TimG

I think "absolutely must" is hyperbole. Surely you can go for a few hours without the possibility of being reached by cellphone. It may be your strong preference, but I don't think it is an absolute necessity. And, of course, a phone set to vibrate leaves open the possibility of illicit communication.

How bout an update? How many have yet to bid?

I'll be in bed by then. Good luck.

Any luck finding a host? I haven't received any files, but I will be around for the next few hours.

If no one else steps up, I could do this. I don't have the necessary files, so someone would have to send them to me before we get started.

Thanks, Hanoi.

Looks like my partner and I are both online, let us know when you're available.

Just to get a feeling, the Indus river (one of Asia's main rivers) discharges about 6600 m³ / s into the sea. That's about 20000 bath tubs per second! The Amazon river gets close to a million bath tubs per second. It is not easy for me to grasp these big numbers even when put in terms of bath tubs per second. And, it is staggering to me just how much natural turnover there is in things like rivers, rainfall, and evaporation. I live near Portland, Maine. The public water supply for about 200,000 residents of greater Portland is drawn from Sebago Lake which covers about 30,000 acres (or 47 square miles). Every year more water is drawn from the lake by evaporation than is used in the public water supply.

Anybody available to host in the next few hours? Say sometime between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM eastern time.

I expect Senior is sleeping...

i am on tonight if you have time Sorry I missed tonight. I'm optimistic about finding a host sometime this weekend.

In some cases the answer is because regulations prevent it.

How about tonight starting around 8:00 or 9:00 eastern time? If that is a bad time for hosts, perhaps Wednesday around 2:00 PM eastern time? That might make it convenient for a European host.

Trials are better for the pros because more of them are hired. So, not as much a no brainer if the organization is run by, or heavily influenced, by professionals.

Any hosts available tonight around 7 or 8 eastern time?

It's been a while since I watched a hockey game, so perhaps these things have changed and I was unaware. I remember them as generally playing through a 20 minute period without commercial break.

Do you think more Americans would watch soccer if there was a two minute TV timeout (commercial break) before every corner kick? Is it just a coincidence that the the three big team sports that have the highest TV ratings (football, baseball, and basketball) have commercial breaks built in while the two big team sports with the lowest TV ratings (hockey and soccer) have no commercial breaks built in?

I think you would be wrong. Those who are responsible for approving written defenses do want to see every possibility considered. I don't think the objective is to put players unfamiliar with the method on even ground with those that are familiar with the method, but rather to put those who are facing the method on even ground with those who do not face the method. Blanket rules are not permitted in ACBL approved defenses. As an example, I once got approved a defense for a 1H opening which showed 5+ spades and 11-21 HCP (a standard American 1S opening). The first page and a quarter includes a description of the method, including responses in and out of competition. The next page includes the suggested defense. It was not enough to suggest: treat as you treat a standard 1S opening except... And, outline methods for those situations that do not parallel a standard defense to a standard 1S opening. I was required to go through all possible actions, things like (1H)-1N = 16-18 HCP, use same methods as after a Standard American (1S)-1N; and (1H)-2D = natural and limited, treat as a Standard American (1S)-2D. What if a pair normally uses a different range for a 1N overcall or uses a conventional 1N overcall and confusion ensues? Don't know. But, I'd be willing to bet that the director and/or committee would adjust in their favor. This method was approved for events with 12+ board segments. When I later submitted a defense to a 1D opening which showed hearts, the defense was eventually rejected. At the same time, the C&C Committee determined that the already approved defense to a 1H transfer opening would no longer be allowed. (That was over a year ago, yet the method remains in the Defense Database, and yes, I have pointed this out to those in charge.) Anyway, you probably already knew that the ACBL's approach to these things was sort of silly, but I thought I'd take this opportunity to point it out to those that might not be aware!

I think in the US, where almost everyone plays transfers, it would be strange not to assume a mechanical error. In the UK, where I believe many weak NT players use natural major suit responses, it would seem the likelihood that someone momentarily forgot which they were doing with this partner is increased.

The situation in the bidding does not reveal a card in your hand that would otherwise not have be revealed.

If a player on a MLB or NFL team fails a test, the individual is suspended and the team is not penalized (beyond being without the services of the player). At least that's how I think it works.

What happened to 4th from your longest and strongest?

I recently attended a District 25 (New England) regional. On both Friday and Saturday, they had two two-session pair events. One was at 10 & 2:30, the other at 1 and 7. Other than the starting times, they were essentially the same event. This was in addition to bracketed or compact KOs, and a few one session events. I guess it's nice to have choices, but it does seem to detract from the "premier" nature of any single event.

I recently heard/read that someone did a study and determined that Kansas actually is flatter than a pancake.

A "consolation" BAM is a good idea, but I bet more than a few teams would opt out on the first day of the Swiss and Reisinger and not risk qualifying.