Eternal Sunshine #174

November 2023

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 – “Do you know how amazing normal stuff seems when there’s no chance you’ll have it for yourself?” – (Toby in “Popcorn”)

Welcome to Eternal Sunshine, the zine that cried tears of joy when the lowly, sad sack Texas Rangers finally own a World Series. I cried a few MORE tears the next morning when I heard the radio call the great Eric Nadel made at that moment.

The other news I have is that Sanka is now getting monthly injections for her arthritic pain. Or, I should say she WILL be getting them; as of now she has only gotten one shot. It’s expensive but she seems much more comfortable this way, so I will simply have to find a way to keep them going. 17 year old cats need whatever help they can get!

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

Game Openings

No game openings, as the zine will fold when the currently-running games are completed.

Standby List: Current standby list who are qualified to standby in More Than Ever: Harold Reynolds.

The Dining Dead – Eternal Sunshine Movie Reviews

Older Movies Watched (that I’ve seen before, sometimes many times) – The Omen, Zodiac, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Popcorn, Salem’s Lot, Rollerball, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club.

Out of the WAY #62

by W. Andrew York

(wandrew88 of gmail.com)

Howdy!

As a reminder I’ll be out of town over the Thanksgiving weekend. Any orders submitted won’t be formally acknowledged until I return home and print them out. If you submitted orders but haven’t had a response by the end of November, please let me know in case they was misdirected or overlooked.

Below we have the end of the 4^th Round of the Hangman game. Dane Maslen and Tom Howell figured the word out – Congrats! The final round of this game will start next issue. Will Dane make it five for five in determining the word? Will another new player, such as Tom, be one of the first to come up with the right answer?

The Rangers won the World Series for the first time, EVER! Quite a feat as they were a bit of an underdog going into the playoffs. However, they seemed to pull the wins out when they needed them the most, even after a few very bad games. It was extra interesting as I’d seen many of their players at Round Rock when they were in AAA or down for rehab stints. I’m looking forward to next year’s season!

As for me, the past month has been quite busy with a lot of routine, a few movies and a concert. And, as a first, I didn’t finish a single book since last issue. I can’t think of the last time I’ve gone a month without completing at least one! But several are nearly done and should show up next month.

I mentioned I saw a few movies. The one that really stands out is a screening of “The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari” – a 1920 silent film that is a corner post of the emerging German film scene post-WWI. Drawing from some vaudeville tropes and trying innovative (for the time) staging, scenery and storytelling, it is a look into personal perception that concludes in an unexpected ending. Enhancing the screening, there was a live music performance by a quintet of musicians that create the scores and present them at screenings across the country (another film they perform for is “Nosferatu”).

This was the second time I’ve had this experience, the first being “Battleship Potemkin” many years ago from a different group of musicians. This type of screening certainly worth seeing if you have the opportunity. The music adds a whole new level to the atmosphere while bringing a new and deeper perspective to the film.

The concert I had the pleasure of attending was Ben Folds, touring his new album “what matters most”, at the venerable Paramount Theater in downtown Austin. I was able to go down a bit early to his “Master Class/AMAA” (as an observer only, no autograph/picture/etc.). The Q&A lasted about a half-hour and he was open, as he always is in these types of events, to discussing creating and performing music, his process and just about anything. Lots of tidbits and insights, after which the handful of us just sitting in left while the “meet and greet” took place.

The warm up act lasted about 20-25 minutes, a mix of comedy and music. Some good moments but, overall, not what I’d normally go to see. Folds’ performance lasted about 80 minutes with very few breaks, those mostly being some brief background on the new songs, their inspirations and creation. Many times, he’d launch into the next song before the applause had ended – it seemed he was trying to get in as much music as he could before the “curfew” time closed the show. He did do one encore, running a bit past, to send the audience off energized and content.

I hope everyone is having a good Fall and, at least for those in America, are looking forward to a tasty Thanksgiving dinner and break from your routines.

See ‘ya next month.

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

Letter Column

(always welcome, send them in!)

