Well, I guess I’m going to start out with my very first Frag Doll blog by introducing myself. My name is Lanai Gara, now known as Fidget FD, and formerly known as Ms Vixen. I chose the name Fidget after much deliberation because I am a restless, anxious, and energetic person. Plus, it just looks funny to see “you just got killed by Fidget” on the screen.  The thought makes me giggle…

This journey of becoming a Frag Doll has been crazy for me. Ever since I began playing games just for fun and then competitively, I have always wanted to make it in the gaming industry. I was always the girl that wouldn’t hang out that much, just go to work, come home, rip it up on some Counterstrike, Gears of War, and Call of Duty, and occasionally sleep.

When I found out about the Frag Dolls I knew I had to apply and see what would happen. To make sure I was ready for whenever they announced a Casting Call, I made a point of proving that girls can play at the top by earning #1 in the world in Free for All on Call of Duty World at War.  While playing Call of Duty through the wee hours of the night, I formed a team called Team V Gaming which had about 120 players at our peak. Together we ran through the leader boards, taking out one big name after another. Managing Team V Gaming gave me the experience to better understand gaming communities and the competitive edge gained through team work.

One night I received an email from a friend telling me that the next Frag Doll Casting Call had finally come and I was ready! I of course had to prepare everything including the video, application, essay, working resume and gaming resume, and the wait to see if we made the semis was excruciating for all the girls but worth it none the less. I was at work when the email went out saying if I made the semis or not, and when I got home and saw that I made it, I freaked out and I ran outside screaming, “I’m a Semi-Finalist!” Believe me, the neighborhood knew! The next round consisted of game testing, interviews and voting. Oh man I was nervous, but I knew I had to be prepared for what was ahead. I practiced all the games on the list they gave us including Rainbow Six Vegas 2, Halo 3, and Call of Duty 4. I also practiced my interview techniques but I was so nervous I don’t even remember it.  After another wait, a few days later, I got an email saying I was a FINALIST!!! I ran down the street yelling, “I’M GOING TO E3!” I went to friends apartments and knocked on their doors and told them I was a Finalist. It was hilarious because some people that saw me running and screaming thought I was just a crazy woman but I didn’t care; my dreams were so close I could taste them! Then after another wait it all really became a whirlwind of E3, booth demonstrations, interviews, actually getting me in a dress and dealing with Phoenix (*wink wink*), my Big Sister for E3. Eventually E3 was over and we all went home not knowing who would be the next Frag Dolls.

“Just be Patient” was the catch phrase of all the Frag Dolls for about what seemed like an eternity until the announcement; easier said than done. Finally, with no fingernails left, half my hair pulled out and no sleep, I got a phone call. My dreams became a reality and unlike any other time in my life I was speechless. I still kind of can’t believe that I am one of the newest additions to the Frag Dolls, but I couldn’t be happier to be a part of a team of girls I have looked up to for so long, and part of such a great community.