In which the question of a sandwich is raised

Sadly, the Monticello tournament seems to be collapsing. Just not enough signups, and it’s pretty late in the game to expect much now. I can understand that this might be a trip for some NYC folks with limited budgets, but the region as a whole can travel to Timbuktu if they see a glittering TOC bid at the end of the rainbow, but to just get some good rounds for their younger kids? Not so much. I don’t expect anyone to just support a tournament because it’s there, that is, to support their region as they would like their region to support them. Debate altruism has gone the way of John Galt. As a rule, most people seem to be in it for themselves. But the benefits to themselves with a tournament for younger students are clear as day. How have we gone so bid mad that if there’s no bid, there’s no point to it? I guess at their schools, where 9^th grade classes are pretty bland and all the good stuff is in 11^th and 12^th grade, they don’t bother teaching anyone anything until they’re juniors. Apparently that’s the logic of the thing.

Go figure.

Meanwhile, things are starting to heat up for Rather Large Bronx. The freeze is Friday, but I don’t think all the schools really feel the cold yet. I can’t believe that LD will stay over 200. I also can’t believe the tsuris of assigning MJP judges with limited obligations to that many people. I hope Catholic Charlie has his pencil sharpened. The good news with limited obs is that most people do not, in fact, limit all that much. The biggest problem is not burning commitments in the presets, especially round 1 when the premium is on just getting the thing out there.

The Bronx folks have been pretty good about hiring judges, at least. We seem to have some good depth in LD, and a goodly number. What I want to see on tournament Sunday is pure one-ness all the way down the schems. Wouldn’t that be nice?

The biggest question surrounding the tournament at this point is whether or not my carload of me, Kaz and Catholic Charlie will provide the Paginator with a sandwich. Last year his moan of “Where’s my sandwich?” was so pitiful that we almost ended the tournament before it started because it seemed just wrong to go forward. Of course, it’s not like he couldn’t have gotten his own sandwich. I’m pretty certain they sell them in New Jersey somewhere. But his expectation that one would be forthcoming from us?

Go figure. Again.