Notes from Hades

he latest trip was Dublin, Ireland. Celeste and I had been to Dublin once before, back in 1998, and frankly, we found the city to be a bit depressing. We did get into the countryside, which we found to be much better, however. Maybe is was the fact that we were in Dublin on a Sunday, but it just seemed pretty lifeless. Not so today. Ireland's economy has been booming over the last few years, and it shows. The city seemed much more vibrant, and the residents tended toward the young. Our conference was held in the Guinness Storehouse, which had been remodeled since Celeste and I were there in 1998. They had decent conference facilities, and the bar on the seventh floor of the facility has a 360 degree view of the city, with all of the construction cranes dotting the skyline. Overall, it was a very enjoyable trip.

The next deadline is Tuesday, May 22 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Please do not call or fax orders after 10:00 p.m. Pacific time. My wife and I tend to retire early. Also, if you want to fax in orders, call first. We hang up on unannounced faxes.

Game Openings

Dog Park. Machiavelli. Rules determined by player vote as usual. Have Kevin Wilson, Dave Partridge, Bob Robles, Pasquale Giovine, Mike Scott, Dale Horsely, Jerry Roalstad, and Lynn Mercer. This game is full.

Bulldog. Seafarers of Catan. We will be playing the Oceans scenario. Have Mike Scott, Dave Partridge, Michael Longdin, Andy York, and Dave Hooton, need up to 1 more.

Greyhound. Age of Renaissance. This game will start when Dog Chow finishes and will use the European rules and alternate map. Have Michael Longdin, Bob Robles, Dave Partridge, Dennis Cain, and Steve Koehler, will take 1 more.

Malamute. New World. Have Dennis Cain, Andy Lewis, Andy York, and Dave Partrige, will take up to 2 more.

Cats and Dogs. History of the World. Have Andy Lewis, Kevin Wilson, Dave Partridge, Dave Anderson, and Paul Bolduc, will take up to 2 more.

Wish List

Dune. We will use the optional Lansraad, Ixians, and Bene Tleilaxu powers. Have Kevin Wilson, Bob Robles, and Paul Bolduc, will take up to 3 more (4 if one player plays the Bene Tleilaxu).

Gunslinger. Scenario to be determined. Have Paul Bolduc, will take up to 6 more.

Kremlin. Will start after Flea Collar ends. Will take up to 6.

Silverton. Will start after Terrier ends. Have Dave Partridge, will take up to 5 more

Republic of Rome. This will be run as a pbem game through the website, and will not be synchronized with the zine. Have Ward Narhi, Dave Partridge, and Paul Bolduc. Will take 2 or 3 more.

In general, game ownership is recommended, but not required.

Note that a subscription to S.O.B. is not required to play in a game run by flier, but that a game fee will be charged to non-subbers.