Wow,
This Saturday brought Pat and Dawn for the first time. I hope they will
attend in the future. We had a full house of 9 people! Jeanette brought
us all blue collar name tags so we would not get confused. I will wear
mine each week with pride (and some duct tape).

While the new players were introduced to "the bean game" that would
eventually be won by Pete, the others (4) broke out Manhattan. As the
skyline formed, Tom established the tallest skyscraper early. Although I
vaulted from last to 2nd in the last round, no one even came close to
seriously challenging Tom. Future strategy, get involved in every burrow.

Next, we broke out Medici. This remains MY favorite game. I love the
constant positioning (and money). I decided a new strategy was in order
this time after Phil slaughtered us last time. I thought other players
were bidding to high for cargo and decided to only buy cargo I could get at
below value. This strategy netted me a victory, but only by 4 money
units!!! I am cheap and I love it!!!

Next, we stole Pete from the other table and broke out "the Camel game".
The bean game then reduced itself to a girly chat session (sorry Pat). The
Camel game involved a lot of comedy and was eventually won by me in a last
play that gave me the longest chain in a unchallenged color. Had John had
that chain instead he would have won by one point. Instead, I won by 19
points.

Lastly, we grabbed Pat and introduced him to Family Business. The new
cards with the instructions on them made the game easy to teach. Although
"alias Johnny" won (as usual), Pat was a close second. Insults constantly
fly in this game, as did references to sending your lesser gangsters on
errands of death. The highlight, however, was Ed playing the famous Purple
Gang (a Jewish gang in NYC), which in reference to he greatest political
faux pas of all time by Jesse Jackson, got called "Hymie Town". Although a
horrible thing to say, in context was very funny.

We then continued conversing until 2:40 am. Which, I might add, is late.
Very late. Ed made a comment that every week was too much for him, but I
of course love game night. I live for game night. I have not had this
much fun with friends on a Saturday since Jacqueline was born. So, I will
continue to offer a game night every Saturday night, assuming I can find at
least 2 players to join Jen and I. Also, there has been interest in a game
of "Settlers of Catan". This is the game that started it all, but is long
and "heady" (although the rules are simple), so we will need to schedule
this for a night when hard core players will be present.

For next week, just shoot me a quick email if you want to come, so I know
whether or not to stay home and host. I know Ed is out next weekend
because he works to 8:30pm. We are going to the post modernism show with
the Mansons and Gross' posse next weekend, but are NOT attending the
Underworld concert. Thus, we are in hopes of attracting at least 2 players
for game night.

Next week should bring "Tutenkammen", "Landlord", and "Twilight" the card
game about running a cult. Bizarre.


Game Night: Saturday 4-24-1999

Well, it was 5 of us that showed our faces, including Russ. The five of us
got a late start about 10 and decided to learn a new card game called,
"Landlord". A very cut through game of building and occupying apartment
buildings. The most common phrase (by Russ) being, "let me see the rules
please". It took us two games to understand what we were doing and why the
game works well... But by then it was very late. The first game we
learned the rules, the second we struggled with strategy and how to best
play. Overall, I liked the game very much and think I could explain it in
5 minutes now. It is very much like a more complex "Family Business".
Overall very fun. Russ did quite well, but Sandy won the first game in a
landslide, and Phil won the second.

We ended the game on a very competitive game of Bohnanza (the bean game).
Very cut-throat with almost everyone at one time or another plowing a field
in spite instead of trading. Trading with people was a true ball-breaking
experience. Still Phil racked up one more coin than second place and took
the honor of winning-est player of the night.

I was dead last all three games. (much to Jennifer's amusement).

We also had various discussions on Sunday about table sizes and seating.
The overall decision is that next week we will try to get more chairs and
avoid having people sit on the couch. We will also try the poker table
which is better suited for a 5-6 player game than a card table which is
geared towards four. The best idea was to never try a new game as the
first game of the evening. First play something so everyone can start
having fun right away. It's ok play a game with new people, but hard to
play totally new game right out of the box as the first of the evening. (I
wish we had a "great room").

The drink of the night was a "Bullfrog". It is Vodka, lime-aid and triple
sec with crushed ice. Yum. Probably the best overall well-rounded drink
to date.

We still have not even tried over half the games at my house alone, or the
new Lemense copy of "Tutankammen", so until next Saturday... In two weeks,
the Tri-Gross troop will be making the pilgrimage for game night.

And remember, your always invited. Just call so we get an accurate count
of "heads". Let me know of additional email addresses you wish this letter
to go to...