THE ABYSSINIAN PRINCE #281

June 24, 2004

Produced by Jim Burgess, 664 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908-4327 USA, (401)351-0287

Accessible through Internet at burgess of world.std.com (all E-Mail addresses are reported in this format, replace the " of " with "@"; if you bounce try sending to me from another account or FAX to (401) 277-9904. For Faxing, most of the time you have to call me to tell me it's coming so I can set up the FAX.
Web Page Address: /Postal/Zines/TAP/index.html


A bit late again, but getting better.... slim and fast this issue. I don't think I have any more subszines in hand right now.


The postal sub price is still $1.50 per issue in the US and Canada, with double that for other foreign subbers(or $3.00 per issue sent airmail). Players in current games and standbys will continue to get the issues for free, and future game starts (except for Nuclear Yuppie Evil Empire Diplomacy, which is free) cost $20.00 ($15.00 for a life of the game subscription and $5 for the NMR Insurance. Or you can play in subszines for free and just jack up the issue page count. See the revised game start announcements below!
Check out the connections in the Diplomatic Pouch with all of the information you need to play Diplomacy on the Internet at: /
I also have taken over the Postal portion of the Pouch: /Postal/
and TAP on the web is there at: /Postal/Zines/TAP/index.html
where the szine resides in html format. Presently, issues from #190 to the current issue are there, and I will be updating the back issues gradually someday. Also, check out Stephen Agar's more extensive efforts at: http://www.diplomacy-archive.com and http://www.diplomacy.co.uk
David Wang still has the HIGHLY prized name: www.szine.com!! BUT, the site has not been updated in recent times. If you want to follow me and others in John Caruso's Baseball League, THE place to follow the league now is DICKIE-P Martin's website: http://www.phantomempire.com where in the "files" section, "baseball" sub-section, you can see all of the individual and team level stats. Use the Telnet button in the upper left corner, that's the easiest way to do it these days. You need to sign up as a "member" to see all of the files. You, too, can chat with John Caruso there, especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Really, you can. John's E-Mail address also is commishjohn of att.net if you want to send him E-Mail after all that. John still has openings, you can start RIGHT NOW to pick up one of the unclaimed teams and play it this year! You may recall that I got myself TORCHED in free agency and my team was pretty well decimated in hitting for average and power. And I predicted that I'd be lucky if I hit 100 homers and bat .240. But, as Goz will tell you, I'm a horrendous seer and so I'm almost playing .700 ball and I'm leading the league in both hitting and pitching. Go figure.... Contact John at commishjohn of att.net if you're interested in joining us or ask me for more details, this REALLY IS THE most fun thing I do in the hobby at the moment, find out why!!!
Peter Sullivan's subszine remains "in stasis", although all the back issues can be accessed via :
http://www.burdonvale.co.uk/octopus/index.html.
Peter was saying that he would be unlikely to be starting any new games in the Octopus until "at least the start of 2002." He is now hereby declared to be in official indeterminate stasis and that date is now a "whenever". In the meantime, Rip Gooch and Dave Partridge are picking up the choo-choo game slack in TAP. Contact Rip at xyropedes of canada.com or Dave at rebhuhn of rocketmail.com for more info.
By electronic mail, through the Internet, subs are free and can be obtained automatically by sending the message: subscribe tap
to majordomo of diplom.org and messages can be sent to the entire electronic mailing list by mailing them to tap of diplom.org which will forward your message to all of the people currently on the list. The message:
unsubscribe tap
sent to majordomo of diplom.org gets you off the list. Please make careful note of that as well since you generally can get yourself off the list a lot easier than I can, and NOBODY likes to see unsubscribe messages sent to the entire list. A big, big thank you for David Kovar for setting this all up!!


THE SEARCH FOR SYLVAIN LAROSE
Sylvain played a LOT of FTF all up and down the East Coast back in the late 1990's and then disappeared, I think he lived in Montreal at that time. John Quarto in particular keeps bugging me about finding Sylvain, so I thought I'd toss him in here. He shouldn't be THAT hard to find, but I've looked and failed. Now it's up to you.
Feel free to spend the time looking for some of the backlog. Let's get Steve, Ed, Tom, Bill, Gregory, and ESPECIALLY Kevin found too!!! This is a regular continuing feature of the szine and I will be introducing a new "search for" every five issues. Moreover, you can win a $25 prize for finding some previous target who went unfound in the original $50 period. That means that if Steve Heinowski, Ed Henry or Tom Hurst or Bill Quinn or Gregory Stewart or Kevin Tighe is "found" from now on it is worth $25.
Winners will receive credit for Dip hobby activities that I will pay out as requested by the winner. Subscribe to szines here or abroad, run your own contests, publish a szine, finance a web page, GO TO A DIPLOMACY CONVENTION or whatever. Spend it all right away or use me as a bank to cover hobby activities for years. What must you do to win? Get me a letter to the editor for TAP from the person we're searching for.
This is very important, just finding them doesn't do it. They have to write me a letter. The final judge as to the winner of any contest will be the target himself and I reserve the right to investigate the winning entry. When you find someone I'm looking for, you should ask him to send me a letter for print that includes a verification of who "found" him.


INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIPTION EXCHANGE NEWS
The British representative is the editor of Mission From God, John Harrington. John may be contacted at 1 Churchbury Close, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 3UW, UK.
E-Mail: fiendish of operamail.com, John.Harrington of tfeurope.com
Please include the full name and address of the foreign publisher with your order, if possible, as well as the szine title. Make your check in US dollars out to me personally or in GBP to John if you're doing things from that end. I will conduct business for Canadians as well, if I can, but prefer to deal in US dollars with them if possible, or Canadian dollars cash. To subscribe to American szines, the system works in reverse.
We have added a European continental representative, most of this traffic likely will occur between Ronald Camstra (in the Netherlands) and John Harrington, but if anyone here in the US wants to get money into Euros, we'll try to help you out. Ronald Camstra can be contacted at siedler of zonnet.nl and his home address is: Wielingenplein 48, 3522 PE Utrecht, the Netherlands. But in Holland it is most common not to send checks but to transfer money by bank. Dutch people can pay directly to Postbankaccount 4652247 of Ronald Camstra in Utrecht. Since he can see the name and address of the sender in his bankreceipt, people only have to mention the name of the zine and the editorial address along with their bank order. Ronald is obviously a huge Settlers of Catan fan. If you're interested in playing that game internationally by mail, I think Ronald can help you out.
We also have reopened a branch office of the International Subscription Exchange in Australia!! Brendan Whyte, the publisher of the excellent szine Damn the Consequences will be doing the honors, taking over in some sense from John Cain, who was the Australian rep for many years. You can contact Brendan to sub to Australian szines from the US or to sub to US szines from Australia, converting Australian dollars into American ones. We are now maneuvering deals to Europe from the other reps as well. You can find Brendan Whyte at bwhyte of unimelb.edu.au (note that this is a new E-Mail address for Brendan) or by mail to send checks at: Geography Dept., University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, AUSTRALIA. This should help out my Australian subbers!!


WORLDMASTERS02 SECTION
WorldMasters 2002 Email Diplomacy Tournament Semi-Finals are on-going. I'll try to slip in a report next time. I think they're really close to choosing the Final Board for the last seven. This Final Board game always is VERY exciting to watch. I'll let you all know where you can find it.
See http://www.cat23.com/wm02 for full details. Since I didn't get sufficient interest to get a team in, I am back on the WorldMasters Tournament Management Committee again, not much is going on there, only a rollback issue or two.


DIPDOM NEWS SECTION (with letters)
Obscure and not-so-obscure ramblings on the state of the hobby and its publications, custodians, events, and individuals with no guarantee of relevance from the fertile keyboard of Jim-Bob, the E-Mail Dip world, and the rest of the postal hobby. My comments are in italics and ((double quotation marks)) like this. Bold face is used to set off each individual speaker. I should also make a note that I do edit for syntax and spelling on occasion.
The game Diplomacy is a copyrighted product owned by Hasbro and all reproductions or other use of that material in this szine is intended to be personal use and not infringe on those rights in any way. All reproductions are done at a heavy financial loss to the editor and thus are without the remotest possibility of commercial intent, except to promote THE game, the Game of Diplomacy, which you all should purchase from Hasbro or other duly licensed distributors.
Stephen Agar has matched the Hasbro rule lists and more with some of the even older rulebooks. Check these out if you like:
http://www.hasbro.com/default.asp?xcc_gameandtoyinstructions
http://www.hasbro.com/instruct/Diplomacy.PDF
http://www.hasbro.com/instruct/Diplomacy(OlderVers).PDF
Nice of them to make BOTH of these available. And all seven different US rulebooks for Diplomacy can now be found here courtesy of Stephen Agar (relatively new address for this):
http://www.diplomacy-archive.com/diplomacy_rules.htm


Check out back issues of Diplomacy World - www.diplomacyworld.org
We are back, Tim Haffey has agreed to be the Production Editor that I needed. We always need more articles, Issue #90 will be out VERY shortly. Postal issues of Issue #89 (Very Delayed) just went out recently. If you think you should have been on that list and weren't, let me or Dave Partridge know. Help us out, write an article for a future issue!
Also, I'd be interested in hearing any Hobby Award Nominations for:
The 2004 Don Miller Award for Meritorious Service;
The 2004 Rod Walker Award for Literature;
The 2004 John Koning Award for Player Performance;
The 2004 Fred Hyatt Award for GM Performance;
or
A 2004 Kathy Byrne Caruso Award for Lifetime Achievement (if warranted).
The award ballot for this year will be publicized in a few weeks.


