Question from a fan

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I drive almost 100 miles a few times a season. The rural conferences here do something that the more urban and suburban conferences do not -- they pay higher game fees and also pay travel money (I'll work some schools that pay up to $50 travel). To me, it's a sign that they *want* officials from my area to come and work or that there's a shortage of varsity level officials in the area. And those schools pack the gym and provide an atmosphere rarely seen at bigger schools, where the gyms can be less than half full. It's OK to do this once in a while, but I do appreciate the rare occasion where I have to drive less than 20 miles, too.

Our association is almost all small town schools in a rural area. The area serviced is about 135 miles long from top to bottom with the home of the association in the center. We are paid travel for all levels based on one car, one way, from the home of the association to the home school, regardless of actual distance traveled, with a minimum of $30. This money is split between the 2 or 3 officials working that night.

I live about 15 miles from the north end of our territory, so I have to travel more than most. But, when the game is on the south end, I usually drive down to meet a partner halfway, more or less, then ride with him.

[BillyMac]

We service two counties in Connecticut. If you'll imagine a big rectangle, I live at southwest corner of the rectangle. Longest trip from home is about fifty-five miles, one way, to the northeast corner. Luckily, my day job is located in the center of the rectangle.

My major problem is that the Connecticut River cuts our service area in half. Home on one side of the river. My laboratory is on the other side of the river. There are just a few bridges that cross the river, and they're all very busy at rush hour.

I went to reconciliation (confession) during Advent. Told my pastor about my offensive language when stuck in traffic. He told me that instead of swearing, I should say a prayer for the other drivers, like he does. No penance because he said that he is very familiar with the highway that I was talking about, and that the understands my frustration. I left with the feeling that he does more than just say prayers when stuck in traffic. If one swears in Latin, is it still swearing?