Eternal Sunshine #148

September 2021

By Douglas Kent - 911 Irene Drive, Mesquite, TX 75149

On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/270968112943024/ or on the web at http://www.whiningkentpigs.com/DW/. Follow on Twitter at @EternalSunshDip. Also be sure to visit the official Diplomacy World website at http://www.diplomacyworld.net.

Sign up for the Eternal Sunshine Mailing List at https://mailchi.mp/45376bbd05df/eternalsunshine

Check out my eBay store at http://stores.ebay.com/dougsrarebooksandmore

Quote of The Month – “The only way to find out what story you're in is to determine what stories you're not in. Odd as it may seem, I've just ruled out half of Greek literature, seven fairy tales, ten Chinese fables, and determined conclusively that you are not King Hamlet, Scout Finch, Miss Marple, Frankenstein's monster, or a golem.” - (Professor Hilbert in “Stranger Than Fiction”)

Welcome to Eternal Sunshine, the most hated Dipzine in the universe. In all honesty though, it isn’t so much hated as it is simply tolerated. If I’m lucky. I’m currently trying to decide what to do with the zine which the Dip and Balkan Wars games finish up. There doesn’t seem to be much demand for games any longer, and the pool of participating players gets smaller every few issues. So I need to come to a firm decision on whether I’m going to run any more games. I won’t fold while any games are still being played out (whether in the zine proper or in the subzines), but when I look at things from a neutral viewpoint it doesn’t seem like there’s any life left in this rag, outside of the subzines. Not making any rash of quick decisions, though. Just going to take it month by month, and I am committed to finishing every game even if I do throw the towel in again.

I’m having enough trouble just getting enough proper material for Diplomacy World. (The next deadline for that is October 1^st, if you have anything to contribute). It’s hard to determine how much of the problem is hobby interest, and how much is simply me. After a while, when things keep happening over and over, I’m forced to ask that question: “Maybe the whole problem is me?” The same thing I do when it comes to my complete lack of a social life and my inability to get a date.

The move of the office has been a total nightmare. The movers came one day to pack, and the next day to move. They worked about twelve hours each day, and they were still unable t move everything. Then with Labor Day, and the freight elevators in both the old and new location being booked, it took a week before they were able to move the rest (and THAT took all day too).

The new office is really nice, but my boss never bothered to tell me that it’s in the 38^th floor of the building. I’m experiencing TERRIBLE vertigo after I spend a few hours in there. You might remember I was having minor vertigo issues at the old location, especially when there was a storm front moving through. But this is much worse, and doesn’t require any change in the weather. Once the vertigo hits, I start to feel a little motion sickness, and when that hits, my anxiety builds. From there, it can be off to the races. A wonderful, vicious cycle. If it’s especially bad, I can look forward to general anxiousness the following day, as well as muscle soreness from fighting to stay upright again a pull that doesn’t really exist. All I can do is hope that my body gets used to it. (My ears are the major issue as that’s where the falling-forward sensation seems to begin). If not…I’ll have to quit or something. Yay me.

At least I managed to get through the entire day of the 10^th without a major attack. I upped my anxiety medication a bit for the time being, and I think that helped. I also recognize spending too much time at my desk without getting up – especially after noon – makes it worse. Next week I plan to organize the room I’m in; perhaps moving the desk to face away from windows might help. I can’t look at today as anything but a positive sign. Slow improvement is what I need for encouragement.

Peter Sullivan was still tracking down missing orders at deadline time, so his subzine didn’t make it this issue. Fortunately we still have Andy York to give you something to read besides my garbage.

I guess that’s it from me for now. See you in October!

Game Openings

Diplomacy (Black Press): Signed up: Brad Wilson, Paul Milewski, Heath Davis-Gardner, needs four more. I may or may not proceed with this game.

Where in the World is Kendo Nagasaki?: Ongoing. Join in and play NOW!

Also in Andy York’s Subzine – You can find his ongoing “Hangman, By Definition” and Facts in Five, plus an opening for Breaking Away.

Standby List: HELP! I need standby players! – Current standby list: Andy York, Andy Lischett, Paul Milewski, Harold Reynolds, Jack McHugh, Brad Wilson.

Meet Me in Montauk

The Eternal Sunshine Letter Column

Andy Lischett: I tend to be a "collector", too, and it's difficult getting rid of stuff. I no longer have a VHS machine but when cleaning out my house before moving, it was hard getting rid of my Fritz the Cat tape. Among your stacks of DVDs, would you happen to have the TV shows Laramie or Crossing Jordan?

Around forty years ago I worked at a company in Chicago and one of the building's maintenance men - whose name I've forgotten - bought the boarded-up Music Box Theater on Chicago's north side. His plan was to fix the place and show old and obscure movies, and he did. I don't know if he had partners or what, but every day for a couple of years he worked on the theater after working at work, and then he quit his job and opened the theater.

I've never been there and don't know if the guy I knew is still around, but the Music Box Theater is, and still showing Harold and Maude. It has an interesting website if you search for Music Box Theater Chicago.

[[Harold and Maude, a true classic, one of the movies on my “100 Films I Can Watch Over and Over” list. Elton John was originally supposed to play Harold, or at least was considered. I believe his music would have been used for the soundtrack in that case. Rumor has it, Elton is the one who suggested Cat Stevens for the music when he declined participation. There’s a duet they did way back then which I heard for the first time a couple of years ago. I didn’t much care for it.

Nope, no copies of those on VHS. I finally have a working VHS player though, as my boss was disposing of one in the midst of this nightmare move.]]

Andy York: What's your experience with Half-Price? Do they give decent prices or more like a rummage sale 25¢/book bin? I sorely need to whittle down my books, games, dvds/cds and the ilk - though i truly don't want to.

