Yeah, there were times where I just showed up to fence. Paige has a great heart and loves fencing, but he's wrong about so many things. My fleche is pathetic. So simple, and yet I just can't seem to get everything flowing. My club does so many lunge drills there are times my legs go numb. Lunge crossover lunge? Like a redouble? Good for you in earning a letter! I've only done one tournament so far so I wasn't expecting to letter. We'll see. I'm going to be discussing my fencing future with my coach pretty soon to see just how far he thinks I can go. My schedule is crazy and I'm trying to decide if all the time I'm spending on fencing is really worth it.

Sorry to ramble...I'm Rachel Hughes. To be honest, I kind of miss EWU. It's good to get updates about the state of fencing. Oh, is Gary still the vice-president?

So in response to your last post...

I don't think that i'm going to have time to take the class for credit this quarter but I might have to stop by and try to lessen the damage caused by Paige and possibly recruit some new blood to the club. I haven't even started working to improve my fleche yet. I'm still trying to work on a lunge that actually works. Possibly a lunge crossover lunge combo. I just earned my E08 in foil last weekend so now I really need to step my game up so I dont look like a fool. I know what you mean about the MTFC tourney, I have one this weekend and then two next weekend but I love everyone at MTFC and they would be heartbroken if I didn't show.

By the way, I don't think that I ever got your name. I'm so rude for not introducing myself. I'm Chris Winslow. Glad that I have someone to complain to about the sorry state of things at EWU.

Roz graduated, so I don't think you'll be fencing her anytime soon... She is, however, coming up to visit me before she leaves for grad. school and I'm hoping she'll bring her saber so we can have some fun...

Yes, Salle Auriol is crazy expensive. Which is another reason why I'm not going there regularly. However, my saber coach says I can go there anytime... It is an amazing place with some very good fencers (although I must say my clubs epee team beat theirs at Nationals...). Yes, atmosphere is good. The folks at Salle Auriol were pretty nice. Of course, I was too terrified to really take notice at the time.

Heh heh. Yes, saber can leave some pretty good marks. I definitely remember the EWU days when I did not wear a jacket during saber...I think that's why I have good parries... But now I just see each bruise or welt as a personal failing so each week my goal is to have less and less, if any at all. But a few little marks are okay, as long as your opponent has more...

You're right, if Roz remembers me I must have done something right! She's so quick but I think next time we meet i'll be more prepared.

I heard Salle Auriol is crazy expensive and there are a lot of really high rated fencers there. Sounds like it would be a hard place to get your foot in the door as far as meeting people and all that. I recently started going to MTFC more frequently as in 5 out of 7 days of the week. It's tiring but well worth it I think. It really helps that its so laid back. When your not fencing you can just sit around and BS. Really good atmosphere.

Yeah, i've done a little bit of saber but I don't want to pick it up until I can get some formal lessons. I hate going home after a few hours at the club and looking like I just got into a fight with a weedeater. It's something that interests me though so i'm sure i'll get lessons sooner or later.

I was talking with Roz yesterday and she remembers you. Said you caught on pretty quickly and were pretty good... Coming from Roz, you must be okay...

I fence with the Washington Fencing Academy. I've been to Salle Auriol, and my saber coach is trying to get me go there regularly, but that place is terrifying! To me, anyway. But I'm easily intimidated when it comes to fencing...

My last quarter at EWU the club went to the Lilac Open at Spokane Fencers, Unlimited....I...I don't want to talk about it... Okay, basically I went in totally unprepared (didn't really know the rules of right of way, etc.) and while I wasn't completely last, I was pretty close. It was very traumatic. So it will be a while yet before I do it again. But both my coaches are wanting me to compete....we'll see.

Fast, huh? Epee may not seem fast, but it has more of a calculated speed element. Have you tried saber...?

I went to Evergreen State my freshman year so i'm even more behind than most ED majors. It's okay since i'm not really on a timetable.

I'm still pretty quick so that's why I prefer the foil but i'm sure i'll switch over to epee when I get older, haha. Whats the name of your club?

Yeah I entered my first tourney earlier this summer. It was just a small novice foil tournament that my club hosted. I think we had ten people enter and I placed third which was pretty cool. In my semifinal bout I lost 14-15 which was a heart breaker since it would have put me in the gold medal bout. It was fun though. Have you competed yet?

Ah yes, the 'super' senior. It seems to be the norm with the Education majors. One of my other former roommates is doing her student teaching right now.

Yes, when I came over here after graduation and started taking lessons, I originally was doing foil... However, after half my first lesson, my coach stopped me and asked if I was interested in epee. Basically, foil is not my thing. Granted, epee is his primary weapon so there is a little bias, but foil was not working for me... So epee and saber it is.

Have you been to a competition yet?

I'll be a 5th year senior in the Fall. I'm in the education dept. so it takes a little bit longer.

Well it's a good thing that I fence foil huh, lol. The club is pretty a pretty good size, lots of epee fencers. If I'm not careful I have a feeling that I may be converted haha.

What year are you?

Careful...I fence extended french with my epee... Good that you've found a place to fence over here. I don't know much about that club, but then it is a little south for me.

Hey thanks for the message! I got started in the class this past spring and also joined the club. It's really quite funny how the two factions don't like each other all that much. Yeah I know Roz and yes Jessica is still the president. I look at it like this, I go to the club to learn technique and then practice it on the fencers in the class. This summer i'm training at MTFC in Tacoma. There really good about telling me whats wrong and also getting me away from the French style.