THE ABYSSINIAN PRINCE #356

January 24, 2015


Jim Burgess, 664 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908-4327 USA, (401)351-0287, jfburgess of gmail.com


E-MAIL/WEB ONLY ISSUE! PDF will be available on the website. We also are being reproduced in Eternal Sunshine at least for awhile longer.


Web Page Address: /Postal/Zines/TAP/index.html


We continue with a NEW Kendo Nagasaki game, join ANY time, just send me a guess!!!
This issue continues the szine/subszine inversion. As most of you know, this thing began as a "subszine" to Terry Tallman's North Sealth, West George, then became its own szine with a host of subszines. The subszines remaining will appear as sub-subszines to our flipflopped home in Doug Kent's Eternal Sunshine. Doug's incessant nagging is not keeping us on schedule, but will make it so we keep going. I'd like to keep writing and doing some game GMing (note that has been expanding). I'm set on the GMing, and I'm starting to write a bit, hope there might be more. Doug has been winding down, I may have to flip that back around again and be the centerpiece for all the subszines, we'll see. My intent right now is to do that. Feel free to communicate with me about how you want to do that, or if anyone else wants TAP subszine status.
For production, in addition to the HTML's of each separate product on the web page, I will also have a PDF that you can print of the entire subszine (including my famous handdrawn maps!). You can just print the maps if you like, but remember maps are for pikers anyway, you don't need no steenkin' maps, keep them up in your head where they belong.
The Diplom.org site has moved. Chris Babcock is now in charge. It all went pretty well, all things considered, and most of you probably didn't even notice it was happening. But if you find you cannot access the website with the PDFs and HTMLs of all the past issues... well, please let me know and we'll fix it.


THE ABYSSINIAN PRINCE FEATURES SECTION (CONS/LETTERS/MUSIC)
((For upcoming cons around the world: /Face/cons/index.php, but note that some of the Americans have stopped posting the tournaments there. Shame, shame, shame... with the move of the diplom.org site, I hope this will be reinvigorated. So, since I will be running TempleCon again, February 6-8, 2015, here in Providence, let's move on to that. It's featured at the top of the Tournament Convention site above and coming up in TWO short weeks. There is an explosion of interest at the moment, so we have a shot at getting three boards. The more the merrier. Please consider coming, I have two "pay-what-you-can" hotel rooms and the four round tournament is Friday 6PM, Saturday 9AM and 6PM, Sunday 11AM. I think this year I'm finally going to get a bit of a breakout, so please join us. Let me know NOW if you're planning to come!!!))


NEW FEATURE: ROCK AND ROLL BANDS AND MOMENTS THAT MATTER
((If anyone from TAP or ES has ideas for more things to talk about here let me know. I do have five or six ideas lined up here already that I just have to write. In the meantime, we have a submission from Mike Barno below.))


DIPLOMACY WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT IS ONGOING - YOU CAN STILL JOIN!
This is the latest incarnation of this team based tournament. I am helping to lead the Nor'Easter team for people in the Northeast part of the United States. https://www.facebook.com/groups/123795024327261/ is the Facebook page for the event.
And you can sign up for the Tournament at: http://aqmn.asciiking.com/. Other US regional teams are the ones in the Pacific, Dixie, and Chicago. Its unique aspect, that continues to be distorting, but in interesting ways, is its "solo only" feature. You advance from the preliminaries to the finals only by soloing, and then need solos in the finals against the other soloists. Though this started last January, it probably will be going on for at least another year, the finals are starting now. The rules for the finals have been tweaked and the finals are now starting, everyone has been queried. But you also still can join the qualifiers, openings are there now!!! Word is we may cancel them, I think the finals should reignite interest. We also are picking up some discussion for a successor Diplomacy World Cup. I think we all realize that this interesting experiment has not been completely successful. I recently was elected to the Council for DWC IV, so if anyone has any ideas about where this idea should go to reinvigorate it, please let me know!


