Wow, such kind words from several of you. Thank you, really, truly and honestly. I guess it must be pretty obvious, but I'll say it anyway--I love working with this company because I believe that this game brings people together in a unique and special way. Families, friends, even complete strangers just seem to be having fun together for a few hours. When PUI first put out the whole SoTG thing, I know of a few folks who kind of derided it and laughed it off, but you know what?? It has been a major guiding principle in the game's direction and I hope that you can, well, feel its effects at my events. May we never get to the "win at all costs" feel of some of the other TCGs out there. I'll be the first one out the door if that should ever happen. I'll keep working my butt off because of the player base that we've got here.
I'm sorry that I don't know more of you better, but I can say that everyone that I know well in this area has received some benefit from Pokemon that usually has nothing to do with the "prizes"!! I've made some of the best friends that I've ever known through this game (and I'm OLD!) and I see that going on with you guys and gals, too. Leah put it better than I ever could, but my staff is nothing short of amazing. This was our largest staff ever and our largest attendance ever! The judges are as good as you'll find anywhere. We gave Melody a baptism by fire by plunking her into her first event--a States! I've received several comments on how outstanding she was. Hope you become a regular, Miss A, but I'm afraid that the ol' player bug'll bite you again sooner or later!! Mike and Helen and Tim and Timothy, Nick, Leah, and of course, Jav--these guys know their stuff. Yeah, they "get the ruling right!" but they are just as interested in the players (gasp) having a good time!!!
Non-judging staff can sometimes be a thankless job, but the folks here were always on hand to do pretty much whatever needed to be done. William and Sonivette logged a few miles walking back and forth with those slips and were still smiling at the end! Pam C and Kimberly are two of my local league leaders that I totally pulled into the whole Pokemon thing. "Why not see about getting a league going....?" or something like that.. Now, Pam's league is THE entertainment on Friday nights in Amelia, VA (think Mayberry without Andy or Barney) and Kimberly (who had probably NEVER set foot in a comic book/game store before getting involved with Pokemon) is running a successful league in VA Beach (which I just called "local" so I really must be traveling too much!). Again, two folks who put their hearts into the game just so players can forget their cares for a little bit.
Mary Ivie is an angel. I've honestly never met anyone quite like her. If I began to write everything she did to make Saturday happen the way it did, the list would be large. With Mary, I know that things will be taken care of. Simple as that. Mary's the person that all PTOs wish for.
My computer goddesses (x 3!) pulled the day off without a hitch. Chris S and Megan both picked up TOM like old pros. It was so much easier to use age group dedicated computers!!
Pam is the best. I'm sure that many PTO wives would agree that they had NO idea what lay ahead when their spouse told them that they were going to start doing some work for Pokemon USA. Well, as things have grown, Pam has been by my side every step of the way. No, her title is not PTO, but it really should be. We plan together, budget together, stress together, and most importantly, we laugh together before, during, and after these events. She's the organized one; I'm just a big kid who loves his weekend job. If an event runs well, thank her. I do, often (though sometimes I forget....:redface
We do hope that everyone enjoyed themselves and continues to love Pokemon as we do!!!! See you at regionals!
David Tuskey
Wow, I ramble, sorry about that!
