2008 Summer Nationals

[notalent]

Did I ever lost it?

Back in 2005

[fdad]

Quite a few of the New Jersey and Long Island fencers fence at NYC clubs, so your sorting doesn't give you all the info.

There are also a lot of fencers from Westchester/Rockland and Connecticut, and at least one from Illinois fencing at NYC Clubs.

[fatfencer]

TSA does know what CPAP machines are. You will have to remove it from it's case and they will test for explosives.

If you are as lucky as I was, this will be done by an Arab-American TSA agent who will be talking to his fellow Arabic-American TSA agent in Arabic.

Irony is only fun when it happens to other people.

My wife and I went to Nogales to get some dental work done. A whole exodus of Mexicans just walked right thru the border merely waving some small, easily forged piece of **** ID.

Sgt Lupe Ramirez(or whatever his name was)...He gets to me and suddenly I get the verbal equivalent of a BCS. He starts typing in the system, asking me questions like so when did you EMigrate here...with the emphasis on the EM... all the while looking rather frustratedly at my D

rivers License.

I replied: From Wisconsin??? And you?? You must be Canadian eh?

He proceeded to take his sweet time asking me questions about who our President was (I replied Damian Thorn, the AntiChrist... you know him as Dubya), etc.

When he got to the 'National Anthem' Question there was a line of people backed up. I was really pissed then. He actually asked me who wrote our National Anthem and what the name was. I asked him if he was looking for pointers for his Citizenship test.

He got really mad and asked for backup at that point. So his supervisor came over and basically told me to comply. At that point I said fine as long as he can tell me how many verses there are.

Sgt Lupe said 'One verse'. Ouch... At that point I accused him of being an illegal and they sent me on my way. I'm really sad I didn't get to recite them.

It should be a criminal offense to not know all the verses of one's National Anthem. Sadly, I'm the ONLY person I've ever met who actually knows all 4 verses, except the kids I grew up with. I had a very patriotic choir director growing up and she very rightly made us recite it. Mrs Oberg, I thank you.
Also I should thank her for being the first Christian in my life who made it a point to ask me to read the bible. Up until then most of them just assumed we'd read it. Silly adults. Sometimes you have to request it. 'Cover to Cover' she said...

The border patrol is the largest repository of ****tards. It's like the mafia presiding over its own criminal trials. Pasa-le indeed!!!

Usually I get thru ok... its when I have a reddish blackbeard/goatee that they get really confused. Asian Eyes, Danish German Beard...must be confusing.



Meanwhile my gal, who is the whitest person ever just stands off to the side laughing her ass off. She routinely gets calls from Crayola to model her whiteness... a dry erase board looks tan compared to her.

Sometimes I get harassed by this one guy who looks like Thor Thorsson or something like that. 6'6'' 240 LBS. Blonde flowing locks, blue eyes. Bigg dude. He starts giving me the runaround...'Dude... I'm from Wisconsin... I was a cheesehead. Used to drink Leinie's from my gal's breasts. Shes from Chippewa Falls, WI.!!!!

By then hes got a big grin. He's from Milwaukee.

Fatfencer

PS: I have a perfectly valid drivers license.

[Soberin]

My wife and I went to Nogales to get some dental work done. A whole exodus of Mexicans just walked right thru the border merely waving some small, easily forged piece of **** ID.

Sgt Lupe Ramirez(or whatever his name was)...He gets to me and suddenly I get the verbal equivalent of a BCS. He starts typing in the system, asking me questions like so when did you EMigrate here...with the emphasis on the EM... all the while looking rather frustratedly at my D

rivers License.

I replied: From Wisconsin??? And you?? You must be Canadian eh?

He proceeded to take his sweet time asking me questions about who our President was (I replied Damian Thorn, the AntiChrist... you know him as Dubya), etc.

When he got to the 'National Anthem' Question there was a line of people backed up. I was really pissed then. He actually asked me who wrote our National Anthem and what the name was. I asked him if he was looking for pointers for his Citizenship test.

