In which the weekend is looking fine

Coming up is Columbia, the Gem of Harlem. What a long strange trip it's been.

To begin with, the team told us that they weren't getting their usual rooms. The Gem has been notorious for getting rooms at the last minute over the years, but this time that wasn't the case. No rooms at the inn, period. After much discussion, we all agreed that the best thing to do was eliminate the IE events. This was a major deal. After all, the tournament has for years acted as an easily accessible Big League event for the locals. It was like flying to a tournament without having to get on an airplane. So much for that. Fortunately, Ridge is holding its annual one-day speech contest that day, so for those willing to trek out to the wilds of New Jersey, all was not lost, at least on the contender side. On the Columbia side, it was a big deal. Colleges around here conduct their tournaments usually as fund-raisers for their own teams (except for Penn, which contributes their earnings to local school forensics programs). I see our role in this, i.e., the Traveling Tab Room's, as moderators to keep them honest, making sure that their tournaments are value for the money. After all, those who have been reading this blog for a while know that I would never choose a college tournament over a high school tournament back when I was coaching. One must have one's priorities straight. College tournaments aren't intrinsically evil, but head-to-head against a high school tournament, you've got to be kidding. I know that everyone doesn't feel this way, but that's because they're wrong and I'm right. But the VCA is well aware of that, as it applies to, well, everything.

Meanwhile, we narrowed the Gem down to PF, LD and Congress. The numbers are good, and in the debate events, eminently bid-worthy. I will admit that I still don't have all the rooms, but they've been promised to arrive tomorrow. Catholic Charlie and I will be doing the honors in person, with Marty Meat handling Congress from afar. (Which reminds me: I need to remind Marty Meat that he's handling Congress from afar.) Kaz, our usual co-conspirator, will be braving the elements down in Georgia.

So, for the most part, all systems are go. The weather should be okay, and we'll be on our way. I'll let you know how it works out.