“Exhibition” comes from the latin Exhibitvs, made up from the roots “Ex Hibit Vs.”, which roughly translates as “Not ready, versus.” I looked it up. Make no mistake, today’s competitors are well-prepared.
A few are veterans of the top ranks of Layer Tennis. Others are new to the sport, but no less skilled. Others aren't really that great, but they live somewhere exotic and let us crash on their floors a lot back in the 90s. In any case, all these titans of imagery are ready to go, it is I, your commentator, The Ref, who is not ready.
I've been told I commentated on a match last season. I've read it, and it's not bad, but I don't remember writing a word of it. A Layer Tennis match is a grueling experience for all involved. While today's match will allow ten participants fifteen minutes to prepare their one shot at glory, a normal match features only two competitors, who each must prepare five volleys, in 15-minute creative bursts alternating with 15-minute panic attacks.
The commentator, on the other hand, must not only familiarize him/herself with both participants, but also reply to all ten volleys Immediately as they're posted. That's ten 3-ish-minute bursts of creativity, 1 minute of spell checking, and 11 minutes of panic attacks, plus research, translating latin, and making stuff up. This time, on top of all that, I've got ten people's dirty laundry to search through to find their most embarassing stories.
But you know what? I'm not complaining. I'm glad to be here in the commentator's chair, just to have my buttocks occupying the same physical space as some of the literary geniuses that came before me. It feels great to kick off a new season of Layer Tennis. Today we'll meet twelve outstanding designers. Today there's no trophy, no standings, no wagering. Today we're all winners.
Today's live "Layer by Layer" commentary is by Bryan Bedell of Coudal Partners.
Hello, friends, please note we've compiled the 2010 preseason into one easy-to-watch video along the lines of our Season Two video. When will Season Three start? What surprises await? Season Ticket Holders will find out first, and tickets don't cost a dime!
Oliver Reichenstein of Information Architects in Tokyo submits the final volley (Oops I just accidentally typed "vinyl folly!") Our humble document has clocked over 21,000 miles today, and almost that many layers. Thanks for joining us for this and all our preseason matches. Sign up for free Season Tickets to be the first to find out about our regular season!
Here's a list of the players for today's Around the World in Ten Layers match. There is no coin-flip for today but that doesn't mean The Ref isn't busy.
Don't forget to sign up for Free Layer Tennis Season Tickets to get the scoop on the regular season, which starts later this year. Plus who knows? Maybe you'll get a chance to show your stuff in a Qualifying Match.
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