I hope that you will forgive the lack of report for the past two weeks.  I've had multiple items on my plate and then got walloped with the flu.  Charming illness, really.  I recommend it to all the masochists out there.  One of the benefits to the flu was being able to watch the opening rounds of the Australian Open at home.  If that first week was any indicator of things to come, I dare say some of the best tennis yet will be played this year.  A certain Swiss by the name of Roger Federer completely dominated the tournament.  Never dropping a single set the entire tournament.  That hasn't been done since Bjorn Borg won the French Open in 1980.  Federer is a man in complete and utter control of his game.  And the man is extremely humble.  He goes through everything with a distinct poise and grace, and honest to god I hate him for it.  I hate that he's such a nice guy and has no attitude to really justify hating him.  I long for him to lose to Safin on hardcourt, Roddick on grass or Nadal/Gasquet on clay.  Oh wait, he's lost to Nadal and Gasquet on clay.  That won't be happening this year.  Watching Federer play is watching a top100 tour player play someone on the High School Varsity team.  Oh well, while I lament the lack of competition in the men's game it is nice to see that Serena Williams is in top form.  One of my all time favorite women's players, along with Billie Jean King, Chris Evert,  Lindsay Davenport, Amelie Mauresmo and Steffi Graff.  Have I mentioned I also have a strong dislike of Maria Sharapova?  She's pretty, but her game crumbles easily.  The moment she meets the stiffest resistance, woosh...fight is out of her sails.  That annoys me to no end.  




Still, this talk of tennis does bring me to my point this week.  That competition is vital.  Without it, we have no real drive.  Why bother to succeed if the playing field is empty?  Being #1 in a sport or field you made up means nothing.  There was no drive, no work and no passion.  And competition isn't just recreational.  It drives us personally and professionally.  That promotion and/or raise at work.  The date with the hot girl in your English Literature class or the cute geek in your Calculus class.  All of that is driven by competition, by a desire to win, to succeed, to one-up someone else.  And so too is our careers in the DB.  Every single one of you has something that you are damned good at, and can propel you stand up as some of the best in the DB.  In terms of strict leadership - our own Consul is one of the best leaders in the Brotherhood to date.  Writers?  Look no further than Telona and Troutrooper for creativity, and Master Zero and myself for technical skill.  And if you ever need help picking a hamburger, feel free to contact our illustrious Deputy Grand Master, DJM Aristan "Sarin" Dantes.  

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What's the point of all this?  Well, glad you asked.  Beginning Sunday, February 4th, 2007, Tarentum's Wargames begins.  Houses Gladius and Tridens will vie for the title of "First House of Tarentum."  In addition, 3 members, compiling the most individual points will reign as "Knights of Tarentum."  Your Summits will be in contact with you all shortly about the MP events.  The first up starting 2/4 will be XWA, XvT and JO.  Week 2, starting 2/11 will see JA, BF1 & BF2.  Week 3 will conclude with EaW.  And that's just multiplayer events.  

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I believe I've rambled enough, and will leave you at that.  Look to see my regular reports, along with the large dialog at the beginning and recap of all events for the past week at the end starting next week.  

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Regards,

Maxamillian von Oberst-Tarentae,

Proconsul of Clan Tarentum,

Marshal of the Armies of Tarentum,

Master of the Sea of Darkness,

Death Dealer of Clan Tarentum

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