[[The ones here (and I assume ALL locations now) have computerized their inventory. So. it all depends on what you’re selling. For some stuff, especially if they already have multiple copies of it on hand, you’re looking at 20 cents per item. But if it’s less common, or not the type of thing they often see, you can get more. One of the books I brought in last week (a Sam Kineson biography) netted me $6 all by itself. If you’re willing to bring a few boxes in you can test-drive it, as they make you an offer which you can accept or reject.]]

Sorry the job continues to deteriorate. Hopefully things will look up soon, either there or elsewhere.

[[I suppose there’s always hope, and after making it through today I feel a little more positive for the very short term.]]

The Dining Dead – Eternal Sunshine Movie Reviews

This month I managed to start a few movies I hadn’t seen before. Unfortunately, they weren’t movies I was able to get more than fifteen minutes into before I gave up. I don’t review movies I can’t watch at least half of. If I had more time and more patience, I’d suffer through a few so you don’t have to. But with the move, and a lot of other stressors, it simply didn’t happen often this month.

Killer Joe (DVD) – The fast feature than William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection) directed, adapted by Tracy Letts from his own stage play, this is not a new movie. It came out a decade ago, but for whatever reason I didn’t come across it. I think the title may have had something to do with it; Killer Joe is such a bland name for a movie. It also didn’t do very well at the box office.

Emile Hirsch plays Chris, a small-time drug dealer who owes his supplier $6,000. Angry at his mother for stealing (and using, or selling) some of his drugs, he goes to see his father Ansel (Thomas Haden Church) who lives with Chris’ sister Dottie (Juno Temple) and Ansel’s second wife Sharla (Gina Gershon). The boyfriend of Chris’ mother had casually mentioned that she has a $50,000 life insurance police, listing Dottie as the sole beneficiary. His plan to solve is current financial problems, and to enrich all four of them, is to have his mother killed, seeing as “she isn’t doing anybody any good anyway.”

The Killer Joe in this movie is the killer they set out to hire, Dallas County Police Detective Joe Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), who runs a little hit man operation on the side. His price is $25,000 in advance, non-negotiable. Chris’ plan hinged on Joe agreeing to do the job on spec and take his money after the insurance paid off. That’s not going to happen, so it appears the deal is off. But Joe is very taken with Dottie, so he agrees to accept Dottie as a retainer of sorts.

From this point the story starts to spin out of control, with as many twists and turns as you’d expect from any neo-noir. There’s some heavy violence, and some strong sexual stuff which led to the film receiving an NC-17 rating. The final fifteen minutes in particular has content which Friedkin did not want to edit out. And aside from Dottie, none of the characters are fleshed out in likeable ways. That’s not to say they aren’t acted well; they are. But the characters themselves are selfish, short-sighted, trashy, and…well, let’s just say if you’re willing to hire someone to kill someone else for what amounts to $6,250 each after expenses, you don’t value lives too heavily. And nobody needs to get their arm twisted to agree to the plan. Near the end of the film, off screen, Sharla complains that someone only thinks of themselves, to which Ansel replies “isn’t that pretty much what everybody does?” That’s a fair summation of the characters in this film.

This isn’t a fully satisfying film, but it has some witty dialogue, a good plot, commendable acting, and from experience I can say the characters easily remind me of people I’ve met down here through the years. If you don’t mind some uncomfortable content, and you’re a fan of neo noir, I’d give Killer Joe a B, or a B- on a bad day.

Older Movies Watched (that I’ve seen many times) – Heavy Metal, In the Company of Men, Stranger Than Fiction, Mulholland Drive, Frailty, Insomnia, Going in Style.

Out of the WAY #37

by W. Andrew York

(wandrew88 of gmail.com)

Howdy!

It’s a bit hectic around here as moving day gets closer. However, the move itself I’m not expecting any significant issues to arise. Which brings to mind the EARLY DEADLINE for next issue. Please have all submissions to me by noon on September 25 so I can put the column together and shipped to Doug before the move takes place. I have no idea when the internet will be moved and I don’t want to inadvertently be without a way to get the column to him under the usual deadlines. With that said, I’m not going to NMR anyone if they aren’t in – if the usual players haven’t submitted orders by the time I finish it, that game will automatically be held to the next issue.

Also, expect the issue to be very bare bones, with likely just a few words from me, any locs and the games. I’ve been paring my reading back to free up time for move prep so, even if I happen to finish one, I’ll hold it until next issue. Also, as I won’t be reading a recipe book there won’t be a recipe included unless I come across something while cleaning out boxes/drawers/files.

The Express (Rangers) baseball team is in their final home stand of the regular season. They do have one shorter home stand in the extended season but as that’s just before the move, I elected to skip those games. They are now, for the Eastern Side of the Western Division of AAA neck and neck with Oklahoma City (Dodgers) for second place, both with an outside chance of overtaking Sugarland (Astros) to lead the pack. As the Express are currently playing Sugarland every win cuts two games out of their lead (as happened last night). I’m also fortunate to be able to go to a game in the new Rangers stadium on the 18^th – all I’ve heard about it has been positive.

Hope everyone is doing well!

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WAYward Thoughts

I thought I’d take a moment to discuss my handling of the zine, order submission and what the deadline actually means. This came up following an exchange with a game player. They sent in their orders shortly before the deadline. Then, asked a few hours later if I’d received it. Followed by a note a few hours later very concerned that their orders may have been late and would be disregarded.

So, let me set the record straight.

The deadline is more of a “target date/time” than a strict limit. For the most part, I accept orders until I process that game’s orders and finalize the report – which I generally do at the tail end of the column creation. The true, terminal, deadline is really when I polish and send the column to Doug which is generally mid-afternoon before his publication date. However, that isn’t a set time – events I’m attending, appointments, outside activities (such as my upcoming move) and such my make that sometime Wednesday, Thursday or Friday before ES comes out.

