Kimberley

We were planning to do the test online this quarter, but ran into some technical complications. Therefore, we had to resort to the written test again. As a result, the exams were mailed a bit late and in our haste to get them in your hands, we forgot to change the text on the cover page to reflect the new rules. There is an announcement about this on the NROI website as well. PLEASE use the 2008 rulebooks on the new exam and thank you for your patience and cooperation. Kim Williams NROI Coordinator

PLEASE NOTE: NROI has not yet begun teaching MG courses. The rules have not been finalized, nor have the materials. We're hoping to get them going soon, but as of yet they are far from ready for public consumption. Any classes you've heard about have not been NROI approved and will not result in certification from us. Thanks, Kim Williams NROI Coordinator

Squadding won't be up for awhile yet. We're still waiting for wait list folks to return or claim or whatever their slots and we can't do it until we've got all the squad requests back. We'll do it when the match gets a little closer, probably near the end of the month. Kim

Yup. Stages, squad schedule and range map are up on the Nationals page. Kim

I invited a group of people from the wait list today, including you, Jim. There have been some dropouts, people unable to claim wait list positions, etc. Please, please, please check your email and classification record for your invite if you've been expecting one. Thanks! Kim

Okay, so I had a couple dozen or so "Return to Sender" type emails from my endeavor to confirm all the entries in the LPR match thus far, but the rest seemed to go out without too much wailing and gnashing of teeth from the hamsters living in my computer. If you didn't get your notice feel free to drop me a note and I'll look into it and try to update your email address in our system at the same time. Email is best as I don't check here regularly and I may not see a PM for a stone's age. Thanks! Kim

Yeah, I'm working on it. There's been a bit of a delay for this match because I was away at the Open/L-10 match, the LPR deadline was waiting for me when I got back, then the holiday, blah blah blah. You don't care. I just sent an email 'round to all the entrants thus far in the match, but listen: email is sketchy at the best of times and doubly so when attempting a mass mailing. Spam filters don't like them, some people change their email addresses more frequently than their underwear, data entry errors because of my ignorant fingers are a problem and reading your handwriting is no picnic. If you sent your slot in you should receive an email from me (kim@uspsa.org) soon, if you haven't already. Check your spam folders if you have them. Make sure I'm on your allowed list, etc. etc. If you don't receive an email in the next couple days confirming that I've received your slot then feel free to send me an email and I'd be happy to check for you on a case by case basis. But come on, cut a girl a break. Please don't email me, en masse, if you don't see an email in the next ten seconds or if you just don't feel like checking your email or you would rather just get a personalized email all your very own. I can only take so much strain before I snap and start trying to swallow paper clips by the dozen. Death by paper clip cannot be pretty or pleasant. I'm working on getting the hard copy packets out in the mail, but I just now got the visitor packets from the Tulsa CVB and the letter from the MD, who has been up to his eyeballs in match admin stuff too. So hang in there. We're doing what we can. Thanks, Kim

As has been said, the wait list is moving fast. I voided all unreturned slots yesterday at 5 pm PST and started issuing invites around midnight last night. I think I invited around 80 or so then. I have a few more to invite, but I need to crunch some numbers first. I just want to remind you to check your email for your invite if you're expecting one, but remember that email is imperfect -- both from our end and yours. If you made a typo when entering your email address it will result in an email floating around in cyberspace and sometimes our server will hiccup under the load and an email might not make it to you for whatever reason. The backup plan in that event, and one that will not fail no matter what (knockwood), is your classification lookup page. Please keep an eye on that if you're expecting a slot from the wait list. You'll see a notice and a link on that page to claim your slot. You can just click that link, claim your slot, pay for it and be done. I say this because we have been experiencing a rash of people who have not claimed their slots online in the required time (six days) and are then completely shocked when the invite disappears. If this happens, it's gone. I can't get it back for you. Even if you claim you never got the email. Even if you claim you never saw the invitation on your classification lookup page. Even if you claim you were abducted by aliens for seven days and had no chance, what with all the probing, to get to a computer to process your slot. It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that there's 200+ other people waiting in line for that slot, you have been given ample warning and it's not fair to those still waiting patiently. Please check your email and record regularly and once invited, claim your slot within 6 days if you intend to make the match. If you find that you're unable to make it, an email or phone call would be greatly appreciated versus letting your 6 days run out, so that we may remove your invite and move immediately to the next person in line. Thanks, I appreciate your cooperation and hope to see you in Tulsa in a few months! Kim

Yeah, k, thanks for posting the pdf here. But as long as you're just going to copy and paste it here maybe you could copy and paste the rest of what we posted as well? Save Troy and the USPSA office the trouble of having to tell the 2 dozen calls that will undoubtedly come in the rest of the disclaimer and information that wasn't copied and pasted? You know, because they "saw it on the Enos forum" -- Thanks. Appreciate it. Kim USPSA HQ