Upcoming Diplomacy World Issue Deadlines:
Deadline Fall 2004, Issue #91: September 1, 2004
Deadline Winter 2004, Issue #92: December 1, 2004
Final Hobby Awards Ballot for 2004, nominations now to: burgess of world.std.com
The qualifications for the Kathy Byrne Caruso Lifetime Achievement Award are that the awardee must have been: (1) Active in the Diplomacy Hobby in at least Three Separate Decades; (2) Multidimensional in their Contributions to the Hobby (e.g. writing, playing, publishing); (3) Taking Retirement or Semi-Retirement from the Diplomacy Hobby; and (4) One of the Hobby’s Unique Personalities Worthy of Being Remembered as Long as THE Game Continues to be Played. This award need not be awarded each year, but only as worthy candidates are identified. The only past honoree is the late Richard Sharp.
The other award categories are self-explanatory:
Nominees for the 2004 Don Miller Award for Meritorious Service
Nominees for the 2004 Rod Walker Award for Literary Achievement
Nominees for the 2004 John Koning Award for Player Performance
Nominees for the 2004 Fred Hyatt Award for GM Performance
The Hobby Awards Committee is Jim Burgess (Chair and Treasurer), Fred Davis, Jr., Melinda Holley, Gary Behnen, Jamie Dreier, Paul Kenny, Mark Stretch, and Robert Lesco.
- - - - - - -
Editorial Board for Diplomacy World:
Jim Burgess, 664 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908-4327, USA; burgess of world.std.com - Co-Editor
Tim Haffey, 810 53rd Ave., Oakland, CA 94601 USA; trhaffey of aol.com - Co-Editor, Demo Game GM, and ebook Publisher
Stephen Agar, 4 Cedars Gardens, Brighton, UNITED KINGDOM BN1 6YD; stephen of stephenagar.com - Webmaster and Non-US Postal
Rick Desper, 5440 Marinelli Road, #204, Rockville, MD 20852, USA; rick_desper of yahoo.com - Demo Games
Dave Partridge, 15 Woodland Drive, Brookline, NH 03033, USA; rebhuhn of rocketmail.com - US Postal
I meant to publish the DipCon Results last time, but forgot. Here they are, late, but always timely!


Matt Shields (Wed, 28 Apr 2004 12:59:39 -0700)
DipCon XXXVII results and such
Hi everyone,
Sorry for the form letter. Some of you have already received the full results of DipCon XXXVII. If you haven't, a summary is below.
I will be sending out a full DipCon Report as soon as possible. The full report will include the results as well as other information about the games. Info on the scoring system, some comments from players and TDs, as well as a report on the DipCon XXXVII Society Meeting.
If you're interested in receiving a copy of all this on paper, send me your mailing address. I thought publishing a paper version might be a nice touch given the good representation we had from the postal hobby. ((I need to remember to ask Chirchill for this!))
Might be a few days before I get this out, as I have 3 finals and 2 term papers to finish in the next 7 days, but it will show up eventually.
Thanks again to those of you who attended, and sorry for missing those of you who didn't. I hope we see you all next year as we take DipCon to sea!
- Matt Shields
- Kevin Kacmarynski
- Co-TDs DipCon XXXVII


DipCon XXXVII FINAL RESULTS
DipCon XXXVII Champion - Ken Lemere
DipCon XXXVII Team Champions - Team "She Ain't Gonna Understand This Scoring System"
- Nathan Barnes
- JT Fest
- Jake Mannix
Best Stab - Missie Bird
Best Austria - Nick Benedict
Best England - Adam Silverman
Best France - Jon Saul
Best Germany - Riaz Virani
Best Italy - Don Williams
Best Russia - Doug Moore
Best Turkey - Missie Bird

RANKING NAME SCORE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Champion Ken LeMere 141.3
2 JT Fest 142.2
3 Doug Moore 139.8
4 Andrew Neumann 133.4
5 Adam Silverman 132.4
6 Jon Saul 119.4
7 Andy Marshall 118.8
8 Tom Kobrin 118.4
RANKING NAME SCORE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
9 Missie Bird 117.9
10 Jake Mannix 117.8
11 Don Williams 116.1
12 Chris Martin 114.0
13 Edi Birsan 113.5
14 Doug Scott 112.3
15 Nick Benedict 112.2
16 Ben Cheng 111.3
17 Tom Hilton 107.31
18 Edward Hawthorne 107.28
19 Eric Mead 106.5
20 Steve Cooley 105.7
21 Brad Rosman 104.6
22 Nathan Barnes 104.58
23 Brian Sheldon 103.9
24 David Maletsky 102.6
25 Lisa Foster 100.9
26 Becca Newman 100.7
27 Riaz Virani 97.4
28 Jeff Dwornicki 97.1
29 Brad Basden 96.9
30 John Alley 91.5
31 Michael O'Neill 91.1
32 Mark Zoffel 90.6
33 Andy Bartalone 90.3
34 Alan Jenn 90.2
35 Charles Seaton 88.7
36 Stephen Weingarten 87.9
37 Doug Massey 85.71
38 Eric Goodman 85.69
39 Laurel Eddy 85.3
40 Clint Hall 85.0
41 Eric Ozog 83.4
42 Len Tennant 83.37
43 Tim Haffey 82.9
44 Mary Kuhner 82.7
45 Nate Sandall 82.3
46 Tom Howell 81.6
47 Bruce Knight 81.2
48 Michael Hopcroft 81.0
49 Larry Peery 79.6
51 Mike Noble 77.0
50 Buz Eddy 76.7
52 Dennis Murray 74.8
53 Rick Desper 73.5

Chirchill, mchirchill of comcast.net


MUSIC AND MOVIES SECTION (WITH COMMENTS ON OTHER ARTS AND SOCIETY)
Tell me anything you like about the recent past in music. List a top two, a top ten, or a top 100, I don't care, just tell me something!!


Steve Hutton (Tue, 25 May 2004 19:36:30 -0400)
my second movie
I just thought I'd let you know that the second movie I've written and produced, a gay zombie vampire film-noir comedy called The Night Life, is now available over the Internet at:
http://www.planetout.com/popcornq/db/getfilm.html?64225
(It looks better on a movie screen than in a little QuickTime window, of course.) It won first prize in the animation category of the PlanetOut.com Short Movie Awards (which is why it's now on the PlanetOut site), had its world premiere last month in Miami, and had its Canadian premiere here in Toronto three days ago. So far, it has been very well received.
For more information, see: http://www.greekchorus.com/night/
Steve, stevehutton of rogers.com
((That's great, Steve, I will check it out, I wish I had a fast Internet connection, but I'll still give it a try. Let's follow up with more from Doug Kent, I hope all of you are enjoying Doug's stories as much as I am...))


