Reels missing USFA

[edew]

Not quick to blame. Just enumerating the possibilities. Of course, I might have enflamed the possibility that someone walked off with it. But if you note my first post on this thread, my first explanation was that they were misplaced. I do agree that people tend to quickly blame others for something that they themselves might have done (misplacing reels is most likely done by armorers, as they deal with reels more than anyone else).

[Catal]

Sooo, blaming it on the armorers, are we? Those incidious armorers; friendly enough when you're lookin' at 'em, but turn your back on 'em for just a second, and they've rewired your epee faster than you say, "Hey, you- get your stinkin' paws off my epee, you damned dirty armorer!"

[edew]

My understanding is that armorers enjoy being abused.

[DHCJr]

Originally posted by edew
My understanding is that armorers enjoy being abused.

You forgot that our pay for the extremely long hours, no time off for lunch and the mental anguish is to abuse the fencers. Haven't you brought up a lame turned inside out and we test it as you gave it to us and get to fail it. Your getting better about turning it right side out now. The trouble is I agree with Eric. No one in their right mind would do this. I keep wondering about myself and my sanity.

[mifencer]

Pay? What about the referees'? They are on their feet for the whole time, getting yelled at by both sides of the strip; regardless of correct calls or not. Since the pay sucks so badly, I just think I'm volunteering and doing my (as President Bush would say) civil duty.

Let's not whine about pay, hours, or the lack of respect -- it just comes with the territory (like in any sport, the officials are criticized -- even in Budweiser commercials). Let's just be happy that we have the reels back.

[DHCJr]

Originally posted by mifencer
Pay? What about the referees'? They are on their feet for the whole time, getting yelled at by both sides of the strip; regardless of correct calls or not. Since the pay sucks so badly, I just think I'm volunteering and doing my (as President Bush would say) civil duty.

Let's not whine about pay, hours, or the lack of respect -- it just comes with the territory (like in any sport, the officials are criticized -- even in Budweiser commercials). Let's just be happy that we have the reels back.

That reminds me of two things. A couple of years ago, a first time organizer of a Sectional tournament roomed me with Ed Richards. When Ed saw me come through the door, he immediately called the organizer and demanded a different roommate. He said he didn’t want to get up that early.

When the pay at USFA tournaments was $35 for referees and $25 for Armorers, I asked one of the USFA Officers about that and I hope with tongue-in-cheek they replied by asking some questions.

1) When you get up in the morning, do you buy breakfast? No, the restaurant is not open?
2) Do you have time to go out for lunch? No, we’re lucky if we get a few minutes to run to the officials lounge to grab something and bring it back to the Armory.
3) Do you go out to Dinner when you’re done for the day? No, most nights the hotel restaurant is already closed.

See you don’t need that extra money, you take home the $25, while the referees have already spent their $35.

I would love the hours of the referees and I would love to only have to bring a sport coat, tie and rulebook, let alone have to pay for the tools. At least you get to sit for lunch. Yes near the end of the tournament the work diminishes and we can sit down, but the Armorers arrived the day before the referees, arrived that day a couple of hours before the referees and the referees won’t be staying for the teardown. I’ll trade you jobs anytime you want.

Also my statements I had hoped were taken as tongue-in-cheek. I know Eric's were. My feeling is tournaments are for one purpose - For the Fencers.

[sallearmourer]

Thank god those days are gone. The armourers get to eat breakfast and get the first crack at. Plus they can take turns for lunch now and have a sit down lunch. Plus the pay is the same for them to 40.00 a day granted the hours are still lousey.

You can't have everything.

Tim

[edew]

BUT, you guys (the armorers) can put out a tip box, AND have a cooler full of beer. Both of which are strictly verboten for referees. Imagine a drunk, paid-for referee. At least the bouts will go quick.

[DHCJr]

Originally posted by edew
BUT, you guys (the armorers) can put out a tip box, AND have a cooler full of beer. Both of which are strictly verboten for referees. Imagine a drunk, paid-for referee. At least the bouts will go quick.

Maybe at locals, but even though they give Champagne or Wine to the winners of the Veterans, alcohol is forbidden to the Armorers at all NAC’s and other tournaments run by the USFA. Also the tip jar is also verboten for the Armorers. The USFA has stated we are not allowed to work on fencer’s equipment. We do insist on the exception for team members. I stand corrected at NAC’s only I would be happy to trade places with any referee. And Eric you know it should be a cooler full of GOOD beer. No Budweiser (unless it is the REAL Budweiser, which is not available in the good ole’ USA), no Coors, no Miller, etc.

[Peach]

Strikes me as kind of missing the point to try to determine who has it worse, referees or armorers.

[DHCJr]

Originally posted by Peach
Strikes me as kind of missing the point to try to determine who has it worse, referees or armorers.

Oh it's the fencers who have it worse. They have to put up with two groups that think they are God! Both our groups, think we have the fencers fate in our hands. And you know what is says about serving two Gods. But it is fun to put down each other, as noone else respects us. So we have to think there is someone out there more down-trodden. It's the nature of the beast.

[135711]

that sounds about right. the next best scenerio for us fencers is that we pack things up without thinking and my famous trick is to pack things for others, 'helping' ....let me help you, 'allow me to assist you' etc. placing 2400.00 reels into bags and not knowing it. guys i just took another look at the green color on this web page and i decided that i like it, it's a leaf green, and has the appearance of being a leaf in some places.

guys,
i feel guily, i must confess to you, i feel guilty about using a foil that i bought from my previous instructor, who bought the foil from a noted fencer. i really needed a foil, and he sold it to me, but in retrospect i feel he must have really wanted the foil, but i don't want to ditch the foil, because i love it, it's really really great.

[135711]

Originally posted by edew
Not quick to blame. Just enumerating the possibilities. Of course, I might have enflamed the possibility that someone walked off with it. But if you note my first post on this thread, my first explanation was that they were misplaced. I do agree that people tend to quickly blame others for something that they themselves might have done (misplacing reels is most likely done by armorers, as they deal with reels more than anyone else).

Not to worry, you just sounded that way, but those of us who have read you over the past three years, realize, you're not that sort of person. I still haven't ordered world-cup or olympic videos from you, BUT! I have the order form.