Now I'm not going into detail about everything that happened on Sunday. I just want to set the picture for you on what happened. If I don't, you won't understand.
We had five practice matches the whole afternoon. The hardest practice match was the third one. Mrs. Deitrick's questions were just nasty. Since both Dave and Vicki had written so many questions, and even using questions written 10 years ago, Mrs. Deitrick was really scraping the bottom of the barrell. She was asking lots of footnote questions, putting the footnote in the actual text. (When Tim got heard those questions, he would say, "Those will never be asked!" The irony.) But the last two matches were great. The second to last match was only 2 errors, and none of the bonuses were missed. In our last match, we went 10 questions without an error. Only one error occured, and the bonus was gotten right. Throughout those five matches, everyone quizzed out at least. I myself quizzed out five times. There was even a couple times where Mike quizzed out before Tim. Things were looking good. Our hopes were up, especially knowing we were quizzinga against a brand new team, possibly the easiest team all season. So even when we were driving up, it was looking good. Mike and Tim went up in Tim's car, and the rest of us in the church van. We asked each other questions, and we were getting them right. Things were looking up, things were looking good.
Got to LMH in good timing. Met up with old friends, and find out where they were. Saw who was there, who was not, and whose roles were changed. Some went from quizzer to coach, others were in new churches. Looking around, I realized that the quizzing had completely changed from what I knew it to be when I began. Speaking of which, I decided to dress like I did rookie year, wearing the "jersey" from my rookie year with my first team, Ark Bible. It was different becasue there was no worship, and announcements started at 6:35. I just suspected it was early season confusion. After announcements, I watched the first match of Emmanuel vs. Strasburg 2. Heck, I scorekept. But I was also listening to the questions, and knew the answers to most, if not all of them. I was ready.
But my teammates did not show the same readiness as I was. Robert didn't feel confident. Mike was nervous. We didn't have time for these feelings, we needed to start quizzing. The starters were me, tim, mike and chelsea. Match started well. Tim got the first one right on a buzz in. I knew it, but buzzed too slow. I rebound to answer 2, 3, and 4 in a row, all buzzes all correct. After 4 questions, Goods 1 called the "oh crap" timeout because they were losing 45-0. With my seat now empty, Robert substuted. I had now opened up more room for team bonus. But with no avail. Errors appeared. Tim quizzed out question 9, allowing Alyssa to get in. She helped greatly, buzzing in, and answering "headwaters." We were one away from team bonus. But instead of gaining points, we lost points. We got 5 errors, the 5th error on Mike erroring out question 15. We did win the match against Goods 1, 75-50, but the win was sloppy. I feel bad for Alyssa because she had the first time of participating in team bonus, but we couldn't pull up for her.
We had no time to rest, for our matches were consecutive. The second and final match from the day was against Parkesburg. Not only was this church new to our quizzing, but also one of the first churches that was not Mennonite and quizzing in the ACC. This match was worse than the last one. I quizzed out on question 7, and that was Spring City's highlight of the match. Mike got 20 points, and all were in the last third of the match. Tim got 10 before erroring out himself. Once again, the team gave themselves 5 errors, losing 5 points. We lost our match 60-80.
After the match, Mike said to me, "Graham, I think this is the maddest I have ever seen you." So Mike, if I appeared mad, and that upset/disturbed you, I apologize. I am sorry. It was not meant to be that way. I wasn't really mad, not even upset. I guess "frustrated" would be a better term. I know this is the last year for a lot of people; not only myself, but also you and Tim, and even the Deitricks. I wanted to give that half of the team the best final year. Now for everyone else, I think it is best to recant everything I said in my last post. As much I was hoping we had what it takes, it's not looking good. Spring City already has 10 errors and 2 error outs. Our point average is 67.5. We have to start in 17th place. For the 16 teams ahead of us, we already quizzed 2 of them, and we have to quiz 14 of them in the remainder of the season. I overheard Tim say, "What's the season for? That's for individual." Well, Tim, if that's the way you want go, so be it. I was hoping being our last year, and being in the position we are, we could go for the season championship. But I guess not, since it's all about individual. If that's so, then I am striving to be a perfect quizzer. I was really hoping Tim and Mike could join me for the first couple or few weeks, but I gueess not. If the season is all about individual, then I am shooting for 16 more quiz outs. Please don't interfere. But let me CYB: Cover My Butt. Don't make this look like a selfish stride for pride. I still want our team to do its best. In fact, I make sure one of my questions right is a buzz in so I can set my team up for team bonus. I just don't want to be blamed for making selfish, prideful advances. I do my best for God, my team, and myself every match, which is quizzing out with one buzz in, scoring the maximum 35 points. I buzz in, I quiz out, what more can I do? I don't want those 35 points to be our team only guarenteed points. Let's give it our best, team. Sorry if it seems like I'm now concentrated with individual than team, but I've been put down earlier in my quizzing career and I don't want to be disappointed again this last year.