Doug Kent (6-1-04)
Dear Jim,
I haven't found much time, or inspiration, to do any DW writing, but eventually I will. Instead I've writtena few short stories, continued slight progress on one screenplay and the book on my family, and I've nearly completed Heather's birthday present - a list of 500 reasons why I love her. Corny, but just the kind of thing she'll appreciate. Our relationship is still full-steam ahead, with plans to marry when I get home. I couldn't be happier. ((That's great to hear!))
My biopsy results came back as displastic nevis - a benign pre-cancerous growth. I will see the dermatologist again in September. The only other negative aspect of this experience was that it took 6 weeks to find out the results. I'd go to sick call at least once a week, only to be told they weren't in yet. When I finally saw the results, they were dated in early March. Figures.
The position of the PA not doing the excision I believe results from their clear inexperience in most matters. If I had to guess, I'd say at least one of the PA's here got his job by submitting the lowest bid or something.
I had another fun medical experience in late April. I developed two cysts - one on my right wrist (grape-sized) and on my left buttocks (plum-sized). I also had terrible night sweats, chills, uncontrollable shaking. The PA's put me on erythromycin at first, which didn't help at all. Then when the cyst on my buttocks burst (I'll leave that to your imagination) they switched me to Cipro for about 20 days. Eventually I recovered, but for a while there I felt worse than I ever had in my life. They took no blood tests, no biopsies or swabs of the cysts, nothing. They told me "policy" is wait two weeks to see if the antibiotics worked, and then explore other options. I've decided the best strategy for me now is "Don't Get Sick". ((No kidding, were they going to try leeches and bloodletting next??))
The rumors in this place continue to swirl. Now they involve only either closing the camp entirely, or moving the RDAP inmates to another location. RDAP is the Residential Drug and Alcohol Program, a 500-hour in-depth treatment course, which I have been accepted into. I won't start until next year, but if I successfully complete the program, I will get about 9 months off of my sentence.
The Libra Act I mentioned is actually called LERA, and through outsiders on the Internet I've found it is not likely to be passed for three or four years. Far too late to help me.
I think your description of the Mandatory Federal Sentencing Guidelines is accurate. They were put in place to correct problems where Judge A was letting people off with 3 months, while Judge B was putting people away for the same crime with 36 months. But now with these guidelines, there is no perspective. For my crime, a loss of about $550,000 which was not theft and which I could not have personally profited from, I was sentenced to 46 months. I read last week that the CFO of Rite-Aid was sentenced to 26 months for his part in that company's $1.6 Billion accounting scandal. In the end, guidelines or not, it's still the same as it always was.... when you have the money for an expensive legal team, you get a better deal. When you rely on a Public Defender (as I did) and you are 100% honest from Day One (as I was, a year before I ever heard from the government) you get the shaft. The private lawyer I met with for 10 minutes before he found out I couldn't afford him told me POINT BLANK - if I had $300,000 to spend on my defense I would NEVER see prison time.
My Texas Rangers continue to play rather well. ((No kidding, even better since you wrote this! They may show that the best way to win IS to dump A-Rod. The Yankees will have to find that out next.)) If they do better than .500 ball I'll be thrilled. ((I think that's about the minimum at this point.)) Michael Young is finally getting the praise he deserves. Here I'm surrounded by pompous Yankee fans. Seeing the Rangers take 2-of-3 in Arlington was wonderful. I'm hoping for at least 1-of-3 in the Bronx this coming weekend.
I guess I'll wrap it up for now. Stay well, and stay in touch!
Best to you and yours, Doug, #30694-177, Federal Prison Camp Allenwood, PO Box 1000, Montgomery, PA 17752
((Yeah, I gotta keep publishing now!))


Mike Barno (Mon, 24 May 2004 23:04:40 -0400)
((Responding to my "...Charlotte nailed ALL of the time changes for 208 full costumes in total...")) Holy moley! I'm fairly familiar with TOMMY on the big screen, and very familiar with the album, and I can hardly imagine producing and costuming it on stage. Charlotte clearly planned and managed an impressive piece of work.
((Responding to Steve Emmert's: "I assume you will be telling her that I am easily the most sophisticated and genteel of your DiploPals.")) Hmmm, that one would fly ONLY if Don Williams is the only other Dip players from whom she's heard enough to judge. Otherwise... you would have a hard time telling such a laughable lie to your own wife.
"are we getting in too deep here??"
The intention with that press item was HIP-DEEP... is that too deep?
- Mike, mpbarno of lightlink.com
((Nah, go in as deep as you like.... I'm building some quicksand along the shore in the swamp near my house in Maine (dumping quicksand material on top of quicksand material) and it's getting pretty darn close to hip-deep....))


Warren T. Goesle (Sat, 12 Jun 2004 09:44:45 -0500)
Jim-Bob,
Just cleaning out the attic... Baseball odds & oddities...
All-Star game: I'm no longer sure what this game means anymore. When I was growing up I got to see players that I'd only get to see a few times a year, and they would really put out for the fans, but in the end it was just exhibition baseball. Now we get to see all 162 games of every team in the majors (plus Montreal and Kansas City), and the stars have a well-publicized good time. Somehow I don't think anyone will be plowing into a catcher with the winning run like Rose did in '70. Too much money out there. The voting is a bit perplexing too...
The early fan voting has Nomar leading among AL shortstops, even though he hadn't played a game when the first votes were released. One wonders if he could win a fans' MVP vote if injured the whole year. ((Hhahahahahaha, that was a joke right? I laughed....))
Right now the starting NL catcher is Piazza. I can live with that, since he now owns the All-time catcher HR title. Right now it looks like the starting NL pitcher is going to be a 41 year old who recently retired from the Yankees and now has a 9-0 record with Houston. Insert your own joke here about this battery combination. ((Unfortunately this is NOT a joke.... I wonder if Roger will intentionally cross up Piazza and then fire a fastball right into his crotch?))
I don't know why you got so down on your Giants in May (MAY!!!), as they went on a 10-game streak immediately after, and no one will run away with that division. Watch out for the Padres, but I'm still picking SF.
The Royals lose a doubleheader to the Expos, and now Beltran is on the block. I wonder if Bernie Williams is willing to move over?... ((Looks like those aforementioned Astros picked 'em up, but credit Billy Beane and the A's for another Steal and Billy picked up a million bucks in the trade.))
The Cubs and Angels have managed, despite having multiple injuries to many starters, to stay in their respective races. This is where the inequity of baseball really comes into play, as the Pirates couldn't have backups as good as this.
Can I just say I hate interleague play? I don't much like the uneven numbers in the divisions either. (Note to self: fix these when I become commish.) ((Can I say I completely agree with you?? The interleague thing has MORE than run its course. Put it to bed.))
Hope all is well there Jim-Bob. I've been to the emergency room twice this past week: once each with Nathan and Carol, but we're all getting better now. Take care.
Goz, wgoesle of comcast.net
((Thanks Goz, will be great for stuff in this issue! I'll let you wait for most of my responses, but I was thinking the same thing, I gave up on my Giants WAY too soon, and the way I rooted for them in the 1970's..... I'm just ashamed of myself.... and at this writing, I think they actually are three games up in the NL West, go Barry and go Giants!!!))
((I've never been a particular fan of the All Star game, though it is marginally better than the All Star games in each of the other sports, so I should say up front that I don't much care about the "purity" of the All Star game in the sense you mean. As for the All Star voting, you again (as usual) misunderstand. The Managers' picks are supposed to be for the people who are having the best seasons (which is why they choose ALL the pitchers) but the starting player spots are for the players that the fans want to see. Pure and simple.))
((With A-Rod shifting positions, Nomar is the man. All the fans needed to know was: he would likely be back before the All-Star break. This makes perfect sense to me. Would you rather they choose Jeter? The Yankees are being so lame, in my view, A-Rod should be at Short, Jeter at third.))


Warren T. Goesle (Sun, 13 Jun 2004 11:34:16 -0500)
Jim-Bob,
If the voters wanted to see something at short, they should pick the White Sox' Valentin. Lots of power for a SS, and when he throws to first it often winds up in the 4th row. If that's not entertainment I don't know what is. At least he's showing up to play this season, unlike Mia Hamm's husband.
As of this typing the Yankees are 3 games better than anyone in MLB. Are you saying they could be even better? Are you auditioning for George Steinbrenner now?
Goz, wgoesle of comcast.net
((Correct, in MY view, the Yankees could be EVEN better, just by switching those two players. Let's see if the Yankees win it all, THAT is the question and that is what I say won't happen...... again. And say what you want, fans vote, they can vote for whomever they like. You can complain, but you need to vote if you want to change the result. I also still think you should buy the Milwaukee Brewers. Remember, that is a tried and true way of becoming the Commish.))


Warren T. Goesle (Mon, 14 Jun 2004 22:32:51 -0500)
Jim-Bob,
Certainly if you give the fans a vote on anything it comes out to a popularity contest. See several generations of "American Idol". ((I'm afraid I didn't and I'm not sure what you're talking about, but go on....)) The notion of electing a part-time player to an all-star event is certainly not unique to MLB, even this year. NASCAR has an all-star race that it runs the week before Memorial Day. I don't remember how you actually qualify for the main event, but you probably had to win a race in the last 12 months or be a former all-star winner or something. The other way to get in traditionally was to win the "last chance" race run just before the all-star race. This year they added a second driver to transfer into the main event: the winner of an on-line poll, run for a few weeks before the event, though the winner actually had to be on the lead lap of the "last chance" race too. As expected, the fans' choice was Dale Earnhardt, Sr.'s eldest son Kerry, who had only run 1 race of the 11 run this year as a part-timer. But he's got the name to be elected in NASCAR. As it turns out he didn't wind up on the lead lap anyway, and the spot in the all-star event went elsewhere. ((As long as it remains an exhibition, this sounds like a cool way to generate fan interest. And they get who THEY want.))
So the New York fans will likely all get together for a write-in candidate for AL All-Star starting shortstop: A-Rod. Makes as much sense as many things in MLB. ((Nah, looks like as Jeter's average improves votes for him improve too. A-Rod still should be at short, but it will be interesting if the Jeter/A-Rod combo starts the All Star Game....)) The sport needs smarter fans, and fewer that think that MLB ends with the Yankees and Red Sox. NASCAR could use smarter fans too, in thinking on it. ((But we don't care whether the NASCAR has smart fans or not......))
Apparently we don't much care whether MLB has smart fans or not either. Odd fact for the All-Star game: the Cubs may have 2 starting pitchers selected. Who'd have bet on Clement and Zambrano at the start of the year? C'mon, raise your hands...
Goz, wgoesle of comcast.net
((Not me, you're right. But I really thought, and still think that ALL of those guys, Clement and Zambrano included, are great starters. By Sept. everyone could be saying that the Cubs have the best starting pitching of any team in the Playoffs. They will be VERY dangerous, much as you malign them. Let's let someone else get a word in edgewise. We had a WONDERFUL Flag Day weekend up here in the Northeast and I asked Mike Barno how he enjoyed his weekend....))