Thus, my setting the deadline at noon Wednesday before ES is published (with an exception is this coming month) is when I’ll start seeing if I have all the orders, hollering to folks if I can’t find things and generally start putting things together. I’ll input orders that I have, do any remaining book reviews, choose the recipe and put it in, determine which of these articles to include or create and such. I’ll also start to validate the Facts in Five entries, though not doing the adjudications.

Once all that is done, if I have all the orders, I’ll do the adjudications. Then, I’ll write the intro, do a proofreading session and ship to Doug. So, if you’re a little late in getting orders in, no issues. And, if I’m missing orders I’ll try to let you know via Email as a reminder.

A side point, though I have access to my email box via my cell phone, most of my work (and virtually all of my gaming) is through my desktop computer. That is only “on” when I’m working with it and it is only connected to the internet when needed. Therefore, acknowledgement of submitted orders is mostly when I’ve connected my PC to the internet and have printed out the game orders (yes, I use physical paper in my adjudications). At that point I’ll send an “orders received” response. Note – if I catch that there’s a question with the orders I’ll likely answer at that time and send the “orders received” when I later print it out.

Always feel free to send two sets of orders from different addresses, send follow-up notes or “just verifying” inquiries. I’ll respond the next time I’m checking mail. I say that as I often don’t check Emails when out of the apartment, working on a project or otherwise engaged. So, if you send something it might not be seen for several hours.

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Texas Talk

ANN RICHARDS QUOTE #6

“I’ve been tested by fire, and the fire lost.”

Sources: Banner on Congress Avenue, Austin TX; www.inspiringquotes.us/author/3002-ann-richards

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Letter Column

(always welcome, send them in!)

(if something shouldn’t be included here, clearly mark it as a personal comment)

[Andy Lischett] – Good Luck on your move. At least you don’t need a U-Heal truck. [WAY] – very true, and I have a dolly and

a neighbor has volunteered his as well.

[AL] – My sister owned a 4-story brownstone in Manhattan built in the 1890s that shared both side walls with the

neighboring homes. The whole street was like that. When building them, on the upper floors, the bricklayers

left holes in the walls between the homes so that construction workers could go from one house to the next

without walking down three flights of stairs in one house and then up three flights in the next house. After

everything else in the houses was done except plastering and painting, the masons came back and filled the

holes between the houses. [WAY] – VERY practical!

[Heath Davis-Gardner] – [I]s there a map for your gunboat game? I find it pretty difficult to visualize the board after 1901 and

I don’t actually know how other folks are handling it – are they using some sort of mapper software? I have

very limited experience with that, and it’s been a long time since I had any.

Anyway, since Winter 1901 is always separate, that’s easier. I don’t think I’ll shock anyone on the board with this,

[WAY] – No map, I’m not versed in graphical programs and really have no desire to learn any. I don’t have

time for everything I want to do, let alone something I don’t, sorry.

As for other folks, I never really thought about it. For me, I grab one of the copies of the game that I

have (I think I have 4 or 5 different editions, including a French one – not that I know

French.

I could send you a paper copy of the map (a conference map) from one game that you could put ersatz

tokens on to replicate a physical board. If you’d like that, send me your address and I’ll pop

one in the mail. That goes for any reader.

So, does anyone want to let Heath know directly how they process game turns or that would be

willing to respond to this request for a future issue of OOTW? Also, let me know if having

maps in my subzine is important to you. If I receive enough supportive comments, I’ll have

to consider how I’ll handle things in the future with my game openings.

For the record, I don’t believe I’ve evet included maps or other representations in my previous

columns/zines. The closest is the text based presentation for Hangman. All other artwork,

graphics or fonts are either hand drawn/printed that I cut out and pasted to the master

documents before duplicating (for Rambling WAY and some flyers) or were shared with me

to use (such as the font for the lead in to this column’s name).

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Mini-Book Reviews

(finished since last issue)

Chez Panisse: Vegetables by Alice Waters (1996; 344p).

A cookbook that grew from Alice Water’s experience in running California’s landmark Chez Panisse restaurant. This volume, obviously, focuses on vegetables routinely used by that kitchen and which are generally available from nearby farmers.

Included are 44 individual sections, most dealing with a specific vegetable such as Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts and Radishes. Others deal with groupings of similar vegetables, such as Lettuces and other Salad Greens. Each section starts out with a description of the vegetable, best uses, how to choose the best examples, storage suggestions and tips on growing them in your own garden. This prose is followed by several recipes featuring the vegetable (example in this month’s Recipe). The Appendix includes some standard ingredients called for in some of the recipes, such as making Stock, Tapenade and Galette Dough.

The recipes are a mixed bag, with some being more restaurant style – making Squash Ravioli with Fried Sage – that few would attempt at home. Others are very approachable – Corn and Green Beans. Some recipes don’t have measured ingredients, and work just fine without it. For instance, the previous one basically has you cooking the corn and beans in whatever ratio you wish, draining and adding butter, salt, pepper and parsley to taste. Other have precise (US) measurements. The preparation steps seem well laid out and easy to follow.

Recommended if you want a new approach to fresh produce, or are a fan of Alice Waters and/or Chez Panisse. [September 2021]

nuevo vino by Deb Grant (2020; 93p).

I’ve been receiving material from Deb for over 20 years, though I’ve never actually met her (she’s in Houston). Many years back, she’d circulate a mostly daily “E-Logos” Email with a daily devotion and commentary. When she retired from active ministry, the postings eventually became sporadic to include wide-ranging observations, original writings and thought pieces.