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

[Robert Lesco] – You may be aware, but just in case, you do not need to endure uncushioned seats. Many years ago a good

friend gave me a pair of “Tush Cush”s. You may well be able to find easily portable seat cushions with a name you are

not uncomfortable to be seen carrying. I transport mine in a large bag. [WAY] – That’s certainly one option that I’ll

keep in mind. I don’t recall the seats without cushions being uncomfortable, but I do remember some of my neighbors

in my old seat location brought a similar item before the upgraded seats were installed a few years back. Thanks!

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Mini-Book Reviews

(finished since last issue)

<<haven’t finished one, though several are near being finished…so next month?>>

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Babylon 5 Quote

In “Convictions” – Londo: “I’m not sure that actually made sense, but I’m afraid that if I go back and try to figure it out,

I’ll start bleeding from my ears.”

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Game Section

Everyone Plays Games: Hangman, By Definition

Game Openings: None currently

Standbys: Gunboat Diplomacy (x0)

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

“Round Rock Express”

(No-Press Gunboat, Game #1)

MN: 2021Crb32

All Proposals Fail

ReProposed - DIAS (NVR = Yes)

New Proposal – Concession to France (NVR = No)

Summer 1910

Germany: A tyl-BOH

Fall 1910

Austria: F ALB s a tri, A TRI s a bud-vie, A SER-bud, A bud-VIE, A RUM s ita a sev-ukr

England (CD): f bre holds (disbanded), F ENG holds, f edi holds (disbanded), F LON holds, A LPL holds

France: A gas-BRE, A PAR s a gas-bre

Germany: F NTH c a hol-edi, A hol-EDI, A BOH s a vie, A UKR s a mos, F nwg-NAO, A MOS s a ukr, A GAL-bud,

a vie s a gal-bud (ann), A YOR s a hol-edi, A ruh-BUR, A MUN-tyl, A SIL-gal

Italy: F BLA s f arm-sev, A SEV-ukr, A TYL-boh, F ARM-sev, F spa(sc)-MAO, A PIE-tyl, F mao-IRI,

A por-SPA, F tyn-WME

Supply Center Count

Austria: Tri, Ser, Gre, Bul, Rum, Bud, VIE = 7 (+2, room to build +1)

England: Lpl, Lon, Por, bre, edi = 3 (even)

France: Mar, Par, BRE = 3 (+1)

Germany: Ber, Mun, Den, Hol, Swe, War, Mos, Stp, Nwy, Bel, Kie, EDI, vie = 12 (+1 due to annihilation)

Italy: Nap, Rom, Ven, Tun , Smy, Con, Ank, Sev, Spa = 9 (even)

Neutral: none

Next Due: Proposals; Winter 1910 and Spring 1911

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

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

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 greatest 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 up to three different letters 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 2, Round Four, Turn 3:

Letter Votes: Doesn’t Matter – Word Guessed!

Words Guessed: (Firth) Ratafia; (Howell) Regalia; (Kent) Ravelin; (Lischett) Rumania; (Maslen) Regalia

Solution:

Word: REGALIA (7)

Definition: The (3) emblems (7) and (3) symbols (7) of (2) royalty (7), as (2) the (3)

crown (5) and (3) scepter (7)

Never Revealed: E, S Already Revealed: I, O, R

Words Previously Guessed in this Game: Coaster, Hangman, Laurels, Raceway, Radiant, Ragtime, Rainbow, Raisins, Ravioli,

Refract, Revenue, Rifling, Riptide, Rotunda, Ruffian, ZYZZYVA

Game Words Correctly Guessed: Metamorphosis (Firth, Maslen, Smith, Wilson); Chromatic (Firth, Maslen, Smith);

Petroglyph (Maslen); Regalia (Howell, Maslen)

Player Comments:

[Mark Firth] – Still not getting the usual inspiration on the clue and plucking at thin air for the word!

<regarding his guessed word> I wanted to put RHOMBIC but wonder if we haven’t already had that? [WAY] – I’m not sure

if you’re referring to having that word as one of the words I’ve previously used or whether it has already been submitted

as a guess. But, in either case, the previous words in the current game are listed above with the folks who correctly

guessed it. Also, previously guessed words for this round are detailed above, so you should be covered in either case.

