Eternal Sunshine #175

December 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 – “Oh, I don't know, Charlie. Unlike you, I never expected "the thunderbolt." I always just hoped that, that I'd meet some nice friendly girl, like the look of her, hope the look of me didn't make her physically sick, then pop the question and, um, settle down and be happy. It worked for my parents. Well, apart from the divorce and all that.” – (Tom in “Four Weddings and a Funeral”)

Welcome to Eternal Sunshine, the zine rapidly approaching it’s final, final, final end. Almost certainly. I mean, anything can happen, but yeah, when More Than Ever ends, this thing ends too.

Since last issue I was lucky enough to see the great Andy York in person for a few hours, when he was in town for a convention. Which means….well it means I win, and you all lose. So there! Pphpht! It had been four or five years since we last met, so it was nice to see the famous man in the flesh again.

I spend much more time listening to, and rediscovering, older music. But I did buy two new releases over the last few months. I can recommend both.

The first is the new album from Lydia Loveless. I liked her last album Daughter but not to the extent that I did her albums Somewhere Else and Real (the latter being my favorite). This album is a bit of a return to form, about on par with Somewhere Else. Personally, I found parts of the keyboard work to be a bit distracting, but I appear to be in the minority. Lydia acerbic and honest lyrics pair well with her straightforward cowpunk-rock style. Incidentally, if you aren’t familiar with Lydia I suggest you go watch the terrific documentary “Who Is Lydia Loveless?.” Or you can gamble and buy the nearly out of print live LP of the same name, which includes the DVD inside. That LP remains one of my favorite live albums, and I’ve been devouring live albums for going on 50 years. The version of More Like Them on that album gets me every time. And Desire, which was originally going to appear in studio form on Real, is a powerful song.

The second album is from Joe Jackson, who never fails to reinvent himself and isn’t afraid to go in a completely different direction whenever the mood strikes him. “What a Racket” celebrates the work of little-known English music hall performer Max Champion. The backstory is that Champion never reached the heights of his peers because his lyrics were a bit too deep and his time changes a little too complex. He’d largely been forgotten until some of his music was found in Malta and a barn in Belgium, presumably from when he died during World War I. You’ll enjoy the album even more if you just take those stories as fact, for the time being. Regardless, it’s a terrific romp, bouncing brass and chippy strings and bawdy vocals. You cannot listen to this album without appreciating how authentic the songs and arrangements sound. Joe Jackson has never disappointed me. You just have to be willing to enter every release with no expectations of what it will be like. I have my favorites, obviously. Some I love more, some less. But I own all of his albums, and this departure ranks on a similar level with Jumpin’ Jive for me.

I guess that’s it from me for now. See you in 2024!

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

Where Evil Lurks (Shudder) – A Spanish-language horror movie written and directed by Demián Rugna. Some horror fans have said this was not only one of the best horror films of the year, but one of the best films of the year overall. I disagree, but it was entertaining. I believe this was filmed in Argentina. Rugna has created a different sort of possession film, complete with specific rules. It’s sort of a combination of possession and a disease, in terms of the rules and how people are taught to avoid becoming a victim. The story focuses on two adult brothers who come upon a mutilated body in the woods, leading them to realize someone in a nearby shack is possessed but that none of the accepted protocols to handle this kind of situation have yet been followed. In its own way, this film is also a kind of folk horror. About halfway through the torrid pace and level of suspense that had been built up begin to fade, quickly. And I wasn’t that big a fan of how things wrapped up at the end. Also, at times it was irritating how people who understood the “rules” of possession chose to break them anyway. But I still enjoyed it.

Older Movies Watched (that I’ve seen before, sometimes many times) – Up in the Air, Days of Wine and Roses, The Name of the Rose, Inglorious Basterds, The Invisible Man, True Romance, 12 Angry Men, Short Cuts, Romance and Cigarettes, Missing (1982).

Out of the WAY #63

by W. Andrew York

(wandrew88 of gmail.com)

Howdy!

