Colour Commentary

Close to 200 people gathered in the Mayflower Renaissance's Colonial
Room for the WSC's opening reception.  Registered participants received
canvas goodie bags.  Brief welcoming addresses were delivered by the
NSA's John Williams and Hasbro VP, Philip Jackson, who promises that
the winner's Tiffany Silver Bowl is under "lock and key."  Lavish
buffet tables and a well-stocked open bar were enjoyed by all.

Joel Sherman (USA), decked out in a swell suit, was fond of the cream
cheese/ caviar/crab meat canapes.  I think I spotted him going back for
thirds!  Matt Graham (USA), accompanied by Marlon Hill, was rumored to
be very busy this weekend.  Not only is he competing in the Worlds, but
his agent set him up with some DC comedy gigs.  He'll be performing
stand-up nearly every night he's here!  Due to work conflicts, we
weren't sure that Brian Cappelletto (USA) would make the tournament.
These fears were laid to rest when he arrived tonight with his guest,
Myna Wallin.  The tournament's director of operations, Laura Klein,
resplendent in a sequined dress, and her husband, the corporately
coiffed Joe Edley (USA), brought daughter Amber for part of the evening
soiree.

A documentary filmmaker, Jon Hock, has been mingling among the
contestants.  He appears fascinated with the level of concentration top
players exhibit.  Jon's previous projects have included filmmaking for
the NFL.  We've promised him less physical contact, but just as much
competition!  Before the tournament is through, I'm sure he'll get more
than enough footage for a good, long piece.

Bob Linn is kindly housing many WSC contestants. The entire Thai
contingency: Charnwit Sukhumrattanaporn, Jakkrit Klaphajone, and Gerry
Carter are joined by the non-competing Amnuay Ploysangngam (also Thai)
and no-competing Singaporean Tony Sim. For those counting, that is FIVE
foreign houseguests! "Uncle Bob," who made two trips to the airport
today to retrieve the party, seems happy to host such a large brood!
When I teased the 18-year-old Charnwit, about his pronounciationof the
letter h, his teammate, Gerry, suggested I try to pronounce glua (there
is a line through the u, but my keyboard is not cooperating). I failed
miserably at repeating this Thia word for salt. I guess I won't be
teasing Charnwit anymore!

The beaming Robin Pollack Daniel (CAN) and her husband, Gary Daniel,
were overheard discussing ultrasounds. . . .

A social faux pas--I bumped into him and spilled part of his drink onto
his hand, miraculously missing his suit and starched white
shirt!!--turned into a wonderful opportunity and I met the family of
Norbert saldanha (ARE). His wife, Miriam, and their son, Dean, are also
competitive Scrabblers. The Saldanha parents, as unbiased as all
parents, are sure Dean will competing at the next WSC!

The Kenyan contingency is claiming that it is their turn to win the
WSC. Between Patrick Gitonga Nderitu (KEN), Stanley Njoroge Ndungu
(KEN), and Shafique Thobani (KEN), they do stand a good shot! Gitonga
has been honing his OSPD skills during his stay in Seattle these past
several months.  If these skills catch up with his OSW knowledge, we
are all in trouble! :)

Some uncertainty still remains in the total of attendees, even at this
late hour. James Flomo (LIB), who was heard from last week, has not yet
arrived. If he is here by 8 am Friday, he and American alternate, Jim
Kramer (USA), will be the 81st and 82nd players. Otherwise, the total
will remain fixed at 80.

My digital camera was a huge hit today! Between John Chew and I, we've
taken more than 50 photos (however, I think we will weed out the ones
where people are yawning or blinking and get the number down some).
These photos, along with player mug shots and brief bios, can be
obtained from the site John and I are continuing to contribute to:

http://www.math.utoronto.ca/jjchew/wsc97

We are having a lot of fun!  sherrie saint@mit.edu