Gorgonseye on 18/10/2007 at 01:19

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You stole my line Scots. Thanks a lot. :mad:

I get the jokes on sharp objects.


Edit: Maybe I should actually say something semi-useful for once in my life.

Personally, I definitely believe that the grace of fencing could probably impress the ladies. I wouldn't know much bout football, but while it's considered something of a "women's sport," I think the grace involved would probably win over a few of the girls.

Note: I am not held responsible if it is found out that I am completely wrong.

jimjack on 18/10/2007 at 14:14

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No my mates won't be too impressed, (what if they knew I watched princes bride not once but twice?!) but I like your take on this. My first class was an introduction, and if we are serious about it, we take our instruction to a sports complex. The first thing our instructor told us was to remove all imagery of StarWars, JamesBond, Pirates etc from our minds. Which were likely my main influences to begin with. Pretty much anything that involvels welding a weapon and battering someone else does it for me. Like Zacheus says, its all about learning the basic footwork and handwork first, which he says will take at least three months to master before anything starts to resemble fencing. We'll be starting with foil, then sabre, and then epee. If we join up his club we get to try the rapier and dagger or rapier and targ or shield. Besides all the opportunity to play with sharp objects I like the idea of this sport actually challenging your whole self. Mind, perception, body, agility, reading yoru opponent, and moves so fast its almost pure instinct. Its all about control in timing, not in a mindless kneejerk reflex I am used to applying most of the time..I know you apply this to most sports, but as you say theres a more reflective quality to this.

The footwork is hard, the girls had an easier time with this. You have your rigth foot facing forwad and left foot facing to the left in an L shaped or 90% angle..the key to this is in keeping good balance with your back straight and head and shoulders facing your opponent. My right hand is forward holdiing the foil and my left hand is bent at my side. This looked a bit "ghey" at first but its bloody hard to maintain. You learn to lunge forward and recover..which requires balance and started more burning in my calves than any other sport has. Its like shuffle forward (advance) shuffle back (retreat!) and your on the balls of your feet the entire time. ouch. So knees bent back straight your kind of like Reggie Miller.

I thought it fun, and it was a challenge to get through the first lesson, you've got to be using your wits more than anything. So yeah, I've taken my first session outside of the school..its almost $100 to get all your gear as well, but I think its going to be worth it. I don't know how long it takes to master this, at least up to a point of looking decent. I mean I learned soccer and rugby fast enough, so Im hoping its not too technical. Bonus if the girls are into seeing a guy exude some classy graceful moves as well.

I never knew this but touche' is pronounced Toosh, not tooshAY.

Shug. In re: to rugby, I am about 140lbs. Playing hooker is based on my smallness, and being relatively quick,I am able to actually get the ball in most cases but not necessarily having a full handle on the game I don't like the responsibility. I've been playing rugby since I was eight so it was likely that was one reason why I was put there as alot of the guys have played only three years at the most..I was originally in the backs, but there seems to be a tenedency to have bigger stronger player there now. I was a winger and I liked workng on the speed and swearve and the chase of the game. I've also been first five eight, number ten which involved passing and tactical kicking, I'd rather play sevens then fifteen asided, where its more about passing and pace and less hard tackles.

Ghostly Apparition on 18/10/2007 at 15:29

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Zorro was not ghey!

D'Juhn Keep on 18/10/2007 at 16:05

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sounds like he just hates catchphrases

Ajare on 19/10/2007 at 12:39

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Sounds like scrum half is the place for you.