Fighting Words

Turned up keen for the volunteer training and what do ya know? Ol Rodzer himself was in attendance and "talking it up"along with Orla. Fighting Words is a truly great resource.
Everyone is a winner - kids, teens, volunteers, organisers, staff and creators. A great concept.

Following a typical workshop model, we came up with a story about Benny the busdriver but didn't finish it. (Ingredients: Young people, facilitator. illustrator, typist, big screen, extra volunteers) But I want to go back to Benny. I feel a connection with Benny. I care about Benny. I named him and enough people voted for his name so with a show of hands, my Benny was born! He yearns to be a dancer but would be mortified if anyone found out, especially the lads down at the depot. I imagine what goes on in Benny's head. What he dreams of. Wht he does and where he goes. For example, I already know that everyday at 12.30, like clockwork, he lays his sambos out neatly on his lap and expertly polishes them off mid-route so he can slip off to his daily lunch-time dance class with his best friend belly dancer Babushka. He's usually wiping the crumbs from his handlebar moustache around about the time he passes the church on Gardiner Street. It's belly butterfly time now. Nearly at the studio. He pulls in nearby, flicks the bus number to 'As Seirbhis' and off he trots. But oh. What's this today? Babushka is......

And so it goes......

Fighting Words is based on writer Dave Eggers' 826 Valencia originally in SanFrancisco, now spawned to Brooklyn, Boston, Seattle.