Staggs, Mike, & Chris,
(only because somehow I think I know you, (& some I do, Chris 4 deffo) must
have met in a previous life, you didn't take part in the film did you? TiC
(tongue in cheek), I know it was filmed in the non ashes place ;-)) ie southern
Mordor 
NZ 4 short.
(not forgetting the rest of you & your team either, that I don't know, but
relish the opportunity to get to know you, when Ji does what he does best!)
We, (my team, but not speaking for anyone else, apart from my (highly)
inflated opinion,(&ego)) have known each other for eons, or seems like that
sometimes.(that translates as a long time to some of us, who have been (mis(s)?)
fortunate to have played this wonderful game)
I cringe when I read some of the stuff that has appeared on the list over
the years. (I cringe more btw when I have read some of the stuff that I have
written) whether that has been been me writing, (too much of the C2H5OH
(alcohol for those, not in the know) , or simply those voices that haunt me in my
(day) dreams. (I am being very serious!).
This game is simply fascinating. It has ALL the subtlety of a good game of
chess, (any takers, all standards welcome, happy to play, (a simultaneous too)
anytime)). Altenatively a decent game of scrabble.(Only 5-600 players need
apply) I have very moderate qualifications in both these regards, having
represented England (who are they?) over previous years.(No Welsh allowed to enter
this debate, they don't count, including you Bryn! (Very big tongue in
both Cheeks;-)
Anyway I digress........
The unbeaten Aussies,(with some dilution ala USA (Chris M) are playing
the Germans where us, (mere) mortals/Nazgul are playing the champions AKA The
Council of Saruman, (or is that Sourmen, also unbeaten ) in the Flagship
Challenge Cup. (We are waiting and willing to listen to all potential
challengers, (come on Mike B, round up our next opposition, only two berths required), I
am sure you can cope/find ) Give us 20 turns, (reasonable for DS) against
Richard Deveraux's Freeps (also extremely talented and experienced members) in
the Flagship (would be worth subscribing too) Cup.
The mighty Clint, AKA the man from Del Monte, who always says YES when there
is an opportunity to fill the ME coffers, has kindly allowed us +10 on any
stat, (no stealth, no skill above 40 ala FtF (Face 2 Face)) for no extra
charge, (many thanks), to get this kite flying. Some of our opposition, were
unwilling to pay the extra peanuts, (I guess Freeps are scrooges, especially when
their vaults have been emptied) , but for the sake of parity,(not pity)
(& give them a chance to enjoy this variant, (Mike S knows, ala FtF) we
even opted to pay for the opps increased start-up. (Talk about a stacked deck,
although we prefer to say late Xmas present) Urinating from the moral high
ground, (too coin a phrase) etc is always more pleasing than a pint of beer! (or
Guinness (or genius as i call it)B McG, #19/94 will know what i mean ))
Meanwhile, I have volunteered to write a Flagship, (blow by blow account AKA
THE M.E DIARY or Flagship Cup for short) of events, (it will be a good read,
for sure, you should be subscribing if not already), Colin, (on reading this)
it would be useful to have a reliable & secure address for submission,
especially on character/word/length/volume for lets say, two sides of A4/month.
(guidance please, (as I can be verbose), (& love my brackets))
Both teams are ''dripping', with experience, so let the blood start
dripping, but (hopefully)not from my/our veins.
The very best of luck to our opps, aka Richard, Mike, Tom, Martin, Kim & Ed
(in no particular order) They are going to need it!
Perhaps when the Aussies have won WW3, (no offense intended) they will be up
for it, but somehow I think not.(more voices) & queue chorus,
Ji is on the rampage,
And Oh what a terrible rage,
How can they cope,
Given our scope,
Or perhaps, (even I) have smoked too much dope!!!
We will see,
Game on!
or Game OVER (insert new coins, flashing inblood red NEON)
Watch this space,
AndyW
AKA
Ji (4 s(ure)hort
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