Welcome, judges! This week, we are celebrating the accomplishments of someone known for his positive attitude, his and his efforts in running conferences. Congratulations, Julio Sosa!
Name: Julio Sosa
Level: 3
Location: Jose C. Paz. Somewhere in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Judge Start date: April 2012
Why did you become a judge? I failed twice the L1 exam back in the days when the exam was 50-questions long. Then in 2011 Pablo Paolo, a friend of mine, certified for L1 and started poking me to take the test again. After a couple times he insisted, I took the test and here I am.
Occupation: Teacher
Favorite card: Mind’s Desire
Least favorite card: Armageddon
Commander General: The Mimeoplasm
Favorite non-Magic Game: Star Realms
Best tournament result: Top 8ed in some old PTQs
Random fact about yourself: I play many musical instruments, most of them self-taught. Last one I was learning was violin.
You were nominated based on your Exemplar nominations in Wave 7. Can you tell us about an Exemplar nomination that was particularly meaningful for you?
It always feels great when you are recognized for what you have done, regardless of being Exemplar or not. This time, particularly, Federico Verdini‘s recognition was very special for me. I was having a hard time and was pretty down, and Federico’s message really lifted my spirit; not only because of what he said, but also because he didn’t wait for the wave to be published, and shared the message with me right away, for he felt that I needed those encouraging words at that moment. Thank you, Fede, you are awesome.
You identify yourself as a “Deck Checks resident.” Is that your favorite team? What do you like about working on it?
I love deck checks and the deck checks team. Mostly because it is in my opinion one of the most demanding teams (if you don’t think so, try sorting decklists at a Brazilian GP with all those names!) but also a team where you can interact a lot with your partners. Yes, at times you don’t get to see that much action on the floor, but you get to see really cool decks (especially those pimped Legacy ones). My dream is that someday I will have to deck check a Battle of Wits deck at an event 🙂
What are some tips you have for other judges?
No question is silly enough to not be asked, and no feedback is pointless enough not to be given.
Use every opportunity you have to be better and help others be better. Give more feedback to the most experienced judges in your community, they surely aren’t being reviewed enough. Don’t worry if you haven’t been selected to THAT EVENT you wanted so bad, there will be others. Ask Carlos Ho to go for a beer if you see him around. He is a really cool guy to hang out with, and he won’t say no to a beer.
What is your favorite non-judging moment that happened with other judges (or after event story)?
After a judge conference in Bolivia, I went to a bar with Nemesio Bolaños, Claudio Nieva
, and some other judges led by Pietro Sanjines
. We would be making time because our flights/buses departed early in the morning. That night I learned I don’t have the alcoholic tolerance I had when I was younger, and that Taxi drivers in La Paz give a new meaning to the word “hardcore”. Luckily, nobody missed their trip home.
How has being a judge influenced your non-Magic life?
Is there a non-Magic life?
If you could chat with one person, real or fictional, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
My great-grandmother. I would like her to see the man I’ve become, to meet my wife, and to tell her that I miss her every day.
What is the proudest moment of your judge life?
All the hugs I got when people knew that I passed my L3 panel.
What’s the biggest rule-breaking play you’ve ever made as a player?
Once I played Affinity with 5 Chromatic Star. I realized when I get home after winning the FNM, when I was de-sleeving the deck.
What would you be doing now if Magic no longer existed?
Probably living in the streets, or maybe being just a bored teacher, whichever came first.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
You may not be a judge forever. Maybe you start losing interest in judging events, or working in projects, and that’s perfectly fine. Life happens. However, people will still be there. Be thankful for all the amazing people you have met so far, and for the ones you get to call “friend”. That is one of the greatest part of the judge program, the one that doesn’t need a black shirt.
Two Truths and a Lie
Two of the following statements are true and one is false. Figure out which!
- My wedding suit was blue, with a LED-tie
- I speak while asleep, I have already scared some people.
- I once played a deck with Dubious Challenge