h2osmom

I don't know about Canada, but in the US, we, as a culture, totally accept drinking and driving to a certain level. In many other countries, the accepted thing is that drinking, any amount, and driving, are not done together. It's far more difficult to have a standard like being allowed to drink to a BAC of 0.08 for most people, and no detectable amount for other people. It's also difficult, because different amounts of alcohol over different time periods accompanied with either food, or other mind altering substances, cause different BAC, and in addition to that, it varies from person to person. 0.08 is some derived number, but it's certain that many people's driving ability is somewhat impaired at a lower BAC than that. I would love to see our focus move toward drinking and driving not being done together in any amount. In Norway, where drinking and driving is far less a problem, I have been told that there is serious discussion in favour of requiring alcolocks on all cars. Maybe that should be the direction we should head. For sure I think first offenses of drinking and driving should have a serious and long lasting consequence. No one thinks that they will cause a fatal car accident when they start to drink. It seems so far removed that it isn't seriously enough considered by someone whose thinking is somewhat impaired and doesn't want the problem of how to get home. But a serious consequence for drinking and driving could be far more immediate and cause people to make plans for getting home before they went out drinking.

Shortly after Marshall Miles and Leo Bell had won a world seniors event, I played against them at a local regional. My partner opened 1d. Marshall and Leo bid to 4h. I was a beginner, but my partner had opened, I had 10 hcp and balanced distribution. I doubled. Marshall turned to me and asked, "Do you know my partner and I are both life masters?" He then played the hand and went off 2. At the end of the hand my partner said to me, "Carol! Don't ever do that again! I only preempted!" I said, "No, you opened 1 diamond." She insisted that she had opened a 2 diamond preempt. Marshall said, "No, you opened 1 diamond. I thought it was a good psyche." Of course if Marshall hadn't taken our bidding into consideration on the play, he would have made the bid. But he never said a word about being fixed.

The post you referred to, by AWM, refers to SAYC, not 2/1.

Every now and then, playing on BBO, someone mistakenly believes that partner sees alerts; doesn't realize that software is set up so that opponents and kibs see it, but partner does not. Could this be the reason some people object to self alerts?

Frances, I hear compliments and respect for your opinions on BBO forums very often. This thread didn't mention you or the people you named, but it sure doesn't indicate a lack of respect or interest in your opinions regarding bridge. I have never read anything that indicated a lack of respect for you, and I can't say that about many regular posters; even ones who are generally respected. Do you really believe that this post negates all that?

Justin, have you thought this through? Long term relationships can lead to children. Is the world ready, and are you ready, for JLOL the second?

There are definitely people incapable of having long term relationships. It's a difficult thing. We are supposed to promise to be with one person for the rest of our lives, and usually this happens while we are in our 20's. That may have been easier when lifespans were shorter, and also when a family needed a mother and a father to manage running a household, whatever form that took. Now, with a lifespan of approximately 80 years, a decision made at age 25 would apply for 55 years. That's a long time! People change, and sometimes they grow in different directions. Sometimes they grow together, or in a way that works together, but not always. Relationships are being redefined. It's of course wonderful when a relationship works well for both people. Most relationships that end teach us things about ourselves, and about what we need in another person. If we take our relationships seriously, each one will help us to be more ready for the right relationship when it shows up. Just because we don't find the right circumstances for a relationship doesn't mean we never will. There are 2 very important parts to having a successful relationship. One is to choose the right person. Everyone knows that. The other one is more important. Be the right person! If we can do that, then when something does come along, we are ready to benefit from it.