Mike Barno (Sun, 13 Jun 2004 17:38:43 -0400)
Partly accomplished, not as much outside activity as I liked, but some to enjoy before today's storm threat. Yesterday Jeff Bohner and I took his roomie's dog Cody to a park for a "dog socialization session" with my Mary Jane. Cody was raised with little human contact, none with anyone but family, and has never been able to cope with other dogs very well. So we took them in separate cars to Aqua-Terra county park a few miles from Binghamton, walked them on leashes a few minutes, then let MJ walk around a while so Cody could see her explore without trouble. I taught Jeff to play Balloon Cup, then we let Cody free while I kept MJ with me. He checked around but didn't run off and was okay. A family with a large dog came by and the dogs were able to sniff each other without snarling conflict. After more games and back at Jeff's, I brought MJ inside and Cody didn't object to her presence. I think we gave him a helpful day in developing his ability to interact with other dogs. I awarded Mary Jane a merit badge in Park Off-Leash Dog-Interaction Training for setting a good example by not barking, jumping up on people or other dogs, starting fights, or running off and ignoring our calls. The weekend started off well, too, so you might want the next bit for the music section.
Friday evening 11-June I had probably the best musical time I've had this year. The Coopertones played their debut CD release party at Castaways in Ithaca NY. I've worked with John Behler for over six years, and I knew he played guitar in a local band with friends, but I hadn't gotten to a show since they started doing real paying gigs after ten years as a garage band playing friends' parties. This time, I needed some live music and this was a good deal: a five-buck cover got me a three-set show plus the CD (six originals totaling half an hour). The show was fun, a six-piece band doing 25 to 30 songs in three hours counting the two breaks. Of all those songs, there were no more than two or three that sounded close to any of the others. Only about five of those were covers; all the rest were originals, mostly collaboratively written, and they had quite a variety of sounds. I kept hearing riffs and rhythms that sounded like songs I knew, but within music that overall sounded fresh. It all worked pretty well.
There were only a couple of slow songs, and only one real ballad, "Junkie", written and sung by the band's only female performer, Meryl Young. Strong image of hollow eyes as first the love, then the person go away as a loved one loses to heroin. The band's eponymous Cooper (first name listed as "R" where it's used at all) plays a miked acoustic guitar and seems like the alpha coyote of this old pack. (John's youngest at 42, others range up past 50.) Two electric guitars, an electric bass guitar, drumkit, and Meryl's various percussion instruments (or a breath-driven keyboard instrument) join Coop's acoustic for a rich-sounding variety. Most songs had one member or another singing the lead vocal on the verses and chorus, with one or two others (sometimes the whole band) singing counterpoints or harmonies on backup vocals.
Coop and especially Meryl seemed to have fun on stage; Meryl was constantly smiling at another band member or at an old friend in the audience. John played some great leads and over the course of the show everybody contributed some good performances. I'm forty, but I was under the median age of the crowd; I was even under the average age. Not a lot of people but most seemed to be old friends of the band having a good time. Even the active dance floor population averaged older than me, and this was the first time in years I've seen a woman older than myself dancing noticeably braless. One of the most popular songs (and the one I'm most glad is on the CD) was "14850", which is Ithaca's ZIP code. A few of TAP's readers would appreciate the lyrics, not just the obligatory weather and bumper-sticker jokes but ones about the colleges pumping out Ph.D.'s who ask you "Would you like that with cheese?" The "new" (despite being recorded 17-Dec-2003) CD's title, GREATEST HITS VOLUME ONE, reflects their typical cheekiness considering it's their first release.
I think I've only heard better live music once all year, when I arrived late and heard only the last set of the Riolo Brothers Blues Band at the Cyber Cafe West in Binghamton on 10-April, but one excellent set of mostly covers can't be scored better overall than three fine sets of mostly originals. The Coopertones' show was most fun I've had with live music all year, and it's almost midyear.
- Mike, mpbarno of lightlink.com
((Thanks, Mike, as you guys can probably gather, I've not been attending so many live events lately, but I'm going to turn that around a bit this summer. I'll say more about that in future issues, this CD sounds neat and worth picking up.))
((On the next page I have Bruce Linsey's Presidential "Pick'em by state contest. I'm entering for sure, 'cause I know I've got it right (actually I don't, but I'm willing to guess). Note that you have to have your picks AND your dollar in by the end of July to get the 30 point bonus. Since states won't be ANY more sure near the election, I recommend strongly that you enter now if you want to win. If you're seeing this on E-Mail and don't have the postal version, you can E-Mail Bruce at GonzoHQ of aol.com and get a ballot, or you can just postal mail him at PO Box 234, Kinderhook, NY 12106 with your guess as to who will win each state and DC in the election. Good luck, may the best prognosticator win!))
THE ABYSSINIAN PRINCE GAMES SECTION
"So I called up George and he called up Jim, I said let's make a deal.
He said he'd talk to him. Gonna start a church where you can save yourself,
You can make some noise, When you've got no choice...
You told me useful things, what people think of me, I guess I should thank you.
It's true, then I agree... I'm all alone, I've got no choice,
I'm all alone, I've got no choice."
From "Got No Choice" by the incomparable Mark Cutler, from the CD Mark Cutler and Useful Things.
If you want to submit orders, press, or letters by E-Mail, you can find me through the Internet system at "burgess of world.std.com". If anyone has an interest in having an E-Mail address listed so people can negotiate with you by computer, just let me know. FAX orders to (401) 277-9904 if you let me know in advance to be sure the fax machine is set up.
I am continuing to note cut or failed support orders with a small "s" instead of a capital "S". This will make it easier on the E-Mailed version of the szine to see what happened, since the italics don't show there. The italics DO show on the web page just fine.
Standby lists:
Mike Barno, Dick Martin, Brad Wilson, Jack McHugh, Glenn Petroski, Steve Emmert, Mark Kinney, Vince Lutterbie, Eric Brosius, Paul Rauterberg, Bob Osuch, Doug Kent, Sean O'Donnell, Vern Parker, Heath Gardner, Phil Reynolds, Paul Kenny, and Dan Gorham stand by for regular Diplomacy.
Brad Wilson and Jack McHugh stand by for the Modern Diplomacy game.
Let me know if you want on or off these lists, especially OFF. Standbies get the szine for free and receive my personal thanks.


GAME OPENING INFORMATION
We've got lots of openings in the subszines, check them out!!! Especially, contact Rip Gooch for Railway Rivals, see Rip's subszine elsewhere in most issues of TAP. Come on, help me out!!! Contact Rip Gooch directly at xyropedes of canada.com.
I also am starting a game of the variant I designed, Spy Diplomacy. Signups for that are now open. I'll publish the rules shortly or you can look at them at www.variantbank.com. Bruce Edwards is signed up.
John Harrington is offering to guest GM a game of Office Politics. Any interest in that?? Let me or John know! Jody McCullough and Bruce Edwards are interested, anyone else?
Harold Reynolds has started the game of Colonia (see elsewhere in this issue) and is interested in guest-GMing a game of Aberration. Sean O'Donnell and Brendan Whyte are interested in Aberration. Brendan and Sean BOTH need rules from Harold Reynolds.
Also, I am going to design some postal rules for Devil Take the Hindmost, and Chris Lockheardt is pulling out of that opening too, so I need three players. Bruce Edwards and Eoghan Barry are signed up. Postal rules from me will be forthcoming shortly, on my never ending to-do list. I will get them in SOON! I'm more likely to get these things started if I see some interest..... it takes four and Eoghan is getting tired of waiting....
Right now, the other thing I am contemplating getting going is the Modern Diplomacy game with Wings. Rick Desper, Alexander Woo, Dave Partridge, and Eric Ozog are signed up for that. I will start it when I get a full complement of players, and may not wait until the other Modern game finishes.
Mike Barno and Edi Birsan run a great web site at http://www.diplomaticcorps.org! Please check it out!


FLIP FLOP: 2003G, Regular Diplomacy
THE DUE DATE FOR SPRING 1902 IS JULY 17TH, 2004
Winter 1901
AUSTRIA (Wiedemeyer): bld a tri, a bud; has a TRI, a BUD, a VIE, a SER, f GRE.
ENGLAND (Schmit): bld f lon; has f LON, f BAR, f NTH, a NWY.
FRANCE (Jeff O'Donnell): bld f bre; has f BRE, f PIC, a BUR, a SPA.
GERMANY (Sundstrom): bld a ber; has a BER, a HOL, a KIE, f DEN.
ITALY (Williams): waives builds, PLAYS TWO SHORT; has f TUN, a VEN, a MUN.
RUSSIA (Sean O'Donnell): bld a stp; has a STP, f GOB, f RUM, a SIL, a UKR.
TURKEY (Levinson): bld f smy; has f SMY, f ANK, a CON, a BUL.


Addresses of the Participants
AUSTRIA: Fred Wiedemeyer, Box 92010-Meadowbrook RPO, Edmonton, ALBERTA CANADA T6T 1N1,
PHONE NUMBER??, wiedem of planet.eon.net
ENGLAND: Karl Schmit, 1452 Seville Dr. #3, Green Bay, WI 54302-5559, PHONE NUMBER??,
diplomacy of new.rr.com ($5)
FRANCE: Jeff O'Donnell, 402 Middle Ave., Elyria, OH 44035-5728,
(440) 322-2920 or (440) 225-9203 (cell)
GERMANY: Matt Sundstrom, 1760 Robincrest Lane South, Glenview, IL 60025, (847) 729-1882,
Matt.Sundstrom of bbdoch.com or mattandzoe of earthlink.net
ITALY: Don Williams, 27505 Artine Drive, Saugus, CA 91350, (661) 297-3947,
wllmsfmly of earthlink.net or dwilliams of fontana.org
RUSSIA: Sean O'Donnell, 1044 Wellfleet Drive, Grafton, OH 44044, (440) 926-0230,
sean_o_donnell of hotmail.com
TURKEY: Alexandre Levinson, 1, allee des Marniquets, 78430 Louveciennes FRANCE, don't need phone,
levinson7 of hotmail.com ($5)


Game Notes:
1) The Italian Oktoberfest opening.... let's see which 1902 variant off of it we see next.... my article on the opening was in the Pouch last year. See why the Italian Oktoberfest is just such a natural name for it, no matter what ducks and other fowl may say.... of course, without the Italian builds, the options are a bit limited, but the Duck apparently believes he needs no stinkin' builds.


Press:
(ITALIANS IN MUNCHEN!): Oof.
(WITH HELP FROM FRANCE): Double oof.
(AND RUSSIAN COMPLICITY): Triple oof.
(FRANCE to ENGLAND): But I thought Belgian Waffles were your favorite!?!?
(MATT-FRED/KARL): Weren't you invited? Awfully rude of them. I'll bring a beer for each of you in the foreign capital of your choosing.
(LIVERPOOL to VENICE): If you think what I did now was something just wait 60 years until we unleash the Beatles upon the world! You might as well surrender now.
(RUSSIA-ENGLAND): Apparently crushing Germany was out of the question huh? Is it too late to be friends?
(FRANCE to ENGLAND #2): In my scenario, you would have built two, Italy did build two, and to keep the peace, I only built one. Think about it.
(BERLIN-WORLD): The owner of any foreign unit in German territory will be treated as an enemy of of der state. So feel threatened and get out at your earliest convenience, please.
(RUSSIA-GERMANY): Apparently the beer party is going to be in Moscow huh? Bring it.
(BERLIN-PARIS): You're an enemy just because it's the German thing to do.
(RUSSIA-BOARD): Well, England let's have some vodka in Moscow, bring it.
(BOARD to RUSSIA): Break out that vodka, you'll need it to get through this last item....
(CAPTAIN'S LOG UNKNOWN): An unknown force has taken over the universe causing everything to stop. Planets have stopped moving and rotating. Sunlight from stars has stopped in midray. Meteors and comets are in suspended animation. Our perpendicular universe Ferengi ship is also in suspended animation. We have been thus far unable to determine the cause or the reason why the interior of our ship is somehow immune to the effect. (A conversation, Spock(S), Kirk(K), and McCoy(M))
K-Dr. McCoy, I want you and Mr. Spock to meet me in the administrative center of the ship to discuss our situation.
M-Let me guess, Mr. Spock has a theory!
K-Face it, Bones, (DeForest Kelley being dead kinda adds a whole new dimension to the nickname "Bones", don't ya think?!) without Spock's theories the ratings for the show would kinda suck.
Spock walks into the room last and glances at McCoy.
M-Thrill us with your theory as to why the Universe has stopped.
S-It's Q.
M-Q?!
S-That's right, Doctor, the all-powerful Q from the Q Continuum.
M-Damnit, Jim! Q is not supposed to have any effect on us until the Next Generation series. What is he doing here?
S-The same question could be asked of 6 of, I mean 7 of 9. What is she doing here?
M-When it comes to 7 of 9 not being around, I'm not one to complain. Why do you think Q is responsible?
S-Because in the past, Q has admitted to being a Boston Red Sox fan and because the history of baseball in our historical database has been altered since my last research on the New York Yankees. I'm surmising that Q has spent so much time in April of 2004 watching his beloved Red Sox that he doesn't have time to deal with the rest of the universe. The fact that the Red Sox were in first place for the better part of a month could have Q so emotionally drained that he, on his own, chose to suspend all of the universes under his control.
K-So what happens to the Red Sox in '04?
S-They become the first team in history to blow a three game lead and lose the World Series to the Chicago Cubs 4 games to 3. The key for the Cubs was Game 4 in Chicago. With the Red Sox up 1-0, in the bottom of the ninth, and Pedro Martinez pitching a perfect game: with one out, second baseman Omar Vizquel (traded from the Cleveland Indians) strikes out on a ball in the dirt and makes it to first base. Martinez was so rattled after that he hit Moises Alou with the next pitch. The runners advanced to 2nd and 3rd on another wild pitch and that led to the most bizarre Red Sox loss ever. With one out and runners on 2nd and 3rd, Sammy Sosa hits a routine fly ball to short left field. Manny Ramirez, thinking there were two outs, catches the ball and starts celebrating what he thought was a Boston World Series win. While Manny was celebrating, the runners on 2nd and 3rd tagged up and scored the winning Cubs runs, 2-1. Pedro Martinez becomes the first pitcher in World Series history to pitch a no-hitter and lose. ((According to the rules of no-hitters, this actually would NOT be classified as a no-hitter, since he never got the 27th out.....)) I might further hypothesize that Q himself is responsible for the Curse of the Bambino and that Q himself might even be Babe Ruth. There is a resemblance.
K-I'm not convinced we can blame these events on Q, Mr. Spock.
S-I appreciate your skepticism, but how else can you explain the Red Sox losing four 7 game series over a period of 49 years, without a World Series title? Q is the only logical explanation because these occurrences are statistical impossible to occur on their own.
M-OK, Mr. Ears, in your opinion when will the universe start functioning again, in your opinion?
S-Mid October, after the World Series.
K-Do we have any Romulan ale?
M-No! But we do have spiked Ferengi bootleg cockroach juice.
K-(looking like a man wanting to fall on his sword) Where's the nearest airlock!?


I CAN'T FIND MY MONEY!: 2001F, Regular Diplomacy
THE DUE DATE FOR AUTUMN AND WINTER 1907 IS JULY 17TH, 2004
THE DUE DATE FOR SPRING 1908 IS AUGUST 7TH, 2004
Fall 1907
AUSTRIA (Parker): a ukr-SEV, a VEN h, a TYO S a ven, a MOS S a ukr-sev,
a tri-SER, a RUM S a ukr-sev, a STP S GERMAN f swe-nwy,
f gre s ITALIAN f aeg-bul(sc) (d r:alb,otb).
ENGLAND (Kinney): a LON h, a EDI-nwy, f NTH S a edi-nwy, f NWG C a edi-nwy.
FRANCE (Kent): a MAR-gas, a PAR-bur, a PIC S f eng-bel,
f ENG-bel, f MID-gas.
GERMANY (Wilson): f HOL S a bel, a BEL h, a DEN h, a MUN h, f SWE-nwy, a RUH S a bel, a BUR h.
ITALY (Gardner): a ROM S a apu-ven, f ION S f aeg-gre, f aeg-GRE, a APU-ven.
RUSSIA (Desper): a NWY h.
TURKEY (Miller): f smy-AEG, a ARM S a sev, a CON S f bul(sc),
f BUL(SC) S f smy-aeg, a sev s a arm (d ann).


