I've announced two new events for today.  One is Gather the Clans, a 3 on 3 tournament using a new Multiplayer Commander format that my playgroup came up with.  Teams battle it out for store credits and I hope they have a lot of fun duking it out later.  The other is Clash of the Apprentices, a free Standard tournament for novices.  Beginners will be pitted against each other so that they can practice the skills they've learned from our product demonstrations.

     These initiatives frighten me in the sense that they could fail and embarrass me greatly.  Yet there is the hope that despite the possibility of fumbling, the community will embrace them, turning these pet projects of mine into permanent fixtures during our Sunday club meetings because they are fun.  This is what motivates me to come up with these ideas in the first place.  More fun is always good.

     That said, I am thankful to the people who always suggest how we can improve, how we can take things to the next level.  Their feedback is valuable beyond words.  It is because of them that Gather the Clans and Clash of the Apprentices became possible.

     A friend of mine came home from the US for a short visit and he paid me the highest compliment when he said that I had done a good job organizing tournaments because he saw plenty of new faces.  He was also amazed that we ended five rounds of play before it got dark.  Lastly, he liked that I was there teaching the game to a girl who wandered in and wanted to learn.

     His comments helped affirm what I believe is necessary for Magic to survive and thrive in this country.  The first is the infusion of new blood.  The game is inherently fun but unless we show and share it with others who don't know then the playing populace will shrink to the point that even heavily invested fanatics will walk away.  The second is to provide a casual, family atmosphere so that people can enjoy themselves even when they're not winning, that passersby see and immediately want to be a part of because it stems from human beings' innate need to belong.  Magic shouldn't be a chore or a job even if it is that to some members of the community.  The third and last is to be professional in delivering products and services to the customers.  Being on time is my pet peeve which is why I want to make a reliable promise that we will end the event before nightfall so that clients can go home earlier and have dinner together with their families.

     I still have a long way to go before I can say that I've done everything possible to hold an event that matches my vision for what a Magic occasion ought to be.  In the meantime, I'm willing to learn whatever is necessary and to perform those roles a self-respecting tournament organizer must occupy. If my friend's remark is any indication, then I am already on my way.