Thank you, my team, for letting me vent my frustrations. Sorry if this has offened you or made you upset or angry. Once again, don't get me wrong. I am not mad or upset at you. I love my team as a whole, and I love my teammates each individually. All of you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. I pray for you all blessings as you go throughout your day and as you quiz. Let us come together as a team on practice Thursday and be prepared to give our best. Let's do this like Brutus! It's on like Donkey Kong!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
There's No I in team
Every year you hear me talk about my goals, but they are always personal, individual. I rarely mention anything about the team. Maybe it's because I've been let down by team in the early years. Maybe it's because that while personal goals I fully control, team goals I could only partially control. I'm dependant on them doing something.
I have to say that I struggle (use that term loosely) with my role in the team. I always use to say, "I buzz, I quiz out, and that's all I can do." If I quiz out, with 1 of 3 right answers a buzz, not only do I get the team 35 points, I have set them up for a team bonus. But 35 points alone won't win quizmatches. And the team bonus won't happen unless 3 other teammates buzz in and answer right. But is team bonus really necesary? To clinch a win in a match, all a team needs to score is 100 points. Now there are many ways to score 100 points, but one way to do it is 3 quizouts, which is 105 points. So imagine if a team has 3 solid quizzers so can quiz out every match (which would be 9 questions, so you would have be sure those 3 quizzers could get 9 questions right). Those 3 quizzers alone could get the win for their team. It almost seems like the other quizzers, whether it be 1 to 4 others, aren't needed. Besides, that will only work for tournaments, when it is goes by win/loss. During the season, it's by points, and you need as much as you can get. But that leads into the discussion whether sometimes maybe a 5 quizzer team might be better than a team of 6 quizzers. But anyway...
There's got to more to team than just strategy. I believe there is. I've noticed in the past that in these last 3 years, that the lowest scoring quizzers always bring something to the team, and it's not points. It's something else. It's the factor that unites the team. That quizzer can take a serious moment, and lighten it by cracking a joke. This quizzer is quick to join in the fun. It doesn't matter how well the team of the quizzer him/herself is doing, they always have fun. Whenever tensions are at the highest, that quizzer lowers them. (S)he can calm nerves. I believe it is a vital part of a team to have this person. Without this person, the team will fail, no matter how good. This quizzer gives the team a laid-back feel. When a team is too serious, or too tense, it will lead to tightening up, which will lead to "brain farts" which leads to failing. In short, quizzers can contribute more than points to a team than just points alone.
Why do I say this? Why am I talking about team? Because I am going to make a bold statement, so bold, I will put it in bold font: I believe Spring City has what it takes to go all the way. Now, hold on. First of all, this is not a self-exhalting quote out of pride. I will explain why later. It is taking a lot for me step out and say this. Also know that I am not saying this out of hopeful team cheering either. I do have good reason for saying. Follow along with me.
First of all, let me introduce you to my team. I am Spring City's top quizzer (once again, not saying this to boast. This can be seen statistically.) I have been Spring City's top quizzer since 2006. Only in 2005 did Brandon Tedor, a wonderful quizzer himself, surpassed me as the top quizzer, and he deserved it. But let's look at my stats since joining the Spring City team in 2005. Since the 2005 season, I scored (in chronological order from 2005) 510, 585, 530, and 600 points. I have also quizzed out 12, 15, 14, and 16 times. This had led me to finish 34th, 12th, 16th, and 8th. That's 4 consecutive years as one of the Top 50 Quizzers in all the ACC. As you can tell scoring points and quizzing out comes naturally for me. Being my last year, I've studied more than usual. As I said in my last post, I'm striving to finish my last year perfect. 630 points will be a great contribution to our team's score.
But enough about me. I am only a sixth of my team. Next on the team is Tim Moss, a solid second quizzer. If the last name isn't enough to convince you, let me give you some stats. Tim has appeared on the Top 50 Quizzers List for 3 total years. In the past two years alone, when Tim joined Spring City, Tim has scored (chronologically, starting with 2007) 480 & 530 points, quizzing out 12 & 15 times. While last year Tim's 3 matches he didn't quiz out were because of error outs, Tim is trustful for a second quiz out. Then we got Mike, a true veteran to Spring City. While only making one appearance on the Top 60 Quizzers in 2006 (the first year they decide to make it the Top 60, lol), Mike has been one of Top 100 quizzers these past 3 years. Although not recognized in ACC Quizzing, it is a feat that should be noticed. To be in the top 100, one usually has to score 300 points or more. Mike has done that 3 times straight scoring (from 2006 on) 450 points, 340 points and 340 points again. While he's not a solid quiz out during the season, he's solid for at least one buzz in, which can contribute towards team bonus. And by the time tournaments come around, he is a regular quiz out. I've talked about the old veterans of quizzing, but let's not forget the younger ones. We don't have any rookies this year, but we got Chelsea in our third year, followed by Robert and Alyssa in their second year. Chelsea is fast at the buzzer, fast enough to frustrate the old veterans when they can't get in (lol). Robert, in his rookie year, scored 105 points and got his first quiz out. Alyssa, she's that factor, the uniting factor. She gives this team something only alyssa can give. Without her, this team would not be the same. We got the right quizzers. Now how's it going to work together in this year?
