First this definately Isn't London
I spent last Saturday exploring a new career as a childrens entertainer. I'd foolishly volunteered to help Sally and Kol run a kid's birthday LRP and wasn't that suprised when I was woken in the morning by thunder. But I put my ethusiastic head on after crawling out of bed and into the shower, because you know it was 'for the kids' and all.
The rain stopped all of 15 minutes before the children turned up, just as we were discussing the logistics of running the game in two rooms, or possibly a room and a corridor. The small hoard of Princesses, Knights and Hogwarts wizards (aged 4-13) were somewhat terrifying but were soon distracted by Kol handing out the weapons. There must be an ancient by-law or something that says the smallest girl in the pinkest dress will be the most leathal in close combat. It was just a pity the kid who wanted to play a Nazgul changed his mind as we were going to sort him out a ring and everything.
I didn't end up playing the plum crew role of Clockwork robot in a silver dress, as I am quite definately not a size 8, but the role of Evil Old Stranger with beard, who tried to tempt the children off the path with presents, more than made up for it. Playing several a blind shadow creatures with two of the parents was fun as well, especially when the kids lured me with a cunning plan and beat seven bells out of me. I gave good death with sound effects and everything.
The children managed to learn several vauable lessons about working together, not talking to mysterious strangers in local woods and never ever trust Kol. He was doing so well at running a happy game until the end when his kindly gamesmaster character tried to betray them all and lock them in the garden. He said 'I just couldn't help it, it was so tempting'.
While being fed cake and party food at the end one of the parents asked me 'Would you do this as a business?' I should coco.
The future of sword play, or maybe not. Still, if like tree trunks...
Apparently, I'm not a person but a Electronic Dynamic Wireless Access Resolution Drive
And finally, One for you squid freaks.
Ok after much shaming I've sorted a paypal donation link, these go to my paypal account and from there to the Pagga bank account. I'm sticking this here until I can get a proper donations page up here.
First one is a general button for one off donations
Second one is for a monthly donation of 3 pounds.
For more info see this thread.