Maybe that if your nation invested in a modern public transport system, like TGV, instead of promoting highways ans planes, traveling in your own country wouldn't be reserved to the richest.
RIGHT, its not the fact that we are almost the size of the entire European Union thats at fault. its our bad government. I know its cute to bash Americans, but you could at least consider the ridiculousness of what you are saying.
Please tell me how much it would cost for you to take the TGV from Paris France, to oh lets say Warsaw Poland, because thats how far US Nationals was from me the year it was in Chicago.
RIGHT, its not the fact that we are almost the size of the entire European Union thats at fault. its our bad government. I know its cute to bash Americans, but you could at least consider the ridiculousness of what you are saying.
Please tell me how much it would cost for you to take the TGV from Paris France, to oh lets say Warsaw Poland, because thats how far US Nationals was from me the year it was in Chicago.
It's actually true, though... we Americans (and I am one of them) have deregulated all of our transportation to the point where it's incredibly expensive to get anywhere. We rely upon cars and, to a lesser extent, planes, so we can't go anywhere on an overnight train (also don't need to pay for a hotel or sleep in the car that way) and not only get there on time, but feeling refreshed as you get more space than a plane and don't have to drive all night.
It's actually true, though... we Americans (and I am one of them) have deregulated all of our transportation to the point where it's incredibly expensive to get anywhere. We rely upon cars and, to a lesser extent, planes, so we can't go anywhere on an overnight train (also don't need to pay for a hotel or sleep in the car that way) and not only get there on time, but feeling refreshed as you get more space than a plane and don't have to drive all night.
From my experience traveling in other countries via train it is not cheaper, it was ungodly expensive in both europe and japan to get anywhere regardless of method.
And by deregulation I assume you mean govt subsidies(since reducing regulations generally lowers costs), and if so you are aware Amtrak bleeds money and is a govt entity? In the end someone in the country would have to pay for said service(in fact we currently do or at least our creditors do).
From my experience traveling in other countries via train it is not cheaper, it was ungodly expensive in both europe and japan to get anywhere regardless of method.
It is way cheaper to use public transportation in Europe than to own and use a car, not close.
It is way cheaper to use public transportation in Europe than to own and use a car, not close.
I agree. I lived in England for a year and the gas prices alone were enough to encourage anyone to hop a train instead. Bus transport is quite easy as well. Honestly the main issue many Brits I met had was "distance." A 2-3 hour car ride in their mind was impossible, where many Americans wouldn't think twice doing it if something was worth making the trip.
snubbed? at least you dont have to pay 700 plus a year just to go to nats....
I would, actually. Airfare from PEI to Toronto is at least 500 for round trip, + hotel and food etc. No way I'd drive it, but even then the amount of gas would be pretty close.
Welcome to central Canada, plus we get the bonus of 15 hrs to the regional tournaments (assuming Calgary is even one of the 4 big ones, I wouldn't be shocked if it was Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto....)
Ottawa will not receive a regional qualifier. We're too close to Montreal, which is simply a better city to hold one in. The distribution is expected to be Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and one in the prairies (probably Alberta or Calgary). It's unfortunate that our population is spread so much that regional qualifiers are troublesome to travel to, but that's why they're introducing the local qualifiers this year.
One thing that's going to be a problem with the qualifiers is Judges. There's no word as of yet if these require a certified Judge. GPT's do, and only offer byes at an open invitation event. These events offer invitations to a closed event that has a certain level of prestige. If they do, we're going to have some problems up in Canada. The maritimes only have four judges spread across all their provinces. Given that these events happen at the tail end of university exam time, it's likely more than a few people will be unavailable. The majority of Canadian judges are already in or near major cities. It's a logistical nightmare to think we can have a judge at all 45 events, especially since it'll be 20-25 events each weekend, during exam season.
I would, actually. Airfare from PEI to Toronto is at least 500 for round trip, + hotel and food etc. No way I'd drive it, but even then the amount of gas would be pretty close.
