Symposium #8

[fbhjr]

This morning we set off for western MA to go to the 8th annual symposium on sword fighting at the UMass ren center.


We took highway about half and then got off and went back roads. It was a very nice drive.


We got there 3 minutes before it was supposed to start, but still beat most people.


There weren’t as many folks there as usual, and we knew a good percentage of the folks there.


After some breakfast stuff, the two Jeffs kicked off the meeting.


The first presentation was by Michael Chidester.


It was a very interesting talk and he covered a great many historical books, some of which I’ve never even heard of before.


Next was my talk about the bec de corbin.


I did end up using my phone to do the presentation. A joke was made about how one presentation was on an iPad, mine on a iPhone and two on laptops by people who needed to call the 90’s and turn in their old tech.
I’m glad I used the phone.

The other thing my wife and I had debated was if I should include the slide about the move we couldn’t figure out.
I did and it turned out well.

I got a lot of good input on it, as well as some changes to view on the way we were doing it.

Then, we went out and did the practical demo.


After lunch Mark Millman gave his talk.


He called on Jeff to help him some.


It’s good to see them working together again.


The final talk of the day was by Jake Norwood.


It was very interesting to me, but not for beginners. He used all German terms for the wards and strikes and did not go over them, or explain them first.

I’ve been dealing with the terms for 12 years, but usually use the English versions. So, I could keep up, but it took a bit. Folks without that had more trouble.


Then, it was moving out for his practical section.


He did show us his “indoor practice sword”.


It got good reaction from people.


For the demo’s his partner was a woman from a school in Vermont who had never met him before, much less worked or practiced with him.


But, she was from the same extended school, knew all the wards and strikes and was very enthusiastic.


And, her part in the demo was to have him show how the sword master’s moves would work.


I have to admit, I was happy when she put on the fencing mask.



The crowd was very impressed.


Although sunny and clear, it was cool and very windy. There was so much plant sex in the wind that my eyes hurt to the point of bringing tears to them.


Then, it was over and we set of home again.


About half and hour from home, my phone began to play “Don’t bring me down (Bruce)” by ELO, so I knew my boss was after me. It turned out to be a false alarm, so we were happy to have dinner and rest.

Comments

[morgan-lafaye.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad the symposium went well. More glad the phone call was a false alarm.