![\"Rick](\"http:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/jotw\/files\/2016\/07\/Rick-Salamin.jpg\")
Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Rick Salamin<\/a>\nLevel:<\/strong> 2
\nLocation:<\/strong> Essex, Vermont
\nJudge start date:<\/strong> February 6, 2005.
\nWhy did you become a Judge?<\/strong> I had a knack for the rules, liked helping run events, and was an average player so the value was better.
\nOccupation:<\/strong> Computer Software Support
\nFavourite card:<\/strong>\u00a0Ornithopter<\/a>. It\u2019s free and it flies. What\u2019s not to love?
\nLeast favourite card:<\/strong> Nothing specific springs to mind as an outright dislike. Island<\/a> comes to mind as generally blue decks don\u2019t fit my mold for fun. A one-sided game isn\u2019t really fun for either person.
\nFavourite format:<\/strong> Booster Draft. It\u2019s not constructed and the draft itself is fun with friends.
\nCommander General:<\/strong>\u00a0Teneb, the Harvester<\/a>
\nFavourite non-Magic Game:<\/strong> Ticket to Ride
\nBest tournament result:<\/strong> I used to win FNM\u2026 does that count? Once the Judge bug bit, I was hooked and haven\u2019t played much to any competitive Magic since.
\nRandom fact about yourself:<\/strong> While I\u2019ve been to more than 40 Grands Prix I\u2019ve only ever played in one. Onslaught Sealed Deck at Grand Prix Boston.<\/p>\n
How did you get involved in Magic in the first place? How has being a Judge influenced your non-Magic life? What motivates you to continue being a Judge? Did I mention herding cats?<\/p>\n As Judge Manager, you have 70+ people to coordinate.\u00a0 The busiest time may be at the Grand Prix itself, but for weeks and months ahead of the event the admin team is already working on the event.\u00a0 The event needs to be built on Judge Apps, applications need to be reviewed, feedback received, and schedules made (and remade).\u00a0 Occasionally a Judge has to withdraw or maybe the event pre-reg is well above forecast and you need more staff.\u00a0 Both of which can all but recreate the process to do a second time as you find replacement or additional judges to help the event.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n At the event itself my priority shifts to keeping Judges happy and keeping Judges on task.\u00a0 Grand Prix events are hard work over a long day.\u00a0 Keeping up beat and providing great customer service is key.\u00a0 I’ve found it to be the little things that truly make the largest impact here.\u00a0 Sure, we are compensated for our roles and should come prepared for our shifts but things are always forgotten.\u00a0 I always have a pile of pens, Sharpies, and chocolate to get Judges through the day.\u00a0 It’s amazing how a bottle of water and a couple pieces of chocolate can keep you going.<\/p>\n Another challenge is keeping upbeat and happy throughout.\u00a0 As Judge Manager, I try to put forth the same customer service level I expect from my Judges.\u00a0 The days are long and it can be quite difficult towards the end of the day or the end of the weekend.<\/p>\n The biggest reward?\u00a0 Comes in two parts for me.<\/p>\n Being Judge Manager is entirely different than being a Floor Judge, Team Lead, or Head Judge.\u00a0 You have to balance everything going on and ensure the resources are as well used as possible across not just events but all the other logistics as well.\u00a0 Prize Wall, Reg, Line Captains, Artists breaks, VIP lounge, product prep, etc etc etc. \u00a0 When you have somehow made it through the weekend and finally get to look back and see that you helped to prevent GP Dumpster Fire from happening… this is part of the reward.<\/p>\n The other part is entirely about the friendships we make the family we grow.\u00a0 We don’t do this for the fame or fortune.\u00a0 It’s done because we enjoy the people and being part of something larger than you alone could do.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What is one tip you have for other Judges? What is your favourite non-Magic hobby? What is your favourite non-judging moment that happened with other Judges? Theme parks in Orlando, walking Old Quebec City, unexpectedly crossing paths in airports.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the biggest rule-breaking play you\u2019ve ever made as a player? What has been your favourite Magic event that you\u2019ve judged? What positive aspects has the Judge Program contributed to your everyday life? If you could chat with one person, real or fictional, dead or alive, who would it be and why? What would you be doing now if Magic no longer existed? How do you have fun during events?<\/strong> If you were a Planeswalker, what would be your ultimate? If you were a creature, what would be your creature type? What was the proudest moment of your Judge life? At this point the greatest pride and sense of accomplishment comes when I successfully Judge Manage a Grand Prix. It can be grueling but is also very rewarding.<\/p>\n What character in Magic (real or fictional) represents you the best, and why? Two Truths and a Lie<\/strong> [expand title=”The answer to the last Two Truths and a Lie…”]Gerard Trpin does not have over 1200 friends on Facebook. He doesn’t even have Facebook![\/expand]<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I was introduced to the game in the fall of 1995 while I was in high school. Ten years later I became a Judge.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>In more ways that I probably even realize after being a Judge for 11 years. I\u2019ve worked with and for a myriad of unbelievable people who have helped me develop soft skills. All of which has helped open doors to leadership roles and responsibilities in my professional life. Some of which even have helped as a father to my two daughters. Patience and understanding are tough skills to master and while I certainly haven\u2019t mastered them, the Judge program has helped me understand and apply both more succinctly.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Travel and friendship. The events are work for sure and in of itself rewarding and fun. But getting to travel the country and beyond, getting to meet new people, and developing friendships around the world are what I cherish most.<\/p>\n![\"Rick](\"http:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/jotw\/files\/2016\/08\/Rick-2-300x240.jpg\")
Tell us about the biggest challenges and rewards for being a judge manager for a Grand Prix.
