The loftiest towers rise from the ground.

First things first No Bloom-No Sprint is the best thing that could have ever happened to Halo: Reach. I've been playing NBNS the past couple weeks and love the competitiveness of it. In my personal opinion, Reach did not feel like "Halo" with bloom, it just wasn't the same. The Halo series grew up without the bloom and I think having bloom for Reach hurt the game and community backing it. It turned away a lot of loyal MLG Halo fans from the game. Now that the bloom has been taken out, it's brought back the Halo feel from Halo 2 and Halo 3 minus the BR.

One other thing that would make Reach better is a ranking system like Halo 2 had, then I believe the game would be much better. H2 had the best ranking system from all the Halos. You matched against people of your skill level or close to it. Thus making it way more competitive and having to try your hardest every single game to be better than the your opponent/opponents. The playlist's consisted of FFA, 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, minor clan matches, and major clan matches. H2 also had top leader boards on bungie so every gamer was competing to be in the top 5 of each playlist because bungie would feature the top 5 players.

Let's get into some Halo team changes! I have joined Str8 Rippin with T2, Ninja, and Mikwen. We have been practicing and playing exceptionally well together. 

Now, I want to give a little back bone for how this team came together because it was something that I had been considering for quite some time. I was on my way home from MLG Providence waiting in line to go through security carrying my Astro backpack and FFA plaque in my hand. I was thinking about my accomplishments and goals in Halo: Reach for the 2011 season. Thinking about everything that happened last year just made me want to do more for the 2012 year. I want a team that is as dedicated as I am and will work together to be a great team in all aspects. After making my way through security I grabbed some Quiznos. While I was waiting to order, Tom (TSquared) comes up behind me and says "congrats on winning the FFA." I told him thanks then we started talking about the 2011 season and what is to come for 2012. We head to our gates and end up being on the same flight along with a bunch of other MLG staff and players. I end up getting a seat next to Damian/Krillin, who now works for MLG. Krillin switched seats with Tom so we could talk on the flight. If it wasn't for Damian we may not have ended up teaming….thanks Damian! Tom and I are two of the oldest veterans in the MLG league and have been through so many years of gaming. Even though we have so many events under our belts, we didn't know each other so well on a personal level.

During the flight we talked about a lot. Including our goals, what we are both trying to do with our gaming careers and life.  We both weren't sure what we we are going to do team wise. We shared a lot about ourselves and thoughts on players and teams. We both wanted a team that is going to take this as serious as us and be as dedicated. To make a team that can win multiple events and keep in mind that we are not teaming at this moment…we were sharing our thoughts. We both wanted a team that will want to work together the be a great team.  We talked about our past teams and changes throughout the year and what we were planning for the 2012 season. But one of the most important things we talked about was our drive to win again. We both have had a taste of winning and we want it back more than ever. We are willing to put the extra time in to succeed. We are willing to work harder to build our team chemistry and team work. We got off at our connections and said we'll keep in touch.

Tyler-Ninja had called/texted me saying him and Austin-Mikwen wanted to team with me. I told them I would run games with them and Tom. After playing almost two weeks with the guys, I knew this was the team I wanted to be on. But I wanted to talk to all of them before I made my final decision. I wanted to make sure we are all trying to accomplish the same thing and are willing to work together to become a greater team.  We all have the ability to adapt quickly and having that ability is a great asset. So I gave Tyler, Tom, and Austin a call to talk about how serious I am in winning an event and putting the time/work into getting better as a team. I wanted him/everyone to know that I'm trying to win and do not want to waste my time with a team that isn't going to be as dedicated and serious as I am.  I also wanted to let everyone know what I'm about and what I'm looking for in a teammate. We all agreed on everything. I told them let's do this and that was it. Str8 Rippin was formed. We are going to bring back the household name to the top. 

After all of this, we all still await MLG to announce if Halo will be on the circuit. I am very concerned about this. Halo is the root of MLG. It is what made MLG what it is today. They have told us the numbers have dropped dramatically for Reach. The makers of Reach did not work with MLG to make a great game. They did their own thing and created a bombshell of a game. I have seen so many people putting their part in to try and make Halo a popular game again. Many have been releasing many videos on youtube and streaming online everyday. I have been streaming and releasing videos on my youtube as well. www.youtube.com/themcstrongside I really hope to see Halo on the circuit next year and would be very disappointed if it wasn't.

