matchup. Also, Andy M donks Justin S!
2-1
Round 4 - Walfred S - Cursegar
This was a very intense match. Probably one of my closest matches in a very long time. Not only was the match so close and intense, it came down to time and then it came down to a coin flip to determine the winner of the match. Basically, all game he had Gengar lv.x on top of cursegar active with expert belt (so 160 hp) and was doing 80 and then benching it, sending up Airy Wall Mime. I was able, with only 5 grass in the deck, to kill 3, count em, THREE, Airy Wall Mimes. He kept maintenancing or Palmering back and I had to repower up a Beedrill. Anyway, we're down to my 2 prizes and his 1. Time is called. He says "good game" but I say I get to finish my turn. His bench is 2 claydols, Gastly, Fainting Spell gengar, gengar x with 140 on it, and Airy wall active. I have to draw a warp point to tie up to not lose on time. I draw 7 of my 8 card deck and get the 1 warp left, if I didn't I'd be table-flipping. He sends up fainting spell and I send up a fresh Band Attacker with a grass. I know what will happen but I have to allow the game coming down to a flip. I band attack for the kill, going to 1 prize. Now, if he gets head he draws his last prize, if he gets tails, he has no way to kill any pokemon on my field and the turn after that I'd kill. But, of course, he hits the heads. Very good game Walfred!
2-2
Round 5 - Kyle S - Turbo Nidoqueen
I played against Kyle S in Texas States in 2007 in like top 8 or top 16. He beat my Flygon ex deck and I've never had a chance to play him since then. So, I was looking forward to the match. When I last saw him, years ago, he was incredibly skinny. I complimented him mentioning his arms were much buffer than I remember! He's using buffer piece! Anyway, he gets a Nidoran F and calls for family. I go second, T1 a beedrill with grass and drop belt. In my hand is a BTS but I'm worried he might be able to get a queen out and I can't T2 him. So, I save it even though I could Claydol on my first turn. I get the ko, he promotes his other nidoran and evolves to nidorina, hoping I can't get another bee to KO. But I get it and win T2 and it turns out he did have the Queen in hand! Sorry again Kyle, I hate winning that way, rematch some time!
In the match directly next to me, I see two newer players in the middle of their match. One guy uses Relicanth, drops a fighting on it, and uses grand swell. He asks his opponent if Unown G counts for Grand Swell. Of course it does, but they call a judge over. I expected to hear, "yes" but the judge surprisingly picks up the cards and read them. I wanted to say something, but I waited to hear the response. I'm sure the judge was just extra checking and I was thinking worse-case scenario, but the judge made the right call. I was just flabbergasted she checked, though.
3-2
Round 6 - Brent S - Gardevoir/Dusknoir
Brent is a great player and I was really excited to play him. I've played him like once since I've been playing Pokemon because he's out of state. I wanted to have a good match, either of us could win, I wouldn't mind, as long as it's good! Turns out this was not a good match. Basically in my hand was a rare candy beedrill, I'm second. So I rare candy bee and then get a claydol out and use it, I get a warp point. I could warp out his sableye and get something to retreat my active to attack and maybe get an early kill on ralts. I end up blowing 2 communication, two super scoop ups and an uxie, and I don't get the kill. I'm really worried because I blew so much resource early and just whiffed on the draws. He ends up turn 2ing Gardy and psychic locking me. Now I'm just ruined from here on out. I can't do anything. Then he T3's the Dusknoir. I scoop a few turns later. I'll be looking forward to a rematch Brent!
3-3
Round 7 - David B - Machamp/Flygon/Donphan
I open with an Unown G and draw pass. He turn 2s out a Machamp and an expert belt. To win the game he needs to draw 1 energy and he uses uxie for 5. I'm praying he doesn't get it because one more loss and I'm out. he misses the draw and passes. After that I'm able to build a solid field out and he can't recover because he blew his only uxie early and didn't get claydols until it was too late. I'm also able to use a few Super Scoop up's effectively to keep it in my favor after he does like 60 with hurricane punch. Over two turns of hurricane punch he only hit 1 heads.
After I win, he drops and says he's leaving to watch NBA. I know this will hurt my resistance, especially since my 3 losses thus far are all 5-2, I'm the highest 4-3 previous to the drop. I hear a few people estimating the number of 5-2's making it in, most said 12 should make it in.
