The Wonderland Game Company -- Lubbock, Texas

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WonderWebLog for 25 May 2004

Lots happening this week, it's been pretty busy as we scramble to keep this place open and in business in the lean season of summer.

First, Study Breaks ran an article featuring what they considered the "four coolest jobs" in Lubbock. Mine, here at Mad Hatters, was one of them. It was a little odd to be included; Study Breaks has a reputation for being a "frat" magazine with little time for the counterculture. Still, it was pretty cool, and my picture on the page opposite the tatoo artist section is probably as close as I'll ever get to Omni. Hah!

Secondly, we all were both shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Richard Biggs. This is I think the first time an actor I've actually met has died. He had been the guest at HubCon I, the first SF convention held in Lubbock in many many years. I found him to be a very funny, warm, and humble person, one truly friendly with his fans. He wasn't that old, either, and had been in the habit of keeping himself in excellent physical condition his whole life. Our hearts and sympathies go out to his family and friends in this time of need.

The sages were right, we really do live from one breath to the next, so cherishing the time we have is of utmost importance.

On a happier note, the third event of the week is that my brother, Sean, turned 27 on Sunday. If you guys are in his area or know him, wish him a happy birthday.

We are taking reservations for the new Yu-Gi-Oh set (Ancient Sanctuary) and the new Yu Yu Hakusho set (Exile) all this week and next, so if you want to get some, better let us know quick, say before the weekend. Also due is the new Duelmasters expansion, Evo-Crushinators, and the final expansion in Magic's Mirrodin block, Fifth Dawn! It's going to be a great weekend for card players all around.

Remember that we give a 20% discount on full boxes and a 30% discount on full cases. That means we've got the lowest prices in the entire area! No local shop can beat us on CCGs, so get your reservations in now and save!

Bit of an emergency here, folks. We've had to spend a pile paying off some bills and now have almost nothing left for rent, and it's coming due Tuesday. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but sales have been incredibly low and nobody's been reserving any of the new CCG sets coming out this week and next.

Guys, we need your help to stay open. I know that we get a huge crowd hanging out here all the time, but we need your support in return. If we can't make rent, there's no shop. No shop, then this area loses its last true game store.

Help us out this weekend. Rent is high, but our prices are low. Both of us can win in the end if we all do our part. Reserve your boxes now, grab some books, get into a new game. Heck, bring your friends along and enjoy what we have to offer.

Be well,

"At the time of the creation of the Israeli state in 1948, it is estimated that the Christians of Palestine numbered some 350,000. Almost 20 percent of the total population at the time, they constituted a vibrant and ancient community; their forbears had listened to St. Peter in Jerusalem as he preached at the first Pentecost. Yet Zionist doctrine held that Palestine was 'a land without a people for a people without a land.' Of the 750,000 Palestinians that were forced from their homes in 1948, some 50,000 were Christians—7 percent of the total number of refugees and 35 percent of the total number of Christians living in Palestine at the time. In the process of 'Judaizing' Palestine, numerous convents, hospices, seminaries, and churches were either destroyed or cleared of their Christian owners and custodians. In one of the most spectacular attacks on a Christian target, on May 17, 1948, the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate was shelled with about 100 mortar rounds—launched by Zionist forces from the already occupied monastery of the Benedictine Fathers on Mount Zion."
-- Anders Strindberg, "Forgotten Christians"

"But I know now that there is not a chance in hell of America’s becoming humane and reasonable. Because power corrupts us, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Human beings are chimpanzees who get crazy drunk on power. By saying that our leaders are power-drunk chimpanzees, am I in danger of wrecking the morale of our soldiers fighting and dying in the Middle East? Their morale, like so many bodies, is already shot to pieces. They are being treated, as I never was, like toys a rich kid got for Christmas."
-- Kurt Vonnegut (yes, the Kurt Vonnegut), "Cold Turkey"

"Bill Nevins was suspended for not censoring the poetry of his students. Remember, there is no obscenity to be found in any of the poetry. He was later fired by the principal. After firing Nevins and terminating the teaching and reading of poetry in the school, the principal and the military liaison read a poem of their own as they raised the flag outside the school. When the principal had the flag at full staff, he applauded the action he'd taken in concert with the military liaison. Then to all students and faculty who did not share his political opinions, the principal shouted: 'Shut your faces.' What a wonderful lesson he gave those 3,000 students at the largest public high school in New Mexico. In his mind, only certain opinions are to be allowed."
-- Bill Hill, "Hard Lessons from Poetry Class: Speech is Free Unless It's Critical"

"The e-mailed meeting summary reveals NSC Near East and North African Affairs director Elliott Abrams sitting down with the Apostolic Congress and massaging their theological concerns. Claiming to be 'the Christian Voice in the Nation's Capital,' the members vociferously oppose the idea of a Palestinian state. They fear an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza might enable just that, and they object on the grounds that all of Old Testament Israel belongs to the Jews. Until Israel is intact and David's temple rebuilt, they believe, Christ won't come back to earth. Abrams attempted to assuage their concerns by stating that 'the Gaza Strip had no significant Biblical influence such as Joseph's tomb or Rachel's tomb and therefore is a piece of land that can be sacrificed for the cause of peace.' Three weeks after the confab, President George W. Bush reversed long-standing U.S. policy, endorsing Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank in exchange for Israel's disengagement from the Gaza Strip."
-- Rick Perlstein, "The Jesus Landing Pad"

Smile, and welcome to The Wonderland Game Company's official website! This is where we hang out and put our various doings online for your enjoyment.

In addition to the site, we also run The Mad Hatter's House of Games, Lubbock's only game store. We're located right across the street from Texas Tech University in the middle of the student entertainment district.

We have free play space, big gaming tables, weekly sanctioned tournaments, giveaways, odd events, Mexican import sodas, nearly all of Mike Oldfield's albums on shuffle play, plus four pubs and the best pizza in the world all within a few steps of the front door. What more could you ask for?

Our Policy: We love our customers. We keep no databases of customer or client information. We do not sell our customer information, nor keep detailed records of who buys what, so don't even ask. Customers, rejoice in your privacy, and we ask all law enforcement agencies, governments, and financial groups interested in grilling us or our customers to respect our decision. Welcome to the free market, and to hell with the Patriot Act.