Brace yourself Nashville!

What more can be said about TGD V – Bigger. Badder. Bedder. Wetter.  As everyone knows by now, we had a full-fledged disaster on our hands by Sunday afternoon.  I’ve also been feeling the effects of the flooding at my residence as well, so I haven’t had a chance to get some thoughts to virtual paper until now.

Around 3 pm on Saturday, I had to leave TGD to head home and deal with water in my basement.  Fortunately my parents were visiting that weekend, and my father was able to keep the water somewhat in check.  My way home required three different detours, as the devastation this immense amount of rain was causing was already becoming apparent.  Once I made it home, I helped him sweep, squeegee and redirect the flow of water throughout the afternoon and early evening (in the dark, mind you, as we didn’t have power) until about 8 pm when the flow finally stopped.  I was exhausted at this point and, even though it meant missing the Crokinole tourney, I decided I’d stay home and come out in the morning for the third and final day of TGD.

Good friends of mine at TGD needed to be back at the airport Sunday morning, so I headed to Opryland early and, with one small detour, got them to the airport on time.  When I got back to Opryland, I realized I had forgotten to bring an umbrella, so I opted to valet park the car.  This decision ultimately cost me more than the parking fee!

Emergency lights are enough!

The Annual Take it Easy Tourney went off without a hitch and then, due to the weather (it was still raining hard on Sunday), we opted to move up the final prize drawing to just after the end of the Charity Auction at 1 pm.  We closed the auction down, gave away our final prizes, and then we lost all power.  At this point, most people that weren’t there are probably wondering why we didn’t kick everyone out and head home – the answer was that we didn’t think we could.  From 11:30 onward, everyone that attempted to leave almost inevitably returned with news that roads and highways were closed and we needed to wait until later to leave the Opryland.  So with nowhere to go, people just continued to game . . .under the emergency lights.   About 2:30 pm, we got text message confirmation that some attendees actually made it out of Nashville – shortly thereafter the power came back and by 3 pm we were knee deep in games, packing things up in anticipation of unofficially ending TGD V.  Some people had decided to stay another night and were planning on gaming until 8 pm when they had to start setting up for the next event in our room.

With the lights back on things went more quickly and the game library was packed and ready for transport by 4 pm.  In light of the weather, the multiple trips it took us to get it to Opryland were going to be impossible so we were given a storage room to house our stuff.  I helped two employees move 300+ games and half a dozen Crokinole boards to a small storage closet. After that, we packed up the last of our sthings, reclaimed the remaining library games (Macao, Carcassonne H&G, Le Havre, and Container for those interested) and got ready to hit the road.

As I headed to the valet to get my car, I was informed the hotel was evacuating everyone to higher ground as the levee might break.  What?!?!  I was legitimately concerned at this point – this was the first I had heard of anything that serious all day.  How could this have possible snuck up on everyone?  Needless to say, the valet guys were no longer retrieving cars, and I was told that I HAD to evacuate to the Presidential Ballroom NOW.  Devon, however, was not so easily deterred and, having his keys in hand (as opposed to a valet office), decided to make a run for his vehicle, which was in the mall parking lot.

About fifteen minutes later, he returned to get me (especially important as he couldn’t get home that night and was planning on staying at my house).  We quickly put the last bit of our stuff into the storage closet and got out of dodge.  At that point, we had lost touch with almost all the other attendees, except for Chris who was planning on staying put for the time being.

The rest of the evening, we helped my father battle the losing war against water in my basement.  Over the course of the next few hours, we pushed quite a bit of water through my basement and out of the garage -- all the while debating whether water could actually get high enough to flood the room that housed the game library.  We paused from time to time to check the latest news on Twitter – one rumor had water seeping into the Presidential Ballroom, which would have meant certain destruction to a ton of cardboard and wooden bits!  Plus we tried to determine the fate of my car left in valet and eventually decided it was swimming – which lead me to realize the car (a ‘97 Lumina) might have actually be worth less than the games (Queen’s Gambit, I’m looking at you) – which is in itself a ridiculous thought / reality.  At some point that evening, I tried to come to grips with the idea that both the car and games might be gone, which made me sick for those that had loaned titles to the library.  Eventually, I achieved a zen-like state about my own collection, however, thinking it might be refreshing to start with a blank slate and build more discriminatingly this time.