I've posted some information regarding the Hotel for LPR over on the Nationals page. We've contracted with the Holiday Inn Select just off of York for a special rate of $79 per night with hot breakfast for two. It has easy access to the interstate and is close to lots of shopping, dining, etc. I don't know if you all are aware of this or not, but staying at a match hotel actually helps USPSA. It's just another sign of support for the sport. We have to seek out hotels to give us deals not only for you guys, but to house our staff, hold registration, host the awards ceremonies and member meetings, etc. It helps when you can build up a relationship with these hotels. It also helps if some of the competitors actually book rooms with them. If we don't meet our contracted number of rooms to fill, we have a harder time finding deals and an even harder time convincing hotels to take a chance on us. If we can fill at least 85% of our block then that results in discounts on rooms for staff, banquet facilities and other meeting room or catering needs. So, just wanted to make you all aware of that, if you weren't already. I'm sure some of you have different, perfectly legitimate reasons for not wanting to stay at the match hotel and that's fine. But maybe advertising for someone who isn't cutting us a break might be a bad idea. Or, if you're indifferent about where you stay, you might as well stay where it will support the match the most. Thanks! Kim

A more detailed schedule has been posted on the Nationals page, along with information about the host hotel. Cheers! Kim Williams USPSA Staff

It's moving again now. There's A LOT of paperwork involved, so there may be brief spurts of lots of activity and then a period of no movement at all while I'm trying to dig my way out of the avalanche of entries. But don't let that discourage you. It doesn't mean your chances have vanished into the night. It's just me playing catch up. Thanks! Kim

It's good. Kim

PLEASE NOTE: I have voided all slots that weren't returned yesterday and begun the process of redistribution. Therefore, there has been *significant* movement on the Open/Lim-10 wait list. If you are on it, you need to check your email and/or classification record to see if you've been offered a slot. If so, click the link provided to claim your slot right away. DO NOT DELAY as that link will expire and your chance to claim the slot offered to you will vanish after five business days. Also, the online booking utility for the hotel is now working properly. You'll be able to book rooms online for a period prior to the 24th now. The correct rate is $109. They only had a small handful of rooms at the $76 rate for our staff. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. There are some handy new maps posted on the Nationals page for the Missoula area. Top of the page under oddly enough, "Maps & Directions" That's all for now. Kim

The online booking utility is now functional for this match. Visit the Nationals page to make your reservations if interested. Please note that once our block of rooms is gone, they're gone and we can't guarantee a room at this rate so don't delay if you're interested in staying at the host hotel. Thanks, Kim

Just sit on your computer with a thermos of never ending coffee and some adult diapers ala crazy astronaut lady from tonight until the morning of April 29th and you'll get on the wait list. I really don't see what the big deal is. You guys act like it's rocket science. (But seriously, that was a typo and it's been fixed. It now reads March 28th.) Kimber

Aw, thanks guys. It's been a great day. I did have to work today, but I've had so many nice surprises it's hardly been like work at all. Woke up this morning with the strong urge to pull the covers up over my head and hide until tomorrow. Glad I didn't now. Thanks again! Kim

As Troy mentioned, the Holiday Inn Parkside will be the match hotel. I haven't posted anything on the Nationals page yet because they are in the process of setting up our online booking utility. The rate will be $109, double occupancy or $129, double occupancy with breakfast buffet for two. Breakfast is served beginning at 6 am and according to my sources, it's supposed to be a good one. In addition, they'll be offering our guests a punch card for one complimentary drink in hotel lounge per night of stay. I know. It's a small thing, but they're doing what they can. It's a beautiful property adjacent to the Clark Fork River. It's very conveniently located. Easy to get to, 15 minutes from the range, close to downtown, scads of good restaurants, shopping, etc. Free parking, free wireless internet access. Awards and registration will be there as well as the staff appreciation dinner. They've gone out of their way to work out a deal for us. June is the height of tourist season so they can obviously get much more for these rooms. Many of the other hotels in the area weren't willing to budge an inch from their summer rate when I called to inquire about working out a deal. They wouldn't even talk to me about it. Nevermind the response I got when I tried to set up the Award's banquet or reserve registration space. So while this might seem steep, the Holiday really has bent over backwards to do what they can to accommodate us. As soon as they've set up the online booking utility I'll post the link over on the Nationals page and anyone interested in booking in on our reserved block may do so through that link. That's all I have for now. I'll post more when I know more. Thanks, Kim

