As many of you know, your trusty Newsletter staff is taking some time off -- three weeks to be exact -- while we travel the world in search of the perfect loner.

So if you'd like to keep up with us while we're gone, we encourage you to check out our (almost) daily blog, http: //carblog.typepad.com/aroundtheworld to follow us on our travels. It's cheaper than a postcard.

Your weekly newsletter resumes on Tuesday, June 19!

The 2nd City BADmintoon Club is hosting "Smash & Tickle 07," a Badminton tournament at the Broadway Armory. All part of the Midwest GLBT Sports & Cultural Festival, there's even coaching on-site for those of you not quite sure of the difference between a shuttlecock and a birdie. To register or for more info send an email to secondcitybad@yahoo.com, or send a note to ECC member Mitch Krenz at mitchelkrenz@sbcglobal.net.

Your weather for the week, provided by the meteorologists at WFLD-TV Fox Chicago.

TUESDAY - 84 / 60 Cloudy
WEDNESDAY - 85 / 62 Thunderstorms
THURSDAY - 75 / 53 Thunderstorms
FRIDAY - 72 / 55 Partly Cloudy
SATURDAY - 72 / 58 Sunny
SUNDAY - 75 / 55 Partly Cloudy

Yes, that's ECC member Keith Bucceri at Charlie's on IML Sunday, and you'd be correct if you noticed that he's not wearing pants. Trust us, a lot of people noticed he's not wearing pants.

And let us be the first to say, "Nice ass, Keith!"

Saturday, June 2 - Voting Begins
Sunday, June 17 - Next Variation Night
Sunday, June 17 - Next Board Meeting, 4:30PM @ Charlie's

Don't forget we're now accepting your annual $15 membership dues!

We're already a few weeks behind on our congratulations, and it's only going to get worse during the hiatus. Please forgive us if we've missed you, and we'll highlight everyone once we come back in June!

"Your nametag stays on as much as Paul's pants!"

-Lou Smith, to Ken Cook, noticing that Ken's nametag doesn't seem to stay on beyond the second game, much like Paul Zehren's pants...

Dear Hoyle,

At what point does table talk become illegal? I've noticed a lot of players saying things like "that's mine!" or "Play your Right" during the game. Isn't that against the rules? - Seen but Not Heard

Dear SBNH:

The official club rule is that Table Talk is never, ever allowed. That being said, we're still a friendly, social club, so there are some times where some table talk may be allowed, such as reminding your partner that's your ace on the table, or reminding someone what's trump. Some Table Talk should never be used, such as telling a partner what card to play (e.g. "play the right now") or giving any sort of hint on what suit to call (e.g. "I've totally got a heart on right now"). And during tournamets, all Table Talk is forbidden, so you'll need to do a better job of paying attention.

Now don't confuse Table Talk with Trash Talk, its slightly less affluent cousin. Trash Talk is usually always permitted, but it might get you a fat lip.

If you have a question about Euchre strategy, ECC club rules, relationships or just life in general, send an e-mail to resident expert Hoyle at euchrechicago@yahoo.com. We promise all e- mails are anonymous, and the answers may just