Recapping...

Argh. Trying to apply any semblance of style or artistry to this is increasingly frustrating this morning. Writing used to come easier to me in college, now it's more arduous to pick the right words, or perhaps it's just my overly critical eye that is preventing the free flow of words. Enough. There will be succinct telling of events, and from those minimalist bones, the flesh and blood will grow.

There. See? That wasn't so hard.

Friday night I wrapped up the work week in the company of friends at Mathew's birthday party, the third one I attended since moving up here. Everyone brought a dinner entree or soup, and much delicious dining occurred. I was one of the few people to bring meat to the dinner (curry chicken), there were a huge number of vegan and vegetarian dishes. The ironic part is, my original plan was to bring a Nepalese vegan dish, but I left the instructions for it on my computer at work. Irregardlessly (grammatical in joke), of that, all the chicken was gone by night's end, which is all any chef could ask for. I am again struck by the beauty and good vibrations of my circle of friends. My mood wasn't the best, but I covered it with cider and "post food coma" excuses. We maintain a certain childishness in the face of our advancing years, we are sophisticated and adult at times, and horribly immature at others. The biggest thing that strikes me I think is our ability to laugh. A lot of people lose that as they grow older, and laughter can take years off of you. And this coming from someone who is known for his solemnity and angst. Hah. If you only knew.

Saturday never got off to a good start. I held off going to the game to clean the excrement from my car, and pick up the sty that our house had become a little. Perhaps I grow more Felix like in my old age, but I like a clean house. I like looking over it and feel proud of it when all the debris is picked up. An hour or so later, kitchen and living room mostly presentable, I leave for the game..... (to be continued)

Crisis, catharsis, and poaching people's drinks

The game... the game...

It was probably one of the worst LARP experiences I had, when I was going through it. I started off in a dark mood, disconnected. Then lots of strange things happened, and people came clamoring at me. I waved them off, and had some discussions based on a box of notes I received. There were addressed to various players, and apparently left for me to disseminate. Naturally, I read them. Some I delivered, some I passed on to people in the hopes that they would investigate them (which they did). But after that happened... nothing. I tried to get into character and role play, but nothing was coming. My anxiousness about out of game affairs was covering everything, and by the time dinner break came, I was completely detached. It was a feeling I've had before, but not in a long time: the sound of other people's laughter was painful, it drove me away from them. And when an offer came to join people for dinner, I ran. Not as dramatically as that, but I couldn't bear to be around people, and then wasn't the time to talk about other matters. If I wanted to at all; I was afraid of what I'd say in that state, so rather than say anything, I left. To have one of the crappiest dinners I've had in a long time. Avoid the University grill, kids. It sucks ass.
I hoped that food and caffeine would revive my spirits. It helped to a degree, and I got to stand for someone in an interestingly done scene (which would have gone over better if the people we were impersonation didn't insist on SITTING in!) When I returned to my character, the bleakness returned too. I tried to channel my depression into the character, but all I wanted in the end was to be left alone, to leave. It must have made for an interesting evening for the observers: my normally calm and collect character muttering to himself, flying off the handle, yelling at his staff and advisors. Hopefully it will generate some more story. Finally, someone's comments struck a vein of anger in me, and I lashed out at them (in character). The anger cleared some of the doubt away, but was replaced by frustration. By that point the game was drawing to a close, so I let all of it drain away as I ran out the last few minutes on the clock.
Most of the other players seemed to have a great game, on all levels. There are plots and rivalries brewing, which I'm not aware or haven't seen. Which is good for them I suppose.
On the way home, I decided to take my own advice in situations like this, and began communicating. The talk went on through the ride home, and spilled a little into the post game celebration and unwinding at my house.

Do not be mislead that the game drove me to this situation (besides some disappointing things player decisions that happened). This was a dark karma day from the start, which only began to get better once the source of the problem was addressed.

Sarcy, you call what I poached a drink? I could barely taste any alcohol in it. Next time I'll make you something with a little more kick. Some warm milk, perhaps. *grin*

A day of rest.

There were melt in your mouth pancakes to start the day off, and some cards, and relaxing conversation on the couch. Talks that lasted through the sunset, plunging the living room into shadow. Plunge is too strong a word. More like slowly sinking into shadow the way you'd ease into a hot tub. Except there's no heat.
Let's just say it descended into shadow, and leave it at that.
Some interesting topics were raised, some of which might become future posts.
We drove out to Warren for burritos, and I was struck by the beauty of driving at night. The moon had a halo above the car, the Charles was glassy and reflected the street lamps like light sticks in the water. Very picturesque, and very in line with the song that was play at the time ("Insolence" by Front Line Assembly) The burrito place was closed! But the Thai place near University Grill was open, and had delicious food there. The crab rangoons were very tasty, as was the Thai iced tea. I'll be getting more of that, you can be sure. That restaurant may become the default dinner area during future games...
The final, welcome wrap up to the evening was finish a unit of hand gunners (20 of them!) and finding a missing box of miniatures I was hunting for. Joy!

*cut forward to Monday.

Monday was mostly forgettable up til now. Catching up on writing and mail, doing some work. A little chatting here and there. And soon a rescue mission. But more on that later...