This book is a collection of her poetry, most having been previously circulated through the E-Logos mail list (some of those were likely earlier versions of what is included in this final product). The poems are generally short, being at most three pages, and cover a wide-variety of inspirations and experiences. Written from a Christian perspective, all are easily approachable and, many times, can foster contemplations and personal reflections.

I read through the book at one poem a day, vocalizing each one as I enjoyed them. I’d recommend this to anyone that has an interest in having the opportunity to take a break from the day and briefly immersing themselves in a thought-piece. [August 2021]

Playing the World by Jon Peterson (2012; 698p).

This tome is subtitled “A History of Simulating Wars, People and Fantastic Adventures from Chess to Role Playing Games”. And, it is. However, the impetus to write the book was a desire to document the creation of Dungeons and Dragons, and the start of the role-playing game genre. In doing so, the background of gaming, and military gaming, especially in Europe is well detailed. The rise of the miniature hobby is covered, the importation of military gaming into America, the founding of The Avalon Hill Gaming Company (including “Opponents Wanted” ads in the General) and the postal Diplomacy hobby were precursors that created conditions in which the RPG hobby could flourish.

The book is mostly well written and extensively researched with copious footnotes, illustrations and detailed descriptions. I learned quite a bit, had gaps in my knowledge filled in and had fond memories triggers of some of my early boardgames, conventions (Origins II and IV, GenCon X) I attended and personalities in the Diplomacy hobby (Conrad von Metzke, John Boardman, etc.) in the narrative.

That said, it is apparent this was self-published. Though few typos were noted, one illustration was on the wrong page and some of the descriptive text was wordy. However, in my judgement, a professional editor would have been most welcome in the organization of the book.

Broken into five chapters, the first title “A Prelude to Adventure” gives some background on Avalon Hill’s founding, their early games, the publication of the General magazine and the subsequent rise of gaming clubs/organizations/gatherings which enabled gaming communities to spread beyond a local area. It then veers into background on the medieval settings and early groups promoting and gaming in representations of that time (such as the Castle and Crusade Society). Then the chapter jumps back to boardgaming, new publishing companies and magazines/zines. Following that the writing of the Chainmail miniatures rules (by E Gary Gygax, et al) comes up.

As you can see, it is a bit jumpy in flow, but surprisingly it isn’t that distracting as the narrative thread is well weaved so the transitions aren’t jarring. In short, the other four chapters cover:

- The second is an in depth look at the Medieval Fantasy genre and RPGs with topics on classes, influence of Tolkien, alignment, etc.

- The third is the history of wargaming…and a discussion on the playing of D&D

- The fourth delves into precursors of role-playing, including personas in PBM Diplomacy and other alter-ego style gaming and groups

- The final one looks into the spread of D&D/RPGs and its assimilation into the mainstream of gaming, conventions and lifestyles

The book concludes with an epilogue that discusses how role-playing was replicated on the computer from Zork to multi-player online worlds that users “live” in. The bibliography is extensive, including many resources provided from individuals directly and from the holdings of the Hoosier Archives (an Indiana University collection of sci-fi and Diplomacy hobby zines).

The book is ambitious in its goal and, for the most part, it succeeds. It is definitely a worthwhile, if sometimes ponderous, read. I recommend it to anyone wanting to know the history of the gaming hobby, remembering parts of events they experienced/nods to folks you knew (at least for those of us that are in the back-half of their lives) and in learning the details of D&D’s backstory. [September 2021]

Willie Mays by James S. Hirsch (2010; 628p).

I mentioned with an earlier read, this was another book recommended by Baseball Jan at the Express ballpark. This time, she loaned me her copy of the book with another hearty endorsement to read it. And, I have to say I agree with her assessment.

Though Mays wrote (or likely had ghostwritten) a couple of autobiographies, in 2007 he collaborated with this author for an “Authorized Biography”. The author did extensive research, conducted multiple interviews and, once completed, Mays had final approval before publication. As the author states, Mays only had one small addition which was more of a clarification of his relationship with another player.

The book covers his entire life, with the bulk of the book being an extensive commentary on his baseball career. His pre-baseball life is covered mostly in the first 30 pages, From there it discusses his time in the Negro League and segues into his introduction into the minor leagues of professional baseball. After around 70 pages, the story of his career in the Major Leagues begins, interrupted by some coverage of his time in the army after being drafted. The book ends with a 30 or so page epilogue of his post-playing career and life. A summary of his year-by-year stats concludes the biography. Two photo spreads are inserted into the text.

The narrative is very compelling, including both his triumphs and his failures. Many personal stories are related, key plays are detailed and the savviness of his playing style is well represented. That he should be considered one of the greatest players of all time is without question.

Also well presented are the difficulties around integration of baseball, involving both black and brown players, including outright racism and prejudice. Other controversies covered include reactions to events surrounding the Civil Rights Era in the 1960s, the Steroid Scandal near the end of his career and the eventual dismantling of baseball’s Reserve Clause.

As noted above, I heartily recommend this book if you are at all interested in baseball in general, Willie Mays’ life and career or in the changing of America throughout the 20^th century. It is a comfortable read, very engaging and unabashedly open about his life, his relationships and how he related to America. Once finished, you will also have an improved understanding of America and America’s pastime. [September 2021]

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Babylon 5 Quote

In “Points of Departure” – Ivanova: “I can only conclu\de that I’m paying off karma at a vastly accelerated rate.”

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Recipe of the Month

Recipe Philosophy: Except for baking, recipes are only suggestions. I rarely precisely measure, eyeballing most everything. The

listed measurements, for the most part, are estimates from the last time I made the recipe. Feel free to adjust to meet

your personal tastes – and remember, it is easier to add “more” of something than to compensate when “too much” has

been added.

