I’ve never written a post-gdq pastebin but I’d like to give it a try!

I still feel very new to GDQ, since SGDQ 2018 was my first. I like to think I’ve been able to get the most I can out of the experience though, despite the week feeling so short and with there being so much to do.

I was very hesitant to go to awesome games this year, because I haven’t been streaming on twitch at all in the past six months, and because I lost touch with most of my online friends. But the love and support from everyone washed away any insecurities I was having. I think Phil put it best when he tweeted that GDQ is a 2000 person sleepover with friends and video games. I never feel more like myself than when I’m at GDQ. I truly feel that these events are something special and important for those of us who feel like we can’t properly express ourselves IRL.

Since I’m such an extrovert, it should come as no surprise that GDQ is more of a social event for me than it might be for others. I spent most of my time running around, taking pictures, and trying to meet as many new people in as many communities as I could. I plan to do even more of that at summer games. With that in mind, I’d like to say that, personally, if you’re on the fence about GDQ, I recommend summer games over awesome games just for the fact that it is a smaller event, so it’s more intimate, the hotel is way better, and it’s summer, so there is more shit do do outside without being bundled up against the wind. But don’t let these thoughts detract from the fact that you’ll be seeing me at as many GDQ events as I can possibly go to from now on.

I know I’ve already gone on quite a bit here, but I’d also like to shout out some specific people that make these events truly spectacular for me. There is no way I could shout out everyone, so I’m sorry if I miss you! That doesn’t mean I don’t love you.

First off, Greg, Cris, Kyle, and Alex. I literally would not have been able to make it to any GDQ event without their support. These men made me feel loved, respected, and wanted, they made me feel like I actually belonged there, and they helped me do it. Not for their own personal gain, either, just because they are good people. Anyone who knows these four can attest to their character.

BIG shoutouts to my roommates— Jessi, Ryan, and Kyle. Didn’t know them well at all and they welcomed me into their room and quickly became some great friends. They also put up with me stumbling in to go to sleep after the sun had come up.

Everyone in the OoT community. Every single person who runs this game has shown me unfaltering love, support, and kindness- especially despite the fact that I run a meme category and I’m not even that good at it. These people welcome any skill level with open arms and are always available to help me succeed. Special shoutouts to RG, KB, Fig and Ure, Slang, Psymarth, Zelly, pit, torje, litty, Mari, Tara, spiff, jangles, and many many others I’m sure I’m forgetting in the moment.

3D boys, MM, and SM64 boys for allowing me to barge into your safe spaces even though I don’t run your games. Notably, THP & Montse for being my mom and dad, zachypoo, simply (husband) puncay, cheese, Copitz, Pax and Sausage for also being mom and dad, Carlos, Zayloo

Random shoutouts to some of y’all who are just especially nice and warm to me for no good reason- pickles, Becca, georges, Knox, handrew, BOBBY CRUZ, woofer, Brian, Helen, pac, Sam, Krissy, jeff, Max, Kendall, Taylor, Mike

Honorable mentions to people who couldn’t make it but who I especially wanted to see:

Pheenoh, heyerin, Venmissa, Lauren, pig, Raffi, Matteo, Cristin, dazrin, Karners

Shoutout to Megan

Shoutout to the PlayStation nation for allowing a filthy casual like me to partiicipate in your tournaments and for just generally being incredibly fun and welcoming. Especially Faust, dragon force, and paunchy.