The last game of “Hangman by Definition” starts below. Everyone is welcome to join in! Meanwhile, the Gunboat game ends in a DIAS between Austria, France, Germany and Italy (with England in CD). Endgame statements from the all players, in the DIAS or not, are due next time.

Since that leaves just the Hangman game running. I’ll continue putting it into each ES until it folds. If the game is still going at that time, we’ll move to a e-flyer including just active players (and anyone who wants to watch – they’ll need to let me know). I’ll likely shorten the deadlines to every couple of weeks with up to a week turnaround on my end unless there is a groundswell to maintain the monthly deadlines (which I’ll be fine with). The suggestion to shorten the time frames to have two “turn” results for every issue of OOTW mostly died due to lack of response. So, I’ll flip the script to lean towards the shorter deadline this time. Speak up if you oppose it!

You’ll see only one book review below. My reading time has been seriously impacted by a number of other time demands. Most of what reading time I’ve had is keeping up with my daily newspapers, daily bible readings and paper magazines (as well as the ever-present Email). I’m hoping that I’ll be able to spend more time reading books in the cold weather months.

Also, a new time commitment I’m trying to keep up with began in March. In conjunction with my walking exercise, I started strength training. I won’t go much into it, but if someone is interested I can fill them in more detail (or if there’s enough interest I’ll add it to the next OOTW).

In short, in January Arnold Schwarzenegger started an E-newsletter called “Pump Club” to give motivation, a sample weekly workout, health/workout tips, healthy study bits and the occasional product endorsement (books, mail order food/supplements). In the spring, through the e-newsletter, he did a beta launch of a strength-training app called “The Pump” (he didn’t call it beta, but it was for a limited number of users to try it out). I was one and have been progressing through the program from the Basic level (just started Phase II of the Intermediate Bodyweight program).

It has made a BIG difference in those muscle groups walking doesn’t really impact. However, I’ve added some weight due to the higher density of muscle versus fat. I’m sure adding to the weight gain is cutting back some of my walking to free up time for workouts. Regardless, it still means more time doing that rather than on other things. But, I think it is working out for me (other than the barely touched book pile).

If anyone is interested in the e-newsletter (it’s free), I can provide a link or I’m sure you can do an Internet search to find it. If someone would like to investigate the app, it has been opened up to the readers of the e-newsletter (access code in it) or I can provide my referral code. Note – the app does have a subscription cost, but there is a 7-day free trial if you want a look-see.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and a great start to the New Year!

See ‘ya next ~~month~~ year!

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

Letter Column

(always welcome, send them in!)

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

None received, send some in!

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

Mini-Book Reviews

(finished since last issue)

ASK for Success! by Gerry Reid (1994; 292p).

I met Gerry at SHARE conferences in the ‘90s where he taught Personal Development sessions. I quite enjoyed them, with lots of ideas, tips and strategies to use on the job. This book is an extension of a number of those sessions, packaged into one book.

ASK stands for Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge, key aspects of his approach to improving yourself and realizing your potential. The text includes bullet points, survey results, exercises and examples to demonstrate the use of ASK. After demonstrating these skills, the book has 21 Strategies for Success. Some of those items include Parallel Communication, Delegation and to Believe in Yourself including practical steps in implement the Strategies.

In this rereading, I did find the book a bit dated. Written early in the Email era, the interconnectedness of today’s society (IMing, the Web, smart phones) requires modification of what Reid wrote. However, adjusting the lessons of the book to be adjust the usefulness to today isn’t all that difficult.

Recommended if you’re looking for a personal development template, with the understanding that it will need a bit of tuning to the current society norms. [November 2023]

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

Babylon 5 Quote

In “Divided Loyalties” – Delenn: “Something has gone your way today. It is the way the universe works. Wait just a little while,

and the wheel turns.”