Supply Center Chart
AUSTRIA (Parker): TRI,BUD,VIE,ser,rum, (has 7 or 8, bld 2(r:otb) or 1)
war,mos,stp,sev
ENGLAND (Kinney): LON,LVP,EDI (has 4, rem 1)
FRANCE (Kent): PAR,MAR,spa,por,BRE (has 5, even)
GERMANY (Wilson): KIE,BER,hol,den,bel,MUN,swe (has 7, even)
ITALY (Gardner): ROM,VEN,NAP,tun,gre (has 4, bld 1)
RUSSIA (Desper): nwy (has 1, even)
TURKEY (Miller): ANK,SMY,CON,bul (has 4, even)
Neutral: none (Total=34)


Addresses of the Participants
AUSTRIA: Vern Parker, 337 Winter Hill Place, Powell, OH 43065, (614) 402-5139
VernDip of aol.com is preferred
ENGLAND: Mark Kinney, 4830 Westport Road, Apt D, Louisville KY 40222
alberich of iglou.com
FRANCE: Douglas Kent, #30694-177, Federal Prison Camp Allenwood, PO Box 1000, Montgomery,
PA 17752
GERMANY: Kevin Wilson, 7250 Perkins Rd., #838, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
ckevinw of aol.com
ITALY: Heath Gardner, 3017 Mayview Rd., Raleigh NC, 27607,
metaphorman of gmail.com
RUSSIA: Rick Desper, 5440 Marinelli Road, #204, Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 977-7691, rick_desper of yahoo.com
TURKEY: Tim Miller, 258 New Mark Esplanade, Rockville, MD 20850,
tim of webjudge.net
GM: Jim-Bob Burgess, 664 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908-4327, +1 401-351-0287
burgess of world.std.com


Game Notes:
1) Note that Kevin Wilson has moved..... and so has Tim Miller.... and so has Heath Gardner. I don't have Heath or Tim or Kevin's new phone numbers. Tim and Heath also have new E-Mail addresses.
2) Rick is saved by the beleaguered garrison!!! And a Concession to Russia is proposed (and, seriously, NOT by Rick). Please vote on the Concession with your Winter orders. If you don't vote, the Concession cannot pass.


Press:


SOMETHING TO BE SCARED OF: 2001D, Regular Diplomacy
THE DUE DATE FOR SUMMER 1909 IS JULY 17TH, 2004
THE DUE DATE FOR FALL 1909 IS AUGUST 7TH, 2004
Spring 1909
ENGLAND (Sundstrom): f lvp-NAO, f STP(NC) h, f nwg-NTH, f SWE h, f NWY S f stp(nc),
f IRI S f lvp-NAO.
FRANCE (Tretick): a bur-MAR, a BRE h, f mid-NAF, a GAS S a bur-mar.
GERMANY (Williams): a KIE h, a MUN h, a DEN h, a WAR h, a TYO h.
ITALY (Barno): f TYH-tun, a pie-VEN, f GOL S f spa(sc)-wes, a mar h (d ann),
a VIE S a tri-bud, f spa(sc)-WES, a tri-BUD, f por-SPA(SC).
TURKEY (O'Donnell): a con-BUL, f smy-AEG, a ser-TRI, a RUM h, f TUN s f aeg-ion,
a GAL s GERMAN a tyo-vie (nso), a bud s a ser-tri (d r:ser,otb),
f wes s FRENCH f mid-spa(sc) (nso, d r:mid,otb), a LVN h, f aeg-ION, a mos-UKR, a ukr-mos (nsu).


Addresses of the Participants
AUSTRIA: Doug Kent
ENGLAND: Matt Sundstrom, 1760 Robincrest Lane South, Glenview, IL 60025, (847) 729-1882 ($5)
Matt.Sundstrom of bbdoch.com or mattandzoe of earthlink.net
FRANCE: James Alan (Jim) Tretick, 1383 Canterbury Way Potomac, MD 20854, (301) 279-0803 ($4)
jatretick of comcast.net
GERMANY: Don Williams, 27505 Artine Drive, Saugus, CA 91350, (661) 297-3947 ($3)
wllmsfmly of earthlink.net or dwilliams of fontana.org
ITALY: Mike Barno, 634 Dawson Hill Road, Spencer, NY 14883
mpbarno of lightlink.com
RUSSIA: Paul Rauterberg, 3116 W. American Dr., Greenfield, WI 53221,
(414) 281-2339 (E-Mail) trauterberg of wi.rr.com
TURKEY: Sean O'Donnell, 1044 Wellfleet Drive, Grafton, OH 44044, (440) 926-0230
sean_o_donnell of hotmail.com or seanfodonnell of yahoo.com


Game Notes:
1) Note Jim Tretick's E-Mail address change.
2) Some draw proposals, an EFG and an EFGIT are proposed. Please vote with your summer orders on both, if you fail to vote neither can pass.
3) The Germans have another strategic hold, but I'll be damned if I'm going to call a standby, the Duck will play and take the consequences, he called and talked to my wife, but this is what we get.... the dogs of war are unleashed on him below....


Press:
(EDI-BER): We appreciate your fortification of land forces.
(BOOB to EDI): Now if he just could order them....
(ROME to BERLIN): Hey, pal, if you're not gonna bother responding to multiple missives at the most crucial diplomatic point in years, even to say "no" or lie, feel free to NMR out any time now. Not unlike your GMing where Gary invested more effort in publishing your flier than you did when you abandoned it. Why did you bother going to DipCon if you're not gonna play the game - did you insert earplugs and tat doilies between deadlines? If this press pisses you off, great; that would be more interesting than playing with you this way.
(BOOB): My, my, we are annoyed today, aren't we? ;-)
(ROME to BOOB): Not nearly as much as that item sounds; I love Don and I'll miss him when he's no longer with us. I don't know whether you guys felt he messed up your fun in 2001A. I don't want him to mess up 2001D at a key decision point. I'd prefer if he messed it up by negotiating ridiculously and making strategically unsound orders (as usual), rather than by ignoring me and submitting someone else's orders or NMRing every second or third season.
(BOOB to ROME): I see, methinks you have a strong point, wake up, you useless Duck!!!
(SCOTLAND-WORLD): As an original with original allies, I intend to hang out in the northeast corner of the board drinking good whisky until an appropriate draw appears under my door in the morning.
(SCOTLAND-WORLD2): If you bring good whisky, I can be plied to include you in the draw. Really good whisky and I'll exclude the combatant of your choice.
(TURKEY-ITALY): Gee, you don't know me very well do he????
(JEFF O'DONNELL to MIKE BARNO): If as you say in your opinion my nephew is a psycho, then explain to me why you made an alliance with him in the first place??? The question you need to ask yourself is: who is more of an idiot? The idiot or, the idiot who gets his ass kicked by a psycho??? PS That is MR. Uncle Jeffy-Pooh to you!
(TURKEY-ITALY PART 2): Well, Uncle Jeffy Pooh isn't here to save you lol lol lol
(EDI-CON): I trust you won't be so foolish as to attack StP. I will consistently move to make sure that can't succeed.
(UNCLE JEFFY-POOH to SEAN): I really don't think of you as a psycho. I mean, after all, that stalking incident happened years ago, and I'm sure that all is forgiven.


FANTASTIC VOYAGE: 1999K, Regular Diplomacy
THE DUE DATE FOR END GAME STATEMENTS EXTENDED TO JULY 17TH, 2004
Five Way AEGRT Draw Declared!


Addresses of the Participants
AUSTRIA: Paul Rauterberg, 3116 W. American Dr., Greenfield, WI 53221, (414) 281-2339 (E-Mail)
trauterberg of wi.rr.com
ENGLAND: John Biehl, #8 - 11530 84th Avenue, Delta, BRITISH COLUMBIA, V4C 2M1 CANADA,
(604) 591-1832 ($7); jrb of dccnet.com
FRANCE: Rick Davis, 2420 West Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95407, (707) 544-5201,
redavis914 of aol.com
GERMANY: Bob Osuch, 19137 Midland Avenue, Mokena, IL 60448, (708) 478-3885
ROsuch4082 of aol.com
ITALY: Terry Tallman, PO Box 782, Clinton, WA 98236, (360) 710 9613, cell (360) 710-9613 ($2)
terryt of whidbey.net
RUSSIA: Buddy Tretick, 9607 Conaty Circle, Spotsylvania, VA 22553, (540) 582-2356 (E-Mail)
batretick of earthlink.net
TURKEY: Vince Lutterbie, 1021 Stonehaven, Marshall, MO 65340-2837, (660) 886-7354
melvin4852 of sbcglobal.net


Game Notes:
1) Draw passes. I'll have the SC counts next time, then continue to print End Game Statements to the issue after that. Thanks, everyone, I wish Buddy well in his illness motivated transitions. I hope you (through Jim and directly) will keep in touch. But given that Buddy was likely to have to resign, I think that pushed everyone over the edge into calling it a draw.