The Flooded Mall

Later the next day, after a dump run to dispose of some ruined carpet and other trash from the flooded basement, Russ and I decided a quick trip to the Opryland was in order to see if our cars could actually be seen from the road.  Shockingly, security let us in to talk to officials at the hotel.  After speaking with the valet (yep, underwater), I ran into our event manager who helped us to get access to the storage closet.  We were able to get everything out of there that afternoon.  About twenty yards from the storage closet were stairs down to the next level.  The floodwater was about eight steps from that top of that stairwell.  Wow.

Yesterday, my father and I finally finished ripping out flooring and wet drywall (oxymoron?) from my basement.  I've yet to hear about my car, but it's not insured, so there's little to be done.  I just finished my FEMA application, and here I sit, amongst the exposed studs, perusing used car ads.  I’d like to attempt to try and make sure that everyone that was around Sunday is accounted for, as I know some people were still there when evacuation OUT of the hotel started.  I hope everyone faired well – feel free to share your own adventures on the comments and let us know you’re okay (if nothing else drop me an e-mail!).

Who’s ready for TGD VI?

Also the mostly final schedule of events is up on the site.

Are you ready?!?

First off, if you need to get a hold of someone at TGD anytime this weekend, the best bet is to call our TGD hotline:

615-624-GAME (4263)

Someone from TGD will either answer that line or get back in touch with you quickly - so if you get lost, have a question, or need to get a hold of someone - call the hotline.

Speaking of getting lost, I also wanted to post information about our location so that everyone knows where they are headed.  As we pointed out on the registration page, the Opryland Resort and Convention Center charges $18 to self park in their lot and more for valet parking.  If you'd rather avoid those fees, you can park in the Oprymills Mall lot and have a short stroll to the hotel.  Here's an aerial view of that location (click for full size):

Map from mall lot to hotel entrance

Once you make it into the hotel, you should navigate your way to Washington B, which you can see on this map is on the second floor of the Presidential Section (click for full size):

Map of the Convention Center showing location of TGD

Once you get there - play some games!!!  Can't wait to see you at TGD.

Tour and Door Prize Drawing Rules

• Drawings will be held on Friday and Saturday night at approximately 9:30 pm, and at approximately 6:00 pm on Sunday evening.
• All drawings require the recipient to be present to win.
• Each night, drawings for Tour participants will be held first.  The Tour drawings will be immediately followed by the Door Prize drawings.
• There will be separate prize tables for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  In the order in which they were drawn, winners may choose any prize remaining on that day's prize table.
• A person may not be chosen for more than 1 prize from these drawings on a given day.  For example, if you are chosen to win a tour prize, then you are not eligible to win a door prize that evening.  You may, however, win another tour prize or door prize the next evening.
• The board members of the Tennessee Game Players Association and their immediate families are excluded from prize drawings at Tennessee Game Days V.

Tour Drawings

• Each stamp represents a chance to win.  A computer will randomly select a stamp from among all stamps awarded over the entire weekend.
• On Friday night, 3 winners will be chosen from among Tour participants.  On Saturday night, 4 prizes will be awarded to Tour participants.  And Sunday evening's drawing will award 3 prizes to Tour participants.

Door Prize Drawings

• Door prize winners will be randomly selected by a computer from among all registered Tennessee Game Days attenders.

Night Cap Drawings

• A person is eligible to win one hat per weekend.
• Hat drawings are separate from the Tour and Door Prize drawings.  For example, a person is eligible to win a hat on the same day as winning a Tour or Door Prize.

Other Tournament Prizes

• Prizes awarded for competitive tournaments such as Wits & Wagers, Crokinole, PK Cards and Take It Easy are separate from the Prize Drawings.  Winning a tournament prize does not disqualify you from winning a Prize Drawing prize.

- Devon

• MATH TRADE - The most pressing is the Math Trade - you have to act by MONDAY Afternoon.  A math trade is basically a big computer controlled swap meet for games.  You list the games you would be willing to trade away and then choose games you would be willing to receive for each game you list.  A computer program creates as many trades as it can, making sure you only get a game you said you'd be willing to receive.  It's easy to do (trust me, we'll help you through it) but works best when lots of games are up for grabs.  Submissions for the trade are open until Monday afternoon, so you need to act soon.  Post games to this list on Boardgamegeek.com; if you're not a member, it's easy to register.  If you have any questions, e-mail Rick at rickkeuler@gmail.com and he'll help you - don't let a question stop you from trading some games!

