ASK THE JUDGE 07/01/2005: Feature Friday

One Year Later

A year ago today, I officially retired (although I actually stopped working in late May due to saved-up leave). What a year it's been. I moved into life as both a civilian and as a person who doesn't go to a 9-5 job. Strangely enough, I get up at a decent hour and don't go to bed too late. In this year, quite a bit has happened on the Magic and personal fronts. Here are some highlights, in no particular order.

Gettin' Hitched

OK, this one is in order. Back in March, The Rocket Scientist and I tied the knot at a wonderful ceremony and celebration at an historic inn in Maryland called Antrim 1844. Our esteemed editor and formidable wife were in attendance, enhancing the proceedings (with their debauchery).

The Bannings

Arcbound Ravager and its artifact land enablers were too much to make Standard interesting. You either played it or metagamed againt it. Skullclamp got skulled. Or clamped.

Rules Manager Shakeup

Paul Barclay stepped down, John Carter stepped up, Mark Gottlieb stepped in. The Comprehensive Rules remained in good hands throughout. Look forward to 9th Edition.

First Red Sox WS since, well since.

This one is here for my dear friend Mike Guptil, and my dad, both long-suffereing Sox fans. I was with my dad that fateful night in 1986 when Buckner got Mookied, and I could feel the spirit leave his body. It's returned.

Revitalized PT

We made great advances at the Pro Tour, to include the Player's Lounge and Player's Club. See what you can do when you weed out the cheaters?

Zolan's Scar

It's a powerful story of moving characters facing great challenges--many of them from within--against an epic backdrop. It's a tale of love and war and honor and betrayal. I'm plodding along. But hey, I'm happy with the Prologue.

Makin' It

After HJing my first Pro Tour, I made Level 5. Roughly 14 nanoseconds later, I found out how much work is involved. The entirety of the experience has been surprisingly humbling. I hope I continue to be up to the challenge.

New Formats

Debuting at Worlds, Elder Dragon Highlander became all the rage amongst Judges at the Pro Tour, outstripping even my own expectations. We'll be playing next week at Pro Tour London. Pheldagriff all the way!

New Friends

My local group doubled in size, welcoming Molly, Adam, New Mike, CJ, and Jen into the group. Adam got married. CJ and Jen are planning to get married. Mike has a baby on the way. Molly has a great new job with the world's largest food company.* And Brian, the real heart of the group, became a father for the first time.

Old Friends

I did two different major events--a Pro Tour and Regionals--in Atlanta, quickly becoming my second home in the southeast. I received extremely warm welcomes from the players. Better, Karen Roman came to see me both times. She's more beautiful than ever.

Young Guns Reign

From Julien to Gadiel, the new guard of Magic players not old enough to vote put their stamp on the game, just as we were laying the foundation of the...

Hall of Fame

The scrolls of honor will remember and reward the greatest of our past. Not to put too fine a point on it, if Mike Long gets in, I'll consider quitting. Yes, I feel that strongly about it. If you're on the committee and haven't yet voted, lasto beth nin: a vote for Mr. Long is dredging the river for the bloated and rotting corpse of our game's darkest days.

New Blood Right Here

Chris Richter took over from me answering your questions on "Ask the Judge," while I stayed on to edit and write This Here Friday Column (a doff of my fedora to one A. Alongi, who will one day become The Alongi).

And More New Blood to Come

At the end of July, I'll be stepping down as editor of "Ask the Judge." Still up in the air is whether I'll continue to write "Feature Friday." More to come.

It's been a year of challenges and triumphs, risks and rewards, and a long journey of self-discovery. I'm sure the coming twelve months will be more of the same. Thanks as always for listening.

See you next week.

* Who cares what the company is? Molly is smolderingly hot. Rumor has it she posed for 7th Edition Sleight of Hand. The card can't do her justice.