Thursday, March 04, 2004
You ride the short post!
Yeah, just got back from fencing, and it's almost bedtime. I'm surprised at how much I'm liking swordplay though. For one, fencing with a rapier is just plain cool, and for another, it's a much different learning curve than Taekwon-do. There's no structured skill level system, no regimented class style, and I don't have the same sense that I don't know enough. In Taekwon-do, I always have the sense that there's always something more to know - new techniques, patterns, etc. Fencing with the SCA however, because it's so informal, after a few weeks, I feel that I know how to handle a sword. There isn't any more advanced skills to learn, so much as I just need to learn how to do what I'm doing now better. Sure, there's a lot (a LOT) of different styles I could pick up, but right now I'm not looking to fight a particular way. I just do what works for me, same as I did for Taekwon-do, and that seems to be what most of the SCAdians do as well. In martial arts, everyone does things their own way, but it's still more or less the same thing. Fencing, you have everything from the "stand straight upright with your sword pointing at your feet" style, to the "move in very circular, liquid motions" style, to the "twist everything around and generally do things in spirals" style. It runs the gamut, particularily if you want to stay in period and actually do authentic 16th century styles.
I'm holding off on getting my own equipment for now, since I want to see what things are like back home, but it's definitely something I'd like to do more of.
Kickin' it
So the Grey Album went gold. Hats off to Downhillbattle.org for putting together such a successful protest. I think the record companies actually might have taken notice on that one. I'm sure they'll still act all crazy and irrationally about things, but it's a start.
Here's an interesting take on one of the more controversial topics lately. I'm sure it's bound to offend some, but I find it entertaining.
I'm sure there was something I was going to point out and comment on on this page, but damned if I can remember what. Anyways, some of these are better than others, but they're all really strange.
Right then. Make lunch, then bed. Stupid work (grumble grumble grumble). ¶ 9:23 p.m.
Yeah, just got back from fencing, and it's almost bedtime. I'm surprised at how much I'm liking swordplay though. For one, fencing with a rapier is just plain cool, and for another, it's a much different learning curve than Taekwon-do. There's no structured skill level system, no regimented class style, and I don't have the same sense that I don't know enough. In Taekwon-do, I always have the sense that there's always something more to know - new techniques, patterns, etc. Fencing with the SCA however, because it's so informal, after a few weeks, I feel that I know how to handle a sword. There isn't any more advanced skills to learn, so much as I just need to learn how to do what I'm doing now better. Sure, there's a lot (a LOT) of different styles I could pick up, but right now I'm not looking to fight a particular way. I just do what works for me, same as I did for Taekwon-do, and that seems to be what most of the SCAdians do as well. In martial arts, everyone does things their own way, but it's still more or less the same thing. Fencing, you have everything from the "stand straight upright with your sword pointing at your feet" style, to the "move in very circular, liquid motions" style, to the "twist everything around and generally do things in spirals" style. It runs the gamut, particularily if you want to stay in period and actually do authentic 16th century styles.
I'm holding off on getting my own equipment for now, since I want to see what things are like back home, but it's definitely something I'd like to do more of.
Kickin' it
So the Grey Album went gold. Hats off to Downhillbattle.org for putting together such a successful protest. I think the record companies actually might have taken notice on that one. I'm sure they'll still act all crazy and irrationally about things, but it's a start.
Here's an interesting take on one of the more controversial topics lately. I'm sure it's bound to offend some, but I find it entertaining.
I'm sure there was something I was going to point out and comment on on this page, but damned if I can remember what. Anyways, some of these are better than others, but they're all really strange.
Right then. Make lunch, then bed. Stupid work (grumble grumble grumble). ¶ 9:23 p.m.
