An unrated veteran foil fencer. A closet epeeist, a sabreurre wannabe-- I can't really help myself; I love the sport! I expect the best from fencers, am disillusioned at the politics in fencing and of fencers behaving badly.
So I got wind of a sabre clinic coming up in my area early next month. After my first lesson with sabre last year I vowed never to try it again, and yet, my interest is piqued. Wouldn't it be cool to learn a new weapon? I have a self-imposed exile from the strip until unemployment is no longer a problem, but this is very, uh...tempting.
I just finished reading the draft of the USFA by-laws. I was cowed, I think, by the tone of the document, and the apparent power wielded by the President. Right up there with the Olympic Committee! It seemed to me that qualifications of the President of the USFA are more stringent than those of the President of the USA. And, there are no vice presidents to speak of, or, if there are, they're appointed by the President and dismissed by such at will. Of course, there's a board of directors, a
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Being a new member of a division is not easy. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but underestimated the human spirit, or rather, mean-spirited humans. I am furious with the behavior of people who make accusations, jump to conclusions,snipe and point fingers at one another. I thought this was a "gentleman's sport"!
We are all aware of the mess that has befallen the USFA and the effort of the staff and many others to raise it to credibility again. Did it ever occur to you tha
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We had a 5 hour division meeting yesterday. Inspite of the long intervals of angst I think we've emerged into a divison that acknowledges past transgressions and looks forward to starting afresh. I think one of the goals we accomplished was to realize we had some 130 registered fencers in the state and the division exists to encourage and support them all. While we are not a large nor rich division we are in the black, which is more than some can say!
Ok, so we have a division meeting in less than 3 hours, and my guts are churning in dismay. I have in front of me, the "agenda" and minutes from the last meeting.
The agenda is a canned outline with nothing on it- no specific topics, no description of old or new business. The minutes are rather odd, as well. There was a given time sequence of each topic covered, but results of discussions are incomplete. Also, I'm finding that the officers on the website are different from the officers e
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As much as I love fencing, it is one thing I will have to set aside now that our financial crunch has arrived. How do you go about telling people you've lost a job?
Ok, it's not me, but might as well be. Who would believe a whole power plant would close down?
Feelings of embarrassment, mortification are only heightened when the telemarketers call, soliciting funds for the wounded, orphaned, fire-fighting veterans-- and I have to say no.
There's a tournament I signed up for Before. I'll k
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We had our first wedding this past weekend. My oldest daughter married her longtime sweetheart. Despite all the angst and worries and private misgivings, the day was perfect.
The outdoor wedding was at a picturesque farm. The reception was in one of those billowy white tents, complete with an awesome sit down dinner for 200, open bar, great cake, preceded by cocktails and hors d' vueres. The idea was not to have guests be at a loss for something to do between the ceremony and reception, an
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A couple weeks ago our coach gave us a heads up on a new fencing supply that had shoes, real cheap. The name of the company is Balestra- it is not the Ballestra Shoe by Nike. $39.99 plus S&H.
My first experience with fencing shoes was less than enchanting; they're too narrow and so flat, with little support. I wore some faux-fencing shoes by Keen that I liked. Unfortunately they wore out and the style was discontinued. I've been wearing plain old tennis shoes for the last 8 months, and
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Last night Sid and I were bouting, and I happened to hit my opponent on the sleeve milli-moments before he landed his attack. Of course the light was yellow. And then it hit me: is it legal, or ethical, or just a matter of personal style for a foilist to hit off target in countertime to negate a valid touch from the opponent?
We actually stopped on the strip and discussed this and some remarks were, like, "Why hit off target, why not just hit on target and score?" and "Is that legal?" "Ho
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This has been bugging me for a little while, but last night it just got to me. We have group practice, twice a week, but I go only once a week. We do an hour of footwork, then some bladework then practice bouts. It's pretty straightforward, to my way of thinking. Lately we have been substituting badminton volleys for some of the footwork, which I find delightfully refreshing. We learn new "moves" and practice with a partner, which gives the appearance of the coach actively interacting wit
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11-07-2009 06:41 PM 