It's unfortunate that the maritimes don't get a regional qualifiers. They have an incredibly high percentage of magic players by population. Unfortunately, the low dispersed population makes it difficult to hold events in that region. Simply, Montreal has a higher population than New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI combined, and can accommodate hundreds of players coming in for an event.
It is way cheaper to use public transportation in Europe than to own and use a car, not close.
Right, the gas is also extremely high due to a lot higher taxes(in general) on said gas than the states. Also one thing about public transportation, you cant split costs like you can a road trip.
That French guy really pissed me off, as a Canadian. I know he was talking about the U.S., but I feel there is a definite lack of understanding with regards to the vastness of both our countries. For example, comparing Canada and France:
France Population: 62,616,488
France Size: 547,030 sq. km
Weather conditions: Temperate
Population density: 114.5 persons/sq.km
Canada Population: 33,739,900
Canada Size: 9,984,670
Weather conditions: Totally variable (huge infrastructure support necessary to clear snow, etc. etc.)
Population Density: 3.379 persons/sq.km
Transportation infrastructure is hugely expensive, and government revenues in Canada are still MUCH lower than in France (half the number of taxpayers). It's completely and utterly ridiculous to expect a comparable level of transportation development. The same argument applies to a lesser extent to the U.S.
Yeah, buying 4 or 5 tickets both ways on the train from Paris to Lyon or La Voulte is a lot more expensive than splitting the costs of renting a car and gas for those 4-5 people (excluding the costs of actually owning the car to make the comparison simple) to travel between San Antonio/Dallas/Houston/Baton Rouge (about the same distance).
I believe I paid 100+ for my last train ticket (one way). I could drive to Dallas and back on that with just one friend and come out ahead. More leg room.
The real problem, as someone stated earlier, is the really long trip. Hell, it would be well over a 1000 miles just for me to try attend a tournament along most of the east coast. None of my counterparts in Europe take a train when they have to travel that far.
Both done during the XIXe century. So when someone complain by saying "but our country is to huge", it's just funny.
While true, the US equivilant to a rail system is AMTRAK (i.e. not good)... it's just easier to hop in a car and drive, and much faster as well. Esp considering most small towns don't have access to rail, and would have to drive to a big city to use it anyway.
I'd love it if we had a better rail system here. We're on our way, thanks to cities like Portland and Minenapolis that are adopting light rail systems, but even then our govt keeps shooting down high speed rail plans between large cities. Until that happens, we're driving.
Both done during the XIXe century. So when someone complain by saying "but our country is to huge", it's just funny.
I'm not a "French guy".
Come on you went there, what is the dollar figure to ride a train from Paris for 1600 KM? Thats the main question, we actually have passenger trains in the US but they are almost the same cost as flight and yet take 4 times longer.
Ottawa will not receive a regional qualifier. We're too close to Montreal, which is simply a better city to hold one in. The distribution is expected to be Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and one in the prairies (probably Alberta or Calgary). It's unfortunate that our population is spread so much that regional qualifiers are troublesome to travel to, but that's why they're introducing the local qualifiers this year.
One thing that's going to be a problem with the qualifiers is Judges. There's no word as of yet if these require a certified Judge. GPT's do, and only offer byes at an open invitation event. These events offer invitations to a closed event that has a certain level of prestige. If they do, we're going to have some problems up in Canada. The maritimes only have four judges spread across all their provinces. Given that these events happen at the tail end of university exam time, it's likely more than a few people will be unavailable. The majority of Canadian judges are already in or near major cities. It's a logistical nightmare to think we can have a judge at all 45 events, especially since it'll be 20-25 events each weekend, during exam season.
It's unfortunate that the maritimes don't get a regional qualifiers. They have an incredibly high percentage of magic players by population. Unfortunately, the low dispersed population makes it difficult to hold events in that region. Simply, Montreal has a higher population than New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI combined, and can accommodate hundreds of players coming in for an event.
Ottawa will not receive a regional qualifier. We're too close to Montreal, which is simply a better city to hold one in. The distribution is expected to be Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and one in the prairies (probably Alberta or Calgary). It's unfortunate that our population is spread so much that regional qualifiers are troublesome to travel to, but that's why they're introducing the local qualifiers this year.