ALSO, Check out two of my new game plays on Str8 Rippin below!

Str8 vs NTN Countdown TS

Str8 vs NTN Zealot CTF-Overkill

Ending the year with a bang!

Lately I've been gaming MLG's NBNS Halo:Reach and playing BattleField 3 for Virgin Gaming's $1.6 million tournament. I'm enjoying Reach so much more with NBNS. Last weekend I played in Ryanoob's tournament with Legit @BRIZZ_Legit, Goofy @GGoofy, and Ryanoob @RyaNoob. The tournament lasted two days and the matches were so fun to play. It felt like a local tournament. You get in good games and everyone is giving it their all to win. I enjoyed playing in this tournament much more than matchmaking. We ended up winning the tournament against Russo's team he put together. Our Nexus King game was so intense! We ended up winning by one second. Hope fully there are a lot more online tournaments to come. I love the competition!

The MLG Halo Community has been working hard to bring Halo back to where it used to be. It seems like everyone is doing their part to make things more entertaining and exciting for the players and viewers. This will all help bring new people into the league and bring people back. The other week I participated in The Halo Council show with Dmaq @dmaq1, Bestman @MLGBesTMaN, Gahndi @MLG_Gandhi, Bravo @BravoMLG, and Nexy @NexyMLG . We discussed everything from no bloom no sprint, the community and a little about myself.
Here is a link to their Twitch channel The Gaming Council Twitch  Check it out!!
They have a show once a week!  I'd love to help and participate again in another episode or any other other shows going on out there. I really want to be involved with MLG, Halo, and the community.

On a side note, any editors out there interested in working closely with me on a future montage; please message me with some of your previous work (montages and clips). I'm trying to get a lot of video content out this year.


If you or anyone you know would like to get in contact with me; hit me up via My Facebook Page or @mcStrongSide

I'm going to work extremely hard this new year and can't wait to get everything moved into my new place with Ellen and get started! I'll be streaming a bunch this new year be sure to check it out from time to time! My Twitch Stream Page and don't forget to follow!

On to moving!! Ellen and I finally signed our lease and have been moving stuff in day by day! We got a two bedroom, two bath apartment. There's a lot we need to get but once we're settled in, I'll be making an MLG Cribs video to show the Side Palace! This Christmas, Ellen and I decided to go back to her hometown in Minnesota to be with her family. I love going to see her family because they are always welcoming and her mom always makes the best food! We also get to have Pho! Which is a beef noodle soup that is absolutely amazing!  We leave the morning of Christmas eve and there's so much to do still! It's been a weird winter season here in Northern Kentucky, we haven't seen a flake of snow yet! Hopefully while we're in MN we get some snow and cold weather to hit up the slopes to go snowboarding! I've been killing to get out on the slopes and rip it up!  

Due to the overwhelming amount of submission for "Toys for Gamers" giveaway its taking a lot longer than expected to go through all the videos. The deadline was Dec.18th. All videos sent after that will not be reviewed. I happy to say of the videos I've seen so far there were some great ones! I'll be posting another blog in early January 20112 with the winner…maybe winners….? ;)

Everyone have a Merry Christmas and if you haven't every been snowboarding or skiing before make sure to get out there and try it once!

-Side

 Best memories of 2011

Winning MLG Bic Pro FFA

Placing 4th with Warriors at Dallas opener

The Lan Network lan's and pro's vs. joe's

Videos:

NBNS Sanc CTF

NBNS Pit CTF

"StrongSide's Toys for Gamers"

Hey guys! You all may be wondering where I've been since Providence…! Ellen and I are in the process of getting our first place so I've been really busy apartment searching. It's all really exciting for the both of us. We'll be doing an "MLG Cribs" once we get settled in so look out for that in the coming months!

