About a decade ago I started playing Counter Strike while in University.  I started playing in the “Cove” or whatever the UW arcade was called at that time.  I played CS, or at least started to, because I wanted to know what the buzz was all about.  The first experience was interesting.

I was able to get into the game very quickly but also developed motion sickness almost immediately.  Fighting through the sickness I managed to win a few rounds and was intrigued.  I went on to purchase an upgraded machine on which I could play CS and spent many nights becoming a proficient player.  Unfortunately I never made the jump to pro as I didn’t have the time to do so but was asked by several companies.  I don’t think it was my skill that made me an attractive add but my teamwork skills and my ability to manage a team while I was also playing.

CS isn’t simply about taking out your opponents but about working as a unit in order to protect each other as well as overpower your enemy.  If you see a unit isn’t throwing as many numbers at you as you should be seeing then it’s likely they’re flanking you and you need to counter it.  The ability to see the full picture and react meant that I survived just long enough and took out just enough people to tilt the battle in favour of the better players on my team.

Of course, those mad skillz were put to use when one of the greatest challenges of my life came along: