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So the larp season has petered out for a while and all that remains are a couple of socials that will undoubtedly be full of copious amounts of alcohol being consumed and much frivolity being had with the quiet chats in the corner.
Thsi quiet time is interjected by the 'festive season' which will see everybody spend everything they have to see the reactions of people who've spent ten minutes frustratingly ripping coloured paper from the gift you've scoured the Earth to find them.
Well, this year for me will be different. The last couple of Christmas' have been spent round at Al and Luggages being fed meat by the tonne slathered in gravy that Luggage seems more pleased with than anything else. We then would ordinarily top our stomachs up with all the red wine Luggage got for Christmas playing some random game that nobody has a clue how to play.
I'm not a big Christmas fan. My glorious past has been successful in giving me little reason to look forward to the 25th December and I felt that this year was no different. However, there have been a few things in the last couple of months that may have changed that.
I felt that having not been able to find a job for thirteen months and seeing the wintery months creep ever closer that once again I would have to toil away the two weeks or so putting on a brave face and 'having a good time' when all I wanted to do was go and look for more work. To add to this, Nat, who as many will know likes Christmas more than squirrels like acorns, and who could out-trampoline a lamb in long grass during spring at the sheer mention of Santa or decorations, has managed to persuade me that at least moving into December with a smidgen of optimism might be a good idea as whether I like it or not I am going to have a good time. I didn't feel as though I had an option in this so I have given in, in that very 'fifty year old father playing a game but will grumble occasionally to make it look like he'd rather be watching Grandstand even though inside he's living it' kind of way.
Things looked even better when I finally, after endless moral destroying months I got an interview. Thankfully my skills in selling myself better than a prostitute doing two for one deals worked and I was offered a job which I've taken. After a couple of favours we managed to get transport to get to Rushden, my place of work. Rushden is a place I feel should only ever be for work and nothing else. It has nothing but hairdressing shops and signposts with gang signs on it which don't exactly give ou reason to think of it as a tourist attraction.
So, I have work which means I can actually buy presents for people this year, which will be a nice feeling. I've not given presents in a long time so it'll be kind of a novelty for me. I'm even going to buy gifts for my mother, and even my sister who I'm going to visit. Very strange. I think even Nat's very family orientated manner may have even pushed me a little in that direction to some degree as well. She is being very anti-badinfluential at the moment, so perhaps I should stop being stubborn.
Adding to this family orientated thing, I am to be fed by her Mother and Phil, which will I'm sure be very family orientated and additionally I'll be welcomed as much as I have already which is actually a fair amount. It'll feel very strange. A family Christmas isn't something I've endeavoured (if that's the right word) for about fifteen years. I have a feeling that I'm going to have a very good time even being so very far out of my comfort zone. I may even turn my stubborn mode off and actually try and enjoy myself as well. |
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The typical hot and not stuff really....
Hot
Awesome monsters
Chinwags a plenty with the usual crowd
Plotting shenanigans about other systems
Endless supply of tea
Being on the other side of a ref brief for a change
Watching the new command team do awesome things
Laurens yellow fetish grow
Remembering to take 8 pairs of socks
Ben as a tiger
Watching Nat be all in charge. Shall have to move that dominance elsewhere methinks. Ahem....
Getting a lie in
Four course Chinese food in one bowl.
Windows shopping for 4 x 4's with Jam for cars
Not running ouot of Rizlas/filters/tobacco
Not losing a lighter at an event for the first time in over ten years at an event
Pizza when I got home.
Realising that I'll always be better than Ciaron at something forever, horse-riding! \o/
Not
Lots of unsafe fighting
More unsafe fighting after a warning
More unsafe fighting after the next warning
Atually having to pull people out of a fight for unsafe fighting after the aforementioned warnings
Being thwacked in the head three times in less than five minutes after the aforementioned 'Nots'
Forgetting my toothbrush
Forgetting my port :(
Being annoyed at people
Cold weather being lame
Wet weather being lame
People who don't replace guide ropes after tripping on your tent |
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Well, played a sanctioned event where I wasn't called for DPC or monstering duties for the first time in five or six years. I had an absolute blast. I had such a good time, and got involved with as much as I could as well as being able to talk to a few people I haven't been able to in the faction for a while. Was very nice not being concerned with anything other than playing and having fun. What a breath of fresh air.
There were of course some low points. I personally felt the food was well below par, and I didn't like having to wait for over an hour in a queue whilst food was being served, only to find that everything was fairly tasteless. Breakfasts were cool though, but only down to the fact that I discarded my bacon and beans for Nats egg, hashbrown and sausages so I felt well fed in the morning.
So here are my good points
Playing. Was just plain awesome.
Prayers in the morning to Ra.
Being fairly gross as a character and seeing some monsters erring away from me
Roleplaying, some awesome stuff went on.
