350z
[09] Warrior
Often, I usually apologize for a great wall of text. But not this time. Let me get to it:
As a public high school teacher in a major metropolitan area, I know what it’s like do something important yet which is often overlooked and underappreciated. I know I have made it a point to publically and personally thank Jaxel for every tournament at his home, but I want to take this opportunity to especially thank him and, more importantly, his mother for the many hours of enjoyment that I have experienced at the Axelrod home.
My first tournament at Jaxel’s was almost three years ago. I arrived at Jaxel’s house and rang the doorbell. I was more than a little uneasy because I couldn’t actually believe that there was going to be a real-live tournament in someone’s house, lol! Jaxel’s mother answered the door. And as poilitely as I could manage, I asked her if I was in the right place. She said yes and showed me to Jaxel’s room out by the garage, where I met Jaxel and played games with him and Kowtow. From that point forward, I made every Jaxel tournament for SC3 (and most for SC4), so I have quite a few memories that I am grateful for.
When first meeting Jaxel, I can understand how there are those who could consider Jaxel’s mannerisms difficult to handle. But I have to say that once those people look past that veneer, they would see Jaxel as a generous and committed person. I have witnessed his generosity and conviction to the SC community on too many occasions to mention. But just a few from my personal experience:
--I have seen Jaxel repair memory cards, computers, joysticks, game systems, and controllers for people—for free!
--He has offered professional expertise with software and hardware for all sorts of people—for free (or for such a nominal cost that it was an amazing bargain).
--He has provided help with networks and websites at a moment’s notice—for free.
--He has provided travelling players a place to stay in his very own home—for free.
-He has offered food and drink in his home—sometimes at a cost—often for free (except he will get mad if people drink too many of his Propels, lol).
--He has used personal financial resources and his very personal living space to create, organize, and execute tournaments. And while this may seem like a small thing, I want to remind people that Jaxel hated SC3 and didn’t even play it, yet he ran monthlies from his home and three successful majors from that home for a game that he couldn’t even stand to look at nonetheless play.
--He took many, many suggestions and sought additional help from many different people in the community about the creation, construction, and operation of 8wayrun; the very name itself comes from a player in the community. Hell, he even asked me things, and as long as the website was functional, I didn’t have too many things to add.
--He has used his valuable time to help create and maintain 8wayrun—for free.
The litany could extend itself, but I think I have made my point. Is Jaxel perfect? Well, anyone with half a brain should be able to recognize the answer and the purpose of that rhetorical question. But as a member of the SC community, I am glad to have him.
And, Jaxel, because I know what it’s like to be under appreciated and overlooked, I want make sure that you are not. Jaxel, I admire your generosity and commitment to the SC scene. I just wish I had the same as you. With the November tournament being the last tournament at your house, I want to say a special thank you for everything that you and your family has done to make gaming a pleasure. It should almost go without saying that without your home, things will be different, and the knee-jerk reaction is to proclaim doom and gloom for the future of the Kogarasumaru/Crooked Jester tournaments. But the one thing I have learned in these last three years is that, Jaxel, you are one resourceful person. I’m sure you already have something in place to keep the scene alive, and I hope that you can share this with you mother:
Mrs. Axelrod, I’m not sure that you remember me (as I’m sure it seems as though there is an endless parade of strangers in your home each month because of the large number of attendees to Jason’s tournaments), but I would like to express my eternal gratitude for extending to me your very beautiful home and astounding hospitality (I remember being in Jason’s room one Friday night in winter of ’08 and you and Karen gave us some designer cookies and sushi and other delicious foods to eat as a snack). Jason once told me that when you throw a party (or are responsible for being hostess) that you are the best and spare no expense at being the best. Unequivocally, I believe that. I want to tell you that from the time you led me to Jason’s room lo those three years ago, you have been the most gracious hostess both directly and indirectly for me and the entire East Coast SC scene, and my sincerest thanks and gratitude is what I want to share with you at this point for that. The monthly gatherings have come to mean so much to many of us, and the friendships and camaraderie that we have gained and shared in this time has been because of your generosity. I wanted to take this public forum and express that gratitude for all to see, as I’m sure that I am not alone with these sentiments. I wish you luck and success in all of your future endeavors, and, once more, thank you.
