I told G about the World Games, and about the tryout camps. I gave him a probable tryout date, and asked him to help me train. His eyes got real big when I was explaining everything. He then asked me what I am willing to sacrifice to improve my chances of making the team, how long was I able and willing to train a day to be in good shape for the tryouts.

When I told him 4-6 hours would be my maximum, he nodded and said he was willing to help. We then spent the hour planning out my training schedule. I have to say that, yes, I'm in trouble. Starting tomorrow, I'll be working out about 2 hours a day for the next week, building that up to 4 by mid-December. I may hit 6 at the beginning of January.

Not like I'm already overworked. Something's going to give.

Open letter to the woman who I met on the jetway this morning (yes, you who glared at me, and muttered to your friend, "The carry-on baggage limit is two, not three."):

Hi!

I heard you this morning muttering under your breath about my three carry-on bags. I would like to state the apparently not-so-obvious about the situation:

1. When you speak at conversation level on a jetway, you're probably yelling.
2. The combined weight of me and my three bags is probably less than your weight alone. That's saying something, too, because I pack my backpack heavy.
3. I assure you, the combined volume of me and my three bags is less than the volume of your person alone.
4. Only you complained about my bags. The ticket agent didn't. Security didn't. The gate ticket agent didn't. The flight attendant didn't. Just you.
5. If you had sat in the same row as I, I would have had to put my bag on you, because my laptop is so big, it needs its own seat.
6. The contents of bag 2 fit easily into bag 3. However, carrying half on each side is easier on the back. You might have realized this if you hadn't made your companion carry all of your stuff.

So, next time, please mutter directly to me, so that I can let you know I really don't give a flying rats ass (or mallard duck, as the case may be) about your obsession with my luggage.

Thanks for listening, lady.

I'm amazed at the different people here at the conference. More importantly, I'm amazed at how we see a slice of (North) American culture here at the conference. We all have ultimate and league organization in common, but the rest is so varied!

About 1/4 - 1/3 of the people here are women. The ages range from two years out of high school to possible grandfather. The athleticism ranges from elite player to never played. We have the Canadian representatives. There is the pretty boy, the cowboy stereotype, the quiet soccer (ultimate?) mom, the enthusiastic college kid, the overwhelmed organizer, the control freak, and the big teddy bear.

The ideas coming out of the conference is amazing. I had never considered the core/click league. Multiple baggage is so strongly discouraged in SBUL, I never thought others did it.

I'm so inspired!

Today is the first day of the UPA's League Conference, a gather of many of the leaders and organizers of ultimate leagues around the country (well, continent, Shiellah Quintos of CUPA is also here).

After the first presentation, I'm incredibly inspired to both improve SBUL, grow MPUL and get start NCUL to tie them all together.

The first thing, though, I think I need to do is get a captains' package up onto the SBUL site. Passing along the knowledge is a tremendously great idea, and I'm smacking myself upside the head for not thinking of it in the first place.

As I was waiting for my flight to Denver, a gentleman approached me and asked if he could ask an odd question. He didn't give me the willies, so, sure. He asked if I were from Colorado. When I answered no, he seemed disappointed. He went on to explain how he taught classes for 30 years, and how he thought I looked like one of his students. Being over 30 years old myself, and that he couldn't quite place me, I'd say he was thinking of a student from a long while ago.

Alas, I'm not one of the Heimlen girls (with an M, that I'm sure) he once taught. I explained I'm asked that question often (because I am) and that apparently I have a common face.

He smiled and walked away almost convinced I wasn't a Heimlen girl.