One thing that's going to be a problem with the qualifiers is Judges. There's no word as of yet if these require a certified Judge. GPT's do, and only offer byes at an open invitation event. These events offer invitations to a closed event that has a certain level of prestige. If they do, we're going to have some problems up in Canada. The maritimes only have four judges spread across all their provinces. Given that these events happen at the tail end of university exam time, it's likely more than a few people will be unavailable. The majority of Canadian judges are already in or near major cities. It's a logistical nightmare to think we can have a judge at all 45 events, especially since it'll be 20-25 events each weekend, during exam season.
It's unfortunate that the maritimes don't get a regional qualifiers. They have an incredibly high percentage of magic players by population. Unfortunately, the low dispersed population makes it difficult to hold events in that region. Simply, Montreal has a higher population than New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI combined, and can accommodate hundreds of players coming in for an event.
I don't actually believe that Ottawa will get a regional qualifer, but nothing would surprise me.
As far as judges goes I'm pretty sure Manitoba only has one level 2 judge, and very few level 1 judges. I'm not sure SK has any L2's, don't know about L1's.
Imho you can't run these local store events without having at least L1's, L2's would probably be prefered tbh.
That maritimes doesn't get a regional q is just as bad as Winnipeg not getting one. Wpg-Calgary is like 14 hrs thereabout and I doubt we will get much more than 2 slots for in store events.
The big winners in this I'm guessing will be southern ontario which will probably get an additional 10+ slots now :/
hate to burst your bubble but I'd be surprised if Kelowna gets more than 1 slot. I'm expecting Winnipeg to get 1-2 slots. 2 Years ago we got 8 slots, then down to 4 slots and they took away our PTQ's as well. Competitive mtg in Winnipeg might not exist in 2012
Burst my bubble? What? One slot in Kelowna is one more than the maximum I had ever imagined before this announcement. Of course Kelowna won't get more than one slot. There's only one damn store. It'll likely get one. Again, I wouldn't compete anyway because I will be qualified on rating. Are you under the impression that some stores are going to be awarding multiple spots? The announcement clearly states otherwise.
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Go Habs Go!
On a trade break. Getting ripped blows...
Burst my bubble? What? One slot in Kelowna is one more than the maximum I had ever imagined before this announcement. Of course Kelowna won't get more than one slot. There's only one damn store. It'll likely get one. Again, I wouldn't compete anyway because I will be qualified on rating. Are you under the impression that some stores are going to be awarding multiple spots? The announcement clearly states otherwise.
1 slot per tournament, but there are multiple dates so I'm guessing one store could have multiple tournaments with 1 slot each
It seems like the stores around Vancouver were getting called by their WotC reps today. The store I judge at got their event set up, and other judges were telling me the same thing. I don't think any stores get to run multiple dates, as I think the idea is to spread it around.
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Quote from Rancored_Elf »
Welcome to the club of fans that have been attacked by the game they love most.
"Crovax Connections" does sound like a friendly corner store run by your local Ascendant Lord
I bet we have a case of Jon Finkel sleeping with the girl, then never calling her again and she going bat #%^% crazy and writing this article case closed.
First PTQ top 8 6/13/09(1st) Second PTQ top 8 10/7/09(5th) Second at national Qualifier 5/15/10
Third PTQ top 8 2/12/11 (2nd)
Second at Alberta 2011's
Fourth PTQ top 8 3/17/12(8th)
GP Vancouver 2012 (18th)
I would, actually. Airfare from PEI to Toronto is at least 500 for round trip, + hotel and food etc. No way I'd drive it, but even then the amount of gas would be pretty close.
Last year for nationals to Montreal it would have cost me over a grand to go.. thats just flight and hotel, give me a westcoast nationals pls
"Crovax Connections" does sound like a friendly corner store run by your local Ascendant Lord
I bet we have a case of Jon Finkel sleeping with the girl, then never calling her again and she going bat #%^% crazy and writing this article case closed.
