Jeez, goldie, he said he wasn't a rocket scientist.

I came back after 4 years too. These young whippersnappers have no respect for their elders. THey sometimes don't do as I say!

So it looks like we have the following interested.

1. cgwhite32
2. goldfinger0303
3. ssorren
4. jamiet99uk
5. Ogion
6. Hellenic Riot
7. peterwiggin
8. diplomat61
9. rdrivera2005
10. uclabb

Due to the interest it looks like we need a way of selecting 7 from 10. Peak Ghostrating? % NMRs? I'm loathe to knock anyone out, but I'm happy to play a second game including those three (plus Valis) who aren't able to fit in this game in a few weeks once this one is well underway. Thoughts?

Jbalcorn - I'm fully expecting the young whippersnappers to try and charge about the board saying they know best. Hopefully they might listen to some wise and sage advice from someone who's seen it all before...

abge - nice to be back, and thanks for the heads up. I'll sign up for the youtube channel and see what this new-fangled technology thingy does!

How about join date? That would make:
11/07/2007 peterwiggin
21/11/2007 cgwhite32
12/05/2008 uclabb
16/03/2009 jamiet99uk
11/05/2009 diplomat61
19/06/2009 rdrivera
11/02/2010 Hellenic Riot

How about "No country for old men" as a title?

Diplomat, I like that suggestion very much and fits in nicely with the old stager returning.

I'm happy to set up the game with that title this afternoon. I vaguely recall you can password protect but how do I share the password with the other players? By private message?

It is a while since I set a PW protected game up but I think that is the way.

FWIW the other three in order are:
22/08/2010 goldfinger0303
19/10/2013 ssorren
05/01/2014 Ogion

Could either be a second game or reserves for this. One request: I am down to my last 75 so please do not set the pot above that.

For the moment let's stick to a reserve list as I'm keen to devote my time to one game initially.

I'll set the pot at 10 - points were never a reason for me playing to win - I just enjoy the challenge.

Game set up here:
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=167152

I will PM the password to each of the players now.

I've just realised that uclabb has no points. In which case first reserve would be goldfinger unless uclabb is expecting a swift return on points in the next 24 hours?

Makes sense.

I would be very interested in this game as well. I guess it's already full? If there will be a second, count me in.

My join date ;) 31/07/2011

I have no incoming points- next time!

No worries uclabb, I've pm'd goldfinger.

MrcsAurelius - I'll keep you on the list for next time, but I'll also post a link for anyone who wants to follow the game.

So, Goldfinger into the first game. And we have three for the second game:

19/10/2013 ssorren
05/01/2014 Ogion
31/07/2011 MrcsAurelius

First come, first served until we have seven

Uclabb, you can borrow points from me.

Hmm. Didn't know this was going to be non-anon, is that intentional?

Is it a problem? I hadn't played many anonymous games before I left so I forgot it was an option - would people prefer that? Happy to set it up again if so.

The majority of games these days are anonymous. I prefer it, though I'm not hugely bothered. I suspect pw hate non-anon though

If any who have agreed to play in the game want to play anon instead, just reply here and I'll set up a second game and we can let the public version be cancelled. Clearly things have moved on since I left!

Hold the line, cg! Nonanon 4 life!

Hi cgwhite - if my memory serves weren't you a special adviser or PPS in the last coalition govt? My apologies if I have maligned you.

I would prefer anon.

I've set up a new game here: http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=167155

To all those who've signed up, please join this one and we'll let the other one lapse.

Maniac - yes, for my sins, I spent the whole of the last Parliament being a special adviser to several different cabinet ministers, but decided to call time as my wife and I were expecting our first child (our daughter is now 9 weeks old) and I didn't want any more grey hairs, so I moved on to pastures new at the election. It's not often you get to depart on your own terms in this line of work, so I was pleased to go at a time of my own choosing, despite people wanting me to stay.

Joined the new version.

FWIW I prefer anon too.

cgwhite - strange how I can remember that from 4 years ago but ask me what I did the weekend and I'd struggle. Happy to hear that you're now a father, it is without doubt the best thing I've ever done - enjoy every minute, even the 4 o'clock feeds. My eldest daughter is about to buy her first home and it really has flown by, I'm grateful that my work has meant I could be at home for most of it and so fortunate never to have missed parents evenings, or sports days, or school plays - whatever your new job is, ensure you don't miss those moments. Good to have you back.

Ah right we're moving to an anon game, I got it.

Yep. Because I'm old and crotchety and don't like change.

But PW - you joined before I did, so therefore you must have changed to like anon games from non-anon!

Maniac - good to hear from you again and thanks for the kind words. Being a Dad is amazing and waking up every morning to the beaming smile I get is a truly special feeling. The new company have been wonderful in giving me some flexible working in the first 8 weeks so I got to do a lot of bonding and nappy changes, which was great. Hopefully we'll cross paths in a game at some point as I always enjoyed playing with you.