Shax

I saw Bell Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night with my mother. It was an awkward production, a bit tired after four weeks on tour, involving lots of declarative delivery and spitting (under spotlights against a black backdrop) from everybody, all the time. Antonio seemed to think it was his story and Sebastian was the supporting character; for being a prat and a ninny Malvolio’s comeuppance was psychological torture; and the revelation of Viola’s disguise and the twins’ reunion was stifled by a colonnade of bit parts standing around waiting for cues before upstaging the story with hastily ejaculated lines and some grotesque makeup. Also, the fourth wall was figuratively pierced by one of the actors exclaiming "Shit!" when the fourth wall was literally pierced by a broken sword blade flying into the audience during the duel. The cast carried on splendidly, but it didn’t help the suspension of disbelief which was already strained by glimpses of the backstage through the frosted doors and Orsino’s iPod ("If music be the food of love..."). There were good bits, but if you knew the story you knew they were coming; there were no new good bits. I give it three Shakespearean men failing to recognize a woman they love because she is wearing trousers out of five.

Clix

I was completely thrashed at the final two Heroclix Olympic events thanks to abysmal dice rolling. For example, Judge Dredd rolled snake eyes twice during the close combat event and failed three consecutive breakaway rolls in the foot race. Mega-City One fell from third place to be not even mentioned in the wrap up. But then I bought some booster packs and got a veteran Doctor Fate and a unique Witchblade. Sweet.

Flex

On Monday Doc was unwell with a swollen head and had disappeared before Linda could get him to the vet for x-rays. I had the day off which I spent at home (watching Doctor Who and Sapphire and Steel while gluing together matchsticks and doing my tax) in case an emergency medical evacuation was required. In the evening I went to Dave’s new house to start a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with Alastair, Ian and Emma (who we met on the internet and then at Starbucks on Sunday) joining the erstwhile crew of the Starship Manticore game. Gathering at the Unearthed Ankheg in the port of Ripplesand our disparate characters formed an adventuring party on the strength of a pub brawl. Who would have guessed?

Hex

Yesterday evening I went to a Pagans in the Pub meeting which was fun. Beer helped. Lance and Chris had an argument about free will which Tammy also contributed to. I think they decided there's nothing a pagan can't do if he really doesn't know whether he believes in anything or not.
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