ok, so the oldest two and i were playing RISK yesterday.

the oldest had won the previous two contests.

i started with a relative stronghold in SE Asia (all but one of Australia; Siam; Afghanistan; Japan; and a couple of other stans)

the oldest consolidated S. America and Africa. he also a had a presence in N. America and Europe.

The youngest somehow staved off elimination while holding out in alaska and greenland.

i determined to take and hold Asia within the first four turns. alas, the oldest and i were engaged in a mighty struggle for the world of the ancients, the middle east. three turns in a row we clashed - two times i had to tuck tail and run. but on the third, i emerged victorious, but scathed.

the battle raged about the globe. the middle son took N. America and Europe. I finally managed to take Asia, then on a rampage that would make Sherman proud, i took out the oldest and cashed again.

alas, i was not able to take on the middle son.

after some minor skirmishes, the middle son cashed for 20, and resolves to cast the dice, he crossed his rubicon.

after a lightning start, he struggled a bit through north and western asia. upon reaching Siam, he is weakened, but still standing.

the vicious contest continued until i have only eastern australia remaining as my stronghold. i have 5 cards, i will be cashing for 25 armies; he has only one card. if i can just hold out, i have a chance.

he has three veterans remaining that have made it all the way from Alaska on the long, brutal campaign.

i have one australian left.

we roll...i take out one alaskan with a 6! yes! i still have a chance.

for the final roll - everything hinges on this one - he rolls first. a 4. "sweet!" i think. i actually have a shot. i advise both my sons that "all i need is a 4, 5, or 6 and i am still in this."

the middle child is so excited he is standing on his chair, the oldest is standing, i'm standing (by this time, we've woken Brady with our yelling and he is tooling around the kitchen in his walker).

i shake, i rattle, i roll....

a 3.

needless to say, our middle son leaped from the chair and puched the air with his fist. "YES! YESYESYESYESYES!!!!"