We've had 4 practices, and it looks very promising. Starting with me, I have quizzed out 15 of the 16 practices matches we've had (and for the record, the one I didn't quiz out was because Tim and Mike were blocking in me. lol). Tim and Mike have been buzzing in and getting them right, just as much as they error. They have quizzed out and errored out the same. They have well known the answer and took wild guesses. So in short, they are doing the same as any year, and can be projected to be the same. Chelsea is doing the fast buzzing as usual, but it's apparent she's gaining experience. She's had a quizout at least once every practice. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets her first quiz out this year and scores in the triple digits for the first time. Speaking of suprises, Alyssa is going to be a surprise. I see her doing all kinds of things in her score column. She gets bonuses wrong, she gets bonuses right. She's buzzed in and errored, and she's buzzed in and got it right. Just the fact she can beat in everyone else buzzing is a feat alone. She can do anything. Don't underestimate her, ACC Quizzing. Robert has had a slow start, but I'm not worried in the least. Why? All those feats I told you he did last year were all in the second half the season. It might take him time to warm up, but later on in the year, don't be caught off guard when he starts taking off.
My last argument is legacy. Pure legacy. Something cannot be measure by statistics or practice evaluation. This is the Deitricks' 3rd time quizzing on Genesis. They have opened their coaching career, and might end it on the same material. This might be ending it on a good note. Every time they have quizzed on Genesis, their team has finished high up and been awarded. This could be an omen. Let's just take it back to the Old Testament. The last time ACC Bible Quizzing has quizzed on the Old Testament, it was on Judges and Kings in 2005. That year, Spring City won the ACC Tournament. Mike and I are the only remnant of that 2005 quiz team. We know what it is like. Now to share that feeling with the others.
I told you earlier my dangerous statement was not meant to be proud and selfish of myself or my team. Now to explain it. I've won a team championship in my 8 years of quizzing, and so has Mike. But the rest of the team hasn't. This may not be big to our younger quizzers like Chelsea, Alyssa or Robert. But it has meant a lot for Tim. Entering his 7th year of quizzing, his team has yet to be recognized as some kind of championship team. Yes, he's been acknowledge by both Spring City and ACC Bible Quizzing, but it's about his individuality. No team trophy. Winning the season are the tournament is no longer about me, it's about the team, it's about Tim. I know I'll be one of the winners on the team, but I'll be happier for my fellow quizzing teammates, who are experiencing this joy for the first time.
So I say my bold statement again, Spring City has what it takes to go all the way. We have 3 old veterans that are solid quizouts, and our 3 younger quizzers are all solid to get us the last buzz in right for team bonus. Some concluding reasons to give you. Spring City has an old team. If you age the total ages of our quizzers together, we are 106 years. Our experience is old, too. Not counting this year, we have 24 total years of experience, and if you count this year, it is a total 30 years experience. I think all 3 numbers could be the oldest in ACC Quizzing. Second, Spring City remembers to keep ourselves spiritually in check. We remember that what we are learning is deeper than just "quizzing material." It is God's Word. It needs to be treated with respect. It needs to be part of our lives, and encompass our whole life. Everything we do, all credit is for God. Finally, we just got a good feeling about it. I can feel in in my veins, Chelsea can feel it in her bones, and Dave can feel it in his spirit. Even if we don't go all the way to end, something great is going to happen this year. We will accept it, and we will enjoy, and we will praise God for his blessing.
Now with 17 hours and 30 minutes left until the first quiz match of the 2009 season, I am going to bed. I probably will hardly be able to sleep with all the excitement. This upcoming quizmeet will be bittersweet, as I come to realization this is the last time the quizzing season will open as me as quzzing. May I not focus on the end of my career, but the beginning of yet another year to do my best.
