Arrrrg! Why is there nay pirate speak, ye saucy wench?

Before we go any further, I would like to state for the record that I am a saucy wench. I love pirate speak. But I’d like to tell you a story. It has a little to do with piracy, and a little to do with literacy. What’s the connection? No, I’m not going to go attacking ships on Lake Simcoe and stealing their reading materials. I’m not flying a Jolly Roger with the words “Read More” as I sail around Kempenfelt Bay (although that could be a fun publicity stunt). The... 

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The 5 Minute Chocolate Cake in a Mug!

Five Minute Chocolate Cake In A Mug Okay, I saw this and I just HAD to share. All you hosts on the run out there are going to DIE when you try this. Why? Because: - it’s cake - it’s chocolate - it’s made in a mug - it’s ready in 5 minutes - it’s no BS. Why not try it for your next party? It’s become this viral phenomenon, and now all hostesses in the know are talking about this cake-miracle. DO IT! You know you want to. Then, times the mugs by your number of guests... 

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What are you doing for Earth Hour?

Next weekend is Earth Hour (March 27th between 8:30-9:30 pm), and I hope you participate in this amazing chance for the world to unite and let their voices be heard. If you don’t know what Earth Hour is, it’s a WWF-organized event that spans the globe. For one full hour, participants from all over turn off their lights to impact our earth in the most incredible way. We at Shot In The Dark Mysteries LOVE Earth Hour. We have participated since the very start. We’re awfully green over... 

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Don't worry, you won't break the game!

I facilitated a game here in Toronto this weekend – a custom game written from scratch for an old friend of my husband. Before the game started, as I was briefing the suspects, I assured them that there was no way they could “break” the game, so long as they avoided the 2 unforgiveable sins in murder mystery games: Don’t make up random information if it’s not on their sheet, and if asked directly about their “hide” information, they can not lie. Little did... 

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4 Elements of a Fabulous Party

I am often asked what makes a great party great and a horrible party – well, a “Hindenburg”. People tend to ask me this with the expectation of one simple, brilliant answer that will guarantee party success. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as cutting the crusts off your little sandwiches to ensure everyone has fun, but there are four very distinct elements each great party – elements the bombs have lacked. While defining these oh-so-important elements of a fabulous... 

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Video: The Crisis Companion

Shot In The Dark Mysteries’ Mystery Maiden, Leigh Clements, explains what a crisis companion is and why you need one when planning a party, or hosting a murder mystery party. swfobject.embedSWF("http://www.youtube.com/v/evESyOG_D4U&rel=0&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0", "vvq-1070-youtube-1", "425", "344", "10", vvqexpressinstall, vvqflashvars, vvqparams, vvqattributes);  Read More →

Video: When Good Guests Go Bad part 6: The Destructo-Guest

You can read the rest of this series at the following links: Part 1: The No-Show Guest Article Part 1: The No-Show Guest Video Part 2: The Surprise-Show Article Part 2: The Surprise-Show Video Part 3: The Lush Article Part 3: The Lush Video Part 4: The Never-Ending Guest Article Part 4: The Never-Ending Guest Video Part 5: The Can’t-Be-Wrong Article Part 5: The Can’t-Be-Wrong Video Part 6: The Destructo-Guest Article swfobject.embedSWF("http://www.youtube.com/v/4M1eFGgyhqA&rel=0&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0",... 

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Video: When Good Guests Go Bad Part 5

Read the rest of this series at the following links: Part 1: The No-Show Guest Article Part 1: The No-Show Guest Video Part 2: The Surprise-Show Article Part 2: The Surprise-Show Video Part 3: The Lush Article Part 3: The Lush Video Part 4: The Never-Ending Guest Article Part 4: The Never-Ending Guest Video Part 5: The Can’t-Be-Wrong Article Part 6: The Destructo-Guest Article Part 6: The Destructo-Guest Video swfobject.embedSWF("http://www.youtube.com/v/L41UFpMevhI&rel=0&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0",... 

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When Good Guests Go Bad part 6: The Destructo-Guest

When Good Guests Go Bad Part 6: The Destructo-Guest This is the final article in our six-part series entitled, “When Good Guests Go Bad”. Today we look at the “Destructo-Guest”. If you’ve never had to deal with a destructo-guest, you’re lucky! The destructo-guest is careless in their everyday life, and brings that carelessness into your home when you entertain. This guest moves around a bit like a hurricane, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. When one... 

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When Good Guests Go Bad part 5: The Can't-Be-Wrong

Welcome to the second-last article in our six-part series on “When Good Guests Go Bad.” Unfortunately, at every gathering there always seems to be one person who has an opinion on everything, and even when they’re wrong they’re right! These are the kind of guests who bring up topics just to argue them, and if there is nothing to argue they will conjur something out of thin air. Not only do they create uncomfortable situations at every turn, they also tend to offend people,... 

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