donnas

Last year, I participated in the 2010 Marathon. Since then, I've volunteered to be part of the Special Events Team. I DO get paid. I get paid in laughs and friendship. I've met so many interesting people - and interacting with those on the SET has been a joy. I also had a mentor last year - Peter Brennan. Peter is known as BILFriend1 - and that is an apt name. His patience and humor help all who play with him. Judging by the dates/times/numbers of emails from Maureen, she has a great deal of time and energy invested in the BIL. Her 'dividends' are seeing players learn and improve. Oh - I did win a contest, and was able to download a free e-book. Someone did have to pay for it, however. If you take the time to stop making rude, unsupported remarks and read Maureen Hall's comment elsewhere in the Advanced and Expert-Class Bridge section, you will discover that many memberships are subsidized. As a member of SET and, now as a BIL graduate, I do not pay a fee. But in the past month, I was able to play and listen to the advice of Mike Lawrence, and also watch other world-class people play and discuss hands. The cost of this is, in my opinion, priceless, and I would be happy to pay a yearly fee. As for expenses - again, Maureen has explained some of the costs, etc. associated with the BIL. Perhaps some of you are just ranting because it's your nature. Some might be doing it so that they can justify not volunteering to help other players. Others might not understand how BIL is run. I can only hope that some of you will realize that there are many players - of all ages and nationalities - who enjoy BBO and BIL - and will want to join in the fun. Maybe some of you can make a new year's resolution (even if you didn't participate in the BIL New Year's Resolution Contest) to do more to improve bridge - either by mentoring or just by being more considerate of others.