I have to say that I struggle (use that term loosely) with my role in the team. I always use to say, "I buzz, I quiz out, and that's all I can do." If I quiz out, with 1 of 3 right answers a buzz, not only do I get the team 35 points, I have set them up for a team bonus. But 35 points alone won't win quizmatches. And the team bonus won't happen unless 3 other teammates buzz in and answer right. But is team bonus really necesary? To clinch a win in a match, all a team needs to score is 100 points. Now there are many ways to score 100 points, but one way to do it is 3 quizouts, which is 105 points. So imagine if a team has 3 solid quizzers so can quiz out every match (which would be 9 questions, so you would have be sure those 3 quizzers could get 9 questions right). Those 3 quizzers alone could get the win for their team. It almost seems like the other quizzers, whether it be 1 to 4 others, aren't needed. Besides, that will only work for tournaments, when it is goes by win/loss. During the season, it's by points, and you need as much as you can get. But that leads into the discussion whether sometimes maybe a 5 quizzer team might be better than a team of 6 quizzers. But anyway...
There's got to more to team than just strategy. I believe there is. I've noticed in the past that in these last 3 years, that the lowest scoring quizzers always bring something to the team, and it's not points. It's something else. It's the factor that unites the team. That quizzer can take a serious moment, and lighten it by cracking a joke. This quizzer is quick to join in the fun. It doesn't matter how well the team of the quizzer him/herself is doing, they always have fun. Whenever tensions are at the highest, that quizzer lowers them. (S)he can calm nerves. I believe it is a vital part of a team to have this person. Without this person, the team will fail, no matter how good. This quizzer gives the team a laid-back feel. When a team is too serious, or too tense, it will lead to tightening up, which will lead to "brain farts" which leads to failing. In short, quizzers can contribute more than points to a team than just points alone.
Why do I say this? Why am I talking about team? Because I am going to make a bold statement, so bold, I will put it in bold font: I believe Spring City has what it takes to go all the way. Now, hold on. First of all, this is not a self-exhalting quote out of pride. I will explain why later. It is taking a lot for me step out and say this. Also know that I am not saying this out of hopeful team cheering either. I do have good reason for saying. Follow along with me.
First of all, let me introduce you to my team. I am Spring City's top quizzer (once again, not saying this to boast. This can be seen statistically.) I have been Spring City's top quizzer since 2006. Only in 2005 did Brandon Tedor, a wonderful quizzer himself, surpassed me as the top quizzer, and he deserved it. But let's look at my stats since joining the Spring City team in 2005. Since the 2005 season, I scored (in chronological order from 2005) 510, 585, 530, and 600 points. I have also quizzed out 12, 15, 14, and 16 times. This had led me to finish 34th, 12th, 16th, and 8th. That's 4 consecutive years as one of the Top 50 Quizzers in all the ACC. As you can tell scoring points and quizzing out comes naturally for me. Being my last year, I've studied more than usual. As I said in my last post, I'm striving to finish my last year perfect. 630 points will be a great contribution to our team's score.
But enough about me. I am only a sixth of my team. Next on the team is Tim Moss, a solid second quizzer. If the last name isn't enough to convince you, let me give you some stats. Tim has appeared on the Top 50 Quizzers List for 3 total years. In the past two years alone, when Tim joined Spring City, Tim has scored (chronologically, starting with 2007) 480 & 530 points, quizzing out 12 & 15 times. While last year Tim's 3 matches he didn't quiz out were because of error outs, Tim is trustful for a second quiz out. Then we got Mike, a true veteran to Spring City. While only making one appearance on the Top 60 Quizzers in 2006 (the first year they decide to make it the Top 60, lol), Mike has been one of Top 100 quizzers these past 3 years. Although not recognized in ACC Quizzing, it is a feat that should be noticed. To be in the top 100, one usually has to score 300 points or more. Mike has done that 3 times straight scoring (from 2006 on) 450 points, 340 points and 340 points again. While he's not a solid quiz out during the season, he's solid for at least one buzz in, which can contribute towards team bonus. And by the time tournaments come around, he is a regular quiz out. I've talked about the old veterans of quizzing, but let's not forget the younger ones. We don't have any rookies this year, but we got Chelsea in our third year, followed by Robert and Alyssa in their second year. Chelsea is fast at the buzzer, fast enough to frustrate the old veterans when they can't get in (lol). Robert, in his rookie year, scored 105 points and got his first quiz out. Alyssa, she's that factor, the uniting factor. She gives this team something only alyssa can give. Without her, this team would not be the same. We got the right quizzers. Now how's it going to work together in this year?
We've had 4 practices, and it looks very promising. Starting with me, I have quizzed out 15 of the 16 practices matches we've had (and for the record, the one I didn't quiz out was because Tim and Mike were blocking in me. lol). Tim and Mike have been buzzing in and getting them right, just as much as they error. They have quizzed out and errored out the same. They have well known the answer and took wild guesses. So in short, they are doing the same as any year, and can be projected to be the same. Chelsea is doing the fast buzzing as usual, but it's apparent she's gaining experience. She's had a quizout at least once every practice. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets her first quiz out this year and scores in the triple digits for the first time. Speaking of suprises, Alyssa is going to be a surprise. I see her doing all kinds of things in her score column. She gets bonuses wrong, she gets bonuses right. She's buzzed in and errored, and she's buzzed in and got it right. Just the fact she can beat in everyone else buzzing is a feat alone. She can do anything. Don't underestimate her, ACC Quizzing. Robert has had a slow start, but I'm not worried in the least. Why? All those feats I told you he did last year were all in the second half the season. It might take him time to warm up, but later on in the year, don't be caught off guard when he starts taking off.
