Welcome back to Judge of the Week! This week’s rockstar is scorekeeper and content creator extraordinaire, Angela Aliff!
Name: Angela Aliff
Level: 1
Location: Roanoke, VA
Judge start date: Although I began scorekeeping in early 2015, I didn’t actually test for L1 till April 2016.
Why did you become a Judge? To facilitate inclusivity and community building
Occupation: Technical Writer
Favourite card: Cryptic Command
Least favourite card: Cranial Plating
Favourite format: 2HG
Commander General: Rubinia Soulsinger
Favourite non-Magic Game: Baseball
Best tournament result: I won a Theros pre-release.
Random fact about yourself: Erik and I have been married for 11 years! Last year we celebrated our tenth anniversary with an Iceland road trip.
What did you do on your trip to Iceland? You can read about our many wonderful adventures here.
Do you have a favorite baseball team?
Yes, I grew up in Kansas City only a few miles from Kauffman Stadium. Since the Royals were pretty bad during most of my adolescence, I enjoyed many inexpensive baseball games.
How did you get involved in Magic in the first place?
Erik and I lived in rural Wisconsin for the first several years we were married. Stuck indoors much of the long, cold winters, we explored some new hobbies. Occasionally on our grocery trips to Walmart, we started picking up MtG booster packs and building home brews. The closest LGS was a 90-minute drive from our house, but we did make the occasional trip for FNM!
How has being a Judge influenced your non-Magic life?
I’ve met some of my closest friends through Magic. In fact, as of July I’ve been in two judge weddings!
What is your favourite non-Magic hobby?
Travel, writing, and photography.
Where is your favorite travel destination? Why?
The next destination is my favorite! The planning and preparations are half the fun!
What sort of writing do you do?
Quite a variety, actually. At StarCityGames.com, I’m a technical writer, which generally involves company policy, instruction manuals, compliance documentation, and all kinds of other stuff. On the off chance you’re interested, you can read my dissertation here. But you might be more inclined to check out my editorial work at The Feedback Loop or my favorite personal post.
Have you published any of your writing?
Hopefully soon! I’ve got a journal article awaiting final approval.
What sort of photography do you do? 
Although I’ve enjoyed photography since middle school, I started more earnestly working on my skills in 2011 when my niece was born. She introduced me to the world of portrait photography, and let me tell you, a baby is not an easy subject for beginners! Since then I’ve become the official family photographer tasked with documenting family vacations and keeping family photos updated. I branched out a bit this last summer by photographing a wedding. I really enjoy photographing my sister Vanessa’s cosplays. (She just posted new Tireless Tracker photos!) But my absolute favorite of all is travel photography.
What is your favourite non-judging moment that happened with other Judges?
About a year ago over dinner, Meg Stephens invited a group of judges to converse about any topic but Magic by taking turns posing questions to the group that each person would answer. Ultimately, we all left dinner feeling that we had made new friendships and deepened others. At that point, I hadn’t been in the judge program long, and that delightful evening made a lasting impression. Events are usually tiring, sometimes hectic or intense. But at each event I work at, I want to communicate my appreciation for at least a few people for who they are, not just for what they contribute to the event or the judge program.
Proudest moment of your Judge life?
At the 900+ player Indianapolis Open in February, I more than doubled my previous scorekeeping player cap with no input errors.
If you were a Planeswalker, what would be your ultimate?
You get an emblem that says each time you take damage, you may search your library for an instant or sorcery spell and put it in your hand.
If you were a creature, what would be your creature type?
Moonfolk Wizard.
What makes Moonfolk Wizard a good fit for you?
Open a telepathic link with me to find out!
What character in Magic (real or fictional) represents you the best, and why?
My favorite hobby is travel writing and photography. When I travel, I ask questions, read as many stories as I can, and take copious notes. I’m a researcher and a storyteller at heart. I think Tamiyo, Field Researcher represents me pretty well.
Two Truths and a Lie
Two of the following statements are true and one is false. Figure out which!
- I’ve eaten cow brain.
- I’ve ridden an ostrich.
- I’ve cuddled with a cheetah.
If there is a judge who is also doing something exemplary, please nominate a judge TODAY!