My husband is a teacher, and started out his teaching career in Watts, well known for being a poor and gang infested area. One day he was on his conference, and a kid was walking the halls rather than being in class. Brad told the student he would walk him to class. The student resisted, said he could go himself, and Brad insisted he would accompany him. Three different times the student changed his story of where he belonged that period. At that point Brad told the student they would go to the office and sort it out. The student tried to run out the front entrance, and Brad grabbed his jacket to keep him from running. They arrived at the office, and the kid refused to say his name. The counselor recognized the kid, but couldn't place him. Brad then went and asked Math teachers in turn to go to the office and try to identify the student, while he watched the class. The 2nd teacher was able to identify the student, and said student was given a 3 day suspension from school. The next morning the kid showed up at school with his 18 year old sister. They wanted to register a complaint. They were told that the complaint could only be taken from his parent; not a sister unless she was legal guardian. That afternoon the mother came in with the student to lodge the complaint, which was that Brad had grabbed the kids jacket to keep him from running. The jacket wasn't damaged in any way, but that was the parent response. Once the kid refused to give his name to the school authorities, he lost all credibility. When a parent doesn't support school authorities at all, then there is no school authority. It's true that students shoouldn't be afraid of their teachers. It's just as true that teachers shouldn't be afraid of their students.

There is one thing I think is inherently more fair about tipping as substantial part of wages, and that is that people get paid according to how well they do their job. In far too many jobs, pay is based on length of service, level of education, and it's nearly impossible to fire someone who really isn't adequate; rather, they get a raise each year. In tipping, the customer pays, and often gives a different amount according to the service. Over time, I am pretty sure that better servers make more money than lesser ones. (This doesn't apply to tip jars; just to actual tips given directly to the server.)

Levin/Weinstein, Lall/Bathhurst, Demeriv/L'Ecuyer and I can't go any further than 3, sorry! I don't know nearly enough.

Aren't mulit landy and woolsey the same?

I am at work today and unable to watch vugraph. But I can go to this site. I would really appreciate if someone would please post current scores. Thank you!

There are a few players on BBO who draw a lot of kibitzers, and have colorful personalities. This causes them to draw the kibitzers, and it also causes some people to be offended. One solution suggested is to have those players disallow kibitzers. This affects many people who are not offended and would like to be able to watch those tables. I know in the tournaments it's possible to have custom lists of people allowed to participate, and also to have an enemy list, and anyone on that list is excluded. I wonder if it would be possible to enact something similar in the main bridge rooms. Thank you!

How about Gilbert and Sullivan?

What about 2h? Is that terrible?

Can't believe I am the first! Happy Birthday, and Good luck in China! Best wishes to you and all the US juniors! Carol

If south had bid 3d over the 2h bid, showing support immediately, would it have become easier to bid the hand?

Congratulations Eli!

If we go to the WBF website, photo gallery, page 7, there is a photo of Welland, standing next to a screened table, talking on a cell phone. What should I make of this? Am I seeing it wrong?

This isn't an answer, but it is a response to Mike777 question about how the ban worked at USBF trials. Consider the logistics for the Cavendish, or USBF trial, or WBF event. How many people compete in these. Alternatively, consider the Spingold, all 3 flights, and consider how many people compete in that. A coat check type system for the smaller tournaments, or asking a director to carry them, seems doable in the smaller venue, but a logistical nightmare for the Spingold.

The address, if you wish to write, is jay.baum @ acbl.org or alternatively ceo @ acbl.org

Both Tim G, and I, have written to ACBL, specifically Jay Baum, regarding the cell phone ban at the nationals. I didnt find his response satisfactory, although I did get a response. Tim also received a response, which indicated that the membership isn't showing much attention to this matter. According to the poll here on BBO, many people object strenuously to the ban. My question is, how many of you have, or will, communicate that to ACBL?

I saw in in this month Bridge Bulletin, that cell phone checking will be available near play sites for a fee. I expected this. No mention of what the fee will be, and if it will apply each time a phone is checked. I would be curious as to how many people have contacted ACBL about this, since Jay Baum had said that this isn't getting a lot of attention.

I am a nurse in a pediatric ICU, NOT a neonatal ICU. I take care of really sick kids, and I work twelve hour shifts, 2 or 3 days a week.

Mixed events?