My last argument is legacy. Pure legacy. Something cannot be measure by statistics or practice evaluation. This is the Deitricks' 3rd time quizzing on Genesis. They have opened their coaching career, and might end it on the same material. This might be ending it on a good note. Every time they have quizzed on Genesis, their team has finished high up and been awarded. This could be an omen. Let's just take it back to the Old Testament. The last time ACC Bible Quizzing has quizzed on the Old Testament, it was on Judges and Kings in 2005. That year, Spring City won the ACC Tournament. Mike and I are the only remnant of that 2005 quiz team. We know what it is like. Now to share that feeling with the others.
I told you earlier my dangerous statement was not meant to be proud and selfish of myself or my team. Now to explain it. I've won a team championship in my 8 years of quizzing, and so has Mike. But the rest of the team hasn't. This may not be big to our younger quizzers like Chelsea, Alyssa or Robert. But it has meant a lot for Tim. Entering his 7th year of quizzing, his team has yet to be recognized as some kind of championship team. Yes, he's been acknowledge by both Spring City and ACC Bible Quizzing, but it's about his individuality. No team trophy. Winning the season are the tournament is no longer about me, it's about the team, it's about Tim. I know I'll be one of the winners on the team, but I'll be happier for my fellow quizzing teammates, who are experiencing this joy for the first time.
So I say my bold statement again, Spring City has what it takes to go all the way. We have 3 old veterans that are solid quizouts, and our 3 younger quizzers are all solid to get us the last buzz in right for team bonus. Some concluding reasons to give you. Spring City has an old team. If you age the total ages of our quizzers together, we are 106 years. Our experience is old, too. Not counting this year, we have 24 total years of experience, and if you count this year, it is a total 30 years experience. I think all 3 numbers could be the oldest in ACC Quizzing. Second, Spring City remembers to keep ourselves spiritually in check. We remember that what we are learning is deeper than just "quizzing material." It is God's Word. It needs to be treated with respect. It needs to be part of our lives, and encompass our whole life. Everything we do, all credit is for God. Finally, we just got a good feeling about it. I can feel in in my veins, Chelsea can feel it in her bones, and Dave can feel it in his spirit. Even if we don't go all the way to end, something great is going to happen this year. We will accept it, and we will enjoy, and we will praise God for his blessing.
Now with 17 hours and 30 minutes left until the first quiz match of the 2009 season, I am going to bed. I probably will hardly be able to sleep with all the excitement. This upcoming quizmeet will be bittersweet, as I come to realization this is the last time the quizzing season will open as me as quzzing. May I not focus on the end of my career, but the beginning of yet another year to do my best.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
The Year of 19 BYAH!s
If you're a quizzer in Pennsylvania, there's nothing out of the norm with this past Sunday. But in Ohio, this was a special Sunday. All 3 Ohio quizzing conferences opened their quizzing seasons today. Now for you keeping track at home, we got 17 days, 19 hours and 50 minutes until the ACC kicks off their quizzing season. Hearing that Ohio has started quizzing makes me realize how soon my team and I will be quizzing.
This is my last year quizzing. I am 20 years old, the maximum age for quizzing. The only way I could quiz any older was if I started the year as 20 and turned 21 during the quiz year. But after doing the math, I caculated that those who have birthdays during the quizzing season have no advantage of those who do not. Both of them cannot quiz more than 8 years. Quizzing 2009 will be my 8th year. My, how time has flown.
