Mid January, my brother (24)and (21)I walked past a Barnes and Noble product stand. Like most SW related things, it something caught my eye.. There sat two beautiful beasts, The Ace TIE Interceptors in their mighty glory.. My brother, as always, called me over with what seemed to be a reasonably priced Star Wars collectible.. He hands me the box exclaiming "this game looks f****** awesome", having never played tabletop game I was elated to have a a new endeavor 
(cool ass thing that I could devote all my money and thoughts to 
) We left with ridiculously priced X-wing, tie-fighter, y-wing, and squint ace expansions.. But no core set as none were in driving distance..two weeks later the game arrives from FFG.
Here I am 4 months later...With my fleet swelling by the day..
In these few months, I've learned of past champions, current legends, amazing minds, artists, new friends and enemies. Ive left no Xwing battle report unwatched on YouTube, and may have a solid chunk of the 50k 2014 FFG Xwing Final. To imagine my two favorite things miraculously coming together in such force in Star Wars and hobbies!!
Now to the good part..
These past few weeks I've started playing vassal games by myself and getting a little more active on the forums listening to every podcast on the Holonet
The galaxies most fear battle droid, THEORIST JEFF was one of the few who took me in, walked me thru vassal, taught me strategies anf routes that Obi-Wan couldn't even predict.
Jeff, was a perfect example of the way I've been welcomed into this community and taught by some the greats, one could argue I'm simply a Padawan flying around the Galaxy...
Thank you Jeff !
And to the crazy part
Last night I had the privilige of battling with the original CHAMP ,The Hero of Hoth, Mr
Kinney himself. Which was anabsolutely great game and an even better show.. Watching the champ fly two "big rigs" (IGB-D) ,as he referred to them, cruise around with elegance was a sight to see.. I'd brought a new list Ive been working on in my Whisper buzzsaw, Vessary VI HLC, and an AP.. The CHAMP, didn't miss an arc, bump, and even had the most legendary attack dice I've seen to date.. Rolling 13 out of 16 hits on his first 4 attacks, one shotting my poor young imperial who just got into the academy and on his way around the Galaxy he bumps into an IG literally staring down his throat.. The rest of the game was a battle between Vessary and a 2 hulD and full ? The CHAMP finished me off an hour later with only two shields missing on B who was Harder to hit than a Randy Johnson
THANKS CHAMP
Now if only someone would call Paul!!! Haha
I can only hope my journey continues and leads to my teaching of the newbies to come!!!
Please email me if you want to play or are near the Pittsburgh, PA area and would like to get together with one of the groups here!!!
Thanks George
