Dicemanrick’s Little Guys Den

StoogeCon II is history, with 8 gamers contesting in two events. I think the beautiful weather limited participation as a lot of potential local warriors had new “honeydo” lists to complete! There also was an event in Columbus OH the week before which stopped a lot of Ohio gamers who couln’t do two weekends in a row. Our thanks to the out-of-towners Frank Popecki and  John Loy for making it a tri-state event! Two new Pittsburgh gamers came to the event (John Conomikes and Joe Drazovich) and we wish to welcome them to DBA madness! Larry provided the donuts and there were none left to mail to the Cleaver! <G>

Twilight Zone time: John and Joe are Pitt students who re-started the Pitt Gaming Club that WE started in 1972! They were taught to play by “a guy who learned how to play DBA in England with Phil”..who is Doug Welsh, a gamer we have known since the early 80’s!! Deja vu all over again. As we were cleaning up two old West Virginia gaming adversaries from WRG 6th edition tourneys (Tom Hazlett and Steve Herndon) were vising the store….the gaming community is one big family!!

Gamers at work!

I ran Achaian Greeks, I/26a, in the Open and fared badly. John Loy (Libyan Egyptian, I/38) massacred me in the opening battle 0-4Camp. Yes he killed 4 and ALSO captured my camp! The four 6’s he rolled for the first four combats didn’t hurt…

Frank Popecki cleaned my clock next with Early Sumerians (I/1c), 4-0. At least I won my third game vs.  Joe Drazovich (Scots-Irish, II/54) 3G-1.

Overall winner, finishing undefeated was Larry Chaban (East Frankish, III/52). Larry only lost two elements in three games, and also played the most recent army. For some strange reason everyone chose early armies to play!

Diceman congrats winner Larry Chaban

Next up was Warbandia!! Minimum of six warbands and no ellys allowed. I used Boudicca’s Ancient British, II/53. john Conomikes whupped me (4-3) in the opener with Suevi, II/72c. I managed to win the next two versus John Loy (Caledonian, II/60) and Kevin Serafini (Gallic, II/11). The winner was Joe Drazovich (Early German, II/47(b)). The great thing is that Joe and John..yeah, the “noobs” fought each other for the championship!

I guess it shows well that DBA is a great game system when new blood can whup the “old guys” and emerge with the victory!

Frank Popecki was awarded the “Best Painted Army” gift provided by Steve Parillo and Kevin Serafini. Nice toys, Frank!

A great time was had by all, and we hope to see you all again at the next StoogeCon event…

Larry present Joe with the winner's certificate

Kevin presents Frank with his gift card

Sad to say that the picture of Mulder on the prior post is the last one taken. He collapsed on Good Friday, and the vet determined that a form of cancer was causing internal bleeding. We held him while the vet euthanized him, but it was weird because there were no apparent symptoms. Tough way to lose a good friend of ten years..

We had been looking for an Irish Wolfhound puppy without results for three years, but unexpectedly got a note from a show-friend who recommended a breeder with pups. What’s the chance of that?? After thinking long and hard on it, we got the new female home on Thursday 16th, so welcome the new war-dog Kiera…

Kiera says Hi!

Born Jan 10, she’s now 42 pounds and taller than our Sheltie! The name Kiera comes from an Irish origin. It is the feminine form of Gaelic Kieran, and means “Dusky; dark-haired.”

She won’t rep;ace Mulder on the top picture, though….he’ll always be the “Top Dog”!

Wake up, daddy….we need to go out!  Old guy Mulder in front, my head just visible, and Daren the puppy (now 13 months old!)

Mulder and Daren try to wake me up

Mulder has one of his Sacred Treasures, the soft ball in his mouth.