THE ABYSSINIAN PRINCE LETTERS SECTION
Mike Barno (Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 12:26 AM)
Hi, Jim.
Here are my picks for favorite local music of the year, if you're still doing that in TAP this year. These are from 44 days with live music: 47 solo/duo/group acts plus 37 repeats, where I heard at least half a set. Most of those days included at least a few original songs.
((I haven't been, but I love to have your thoughts, maybe at least partly sparked by me talking music again. I'm running behind again this month, so this is what we'll get, but I'd love to hear other thoughts from others!))
Area bar show: Digger Jones at the Rail House, Waverly NY, Mar. 15. Blues-rock, roots-rock, great originals and old old songs and groovy Dead.
Area festival: Susquehanna River Big Splash, at Marvin Park, Owego NY, May 24-25. Two stages so I heard parts of 16 bands, including Band of Strings' first show after a nine-month hiatus. Bands based on Donna the Buffalo and the Horseflies, and many local friends, made the whole weekend great fun.
National act in the area: Hot Tuna, with Donna the Buffalo, at State Theatre, Ithaca NY, Dec. 5. After 45 years, Jorma Kaukonen and Neal Casady and friends still have spirit and skill. Sometimes they play acoustic duo shows but this was their five-piece electric version, with over a dozen string instruments being played.
Recurring area bar gig: Pete Ruttle and guests, at the Union Hotel, Binghamton NY. Highlights of my half-dozen evenings include Mar. 21 with Chris Merkley and Wren, and May 9 with Claire Byrne/Joe Kollar/Joey Arcuri playing all sorts of songs for many hours.
For private parties: Dirt Farm, Jan. 11 and Jul. 26.
Favorite local songs: "Doing Hard Time", Band of Strings, written by Steve DeRiancho; "Before I Rust", Driftwood, written by Claire Byrne; "Lorraine", Woodshed Prophets, written by Ed Gliha. I think all three originals debuted in 2013, but I appreciated their heart and depth and spirit more as I heard them more.
Most total fun over the year: Woodshed Prophets, eight shows including several at Kelly's in Endicott NY with lots of dancing. Rock, roadhouse country, blues, highlighted by Rob Stachyra's great Telecaster work. Honorable mention to Driftwood, ranging from a thousand people at Big Splash to the tiny Oneonta Theatre and tinier front corner of the Union.
Mike, mpbarno of gmail.com
((Thanks, Mike, sounds wonderful, I don't get out anywhere near that much these days. But great to hear what you've been up to.))


THE ABYSSINIAN PRINCE GAMES SECTION
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. Since I'm not postal mailing the szine any more, I've dropped back to just reporting the disguised E-Mail addresses. As someone notes, if you need some more contact information, go back to past issues or ask me.
Standby lists:
Dick Martin, Brad Wilson, Jack McHugh, Steve Emmert, Vince Lutterbie, Paul Rauterberg, Doug Kent, Heath Gardner, Paul Kenny, and Hugh Polley stand by for regular Diplomacy. I've pared down the standby list according to who I'm actually in touch with. If I removed you and you want to be added back, just say so. Otherwise, just let me know if you want on or off these lists, especially OFF given the new policies.


GAME OPENING INFORMATION
I'm going to start the game opening list over. Under the new regime, who wants to play what?
SPY DIPLOMACY: Heath Gardner (not sure if that is still active), need at least six more.
REGULAR DIPLOMACY: need seven for another game start.


THE DON WILLIAMS 57 MEMORIAL: 2014A, Regular Diplomacy
THE DUE DATE FOR SPRING 1902 IS FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
Winter 1901
AUSTRIA (Ozog): bld a vie, a tri; has a VIE, a TRI, a SER, a BUD, f GRE.
ENGLAND (Wiedemeyer): bld f lon; has f LON, f MID, f NTH, a NWY.
FRANCE (Ellinger): bld f bre, a par, PLAYS ONE SHORT; has f BRE, a PAR, f POR, a SPA, a BEL.
GERMANY (Abbott): bld f kie, f ber; has f KIE, f BER, f DEN, a HOL, a RUH.
ITALY (Holley): bld f nap; has f NAP, f TUN, a TYO, a VEN.
RUSSIA (Rauterberg): bld f stp(nc), a war (imp), PLAYS ONE SHORT; f STP(NC), f SWE, f CON,
a WAR, a RUM.
TURKEY (Burgess): bld f smy; has f SMY, f AEG, a SEV, a BUL.


E-Mail Addresses of the Participants
AUSTRIA: Eric Ozog, elferic of juno.com
ENGLAND: Fred Wiedemeyer, wiedem of telus.net
FRANCE: Marc Ellinger, mellinger of blitzbardgett.com
GERMANY: Will Abbott, wjja9 of yahoo.com>
ITALY: Melinda Holley, genea5613 of aol.com
RUSSIA: Paul Rauterberg, paul.rauterberg of att.net
TURKEY: David Burgess, burgesscd of roadrunner.com or dburgess of glensfallshosp.org


Game Notes:
1) Moving on to 1902!


Press:
(VIENNA-ROME): This was probably the most satisfying Fall 1901 seasons I've ever had as Austria (almost as satisfying as sex). I kept you out the Capitol, denied Turkey Greece, obtained two builds for the Empire, and the Home Port is open for a build. What is not to like? I presume the results were somewhat less satisfying for Her Grace? Is that why you needed to depart on a Caribbean cruise? No matter, I trust we will be reaching an accord upon your safe return, God speed.
(LIZARD KING to ALL): "The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask. There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on an individual level. It's got to happen inside first."
(PARIS): As the victorious troops and sailors in the Iberian theater rest and recuperate, volunteers are flocking to recruiting stations across the nation. "Such a surge in patriotism reflects well upon our nation," stated Defense Minister Petard, "but we shall not yet require so many volunteers."
(TURKEY to WORLD): It's a sunshine day!
(MARSEILLES): Celebrations in Marseilles became a bit rowdy when the wine ran out forcing many to drink beer and, god forbid, water for the first time. Desperate orders of more Burgundy were placed and hopes rested that the Nouveau Beaujolais would be ready for the holidays! The King, celebrating another year, stated: "Le vin, c'est moi." In other news, the local Betty Fordeaux clinic reported a number of regal visitors for a stay of "rest and recuperation."