4-3
Round 8 - Robert L - Dialga/Honchkrow
Robert is a great sport. He ended up being a Pokedad and he told me his kids are out of the tournament and he's the last hope. I had a feeling he wanted to leave anyway so he could get home at a decent hour. Our match would of been completely different if he actually deafened. But instead he went for a T3 KO with second strike. After that I was able to set up and get going. All game though we were about tied and he had a Garchomp on the bench with one dark on it. I was worried he ran Garchomp lv.x and was going to snipe my claydol right before time. He was reading each card carefully, we both knew what was at stake, and he was just playing slower than the average person. I wasn't going to call a judge or mention the speed of play because he was a cool guy and told me he doesn't even run Garchomp lv.x. So, I told him if he had deafened he probably could of won and he agreed. I ended up taking all 6 prizes and we shook hands. It looked like he was relieved to finally get to go home, it was probably around 11 about then. Anyway, good game Robert, like I said you're a good Pokedad!
5-3
So, Top 32 gets posted and I'm talking to Jose E from San Antonio and I say wouldn't it suck if someone gets 32nd seed and then they repair and he ends up 33rd? And almost out of nowhere, like I predicted it, Cameron runs up to me and says you're 32nd seed! And then Mike Cook says over the speaker that they are posting new standings! Eeeek!
They needed to repair because Martin M's record was wrong. So, I ended up making the top cut at 32nd still, not knocked out! And I'm playing Will B who has Luxchomp. While I'm waiting around during deck checks, Mia Cook calls Billy K to the front of the room. As soon as he starts to walk away I realize he might be in trouble, so, I tell him it'll be okay.
I watch as he goes up to the front of the desk and Mia Cook just asks him to sit down. That's when I knew it was bad for him. So I'm looking for John K to ask him if he knows what is up and he's as clueless as me. So, I see Billy K shaking his head and comparing his deck cards to his deck sheet. I'm guessing there's just a card error and they'll replace it with an energy or something, not that bad. Well, it gets worse. It turns out Billy had 61 cards in his deck and I asked him about it and he was making a bunch of changes recently and I guess he never counted his deck after he made the changes. What I hate is, it had to happen to Billy at such a big tournament, he's an awesome guy in general and definitely not shady. I also heard that somebody went like 6-0 in seniors and dropped to play in the gameboy tournament!
TOP 32 Game 1 - Will B - LuxChomp
At the start of the game, Will says that the LuxChomp matchup against beedrill is 90-10 in favor of bee. I tell him I don't run Luxray or anything and he says it doesn't matter. I don't where he gets his calculations but a lot of people were telling me I've got good chances in this matchup. So, I think Will gets like 2 or 3 Sprays in his opening hand. He ends up spraying claydol two turns in a row and then killing it. I play out my hand and Uxie setup for 5 and he sprays it. I'm ruined at this point. But he makes a misplay and Trash Bolt's me with a psychic and DCE. I don't catch it because he stacks his energy so tight together and neatly, plus it's all reverse holo so I'm partially blinded. The judges did everything right, they just had to double check everything. I also asked for a time extension, they gave me 3 minutes. After he gets a Luxray and bright looks up my flutter wings I just scoop.
0-1
TOP 32 Game 2 - Will B - LuxChomp
He does almost exactly what Chas M did to me in round 2 and I had the exact same hand. I had the Super scoop up which would of been a Call Energy and I would of survived to Turn 2 so I could setup. But, that's pokemon now. Donks.
I proposed a scenario to describe how ridiculous donks like this are and I'd like to share it. Pretend that you've never been introduced to Pokemon. You see two children sit down at a table and challenge each other to a match of the Pokemon Trading Card game. Each player shuffles their deck and cuts their opponent's. Then they set basics and place prizes. One boy has a Sableye and the other a Magikarp. Sableye goes first because of his body, the boy draws, places a dark energy, and then kills Magikarp and wins the game. That Magikarp boy didn't even get a chance to do anything! What would you think of Pokemon TCG? Would you even consider playing it?
0-2
Click here to see the top cut tournament bracket!
