Eclectic Amateur

Just to prove I’m only “mostly dead”, I finally made it out to the Ann Arbor Sword Club tonight.

Wow. What great, good fun!

I tried out English Sword (1575 Rapier). Those things are heavier than I expected — I’m not sure I’m any quicker with this allegedly small sword than with a longsword. I think the weights are almost equal.

Then, on to the Poll Axe!

The poll axe may now be my favorite toy.

Thanks to David Hoonstra for letting me drop in, and to Matt and Joe for a great time of swordplay.

I learned today that, in the unlikely event of the nock failing just right at the point of release, it’s possible for an arrow to travel sideways, bash you in the nose, and then fly off backwards behind you.

Ow.

Fortunately, no real damage done. But it was exciting, and something you don’t see every day.

Two of the advanced students in our co-op‘s Stage Combat class, showing off at the end-of-year performance.

Well. I had a definite “how did I get this old so soon?” moment this week.

At our homeschooling co-op, this semester there is a fencing class. The instructor knows that, back in the day, I did a bit of fencing. So, this week he says to me “Come on, Zach — my equipment’s your size, you can suit up and help give the kids a workout.”

How could I resist?

But, then I made my mistake. I started to make my disclaimer, that I hadn’t actually fenced épée much ever, and beside, I hadn’t actually been in a bout since …

And realized that the correct ending of that sentence was “… since before any of you kids were born.”

Ah, well. As the saying goes, “old age and treachery beat youth and skill every time.” The results? Let’s just say that for these young padawans, “much to learn, you still have.”