He got really mad and asked for backup at that point. So his supervisor came over and basically told me to comply. At that point I said fine as long as he can tell me how many verses there are.

Sgt Lupe said 'One verse'. Ouch... At that point I accused him of being an illegal and they sent me on my way. I'm really sad I didn't get to recite them.

It should be a criminal offense to not know all the verses of one's National Anthem. Sadly, I'm the ONLY person I've ever met who actually knows all 4 verses, except the kids I grew up with. I had a very patriotic choir director growing up and she very rightly made us recite it. Mrs Oberg, I thank you.
Also I should thank her for being the first Christian in my life who made it a point to ask me to read the bible. Up until then most of them just assumed we'd read it. Silly adults. Sometimes you have to request it. 'Cover to Cover' she said...

The border patrol is the largest repository of ****tards. It's like the mafia presiding over its own criminal trials. Pasa-le indeed!!!

Usually I get thru ok... its when I have a reddish blackbeard/goatee that they get really confused. Asian Eyes, Danish German Beard...must be confusing.



Meanwhile my gal, who is the whitest person ever just stands off to the side laughing her ass off. She routinely gets calls from Crayola to model her whiteness... a dry erase board looks tan compared to her.

Sometimes I get harassed by this one guy who looks like Thor Thorsson or something like that. 6'6'' 240 LBS. Blonde flowing locks, blue eyes. Bigg dude. He starts giving me the runaround...'Dude... I'm from Wisconsin... I was a cheesehead. Used to drink Leinie's from my gal's breasts. Shes from Chippewa Falls, WI.!!!!

By then hes got a big grin. He's from Milwaukee.

Fatfencer

PS: I have a perfectly valid drivers license.

Well done. I always enjoy when someone does a bit of James Crumley.

[Inquartata]

The border patrol is the largest repository of ****tards.

I would contend that the TSA is right there in the running.

[Demitrios]

I will be there, because I can. I, like almost all the other referees, go because of the athletes and their needs. I also realize that there are some of us who really would want to be there but can't because of the $. I have not missed a NAC in many years and think I know most of the old hands and the newer ones. I hope that the athletes, parents, and coaches all realize why we come and take the physical, mental and emotional abuse. We mostly all care about the athletes and our sport. I believe if any have to decide to not come, it will be because they CAN"T, not because they are mad at the USFA. So please, every one, don't place any assumptions on why someone is not able to attend. I am always concerned that some may want to make this a political issue and that the referees will get lost in the personal rhetoric. We all want to be there if we can. I stand by each referees' decision and hope others will also, not because of some political stance but because we all need to stand up for this dedicated group!



Jerry Benson

Mr. Benson is mistaken when he assumes that referees don't attend events because they can't. Some of us do have agendas, and issues with U.S.Fencing, and the way they treat(mistreat) referees. I for one chose not to referee at Summer Nationals, even though I did attend, and fence. I feel that the reimbursement delays are ridiculous. The referee rating system is severely flawed. The hiring system needs to be updated. U.S.F.A. membership needs to have discounted annual rate for referees that are not competing. Mr. Benson does not have the right to speak on behalf of the referees. The "referees" are not just a happy-go-lucky group of people that have nothing better to do than wait around for the next tournament. We have full time jobs, and full time family commitments that we try to balance in regards to fencing events. To be completely honest, I for one do not agree to work at tournaments for the fencers benefit, or as a selfless act of kindness. I enjoy traveling. I enjoy seeing my friends, and spending time with them. For me, reffing has always been a trade-off. I lose money taking off time from my 9-5, but I cannot afford to fly myself around the country or world and visit different cities and countries, where people that I already know and like are congregating. I feel that "sugar-coating" anything related to reffing and the U.S.F.A. does a disservice to the hard-working referees. I feel it's only fair to the fencers, coaches, and parents to give them an accurate assessment of the real situation, and (my attitude) and the attitudes of some of the referees. (How's that?)

