Why I Chose To Leave - A Magic: The Gathering Memory

The word change has always been an important part of my life, from when I first read the novel Parable of the Sower in high school and Octavia Butler’s words rung in my mind as though a bell were struck: “All that you touch, you change. All that you change, changes you. The only lasting truth is change. God is change.”

At age 18 I boarded the greyhound bus from smokey hellhole that was my life, born and raised, in Los Angeles and traveled to Northern California to attend community college. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew that i wanted to do it far from LA. From there I transferred to San Francisco State University, and from there to Graduate School at the University of Arizona, and from there to teach English as a professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China where lived, with some transience to Wuhan and Nanjing for a total of 2 years before I had a longing to return home.

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[RhysticStudies]

thank you for the update prof. these personal peeks behind the scenes are so valuable.

[TolarianCommunityCollege]

There are forces in our lives out of our control, but that does not mean you have no control. Even when it feels as though the wheel has completely been ripped from your hands, in ways both big and small, you can still work towards steering the direction of your life.



Magic: The Gathering teaches us this. We cannot control what is in our opponent's hand, but we can both prepare for it through knowledge and anticipation. Maybe we can't stop our creatures from getting removed, or our spells countered, but as the game progresses we keep fighting and in the long run, and many games, when we look at the big picture, we see steady improvement. We get better.



I moved because this job is what I want to do, and I won't let forces outside my control take it away from me. I have so much more I want to do, and I hope very much you enjoy some of the new content that i have planned for the future.



To days to come.

[Insane-Howl-Cowl]

The headline had me worried, but this ended up being very inspirational. Thank you Professor for sharing your story and experiences. It inspired me, and I know will inspire others.

[maxwellmagiera]

Definitely read that title as "Why I Chose to Leave Magic"

[PixelTreeB]

Welcome to Oregon Professor! I hope it treats you well. Thank you for this video, it's always insightful to hear about others stories. It makes for a good experience and understanding to grow.

[justanormalcat]

Okay so this is what an English professor's essay looks like.

[daddytda]

I found this channel a few months while trying to get up to speed on Magic. Happy to say my daughter and I play regularly and this channel has been a constant source of helpful info.
Welcome to Oregon. Hope to see you in the Portland area!

[faby]

Professor, you nearly gave me a heart attack with that title. Keep doing what you do :D

[deankleinbooi]

This was beautiful. This video was something I really needed to hear. Thank you

[-matsu-]

Once a professor at career, always a teacher at heart. Thanks for the valuable words, prof. You are far more than worthy of all support you get from the community.

[MTGUnpacked]

Wow, never realized you moved, or that the old office was at the location of your old LGS! Good luck with the new move, and I hope you and your family continue to thrive😁

[docrobo]

Thanks for the wonderful words Prof! I have gone through many changes in the last decade and I resonate with your message of change. Best of opportunities on your new move Prof! May it lead you to new and great things in the future, and may you share more of what makes you passionate with us! Its moments like these that makes Tolarian Community College even more special and heart-warming.

[joeyholubek]

Prof you are one of my favorite people ever

[purpleshirteccentric]

Thank you, Professor. I found your words to be deeply moving, and exactly what I needed to hear today. Your channel has helped my brother and I come together and learn about Magic the Gathering. Your videos are always wonderfully researched and help me to understand strategies about the game, to play carefully, and enjoy myself more. I wasn't expecting an inspirational story, but as a small business owner who sometimes gets bogged down in my part time work, I welcome the push. I find it hard to get going sometimes, but it's messages like yours that remind me why I started in the first place: exploring unfamiliar territory, diving into the unknown, shedding the comforts of a sure thing, and learning all the while. You hit all the important points. I will continue to support your videos and your company. You do great work.

[gerudo]

Love you, Prof. I'm never going to turn off those notifications, because I'm always gonna enjoy these videos. Feel good videos like these warm my heart, and I'm so glad to still be watching all these years later. Never stop doing what you love.

[Link_]

I'm happy that you're happy, professor!! I'm so excited that you found a place that you're happy with, and I can't wait to see the future of you and your channel! Thanks for all you do for the community, Professor :D!!!

[Tsilly]

I always enjoy stories like these. Doesn't need to be a specific story really. Just memories of something. A story about something that had happened. They just kind of sit with you for a bit.

Edit: Not in a malicious way of course. I mean in a more "You're not alone, keep on thinking." kind of way.

[ericwaraujo]

I am very new to magic. Found your channel and love it.
Immigrant, after 9 years of living in LA, with wife and son born and raised in LA, I'd like to consider myself a bit of an Angelino too. I have family in NorCal and in Portland. We recently moved out of LA mostly for the same reason: wouldn't have a great future in such an expensive city.
Your channel is awesome! The dedication you all put into it comes across. Your integrity and intellectual honesty is an example not only to the Magic community but to all mankind.
Be well brother, you and your crew are highly appreciated! Thank you all for sharing your live with all of us!

[act]

Geez Prof... them clickbait almost gave me a heart attack.

[subjectivelymikey]

I'm fairly new to the college but have already learned so much about hobby and a community I love and it's all thanks to you. Congratulations on the move, can't wait to see what's next and thank you so very much for all of it! You may not think you've earned all the gratitude and support but you've certainly earned mine.