I'm not really sure why I feel that way. Maybe because it's been a slower, easier process, or maybe because I'm feeling pretty comfortable with it now.
2007 was my first year. All the other judges were very experienced, and they did a great job of showing me the ropes and leading me through it. It was an incredible successful year, with a ton of great products and a group that was really willing to listen to suggestions and ideas.
In 2009 I judged again, but that was only because Zachary Houghton withdrew and I always kind of felt like an outsider. Not because of anything anyone else did, but just because it was a different group than I had worked with before, and my excitement was tempered by the circumstances under which I received the job.
This year just feels like it's going fantastically. The judges did a whole lot of talking early on, which I think eased the transition and helped me to feel comfortable with them. Also, we really updated the tools we used for communication and tracking this year. Mostly thanks to google groups and documents I always feel like I can post what I need to and be sure that everyone is seeing and responding in a timely manner.
And of course there's the judges, who have been the real boon this year. I was a bit apprehensive after so many of the old guard left, leaving me as the most senior judge here. As I listed before I always felt a little separate from the others in previous years, and I certainly don't think I've done half the job of leading the way that those who taught me did, but still they really jumped right in and got down to work. Especially giving my own absence over the last couple months, it's left me humbled.
Anywho, there's not much point to my rambling I guess, just some thoughts that were on my mind that I figured I'd share. I'll try to give the next post some sort of value or at least meaning, I swear.