Robby Carrillo

[Peach]

Mr. Benson is mistaken when he assumes that referees don't attend events because they can't. Some of us do have agendas, and issues with U.S.Fencing, and the way they treat(mistreat) referees. I for one chose not to referee at Summer Nationals, even though I did attend, and fence. I feel that the reimbursement delays are ridiculous. The referee rating system is severely flawed. The hiring system needs to be updated. U.S.F.A. membership needs to have discounted annual rate for referees that are not competing. Mr. Benson does not have the right to speak on behalf of the referees. The "referees" are not just a happy-go-lucky group of people that have nothing better to do than wait around for the next tournament. We have full time jobs, and full time family commitments that we try to balance in regards to fencing events. To be completely honest, I for one do not agree to work at tournaments for the fencers benefit, or as a selfless act of kindness. I enjoy traveling. I enjoy seeing my friends, and spending time with them. For me, reffing has always been a trade-off. I lose money taking off time from my 9-5, but I cannot afford to fly myself around the country or world and visit different cities and countries, where people that I already know and like are congregating. I feel that "sugar-coating" anything related to reffing and the U.S.F.A. does a disservice to the hard-working referees. I feel it's only fair to the fencers, coaches, and parents to give them an accurate assessment of the real situation, and attitudes of the referees.

Robby Carrillo

Huh--he defended referees, and you took issue with the way he did it, but going back I can't read what you say into what he said. Why not just state the grievances without reference to what Jerry Benson said? They're valid enough.

[oiuyt]

I feel it's only fair to the fencers, coaches, and parents to give them an accurate assessment of the real situation, and attitudes of some of the referees.

Fixed that for you. Just as Jerry can't speak for all referees, neither can you.

There are a number of opinions, reasons, thoughts, and motivations. And for most of the officials it's a fairly subtle blend that can be quite difficult to articulate. And changes over time.

-B

[mdstasinos]

Fixed that for you. Just as Jerry can't speak for all referees, neither can you.

There are a number of opinions, reasons, thoughts, and motivations. And for most of the officials it's a fairly subtle blend that can be quite difficult to articulate. And changes over time.

-B

I have an opinion too!! As does every single referee that comes to these events. Yes, I think we can all agree that the payment for referees needs an overhauled as well as a number of items brought up by Roberto. I am in the same boat as all the other ref's dealing with this issue and all I can say is the issue will be worked on by the FOC and the new administration. Really!!!
MD Stasinos

[Demitrios]

I did preface my statement by saying, "I feel", Not, "The referees feel". But thanks for pointing out my oversight. Generally, I only speak for you, me, Tyler, and Mark.

; )

[CadetVet]

Mr. Benson is mistaken when he assumes that referees don't attend events because they can't. Some of us do have agendas, and issues with U.S.Fencing, and the way they treat(mistreat) referees. I for one chose not to referee at Summer Nationals, even though I did attend, and fence. I feel that the reimbursement delays are ridiculous. The referee rating system is severely flawed. The hiring system needs to be updated. U.S.F.A. membership needs to have discounted annual rate for referees that are not competing. Mr. Benson does not have the right to speak on behalf of the referees. The "referees" are not just a happy-go-lucky group of people that have nothing better to do than wait around for the next tournament. We have full time jobs, and full time family commitments that we try to balance in regards to fencing events. To be completely honest, I for one do not agree to work at tournaments for the fencers benefit, or as a selfless act of kindness. I enjoy traveling. I enjoy seeing my friends, and spending time with them. For me, reffing has always been a trade-off. I lose money taking off time from my 9-5, but I cannot afford to fly myself around the country or world and visit different cities and countries, where people that I already know and like are congregating. I feel that "sugar-coating" anything related to reffing and the U.S.F.A. does a disservice to the hard-working referees. I feel it's only fair to the fencers, coaches, and parents to give them an accurate assessment of the real situation, and attitudes of the referees.

Robby Carrillo

I have a different spin on this...

