There are sooooo many bases you gotta cover before stepping into a match. Not only do you need a solid foundation of knowledge of the maps, strats, physics and your teammates’ play-styles...you also need to think quickly, adjust to the opponents’ moves, communicate what you see going on, and make sure that no environmental distractions are taking away from your focus. As I am working through all of these aspects of competition, I want to share with you my efforts to minimize my environmental disturbances.

1. Switched from playing on a tube TV to a smaller LCD.
2. Started using the tube TV to make noise while I play (to familiarize myself with background noise).*
* Thanks to Valkyrie for this tip!
3. Bought a new WIRED controller to break in before San Diego.
4. Went to the eye doc. Got 2 new pairs of glasses! (I can see everything now!)
5. Sitting on a folding chair instead of my bed during practice.

It’s been a while since my last team competition (Gears of War for PMS Clan at CPL Summer ‘07), so I am definitely feeling the pressure. But with my experience in the past few years, I have adjusted well to the demands of competition and tend to perform better at live events than online. Nonetheless, Pyra FD is about to be unleashed with a whole new team on a brand new game and SHE IS EXCITED!!! Less than 2 weeks to go…

The rediscovered contender,
Pyra