Saturday

[fbhjr]

So, with things going on as they are, it wasn’t really a good start to the day. My wife and I had been planning on presenting at the Annual Historical Sword Fighting symposium at the University of Massachusetts Renaissance center. But, very understandably, she didn’t feel up to it and didn’t go.

Having a conversation last night that upset and saddened me didn’t help either. But, I drove off to the center anyhow.

The projector yebo had loaned me didn’t have a cable for hooking up to my computer. I thought I had one at home, but didn’t.
So, foolishly, I thought I could get one on my way.
The Best Buy I was going to stop at wasn’t open yet when I got there, so I went over to the Baal-Mart next to it. I walked to the far back of the store, found the electronics section, went through it all. VGA to pretty much anything else would work. But, still no cable.
So, I found the sales woman. She went through it all. No cable.
Then, just to make sure the horse was dead, her boss couldn’t find one either.
“Does your projector take S-Video,” the sales woman asked?
“Yes, I think it does,” I said. So, she brought me to a different area, and handed me an S-video cable.
“I told you, my output from my computer is VGA,” I said. “S-video to S-video doesn’t get me hooked up to the computer.”
“Then, we can’t help you,” she said. “You should go to Best Buy.”
As I walked out, perrin_o_ravnos called me.
“Are you OK?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “Why?”
“Because we beat you here,” he said. “That’s very unusual, so I thought I’d check to make sure you were OK.”
It was still 10 minutes until Best Buy opened…
I assured him I was only frustrated and 5 minutes away, got in my car and drove over there.
Although I never got a VGA cable, there was another projector there, so it all worked out.

Although not a good start, I did have a fantastic time and was really glad I went. I am sorry my wife didn’t get to go, because there were some great things this time.

The first really great thing was we got to go in the basement. So, what? That’s where the books are. This was my 4th year doing the symposium, and it is the first time the director has offered to let people go down into the climate controlled book vault.

Now, I love books. It is the only thing agreed upon by my parents, my sister and me. We all love books. (Not my little brother, but what can you do?)
Being allowed into the library alone was great. I practically ran into the stacks and started looking around.

As I came back towards the door, I saw perrin_o_ravnos putting a big, old, book back on the shelf.
“Are you supposed to touch it?” I asked.
“The director said I could,” he told me.
“Just open it on a table for support,” the director said to me. “It’s only 17th century.”
So, we got to open and look at this 400 year old book. It still seems a bit wrong to me. Especially without gloves on. But, I wasn’t one to say no when offered.






The other really great thing was the guest of honor, Dr. George Snook, brought a very impressive collection of halberds, other staff weapons and swords.

And, he let us touch them.
As with the book, holding a centuries old halberd is great, but somehow wrong, at least without gloves.






I did two demos. The first with Halberd.




Yes, I was wearing my suit. It’s a symposium, not a ren faire.
Paul came in costume. But, his is VERY historically accurate, so he’s allowed.


My second one was with sickle. We’re still working out the dynamics of this form, so we only demoed three attacks with it. But, it went well.


So, I had a very good time. I was glad I went. I was very sorry my wife wasn’t up to it as there were really cool things.

Afterwards I went home while the others went off to dinner.
My wife did come to sword practice.

Things were strange at practice.

Comments

[evrgreen.livejournal.com]

Wow !

It looks like you did get quite a historical treat today - even a music book with what looks like early shape note music - too bad that I've forgotten all the Latin I learned in 12 years of catholic school and 9 years as an acolyte.

I'm impressed with the symbols etched in the sword which only appeared under camera light, too. Did the owner realize that they were there and have they attempted to translate them ? I hope the don't say something like "Eat at Horgath's" or "Keep this end clean and pointed away from you"...

Sounds like a good day that your wife would have really enjoyed too, had she been feeling well enough - I am sure that you'll get more opportunities !

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

The symbols are just that. So, while he did know they were there, he doesn't know what they mean. They are probably heraldry symbols from either the person, regiment, army or kingdom where it was made. Or, some combination. But, now, who knows?

[yebo.livejournal.com]

"It still seems a bit wrong to me. Especially without gloves on."

There is some debate about this - some feel the oils from your hands are more damaging, some feel that the extra pressure you apply because of the lessened sensitivity due to the gloves is more damaging. I've had clients go both ways....

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I still didn't touch the steel on the halberds without gloves. (Although I can't say I wasn't tempted.)