Operation Spartacus: Roadtrip, Dictator's Birthday Party and Gladiatorial Games

This operation is concluded; the photos are now online, and there is also an article on the weekends events by "Tailgunner Joe". A spiffing weekend of fun was had by all.

Amy Wilson © Phil Anderson 2003

Saturday Games: Ludi natalis Dictatrixia (Games for the Dictatoress's Birthday) are scheduled at Chingford Park, 411 North Road, North East Valley; around 1pm. A list of activities can be found below. Spectators are advised to bring grapes, deck-chairs, umbrellas, beer, binoculars etc. Party: The venue for this is Chingford Park Stables, 411 North Road, North East Valley. The success of Operation Launchpad suggests that this will be quite a party. Furthermore, there will be a slave auction! If you want to be auctioned please send a bio to the Auctioneer's Minion, Jo Cross, by Wednesday 28th May, including: Skills you possess and things you'd be willing to do Skills you don't possess and things you would not be willing to do. Names of anyone you don't want bidding on you (which will not be revealed publicly) Any other information you feel is relevant The auction will commence around 8:30pm Sunday Battle: 1pm in the Upper Gardens in Dunedin. Meet at the Rhododendron Dell carpark off Lovelock Avenue. Wear black or some recognisable uniform, bring foam or paper swords and waterguns. Pool: I have this random idea that it might be fun to visit Moana Pool while we're in Dunedin. Obviously, this doesn't need to be done in an organised fashion, and it may be superceded by events organised by KAOS Otago, but Sunday seems like an obvious time. This is an indoor pool with a hydroslide (likewise indoors, with pipes that loop out over the carpark). Bring togs if you're keen. Ball: Larnach's Castle Winter Ball. This is not a KAOS event, but it happens to be on at the time, and we understand a number of ALFs will be attending. $60 a head, continuous refreshments and an open bar. Called dances by a bush band of some repute and ancient lineage, the Pioneer Pog and Scroggin Bush Band. Fun and little dancing skill required. Dress Victorian. White tie or full stand-up collar. Ties with t-shirts not acceptable. ALFs can help with outfits, depending on build, a soilage fee applies. Please let Captain Layton (ALFs) know before Thursday of the week immediately preceding.

Miche, Dictatrixia © Phil Anderson 2003

Accommodation

Please contact the Dictator of Otago regarding billets. If you want to stay in a backpackers or motel, try this link.

Carpooling

Carpooling from Christchurch is currently being organised. The Canterbury University contact for this is Lieutenant Wilson, and you can also mail the Lieutenant Colonel directly. We'll want to know (where applicable):

• Your name
• Your cellphone number
• Your email address
• Whether you have a drivers licence (and what kind)
• Whether you have a car

The Ringmistress writes:

This is the current list of Games, more may be added on request, or if you have any other good ideas, please let me know. I would also much appreciate a rough estimate of how many people would like to participate in what activities, so if there's anything that you wouldn't miss for the world, please drop me a line.

Three-Legged Teaspoon Race

Everyone knows the good, old tie-your-leg-to-someone-else's-and-hop-around-looking-silly game. But just to be mean, we're making it more difficult. Each team will be given a tablespoon, and a bucket of water. The bucket will be placed in one end of the racecourse, and an empty container in the other. Can you see where this is going? Your team must fill the empty container up to a certain mark, by transporting water from the bucket by means of a tablespoon. The first team to fill up their container, wins.

Gladiatorial Combat

The Gladiatorial Combat will be taking place in the form of duels. Challenges may be placed all through the Games, but please let either the Dictator or the Ringmistress (moi) know, so your duel can be announced and the winner awarded. The following weapons are approved:

• Foam sabers
• Paper knives
• Trident and NetChicken/Slice

(Thank you Carl for the addition of the two latter)

Water Balloon Toss

This is simple. You pair up with someone. You toss water balloons back and forth. Whoever has the balloon explode on them, or fails to catch the balloon so it pops, loses. This can also be done in a circle, where you only toss back and forth with your opponent, making sure you don't catch anyone else's balloon. Extra points awarded if you manage to pop another team's balloon mid-flight, but only if your own balloon doesn't pop in the process.

Toga Competition

In this contest, you are given one minute to properly put on a toga. It is important to do a good job of it, because once the minute is up, another toga-wearer will try to rip it off again. Whoever loses their toga first, is out of the game. Whoever manages to keep their toga on the longest, wins. (You may wear clothes underneath, but it's more fun if you don't) Truly a game of skill, as you need to keep an eye on how your opponent ties his/her toga while you're putting on your own, so you know where to start pulling/untying.

The William Tell Memorial

The aim of this game is to shoot an apple off another player's head, using only a small waterpistol. (Not a BFG, that'd be dangerous, evil and unfair.) You will take turns shooting at each other. The first person to lose their apple, from good shooting or plain cowardice, loses.

Short Circuit Eating Competition

This will rely on our ability to get a hold of Short Circuits. (In case you don't know, they're horribly sour little lollies, no one can eat them with a straight face). This contest will be judged at whim, probably, with prizes for who makes the weirdest face, who can finish their lolly first without chewing, and who seems to appreciate it most.

And of course, other random weirdness is bound to spontaneously occur during the day.

Notes

1. Watch your speed, especially around Oamaru, it's probably safe to assume the cops will be out, and the traffic may be heavy on Friday and Monday.
2. Party soilage fees apply, same as Christchurch.
3. This will be well into winter, and conditions in Dunedin can be expected to be colder and wetter than Christchurch; pack appropriately.
4. Northeners are advised to contact the Lieutenant Colonel and get his cellphone number, to assist in linking up in Dunedin

Further updates will appear on this page as information comes to hand.