Hi Carina, I got your email, but when I tried to respond I kept getting a funny little message that prevented me from sending. I meant to just pick up the phone and call instead, but of course I could never get off the phone long enough to get on the phone -- if that makes any kind of sense at all. At any rate, you're fine. I have your returning champion slot(s) from the 06 Nats and you'll be getting it soon. It'll go out with the rest of them this week (knock wood) and if you have any other questions feel free to give me a ring or drop me another line. Not sure what's up with the email, but it'll probably work better if you just email me directly: kim@uspsa.org instead of through the board. I have better luck with sending/receiving that way. Thanks! Kim

Yes and no. You should be expecting the slot soon, but they haven't gone out yet. I'm reaaaaaaaally hoping to get them mailed out by mid-week this week. We're doing them all at once as a great big mail merge, hence the pressure to get everyone to respond to their offer. We're nearly there though, so I think realistically we'll be able to get them out to sections, clubs and individuals by the end of this week at the latest. Lawman, I got the message about Mr. Hanlon, thanks. I'll drop you an email because there's still a few stragglers I just can't seem to reach no matter what I do. Kim

Yep. But to clarify, I don't call returning champs for Nationals. I just send you guys your slots. You HAVE to go. Okay, you don't really have to go, but we assume you're going. To defend your title. So we send those out without a phone call. I have you down for your Production Nationals win. As soon as I get the rest of these calls over and done with I'll be sending it out. I'm reaaaallly hoping it'll be next week. Area Championships were next. Those are pretty much done but Area 6 is proving to be difficult. Can't get callbacks. Same thing with Area 1 Limited winners. Just not playing nice. Then I moved on to "other" tournaments. So far: Golden Bullet, Targeting Education, NC Sectional, MO Fall Classic, MS Classic. Still trying to get to: VA/MD Section, OH Sectional, Summer Blast We're trying to get through them all as fast as we can, but with 8 areas and 8 tournaments and five divisions within each of those 16 matches -- it can get a bit time consuming and confusing. If you've received more than one call from us for the same match realize we're both working from separate lists and while we try to do some cross-checking, we're also trying to just get them out the door. So just let us know you've already been called for a different match and we'll move on down the line. (Also, please tell your wives I'm not sleeping with you and your grumpy old dads to PRETTY please give you the message! You wouldn't BELIEVE some of the uh, interesting things that happen when you call 800 people.) Hope that helps! Kim

Hi there, Just a little tip: saying you're going (or not going) to the Nationals here does you no good whatsoever. I'm seeing some names here. Names of people for which I distinctly remember leaving messages. These names have yet to call me or email me or my assistant Matt to claim said slot. This does not bode well for said name. I'm only holding the slot for five (5) business days after point of first contact and then it's going to the next person in order of finish. This doesn't mean you should wait the full five days. We'd prefer it if you didn't. I'm not trying to be a big meanie, but as you can imagine there's a lot of club and sections out there who would dearly love to have their slots and they can't have them until you or someone just like you calls me and completes the cycle. So while I'm all for you reporting to your friends and shooting buds and the population at large regarding your slot status, I'm more for you completing the cycle first by calling me back and claiming your slot and THEN posting to your heart's content. So, to summarize, this is what you should do if offered a slot and you weren't home to respond immediately: 1) call or email me FIRST with your decision 2) THEN post on the Enos forum about your unadulterated joy or self-righteous indignation, whichever is most fitting 3) enjoy life. Thanks for your cooperation, we're all counting on it. Kim

2007 Nationals match dates/venues/divisions are now posted on the USPSA Nationals Website. Kim Williams USPSA

Squadding is woman's work? What?!? They're coming, X. Today even! I was just so busy being barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen making chicken pot pies for all the menfolk I haven't had time! But pending final approval from the powers, they'll be up today. Scout's honor! George, I don't recall saying I felt sorry for Danica at all. In fact, not to quote myself, but to *totally* quote myself, I believe I said, "We feed the machine also. There's blood on our hands too" -- No, she needs none of my sympathy. In fact, I'm sure she laughs all the way to the bank every time a joke is made at her gender's expense: "Yeah, thats right, bucksnort. Endorsement deals sure pay for a lot of feminine hygiene products. How are you making out?" My whole point is, you get as good as you give, in this and everything. And some things just simply aren't pretty no matter how pretty they might seem. I think Erik and I are pretty much in agreement but coming at it from two different angles. It's highly unfortunate that the media pays more attention to one gender than the other for whatever reason and sometimes those reasons are so demeaning and stupid it's discouraging. But then again, I also felt no pity for Joe Namath when he was hawkin' panty hose.

