From: "Silverman, Aaron" Subject: NYC dinner debriefing Hey, For all youse on the edges of your seats, I did eventually meet up with the group at Houlihan's last night. (Thanks for calling, Alan!) I was a few hours late, so you'll have to find out about them from someone else. We marveled at the unplayability of Home Before The Leaves Fall (2 maps, 3500 counters!), I expounded on Richard Berg's awards from the "Simulation Industry" as referenced on his wife's web page, and Ted Raicer tried to convince me to subscribe to Command (then I read yesterday's digest, full of warm and fuzzy love for the mag. . .Ted, any response?). I admit that the list of upcoming games does sound intriguing. We also talked of war movies, obscure and well known. This inspired me to pop a Mighty Military Epic into the VCR when I got home. . .Operation Dumbo Drop (Pachydermalypse Now? The Elephant Hunter? Full Ivory Tusk?). I am amazed at this completely bloodless (except for one bloody lip) light comedy adventure set around the time of the Tet Offensive. (!?!?) They missed a great opportunity for a Dr. Strangelove reference at the end (and an Apocalypse Now reference in the middle. . .), but it was otherwise OK as far as those movies go. I just couldn't get past the whole tone of the movie. . .not how you would normally imagine Special Forces being chased by NVA through the jungle! Apparently "inspired" by a true story, though I don't know the details. Does anyone know about the actual events? Had this film been played straighter, this was excellent material for a possible bizarro cult classic. See ya at the next dinner. . . Aaron Michael Nagel - 01:04pm Sep 19, 1997 PST (#1062 of 1064) Last Played: Here Come the Rebels, Across 5 Aprils, Up Front x2 All, > Who showed for the 2nd NY CONSIM dinner? Rich Simons, Ted Raicer, Aaron Silverberg, Brandon Einhorn, Mike Nagel, and one other guy's name whose first name escapes me and who's last name I can't spell (let alone pronounce!). The second NYC ConSim gathering was quite successful, an expected number of six finally showing up to join in the fun. Unfortunately, there was rather short notice which left the numbers somewhat smaller than at the first meeting. The highlights of the evening were a fairly heated discussion regarding the forced application of 20/20 hind-sight to game designs (specifically stating that if Side X in a war could not have won it given historical precedent, there should be no way that the same side should be able to win in a game covering the same topic, regardless of other potentialities of the period ... or something to that effect ... I was in a daze most of the time ...). Of singular amusement was Ted Raicieroux producing a copy of the latest S&T on each new arrival, bemoaning the fact that to the new-comer that the new WWI quad from Decision includes two scenarios which weren't even battles. All in all, a fun evening! -- Mike Richard Simon - 07:18pm Sep 19, 1997 PST (#1063 of 1064) Good morning -- I'd like to have an argument, please Using the scattershot system: Some Random events. Congrats to Mike N for his NYC Consim Dinner Redux (Creatures That Ate at Houlihans II?) We actually got Ted R to talk about WW II! (And hell hasn't frozen over, yet!). Found out that William T is reading Arnold Toynbee (in the original gibberish yet!) Brancdon E is a secret ancients freak and, as for Aaron S -- better late than never. A good time was had by all. Much varied discussion on a very wide variety of topics.