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

Game Section

Everyone Plays Games: Hangman, By Definition

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

“Round Rock Express”

(No-Press Gunboat, Game #1)

MN: 2021Crb32

DIAS Passes

Concession to France Failed

Final Positions Fall 1910

Austria: F ALB, A TRI, A SER, A VIE, A RUM

England (CD): F ENG, F LON, A LPL

France: A BRE, A PAR

Germany: F NTH, A EDI, A BOH, A UKR, F NAO, A MOS, A GAL, A YOR, A BUR, A MUN, A SIL

Italy: F BLA, A SEV, A TYL, F ARM, F MAO, A PIE, F IRI, A SPA, F WME

Final Supply Center Count

Austria: Tri, Ser, Gre, Bul, Rum, Bud, Vie = 7

England: Lpl, Lon, Por = 3

France: Mar, Par, Bre = 3

Germany: Ber, Mun, Den, Hol, Swe, War, Mos, Stp, Nwy, Bel, Kie, Edi = 12

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

Neutral: none

Next Due: End-game Statements

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 Five, Turn 0:

Letter Votes: tbd New Word is printed below

Words Guessed: tbd

Solution:

Word: __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (9)

Definition: __ __ __ (3) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (11) __ __ (2) __ __ __ __ __ __ (6)

__ __ (2) __ __ __ (3) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (7) __ __ (2)

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (9); __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (7);

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (11)

Never Revealed: E, S Already Revealed: tbd

Words Previously Guessed in this Game: tbd

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

Petroglyph (Maslen); Regalia (Howell, Maslen)

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

Deadline for the Next Issue of Out of the WAY:

January 10, 2024 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

Diplomacy, “More Than Ever”, 2021A, F 11

Austria: Andy Lischett – andy@lischett.com – F Adriatic Sea Hold, F Aegean Sea – Constantinople,

A Armenia - Ankara (*Fails*), F Baltic Sea - Gulf of Bothnia, A Bohemia – Silesia, A Budapest Supports A Galicia,

A Bulgaria Supports F Aegean Sea – Constantinople, F Eastern Mediterranean – Smyrna,

A Galicia Supports A Bohemia - Silesia (*Cut*), A Rumania Hold, A Serbia Supports A Rumania,

A Tyrolia Supports A Munich, A Vienna Supports A Galicia.

France: Brad Wilson - fullfathomfive675@gmail.com - F Helgoland Bight Supports F North Sea,

A Holland Supports A Ruhr – Kiel, A Munich Supports A Bohemia – Silesia, F North Sea Supports F Norwegian Sea,

F Norwegian Sea Supports F North Sea, A Paris – Brest, A Picardy – Belgium, A Ruhr - Kiel (*Fails*),

F Spain(sc) - Mid-Atlantic Ocean.

Germany: Andy York – wandrew88@gmail.com - A Berlin Supports A Kiel, F Denmark Supports A Kiel,

A Kiel Supports F Denmark (*Cut*), ~~A Silesia - Munich~~ (*Dislodged*, Retreat to Prussia or OTB).

Russia: Graham Wilson - grahamaw@rogers.com – A Ankara - Armenia (*Fails*),

F Barents Sea Supports F Norway, F Constantinople - Black Sea, F Norway Supports F Barents Sea,

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

Now Proposed – A/F

Please vote. NVR=No

Supply Center Chart

Austria: Budapest, Bulgaria, Constantinople, Greece, Naples, Rome, Rumania,

Serbia, Smyrna, Trieste, Tunis, Vienna=12 Remove 1

France: Belgium, Brest, Edinburgh, Holland, Liverpool, London, Marseilles,

Munich, Paris, Portugal, Spain, Venice=12 Build 3 (Room for 2)

Germany: Berlin, Denmark, Kiel, Sweden=4 Even or Build 1 (No Room)

Russia: Ankara, Moscow, Norway, Sevastopol, St Petersburg, Warsaw=6 Remove 1

PRESS

AMSTERDAM: Franz Joseph's ships on the Hanseatic Coast! What's next - on the quay near the Hermitage?

PARIS: Dessert time.

Deadline for W 11/S 12 is January 13^th at 7am My Time

Deadline for the next issue of Eternal Sunshine is: January 13^th, 2024 at 7am My Time (U.S. central time) –subzine deadline is earlier