When I formed the StarCraft Union 2 years ago, I had no idea what it would grow to become. It, like almost every other union on GameSpot, has seen its ebbs and flows of activity, and one months-long stretch of dead inactivity that could have been the end of our union. The face of the community here has changed quite a bit, and I no longer have any of the four original charter members who helped me found the union. But the SCU has attracted other great users and SC fans on GameSpot, and I'm pretty happy with the team that we have here today.

It's been fun leading the union for these 2 years. I've enjoyed working on the union, spending time on the artwork, playing games on Battle.net... and yes, even the ridiculous randomness that I was forced to endure during my time here.

I am now a senior in high school, and I have become far too busy dealing with college apps and the trials of my final year. I had hoped that I would still have time for the unionwhen the year started a few weeks ago, but now things are ramping up and I realize I won't be able to lead the union.

As a member of the union from before the great dead period and a loyal officer since its rebirth about a year ago, ponic3 is my first choice as our new leader. I've already promoted him, and I hope you all support him as our new leader.

ponic -- Sorry for the lack of notice bud, I've been thinking about this for a while but the anniversary snuck up on me and I decided to do this now, along with it. I realize you're probably pretty busy now too, so if you want to pass on the torch to someone else that's completely alright with me. Who you choose as the next leader is up to you.

All crews, stay frosty,
--Blade

Blade, it's been a lot of fun, we enjoyed the same games, we had a great amount of laughs and not a single second went by that I didn't want to come here to see what was going on. You were funny, you were smart, I'm gonna miss you dude and I'm honoured you chose me for the union, my year doesn't start till sept 5th so I guess I'll see how all goes, I'm also gonna be a senior this year. But your butt better come here from time to time and come on MSN OK!

Blade, what a sad day it is, but this is life, people do come to crossroads in their life's and then have to make decisions that not only affect them but those around them as well, we will truly miss your visions for the Union, but I hope this is not permanent and you will stay as a member "please do not be the last founder to leave".

I do not know you personally but your choice do say a lot of who and what you are, I do respect your decision to put your studies ahead of all else, Man all the best to you !

Best Wishes and may your dreams come true.

Ponic3 all I have to say: "Captain oh my Captain".

Edited on Aug 30, 2008 2:06 am PT

Hey I just realized, worst case scenario we see you in the summer

@Anon I sure hope not, I think you and ponic can handle the union fine w/o me.

@ponic I know, I'm gonna miss this place too... gl with the union and also with your senior year too! I'll try to get on MSN once in a while. And I should be able to stop by at least during the summer, and possibly during winter break too.

Just a couple more pieces of advice/info I wanted to tell you... the photobucket account, it's yours now, just remember to never move/reorganize any pics already up there or the links will be broken. That empty avatar, it's a spacer I use sometimes cause the indents can be glitchy on GS. Ummm, what else... I'll dig up the link I originally got the moving avatars from so you can do any unit from SC whenever you want. And finally, you'll be allowed to join the Union Leader Council now, I'd take a look at that sometime.

@artanis It is! I can't wait to be out of here... I don't really have my full list yet, but for now there's Georgia Tech, University of South Carolina, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Duke. I figure that's a pretty decent spread of difficulties to start with.

@gpvs Thanks man! I'll definitely stay in the union, at least as a recruit if not an officer.

@itaichi/Lithix Same to you guys, it's been a pleasure.

Edited on Aug 30, 2008 9:22 pm PT Edited 2 total times.