End Game Statements:
AUSTRIA STANDBY (Rauterberg): This game, with its wide variance of challenges, proved to be quite an adventure for a standby Austrian. I joined the game quite early on, allied with Randy Ellis' Turkey, and pushed back advances on my frontiers by Italy and Russia. Indeed, I was fortunate enough to be able to continue on into Italy and take over that country as well.
At this point, perhaps A/T was a bit TOO successful. The nations of the West allied with Russia against us, and we were forced to think "stalemate lines" rather than to anticipate any further advancement. Now Randy grew tired of participating in the hobby, resigned, and my implacable A/T alliance crumbled. The rest of the game was an exercise in survival, and my Austrian forces were driven into Italy to make their last stand while the dogs of war snarled over my homeland. And so things ended.


SECRETS: 1999D, Regular Diplomacy
THE DUE DATE FOR FALL 1916 IS JULY 17TH, 2004
Summer 1916
ENGLAND (Brosius): has f LON, a GAS, f NAO, a KIE,
f MID, f ENG, f HOL, f POR.
FRANCE (Sasseville): has f MAR, f SPA(SC), a MUN, a BUR.
GERMANY (Barno): has a BUL.
RUSSIA (Reynolds): has a MOS, a LVN, a BER, f BAL,
a STP, a PRU.
TURKEY (Linsey): has a GRE, f ALB, a UKR, a WAR, f WES,
a SEV, f GOL, a SIL, a GAL, f NAF, f AEG, a TYO,
f PIE, a SER, a BOH.


Addresses of the Participants
ENGLAND: Eric Brosius, 53 Bird Street, Needham, MA 02492
eric.brosius of comcast.net
FRANCE: Roland Sasseville, Jr., 38 Bucklin Street, Pawtucket, RI 02861, (401) 481-4280 ($0)
roland6 of cox.net and ICQ: 40565030
GERMANY: Mike Barno, 634 Dawson Hill Road, Spencer, NY 14883
mpbarno of lightlink.com
RUSSIA: Phil Reynolds, 2896 Oak Street, Sarasota, FL 34237, (813) 953-6952
preyno of yahoo.com
TURKEY: Bruce Linsey, PO Box 234, Kinderhook, NY 12106
GonzoHQ of aol.com


Game Notes:
1) The FREGT draw is rejected and then reproposed. I had no complaint, so I've granted a request that we go back to where we were on the voting, which was this: (1) Some of you have "perpetual draw votes on this proposal on file", those are still in force; (2) Some of you do not and have been voting every season, for you if you FAIL to vote it counts as a yes vote for this proposal. If we get to a situation where no centers change hands for three game years, then we can go to the next step, which will require everyone to vote every season, no perpetual draw votes. And failure to vote would be a yes. Fall 1916 is two game years by that measure. PS I may do a GM judgment call that no "real" center movement has occurred if there are only small insignificant trades of centers that are done (that will include the one that looks like it might happen this fall).


Press:
(GERMANY to RUSSIA): So when will YOU be launching an assault on a Turkish home center? Will that be before or after you read the GM's notes accurately?


DR. EDWARD TELLER: 2002?rn42, Nuclear Yuppie Evil Empire Diplomacy - Black Hole Variant
THE DUE DATE FOR SUMMER 1907 IS JULY 17TH, 2004
THE DUE DATE FOR FALL 1907 IS AUGUST 7TH, 2004
Spring 1907
AUSTRIA (Rauterberg): a Vie h (ann), a bud-RUM, f TRI-ven; and
nuked EDI, LON, NTH, NWG, ENG.
ENGLAND (Muller): a LVP h, f Lon h (ann), f Edi h (ann); and 5 nukes unfired.
FRANCE (Andruschak): f BRE h, a PAR h, a MAR h; and 5 nukes unfired.
GERMANY (Kendter): a MUN h, a Ber h (ann), f Kie h (ann); and 5 nukes unfired.
ITALY (McHugh): a VEN h, a ROM h, f NAP h; and 5 nukes unfired.
RUSSIA (Kenny): f STP(SC) h, a MOS h, a WAR h, f SEV h; and
nuked BER, KIE, VIE, BUD.
TURKEY (Schultz): f ANK h, a CON h, a SMY h; and 5 nukes in their silos.


Current Standings
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 TOTAL
JOHN SCHULTZ  3  3  3  3  3  4     19
PAUL RAUTERBERG  6  1  6  3  5  2     23
KARL MULLER  2  3  3  4  3  4     19
HARRY ANDRUSCHAK  4  5  0  3  3  3     18
LEE KENDTER, JR.  1  6  2  4  5  2     20
JACK MCHUGH  5  0  3  3  2  3     16
SANDY KENNY  3  1  3  3  2  3     15
Black Holed  8 14  7  1  7  7     44
Neutral  2  1  7 10  4  6     30
Totals(eventually) 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 238
Times GM Nuked  0  1  1  0  0  0   2
Whole Frelling Game  0  0  1  0  1  0   2


Addresses of the Participants
John Schultz plays on in our memories....
Paul Rauterberg, 3116 W. American Dr., Greenfield, WI 53221, (414) 281-2339
trauterberg of wi.rr.com
Karl Muller, 3154 East Lydius Street, Schenectady, NY 12303-5035
karlmuller of alumni.lemoyne.edu or pegandkarl of mindspring.com
Harry Andruschak, 734 West 214th Street, Apartment 12-A Torrance, CA 90502-1907
(310) 533-8945, harryandruschak of aol.com
Lee Kendter, Jr., 1503 Pilgrim Lane, Quakertown, PA 18951
lkendter of speakeasy.net
Jack McHugh, P.O. Box 427, Claymont, DE 19703, (302) 792-1998
flapjack of comcast.net
Sandy Kenny, 23 East Coulter Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108-1208 (609) 869-3160
KennyShire of aol.com or possibly sakenny of net-gate.com


Game Notes:
1) A couple of adjudication notes.... when you guys nuke the same province more than once, I put in parentheses the number of nukes that hit that spot. Also, if your move to a space succeeds and THEN you are annihilated, I capitalize the first letter of that space where you are annihilated. The reverse happens if your move bounces where I capitalize the first letter of the place you started.
2) The rules I have been using for this game have been that there are no replacements or standbies. Nukes for the positions John has will remain unfired in their silos. None of his units will move or support anything. They can be attacked and dislodged and his centers can be nuked. John could win the game this way, conceivably, but likely would not. This was the last big move, Sandy popped back in to pop our leaders one in the nose, and the leader Paul got his orders in as usual. But the outcome is pretty well set now. Come on, get those last fall orders in!!!


Press:
(COMMENTS FROM SANDY): Just thought i'd let you know that we have not fallen off the face of the Earth-at least not yet. I'm actually sending in some orders!! It has been a long time since I've sent anything in. It has been rather busy around here lately. The kids are getting out of school soon, so things will be even crazier very soon. But that's okay. I think I'll need a diversion soon. Next month will be the one year anniversary of Sean's death, and I'm not so sure how I'll handle his birth and death days (July 8th and July 17th, respectively). I think those are going to rather tough...Anyway, I hope you are doing well....
(JIM-BOB to SANDY AND THE KENNYS): We wish you the best and hope that the next few weeks aren't too tough for you and the family.