For ingredients, if you don’t like raw onions, omit them or replace with celery to retain the crunchiness. If you like food with

more spice, add an extra jalapeno or use habaneros instead. On the other hand, if you don’t like spicy food, replace the

jalapeno with a bell pepper. Optional items are used when I’m looking for a variation or making it for individuals

with specific preferences or allergies.

White Corn Soup

1 Large White Onion

6 tbsp Unsalted Butter

5 ears White Corn

Salt and Pepper

Nasturtium flowers or chervil

Optional: Half a Pig’s Foot

Peel and dice the onion. In a deep soup pot, but the butter, the onion, the half a pig’s foot (a pig’s foot imparts a uniquely gelatinous richness to this soup), and a big pinch or two of salt and pepper. Stew over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft and starting to fall apart, about 30 minutes. If the onions begin to dry out and stick to the pan, add a little water. While the onions are cooking, slice the corn kernels from the cobs.

When the onions are ready, add a quart of water, bring to a boil, add the corn, and simmer 3 to 5 minutes, until the corn is just cooked. (Do not overcook!) Take the pot off the fire, remove the pig’s food, and puree the soup in a blender. Pass through a medium-fine sieve to obtain a uniform, slightly thick texture. Season to taste. Serve with freshly ground pepper and garnish with nasturtium petals cut into chiffonade, or garnish with chopped chervil.

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Notes (from Andy):

Not much to comment on this one except to say Be Very Careful when pureeing hot liquids unless using an immersion blender. If you put the soup in a regular blender, never fill more than half way and use a towel on the top of the blender itself. For me, if I wasn’t using my immersion blender, I would likely let it cool before blending and then reheat to serve.

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Game Section

Everyone Plays Games: Hangman, By Definition; Facts in Five

Game Openings: Breaking Away (Kent, Burgess, Smith; Firth, minimum 6 players needed)

Standard Choice (Smith, minimum 4 players needed)

Possible Game Openings: Breaking Away Variants, Grey-Press Gunboat (no preference lists)

Suggestions accepted for other games to offer.

Standbys: Breaking Away (x1); Gunboat Diplomacy (x1)

Rules for Breaking Away. Breaking Away Variants and Choice available on the Variable Pig website (variablepig.org)

~~+++++++++++++++++++++~~

“Round Rock Express”

(No-Press Gunboat, Game #1)

MN: 2021Crb32

Winter 1901

Austria: builds A Bud, A Vie; has F GRE, A SER), A TRI, A BUD, A VIE

England: builds F Lon, A Edi; has F NTH, F BRE, A BEL, F LON, A EDI

France: has F MAO, A POR, A BUR

Germany: builds ; A Ber, F Kie; has F DEN, A HOL, A MUN, A BER, F KIE

Italy: builds F Nap; has F ION, A TUN, A VEN, F NAP

Russia: has F BOT, F SEV, A UKR, A SIL

Turkey: builds F Smy; has A ARM, F ANK, A BUL, F SMY

Supply Center Count

Austria: Bud, Tri, Vie, Ser, Gre = 5

England: Edi, Lpl, Lon, Bre, Bel = 5

France: Mar, Par, Por = 3

Germany: Ber, Kie, Mun, Den, Hol = 5

Italy: Nap, Rom, Ven, Tun = 4

Russia: Mos, StP, Sev, War = 4

Turkey: Ank, Con, Smy, Bul = 4

Neutral: Nwy, Rum, Spa, Swe

Next Due Spring 1902

Note – Split seasons are granted when 2 or more requests are received if 4+ players; 3 or less requires only 1.

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Hangman, By Definition

This is a five round game, with each round consisting of a variable number of turns. The winner will be the person who wins the most rounds, with a tie breaker being fewest total number of turns in those winning rounds. Second tie breaker will be the most number of letters guessed (by total count revealed, not by individual letter).

Each round will consist of identifying a word of at least six letters. Along with each word will be the first definition given. All words and definitions will be identified by blank spaces. Words and definitions are verified in a dictionary that was my high school graduation gift (slight hint to those who might want to find the edition).

The goal is to guess the word in as few turns as possible. Each turn, all players will submit one letter to be revealed. The letter submitted by the most players will be the letter revealed in the next turn. Ties will be broken by a randomized method. Additionally, each player should submit a guess for the word. Once the word is correctly identified (spelling is important), that round will end and a new round will begin. All players who guess the word in the same turn will share in the win for the round. If the word is not guessed by the end of six turns with no letter being revealed, no one will win the round.

Along with revealing letters in the word, letters will be revealed in the definition. There are no bonus points for guessing any part of the definition, it is only there to help players figure out the word. No guesses about parts of the definition will be confirmed or displayed except by the letter revealed in that round. The letters “E” and “S” can never be chosen as the letter to be revealed.

Game 1, Round Four, Turn 2:

Letter Votes: A – 1; I – 1; N – 1; P – 1; Q – 1; W – 1; Z - 1 Revealed: Z (dice roll decision with d8)

Words Guessed: (Firth) Marrow; (Kent) Frizzy; (Lischett) Radius; (Maslen) Yeoman; (O’Hara) <>;

(Smith) Shazam; (Wilson) Number

Solution:

Word: __ __ __ __ __ __ (6)

Definition: __ __ __ (3) L __ __ __ __ (5), __ __ __ __ LL __ (7)

__ __ __ T __ __ __ __ __ __ (10) __ __ __ __ __ __ T (7)

__ __ (2) _ (1) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (7) __ __ (2) __ __ __ __ __ (5);

__ __ (2) __ __ __ __ (4)

Never Revealed: E, S Already Revealed: L, T, Z

Game Words Correctly Guessed: Infinitesimal (David-Gardner, Firth, Kent, Smith, Wilson);

Triclinium (Firth, Maslen, Smith, Wilson)

Chummy (Wilson)

+++++++++++++++++++++

FACTS IN FIVE

Rules: There will be five rounds, the cumulative high score at the end of the fifth round will be the winner. Anyone may join anytime with a starting score matching the lowest total from the previous round. Anyone missing a round will add the lowest score of that round.

