Do any of you get one of the alumni magazines or something equivalent every so often? Marquette has theirs every quarter. I thought it was a mistake because I didn’t recall paying for it Helen told me we all receive it gratis (showing off our fancy edu-ma-cations).
After I’m done skimming the propaganda parts, I ghoulishly check the obit section and other announcements. At my age, I don’t wish anyone bad tidings, I’m always glad to know the people I attended with (Classes of 1988-92), with the exception of dropout Scott Walker, are doing well. It is sad to see others pass away but I try to remember the good elements about them, including elitist prick and part-time Atomic Records clerk Dave Breen.
This latest issue had the wonderful news about Mark Karau receiving tenure as a history professor at UW-Sheboygan! With all the horror stories about Academia’s struggles, it was awesome to know he was rockin’.
Mark and I weren’t very close. More along the lines of sharing mutual friends like Neal, Deb, Phil and Sue, the latter went on to marry game designer legend Monte Cook. Outside of gaming, I’d see Mark at West Hall where he resided. I can’t remember if he lucked out in getting to live in one of the kick-ass quads. It was always good to see him especially with the gauntlet of other d-bags in West, including a couple of the RAs. I think I also attended his wedding. Late 1992 was a blur of sadness. I hope I didn’t cast any of that horribleness on him and his wife.
OK, I do remember clearly how he’d run a GenCon event of Axis & Allies with the alliances shifting every round. Why not? How reality/history played out, it’s a disappointing game. I think Milton Bradley gave the Soviet player an aircraft carrier just to taunt them. Never played D&D with him. RoleMaster when Neal was the GM once or twice. Mark and another friend coined the term “Phil Fighter,” “Phil (insert D&D class here),” etc. to josh about how my old floor mate was a Rules Lawyer/Monty Hauler. Today, what Phil would do to tweak his PC is now called a Gestalt Class.
Best of all, I managed to write Mark a congratulatory e-mail Sunday. His address is public knowledge due to the university’s directory being posted on the Web. Mark answered in a couple hours! He focuses on European History with a specialization in WWI Germany; I bet he’s pretty swamped with the Centennial of the Great War happening. He also has a book! (Just added to my Wish List.) Mark will have another out in late May. Can’t wait. Now I need to be a faster reader.
I need to see if he still finds time to play D&D and other great games…
Days of Decision! Now I remember playing it with him. I can’t remember which power I was but I know it covered the ugly period between the World Wars.