Hey guys, I'm Westy.
I've played this game for over 10 years--about half my life--and have loved every minute of it. Except T1-2P Nationals 2012. That was the worst. I grew up in MN and have bounced between the Austin and Rochester playgroups, helping lead them with my dad, and frequently visited the Arden Hills playgroup with Bill Voigt. I've always been a fairly competitive player, getting several high placings at States, Regionals, and Nationals.
In the Fall of 2012, I started school at Belmont University. It's honestly the best life change I've had happen to me, and I absolutely love it there. However, I was forced to take a semester off Fall 2013 because it's extremely expensive, and I'm responsible for paying for my own school. I was able to save up enough for the spring semester with some help from my family. I'm now living away from home in a house with a couple of my friends, and things are going great. However, it's financially not so great. It's extremely difficult to try to juggle paying for school and rent, utilities, gas, etc., as I'm sure many of you know.
Last week I was able to go see one of my good friends from back home get married. I had a wonderful time. I got to see my grandparents. Made some new friends. Danced with a girl. The only drawback is the trip cost about $800 when you break down tux rental, flight, and opportunity cost. Thankfully my family helped out some there as well. However, most of it was still on me, and it's left my bank account pretty dry. On top of that, it's almost August, and I have rent and tuition due, which will finish off my funds. Nationals would have been about a $400 trip, considering gas, food, and opportunity cost, and I just can't afford to lose that much money in a five day period right after taking a trip home. All that is assuming I can get in a carpool that's not too far away.
tl;dr as much as it breaks my heart to say it, I won't be attending Nationals.
Thankfully, I have awesome friends, and I've been able to see Olijar at various Pokemon tournaments, and even Chris was able to make it down to visit me. Townsend, I'll make it up to you somehow. Maybe drive up a weekend during the fall. We can go to Chick-Fil-A and call Olijar the OP. I hope to make it back for Christmas and perhaps see the Alstads, Voigts, Martin, and Nameless. RDT. Stop living in Wisconsin. Everybody else, I hope to see you at Nats 2015.
I'll probably post my deck in a week.