Each round will consist of five categories and five letters. Each player submit may an entry for each category which has a key word that starts with each of the letters (twenty-five total entries). Key words are generally the first word; however articles (the, a, etc.) and modifiers (“red” in red bicycle for “R” in “mode of transportation” or “general” in General Lee for “G” in “Military Leaders”) are not key words. A word in the category may not be the key word (“bank” in “Bank of America” for “B” in the category “Banks”). For given names, the last name is the key word, if married it will be their post-marriage last name. However, in the case of commonly used stage names, that name should be used (in a category of female singers, ”Q” could be “Queen Latifa” and “Cher” for “C”). An entry may only be used once per round. Please clearly identify which individual you are using as your answer if there are multiple potential people with a given name. For instance, if the category is American Presidents, answering Washington is fine as there is only one; however, if you decided to use Bush you need to indicate whether you are submitting the father or the son. Unclear answers will be matched to score the least points. Using the Bush example, if one person submitted “Bush” and three people submit “George W. Bush” the latter would score 2 points and the former 1.

One point will be scored for each entry that unarguably meets the letter and category. An additional point will be added if anyone else also uses the same valid entry for the same category. Maximum possible score in a round is 50 with a lowest possible score of 25, presuming an individual submits a valid entry for each category and letter in that round.

Research is allowed, collaboration between players is not.

Game Three, Round Four

Bolded - Scores 2 points for matching another entry; Crossed Out - scores 0 points; otherwise scores 1 point.

REMINDER - Last names are generally the key word, not first names.

Players B D E G R

Television Comedy Series Program Title

Mark Firth Big Bang Theory Drifters Extras Ghosts Ripping Yarns

John David Galt <> <> <> <> <>

Doug Kent Brady Bunch Dennis Menace Empty Nest Good Times Roseanne

Andy Lischett Bosom Buddies Dick Van Dyke Evy Loves Ray Green Acres Rhoda

Walt O’Hara Benny Hill Show Da Ali G Show Evy Loves Ray Get Smart Reno 911

Kevin Wilson Big Bang TheoryDesign Women Evy Loves Ray Get Smart Roseanne

American Civil War Military Figure

Mark Firth P T G Beauregard Abner Doubleday Richard S Ewell Ulysses S Grant George W Randolph

John David Galt Burnside Davis Edell Grant Reynolds

Doug Kent Lewis Benedict Dix Ellet John Garfield John Reynolds

Andy Lischett P T Beauregard Jefferson Davis Jubal Early U S Grant Albert Rust

Walt O’Hara B Butler PRDdK D Trobriand Jubal Early SR Gist JF Reynolds

Kevin Wilson A Burnisde Abner Doubleday Richard Ewell Ulysses S Grant William Rosecrans

Men’s First Name (over 8 letters)

Mark Firth Bartholomew Demetrius Engelbert Guillermo ~~Rumpelstiltskin~~

John David Galt <> <> <> <> <>

Doug Kent Bartholomew Demetrius Encarnacion Guillermo Remington

Andy Lischett Beauregard Demetrius <> Guillermo Robespierre

Walt O’Hara Benjamin Dominick Emmanual Geoffrey Roderick

Kevin Wilson Bartholomew Demetrius Ellington Guillermo Rutherford

Active Major League Baseball Player

Mark Firth A Benintenti Adam Duvall Scott Effross Luis Garcia Jordan Romano

John David Galt M Bamgarner B De la Cruz Eduardo Escobar Kyle Gibson Sergio Romo

Doug Kent Daniel Bard Yu Darvish Adam Engel Adolis Garcia Franmil Reyes

Andy Lischett Javoer Baez de Grom Adam Eaton Leury Garcia Carlos Rodon

Walt O’Hara Akil Baddoo Travis d’Arnaud Adam Eaton Cam Gallagher Tanner Rainey

Kevin Wilson Michael Brantley Rafael Devers Eduardo Escobar Vladimir Guerrero Bryan Reynolds

Drama Movie Title

Mark Firth Bridge on Kwai Doubt ET: The ExtraTerrestial Gone with the Wind Rosemary’s Baby

John David Galt <> <> <> <> <>

Doug Kent Bridge on Kwai Dog Day Aft Eyes Wide Shut Godfather Reversal of Fortune

Andy Lischett Birds, The Double Indemnity Et Sun of St Md Guns of Navarrone Rear Window

Walt O’Hara Blue Lagoon, The Dead Ringers Entre Nous Germany Pale Mother Regarding Henry

Kevin Wilson Black Panther Dunkirk Erin Brockovich Godfather, The Remember the Titans

Note – for allowed and disallowed answers, please feel free to correct me!

