So, my time as /d/ manager finally comes to an end. When I joined the /d/ management in Spring 2014, my goal never was for /d/ to win an Elite cup, to be recognized as one of the best teams, none of that. I joined /d/ right as we fell rock bottom and lost 6-2 to /tg/. My goal always was to bring the hype back to /d/, make the /d/ fans proud of their team again, and bring new faces and new reps that would represent the board a lot better.

I think I succeeded. It took me two tries and a year of suffering, but /d/ finally made it back to an elite cup after 2 years, and even matched its best result in a babby. Anything that came afterwards was just a bonus, and to be perfectly honest, I never expected to do well in Summer. I feared that /d/ was most likely going to get bopped and when I saw the other teams in my group my fears pretty much came true.

I am retiring because I am simply not going to have sufficient time to manage efficiently, and I certainly don’t want to hog a manager spot that could be put to good use. I am confident in DrDtroit’s abilities (even if he isn’t) and I know he’ll be able to get help if he needs any. The only situation where I would return is if /d/ went back to the situation they were when I joined, or if DrD leaves and nobody is there to pick the team back up (which I’m actually certain will not happen).

Another reason why I am choosing to retire is to focus on making content for the cup. I will pick up the massive amount of slack I have when it comes to highlight videos, as well as make promos for /d/, maybe work with some of the other content creating people, see if I can make myself useful. I'll also still be on for commentary and Pardon the Autism.

Finally, I find that it is for the best that I leave because I feel that I am hurting /d/ in a different way. Especially lately it's become prominent that the team has been on many people's hate list and I know that I am the primary reason why. A really easy solution to fix that would be to change my ways, but I feel that people enjoy the trashtalking in a way, it does bring hype, it puts some stakes at the end of what would be a regular, non interesting matchup and I like to think that my opponent will bring their best in order to shut me up (which has worked incredibly well lately). The other easy solution is to dissociate myself from the team.

So, what can I say about my run as a manager? I try to only remember the good times, but it’s mostly bad times, honestly. I have to put the blame on me for doing so much trashtalking, but some people really took it personally and I thought it was quite a shame. Being a dick to people never was my intention in the first place. I’ve been called AB/sp/, AB/lit/, AB/c/, AB/a/ (the team I originally rooted for when I got introduced to the cup), and many more. I am none of these things. I don’t care about any team that isn’t /d/ and I’ve always seriously claimed this. Yes, even /t/. I don’t care about what happens to /t/.

The whole Saltyhexane meme grew annoying about 2 seconds after having been introduced. Once again, I have no one to blame other than myself for that. I really did try to improve on everything that people called me out for (talking about /d/ during matches while commentary, complaining about being unlucky, etc) except for maybe the trashtalking, but once again, I didn’t expect people to take me at face value. I’m genuinely sorry if you thought I had something personal against you or your team, cause I don’t.

I guess since I’m retiring I get to give some shoutouts to people and stuff. Cleaning out my closet, so to say.

Shout out to DrDtroit, my co-manager. Thanks for the time on /d/, you were really helpful in many ways and I feel pretty bad for treating you like shit most of the time, cause you deserve better even though you probably don’t agree. Learn to convert your sadness into anger, because anger isn’t necessarily a bad emotion, it’ll make you more motivated and more dedicated. Good luck with the team buddy, I know you’ll do well. Sorry for the shit Summer run. It should've been better, we both know it should have, but PES works in mysterious ways. Maybe one day we'll actually get lucky with goalkeeping, and then nobody will be able to stop /d/.

Shout out to /ag/ in general: You’re still not getting rid of me.

Shout out to Chance and Guar/d/iola: Thanks for being harsh at the right times to motivate me to do better. It worked. Mostly.

Shout out to Autocrat: I honestly think you’ll eventually win it all with /lit/, maybe not this cup though. Good luck in the future.

Shout out to Antacid: You’re one of the nicest guys I met in the cup and your team is really cool too. I’m sure your IRL situation will sort itself out.

Shout out to San Marino, HT, Mack and Norml: I’m not sure what to say to you four. I’m not as bad as you think, I guess. I’ll work on not being as annoying as you think I am.

Shout out to Ducky: Doing PtA with you is super fun and I’m pretty sure I’m going to keep doing it. You’re really cool to talk to as well.

Shout out to Boris: Managing /lolg/ was super fun and I’ll gladly do it again for next /vg/ League.

Shout out to Smugleaf: Thanks for working hard to provide /d/ with some really cool blenders.

Shout out to Pybro: Your team’s pretty cool.

Shout out to amis: I don’t actually have an opinion on CS:GO. I have a good opinion of /s/ and you. Go grab that title.

And finally a shout out to the /d/ fans that supported me after the disappointing Autumn run and cheered with me after Spring. You guys were the reason I tested until ungodly hours of the night, getting furious at PES. You guys were my reason to stay after I failed in Autumn. You guys were my motivation to do better in Spring. You guys are amazing fans and I’m really honored I got to manage this team. Be proud of your board, cause it is a really good board. Sorry that I let you down.

That’s it for me. Time to catch up with the highlight vids, and then who knows what.

Trip will be made public after the /mlp/ game.