Being able to spend time with Nat at an event as opposed to seeing her when I wake up and when I go to bed.
The plot. Thought it was really good and meant I got to ge involved fairly quickly.
Great monsters. Overall I thought they were fantastic and really got the impression they wanted us dead on more than one occasion.
Good IC area.
The bar. Was awesome.
Ranting.
Not being allowed to drink on Friday night due to potential concussion :/
Seeing some old faces back at events
Bad points
Being knocked out cold from a monster blow about fifteen minutes into time in.
The food. I thought it was plain awful.
Queueing for food was lame. Over an hour in a queue seems ridiculous.
Some fights seeming as though they were unsafe due to lack of yellow and the ground being unsafe as well.
Hot tea being spilled down my arm because of people barging past me.
The generator being a bitch and refusing to work properly on the Saturday night.
Feeling a touch 'Ensabadu-esque' during rites I got asked to lead or rant in.
Wishing we'd done our own food for the event. It really was that disappointing.
Missing out on a linear because I decided to chat OOC (my own fault obv)
Overall I had an amazing time. Will definetly be playing the next Jackals event. Also let me know that can still roleplay after being out of the loop per se for about two years with reffing stuff. I haven't lost it. Huzzah! |
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Well, haven't used this in two years so I figure I probably should, seeing as I'm playing Facebook Poker and generally ranting at the incompetency of various people and how bad the poker is. Still, it's poker and I can't afford to play proper poker again until I'm working.
I'm stunned by just how difficult it is to find work now. I've never had a problem finding work when i put my mind to it and the last year has been one royal plain in the fucking arse. Still, getting up late has it's upsides in that I get perpetual lie ins other than every other Friday when I venture to the Job Centre to be patronised by an 18 year with as much charisma as grumpy barnacle. But still, someone has to say 'Sign here please' and I can't really talk as they actually have a job.
Thankfully jobs are starting to come up a little more so hopefully work shall arrive sooner rather than later.
So, LARP. Didn't get to play anywhere near as much as I'd have liked but then them's the breaks when you staff. I'm getting a fair amount of satisfaction out of the Ref Mentoring stuff though and I think we're actually making a difference as far as making people better refs.
I am going to get to play over the winter though which is awesome. I'm sanctioning one event this year as far as I know so far, which is the Wolves I think unless anything changes.
Getting to grips with the new character as well after leaving the joys of Bogwin behind. It's kind of nice when a bunch of people come and ask you why the old characters gone for the main reason that they thought he was awesome. That's nice to know that I still have it in me to roleplay considering I do so little of it nowadays. I must make a conscious effort to play more though. I think that's one of the main issues with alot of refs and staff behind the scenes. You get out of touch with the player base very easily and it can really affect the way you see and play the game.
As far as the Gathering is concerned, well I had an awesome Friday night and Saturday daytime. I played! Found the character easy to slot into and my first IC words were ripping the Jackals gateguard a new one for not stopping me as I ambled nonchalently in. Twas fun. What was less fun though was just how quiet it can get at a main event. Having not played for so long I'd forgotten just how long the 'quiet periods' are. I stayed on gate guard and ended up sitting there for five hours... ouch.
The other thing I got a little annoyed about was the quality of roleplay in the Jackals nowadays. I'm not for a second suggesting that I'm anything to write home about because I'm not, but when you are repairing your boots IC and someone asks you why you're repairing your boots I have to wonder what people actually wonder roleplaying is all about sometimes. I won't moan anymore, because I got to play, and for me that was something else altogether.
Have the Jackals event in four weeks which I'm playing at. The last one was alot of fun and I hope the quality of roleplay goes up with the main base of the players being there. My fingers are well and truly crossed.
I shall now go back to Facebook Poker as Nat is catching me up, and I can't have that at all.
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Well, I was supposed to be going down to Wales this weekend with Al to do some plot stuff, however work has managed to override my attempt at having some fun, which has left me working most of the weekend.
Still, had a decent weekend. Achieved what I wanted to and hopefully it should lead to a fairly quiet week, which will be fantastic. I'm really enjoying it though, and it's the first time this year that I've not had my contract closed in less than a month. It's a bit of a shame that the contract ends at the beginning of October though, as it's a really nice place to work. The people are very friendly too, which is nice. The shame is that the company are going to outsource ll their IT out to IBM which means that all the permanent people will either be made redundant or will be offered 'contracts' which means they don't get the benefits of having a permie job.
Not a great deal has happened other than that. My AD&D game came to a swift conclusion as most of the player base went nuclear on each other, so I've decided to run another one and see how that goes. Umm... ooh, I've decided that porridge is awesome.Current Mood:  blah Current Music: Something by Puddle of Mudd |
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Yes yes, it's that game....line from a song in my playist, blah blah blah... I'll be impressed if someone gets 4.