*Caleb C instead of Caleb E
*Nikkei instead of Nikel
The Real Nightmare begins Sunday morning 4/18/2010
So, after Top 16 and Martin is out, we head over to the horse race track's beverage area. Martin and I talk about Pokemon, relationships, and our future. What's great is I've known Martin M for a really long time, I've always wanted to meet him because he's such a character. He's really good at Pokemon, he's been banned by PUI, and he's a contributing member of the elite group of e-famous pokemoners. We ended up talking for about 45 minutes and when we headed back I didn't see Cameron anywhere. We were in Cameron's car on the way to the tournament and he isn't here. So, I automatically go to worst-case scenario that we'll be stranded up at this race track and won't be in D/FW any time soon. At this time it's in top 4 and it's just Justin and I, Alex F, Cameron H, and Billy C are all gone!
It turns out John K who is in top 4 said he would go to our hotel room to crash, which Justin and I were happy to offer since we paid for the room and John is a local friend of ours. So, there's about 12 pokemoners still in the tournament area spectating matches and just making trouble. John K finishes his top 4 match pretty quickly and heads back to hang out with Justin, Adam G, William C, Austin C, and myself. It was about 2:30 in the morning and we were all kinda loopy from lack of sleep. John K was pretty hysterical, he grabbed a June bug with his hand! He said it was good luck! He threw it out of the door and it kept flying in. It was flying funny, though. It surely died later cursing John K! Mia Cook came over because we were being loud and said to John K, "you're being giddy" and for some reason, he responded, "Gittee?" We all busted out laughing.
So, to try and explain why he replied with "gittee" he says, "I thought she (Mia Cook) said Idiot, so I spelled it in my head and said gittee?" quoted word for word. He was so tired he doesn't even know what he's saying! So, soon enough the final match is ready and John K had to depart. He did tell me he was going to room with us, so I assumed we could ride with him to the hotel, so I wasn't even worried.
After John K wins Regionals I'm happy that D/FW took home the glass. In case you're wondering, here's a map of the D/FW playerbase, it includes Dallas, Fort Worth, and College Station. I was ready to get out of there, since it was like 3:45 in the morning! We are walking out and almost to John K's car when we ask him, "hey, since you're crashing in our room, we're riding with you to the hotel right?" and he says he isn't going to go to the hotel, he'll just drive back! So, he recommends we turn around and ask Adam G and William C for a ride, our hotel wasn't even that far away. So we run over and they have a GPS (dun dun dunnnnnn) and they can get the way to the hotel.
So, we're in the car with them and they are heading over to a Denny's. I don't complain since I am a little hungry myself. We're all laughing and joking because we're SO tired we are delusional. I'm not even sure if I imagined this or not, but I remember Adam freaking out about it. But on an empty neighborhood road was this guy on a bicycle. He has his hands folded on his lap and he is riding the bike in a perfect line, it isn't even wobbling. He also has a hoodie over his head and just slowly turns his head to face us and is so creepy looking.
Anyways, at Denny's we're cracking jokes to the Waitress. We just know she thinks we're on something because we're laughing at everything and all half asleep. Adam G asks if Chocolate milk has free refills and the waitress responds with no. So then, Adam asks if Hot Chocolate has free refills and it does. So he says, "Well, can I get cold Hot Chocolate? Can you like put some ice cubes in it?" And we all burst out laughing. We all order the $4 infinite pancake deal or whatever. After two plates of pancakes each, we're all motionless, bloated, and sick. We finally leave and not only am I starting to panic, I'm painfully tired and exhausted. I can barely hold my head up at this point.
So, William C asks me the address to the Hotel room. I say what I can remember best, "Howard Johnson hotels 2221 Green Rd Houston, TX" and his GPS doesn't find anything! I immediately start worrying because I don't want to send these guys on a night-long wild goose chase trying to find my hotel room. We call Cameron and he isn't picking up at all! We call like 10 times before Justin's phone runs out of battery! The GPS sends us to Ranking Rd and I've got a sliver of hope because I remember Rankin Rd is by Green Rd and we can get there from Rankin. So, we end up driving around for an hour or so before I've hit rock bottom. I'm practically having a break down because it's 5:30 in the morning, it doesn't matter how nice William C is he doesn't want to be shuttling Justin and I around, and I just feel horrible because I'm wasting William's time and we're all tired. Adam G is passed out in the front seat and every now and then just saying, "I want to go home".