On to gaming matters, tis the season to be giving! I am doing a VIDEO contest for a big Christmas giveaway consisting of Astro A40 headset & mix amp, Astro backpack, one of my personal MLG jersey's signed and an MLG t-shirt will all go to ONE WINNER!

Submit a video telling me your story and why you think you should win the "Toys for Gamers" this Christmas. In this video you are not limited to anything! You can show your set up, what you play with, how long you've been apart of MLG and anything funny and witty! Use your imagination to persuade me. The more creative you get, the better! Don't forget to make this personal, because it is about you!

Please submit videos via YOUTUBE to my TWITTER or FACEBOOK!


Video submission DEADLINE: SUNDAY DECEMBER 18TH



*****I do ask to please refrain from submitting if you have any of the giveaway contents.



I'll still be doing smaller giveaways on my stream from time to time! So make sure to FOLLOW my stream ---> StrongSide Stream

Follow me on twitter @mcStrongSide for updates and like my fan page at ---> StrongSide Facebook Fan Page

No Bloom Novemeber

Our team is getting one lan in before Providence at the TLN house for the last lan there. Its always great to get everyone together and practice on lan for an event. I'll be practicing everyday to prepare for this event. There will also be a No Bloom Pro FFA that I will have to prepare for as well. Which will be hard to switch back and forth from No Bloom to Bloom all the time. I'm so happy that they are doing a FFA though. It's been so long since I've competed on an individual side of a game. Gaming and streaming everyday! Providence here I come!


I hope MLG plans to bring FFA and maybe 1v1's back for next season! I think it would bring a lot of people back to events to compete. Rather than just having 4v4's. It's great to compete in different ways of a game as well.


Now on to Disney World!! So Ellen had told me when we first met that she had never been to the beach or Disney World. I took her to the beach for her first birthday and now seemed like the perfect time to take her to Disney for her second Birthday. Her birthday was coming up after MLG Orlando and I thought..hey we could go to Disney World after MLG Orlando for an early birthday present! Here are a bunch of pictures of the trip!

The one and only Rafiki!!

Arrrrrrrrrrrrgg!

Mickey Mouse Icecream!

Ellen's first visit, Birthday, and our 2 year anniversary. 

Awesome view from our hotel!

Indiana Jones!! 

Dr jones Dr jones! 

A very steep road. 

Almost there. 

Mickey Mouse waffles FTW! 

Imagination. 

The only way I like my chicken...jerked haha

Gotta love the guy in the Sombrero! 

Ze spicy meatball!

NB NS Zealot TS

Revo vs Infa Oasis King Scrim

Oktoberfest maddness!

The team and I have been practicing almost everyday. I've been grinding in the extra hours to prepare for Orlando! We have Triggers Down, Pure, and Status Quo in our pool play. I'm ready to play and take some faces! haha My flight leaves Thursday afternoon and I'll be staying till Wednesday for some post-event fun! Unfortunately Revolution was unable to get a lan in before this event but we will definitely be lanning before Providence! There hasn't been much change to my practice regimen. All I'm thinking about is Halo and getting to where I want to be.


apeX released their new site recently! Check it out and Sign-up! --->> apeX eSports


It's that time of the year for my to put away my swim trunks, sunblock and wake board and start dusting off my snowboard and jacket! Winter will be here soon and I can't wait to snowboard!! Mantrain has confirmed he will be coming out to snowboard or we may take a trip somewhere!


For everyone wondering about the giveaways on my stream..everything has been so hectic and busy here on my end that I've been postponing it until I have everything prefect! I haven't forgotten about my promises, I'm still doing the BIG give away day! I'm currently coordinating with MLG and a few other companies to get more product and publicity so this give away turns into an event! After completing my first month of streaming I decided to give 15% of what I make every month from my stream to the viewers! I will use the money to buy prizes to give out on the stream. I'm going to make this first months earnings public to you guys with how much I made! With just a little over one month of streaming I brought in just under $1000. So I'll be giving back about $145 in prizes to the my viewers! I'll have many ways of giving stuff away on my stream! Such as trivia, games on Halo:Reach, lottery (I randomly pick a name in the viewer list), mini-tournaments, etc. There are ways to win prizes by simply being supportive and being a true SS fan. For those whom I acknowledge and notice that are consistently in my stream, supporting and contributing to the chat and the stream it self will have a *greater chance of getting some my most prized possessions.

