The House Organ

Words of Questionable Wisdom from the Distribution Manager

Well, we're late again. I apologize. Next month we should be on target. We've got a little something special in store for you: The APAGear Character Compendium! What can that be? It's everything you've ever wanted in an APA, and so much more. In other words, I'm not telling. You'll have to wait and see.

This month, we have reached what I consider to be an important milestone. With this issue of APAGear II, ladies and gentlemen, we reach over one hundred articles. I have a hard time imagining one hundred articles -- even though I've got them all on two separate hard disks as well as a little Zip disk that I carry with me at all times. (Well, okay, I don't carry it with me at all times...) That's a hell of a lot of creative effort, and I'm truly impressed with this crew. Guys (as far as I know, all the APA members are boys), nice work. I'm terribly proud of you. (Is that a little corny? I don't think it is.)

I want to take a moment here to thank some people without whom this project may not have happened:

• First, I want to thank Jeff Mackintosh, a.k.a. whisper (in lowercase, because it's a whisper, not a shout). Jeff started APAGear back in 1996. He's sort of the APAGear Grandfather. He's with Guardians of Order at the moment, doing the graphic design and some writing for their Big Eyes, Small Mouth anime roleplaying game line.
• Second, I want to thank Marc-Alex Vezina and the rest of Dream Pod 9. Plainly, without DP9, none of this would exist. Beyond that, though, Marc had some encouraging words when I told him back at the end of 1998 that I was thinking about starting up the APA again.
• Third, a big Thank You to Lucien Soulban, a.k.a Lussian Salban from the same SIU team as Miranda Petite. Lucien wrote a great article that appeared on DP9's website. It was an article about the importance of APAs in the gaming community, and it was one of the chief sources of inspiration for getting the APA back together. He had some encouraging words, too, when I mentioned it to him via e-mail. Watch out for the underwater zombie supplement he's writing for Eden Studios' "All Flesh Must Be Eaten" zombie roleplaying game!
• Finally, I obviously want to thank the APA itself. I also want to draw attention to the one member who has consistently met the deadlines, missing absolutely no issues. Janne Kemppi has busted his butt since Day One. If the APA were a set of Heavy Gears, I think Janne would be the Hunter. The rest of the guys, too, have done their share, and I mean no slight by singling out Janne.

So good work, lads, and congratulations. I think we can be proud of what we've done here together.

That's all for now. Until next time, when we'll bring you the APAGear Character Compendium...

Your Vaguely Humble Servant,

Christian Schaller
APAGear II Distribution Manager

Keener Awards

Our May Keeners are Janne Kemppi, who was first, followed by Scott Blow, the runner-up. Good work, guys!

I once again did not get the Hall of Fame ready by the time this issue came out. However, I will get it finished before the next issue. Really.

Heavy Gear is © 2000, Dream Pod 9, Inc. All rights reserved. APAGear is not affiliated with Dream Pod 9 in any way. Submitted material remains the property of the creator.