Notes on Mark’s Answers: Rumpelstiltskin is disallowed as I can’t find anyone with that as a first time, just as the fictional

character’s only name. A Benintenti is Andrew Benintenti (Kansas City Royals), Adam Duvall is Adam Duvall (Atlanta

Braves), Scott Effross is Scott Effross (Chicago Cubs), Luis Garcia is Luis Garcia (Houston Astros), Jordan Romano is

Jordan Romano (Toronto Blue Jays); Bridge on Kwai is Bridge on the River Kwai

Notes on John’s Answers: M Bamgarner is Madison Bumgarner, B De la Cruz is Bryan de la Cruz

Notes on Doug’s Answers: Dennis Menace is Dennis the Menace; Bridge on Kwai is Bridge on the River Kawi; Dog Day Aft is

Dog Day Afternoon

Notes on Andy’s Answers: Dick Van Dyke is The Dick Van Dyke Show, Evy Loves Ray is Everybody Loves Raymond; Et Sun

of St Md is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Notes on Walt’s Answers: Evy Loves Ray is Everybody Loves Raymond; B Butler is Benjamin Butler, PRDdK D Trobrian is

Phillipe Regis Denis de Kerenderm De Trobriand, SR Gist is States Rights Gist, JF Reynolds is John Fulton Reynolds

Notes on Kevin’s Answers: Big Bang Theory is The Big Bang Theory, Design Women is Designing Women, Evy Loves Ray is

Everybody Loves Raymond; A Burnisde is Ambrose Burnside

General Player Comments:

[Kevin Wilson] – Just finished a watch from start to finish of The Big Bang Theory. Working on the same for Friends and How I Met Your Mother now. Showing my age just a bit probably with Get Smart and Roseanne.

Civil War Military Figures: I thought about Jefferson Davis for “D” but he may not have been considered a military figure even though he was the Commander in Chief of the Confederacy. Grant is the only one with any real confidence of matching.

Name with > 8 letter was surprisingly tough. Seems like 8 letters is a natural cut-off as there were a lot more at 8 and below than above.

I’m not much of a baseball fan. I can’t even name more than 1 or 2 players on Chicago Cubs (where I live now) or the St Louis Cardinals (where I live before). Oh well.

Movie/Dramas: I need to watch a couple of these again!

Game Three, Round Five

Letters: A F I L P

Categories: Religious Denomination or Order; Children’s Book Author (include a book title);

State in North America; Famous American Industrialist; Male Singer

Current Standings

Scores by Category 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Now Previous Total

Kevin Wilson 9 9 8 6 6 162 + 38 = 200

Doug Kent 6 6 8 5 7 151 + 32 = 183

Andy Lischett 6 9 6 6 5 148 + 32 = 180

Mark Firth 6 9 7 5 6 144 + 33 = 177

Walt O’Hara 7 7 5 6 5 141 + 30 = 171

John David Galt <> 8 <> 6 <> 101 + 15 = 116

===================================

Deadline for the Next Issue of Out of the WAY:

September 25, 2021 at noon, if at all possible; otherwise,

individual games may be delayed – See You Then!

Game entries, letters of comment and other material can be sent to:

wandrew88 at gmail.com; or by post to: W. Andrew York; POB 201117; Austin TX 78720-1117

Eternal Sunshine Game Section

Acquire – “Blind”

Players:

Kevin Wilson – ckevinw@gmail.com; John David Galt – jdgalt@att.net; Mark Firth – mogcate@aol.com; Andy Lischett – andy@lischett.com; Tom Howell – off-the-shelf@olympus.net

Turn Twelve

Galt: Plays 5-B.

Firth: Plays 11-I.

Lischett: Plays 12-C.

Howell: Plays 6-B. Continental is merged into American. Kevin receives $6,000 bonus. Andy receives $3,000 bonus. Andy sells 7 shares, Tom sells 1 share, Kevin sells 8 shares, John sells 6 shares, and Mark sells 3 shares for $600 each. Tom declares game over. Andy gets $8,000 for American, while John gets $4,000. Mark gets $10,000 for Festival, while Kevin gets $5,000. Tom gets $10,000 for Imperial, while Mark gets $5,000. Final share values are $800 for American, and $1,000 each for Festival and Imperial.

GAME OVER – MARK FIRTH WINS!

PRESS

Andy – Mark: Mark, congratulations on whomping us. Doug, sign up me for another.

If you have any end-game comments, get them to me by October 8th at 7pm My Time (12 hours earlier than the standard zine deadline)

Diplomacy, “Indestructible Machine”, 2020A, F 09

Austria: Rick Davis – redavis914@aol.com - F Albania Supports A Budapest – Trieste, A Budapest – Trieste,

A Bulgaria Supports A Rumania – Serbia, A Rumania - Serbia.

England: Mark Firth – mogcate@aol.com - ~~F Spain(sc) Supports A Marseilles~~ (*Dislodged*, retreat to

Mid-Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Lyon or Western Mediterranean or OTB).

France: John David Galt – jdgalt@att.net - F Tyrrhenian Sea – Rome,

A Venice Supports F Tyrrhenian Sea - Rome.

Germany: Andy Lischett – andy@lischett.com – A Brest – Gascony, A Burgundy – Marseilles,

A Gascony – Spain, F Helgoland Bight - North Sea, A Munich - Tyrolia (*Fails*), F North Sea – London,

F Norwegian Sea Convoys A Norway – Edinburgh, A Silesia Hold, A Tyrolia - Piedmont (*Fails*),

A Vienna - Budapest.

Italy: Toby Harris – toby@responsiva.biz - F Apulia Hold, A Marseilles – Piedmont,

A Tuscany Supports A Marseilles – Piedmont, F Yorkshire Unordered.

Russia: Bob Durf – playdiplomacymoderator@gmail.com – F Clyde Supports A Norway – Edinburgh,

A Galicia Supports A Ukraine – Rumania, A Norway – Edinburgh, F Portugal Supports A Gascony – Spain,

F Sevastopol Supports A Ukraine – Rumania, A St Petersburg – Norway, A Ukraine – Rumania,

A Warsaw Supports A Galicia.

