Notes from Hades

t has been a busy few weeks. First, there was a major project at work that we had to get done by May 15, and the bulk of it fell to me. On top of that, I had another trip the week of May 14, this time to Berlin, Germany. We were able to get the project done, and Berlin was very interesting. While I was there, I was able to go on a side trip to Potsdam, where I saw the Neues Palais, a huge palace built by Frederick II after his conquest of Silesia. It was specifically designed to be 1 meter larger in each dimension than Versailles. We also went to Sanssouci, which was Frederick II's summer residence. Our final stop in Potsdam was the Cecilienhof, which was built during World War I for Wilhelm II's son and daughter-in-law. After World War II, it was the site of the Potsdam Conference.

In Berlin itself, I was also able to get some sight seeing in. I saw the Bundestag and the Brandenburg Gate, then walked through the Tiergarten. In the Tiergarten I happened across a Soviet war memorial. One reminder of some more recent history was on a bus stop outside my hotel. As it turns out, the address where the hotel is currently located featured something completely different during World War II. It was the location of the headquarters of Adolf Eichman.

In the last week, we also gains a new family member: a dog named Pateel. A friend and colleague of mine had this dog, and needed to find a new home for her. She had been her late husband's dog, and new she didn't spend enough time at home to properly take care of her. So, last weekend, we took the boys over there to meet her, and it went very well. So well, in fact, that when we took her home, she came right with us and never looked back. The only difficulty we are facing is that our cat does not like her at all. She has no problem, and in fact wants to play with him, but he is having none of it.

In this issue, Salty Dog comes to a conclusion. Congratulations to Kevin Wilson for his victory. With that, Bulldog, will start next issue.

The next deadline is Tuesday, July 3 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, Dave Hooton, and Chris Geggus. Starts next issue!

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 and Chris Geggus, will take up to 5 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.