Then I spent the weekend watching the fighters at Longpoint, amazing guys like Mr. Montante, otherJake, Stripeysocks, the Wizard Tim and so many more, and the pessimist in me thought first, "Man, I have such a long way to go. I'm never going to get to that level." Then more thinking. "Look how far I've come though! Maybe I could," because I actually am an optimist like that. But then realist me added in, "Ya, but you're not willing to put in that much work." Which is very entirely true. All valid thoughts, all correct too, which got me to thinking about perspectives. What are we in HEMA for anyway? The truth, for me anyway, is that swords saved me. But that's a story for another time. Some folks are in it for the competition, to be the best with whatever it takes. Some are in it to prove something- to themselves, their parents, their goldfish Cleo... Some do it for the history, some for the research, some because it makes them feel cool. Some, just because... well, swords. Personally, I'm in it for the fun. Or I was, until I lost it. Thanks to two recent events, I think I found it again. It's all in how you look at it.
Perspective Shift #1- Heat Tempered at VARF
Back in late May, we went down to the Virginia Renaissance Faire to visit Harnessfechten and his armored cronies (the Blue & Green Knights especially) from the Order of the Marshall. I loved and admired them before, but gained SOOO much respect for those guys that weekend. Listening to the stories about previous events, wishing mightily that I hadn't missed out on Harness's alligator death roll the previous week, we cowered in the shade of the tent, waiting for their next show. It was the hottest day of the year (at that point), over 95 degrees, and they were out there for three performances a day, in full armor, with no shade, a couple times a week. Rain, mud, blistering heat, showers of toads, whatever, and they were out there educating the masses and being all historical, fighting with polearms and swords... It was amazing. And they did it all for free! All donations they received went to the Make a Wish Foundation. So we watched them out there sweating and steaming in their lovely tin cans for two shows in the miserable, humid, mid-Atlantic heat. Just breathing made you sweat. All that heat really takes it out of you though, which is why I got the opportunity to try a taste of it. There seemed a general lack of
I borrowed a gambeson and managed to squash everything down and inside (think overbust corset), fluffing out my dress at the bottom because, you know, style. We grabbed the gloves, mask, swords, and the other guys and made our way up to the fight area. Even cheesy ren faire garb like I had is built of varying layers of hot, heat, and hellfire, and all that beneath the BLACK gambeson made the walk dreadfully toasty. The Blue Knight began the history spiel while the rest of us slowly roasted in the sun. Actually, I love getting the history along with the fighting- that's one thing we don't seem to focus on much- what was going on in the world while our fencing forefathers were jotting down cryptic notes. Anyway, after the historical bits, we were able to do a little sparring for the crowd, in which I learned many things that I did not properly appreciate before:
1. Fighting outside in non-climate controlled surroundings is a whole different animal.
2. Black kit is stupid for fights in sunlight. Or when it's hot. Or over dresses. Or in humidity. Or....
3. Fighting in a dress is weird... but I could totally get used to it. Might have to look into that.
4. Shoes make a difference. We practice fighting barefoot in the dojo. Wear tennis shoes for tourneys. Soft-soled cloth maryjanes for fighting? Not bright.
5. You don't worry much about horse poo when someone's coming at you with a sword.
6. The folks who do this stuff on a regular basis are amazing! A little nutty, but amazing.
Martin the Warrior had agreed to play with me. He was a fun sparring partner, and very generously went easy on me. By the end though, even after just half an hour or however the heck long the show was, I definitely had a better appreciation for what battling in reality might have been like- and I didn't even have my own can to roast in. I do not like it in the heat, I do not like to cook like meat. I do not want to fight out there, I'd rather fight about anywhere (else). The wonderful Knights even gave us honorary Order of the Marshal patches after. I'm going to sport mine like an "I survived" kind of badge. The experience did make me want to find someone to invent a cooling system for armored suits though. Maybe a little internal fan/mist system just below the visor, or that cool gel stuff in an arming cap or something. Oh! Maybe add a trap door in back like those suits of long underwear!
Perspective #2: Pressure Tested at Longpoint
I missed registration for Longpoint this year. It opened up while I was at school, and the county where I work, in its wisdom, blocks all mentions of 'swords' or 'weapons' of any kind with our awesome internet filters. By the time I got home, registration had filled up. No worries, I figured I'd volunteer instead. Then I could still go at least. I ended up being assigned as a judge on Team 2. The best team. Seriously.
The team setup was terrific. From the very beginning, we knew who we reported to, where to go, and what we were responsible for. It was awesome. We've practiced judging before in class, and I'd done it at FNY and Shortpoint. I actually really like judging, and don't completely suck at it either (though I'm sure there are a few fighters who would disagree). The staff tournament was a great way to practice the judging and to figure out how everything was going to work. Kudos to the Bosslady for working that system out and putting it into practice!
Showtime. Remember when you were a kid, and there was that one kid who was stuck inside all summer with a broken leg while all the other kids were outside playing? That was me when the pools opened Friday morning. Watching forlornly while the first fighters geared up (conveniently forgetting that I hate gearing up, and hate that I always seem to be in the first round of fighters). Helping zip up the jacket for a fighter without a coach, wishing it was me being zipped (despite the fact that I despise my gambeson). Watching from the sidelines as the first few bouts progressed, half wishing I was in the ring myself (completely ignoring the memory of the nausea that swamps me when I enter the ring).
But... when the first fighter went down with a blown knee, then I remembered the good stuff. I had baked sword cookies earlier without having to do it to calm myself down. I wasn't risking injuries this time (intentionally, anyway... nearly got flattened twice by a flying monkey. Baboon. Whichever.) I didn't have that queasy I'm going to puke in my mask feeling. I wasn't nervous or freaking out about competing, or worried about disappointing anyone. I was there, with all my sword pals, surrounded by potential new sword friends, participating without anyone hitting me at all. I was a judge, part of the action, with a front row seat and license to feed everyone cookies after. No bruises! No sweating! No apologies! It was awesome. Perspective!
But of course, everyone hates the judges. I kinda think every fighter ought to be required to judge at least once each competition, just so he can be reminded about how tricky calling shots can be. I know I've complained about judges before (only very sweetly, of course!), and I'm sure plenty complained about us. I know I ticked off one poor guy, as he ended up literally hopping mad, but I swear I truly saw that hit land flat. I was a little freaked at his reaction, but the Swedish Wrestler, our marshall, agreed, so that helped ease my worry and restore confidence a bit. I felt awful anyway. Overall though, with all the switching and rotating, the combining of different judges and angles, the team leadership that was present at this Longpoint, I think it had to be the best judged event I've attended yet. It's interesting attending an event with no intention of competing. The stress was completely absent. I got to concentrate on just watching the fights, calling shots to myself in all the bouts, observing and hopefully picking up on techniques I can use next time I do decide to join in.
After my judging term was up, I slipped into the Webmaster's class on designing club websites. Most useful class ever! I've taken web design classes before, but it's been ages, and a whole lot has changed since then. I took pages and pages of notes, sketched out layouts and ideas... and left it all in the Professor's car. Look for the new Body & Blade/Fenris KdF webage, coming soon! Well, soon-ish. Might be next week. At least before school starts back up. Maybe. Anyway, it seems a bit weird, but I think Longpoint may have been my most relaxing vacation this summer.
Best of all, I think I found that spark I needed to get back into my sword studies more wholeheartedly. Sometimes, we just need to look at things from a different perspective... even if it's a weird one.