First PTQ top 8 6/13/09(1st) Second PTQ top 8 10/7/09(5th) Second at national Qualifier 5/15/10
Third PTQ top 8 2/12/11 (2nd)
Second at Alberta 2011's
Fourth PTQ top 8 3/17/12(8th)
GP Vancouver 2012 (18th)
I like that they're having some "mini" Nat qualifiers at local shops. Its good for the people who arent close enough to the one of the Big 17 cities. Should be interesting.
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- Let's just say, I've been around since the Ice Age
RIGHT, its not the fact that we are almost the size of the entire European Union thats at fault. its our bad government. I know its cute to bash Americans, but you could at least consider the ridiculousness of what you are saying.
Please tell me how much it would cost for you to take the TGV from Paris France, to oh lets say Warsaw Poland, because thats how far US Nationals was from me the year it was in Chicago.
Yes i am the same guy who trades/sells on MOTL AND Wizards of the Coast and i trade on POJO.
It's actually true, though... we Americans (and I am one of them) have deregulated all of our transportation to the point where it's incredibly expensive to get anywhere. We rely upon cars and, to a lesser extent, planes, so we can't go anywhere on an overnight train (also don't need to pay for a hotel or sleep in the car that way) and not only get there on time, but feeling refreshed as you get more space than a plane and don't have to drive all night.
From my experience traveling in other countries via train it is not cheaper, it was ungodly expensive in both europe and japan to get anywhere regardless of method.
And by deregulation I assume you mean govt subsidies(since reducing regulations generally lowers costs), and if so you are aware Amtrak bleeds money and is a govt entity? In the end someone in the country would have to pay for said service(in fact we currently do or at least our creditors do).
Yes i am the same guy who trades/sells on MOTL AND Wizards of the Coast and i trade on POJO.
It is way cheaper to use public transportation in Europe than to own and use a car, not close.
I agree. I lived in England for a year and the gas prices alone were enough to encourage anyone to hop a train instead. Bus transport is quite easy as well. Honestly the main issue many Brits I met had was "distance." A 2-3 hour car ride in their mind was impossible, where many Americans wouldn't think twice doing it if something was worth making the trip.
I would, actually. Airfare from PEI to Toronto is at least 500 for round trip, + hotel and food etc. No way I'd drive it, but even then the amount of gas would be pretty close.
Ottawa will not receive a regional qualifier. We're too close to Montreal, which is simply a better city to hold one in. The distribution is expected to be Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and one in the prairies (probably Alberta or Calgary). It's unfortunate that our population is spread so much that regional qualifiers are troublesome to travel to, but that's why they're introducing the local qualifiers this year.
One thing that's going to be a problem with the qualifiers is Judges. There's no word as of yet if these require a certified Judge. GPT's do, and only offer byes at an open invitation event. These events offer invitations to a closed event that has a certain level of prestige. If they do, we're going to have some problems up in Canada. The maritimes only have four judges spread across all their provinces. Given that these events happen at the tail end of university exam time, it's likely more than a few people will be unavailable. The majority of Canadian judges are already in or near major cities. It's a logistical nightmare to think we can have a judge at all 45 events, especially since it'll be 20-25 events each weekend, during exam season.
It's unfortunate that the maritimes don't get a regional qualifiers. They have an incredibly high percentage of magic players by population. Unfortunately, the low dispersed population makes it difficult to hold events in that region. Simply, Montreal has a higher population than New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI combined, and can accommodate hundreds of players coming in for an event.
Right, the gas is also extremely high due to a lot higher taxes(in general) on said gas than the states. Also one thing about public transportation, you cant split costs like you can a road trip.
Again though we are talking a 1600 KM train ride.
Yes i am the same guy who trades/sells on MOTL AND Wizards of the Coast and i trade on POJO.
France Population: 62,616,488
France Size: 547,030 sq. km
Weather conditions: Temperate
Population density: 114.5 persons/sq.km
Canada Population: 33,739,900
Canada Size: 9,984,670
Weather conditions: Totally variable (huge infrastructure support necessary to clear snow, etc. etc.)