I will start this year the same I start making any goal: Every year I make a goal. The goal is some accomplishment that is to pushed me to do better. At the start, they were accomplishments I couldn't get. In 2003, the first time I made a goal, I said I was going to be on the Top 50 Quizzers List. Only being in 8th grade, I didn't know my strengths and limitations for a 2nd year quizzer. So I was of course disappointed when I finished in 195th with only 120 points. 2004 I got smart about it and set a simple goal: quiz out before Josh Mosh in a real match and quiz out before Jake Moss in one of our practice Ark 1 vs. Ark 2 matches. (This was the year Ark Bible had 2 teams, and Jake and Josh Moss were the best quizzers for Ark Bible Chapel.) I completed that goal...a bunch of times. lol. So my next goal for the next year was to just do better than the previous year. Since in 2004 I finished 78th place was 370 points, 7 quizouts, 2 weeks as a perfect quizzer, and 5 weeks on the top 50 quizzers list. This one I succeeded beyond the minimum. While I couldn't be perfect for even the first week, I was on the top 50 quizzers for 6 weeks, got 12 quiz outs, scored 510 points and finished in 34th. According to quizzing's 2/3 rule, that's a complete goal. The next year's goal was only 3 parts: Be on the top 50 quizzers list every week (especially the last week), be a perfect quizzer for at least 3 weeks and quiz out at least 13 times. One again, I completed this goal on the 2/3 rule, and once again, it was because I couldn't be perfect for even a week. 2007's goal was simple again. Just be one of the top 5. I believed that was a good goal, considering I was only 7 away from the previous year. Of course I was disappointed when not only I couldn't make the top 5, I couldn't even make the 12th place mark I reached the previous year. I got 16th. So I went back to the 3-part goal. For 2008, I revised the top 5 quizzer goal from the previous, revived the perfect quizzer goal from the few years back, then added a new one: score 600 points. Now every year I complete a goal, I finish better than the goal. Every time I fail a goal, I do worse than the previous year. But this last year was different because I did not complete the goal, but did do better. I did score the 600 points, but missed the perfection goal (by one question on one quiz match! blah!) and the top 5 goal (by 3 places). In review, of the past 6 goals I am split evenly because I completed half of them and failed half of them. All completed goals pushed made to better than the previous year.
Now that we know what I've done, I can brainstorm and plan accordingly to what my next year goal should be. As Mrs. Deitrick reminded me, my priority should be to please the Lord in my quizzing, and I agree. As I learned last year, my quizzing can be a memorial offering to God (Acts 10:4). I don't want to make the same mistake Cain did; I want to give the best I can, my quizzing firstfruits. But what is the best I can give? Like I said, I have been improving as a quizzer every year, in the long term picture. So this next year, I should want to improve. Gee, there's very little room to improve from 600 points, 16 quizouts, and 8th place. I can only get (assuming a 19-match schedule) 65 more points, 3 quizouts more than last year, and I can only advance 7 more places. Well, then I guess then that's what I have to do. My goal is to be a perfect quizzer. It fits perfectly. If I'm going to advance, I might as well go all the way. I was only 2 quiz outs and 7 places away last year. It's been a goal I have been striving to get since my fourth year of quizzing...kinda (being perfect for at least 3 weeks was the aim). I also have been aiming for the past 2 years to be one of the top 5 quizzers, and being a perfect quizzer means I'll be the no. 1 quizzer, which means the top 5. Besides, to be a perfect quizzer, I'll need a career high points and a career high quizouts. So being a perfect quizzer I'll hit many record highs, too.
How do I go about this goal? For starters, first and foremost, pray. I have been praying for it. Before I petition the Lord for it, I thank God for everything He has done for me in the past, showing I have not forgotten Him in my quizzing. Then my petition is simple, "What's it going to take to get me to be perfect?" And I feel like his reply is, "If you put My Word in both your head and heart, and give it all you got, your best, you will reap what you sow." I don't mean it to sound like I'm bargaining with God, but more of showing God that I'm fully devoted to learning His Word and worshipping Him through my quizzing, so I can sow what I want to reap. I want to give God my best, I feel like anything short of perfection would not my best. I want to be perfect just like my Savior is perfect :)
So what I am going to do to show my devotion to learning God's Word? At the beginning of Spring City's first practice, Coach Dave asked us if we are just going to add reading God's Word to our life, or if we were going to have God's Word encompass our whole life. My answer is: "All the above." I will do both. Not only will I add time to practice and study quizzing in my life, but quizzing will encompass everything in my life. Let me break that down for you. First, let me tell you how I am adding quizzing time to my life. Efffective when I return to school, I will give quizzing the same attention as my classes by making it the eqivilent of a class. On Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, I will spend at least 1 full hour quizzing and on Tuesday and Thursdays an hour and a half. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, I will read the material at least once a day. For Fridays and Saturdays, I will read the material at least twice a day. This means by the time I get to the place of the quizmeet, I will have read the material a minimum of 10 times. Furthermore, I will make sure I have the situations and numbers done by Monday. Consider this a mini-resolutionis part of the quizzing goal.
Now to have it encompass all my life. The obvious answer is to apply what I'm learning from in the material in my life. It's the best way to display the Word is in my heart. What else can I do? Keep the Word close to me, even in the most literal way. I will be carry my quizbook around with me at all times, no matter where I go. I have the Audio Bible on my mp3 player (and soon my phone) and will listen to it when I can listen to it. If I can't listen to it, I will be reading my quizbook. For those times I am just reading, I am going to do what I call the 5-5-5 deal. I read every verse 5 times over, then I read every paragraph 5 times over, then I read the whole chapter 5 times over. Go onto next chapter and repeat process. The repitition from reading over and over again should get me to subconsciencously memorize the material.
