Getting this of my chest.
With 2009 coming to an end I figure I would address a topic that changed my life forever. I haven’t spoken about this issue with very many people outside of my close circle of personal friends but I figure I would share my story to continue the healing process and to help others learn from my mistake.
What I did:
In June of this year I used a gay slur to describe a popular gaming website. Several prominent game industry websites picked up on the story and it outraged many of my colleagues in the industry.
The aftermath:
I felt the gravity of the situation when I found out some friends and coworkers that I personally know and love were hurt by what I said. Not only did I embarrass myself but I made the entire game industry look bad by showing how immature I was.
My mom found out and called me on the phone crying about how I could do something so stupid. It was a terrible feeling, have you ever had a parent tell you they were disappointed at something you did? It’s hard to explain but after this call I had a feeling of dread that I never had before. She was totally right. Looking back on what I said it was just mind-bogglingly stupid. With that said, it was not the first time I used a gay slur, which brings me to my next point…
How I’ve changed:
In the month following the situation I knew I had to make a change. After I left my place of employment I started going through my past ramblings on twitter and other various blogs and I realized I came off as a very negative and angry person. In real life I don’t feel that I am that way so I used this whole ugly event as a chance to reinvent myself as a more positive person. I look at it as a life lesson. I never gave slurs the gravity they should have.
Now that I’ve had a few months to think about what I said, I can honestly look in the mirror and say that I am a better person. I’ve changed my outlook on life and reinvented myself mentally and now think critically about what I say online and in real life.
Looking ahead:
I am truly sorry about what I said. No matter how angry I was, that kind of language should never be used. It was unacceptable and it is something that I will regret forever. Everyone has made mistakes in their lives, and everyone has said things they wish they could take back. I hope that everyone else will use this to learn from my mistakes.
To everyone I offended, all my former and current co-workers, my colleges in the game industry, my friends, and my family, I hope that you will all forgive me.
Thanks, and happy New Year
-Guy Selga Jr
Guy Selga around the web
I’m all over the place. Sharing my personal experiances and reconnecting with people in my life gives me that warm fuzzy feeling. Give me an add on your favorite social networking site of choice.
http://www.myspace.com/guyselga
http://www.facebook.com/gselga (be sure to add me and not my dad)
Dance Dance Revolution article from 1999 Entertainment Weekly.
I clipped this article back in 1999 when DDR was still an unknown arcade game that had just been released 6 months earlier. This was when DDR still had a strange mystique to it and very few people were willing to try it because it was so different. I like how the article says it COULD be bigger than the Macarena, which at this point I think it is. It also mentions a few music videos that DDR has appeared in like “Five Fathoms” by Everything but the Girl. Besides being a pretty good song and music video, “Five Fathoms” also features shots of the other grand daddy of music games, Beatmania.
Everything but the Girl – Five Fathoms music video on YouTube.
Remembering Andy Tang
Three years ago today, my friend Andy Tang passed away. My group of friends is very close-knit and the loss of one of our brothers at an early age is shocking still to this day. Rest peacefully, Andy.
This was the last time I saw Andy before he passed. RIP.
The return of Captain EO
The fantastic Disney news blog “Disney and more” is reporting that an official announcement about the return of Captain EO is on the way.
According to the Hollywood Reporter – and to my sources, too! – Captain Eo should come back at Disneyland next January. Apparently the huge success of the “this is it” documentary – 220 Milion $ worldwide in two weeks had some effects on the WDC.
[Source]
As a kid growing up in the 80′s that took weekly trips to Disneyland this was, hands down, my favorite thing to do at the park. Sometimes I would watch it multiple times a trip. I can’t wait!
Update: Hollywood Reporter is also reporting that Disney is thinking about doing a red carpet premier for the return of EO.
[Source: Hollywood Reporter]
When I grow up I want to be a Monorail
Q: Is there anything on this planet cooler than the Monorail?
A: No there is not.
The Monorail is the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life. Whenever I go to Disneyland and happen to see the Monorail glide by I am frozen in my tracks and all the thoughts in my head cease as I gaze at that beauty.
‘This Is It’ makes $103.9 million in 5 days
It raked in $23.2 million on approximately 5,500 screens at 3,481 sites, ranking as the fourth highest-grossing Halloween debut on record, and has grossed $34.4 million in five and a half days. Add in foreign grosses of $69.5 million from 98 countries, and This Is It’s five-day worldwide haul was $103.9 million, which exceeded the lifetime tally of the Hannah Montana concert.
That is pretty amazing for a film that has MJ giving about 20% effort through most of the songs. It was still a great movie, I am a massive fan of Michael and I enjoyed it. It was great seeing it in a theater full of other fans. Oh and speaking of movies, I saw Paranormal Activity over the weekend. Just as I thought it ended up being an over-hyped turd.
Pictures and video from the Lakers Home Opener
Ray and I were lucky enough to attend 5 playoff games last year including game 1 of the finals. The fact that they unveiled the new championship banner made this a must-attend game for us.
Reebok celebrates 20 years of PUMP
This makes me fell old but I had to post this because who didn’t have a pair of Reebok PUMPs back in the day. Back in elementary school I thought it was so cool with these shoes. I think I was 8 years old when I had them. This was when I thought if I had the right shoes I could make it to the NBA. It didnt take me long to realize that suck at basketball all sports, and I should leave it to the pros.
Starting over
Do not to take advantage of your blessings – Respect others – Admit that you have done wrong and then do your best to fix it – Take pride in what you do – Make the best of what you have -Think before you speak – Always represent your hometown – Never forget your friends and family
{Guy Selga on Flickr}