Population Density: 3.379 persons/sq.km
Transportation infrastructure is hugely expensive, and government revenues in Canada are still MUCH lower than in France (half the number of taxpayers). It's completely and utterly ridiculous to expect a comparable level of transportation development. The same argument applies to a lesser extent to the U.S.
I believe I paid 100+ for my last train ticket (one way). I could drive to Dallas and back on that with just one friend and come out ahead. More leg room.
The real problem, as someone stated earlier, is the really long trip. Hell, it would be well over a 1000 miles just for me to try attend a tournament along most of the east coast. None of my counterparts in Europe take a train when they have to travel that far.
While true, the US equivilant to a rail system is AMTRAK (i.e. not good)... it's just easier to hop in a car and drive, and much faster as well. Esp considering most small towns don't have access to rail, and would have to drive to a big city to use it anyway.
I'd love it if we had a better rail system here. We're on our way, thanks to cities like Portland and Minenapolis that are adopting light rail systems, but even then our govt keeps shooting down high speed rail plans between large cities. Until that happens, we're driving.
Come on you went there, what is the dollar figure to ride a train from Paris for 1600 KM? Thats the main question, we actually have passenger trains in the US but they are almost the same cost as flight and yet take 4 times longer.
Yes i am the same guy who trades/sells on MOTL AND Wizards of the Coast and i trade on POJO.
It also does not even make enough money to sustain itself. lawls.
You know Calgary is a city in Alberta right
I don't actually believe that Ottawa will get a regional qualifer, but nothing would surprise me.
As far as judges goes I'm pretty sure Manitoba only has one level 2 judge, and very few level 1 judges. I'm not sure SK has any L2's, don't know about L1's.
Imho you can't run these local store events without having at least L1's, L2's would probably be prefered tbh.
That maritimes doesn't get a regional q is just as bad as Winnipeg not getting one. Wpg-Calgary is like 14 hrs thereabout and I doubt we will get much more than 2 slots for in store events.
The big winners in this I'm guessing will be southern ontario which will probably get an additional 10+ slots now :/
Derp, Calgary or Edmonton. this is why you don't skip breakfast
Lol, i watched "Hercule Poirot: Murder on the Orient Express" today.
Is typically what he says, too
Burst my bubble? What? One slot in Kelowna is one more than the maximum I had ever imagined before this announcement. Of course Kelowna won't get more than one slot. There's only one damn store. It'll likely get one. Again, I wouldn't compete anyway because I will be qualified on rating. Are you under the impression that some stores are going to be awarding multiple spots? The announcement clearly states otherwise.
On a trade break. Getting ripped blows...
1 slot per tournament, but there are multiple dates so I'm guessing one store could have multiple tournaments with 1 slot each
Location : Our store in Michigan
Date : May 1st
Rel Value : 32K
National Invites : 1 Invite with airfare
Location of Nationals : TBD
So wizards provides the airfare and the invite but thats it. So we would be responsible for the other prizes and judge fees.
First PTQ top 8 6/13/09(1st)
Second PTQ top 8 10/7/09(5th)
Second at national Qualifier 5/15/10
Third PTQ top 8 2/12/11 (2nd)
Second at Alberta 2011's
Fourth PTQ top 8 3/17/12(8th)
GP Vancouver 2012 (18th)
Last year for nationals to Montreal it would have cost me over a grand to go.. thats just flight and hotel, give me a westcoast nationals pls
First PTQ top 8 6/13/09(1st)
Second PTQ top 8 10/7/09(5th)
Second at national Qualifier 5/15/10
Third PTQ top 8 2/12/11 (2nd)
Second at Alberta 2011's
Fourth PTQ top 8 3/17/12(8th)
GP Vancouver 2012 (18th)
IF this is accurate, this is a complete and total game changer and amazing.
Yes i am the same guy who trades/sells on MOTL AND Wizards of the Coast and i trade on POJO.
http://www.cascadegames.com/events/881
http://www.cascadegames.com/events/882
I like that they're having some "mini" Nat qualifiers at local shops. Its good for the people who arent close enough to the one of the Big 17 cities. Should be interesting.
* sr20's Trade List *