Finally a ray of hope, after talking to three different foreign gas station attendants who did not help at all, we find a Greensfield Rd. Apparently there is about 10 different roads with green"something" in Houston. Check this picture for proof. we're on Greensfield Rd or something and he tries the GPS again. For some reason it works on Greensfield Rd and it gives us some direction to a 2221 GREENS RD. It's GreenS not Green! Oh my god! Anyway, we get to the hotel at 6:30 in the morning and I bow down to William for being so generous and being patient figuring out where our hotel room is. I'm really grateful he didn't just kick us out and say good luck! I love how Pokemon attracts really good people!
But I made a B-line to our Hotel room because I wanted to give Cameron a piece of my mind! I can't really go into detail because it involved a lot of bad words that aren't PG. Not even PG-13. But I can share you a bit of my clean commentary that was taking place during a hysterical/melt-down/anxiety/panic attack. I was laughing the whole time I was talking but I wasn't finding anything funny.
"I'm crying and there aren't any tears!"
"Cameron, I'm going to murder you!"
"LOOK AT YOUR PHONE! HOW MANY TIMES DID WE CALL???"
"You didn't even set up your voicemail! It says "thank you for calling......... please leave a message"! You're such an idiot you didn't even say your name for that!!!!!! and I had to hear it TWENTY TIMES!"
Cameron asked me if I'm going to hold a grudge against him or something. Actually after typing all this up, I've already gotten over it. But man I was so livid that night, I don't blame him for being afraid I actually will hurt him! haha! It wasn't even just Cameron's fault all that happened. It was mostly my fault for not figuring out a ride first and foremost. But I think blaming Kettler for being so flakey is better, since he did win the whole thing anyway. But the real person that should be blamed is the Houston city planner's naming every other street a green street. sigh.
Now that I'm home I looked online for this Howard Johnson company's site. I wanted to write them in excruciating detail everything I went through that late at night and how incredibly unhelpful it was calling another HoJo in Houston for help, there isn't a HoJo location map or anything like that! I thought one hotel would have some information on it's other locations! Well, after some investigating I think I figured it out...
Our Hotel is called Howard Johnson at 2221 Greens Road Houston, TX 77032. Please click on this link and see the Google maps street view. Do you see that empty slab of concrete? Yeah, that's where our Hotel is. Checking out Hojo.com, I see that our hotel is "New Construction, 4.3 miles from George Bush Intercontinental Airport". So, I think that's why the GPS's were being so picky and OnStar had us go in a circle. The dang hotel was just built!!! aaaaghhhhghghghh!!!!! I think that nightmare was worth it because I had such a great time in Houston. I got to hang out with Adam G, William C, Martin M, Alex F, Billy C, Cameron H, John K, Billy K, Brent S, and Absoltrainer! Thanks to everybody I played against in the tournament and/or a pick up game. I would do it all over again even though I wanted to die.
THE END!
PROPS
John K taking the whole tournament
Top 32 with a bad beedrill list no luxray
My opponents for being awesome in general
All my poke-friends being cool
Talking to THE Martin M about poke-hearts being broken hahaha
Denny's at 4 in the morning with Adam G!!!!!!
Meeting Butlerforhire lolol
********** taking 3?4? regionals
cold hot chocolate
Bugatti Veyron
Robby for giving me palmer's
Billy for loaning me Chatot (I'll get it back to you)
Justin beating Brent
"6-0 drop for gameboy"
Pokedads being awesome for kids
165 masters
half of top 8 was D/FW (andy, robby, michael s, John K)
cameron for driving to and from
Alec N's awesome shirt I saw months ago called King of the Arctic
SLOPS
getting STRANDED in houston! (blaming john k)
donking people
getting donked
nightmare in houston
scary guy on bicycle in neighborhood
Justin thinking Spiritomb blocks supporters
Billy getting a DQ
Judges weren't top notch
John K using communication and holding the pokemon he is sending in up really high in the air
wal-mart not having pokemon cards
Call energy > SSU
bad game against Brent
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