1.) As I stared I counted.
I miss you - Blink 182 - B-K-F
2.) Biggest lie you ever told, great fear 'bout growing old.
3.) Not much to say, when you're high above the mucky muck (easy one this) - Tenacious D - Wonder boyBunting
4.) Some good old fashioned metal, up your.....
5.) I can't do everything, but I'll do anything for you
6.) Pieces are falling, I can't seem to make them stay
Tear Away - Drowning Pool - B-K-F
7.) Like, anyone worthy, I am flattered by your fascination with me.
Univited - Alanis Morisette - B-K-F
8.) I don't need to be anything other, than a specialists son
9.) We're made out of blood and rust.
10.) How far will the far side take me
Aug. 3rd, 2006 @ 06:32 pm
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Well, not posted anything in a while, so I figured I may as well do seeing as it's been a pretty busy weekend.
Had the FLM, which seemed to go alright. I spent alot of the time writing up comedy minutes with Jen, Jo, and Si from the Vipers. Had such a laugh reading them back when we'd all got to Al's house.
Hoppy was funny, he was such a keener and was bouncing around to get to the meeting as soon as possible, and when he came out with the 'Bored now' line I couldn't help but smile inside. FLM's can be so dull, but they're done for a reason, and some fairly important stuff was sorted out. We've decided that the whole world is going to turn into a badger, a mole, and a toad, and that it's going to be a 'Wind in the Willows' game from now on. How cool would that be!
Spent Saturday night drinking with the Vipers NPC's and plot team, and the Armourers Guild NPC's. Drank lots of red wine, and then slept it off. All in all, a good weekend. Shame the meeting got in the bloody way, but I had an awesome weekend, and laughed loads.
Jo, aka Stesha has bought the best fan in the world. Little portable thing with a spray bottle attached! So you squeeze the trigger, water sprays out, and the fan blows it onto your face. Jo was very popular at the FLM, as it was like an oven in there! She got water on my pad though, which was added to the minutes. Still, my face was cool for a good 10 minutes of the whole meeting, so mustn't grumble.
Have spent tonight writing plot for our Winter event. It seems to be going really well, and I'm actually looking forward to it more than I have any other Jackals event, moreso than the Gathering in fact. I love running events, as you get such a buzz from it all, knowing that you are responsible, and solely responsible for 60 - 120 players enjoyment. The last time we ran an event in Candleston it went phenominally well, considering it was our first event. Seems so long ago now... nearly three years. Oh my god! Event is being held at Candleston, between the 6th and the 8th of October. It's going to be fantastic, so please please come and play. Also, monsters. We need monsters. It's going to be a biggy, so the more monsters we have the better. It's an early plug I know, but it's there anyway. Event flyers are now available.
Onto non LARP related things now...
Works going really well, have settled in amazingly well and am started to show my worth after waiting for a couple of days to get important thing sorted out. I have internet access! Woot! :) Am really enjoying being o the different side of I.T. I've been on the technical side for absolutely ages now, over five years, and to be in something more managerially based is nice to be. it means I'm actually building some kind of career (shudder!) Superb!
Still running my AD&D campaign. It's going really well, even though I'm not actually writing plot for it anymore, but letting the party meander around the general area doing stuff. I've managed to link all the plot together, and seem to have got to a point where there are lots of ways for the party to complete the tasks set for them. Should be an interesting few weeks for them. And me come to think of it.
Shit, Big G in less than four weeks. I'm cacking my pants. All the plots written, and everything's going pretty smoothly. Yay!
Anyway, enough from me. Bed time!
Jul. 31st, 2006 @ 10:38 pm
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My My PersonalDNA test result
Fairly accurate actually. http://www.personaldna.com
Can't sleep, and it's not down to the heat as I generally don't have that problem. Bah, b'reet!
Jul. 19th, 2006 @ 01:17 am
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| » New job tomorrow.... |
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Yep, start my new job tomorrow, working for Capital One, where I'm going to be sorting out a load of stuff with regards to their migration of all of their systems. Can't wait to start actually, though a tad nervous to say the least. One of the good things is that I'm not going to have to wear anything suit like, just smart stuff. Winner is we can wear shorts too! Huzzaaaah!
Have heard alot of people grumbling about the heat. I'm actually loving it. Usually people tend to get really tired and find they don't wanna do anything, but I find it has the opposite effect on me. Maybe I'm not human. Perhaps I'm actually some kind of crocodile that just basks in the sun and waits until it's hot enough to then spring into action.
My tea drinking seems to have risen again. I went through a little spout (geddit?) of not drinking too much, but I'm back onto my normal 8 or 9 pints of the stuff a day. I think I had a bad one at Starbucks a few days ago which put me off it a bit.
