Grand Prix Los Angeles Trial round and Extended PTQ Season

I’m starting the process of scheduling the next GPT and PTQ’s rounds.  I expect to have dates in the next day if I hear back from the venues tomorrow.  If not, then I won’t be able to book until next week – due to turkey day.  

The other PTO’s are being really active in making sure that we don’t overlap dates. Sometimes its not avoidable to overlap and I won’t know until I hear from venues. However I hope to avoid overlapping dates.

I have been assigned 2 PTQ’s in Seattle, 1 in Portland, 1 in Salt Lake, 1 in San Diego and finally 1 in Phoenix. Its a west coast PTQ. In fact its in the middle of the west coast – I guess thats why Seattle has an extra.  I’ve never been quite sure why it works that way but I’m always glad to have more than one per city.

Its a challenge to predict the attendance with Extended PTQ’s. Some people love the format and other players think its to expensive to build a great deck.  I’m going to have to ask a few judges what they think the attendance will be – or if anyone ever reads this please comment.

On another topic, watched the Blazer game last night. I knew it was a big mistake to start Greg Oden. He really isn’t ready.  I have tickets to the Heat game on Wed night.  I really want the Blazers to start Przybilla.  I like Joels game and think the Blazers have been playing well when he starts.  

I know, Oden is the future center,blah, blah, blah. However he needs time to develop and he just isn’t ready.

More artist news and some random thoughts

We just wrapped up the WoW Realm Champs in Seattle and Phoenix.  Now the not fun part – paperwork. Attendance was not great even though we had ridiculously good prizes.  Not sure exactly why as it was pretty easy to qualify for and the prizes were great. The WoW TCG sells fine but the players just don’t seem to be into competition.

I just read my email and one of my all time favorite Magic artists – Rob Alexander has confirmed for GP Seattle.  Rob is a great guy and I’m really happy he is going to be able to make it.  I have been a fan of Rob’s for years and particularly like his landscapes.  I was just on his site http://www.robalexander.com/

and he has new images up in his gallery and several pieces of original Magic art for sale.

I wish I could collect original art in a serious way.  I have a couple pieces but would like more.  (christmas) 

On Robs site there is a list of cards he has done but it doesn’t look like he has updated it for awhile.  I will get a current list up on my site soon.  

Tim

Artist confirming at GP Seattle

I have sent out a email to request that artist who have tenatively agreed to sign at the GP to confirm that they will be coming.  Over the next weeks I will be posting their names and card lists here and on my main site under Magic GP Seattle. 

 

- Just in – Chuck Lukas has confirmed that he will be there. His site is at http://www.chucklukacs.com/ 

I should have a card list up on monday.

More artist info will be posted as I get the confirmations.

Tim

Major events scheduling

Today our primary event managers are on the road to run the WoW Realm Championships in WA and AZ. Meanwhile – I’m working on the logistics for three large events – Grand Prix Seattle – Magic, Shonen Jump Championship San Jose – Yu Gi Oh and Dark Moon Faire San Mateo – WoW TCG.

We have venues nailed down for each event and I’m working on getting the final contracts and venue insurance signed and sent in.  

After a good deal of thought I have decided that the major draw for the GP (besides the cash and prizes) is going to be the artists.  I am working to get more Magic artists at the event than any Magic tournament.

I’m hoping that players are going to be excited at the chance to meet lots of artists get cards signed and buy prints and original magic art.  I know that meeting artists is a big deal for me and I’m hoping it bring out a bunch of players who might not come to Seattle otherwise.

Tim