[Tom Howell] – We obviously aren’t using the same edition of the same dictionary, but… [WAY] – That’s almost a certainty, I

would doubt anyone would have the exact one I have as there are SO many versions, variations, editions over the

decades and the one I use I given in the late ‘70s.

[TH] – I have a list of only 13 words with first letter “R” and sixth “I”, the only entry for which that corresponds in any way

to the definition you gave, is…: Regalia. Some of the words in my definition don’t quite fit, but Royalty stands out like

a sore thumb. (One of which I have missing a nail with a hammer.) [WAY] – Ouch!

[Dane Maslen] – We’re down to fewer than 40 possible words, of which about 25% are verbs, which I don’t think can fit the

definition. Some of the definitions of REGALIA that I’ve found include OF ROYALTY, which would fit the fifth and

sixth words of the definition, so I’ve gone for that even though I can’t come up with a definition that words (other than

that the first word would presumably be THE and the third AND).

Ooh! Hold on! How about…

THE EMBLEMS AND ????O?? OF ROYALTY, ?? THE CROWN AND SCEPTER

Let’s try googling for those words together with REGALIA DEFINITION.

That leads me to suspect

THE EMBLEMS AND SYMBOLS OF ROYALTY, ?? THE CROWN AND SCEPTER

Further googling reveals definitions along the lines “the emblems and symbols of royalty, such as the crown and scepter.”

Could the 2-letter word be ‘e.g.’ without the periods?

I’ve gone from thinking that I was making a not implausible guess to thinking that I’ve found the answer. [WAY] – Bingo!

Redacted Comments from Previous Rounds -

Turn Two

[Mark Firth] – “The lemming who abseils is radical, so may break the languor.” That must be it!

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

Deadline for the Next Issue of Out of the WAY:

December 6, 2023 at noon Central US Time Zone

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

Austria: Andy Lischett – andy@lischett.com – Build F Trieste, A Vienna..

F Aegean Sea Supports F Eastern Mediterranean – Smyrna, A Bohemia - Silesia (*Fails*),

A Budapest Supports A Rumania, A Bulgaria - Constantinople (*Fails*), F Denmark - Baltic Sea,

F Eastern Mediterranean - Smyrna (*Bounce*), A Galicia Supports A Bohemia - Silesia (*Cut*),

A Rumania Supports A Galicia (*Cut*), A Serbia - Bulgaria (*Fails*), A Smyrna – Armenia,

F Trieste - Adriatic Sea, A Tyrolia Supports A Munich, A Vienna Supports A Galicia.

France: Brad Wilson - fullfathomfive675@gmail.com - Build A Paris, F Marseilles..A Belgium – Holland,

A Burgundy – Ruhr, A Gascony – Paris, F Helgoland Bight Supports A Belgium – Holland, F Marseilles - Spain(sc),

A Munich Supports A Bohemia - Silesia (*Cut*), F North Sea Supports F Norwegian Sea, F Norwegian Sea Hold,

A Paris - Picardy.

Germany: Andy York – wandrew88@gmail.com - Retreat F Denmark - Sweden..Remove A Holland..

A Berlin - Munich (*Fails*), A Kiel Supports F Sweden – Denmark, A Silesia Supports A Berlin - Munich (*Cut*),

F Sweden - Denmark.

Russia: Graham Wilson - grahamaw@rogers.com – Retreat A Galicia – Warsaw, disband A Smyrna..

A Ankara Supports F Constantinople – Smyrna, F Barents Sea - Norwegian Sea (*Fails*),

F Constantinople - Smyrna (*Bounce*), F Norway Supports F Barents Sea - Norwegian Sea,

A Sevastopol - Rumania (*Fails*), A Ukraine Supports A Warsaw – Galicia, A Warsaw - Galicia (*Fails*).

All Draw Proposals Fail

PRESS

Austria: Armistice Day?

PARIS: Up yours Frederick the Great! Silesia will be Austrian once again!

Deadline for F 11 is December 9^th at 7am My Time

Deadline for the next issue of Eternal Sunshine is: December 9, 2023 at 7am My Time (U.S. central time) –subzine deadline is earlier