Why is tea worse when you go to restaurants or cafes? It's just not the same. I also find that when people make my tea, it's not quite how I like it. I always find, prior to accepting a cuppa, that I really want to suggest that I make it, because clearly I'm a tea god or something, which I'm not.
Whilst I'm on the tea thing, what is it with people putting milk in with the tea bag? I'v always found it peculiar :)
Enough rambling on about tea, even if it is the beverage of champions. I think this job thing has gone to my head, as it's certainly not the heat.
Jul. 18th, 2006 @ 07:07 pm
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Have had an awesome few days.
Ran an AD&D session the other day, which went as well as could be expected. Killed a character, which was a bit poo, but ho hum it happens.
Played poker round a friends on Friday night for a few quid. Really good night had by everyone. Some fantastic poker was played, and I ended up coming second, so came out a couple of quid on top, which isn't bad really. Played there twice now, and have come second both times, which I guess means I'm not doing too badly.
Saturday, played AD&D in Matt's dungeon campaign. Had some awesome roleplaying areas, and I got to thwack things lots, and I didn't die. Sweet!
Yesterday, played D20 Urban Arcana, DPC'ing a character for a friend. Was a very successful game as far as I was concerned, as I did what I had to do, however I can't help but think that there wasn't that much for the rest of the party, as the item my character was supposed to steal had it put straight into his hand. Kind of guilty that I had such a good time, when others may not have done.
And finally, had an interview today for a pretty cool job as a manager for a team of IT geeks with a roll-out project for Capital One (The bastards who steal people's money with credit cards), and got it! So chuffed! Had alot of help from Jason, who'd heard about the job, and kind of suggested that I should be considered. Fact of the matter is I went, they considered and thought I was good enough. Fantastic!
Jul. 17th, 2006 @ 03:28 pm
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| » Not evil enough..... |
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| You Are 84% Evil | 
You're the most evil person you know.
The devil is even a little scared of you! |
I'm disappointed. 84%. Bah!
Jul. 12th, 2006 @ 04:29 pm
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Pretty happy today. I actually feel like I've achieved a few things. Have now got three virtual definite contracts that I can choose between, one of which is paying London rates, but means I get to work at home. How awesome would that be?!
I've realised that I need to get rid of my Shitroen Xantia as well, as the car I got as a days work is far superior to the French piece of crap I've been using for the last six months, and it's cheaper to run, insure and tax. Winner!
Have finished all the plot writing I need to do for the Gathering as well. It's looking like it's going to be one crazy event, even though it's still six weeks away. I'm actually really looking forward to the whole thing, yet also kind of apprehensive as to what's going to happen, what with the Cataclysm and the like. Still, we'll see what happens eh?
Watched Catherine Tate for the first time yesterday, and just howled at the old lady. I was in pieces. My great nan, not with us anymore, was just like her, only with a broad scouse accent. Made me smile alot last night remembering just how she used to to be so two faced with people. So funny.
All in all so far it's been a good day. Now fingers crossed it'll stay that way.
Jul. 11th, 2006 @ 03:08 pm
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| » La la la and all that gash.... |
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Well, first journal entry, and it's going to be about the last couple of events. Pretty much, Moot 1 was poor, and Moot 2 was alright.
I've been an NPC for 2 years now, and the last two events have been the least satisfying by far, the first moreso. Alot of things happened which seem to point to stuff I could have handled better, and in fairness I probably could have done. I will say however, that I'm not unhappy with the decision that was made, as it was players that made them for me. Ultimately, it's not my faction, it's not Alex's either really, it's the players. We're just in charge of making sure the players have a good time.
This brings me to another point. I think I've finally worked out, that there isn't a chance at being a perfect NPC, there just isn't. I know I have my flaws, and I know that I'll never be able to please everyone in the field. I know that certain people consider me to be an inferior command member, and to be perfectly honest it really doesn't bother me. I know, that I'm never going to make everyone happy, because perhaps they really don't want it to be me that makes them so. So I've come to the decision, that I'm a piss poor NPC, yet I'm an awesome NPC at the same time. I think it's just down to who's holding the judgement stick really.
Al and I seem to be getting along better now that we've had a good chat about where we're going, and how we're going to get there. We worked together on the Dragons Plot over Moot 2, and I think we showed each other just why we're good when we bounce off each other. The Dragons Plot was fantastic, from Friday to Sunday and what we proved is that when we put our minds to it, we can turn a relatively repetitive plot line into something, that's actually pretty damn good.
Played some poker IC at Moot 2, and enjoyed it more than ever as alot of players were coming in for little 'words' which was fantastic. Highlight of my weekend really.
Jul. 5th, 2006 @ 01:22 pm
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leewe's journal