THE PHIL REYNOLDS MEMORIAL: 2006B, Regular Diplomacy
THE DUE DATE FOR SPRING 1912 IS FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015
Winter 1911
AUSTRIA (Burgess): bld a vie; has a VIE, a TRI, a BUD, f CON, a GAL,
a TYO, a SER.
ENGLAND (James): bld f lon, f lvp, a edi; has f LON, f LVP, a EDI, f BEL, a LVN, f NAT,
a BER, a MOS, a STP, f BRE, f SMY, f GOB, a KIE, f BAL.
FRANCE (Holley): rem a sil; has f ION, f TYH, a ALB, a BUR,
f ADR, f WES, a VEN.
ITALY (Crow): has a GRE.
RUSSIA (Kent): rem f eas, f pru; has a SEV, a MUN, a UKR, a BOH.


E-Mail Addresses of the Participants
AUSTRIA: David Burgess, burgesscd of roadrunner.com or dburgess of glensfallshosp.org
ENGLAND: Drew James, kjames01 of twcny.rr.com or karelanddrew of gmail.com
FRANCE: Melinda Holley, genea5613 of aol.com
GERMANY: Marc Ellinger, mellinger of blitzbardgett.com
ITALY: John Crow, johnny.crow of hotmail.com
RUSSIA: Doug Kent, dougray30 of yahoo.com
TURKEY: Fred Wiedemeyer, wiedem of telus.net


Game Notes:
1) There is a proposal for a concession to England. Please vote with your Spring orders and as usual, if you don't vote the concession cannot pass.


Press:
(AUSTRIA to BOARD): Not to gloat...but I love when my enemies have removals and I have a build. All seems right with the world...
(FRANCE to ALL): I should have voted for that draw.....
(ENGLAND to ALL): Why did I wait so long to stab France, Austria had been trying to get me to do it for EVER!!! Next time I will listen to that smart brainiac, he must be the best diplomacy player ever!
(FRA - ENG): I won't go down easily.


FOR THE MEKONS ET AL.: Breaking Away, Designer's Rules
THE DUE DATE FOR TURN 14 IS FEBRUARY 14TH, 2015!!
Turn 13: More Tired Riders Dropping from the Pack
99 (replenish with a 3) Travis, Haymitch Abernathy, Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen
98 (replenish with a 7) Roberto Rojas, Bowie, Effie Trinket
97 (replenish with a 10) Ryan Leaf, Houston, Jean Van de Velde
96 (replenish with a 13) Sylvester Carmouche
95 (replenish with a 14) Larry Csonka
94 (replenish with a 15) Ernie Davis, Jim Brown
93 (replenish with a 17) Floyd Little
92 (replenish with a 18) Sam Vimes
91 (replenish with a 19) Arciszewski
90 (no replenishment) None
89 (no replenishment) None
88 (no replenishment) None
87 (replenish with a 3) Moist von Lipwig, CMOT Dibbler
86 (no replenishment) None
85 (no replenishment) None
84 (replenish with a 3) Dziewulski, Mustrum Ridcully
83 (no replenishment) None
82 (no replenishment) None
81 (no replenishment) None
-S-P-R-I-N-T- -F-I-N-I-S-H- -L-I-N-E-
80 (no replenishment) None
79 (no replenishment) None
78 (no replenishment) None
77 (no replenishment) None
76 (no replenishment) None
75 (no replenishment) None
74 (replenish with a 3) Cwierczakiewiczowa
73 (no replenishment) None
72 (no replenishment) None
71 (no replenishment) None
70 (no replenishment) None
69 (no replenishment) None
68 (no replenishment) None
67 (no replenishment) None
66 (no replenishment) None
65 (replenish with a 3) Crockett
64 (no replenishment) None
63 (no replenishment) None
62 (no replenishment) None
61 (no replenishment) None
60 (replenish with a 3) Barszczewski