Finally, to show God I am dedicated, extra dedicated, to Him and learning His Word, I am taking up the Nazarite vow. The Nazarite vow was a special vow to show separation to the Lord. Pretty much, it was to show special dedication to the Lord. I want to show that special dedication to learning God's Word, so I will take up the Nazarite vow. Effective next quiz practice (tomorrow), not a single hair on my body is to be cut, I am not to eat or drink anythin made of grapes (I've decided either natural or artificial, considering that the Israelites never had confronted "artificial grape flavor") nor drink any fermented drink (I don't do that anyway) and I can't go near anything dead. At the end of my Nazarite vow, I'm suppose to present an offering for the Lord. My offfering I plan to give is the perfect season, for it is not mine, but it is the Lord's.
So have you figured out my title to this post? It's from last year. Quizzing gets me excited. I get excited every time I quiz out. I get so excited, I just have to yell or scream, to get out the energy out of me...which may have been put in me because of energy drinks :). So every time I quiz out, I yell out the Dean Scream as made famous by Dave Chapelle, "BYAH!" I quizzed out 16 times last season, so 16 times I went "BYAH!" A quizzing season has 17-19 quizmatches a year. I've never quizzed where there's been more than 19 quizmatches. So to have that perfect quizzing season, to quiz out every match, I will have quizzed out 19 times. Let's start counting ;)
I hope everyone can join me in supporting me this time in dedicating myself to the study of God's Word. I will definitely keep everyone updated on my blogs. Actually, from here on out until the end of the quizzing year, my blogs will have nothing but quizzing. Since we still have time until the first match, for now I will update you on schedules, Spring City's practices, quizzing in Ohio, and just strategy and scouting in general. Here's to perfection!
This is my last year quizzing. I am 20 years old, the maximum age for quizzing. The only way I could quiz any older was if I started the year as 20 and turned 21 during the quiz year. But after doing the math, I caculated that those who have birthdays during the quizzing season have no advantage of those who do not. Both of them cannot quiz more than 8 years. Quizzing 2009 will be my 8th year. My, how time has flown.
I will start this year the same I start making any goal: Every year I make a goal. The goal is some accomplishment that is to pushed me to do better. At the start, they were accomplishments I couldn't get. In 2003, the first time I made a goal, I said I was going to be on the Top 50 Quizzers List. Only being in 8th grade, I didn't know my strengths and limitations for a 2nd year quizzer. So I was of course disappointed when I finished in 195th with only 120 points. 2004 I got smart about it and set a simple goal: quiz out before Josh Mosh in a real match and quiz out before Jake Moss in one of our practice Ark 1 vs. Ark 2 matches. (This was the year Ark Bible had 2 teams, and Jake and Josh Moss were the best quizzers for Ark Bible Chapel.) I completed that goal...a bunch of times. lol. So my next goal for the next year was to just do better than the previous year. Since in 2004 I finished 78th place was 370 points, 7 quizouts, 2 weeks as a perfect quizzer, and 5 weeks on the top 50 quizzers list. This one I succeeded beyond the minimum. While I couldn't be perfect for even the first week, I was on the top 50 quizzers for 6 weeks, got 12 quiz outs, scored 510 points and finished in 34th. According to quizzing's 2/3 rule, that's a complete goal. The next year's goal was only 3 parts: Be on the top 50 quizzers list every week (especially the last week), be a perfect quizzer for at least 3 weeks and quiz out at least 13 times. One again, I completed this goal on the 2/3 rule, and once again, it was because I couldn't be perfect for even a week. 2007's goal was simple again. Just be one of the top 5. I believed that was a good goal, considering I was only 7 away from the previous year. Of course I was disappointed when not only I couldn't make the top 5, I couldn't even make the 12th place mark I reached the previous year. I got 16th. So I went back to the 3-part goal. For 2008, I revised the top 5 quizzer goal from the previous, revived the perfect quizzer goal from the few years back, then added a new one: score 600 points. Now every year I complete a goal, I finish better than the goal. Every time I fail a goal, I do worse than the previous year. But this last year was different because I did not complete the goal, but did do better. I did score the 600 points, but missed the perfection goal (by one question on one quiz match! blah!) and the top 5 goal (by 3 places). In review, of the past 6 goals I am split evenly because I completed half of them and failed half of them. All completed goals pushed made to better than the previous year.
