Today was the latest in a long string of days where getting out of bed didn't seem like it would make much of a difference in how my day went. When you graduate college and quit your "i'm just doing this to pay for college" job, there's nothing holding you back but your self - or, to be more accurate, your depression, or whatever. I'll figure it out. The point is, I didn't feel much like getting up today. Then, I saw Patrick's tweet about playing Mario Maker. Catching a Patrick stream or video in the morning - whether it's Bombin the AM, Three Beers Deep (where he once gave an awesome answer to my question about post-graduation life), etc - is usually a surefire way to get me movin. I literally leapt out of bed, turned on my computer, and started watching. I came in when someone in the chat suggested a level their nine year old son made (they might have a future in game design, by the way), and was popping in and out as I started my day.Then, I came back, and Patrick had started a maniacal wall-jumping based level that looked to test his skills and patience.

Patrick, like a lot of my friends who play, are great at getting into games like Spelunky and Dark Souls that ask for your patience while you learn their systems, their tricks, and eventually, their triumphs. I am...less great. I like a good bit of tactical strategy, have no problems with escapist fun, but I'm usually in it for the lore, the immersion, the role playing. It's easier for me to invest in stories than it is skill. Some couch competitive games definitely grab me - Samurai Gunn, Nidhogg, Money Idol Exchange. You know, the Big Three. But as much as I want to experience the worlds of Souls games, I quit before I even start because I know it's inevitable. The god damn point is, I would have given up on this level.

But Scoops refused to give up. He realized the butt stomp could get him through a tricky spot. He kept going. He found the next trouble area - the chat declared this level his Everest. One guy insisted the level was easy and flipped out when Patrick goofed on that. The music bore into our brains, he began to slip on early parts that once came easy, but Mario kept running back in for more. I was invested. And the thought crept in my head - what if he doesn't make it? Then I had to answer a quick phone call, and when I came back, he had realized he needed to return to the patented butt stomp technique. It all happened so fast. He made the jump. He cleared the koopa, hopped three musical blocks, and he reached the end. The jubilation you hear as Scoops cheers and begins chanting "Butt Stomps" needs to be experienced firsthand. Patrick thanked the chat, left an inspirational message, and asked for suggestions for us to play, together.

What I'm saying is, if you've got giving up on the mind, remember the butt stomps. Remember that Scoops has let nothing beat him - Spelunky, Dark Souls, and all these insane Mario Maker levels. Remember that if you strive to create joyful things, people will support you. Most of all, remember this, carved by Patrick Klepek on the peak of his success -

"this is my everast and i did it bury me with me money"

I think I'm gonna go get some work done. Then, I just might boot up Dark Souls.