Totally Unauthorized

Membership directories are available now

People who complain as much as I do have a responsibility to give credit when it’s well deserved.  The new Unit 499 directories are out, and they are beautiful.

Sharon Tarpinian was in charge, and what a great job she did.  The books are good looking, spiral bound so they won’t break with use, printed in large enough type for old guys like me and just generally perfect.

Whether or not to include email addresses is always a major debate–I’m in favor, but I understand the position of those against.  Nobody wants more spam, but I just don’t envision Ivan the Russian spammeister getting a copy of our directory and manually entering all the email addresses to sell us more Viagara.  The gold bullion and coins you can get from Glen Beck, anyway.

. . .

Susan Rowley writes that I don’t blog enough.  But does she send me pictures to print?  Funny stories?  Trenchant analyses of modern society and the political ecosystem?  No.  I need something to work with here.

. . .

Mentoring session this morning at the Bridge Center.  15 tables of students.  Allie told me it started at 10, then told everyone else it started at 9:30.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Eight hands, analyzed by Mike Bandler.  Even without my help he did a pretty good job.  The problems were mostly bidding oriented, but he talked about declarer play and planning the defense as well.  I hope the people I was mentoring were able to hear over my coughing.

It’s a brilliant program, which Allie is managing spectacularly.  Mike told me there was a waiting list for mentors, which made me proud the people of our unit who are trying to help others learn the game.

. . .

About the directories:  I had to look for the mysterious Wayne Rechnitz.  Yes, he’s a unit member, with a listed address.  But no phone number.  Finding him is my new campaign.  I may have to go knock on his door, there in the rich part of Orinda.  The power of the press (blog?) will not be denied.

. . .

The Fresno High school class of XX is having its annual mini-reunion here today.  All of Gail’s friends are visiting. Our house is full of people I don’t know, who drop by for 3 hours a year.  They keep telling each other “you haven’t changed”, which means that they must have been a very funny looking group of 18 year old kids.  Local bridge player Earl Reeve is among the group–that’s how they found us in the first place.  I’m spending the day giving art tours and making sure the BBQ works.  What I’m really thinking of is escaping to the Embassy Suites so I can take a nap.