Turkey: Jack McHugh - jwmchughjr@gmail.com – A Ankara – Constantinople, F Constantinople - Aegean Sea,

F Eastern Mediterranean - Tyrrhenian Sea (*Impossible*),

F Greece Supports F Eastern Mediterranean - Tyrrhenian Sea (*Fails*),

~~F Trieste Hold~~ (*Dislodged*, retreat to Adriatic Sea or OTB).

Supply Center Chart

Austria: Bulgaria, Serbia, Trieste=3 Remove 1

England: None=0 OUT!

France: Rome, Tunis, Venice=3 Build 1 (Must play 1 Short)

Germany: Belgium, Berlin, Brest, Budapest, Denmark, Holland, Kiel, London,

Marseilles, Munich, Paris, Spain, Vienna=13 Build 3 (Must play 1 Short)

Italy: Naples=1 Remove 3

Russia: Edinburgh, Liverpool, Moscow, Norway, Portugal, Rumania, Sevastopol,

St Petersburg, Sweden, Warsaw=10 Build 2

Turkey: Ankara, Constantinople, Greece, Smyrna=4 Even or Remove 1

PRESS:

Rome to world: The Pope has returned from his vacation in Avignon. He feels much better now.

From St. Petersburg: Czar Bob publicly resents greatly the wanton insults and barbs slung across the Black Sea to assail him in his great and magnificent palace in St. Petersburg (which is in no way a Sideshow of Europe but is in fact home to many mainstage productions of the newest and hottest plays of Europe). Only love, vodka, and brave Russian volunteers have sallied from Russia to our dear Johnny Turk pals in the south, and to see this as our thanks? The Sultan can be thanked for the anti-Turkish riots that broke out across Russia following the release of this incendiary piece, yet Czar Bob is a peace loving man and put down the riots with only minor casualties.

While Czar Bob would accept with great humility a public critique of his habitual harem-dwelling in lieu of actually running his country by the most competent and calculating Kaiser Andy of Germany, to have such malicious libel printed in these pages by a Sultan that on no less than three occasions willfully and fully ignored electronic mail sent personally by the Czar at internet speeds as fast as Al Gore would allow to the Sultan, is outrageous. They who live in glass harems should not throw stones at their (now and always) best allies.

Deadline for W 08/S 09 is October 9^th at 7am My Time

Diplomacy, “Wine Lips”, 2020B, F 06

Austria: Harold Reynolds – hjreynolds2@rogers.com - F Aegean Sea - Bulgaria(sc), A Berlin – Kiel,

A Bohemia Supports A Munich, A Budapest Hold, A Kiel – Holland, A Munich Supports A Berlin – Kiel,

A Ruhr Supports A Kiel – Holland, A Serbia Supports F Aegean Sea - Bulgaria(sc), A Vienna Hold.

England: David Cohen – zendip18@optonline.net – F English Channel Supports F North Sea – London,

F North Sea - London (*Bounce*), A Picardy - Paris (*Bounce*).

France: David Burgess – burgesscd@roadrunner.com – F Edinburgh Supports F North Sea - Norwegian Sea

(*Void*), F Wales - London (*Bounce*), A Yorkshire Supports F Wales - London.

Germany: Mark Firth – mogcate@aol.com - ~~F Denmark - Kiel~~ (*Dislodged*, retreat to Baltic Sea or

Helgoland Bight or OTB), A Holland - Belgium.

Italy: George Atkins - GeorgeWrites@outlook.com – A Greece Hold, F Ionian Sea Supports A Greece,

A Marseilles – Gascony, F Mid-Atlantic Ocean – Brest, F Naples – Apulia, A Portugal – Spain,

F Spain(sc) - Mid-Atlantic Ocean, F Tyrrhenian Sea - Western Mediterranean, A Venice - Piedmont.

Russia: Heath Davis-Gardner – heathdavisgardner@gmail.com – A Burgundy - Paris (*Bounce*),

A Livonia – Prussia, A Moscow – Warsaw, A Norway - London (*Fails*), A Rumania Pointedly Doesn’t

Wave to Anyone (Hold), F Skagerrak – Denmark, A Sweden Supports F Skagerrak – Denmark,

A Ukraine Waves to Austrian A Galicia (Hold).

DIAS Draw Fails

Now Proposed – DIAS, A/I/R, A/F/I/R. Please vote. NVR=No.

Supply Center Chart

Austria: Berlin, Budapest, Bulgaria, Constantinople, Holland, Kiel, Munich,

Serbia, Trieste, Vienna=10 Build 1

England: London=1 Remove 2

France: Edinburgh, Liverpool, Paris=3 Even

Germany: Belgium=1 Remove 1

Italy: Brest, Greece, Marseilles, Naples, Portugal, Rome, Smyrna, Spain,

Tunis, Venice=10 Build 1

Russia: Ankara, Denmark, Moscow, Norway, Rumania, Sevastopol, St Petersburg,

Sweden, Warsaw=9 Build 1

PRESS

Anonymous: A long letter in Santa's in-basket

Made him feel like he would blow a gasket.

He wrote: "Don't feel blue,

If I say that you

Should not put all your begs in one ask-it."

Russia: Russian policy is to vote NO on every draw including England, and YES on every draw excluding England. That's just the way it is, folks.

Deadline for W 06/S 07 is October 9^th at 7am My Time

Balkan Wars VI, “Bad Way to Go”, 2020Apb08, F 18

A/B/S/T Draw Passes!

EOG Report and Statements Next Issue!

Deadline for EOG Statements is October 9th at 7am My Time

Where in the World is Kendo Nagasaki?

The Rules were in Eternal Sunshine #131, read them if you want a detailed explanation and examples. Basically, this is a guessing game, trying to guess the mystery person and their location (both chosen by me before the game started). Closest guess gets a public clue and notification they were the closest. Everyone else sees the clue but has to figure out on their own who was the closest that turn.

Turn 1