• CHARITY GAME AUCTION - we are having a game auction to benefit Feeding America.  For every $1 we raise, Feeding America can provide a meal to seven hungry people.  So be sure to bring cash for buying these games to the event!  You can view the games donated to date at this list on Boardgamegeek.  If you want to do even more and donate a new or gently used game for the auction, e-mail us and we'll add it to the list and get the auction materials ready to sell it that weekend.  Remember games donated are tax deductible.

• FLEA MARKET - Saturday morning we'll be having a gaming flea market.  So be sure to bring spending cash for that too!  If you want to sell some games at the flea market, in addition to bringing them along, drop a line to info@tngamedays.com so we can plan for space.

• TOUR OF GAMING DESTINATIONS - learn about this event happening all weekend and sign up to participate at this list. Win games!

• WITS AND WAGERS TOURNEY FRIDAY NIGHT - if you want to start thinking about some partners for the Wits and Wagers tournament - form those groups of three!  (Technically, you can have more than three people, but we only have three prizes for the winners.)

• TAKE IT EASY TOURNAMENT- if you have a copy of Take it Easy, please bring it with you for the Tournament (and let us know you have one when you register at the event so we can accurately gauge space for that event)!

With close to one month before TGD V starts on April 30 (through May 2), I wanted to share a final reminder that early registration for TGD V is drawing to a close - we are poised to have record attendance, but we still would love to see you at the event!

Not only will there be 24 hour gaming (now that we're at the Opryland Resort), but we'll also have:

* Wits & Wagers Tournament with Prizes (sponsored by North Star Games)
* Take it Easy Tournament with Prizes (sponsored by Games Surplus)
* A singles and doubles Crokinole Tournament with Prizes (sponsored by Time Well Spent)
* Our inaugural Tour of Gaming Destinations - were you can play games on a tour and win Prizes (Reiner Knizia submitted a Tour to play)
* Try out new games donated by Publishers and maybe walk home with them - like Days of Wonder's Mystery Express
* Flea Market
* Charity Auction - get a new game and do some good
* A No Ship Math Trade
* Plus with a gaming library of 450 titles, there will be plenty of games on hand to play!

If you register early, it's $30 (just $10 a day!) or if you're part of a couple or family then make a mini-vacation for just $50. Prices will be higher at the door, so register online today at http://www.tngamedays.com

We hope to see you there - and even if you can't make it, spread the word. We want to share out best TGD yet with as many gamers as possible.

Hope to see you next month!
Rick

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The Knizia Connection (aka Dr Knizia, I Presume?)

* Money (Gryphon)
* Abandon Ship! (Alderac)
* Lost Cities: the Boardgame (Rio Grande Games)
* Lord of the Rings (Fantasy Flight Games)

Description
All aboard for some exciting and exotic travels with the good doctor Knizia. After acquiring some foreign currency, you set foot on board the ship that’s taking you to your destination - let’s hope there aren’t too many icebergs about at this time of year. Then you have a choice of expeditions as you quest to explore lost civilizations - and finally arrive in Middle Earth for the most difficult adventure of them all.

Number of Participants: Groups of 4-5 Tourists
Playing Time: 3-4 hours

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We will post more of the exciting tours we have planned and soon have a Geeklist on Boardgamegeek.com available for signing up for those you want to go on at the event so stay tuned for details!

We’re excited about the event for several reasons:

• It provides an outlet for non-competitive scheduled gaming for those looking for something other than open gaming.
• It’s a great way to meet some new gamers and learn some new games.
• Publishers have donated new games to spotlight on these tours – so you’ll have a chance to try them out – and win them!

We’ll be revealing more about this promotion this week, starting on Tuesday with a tour designed by a special guest star – who could it be?  Tune in to find out!

First, you come up with a list of games that you are willing to trade and share them on a public list.  Then, after the time for submissions has closed, you take a look at all the other games being offered.  You then submit a list of which games you'd be willing to accept for each of your games that you are willing to trade.  A computer algorithm is then applied to all the lists to create as many trades as possible.  You bring the games that traded to TGD and you get new (to you) games in return - it's a win for everyone!  Plus, this system allows for chains of trades to be made - A gives to B who gives to C who gives to A - allowing trades when a one-to-one swap wouldn't work.  Take a look at the games up for trade and add your game today.

If you have ANY questions about the process, feel free to post in the comments and we'll answer them!