Now that we know what I've done, I can brainstorm and plan accordingly to what my next year goal should be. As Mrs. Deitrick reminded me, my priority should be to please the Lord in my quizzing, and I agree. As I learned last year, my quizzing can be a memorial offering to God (Acts 10:4). I don't want to make the same mistake Cain did; I want to give the best I can, my quizzing firstfruits. But what is the best I can give? Like I said, I have been improving as a quizzer every year, in the long term picture. So this next year, I should want to improve. Gee, there's very little room to improve from 600 points, 16 quizouts, and 8th place. I can only get (assuming a 19-match schedule) 65 more points, 3 quizouts more than last year, and I can only advance 7 more places. Well, then I guess then that's what I have to do. My goal is to be a perfect quizzer. It fits perfectly. If I'm going to advance, I might as well go all the way. I was only 2 quiz outs and 7 places away last year. It's been a goal I have been striving to get since my fourth year of quizzing...kinda (being perfect for at least 3 weeks was the aim). I also have been aiming for the past 2 years to be one of the top 5 quizzers, and being a perfect quizzer means I'll be the no. 1 quizzer, which means the top 5. Besides, to be a perfect quizzer, I'll need a career high points and a career high quizouts. So being a perfect quizzer I'll hit many record highs, too.
How do I go about this goal? For starters, first and foremost, pray. I have been praying for it. Before I petition the Lord for it, I thank God for everything He has done for me in the past, showing I have not forgotten Him in my quizzing. Then my petition is simple, "What's it going to take to get me to be perfect?" And I feel like his reply is, "If you put My Word in both your head and heart, and give it all you got, your best, you will reap what you sow." I don't mean it to sound like I'm bargaining with God, but more of showing God that I'm fully devoted to learning His Word and worshipping Him through my quizzing, so I can sow what I want to reap. I want to give God my best, I feel like anything short of perfection would not my best. I want to be perfect just like my Savior is perfect :)
So what I am going to do to show my devotion to learning God's Word? At the beginning of Spring City's first practice, Coach Dave asked us if we are just going to add reading God's Word to our life, or if we were going to have God's Word encompass our whole life. My answer is: "All the above." I will do both. Not only will I add time to practice and study quizzing in my life, but quizzing will encompass everything in my life. Let me break that down for you. First, let me tell you how I am adding quizzing time to my life. Efffective when I return to school, I will give quizzing the same attention as my classes by making it the eqivilent of a class. On Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, I will spend at least 1 full hour quizzing and on Tuesday and Thursdays an hour and a half. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, I will read the material at least once a day. For Fridays and Saturdays, I will read the material at least twice a day. This means by the time I get to the place of the quizmeet, I will have read the material a minimum of 10 times. Furthermore, I will make sure I have the situations and numbers done by Monday. Consider this a mini-resolutionis part of the quizzing goal.
Now to have it encompass all my life. The obvious answer is to apply what I'm learning from in the material in my life. It's the best way to display the Word is in my heart. What else can I do? Keep the Word close to me, even in the most literal way. I will be carry my quizbook around with me at all times, no matter where I go. I have the Audio Bible on my mp3 player (and soon my phone) and will listen to it when I can listen to it. If I can't listen to it, I will be reading my quizbook. For those times I am just reading, I am going to do what I call the 5-5-5 deal. I read every verse 5 times over, then I read every paragraph 5 times over, then I read the whole chapter 5 times over. Go onto next chapter and repeat process. The repitition from reading over and over again should get me to subconsciencously memorize the material.
Finally, to show God I am dedicated, extra dedicated, to Him and learning His Word, I am taking up the Nazarite vow. The Nazarite vow was a special vow to show separation to the Lord. Pretty much, it was to show special dedication to the Lord. I want to show that special dedication to learning God's Word, so I will take up the Nazarite vow. Effective next quiz practice (tomorrow), not a single hair on my body is to be cut, I am not to eat or drink anythin made of grapes (I've decided either natural or artificial, considering that the Israelites never had confronted "artificial grape flavor") nor drink any fermented drink (I don't do that anyway) and I can't go near anything dead. At the end of my Nazarite vow, I'm suppose to present an offering for the Lord. My offfering I plan to give is the perfect season, for it is not mine, but it is the Lord's.
So have you figured out my title to this post? It's from last year. Quizzing gets me excited. I get excited every time I quiz out. I get so excited, I just have to yell or scream, to get out the energy out of me...which may have been put in me because of energy drinks :). So every time I quiz out, I yell out the Dean Scream as made famous by Dave Chapelle, "BYAH!" I quizzed out 16 times last season, so 16 times I went "BYAH!" A quizzing season has 17-19 quizmatches a year. I've never quizzed where there's been more than 19 quizmatches. So to have that perfect quizzing season, to quiz out every match, I will have quizzed out 19 times. Let's start counting ;)
I hope everyone can join me in supporting me this time in dedicating myself to the study of God's Word. I will definitely keep everyone updated on my blogs. Actually, from here on out until the end of the quizzing year, my blogs will have nothing but quizzing. Since we still have time until the first match, for now I will update you on schedules, Spring City's practices, quizzing in Ohio, and just strategy and scouting in general. Here's to perfection!
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