I started drafting this Preface when I was about to complete my book, but I could not get beyond the first paragraph. The reason why I am publishing it now is because I have something to write about to complete it. And it will appear in the second print of the Propless Games® books, if it really gets that far.

My interest and passion for activity games started with my encounter with one person – Karl Rohnke. I first met Karl when I attended his game workshop in 1996 organised by STADA (Singapore Training And Development Association). I saw this man who is full of energy and had such contagious interest to play and have fun. Well, at least I got infected. He was 60 then, but he has the energy of a 16-year old. That workshop helped me to realise the vast potential of games and how much enjoyment and learning games could bring for people. Since then, I have been keeping an eye out for interesting ideas for games, or how to make it fun.

Of course, Karl would not know who I was back then. Afterall, I was just a participant out of his many, many workshops that he conducted. The second time I met Karl was in July 2008. I heard about a workshop that he organises annually with his good friend, Adrian Kissler (another 60-year old man who plays like he is 16) call the Centurion. At the workshop, I got to meet Karl on a more personal basis, and it felt so good to finally meet the man who helped ignite my passion. There was so much so joy, laughter and creative energy at the workshop (actually, we were having so much fun, I felt guilty calling it a ‘work’shop). Through Karl and Adrian, I learned a whole new philosophy behind the concepts of ‘fun’ and ‘play’, and the power in games to bring about greater happiness to the world. Well, it has been 12 years and I must admit, Karl has aged somewhat. Now, he acts like he is 17.

So here’s to you, Karl!