SCA @ UVa

I can't remember the last time I spent a solid weekend working on one project or another. Didn't even get a nap. Lots of painting various quest props, building a new shield and helping some of the UVa students get more of their armor fixed or cut out. My hands are tired.

The big surprise came when helping Jonathan pattern his vambrace. Jonathan is 6'3"/165 lbs–almost exactly the same height and weight I was when I started fighting, though he's 5 years younger than I was the first time I got in armor. So he has the physical potential to become quite the monster. (When I was 20, I weighed about 145 lbs.)  Astonishingly, when he tried on my vambrace pattern, it was too short for him. Though he's 6'3" like I am, his forearms are a full inch longer than mine.

Wow.

His upper arm looks to be shorter than mine, so total reach is probably about the same. We'll see how this ends up affecting his blow development. I'm going to imagine him like Earl Daffydd, if Daffyd had legs proportioned like a normal human.

Hmm. Just occurred to me that Jonathan was actually born about the same time I started fighting. If his birthday is in October, that would be really freaky.

All in all a very productive weekend. I think the monthly get-together had over 30 people at the house.

Sunday was yet another 4th Sunday of the month.

These events are hosted by Sir Corby and Theora (spelled right?) Anyhow we had a bunch of people from the SCA get together for food, thrown weapons, archery practice, and of course project continuation. These Sundays are a great way to meet people and have a bunch of great people help you with some of your more complicated projects!

I was quite busy this Sunday! I learned for the first time how to use a Bow and Arrow (Courtesy of John, Charles (not me), and Buba). I have the bruises to prove it! I also had a chance to use Buba's Crossbow. That was a blast. had so much fun I forgot to eat... ME! not eating! oh well. I then got some great help to finish some pants that I am making, and finished in the evening by cutting out a large part of leather to make some protective leg gear.

All in all: a busy yet awesome day ^^.

EDIT: spelling.

I'm trying to do more exercise and may re-join the UVa gym.

Good article here about what kinds of exercises to avoid.

Most interesting: Sit ups are bad for you and inefficient ways to build ab muscle. Do bike crunches instead!

On Wednesday I did 3 of the 4 dances of the apocalypse with Pappa (Landi). We did SCA Road to the Isles, Hole in the wall, and Female Saylor (Thanks to David for calling that one). These are all fun but they are either non-documentable (SCA Road to the Isles is an SCA creation) or way out of period. Just for reference Korobushka is the 4th. Though, I did get an email from Pappa yesterday and he said that Female Saylor isn't actually a dance of the apocalypse but rather "Strip the Willow" is. Given that he can't recall Isenfir ever doing that one, I think we'll stick with Female Saylor being the 4th for local tradition.

On a more personal note, I feel like I'm getting better at calling and teaching dances. If needed I can certainly be dance mistress for the evening but I know I still have room to improve. For instance, I had a bit of a difficulty teaching and calling "Picking of Sticks". Though I am getting to the point where I can teach more than half the dances without referring to the notes. Next step... memorize the rest of the book and learn more of the history for the dances. :)

Last night's practice at the Dells had nineteen people at it. Nineteen! Twelve of them were students or somehow associated with the University. Five students armored up and I couldn't track the number of students fighting rapier.

That's extraordinary. We've come a long way since Philip and I started wandering from spot to spot around Grounds, trying to figure out where to practice and how to interest students.

I feel really good about the mix of skills and interests among our students too. Everyone seems enthused but not so into it that they'll end up flunking out. (I've seen that happen before.) Even more important than the number of people putting out effort to get in gear, I see that all these first and second year students are coming together as a social circle and mutual support, which is a positive feedback loop that helps everyone keep going because of the mutual support.

So, who works out on Grounds?

I'm sure Timm does, because he want Infantry and "you have to have really good PT scores."

Charles & Jonathan talked about starting. Are you keeping up? Anyone else?

I'm curious because I'm considering rejoining the UVa gym and it is easier to stay motivated with a work-out buddy or 3. Of course, that's assuming that any of you young whippersnappers would want to work out with an old guy like me.

So Thursday looks like partly cloudy with highs of 72 and lows of 45... Dells it is?