Addresses of the Participants - Their Team and Their Cards
TEAM 1 (Hank Alme): cobblers of gmail.com (0 points)
Team Name: Vetinari's Terriers; TEAM CAPTAIN: Sam Vimes
A: Moist von Lipwig (3) 3, 3, 3
B: Mustrum Ridcully (4) 4, 11, 3
C: Sam Vimes (6) 6, 14, 18
D: CMOT Dibbler (3) 3, 3, 3
Total Replenishments: 47 + 32 + 30 + 42 + 16 + 19 + 12 + 17 + 28 + 16 + 23 + 24 + 27 = 333
TEAM 2 (Andy Bate): andydbate of gmail.com (0 points)
Team Name: Racing Froggy; TEAM CAPTAIN: Jean Van de Velde
A: Jean Van de Velde (8) 14, 3, 10
B: Roberto Rojas (11) 14, 6, 7
C: Sylvester Carmouche (6) 7, 5, 13
D: Ryan Leaf (9) 12, 6, 10
Total Replenishments: 18 + 29 + 42 + 52 + 21 + 29 + 17 + 27 + 46 + 26 + 23 + 34 + 30 = 404
TEAM 3 (David Burgess): burgesscd of roadrunner.com or dburgess of glensfallshosp.org (25 points)
Team Name: Syracuse Orangemen
A: Ernie Davis (3) 3, 3, 3, 15
B: Jim Brown (6) 7, 9, 15
C: Floyd Little (3) 8, 6, 17
D: Larry Csonka (4) 3, 3, 14
Total Replenishments: 79 + 55 + 19 + 29 + 17 + 14 + 12 + 29 + 22 + 20 + 13 + 21 + 61 = 391
TEAM 4 (Rick Desper): rick_desper of yahoo.com (48 points)
Team Name: District 12
A: Katniss Everdeen (3) 7, 4, 4, 3
B: Haymitch Abernathy (4) 5, 6, 3
C: Peeta Mellark (3) 3, 4, 3
D: Effie Trinket (3) 4, 6, 7
Total Replenishments: 92 + 90 + 16 + 12 + 16 + 28 + 15 + 15 + 17 + 13 + 15 + 18 + 16 = 363
TEAM 5 (Brendan Whyte): BWHYTE of nla.gov.au (1 point)
Team Name: The Reverse Polish Notationists (a.k.a. The Unpronounceables)
A: Arciszewski (4) 3, 3, 11, 19
B: Barszczewski (3) 3, 3, 3
C: Cwierczakiewiczowa (3) 3, 3, 3
D: Dziewulski (3) 3, 9, 3
Total Replenishments: 50 + 46 + 14 + 14 + 15 + 17 + 17 + 21 + 14 + 12 + 19 + 20 + 28 = 287
TEAM 6 (Andy York): (4 points)
Team Name: Team Alamo
A: Travis (3) 3, 3, 3, 3
B: Crockett (3) 3, 3, 3
C: Bowie (11) 6, 4, 7
D: Houston (6) 3, 3, 10
Total Replenishments: 44 + 65 + 20 + 31 + 15 + 19 + 13 + 13 + 21 + 17 + 21 + 20 + 23 = 322


Game Notes:
1) The rules are on the TAP website in the Tinamou section. Ask if you have any questions. Rules at:
/Postal/Zines/TAP/Tinamou/rules/BreakingAway.htm
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 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 (40/80) and final (120) lines in the right places that really counts. 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 based on doing this before, about half the players will get scores below 5% and getting better than a 10% score will be really tremendous for this measure.
2) So, the pack continues to lurch very slowly toward the finish line. But this turn the pack reformed so that will change. Someone may finish in Turn 15 now, we'll see.


Press:
(PRESS): Roberto take a turn at the front as Team Froggy continue in racing formation. How soon before it all falls apart?


WHERE IN THE WORLD IS KENDO NAGASAKI
DEADLINE FOR TURN 2 IS FEBRUARY 14, 2015, JOIN UP!!!
Kendo Nagasaki for me comes from the series in Eternal Sunshine... The full rules for Where in the World is Kendo Nagasaki are in: http://www.whiningkentpigs.com/DW/es58.pdf. Send a guess!!!

TURN 1
Brendan Whyte: Tom Howell:
No Guess This Time Julius Gaius Caesar in Lugdunum, Gallia (Lyon, France)

Hank Alme: Marc Ellinger:
Ho Chi Minh in Dallas, TX Benjamin Franklin in Istanbul, Turkey

Conrad von Metzke:
Sultan Sir Muda Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, in the Castro district of San Francisco

HINT to the Person with the Closest Geographic Guess: You died about two centuries before I did.


LAST WORD: I just have a few lines so I really want to emphasize getting some more attendees at this year's TempleCon, February 6-8, in Providence, RI. Pre-registration is done, but you can register on site and the Diplomacy tournament looks like we have at least two boards on Saturday moving toward three. Please join us and get this year's Grand Prix started on the right foot!!!
templecon.org/15/index.php?option=com_eventbooking&view=category&id=0&Itemid=911


File translated from TEX by TTH, version 3.85.
On 24 Jan 2015, 16:04.