Cowabunga, Fries, and a Strawberry Pie

"Veggies" Card illustration from Lord of the Fries (Cheapass Games, 1999) by Brian Snoddy


Whenever I become significantly ill, the wanderings and incoherent flights of fantasy that twist through my mind like dust devils, churning up the detritus of memories, disrupting my regularly planned activities, be it at work or play, with images of absurdity and logical non sequiturs, these fevered whims knock me silly!!!

Over the past few days, I have been unwell. My apologies for neglecting duties here at Paideia. Although it didn't seem to disrupt readership in the slightest, I feel bad that I didn't even pop in with a vid or photo. I'm not at full health, but I'm not going to let another day slip by without a post or two. Since I'll not be hitting our ten post minimum, we'll be shifting our Weekly Wrap to Thursday night this week.

So, what's up with that zombie up above? Well, that's just an example of something lost in the caverns of memory that illness draws back to the surface. Monday morning, I commented that I felt like a zombie. It was pointed out that zombies are fashionable at the moment. I replied that I didn't feel like a scary undead killing machine, but a moldering corpse toiling at endless banality. The image of "fast food" zombies came to mind.

I spent an anguished eternity trying to remember from where the vivid image originated. Yesterday, the memory clicked. It was from a card game, Lord of the Fries, designed by James Ernest and illustrated by Brian Snoddy, published by Cheapass Games in 1998, with a "de-lux" edition released in 1999.

"Sauce" card from Lord of the Fries (Art: Brian Snoddy)

The game was nominated for an Origins Award. It's a general hand management game in which a player receives a set of cards and needs to work on building "order" combinations that yield points. The game ends when one of the players empties their hand, at which time point tallies are compared. The deck with the highest point yield wins. That may sound a bit complicated, but it's actually easy and fun in actual play.

I remember playing this game back in the late nineties at gaming conventions. I could envision our zombies rushing about prepping the "Cow Meat" or "Bird Meat" and the hated Strawberry Pie (it was an especially difficult card to play) attempting to fulfill the endless orders at Friedey's. Fun stuff!!!

"Cheese" card from Lord of the Fries (Art: Brian Snoddy)

Anyways, that's how it has been for the past few days. My apologies for the disruption in posting. Yesterday, I wanted to wish Patti Page a Happy 84th Birthday. Here are a few vids to make up for the interruption:

Old Cape Cod

Tennessee Waltz

(How Much Is That) Doggie In the Window

Allegheny Moon

Enjoy!!!