Sometimes you rally. Sometimes, despite being tired and grumpy and not at all in the mood to do anything fun, you accidentally do something fun. It’s called Blade of Death, and when you say it, everybody in the room says it too. Like, “Ladies and gentleman, you could be anywhere in the world right now, but you decided to be right here, for everybody’s favorite pre-bedtime game, BLADE…OF…DEATH!!! Before I continue, let me assure you that no humans or stuffed animals are ever harmed in the playing of this game.
At this point, you may be wondering what this has to do with writing or reading. Well, it doesn’t. But it does have to do with creativity and being present, both of which Two Monster Books believes to be important for living a healthy life.
So back to the game. It begins with five stuffed animals being selected—two by Logan, two by Eli, and one by the house (that’s me). Then comes the theatrics; the whole “ladies and gentleman” bit. Next, the stuffies are placed on each of the five blades of the ceiling fan. The show’s host is a bear called Cuddles. He pumps up the crowd a little more and then the spinning begins. All by hand, so that it doesn’t get too fast and end the game too soon. The rules are simple: last one left wins. Sometimes the last two fall at the same time and they both win!
It was then decided that once we had five winners, we would have a sort of Blade of Death Superbowl.
The big night started out with the lights off, some starting line-up pump-up music, and flashlights for effect. Eli’s Porg (Star Wars) became Tony Porgo, who is known for his ability to predict the order in which the contestants fall. He predicted this order:
Falling first: Lil Snorts (a tiny bull Beanie Baby)
Falling second: Loppy (a bunny)
Falling third: Monkey (a monkey)
Falling fourth: Crookshanks (the cat)
Falling last and winning: Sloth (a sloth)
Tony’s first two predictions came true, but next, Crookshanks and Sloth flew off the fan blades at the same time, leaving Monkey the winner. He was congratulated by the other contestants and then interviewed on live TV! The night ended with a special performance by the Piggy Family Sick Beats Band.
Sometimes it’s bedtime and it’s taken everything you have to hold it together all night. Getting the kids to bed is the only thing between you and some adult time and maybe a little bit of sanity. And that’s just fine. But sometimes you rally, your creativity takes hold, and you make up a ridiculous bedtime game and a lot of memories.
