Subject: The Call to Action:The Barclay Rules Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 15:59:21 PDT From: "Aaron Souders" To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com Well, folks. Being the "rogue" level III that I am, I felt like I had to speak up on this Barclay thing and everything. Paul, every reason you had cited for resigning is correct. But, then again, why did you resign? Just do what I do. Tell WotC to bite it. The sorry state of affairs that is Wizards of the Coast (as if I haven't mentioned this before), is starting a downward spiral that very well might create a grand disaster, if they don't stop the spinning. When I became a judge, it was a very simple proposition comprised of three things. Cash, money, and babes. Well, I guess the babes come later. I'm still waitin'. ;-) Anyway, I can't speak for anyone else, but who in the bloody hell wants to put up with the temperment of a hundred or so magic players every weekend for the hell of it? Because you like the game? Good god. Something that always boggled my mind about Magic & judges was how we convinced Level I's & II's to ever work a tournament! When I first got my Level III cert. around a year & a half or so ago, I actually quit playing for about 5-6 months. Half because I was burnt out, and half because I thought my efforts in judging might be more profitable. Boy, was that an incorrect statement. A few of you caught me wandering around Nationals judging the Rochesters Day 1. (especially Chapin givin' me shit through the whole draft, that loveable imp. Snoogins) And if any of you were there, you remember how mentally exhausting each of those drafts were. (WotC really needs to learn how to monitor drafts on a 1 on 1 basis. NY & Germany were prime examples. Stopping every other card because one person in a room of a hundred plus screwed up is not beneficial to the populous within) After the six rounds of swiss that somehow lasted 13 hours (damn I love WotC), I was kind a tired, and went to adjourn to the room. Before I left, I had one lingering idea in my head. Wonder what I'm getting for this? So, I approached Tara politely, and lightly asked (it's not nice to demand money), and she just looked at me with a confused look, and told me this was volunteer, even though on the phone a month or so ago, I was led to believe otherwise. Even if it wasn't greenbacks, something would have been appropriate, and I just looked at her for a few seconds, waiting for the punchline of this joke, but, alas, it never came. She then asked me what time I was going to be there to judge the Type II portion the next day, and I just looked at her funny and asked why should I come? I went the next day, played in side tournies, and had fun. Moral of the story folks; no pay, go play. Ever since that point, I've been playing again, conviently forgetting that I am a Level III, for the simple fact that there is no benefit to judging, especially on the Pro Tour Level. Living 1/2hr. away from Navy Pier, I went to PT Chicago, even though I wasn't qualified, and didn't judge a damn thing. Just had fun. And Level 3's around the world, band with Paul on this. Pro Tour will collapse on it's one leg if the judges decide to up and play. I'm not saying, go and qualify. (it is a rather difficult thing 2 do) I'm saying, go to the next Pro Tour. Go to Origins. But don't judge. Rub it in Wizard's face. If they ask why you're not judging, ask them why they aren't paying. Newsflash folks, Lincoln freed the slaves, go play Settlers of Catan. I guarentee, if enough of us do this, and Nationals is left up to the good folks at WotC, they'll make sure we get paid for Worlds and the Pro Tour. It's funny that WotC can shell out $150 grand to the players, but can't toss out some green to the judges, who the players whine and complain to every round by the dozen. If anybody would enjoy watching WotC squirm, it's me. So join me in the "1998 Level 3 Call To Action" folks. Show up to Origins, and play in tournies. If they ask if you're a judge, ask them if they're an employer. I do think we should make just a little more than the folks who make my sandwich at Subway. Shazam. Aaron "Shazam!" Souders -Atlanta Pro Tour Juniors Champion -DCI Certified Level III Judge -Certifiable Master of Ser-VICE! "Block! Shoot You! Fantastic!!" -Matt Barnett, Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It- ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com