Post by [beej] on Dec 23, 2015 0:24:09 GMT -5
Ltownbob
Induction by beej
It has been great seeing many deserving editors and board members finally take their rightful place in the MVZ HOF. However, in my opinion, we have saved the best for last.
Ltownbob is a name synonymous with greatness around these parts. When anyone brings up the greatest editors MVZ has spawned, ltownbob is always among those names. Just ask him, he'll tell you.
I'm going to spare everyone the details of his every video, every match, and every accomplishment. Truth is, if you've been around for any length of time, you've seen a video of his, and he's inspired you in some way. Heck, he was even pretty great from the get go. I remember doing a "Top 10 Best Video In MVZ History" back in 2009-2010 (around the 5th Year Anniversary), and Bob's first MVZ video made it on to the list. It was an accolade that he would revel in, in that Bob-esque obnoxious, braggadocios charm. Back in the heyday of Zone V, Bob would often do the show with us - and I'm quite sure it was to gloat. The funny thing is, no one could ever say anything against him. He earned that right, and everyone (reluctantly or not) agreed with his statements. The one show that comes to mind is the 2009 Year End Zonies show. It's really something to go back and listen to. Bob was a star, he knew it, and he would proceed to accept pretty much every award, whether or not we actually won it.
Bob was our second ever World Champion, dethroning the long-reigning Her69Eyes. There were only ever a handful of people to defeat Eric, and Bob did so fairly convincingly. It would also be remiss to not mention his rivalry with th3rd - both men are forever linked to one another. It was (and still is) MVZ's greatest rivalry, and spawned some of our greatest matches. It was a real life storyline so perfect, beginning with both men as one half of the first ever MVZ faction "The New Wave." For a time, it seemed all of The MV Zone fell into one team - Team Bob, or Team th3rd. I was a happy member of Bob's team.
I didn't always like Bob. When I was new, I found his confidence annoying. More than anything, I hated that he could absolutely back it up. The more I talked to him though, the more I grew to love him, and I credit Bob with my rise through the ranks and increase in editing skill. For some time, I was editing my videos solely for Bob's approval. It pushed me to become better, and overly observant about every little detail. Every editor should be so lucky to have that. That lead to our tag team, "Ltown[beej], The Mayors of Ltown". We only ever made one video, but six years later, we are still fondly remembered as a great team. However, I feel that one video, thanks to the obsessiveness of Bob and the same attention to detail that he instilled in me, is perhaps the most collaborative effort in the site's history. Most teams often break up a video half/half. Bob and I were in constant communication, each editing multiple smaller sections to tell two halfs of a greater story. This, of course, was Bob's idea.
Bob gets a lot of rightful praise for his editing prowess, but something most don't know is just how integral he was in the booking process. When I began running things at MVZ, Bob was the first person I would go to with ideas, card layouts, and booking plans. I could always count on an honest opinion from him. Bob was the architect behind the 5th Year Anniversary show. I had retired, forfeit the title, and was going to leave the site (at least for an extended period). Bob pitched the 5YA idea to me, complete with the 5 headlining matches already booked and approved by the editors involved. The idea was one last hurrah for MVZ, and this would be the final competition. The greatest competition. While the latter part obviously didn't happen, the 5YA did, and is still widely regarded as our greatest competition.
One other thing that always bugged me was his lack of credit for Project[Weezer]. Yes, the project idea and song came from HJASkater. Virtually everything else was Bob. To my recollection, Bob pieced the video together, was integral in guiding Harry along through the process, and edited some of the best sections to boot.
I know I'm barely scratching the surface here, but to go into everything would take far too long. Watch Bob's videos. If you're an editor here, you're 100% directly or indirectly influenced by Bob's videos. Some are posted below.
Alright, enough gushing. The fact of the matter is that Bob is great. Everything he's touched is great, and sure a lot of that is talent, but it's also hard work and a love of the craft and the site. Still to this day while editing a video, I think about what Bob would say about it. Some videos I know he would hate (which I take a pseudo-joy in). I respect Bob. I love Bob. Bob is my friend, and MVZ's greatest.
It brings me great pleasure to induct Ltownbob into his long-awaited, well deserved spot in The MV Zone Hall Of Fame.
Frrruuunnnnnkkkiiisss!