FINDING THE COMMUNITY: Breaking Away, Designer's Rules


THE DUE DATE FOR TURN 5 IS JULY 17TH, 2004


Turn 4
34 (replenish with a 3) Lisa (Breaking Away!)
33 (no replenishment) Empty
32 (no replenishment) Empty
31 (replenish with a 3) Homer
30 (no replenishment) Empty
29 (replenish with a 3) Bart
28 (replenish with a 4) Franklin, Marge
27 (no replenishment) Empty
26 (no replenishment) Empty
25 (replenish with a 3) Zedd
24 (no replenishment) Empty
23 (replenish with a 3) El Vez, Hearts, Spades, Frederick, Omega,
Silt, Clay, Sand, Diamonds
22 (replenish with a 12) Geri Lee Lewis, Wade
21 (replenish with a 14) Johnny Peso
20 (replenish with a 15) Carl Sagan
19 (replenish with a 16) James, Edmond, Pebble, Clubs
18 (no replenishment) Empty
17 (replenish with a 3) Paige


Addresses of the Participants - Their Team and Their Cards
TEAM 1 (Rick Desper): rick_desper of yahoo.com (0 points)
Team Name: Team Springfield
A: Homer Simpson (21) 15 8 3 3
B: Marge Simpson (13) 16 8 4
C: Bart Simpson (15) 10 9 3
D: Lisa Simpson (21) 11 20 3
Total Replenishments: 22+63+46+13 = 144
TEAM 2 (Bruce Edwards): kactusjak of tiscali.co.uk (0 points)
Team Name: Last Again
A: Zedd (3) 15 3 3
B: Omega (8) 13 9 3
C: Paige (3) 10 15 3
D: James (1) 21 3 16
Total Replenishments: 16+37+29+25 = 107
TEAM 3 (Tom Howell): off-the-shelf of olympus.net (0 points)
Team Name: The Soils; Manager: Boulder
A: Clay (9) 15 16 15 3
B: Silt (8) 13 9 3
C: Sand (10) 16 20 3
D: Pebble (6) 21 20 16
Total Replenishments: 17+62+63+25 = 167
TEAM 4 (Dennis Menear): dmenear of wirefire.com (0 points)
Team Name: The Firm
A: Edmond (9) 14 9 3 16
B: Franklin (14) 3 15 4
C: Frederick (8) 6 9 3
D: Wade (6) 5 7 12
Total Replenishments: 12+28+32+35 = 107
TEAM 5 (David Partridge): rebhuhn of rocketmail.com (0 points)
Team Name: It's In The Cards; Manager: The Joker
A: Spades (8) 15 8 9 3
B: Hearts (8) 13 9 3
C: Diamonds (9) 16 15 3
D: Clubs (6) 21 20 16
Total Replenishments: 17+55+51+25 = 148
TEAM 6 (Karl Schmit): diplomacy of new.rr.com (0 points)
Team Name: 25 Dollar Quartet
A: Carl Sagan (5) 15 3 8 15
B: El Vez (7) 12 6 3
C: Geri Lee Lewis (5) 6 9 12
D: Johnny Peso (3) 1 16 14
Total Replenishments: 12+37+22+44 = 115


Game Notes:
1) The rules are on the TAP website in the Tinamou section. Ask if you have any questions. Press is VERY welcome!!!
2) Up above in parentheses is the card you played to get to where you are in the field. The replenishment card is the last card in your list. Be careful to note that the card you played (the one in parentheses) is not available for you, for next turn. Just for fun, I'm going to keep track of total replenishment, by turn, which is a rough measure of how the teams are doing. Of course, it is lining up to get across the sprint and final lines in the right places that really counts. I'm not setting up a separate scoring method. BUT..... we can calculate an "efficiency score" later, which will be the ratio of scoring points per replenishment. If I'm predicting how the future of this will come out, a 10% score will be really tremendous for this measure.
3) WOW, some really tough racing this time, so many people popped up on that ONE square, it really made a difference. And poor Paige missed the jackpot!! The Sprint line is between 40 and 41, someone should start getting points next time.


Press:
(HOMER - SELF): Ooh, I think I'll move to mile marker 10, and draft the entire pack. That's a better idea than rushing ahead to win the first sprint. (Looks up, sees two empty squares.) D'OH!
(LISA - GM): Am I on South Beach? All I see are sand, pebbles, and clubs!
(BOOB to LISA): I've got better than you.... yeah, this is just a lazy ride on the beach, there's Ty Law, he's the only one with a 'tude around here.
($25 QUARTET): I think it's time for the rest o' you slackers to stop drafting behind my guys! Hopefully I'm behind some of you now, and not behind in the bad way.
(BOOB to QUARTET): You hit the jackpot this turn and had the best replenishments, now you need to see if you can turn 'em into points in the Sprint.
(BART - FRANKLIN): Hey dude. You know, in Paris, your name is pronounced Fron-clan. You even have a metro stop!
(MARGE - HOMER): Our son is very learn-ed.
(HOMER - MARGE): That's pronounced learnd, Marge. Learnd.
(MR. BURNS - FIELD): Did anybody catch me in the season-ending episode? Where I bought all the media outlets in town? Rupert Murdoch is my hero.
(SMITHERS - MR. BURNS): ... and you're my hero, Mr. Burns.
(MR. BURNS - SMITHERS): Stop your snivelling. And start pedalling harder, I need to keep up with this race!
(DAVE - TOM): It's Golden Strider that I can't seem to figure out, not Breaking Away. Explain to me again why Tim has won twice in a row by being the front runner, and why, even knowing he was going to do that, we couldn't stop him the second time?


FEAR AND WHISKEY: 1998Ers31, Modern Diplomacy
CONCESSION TO UKRAINE PASSES - CONGRATULATIONS TO DAVE!!!


Addresses of the Participants
BRITAIN: Kurt Ozog, 391 Wilmington Drive, Bartlett, IL 60103, (630) 837-2813
heyday6 of yahoo.com
EGYPT: Jeff O'Donnell, 402 Middle Ave., Elyri, OH 44035-5728, (440) 322-2920
or (440) 225-9203 (cell) ($2)
FRANCE: Harry Andruschak ($5) Tapmdfrance of aol.com
GERMANY: Paul Rauterberg, 3116 W. American Dr., Greenfield, WI 53221, (414) 281-2339 (E-Mail)
trauterberg of wi.rr.com
ITALY: Eric Ozog, PO Box 1138, Granite Falls, WA 98252-1138, (360) 691-4264 ($3)
ElfEric of Juno.com
POLAND: Roland Sasseville, Jr., 38 Bucklin Street, Pawtucket, RI 02861, (401) 481-4280 ($5)
roland6 of home.com and ICQ: 40565030
RUSSIA: Randy Ellis
SPAIN: Sean O'Donnell, 1044 Wellfleet Drive, Grafton, OH 44044, (440) 926-0230 ($3)
sean_o_donnell of hotmail.com or seanfodonnell of yahoo.com
TURKEY: Kent Pollard, 1541 W. San Jose, Fresno, CA 93711, (209) 225-0957 ($10)
UKRAINE: Dave Partridge, 15 Woodland Drive, Brookline, NH 03033 ($8)
rebhuhn of rocketmail.com


Game Notes:
1) You all voted for the concession, so we're done. We even have some initial comments.


Press:
(THE MEKONS QUOTE OF THE MONTH): "I'm so happy, focused on destruction!" from "I'm So Happy", a song on the brand new Mekons release, Punk Rock.
(GERMANY to BRITAIN AND SPAIN): I am joining you guys in throwing the game to Ukr. It's going to happen, anyway.
(PAUL to JIMBOB): At least with a smaller power, writing orders goes quicker....
(EGYPT): Egypt surrenders, I'll send you the Star Trek season finale ASAP.
(JEFF O'DONNELL to DAVE PARTRIDGE): Nice win, you earned it. PS your original fleet maneuver into the Ionian Sea was the difference. Nice move!
(UNCLE JEFF to SEAN): Russia still sucks!
(UNCLE JEFF to SEAN #2): The Klingons also suck!
Here's a brief Summary by Sean O'Donnell playing as Spain in Fear and Whiskey:
Initially I agreed with Russia in knocking Britain out hard and fast as the first spring orders approached Russia fell silent, but I continued the stance of an alliance vs Britain. To do this I attempted to form an alliance with Harry (France) and tried keeping communications open with Germany. I also managed to negociate a deal with Eric (Italy) for Tunis that I saw as tactical due to the fact I planned on attacking Jeff (Egypt) after France and I secured Britain. The only thing that actually held was I got Tunis.
Facing off with France and Britain forced me to seek aid from Italy, Germany, and Egypt. Poland apparently building a fleet helped going in a long way of Germany in a sense aiding. This situation I lucked out that Jeff was allied at the time with both Italy and Turkey I think at the time either way Egypt managed to send me naval aid that helped to stablize the war with B/F. The next helpful thing that happened was when Jonas was replaced John helped Germany whoop the tail out of France while Egypt and I booted France from Spain.
From this point on I had to keep my position up and make sure that Germany and Britain didn't overwhelm Spain.
After that war, Italy and Ukraine after U/I/E devastated Turkey, I offered Italy Spanish aid against Egypt. Instead Italy attacked Tunis thus putting me on Egypt's side.
My biggest mistake I see in the game was backstabbing Egypt and Germany and not fighting Ukraine when it was suggested I do so.
My biggest triumph in this game is really getting Tunis and managing to Survive to end game.
In closing of this Statement, Grats to Dave (Ukraine) for a game well played.
((Thanks, Sean, it was a long game, wasn't it?? You were quite young when this started, something like 17 and now you're 23?? Your grammar and spelling has even gotten a bit better. I hope you enjoyed the game as much as I did!))


Personal Note to You:


File translated from TEX by TTH, version 3.35.
On 29 Jun 2004, 19:13.