I feel like this was the same way last year. If my memory is correct, it was several hours later when I was actually to register for events.
This is clearly a devilish lesson for all us ambitious, orderly rule-followers of the world. Timeliness is like crime - it does not pay.
I think it was somewhat late last year too, IIRC. aplus' astute comment aside, I can't understand why it isn't automated on the server, though.
Maybe melf is busy finishing up his last piece of Digiorno and waiting 'til the end of Fellowship of the Ring on TNT before he flips the switch? I see it ends at 4:30.