*I just want to put a disclaimer and say it's not a guaranteed way of winning something, you just have a greater chance amongst others.**


There has been some demand for community game play reviews. I've thought of a way for the community to help me while giving back. If you guys can help get 500+ viewers for a consistent amount of time within a certain amount of time, I will do a few community game play reviews after team practice. Now to determine who's game play I will review is a matter I will have to think of when the time comes.


 Once I have everything organized and set to go I'll be doing a video blog releasing the date and to let you guys know what you can win!


I am now a part of the community at HaloTracker.com Check out their site! I'm in the Live Broadcasts section! ---> Halo Tracker


It is October and that means it's the best time of the year to scare Ellen. She doesn't like to be scared but she's warmed up to it quite a bit since we started dating. We recently went to our local amusement park called King's Island for their Halloween fest. There were 12 haunted attractions along with their normal rides. We went big on the ring toss and won Fright lane passes so we could cut in front of everyone waiting in line! It was one of the highlights of the evening. We're also planning on making a trip out to one of the best haunted attractions I've ever been too. I forgot what the place was called, but it's worth the trip because I'll admit I got scared at times!

Crazy snipe on ManTrain..it's probably worth loading..haha!

Revolution vs. Infamous CTF Zealot

Revolution vs. Dynasty Slayer Sanctuary

It's a Revolution.

Making sure that I was on a team with players that I am confident in and are dedicated was crucial for this next event. For those of you who don't know, the team you go to Orlando with is the team that you'll be going to Providence with. So after running games with a bunch of different players, I felt best with Crimsix, Twin Savior, and Amish Acorns. We formed our team and became "Revolution."  We want to stand for the start of something new; the beginning of a new team. I've been practicing a lot since Raleigh! Working on my shot, team work, 1v1's and mental game. I'll be grinding till the event everyday!

Push up contest went down at the National Guard booth at Raleigh!

The Title update is coming out soon, the no bloom has peaked my interest. I'm stoked to see how it plays and how MLG evolves with it! I'll definitely be trying it out but I won't play to much of no bloom until MLG makes it official for tournament play. I can only imagine that it will bring back a feeling of the other Halo's :) 

This is why you don't usually see me when I'm sniping....haha! In Austin, TX doing some work with the National Guard.

I finally finished planning and booking everything for my Orlando trip! I can't wait to play on lane! My amazing and beautiful girlfriend, Ellen will be flying in Friday night to support my team and I! After the event we are going to Disney World for a few days as my early birthday present to her!! Ellen has never been to Disney World before, so she has a whole new world ahead of her! haha  Hopefully it's nice and sunny one of the days so we can go to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach!

What a view to wake up too! This was taken at my cousin's house in Durham/Raleigh. Ellen and I had to make a trip to see their new house!

Now to the stream..I love streaming!! I'm going to be doing 1v1 marathons and 4v4 marathons with the community! Also, after all the people saying I should prove myself on Gamebattles..I'm going to start playing GB and make my way to the top of the ranks!

1v1 against Crimsix

Revolution vs. Infamous CTF Countdown

Update on myself and my stream!

I  just wanted to give everyone an update on what's been going on with me. I am currently in Austin, TX doing work for MLG and my sponsor the National Guard. Shibby and Proofy (COD Pro) are also here with me, we're working on making a video. I won't say much more then that but I'll let everyone know once it's all done so you guys can see all the hard work that was put into it! This was all so short notice that Ellen and I had to cut our vacation in Raleigh a day short. I'll be in Texas until late Saturday night, which brings me to my next point, my stream.

I am going to, once again postpone my stream launch date because MLG would like to be apart of it so I'm coordinating with them on making my stream a huge success. I'm sorry for continuing to postpone the date. I've been getting such a positive response from so many people that I want everyone to be involved. When I get back in town Saturday night, I'll be getting in touch with MLG and hopefully we'll get something going. I'll keep everyone updated with what's going on and when things should be up and running. Thanks for understanding everyone!