First and foremost I have to say that what I post here I post as an individual. I say the following as the girl, Kimberley and not an employee of USPSA. My opinions here in no way reflect the opininons of the organization. They are my own. Having said that.... Forgive me for not expending a moment grieving over the loss of your vast marketing potential. Unlikely though it may seem, I do realize your intent. I realize you're far from a misogynist. I never mistook you for a chauvinist. Do I think you hate us all? Of course not. But pardon me also if I throw up if I hear one more "knocker" joke. It's just so beyond the pale. They're made all the worse because when someone complains, the common refrain is: "But. but. we were only joooooking. Don't take it so seriously." Honestly. It's a razor blade wrapped in saccharin. It's comments like those that make the progression of women in sports -- this or any other - that much more difficult. Let me tell you what you're intimating with shit like that: Carina and Athena and Lisa and Julie and insert female name here? They are all sponsored for one reason and one reason only. They have breasts. Their shooting prowess has nothing to do with it. They're easy on the eyes and give great T and A and who cares if they can hit the broad side of a barn? Nice. Now I know you don't really believe that. But does everyone else? Would "Everywoman" who was considering shooting this sport know that? Or would she turn the other way and take up something a little less threatening because she felt unwelcome by the perceived attitude? And yes. Let's talk about Danica Patrick for a minute. How many times has she had to laugh off those oh so hilarious "time of the month" jokes from her racing "buddies"? She shrugs and and says she doesn't mind and goes on doing what she does because she realizes she's in a male dominated sport where she has to swallow garbage like that all the time because if she doesn't then she's accused of being delicate and unable to "hang" with the big boys and it doesn't matter that she's a damn good athlete. She's! got! OVARIES! They should hang their heads in utter shame. She's on the cover of so many magazines because she's a female racer who also happens to be good and that's why and it has nothing to do with the fact that she bleeds. But that doesn't stop the good ol' boy network from making the comments does it? Of course not. Because they have to justify it in their head somehow. Her presence there. Yes, she's pretty. Yes, she's easy on the eyes. But she's also talented and that should be worth something. I've never heard it said of Casey Kahne, "Oh, he's only sponsored because he's a pretty boy." And Kournikova? She's only just learned to play the game. She's using her face and body as a marketing device. Despicable to me, but she's taken it out of tennis altogether and gone to a whole other sport. Not everybody's choice, but it's hers to make, so whatever. It is what it is. She knows what sells and she has it in spades. More power, I guess. Do you think we like the fact that when we sit down to watch television we're deluged with enough flesh to make one question whether or not we're watching porn or a commercial for Pepsi? Do you honestly think women are the target audience there? Do you think I enjoy raising two boys with that thrust in their faces every couple minutes a day? We're reminded on a daily basis, an hourly basis, everytime we turn on the TV or pick up a magazine what really makes the world turn. I don't expect that to change. I realize that sex sells and men are wired that way and I don't begrudge them their libidos. Women have them as well. We feed the machine also. There's blood on our hands too. But just because something's been around forever and tolerated, doesn't make it right. It is enough for me that on average women make far less for doing much more. Besides that we statistically do more of the housework. And child rearing. Not that you all aren't different. I've no doubt some of you will likely jump right in with how your household runs against the grain and I'm sure you're right because you're not the norm and gee, that's fantastic and kudos to you, but no, I don't really need specific examples. I'll take your word for it. You're all very loving and supportive spouses who pitch in and do more than your fair share. I'm grateful and so are your wives and girlfriends and daughters and please keep it up and step by step and onward we go. Model well for your sons and we shall overcome and glory hallelujah -- yea verily, I say unto you, rock on. But you are who you are and we are who we are and pardon me for not humpin' out the violin because you're a man sans breasts bemoaning the fact that it's so hard for you to find sponsors. It's hard to sympathize, you see, because the playing field is so uneven in so many other places and we're desperate to just find the strength sometimes to drag our tatas out of the freaking trenches long enough to get a view of what you're seeing. We're vying for perspective. To get a glimpse of the air up there for us is pretty sweet and I don't feel like feeling sorry for men who feel sorry for themselves because for once women have what you perceive to be an unfair advantage when really, it's just a leg up. Or a breast. Or whatever you want to call it. Beyond that, they are a vital necessity to the growth of women in this and other shooting sports. Sponsored women work every bit as hard as their male counterparts and they have their own separate but just as rotten challenges to overcome just for a small and brief moment in the sun before it's all over and done. To reduce it all to the lowest common denominator of a pair of size 40 double D falsies just sort of makes my face hurt. I apologize for the long post and for speaking so plainly, but I it's something I feel quite strongly about. And you said you wanted a provoking discussion. Plus, I had to get that off my chest. Er, so to speak. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm pretty sure I need to go check the want ads.