It's late and for some reason I feel compelled to write I have no idea why but if you'll read along I'll do my best to make this interesting.

Growing up I was always faced with a challenge, and while never specific it just seemed that I would always be struggling with anything. School, work, friends, etc etc I always had trouble getting ahead. Though the road has been hard I always had gaming to fall back on when the world was too much to deal with. However playing games alone only gets you so far, there are times we need a challenge and a reason to fight.  Sadly some of the company I kept did'nt share my same determination to keep fighting, and so for a long time I kept fighting on my own. It's hard to keep a healthy fighting game habit when those around you are only in it for the excitement of a new title, and as quickly as it started it's over. What's even worse is when the challenge appears to be too great and no one is willing to try. 

I made a promise to myself at the beginning of 2008 to not make that mistake anymore. Easy to say...harder to do. I missed out on a handful of Guilty Gear tournaments, and my work schedule has kept me from putting in real time with Soul Calibur. And sadly my Street Fighter game is weak and not where it should be. You'd think managing a game store I'd have every oppurtunity to play everytime I work...this is so far from the truth it's not even funny. With the release of Street Fighter IV I'm faced with a challenge. My heart wants to keep fighting, and yet my head tells me to play it safe and keep work serious. I am blessed though to be working in a game store with the console release of SF IV around the corner. I will get a chance to share my passion with my customers, and co-workers.

Will i make it to more tournaments? I'm not sure. But I will say this; If the oppurtunity presents itself I will take that chance. If you are reading this and asking "OK? So what does it mean to fight?" Well it's just as he said "The answer lies in the heart of battle." I'm slowly starting to understand how that can apply to life, and if something is pushing you forward so much that it's all you think about, then maybe it's something you should be doing. My dad always told me to try anything. This way I don't have to look back and ask "What if?" I think before I'm too old to care I should start doing just that. Thank you for letting me share a part of myself with you. See you at the arcade.

-Andy

"Bandit Rev0lver"