\n<\/strong>The biggest challenges: \u00a0Time commitment, herding cats, handling individual needs and arrangements, herding cats, keeping Judges happy, herding cats.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>If you aren\u2019t having fun, then you\u2019re doing it wrong. Yes, it’s work and it can be stressful, but at the end of the day you need to enjoy what we do. Slow down, step back, and appreciate everything that you are a part of.<\/p>\n![\"Rick](\"http:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/jotw\/files\/2016\/08\/Rick-1-300x225.jpg\")
What\u2019s the best part about your local Magic community?
\n<\/strong>The best part as a Judge is that our local community respects Judges, appreciates what they do for the events regardless of size and scope, and occasionally even admire us. Even better is when a player decides they want to Judge and we get to see new members of our family grow and develop.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Being married and having kids limits my hobby time so Magic consumes nearly all the time I commit to hobbies. Beyond Magic, I enjoy board games and the occasional round of golf.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>My favorite non-event moments come when you get to spend time on a mini-vacation with Judges after or before the event. Seeing the cities you are in. Enjoying the food.\u00a0There is a story about one night in downtown Montreal, with Jeph Foster<\/a><\/span><\/span>, but that\u2019s probably not a story I should share\u2026 There was also a night in Las Vegas where Jeph Foster and I\u2026 hey, wait, I shouldn\u2019t talk about that either. I guess I need to find less dubious things to talk about.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I find myself in a number of RTFC, not the Riccardo Tessitori<\/a><\/span><\/span> Fan Club version, moments. Where I\u2019ll go two or three rounds doing something that I think is right until someone points out I need to reread it. For some reason I always seem to stop winning around this time too\u2026<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>GP Las Vegas (either one) are very high on my list. I enjoy everything the city has to offer in small doses, I loved the scope and challenges inherit to an event as large as they were, and I got to see so many friends.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Mentoring is probably the single largest aspect. I\u2019ve learned better ways to share feedback, am more confident providing feedback, and realize the value in sharing feedback. If only I were better at writing it down.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Jean-Luc Picard. Everything about him exudes being right and just. He is a leader, an explorer, a friend all while being patient, understanding, and caring. I don\u2019t know what I would ask him but I think a lecture series is in order.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Odds are I\u2019d be playing Video Games instead. World of Warcraft was a long time vice and I suspect I would fall back into old habits.<\/p>\n![\"Rick](\"http:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/jotw\/files\/2016\/08\/Rick-3-300x209.jpg\")
What is your favorite \u201cafter event\u201d story?
\n<\/strong>There is something about going out on a Sunday night after the main event is over finding a greasy spoon of some sort and decompressing with friends over a drink or two.<\/p>\n
\nLevity is important. Simple jokes, laughs, and conversations are what pass the time and make it fun.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>-8: Make it happen.
\nWhat it is doesn\u2019t really matter. Need 20 more Judges at a GP? No problem. Need power brought out to the artist\u2019s station? No problem. 100 more deck\u2019s pre-registered\u2026 sure.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Shaman Soldier
\nI have a touch of magical powers and can soldier through nearly anything.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>For the longest time I would say that not being overturned by Sheldon Menery<\/a><\/span><\/span> was my symbol of pride. It was how I knew I wasn\u2019t doing it wrong.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded<\/a>. I always see myself on the outside looking in. Sure, I\u2019m a planeswalker but I\u2019ve always seen myself as socially awkward and not part of the in-crowd.<\/p>\n
\nTwo of the following statements are true and one is false. Figure out which!<\/p>\n\n