Sleep Easy Smogon

Dear Smogon,

Well, I guess it is that time. I'm not a great writer so don't expect anything special, but my time here on Smogon is over. I feel like I have done everything I always wanted besides win a trophy. I know if I tell myself I won't quit until I win a trophy I'll be stuck here for a long time, so I think its time to call it quits. Pokemon has become more of a burden, a chore, and a curse, than it is fun. Pokemon sucks. It is such a bad game. I always told myself I need to leave my footprint on Smogon, but the revival of Smogon VGC makes me happy enough.

I have no idea why I'm even still here. I used to get bullied online everyday, back when I played during DPP (5-6 years ago), all I remember was getting bullied, for some reason I stuck it out for a few years, then came back for the end of BW (2 years ago). I got to play in World Cup for Benelux, then I was picked up midseason by Wolfpack in Smogon Premier League, then World Cup for Metro, and picked up midseason for Sharks in the past SPL. I wish I could have started a whole season of SPL, but that motivation is so shot. Glad I at least went 6-0 in DPL, still undefeated in LCPL, and 6-1 in POCL, even though they are not "official" tours people on Smogon judge way too much about this. Many people are not given the opportunity to prove themselves in "official" tours, so they use what they have to speak toward their skill. There are a lot of great players out there that have not been given their chance yet. Many people on Smogon are also so quick to shift their opinions. Bloo, one of the most respected people on Smogon, gets judged by literally the entire website after being nothing but an awesome TD for years because of this Style thing. It is shallow and it is not something I want to be apart of anymore.

Do I believe I have a shot in Grand Slam? Yes, probably. Do I want to help Metro this year? Yeah, why not. But that is the mentality that traps me here. I cannot study for a test for an hour without checking Smogon, I check tour results when I'm out to dinner. Hell, I've even played tour games on my phone at a bar, and on my phone at family dinner. I've literally become addicted to this game, and it has started to control to much of my life. Pokemon is interfering with all the hopes and aspirations I have.
I am happy I got to meet some really cool guys, some guys who I know changed my life for the better. Adam, Ken, Michael and Loukianos the most, and Max. Rajan got me drafted to SPL twice. 7 years ago when I was a kid cyber bullied in the PWBA and Regileague XAT chats I would have never imagined I would become a moderator and site staff on Smogon. I was the most disliked person on Smogon for so long, and a lot of people still resent me, but look at what I did. I think I've finally shown that I'm as good as I always said I was. The Smogon Tournaments leaderboard supports me, did well in SPL in tiers I never played, and I am going to qualify for the Smogon Tour playoffs.

Someone told me when I leave not to burn bridges so I won't shout anyone out for being a jerk, but special shout outs to my boys Somalia and Xtra, I've known you guys since I was 12, holla. I wish I didn't sign up for OU Premier League, but I'll finish what I started. Same with Smogon Tour, this will be my Swan Song. Sleep easy Smogon, I am finally free.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

- Chase