Tuesday Night Practice.

Most everyone was still fragged from Red Tower. Tom and I were the only ones to suit up and play. I probably wouldn't have wanted to play much if Tom hadn't come dressed for it. I was still mentally tired from Red Tower, even if I didn't fight much. We fought sword and dagger, and case. Tom has surpassed me. Well, no surprise there. But I can still get some good moves on him when I can open him up with my off hand weapon.

Rapier at Red Tower

My fighting at Red Tower was somewhat limited. First, I spent the first part of the morning heralding the heavy tournament, and thus missed the Cut-and-thrust demo and class. Then, the day got very warm and very humid. I fought some in a pick up bout with Sigurd, before the actual tournament, and probably should have sought out some other opponents as well, but it was too darn hot. I didn't do all that well in the tournament, either, drawing Tom for an opponent. I would rather have had someone I don't fight every week, but them's the breaks. Tom and I are fairly evenly matched, but he has the edge in physical strength, and he got the win here.

The melee tourney did not go much better. Red Sword was hampered by William armoring down early due to the heat, and we did not have much coordination to our fight. I managed to take Thomas O'Toole's hand in our second bout, but did not otherwise distinguish myself. As a fencer, I remain a pretty good Bard.

Tuesday, Sptember 18

Great Fighting Tonight

Attending were Charles, Cillian, Sirona, William, Tom, and myself. I fought everyone at least once. Charles observed that I forget to move my dagger when fighting with it in my off hand. I need to work on that. I worked on my buckler technique a little. Sean and Oswin came over from the heavies and talked to us about melee tactics. The weather was pleasantly cool in the evening. Good fighting weather. Tom and I double killed twice and did the requisite pushups. All in all an excellent warm up before Red tower.

Tuesday Practice 9-11

Practice was shortened last night by both the business meating, and then by threatening weather, but I did get in some good bouts with Sirona, and with Tom. Charles and William were also present, but not fighting. Cillian fought Sirona, but no one else. Tom got an exceptionally good move on me with his dagger after I had taken his sword arm. He got inside my blade for the kill and all I could do was watch in amazement. We had a short drill on melee tactics, Tom, William, and I before the weather turned, learning to stay in formation, to wheel together, to advance together. I enjoy the rough and tumble of melee more than a regular tourney. It will be interesting to see how we do as teams.

Tuesday September 4 Practice

Cooler, but still humid. Attending were Charles, Cillian, William, Tom, Sirona, and myself. Fought only with Charles, Tom, and Cillian. I have too great a tendency to get into patterns and do the same thing over and over. My fight is too predictable. I did have one particularly interesting fight with Cillian, my sword and dagger against his sword and cloak. I also experimented with Cillian's heavier pommel on my hanwei, and I want to get a pair of those pommels for my blades. They would offset the length of my long 43's and make them more controllable at the point.