The Tweak, Summer Issue

[RavennaAl]

Man, if you guys had any idea of how hard it is to get articles from people. Biglock, I'm sorry if you don't like the magazine. We try to cover all the tourneys to keep everyone updated as much as possible. We try to cover as many how-to's as we can. It may seem like we're only catering to a certain few, but to be honest, the certain few are the only ones who are contributing, and the only guys we can count on to deliver. We ask for articles from anyone and everyone, but of the few that promise, Matt and I usually have to beg and plead to get them to come up with the articles in time so that we can get things to the printer in a timely manner.

Lock, if you want to help, we can use all we can get. If you haven't already noticed, I write a good portion of the magazine myself, and Matt a good portion as well. It isn't because we're part of some 'clique' or buddy circle. It's because we're the only 2 dedicated enough that we can count on each other. There have been a few other guys that we can depend on to deliver a high quality article before the printers deadline. Chris Fields and Brian Wittkopp are a couple of names that come to mind, as they will have an article within a week or two after asking for it. As for league info, I can't believe these guys haven't been clammering to get articles in. Instead, I think Matt has given up on all of them because the response has been almost non-existant.

This is the last time I'm going to say this, so everyone listen up!!! The Tweak is your magazine. If you want to see your league featured in it, then write something, and I don't mean one or two paragraphs. If you're not a very good writer, then find someone in your league who is. If no one can write, then contact Matt or myself. Give us all the information you can about your league and we'll write it. The more you can give, the better. And the same goes for pictures. Guys like pretty pics, but you should see some of the stuff we get. If you download it from your camera into your computer, and the picture is blurry and out of focus, we can't make it look any better. We will not use crappy pictures. If there is something else you want to see in the magazine, then contact us. We'll try and use every suggestion if we can.

We want the Tweak to be the best magazine possible, but we can't do it alone. It takes alot of time and effort to put this thing together. We want everyone to contribute as much as possible. We don't want to be thought of as a "special" little club. There's an old saying that goes "As you sow, so shall you reap" Think about it!

Al you know i have a great deal of respect for you, and I know you and Matt are doing a great job, if your asking me to contribute not a prob, i was just giving my personal opinion, and just being real my friend, i gotta alot of love for anywhere this game is played, but look at it this way, i would never buy a Pro Football Mag that was just written about the Steelers, no matter how much I love them, the entire league and the whole pro football experience is what im reading for, Im happy that we have something to show our hobby to others, im just saying if the Tweak is able open up a little wider.

[RavennaAl]

Believe me when I say we would love to have everything about everything in every issue. But like you said about the Pro Football magazine, if Steeler fans are the only ones contributing articles, then that's all you're going to get, Steeler articles! You want more, WE want more! We're trying to branch out, but we aren't getting the support needed to do that. Lock, I think we could use an article on the Florida guys, if you're willing. Get ahold of me this week or next. And that goes for anyone else as well. If you want your league featured, start writing. If you have a how-to idea, start writing. If you have any ideas of anything you think would be of interest, get ahold of me and Matt.

Al i know we havent spoke in a while so here are my contact numbers, 9545627979 cel 9544477470 home, hey ill help anyone u need me to, but what i was thinking of is like any other great magazine has, known sections, like a coaches corner, that could give playcalling tips, or can u make this? a section that would let peeps see a custom fig in the making, from different figure artists from across the hobby, this idea I had thinking of you and the great solitaire players, The Solo Section, which the world of solitaire play could be shown, The Pit could teach coaches how to prepare and practice, also every issue should feature someone not so known but in our community whose doing what we all do playing EF/MF.

[5-13 Studios]

since the first issue came out, i have seen the magazine expand 12 pages, grab how-to articles from various coaches on various mf topics, and have in-depth articles about leagues and/or individuals from l.a. to texas, michigan to pennsylvania, ohio to new york, etc. there have been articles covering multiple tourneys from all over the country, and the editors got to have their first "rib" with the suction cup bases. every issue gets better and better with content, layout and overall presentation of miniature football.
i love what you guys are doing with the magazine and i hope that in the future, i may contribute to the publication further.
great job fellas!

[Ray F]

If Doc Smeby were alive today we would have an extremely well written piece on solitaire play in every issue. He used solitaire play to work out theories on why plays succeed and fail. He would be amazed by the Tweak and its content today. Ray F.

[WEIRDWOLF]

Dang Biglock, That is probably the best post we have ever had on the magazine. You may have actually fired up some folks to get involved. I have a feeling we will all of the sudden have more articles then we know what to do with.

The magazine can only progress with people voicing their opinions. Up till now it has been pats on the back and or silence (I hate silence). Silence breeds complacency so I am actually thankful for your comments even though I don't fully agree with them. I for one would love to see the magazine compared to a small Sports Illustrated but it is going to take more learning on our part, more involvement from the membership, money and at times constructive critisism. The magazine just barely fits into the budget now and if you added in the hours it takes to produce out of our own time it is unaffordable.

We will do our part to improve it including writing classes and graphic classes if need be. (Heck, I had never even used Adobe In Design, the magazine building software, till we started this) but the membership has to do their part also or all you are going to read about is Al's recent trip to get a wart removed (with photos), Matt's How to spiff up your car tips with Dallas Stars and my article on, Sumos, what is that smell.

It can be better but not without YOU! (Paste a pic of Uncle Sam pointing here)

Hey maybe its time for Lock to stop talking bout and be about it, I will think of some ideas and start writing, Dont get me wrong I like the Tweak, but I see its potential to be more, now I understand that money rules all, and in these tuff times every penny counts, so if you guys give me the nod, ill write, but im no powder puff, and my writing style isnt either, but I understand that the Tweak is an entity just formed, so im glad to help .

[Coach_J]

Hi Biglock,

Greetings to you my friend. It has been a while since we have communicated. I am glad to see that your enthusiasm for the hobby is still at a high level.

You made very good points in your earlier replies. At the same time I do need to share some things with you. You suggested a section for "Play Calling Tips", having different artists featured, an article on "Solitaire Play", Or Can You Make This. Those are all good points but you may not have gotten the earlier issues because these have already been covered.

In the very first issue which is Summer 2007 is an article "Solo Mio Tips For Solitaire Play" by Ravenna Al. The same issue has a section called "Tweaking 911" by Norbert Revels then an X's and O's article called "Formation Chalk Talk". In the Fall 2007 Issue Mike Guttmann does an article giving painting tips called "Painting With Gutt's". In the same issue is "Tweaking 911" by Geno H and "Formation Chalk Talk" that gives formation and play calling tips. In the Winter 2007 Issue Ravenna Al does another article on Solitaire Play called "Solo Mio Tips For Solitaire Play". Then in the Spring 2008 Issue is an article titled "Building A Miniature Football Board 101" by Joe Allore which shows how to build a custom board. The only thing that has not been shown is how a custom figure is made. I have no idea but my guess is that an article on how to make custom figures will come. At the same time people who make the custom figures have to be willing to do the article. I am sure there customizers who are willing to do an article but we all must remember that only so much can go inside the magazine.

As Al and Matt have said they ask people for articles but if no one steps up then what are they to do. For example Al has already done two articles on Solitaire Play. I consider you to be one of my closest friends in the hobby so hopefully you understand where I am coming from in this reply.

Have a good day and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Coach J

Coach J its good to hear from you my friend, remember J i got on board the train in 08 with MFCA so those articles ive never seen or read J, but I see where your coming from, and ill keep it in mind, but maybe some new stuff will be contributed to the next issue by others, cause I most definately will contribute.