Tails of a Ferret: From Jund to Square One

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OutspokenFerret

20 July 2014

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Hey guys and gals, being my insane self, and it being Pre-M15 Standard still, I am going to, instead of doing this set archetype, I'm going to put up a poll with a list of archetypes for you guys to choose from, and by next week, the archetype with the most votes will be our archetype until M15 rotates out. For this article however, instead of doing the usual discussion, I am going to detail Magic, as it pertains to me, and hopefully to help you improve both as a Magic Player, and to help find yourself :D.

Role Models, and Starting Magic

Everyone, at some point in their life, has a role model. Whether it be a celebrity, a close family member, or a parent, everyone usually has one. To me, that role model was my father. I emulated and revered my father, and he was the light of my day. We were so close to the point that we didn't call each other “Dad” or “Son”, we both referred to each other as “Buddy”. I forced him to make a pact with me, that if either of us were to die, that the other would follow them to Heaven, so that we didn't have to be separated or bored. Then, when I was 6 years old, Heroin stole my father from me. In the blink of an eye, my entire world was shattered. I even thought back to our pact, and hated myself for not being able to fulfill it, but also knowing that I had to be there, and that me joining my father, would do nothing but make my family and friends sad. But the void in my soul was quickly filled by a different person. My uncle, 7 years my senior, filled that void with comfort and support, as well as direction. It was my Uncle that taught of Magic, long before I could even understand it. And since then, I have been hooked, even through the breaks, It still remained very much so a part of my life.

The Worst 3 years of my Life and my Return to Magic

Around this time, I was only playing over the summer and had overall taken a break from MtG, and was busy enjoying life in the 5th grade. At that time I was headstrong, outgoing, and very energetic, along with friends who could last a lifetime. One of my friends specifically, was a bit different than most kids. He was short, squeaky, allergic to practically everything, and a diehard bookworm. So moving into Middle School, I still had the same friends. This turned out to be a death sentence, but one I would gladly endure again and again. My friend, being his quirky self, was quickly made the butt of all the jokes, and picked on by anyone who so pleased. This was unacceptable in my eyes, so I stood up for him at every chance I had. I, being nerdy, bigger, and still not the most socially skilled, quickly found that I threw myself to the bottom of the barrel with my friend. Ridicule itself, was burning at my self esteem, but quickly, words quickly turned to fists, and all my confidence collapsed. Other than with friends, and when standing up for them, I retreated to the confines of my mind, attempting to avoid any more cruelty. It didn't work, and I was miserable. I was in a cycle of 5 days of Hell, and 2 of Heaven. However, when my Stepfather went manic and began his rage, it quickly turned to 7 days of hell, and my only escape was a controller, a screen, and a microphone. Trapped in school, and trapped at home, I felt there was no escape but to fulfill the pact I had made with my Father. There is no other way to describe it other than this, an excerpt from a speech I have done on the topic.

To be the abused, feels like being in a locked room with thousands of doors. Each door has a peephole and a drop box. Behind each door is a person, each with a key to that door, people ranging from the abuser and the bystander, to the adult and a stranger who holds out their hand. The room however, is slowing filling with water, murky water that slowly covers peephole after peephole, barring that door. And as the water rises, the must smell of the water begins to infect your nostrils. And when the room is filled, and you breathe in the water, the murky water invades your lungs and fills you with all the hate, all the bad, and all the isolation. Each victim enters this room at some point, and each waits at the foot of each door, begging for the key to their salvation. I was there once, and there was one door, that was always ajar, that I almost missed. And of the person behind that door? It was my family. My mother, and her comfort and support, my brother and his simple smile, his total laughter, and his clicking tongue, a replacement for a name he can't say, because through his mental and physical impairments, he still found a way to say my name, and to hug as best he could, and to say how he felt, even if it was in his own unique way. If he could work so hard, just to say he cared, then I could stay strong, stand up, so I could be there when he needed me. No words, and no fists, could make me feel unwanted because I knew that someone, no, 2 people, wanted me, 2 people needed me. And so, I made it out. I am nothing but lucky. But each of you... each of you hold a key. Each of you can lift the person pleading at the doorstep, and offer them just a few moments of care. That few moments shows them that someone cares. It expunges the hate from their system, all the pain, the feelings of worthlessness, gone with just a helping hand and a few kind words.

Eventually however, we moved to a small town, and we went from an apartment, to 2 and a half Acres of land. And things finally turned back around in my first year of high school. I was at the library, reading a book, and I noticed at the table next to me, someone said "I'll tap 3 forests, and play...". Lights started to go off in my head, they were playing Magic! Despite my own sureness, it took me a good 5 minutes to work up the courage to ask them if they were playing Magic, a simple question, but I was still crippled from the 3 years of ridicule. So I was delighted when the answer was yes, and 10 times as delighted when after talking for a bit, they told me there was an entire school club, mostly devoted to Magic. And so, every day I could manage, I was at a table after school, playing Magic, and it was the first time in 3 years, I could say, I was truly happy.

My LGS, and Finding my Voice

So a few months had passed playing Magic, and I had just gotten a job. My first pay check, and it was thrown straight into the abyss that is MtG. I was super excited with all the money I had earned, and decided to spend it on my first ever "Competitive" magic event: The Avacyn Restored Pre Release. You must understand, the bulk of my cards, were from Onslaught, and a bit of more recent sets thrown here and there when I begged my Mom at Walmart. So when I came to the store, with all these cards that did all these cool things, I was blown away. The people there were so nice and welcoming, it kept me coming back the next week for the launch party, and then I learned about Standard, and built my first deck (Mono Green Stompies), It was the best. From then on, the money pit dug deeper, and the fun never stopped. Thanks to Don's Magic and Sundry, I was able to turn some cards back so I eased up on the wallet, and with such a nice, and for the most part new player friendly community, I was right where I needed to be. Huge shout out to Don, our TO, and his card shop aforementioned, also to the players there for being so accepting. Truly, with their help, Magic has helped me find my voice again. And with that voice, I bring you the articles I do.

How does this all relate to Magic?

Magic, besides being a role player in my life, is also, at it's very heart, an extension of yourself. You're style, is your own, and reflecting may help you find that style. Personally, I love the processes of control, but the paces of aggro, so my favorite style is Tempo. And with all my decisions in Magic, I am able to pat myself for what I've done right, and also use my mistakes, and attempt to learn from them, that is the best way to improve in Magic. Practice, and reflection. Use your voice, it's a gift. Don't always play what is best, play what you want to play, and you will succeed. You cannot progress as a player, if you are content standing still. So now when you see my name, you see the voice, and you see the personality. Thank you Magic, and I hope you enjoyed the lesson, and I apologize if you found it dry, don't worry, next week won't be a group therapy section.

So as promised:

http://strawpoll.me/2139634