we've had a long, tough year

With four days of end-of-year PD waiting for the faculty, I decided to infuse an already exciting curriculum mapping experience with something just below esotreic.

From my email to the faculty:

Interested in competing in the First Annual Springfield High School Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament (SHSRPST)?

Seriously.

Tournament Dates:

Opening Ceremony and First Round: Monday, June 16, 2008
Second Round (elimination day): Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Third Round / Quarterfinals: Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Semi-Finals, Finals, and Closing Ceremonies: Thursday, June 18, 2008

Please email me if you'd like to participate

And then, after some confusion, dismissal, and the requisite 'it's-just-Ken-so-it-can't-be-serious', I sent out the following clarification:

FAQs:

1. How will the tournament run?

- On Monday, June 16th, find 5 people during your day to play a best of five Rock Paper Scissors match (RPS). Record your results (who you played, score of matches) and email me those results. Based on those results, I will seed ALL participants for single-elimination tournament play which will begin on Tuesday.

- On Tuesday, June 17th, you'll receive the bracket. Find the person you are slated to play. Play a best of five. Winner moves on. Losers go home (not literally...we're contractually obligated to be here). For elimination games, it's best to find someone to serve as a witness. Send me the results (score of match).

- Results will be posted in the main office. Stop by when you can and see who you play next. Feel free to play whenever, but semi-finals and finals will not be held until Thursday, June 19th.

2. What if I'm going to miss a day for personal (golf) or sick (golf) reasons?

- As long as you don't plan on being absent Thursday, June 19, you can still participate. Just contact me, let me know the date in conflict, and accomodations will be made.

3. What if I've never played RPS?

- You can learn in seconds. Ask around, ask a student, or find me. Many people have used RPS to settle hotly contested issues, like taking out the trash.

4. How long is a best of five match?

- A best of five match, if a 3-0 sweep, won't last more than a minute. A match that ends 3-2, but with a bunch of ties throughout (ex: both people throw 'rock') could take two minutes. Hopefully, even if you're as busy as Chris:

I have a great deal of work to do. Curriculum mapping, final exams, preparations for my room, wiki-workee for my courses, moodle-ing in advance of next school year, and other things.

you'll still find minutes (literally) to play.

5. Five people on Monday? Who are my competitors?

- Your choice. If you are w/ your dept. doing dept. work, then you'll have plenty of opponents to choose from right in the same room. This way, you can focus all your June energy on curriculum writing and take a few minutes scattered throughout the day to play.

6. What about lunch?

- Please, eat lunch. Curriculum work and RPS competition require well-nourished participants. And, you can conduct a match off-site, at a local eatery.

7. Are we 'on our honor' during the first day of competition?

- Yes. If you are playing against someone and you think they are a shady little liar, then make sure you email me the results when your shady l ittle opponent says s/he will.

8. Will there be a prize?

- Yes, the winner will receive a prize.

9. Is there an entry fee?

- No.

10. Will there really be opening ceremonies?

- No. Sorry. That part wasn't serious. Shame on me.

11. What is the 11th question about?

- Nothing

Join. Play. Maybe have some fun w/ your co-workers.

And so now there are 32 participants.

Can we end on a happy note?

Maybe.



Whatever underlying effect the tournament may or may not have, all I know is that I'm determined to win at least one match by bringing an Avalanche.