I referee for four reasons:

1) The Money (after all, I'd rather get paid $3-4/hour than my billable rate as an attorney)

2) The Food (sometimes edible, sometimes not, but always, always free! However, the "plate-mate" approach to keeping costs down can get tiring...)

3) The Hours (it is fun to work for 10-12 hours a day standing up on concrete with few breaks... but then again, some think it is fun to get bound, gagged and whipped (note that I'm not one of them)).

4) The Respect that I get from the Parents, the Competitors and, especially, the Coaches (particularly an Eastern European foil coach from an Eastern-US city, who never seems to offer me any of the vodka he had clearly consumed prior to standing in my face yelling at me).

I know that there are other avocations that could bring equal, or maybe even greater, rewards and pleasures... but alas, I choose to toil as an official in the fencing Gulag ...

[strangely, I do enjoy it, though]

[mdstasinos]

I have a different spin on this...

I referee for four reasons:

1) The Money (after all, I'd rather get paid $3-4/hour than my billable rate as an attorney)

2) The Food (sometimes edible, sometimes not, but always, always free! However, the "plate-mate" approach to keeping costs down can get tiring...)

3) The Hours (it is fun to work for 10-12 hours a day standing up on concrete with few breaks... but then again, some think it is fun to get bound, gagged and whipped (note that I'm not one of them)).

4) The Respect that I get from the Parents, the Competitors and, especially, the Coaches (particularly an Eastern European foil coach from an Eastern-US city, who never seems to offer me any of the vodka he had clearly consumed prior to standing in my face yelling at me).

I know that there are other avocations that could bring equal, or maybe even greater, rewards and pleasures... but alas, I choose to toil as an official in the fencing Gulag ...

[strangely, I do enjoy it, though]

No. Really tell what you really feel. It was getting good. I don't think it's only the Easter European coaches either, if you are having a learning curve they all get excited.
MD Stasinos

[KD5MDK]

But the American coaches drink bourbon or rum.

[Demitrios]

Mark, the "Easter European coaches"? Do they have big floppy ears? I can't remember ever getting a pretty colored egg from them. Are my calls that bad?!

KD5MDK, some of us drink very good scotch, or very good tequila too.

[KD5MDK]

Most of us drink anything put in front of us, as far as I can tell.

[SEM Fencer]

...in quantity...

[mdstasinos]

Mark, the "Easter European coaches"? Do they have big floppy ears? I can't remember ever getting a pretty colored egg from them. Are my calls that bad?!

KD5MDK, some of us drink very good scotch, or very good tequila too.

How can your calls be bad when you smile so after each call? It shows us that Roberto confidence, "Yes,Yes, I am good, I am so very gooooood!!!" Yes, Eastern European coaches do have floppy ears and they have all the colored eggs. You haven't gotten one yet? Hmmm....what does that really say for you? Your a vegetarian!!!! I think that says it all!!!
MD Stasinos

[CadetVet]

But the American coaches drink bourbon or rum.

The primary difference is not the type of liquor, but the time of day that they enjoy it. It is unusual (but not unheard of) for an American coach to smell like Bourbon/Rum/etc. during the first DE rounds of an event that started at 8am. The vodka smell comes early, though, often during the first pools... and can be enjoyed throughout the day.

[Demitrios]

How can your calls be bad when you smile so after each call? It shows us that Roberto confidence, "Yes,Yes, I am good, I am so very gooooood!!!" Yes, Eastern European coaches do have floppy ears and they have all the colored eggs. You haven't gotten one yet? Hmmm....what does that really say for you? Your a vegetarian!!!! I think that says it all!!!
MD Stasinos

Oh Eastern! You originally wrote "Easter".

[fencerbill]

Mark, the "Easter European coaches"? Do they have big floppy ears? I can't remember ever getting a pretty colored egg from them. Are my calls that bad?!

KD5MDK, some of us drink very good scotch, or very good tequila too.

At out Veterans Challenge last weekend, we exposed more fencers to the classic armorer's desert. Guiness and vanilla ice cream. Jon Moss thought chocolate ice cream might be even better. Will have to try that.