Interview With An Umpire(not Vampire), Getting up close with the Matrix Options

[goldrush]

Although he may not exude the charm of TomCruise(Interview with the Vampire)nevertheless the Matrix has his innate charm and charisma and I managed to catch up with him for an informal interview despite his busy schedule as a local umpire and programme manager during MFGC

Getting up close to the Matrix wasn’t much of a problem however getting him to open up on his pet subject,the “goldfish” was……
You see this dependable character has starred in almost all of RG hottest topics discussed here.His answers can be indirect ,mind boggling at times and not to everyone’s liking. To me he is such a reverential figure here who always packs a punch when fighting off many of ridiculous answers offered in our forum .Here are excerpts of the interview I had with this controversial persona

Goldrush Matrix can you tell how has been this MFGC?

Matrix:Certainly.We are very encouraged by the response Infact it was so overwhelming that our own members were not able to fill their own competitive fishes’.

Goldrush:So the public comes first and should categories fall short of entries,the club will fill up the shortfall am I right?

Matrix,that’s why it is called MY FANCY goldfish COMPETITION,the initial and priority is the general public response

Goldrushw as a non profitable club and organiation,perhaps running a competitionof this scale looks formidable

Matrix:Certainly.This is our first time we are organizing at this scale.We have our own internal competition which is held frequently among our members.It serves as a platform of our schedule show in China.To run this show we need in excess of $15,000.With entry fees at a mere $15,it can hardly cover that as you can calculate.What about judges accommodation,travel?Easily amount to $2000.Trophies cost another $2000 and what about the tank’s rental and venue fees?So we can only turn to sponsors and that is the real headache as we have to convince them of sponsoring a show without commercial interest.That is to say,the fish must be owned and purchased by a hobbyist before benching is even allowed.Try convincing that to the dealers!

Goldrush:what about judging?

Matrix: We adopt the international recognized format and decisions by all judges have to be unanimous before label is placed to denote a winner

The next day after the results were out, I caught up with him for my follow up.

Matrix:Hey Laserguy won again taking three prizes.One gold for his lionchu and 2 silvers for his rhyukin.

Goldrush:impressive

Matrix:Go tell him to specialise in Rhyukin.He got what it takes for higher learning.As for his sakura giant ,I had my reservation actually.It will not be so easy to clinch any prize with it in the international arena

Goldrush pondered and gave some thoughts….This is just a local show and winning is relative to what the present contestants has to offer.Who is talking about world standard?

Goldrush:What about you?

Matrix cleared his throat and beamed with an aura of arrogance before replying:

Matrix:Har… not bad,I took two prizes .One in the pearl and the other in the open with my calico bubble eyed.

Deep inside I was wondering how a local umpire can have his fish competed and placed .Wouldn't it arouse the suspicion of KELONG.
Anyway I brushed off that suspicion as it wasn’t among the most coveted prize.

Goldrush:Any casualties so far?

Matrix:touch wood,not within the venue but some fish transitted in Thailand were hijacked ,lost and the Indon had some death on arrivals.These are orandas of the same quality as the grand champ you know

Goldrush:What a pity.

Goldrush:What about security?

Matrix:This place has number 1 security.Upon closing only one exit is permitted and those working through the night have to have a designated pass.The place is patrolled and regulation is very strict right up to the water supply cut!You see the committee management has to be very supportive of this hobby and this place has to be centralized with reasonable amenities.you can use the NTUC cart for tranportation and access to this competition floor is very convenient.Wait till 2007 when Aquarama is held at Suntec.Carpark is basement and venue is 6Th!!!!That’s a lot of water load of shit to carry

Goldrush:Will MFGFC be an ANAL ,sorry I mean an ANNUAL affair?

Matrix:Certainly not.Next year we will have Aquarama to deal.Our initial meeting to hold this one was germinated sometime in November 2005.There is a lot of planning before the actual execution.I haven’t been sleeping well for the past few days!

With that I bid good bye to the Matrix leaving the interview with some mixed feeling.

Below is perhaps WHY?

WHY YOU LOVE HIM: He plays the wise and passionate goldfish keeper who will lead you out of problems in our bewildered world of Goldfish keeping

WHY YOU HATE HIM:He will stop short of giving you the solution with an air of arrogance and an aroma of confidence.

That’s the Matrix

In Conversation with Goldrush……………………..