As a public high school teacher in a major metropolitan area, I know what it’s like do something important yet which is often overlooked and underappreciated. I know I have made it a point to publically and personally thank Jaxel for every tournament at his home, but I want to take this opportunity to especially thank him and, more importantly, his mother for the many hours of enjoyment that I have experienced at the Axelrod home.
My first tournament at Jaxel’s was almost three years ago. I arrived at Jaxel’s house and rang the doorbell. I was more than a little uneasy because I couldn’t actually believe that there was going to be a real-live tournament in someone’s house, lol! Jaxel’s mother answered the door. And as poilitely as I could manage, I asked her if I was in the right place. She said yes and showed me to Jaxel’s room out by the garage, where I met Jaxel and played games with him and Kowtow. From that point forward, I made every Jaxel tournament for SC3 (and most for SC4), so I have quite a few memories that I am grateful for.
When first meeting Jaxel, I can understand how there are those who could consider Jaxel’s mannerisms difficult to handle. But I have to say that once those people look past that veneer, they would see Jaxel as a generous and committed person. I have witnessed his generosity and conviction to the SC community on too many occasions to mention. But just a few from my personal experience:
--I have seen Jaxel repair memory cards, computers, joysticks, game systems, and controllers for people—for free!
--He has offered professional expertise with software and hardware for all sorts of people—for free (or for such a nominal cost that it was an amazing bargain).
--He has provided help with networks and websites at a moment’s notice—for free.
--He has provided travelling players a place to stay in his very own home—for free.
-He has offered food and drink in his home—sometimes at a cost—often for free (except he will get mad if people drink too many of his Propels, lol).
--He has used personal financial resources and his very personal living space to create, organize, and execute tournaments. And while this may seem like a small thing, I want to remind people that Jaxel hated SC3 and didn’t even play it, yet he ran monthlies from his home and three successful majors from that home for a game that he couldn’t even stand to look at nonetheless play.
--He took many, many suggestions and sought additional help from many different people in the community about the creation, construction, and operation of 8wayrun; the very name itself comes from a player in the community. Hell, he even asked me things, and as long as the website was functional, I didn’t have too many things to add.
--He has used his valuable time to help create and maintain 8wayrun—for free.
The litany could extend itself, but I think I have made my point. Is Jaxel perfect? Well, anyone with half a brain should be able to recognize the answer and the purpose of that rhetorical question. But as a member of the SC community, I am glad to have him.
And, Jaxel, because I know what it’s like to be under appreciated and overlooked, I want make sure that you are not. Jaxel, I admire your generosity and commitment to the SC scene. I just wish I had the same as you. With the November tournament being the last tournament at your house, I want to say a special thank you for everything that you and your family has done to make gaming a pleasure. It should almost go without saying that without your home, things will be different, and the knee-jerk reaction is to proclaim doom and gloom for the future of the Kogarasumaru/Crooked Jester tournaments. But the one thing I have learned in these last three years is that, Jaxel, you are one resourceful person. I’m sure you already have something in place to keep the scene alive, and I hope that you can share this with you mother:
Mrs. Axelrod, I’m not sure that you remember me (as I’m sure it seems as though there is an endless parade of strangers in your home each month because of the large number of attendees to Jason’s tournaments), but I would like to express my eternal gratitude for extending to me your very beautiful home and astounding hospitality (I remember being in Jason’s room one Friday night in winter of ’08 and you and Karen gave us some designer cookies and sushi and other delicious foods to eat as a snack). Jason once told me that when you throw a party (or are responsible for being hostess) that you are the best and spare no expense at being the best. Unequivocally, I believe that. I want to tell you that from the time you led me to Jason’s room lo those three years ago, you have been the most gracious hostess both directly and indirectly for me and the entire East Coast SC scene, and my sincerest thanks and gratitude is what I want to share with you at this point for that. The monthly gatherings have come to mean so much to many of us, and the friendships and camaraderie that we have gained and shared in this time has been because of your generosity. I wanted to take this public forum and express that gratitude for all to see, as I’m sure that I am not alone with these sentiments. I wish you luck and success in all of your future endeavors, and, once more, thank you.
