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Herman 2

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  1. I live in upstate New York and graduated from S.U.N.Y. at New Paltz with a Bachelors Degree in English and a Master's in Special Education. I have always been a wargamer (Avalon Hill Games, and miniatures) since I was 12, no, make it 13 when I came across "D-Day" in the back of a department clothing store. I started out in role-playing games with the Dungeons and Dragons with white box of rules that didn't make any sense and I had to have someone verbally show and tell me how to play role-playing games, even Runequest. In fact, I still have to have people sit down and explain different role-playing games tome to understand them. Maybe it goes deep into our storytelling roots. I met Greg in person twice. Once at a Gen-Con in Milwaukee and the second time at RQ-Con in Maryland. It was at Runequest Con that we connected and talked for hours. We shared our "Acid" Adventures.("yes, we'll all dance together 'Barefoot in the Head'", Brian Aldiss). You see, I didn't start out as a Special Education Teacher. (I still have my tickets from Woodstock somewhere in the attic). It came to me surreptitiously. I thought I would be a writer, a psychedelic Fantasy writer to be exact. My favorite writer at the time I started college was Hermann Hesse, "The Poet of the Interior Journey". I don't know why I opened up to him about my drug experiences, and how role-playing games weaned me away from drugs. We shared our Acid Adventures like two old buddies from the Fillmore. I had told him things I haven't told anyone. There was a connection I couldn't put my finger on. I hope I didn't bore him. Being from upstate New York, he told me of his only travel through the area when he was stopped by the State Police on the Thruway in a car with an expired license and registration (was there a "Ki" in the trunk?) with a group of friends and how the officer didn't want to spend the next six months filling in the holes of their story so he let them go on their way. It was also at RQ-Con that I passed along my theory of the Holy Grail which I believe is the Elijah's Cup that is at the Passover Seder and was probably used by Jesus at the last supper. If the cup was so sacred , what about the Seder Plate and the Matzo Dish that are also integral to the Seder? What happened to them? Much as the wafer eaten at communion is really Matzo and of course, the wine. Hey, it's as good a theory as anyone else's. The convention really wasn't the place to teach him all the Biblical Drinking Songs I know that Jesus used to sing at the Seder. (Remember, you have to drink four cups of wine). Maybe Dylan will come out with a Passover Album to compliment his Christmas Album he recently made. I corresponded with Greg off and on after that. I don't know where everyone went that I could talk to about my past experiences with. And who would believe me? When my parents passed away a couple of years later I inherited my mother's collection of Passover Regalia (dozens Passover Plates, Matzo Plates, Elijah's Cups, Candle Sticks, Haggadahs). I had more stuff than I knew what to do with, I couldn't sell it. (it seemed sacrilegious to me) so I started giving it away. I mailed a" set" to Greg trying to explain how to run a Seder and a Haggadah(annotated) along with some matzo, macaroons, a recipe for matzo ball soup. It sure is difficult to explain two or three thousand years of folk traditions and rituals in a letter (sort of like explaining a role-playing game without playing one). Kind of like a "Heroquest". I always wondered if I made any sense but he appreciated it. "Seder" in Hebrew means order. It was always a joy to send out Passover Cards to him every year there after RQ-Con. I wonder if he ever tracked down Don Juan from Carlos Castenada when he went to Mexico. I had wanted to bequeath him my shamanism library from college which includes the works of Micrea Eliade and my copy of "The Golden Bough" by Sir James George Frazier. I am gong to miss him. I hope I make my saving throw this weekend in his honor
  2. My prayers and wishes go out to Greg's Family. I will say "Kaddish" at Schul tonight. We met a couple of times at conventions and I felt that he was a friend with which I could share my heart. I was happy that he appreciated and liked the Passover Regalia I sent him. I am grateful for our conversations and exchanges; ,they enriched my life and kept me going. HIs imagined worlds and games have kept me young at heart and revel in marvels. Thank you. To Suzanne and his family, " May the Source of Peace send you Peace and bring comfort to all those who Mourn."
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