Rapier in Calontir?

A bit of SCA news from the Kingdom of Calontir tells me that apparently hell has frozen over along with the rest of us in this big snowstorm.

Word on the internet is that "it was announced at Court on the last Saturday at Gulf Wars that there will be a 6 month trial period for steel combat in Calontir, aka Rapier/Cut & Thrust. We will be collecting accurate information for you as it disseminates."

Huzzah to the many rogue Calontir fencers who have been waiting years for this!

Swords are making a comeback!

Ye may have noticed a small banner buried way down in my sidebar for a movie called Reclaiming the Blade - if not, you need to spend some time exploring my site; there's a bunch of hidden treasures here...but I digress.

No need to go hunting for the banner now, for the movie trailer is upon us!



Hungry for more swords? Well, this amazing gem just passed through my RSS feed this morning: how about the Raymond J. Lord Collection (a huge page of PDF period fencing and fighting manuals) to whet your appetite for steel? I recommend saving all of the manuals to your harddrive to print and read at your leisure. To be truly cavalier, one must have adequate leisure time, no?

Not just another sword movie

Some of you may have noticed the little graphic down on the sidebar for Reclaiming the Blade by Galatia Films. If not, seek it out and click it. Or you can just wait for the link I'll provide in the next paragraph or so.

When I first heard this film was in production, I pored over their website, as any good fencer would do. A documentary about renaissance swordplay, narrated by John Rhys-Davies? Score points for that. But when I last looked, there were no videos: I had been looking for fight scenes. But I found the Friends of RTB, to which I promptly applied. I wanted very much to help this production see the light of day, for so many good independent films never make it to the screen.

And there I sit, right between the Provo chapter of ARMA and the Chicago Swordplay Guild. Aye, distinguished company. The rest of the cast is not a shabby list of rogues, either!




Want to learn more? Or perhaps win one of those prizes? Check out the RTB YouTube Channel and sign up for the newsletter to get on the list for the free booty!

This movie could be coming out as early as this summer! For this, I will go to the theater again. Probably in costume.

Outlands Streaker at Gulf Wars Rapier Battle

Oh, how sad I am that I missed seeing this in person. I'm convinced this guy lost a bet....



I guess we'll never know who Stagman is, unless he decides to come forward.

So, who all from the Outlands went to Gulf Wars? Maybe we can start narrowing down the list based on body type.

Two fighting videos from Estrella War 2008

If you listen close you can hear the drums of the War Wagon...

...and pick out a bunch of Outlanders!




Thanks, echalberg! Welcome to YouTube...

Movie review: 1612

In early October, I posted the 1612 trailer on this blog, and uttered one line about it: "When and how can I see this movie in English?" - because I thought the story would make zero sense without fluency in Russian or Polish.

I caved. I could not hold out any longer. I watched it without any subtitles.

Well, my understanding of Russian ends at Nostrovia, but if you pay attention, you can still 'get' a great deal of this movie as it is both acted really well, and the context of the scenes make sense. It seems to have been passed through the "300" filter too, with the camera work and effects. And there's just buckets of blood. If you've never seen a mass of mounted winged hussar running down peasantry, you've not lived! Plus, it is a fine resource for costumes and armor.

There is a continual theme of the unicorn, which is critical to the story somehow. Pieces of horn seem to be used as talismans, and a softly lit white one with really ridiculously long hair keeps showing up throughout the movie. I was half expecting the movie to derail into fantasy-land; I almost had a "Legend" moment.

But let me tell you about the Cavalier! He is conspicuously absent in the trailer, though his clothing can be seen on the main character, who has assumed his identity. The first time you see him, The Cavalier is playing at dice on a boat that is being pulled along the shore by a group of haggard slaves. This portion of the movie, being in Spanish, was slightly easier to translate. It is here we learn he probably cheats at dice and has a reputation for killing.

Two words. Doublet envy.

In an effort not to spoil the plot, I will say that the Cavalier ends up teaching the main character swordplay. Using his sword to draw a glowing blue fencing circle on the ground was a nice touch.

And because of this movie, I want to make a flipbook of some of the old renaissance fencing manuals...now THAT seems like a great way to learn the Spanish Circle from a dead guy.

Confusing enough? Yeah, I really need to find someone both qualified and interested in translating this movie.

Digital Agrippa

Inigo Montoya: You are using Bonetti's Defense against me, ah?
Man in Black: I thought it fitting, considering the rocky terrain.
Inigo Montoya: Naturally, you must suspect me to attack with Capo Ferro?
Man in Black: Naturally... but I find that Thibault cancels out Capo Ferro. Don't you?
Inigo Montoya: Unless the enemy has studied his Agrippa... which I have!

You too can study your Agrippa, and be ready the next time some masked fencer scrambles up a cliff after you. Here's another period fencing manual made PDF by the glory of technology (and the efforts of William Wilson). Click the 'full screen' icon next to the print icon for the best view.

Digital Digrassi

Ever wanted to explore the original Digrassi documents? Well, now you can with Scribd, which allows users to upload and share documents that can then be embedded in websites...such as this reading pane below.

Simply click the 'fullscreen' icon (next to the print icon) for a better view. Or you can print your own!



More fencing manuals to come as I find the time...

Canadian Coolness - History Bites and AEMMA videos

I've never really watched much Canadian TV, but what I have seen is strange and funny. I managed to catch a few episodes of History Bites once on a local PBS membership drive, and I laughed through the whole thing. Canadians, like the British, enjoy a bit 'different' humor than Americans, which can seem pretty controversial to the more sensitive types. It's rare when jokes or subject matter shocks me, but I appreciate that in my entertainment.

It's really too bad that History Bites doesn't offer their collection on DVD yet. There are scant few clips on YouTube (none of which I'd seen yet) but this one shows that even in the 16th century, there was too much violence on TV.



Also from Canada is the Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts, here on YouTube with their great web-commercial. Now that's selling a lifestyle!




There is just too much coolness in Canada. I think we should invade and take their sense of humor.

SwordPlayLA Video mix

I'm an online video junkie. I'm always looking for fun things I can create playlists of to share with others. Well, these guys at SwordPlayLA have a few pretty cool swordfight, choreography and practice videos that I thought some of you might like to watch, gathered together in a collection I like to call "Playing with Swords."

Plus, this gives me an excuse to try out Revver's video platform. Could it be that YouTube has some competition?

Unser Hafen Newcomers/Baronial Investiture

So, this past weekend was Unser Hafen Newcomers/Baronial Investiture. It was an emotional time, with the 'changing of the guard', so to speak. While I was not techincally in their retinue, the household to which I belong was present with them at many, many events.

Normally, I don't like court much. I especially don't like getting called up to it. But when the soon-to-be Ex Baroness asked for all of the household of Darbuka to attend her in court, we all kneeled and accepted her thanks for our music and dance contributions to her Barony and Our Kingdom.

Then, we got to process them out of their last court, to the sounds of darbukas, zills and jingly coin belts! OK, court is not soooo bad.

Another fine thing happened this day - I broke in my new weapons. Having this new good job has enabled me to purchase the sword and dagger that I had the raging covets for at last Estrella War. When I first saw James the Justs' work, I was not financially in a position to afford even the smallest of daggers (unemployment will do that to you) but I knew that someday, I would own something he had made.

Well, last week, my new 37" schlaegger and super cool half-basket dagger arrived. Affixed with fresh rubber tips, they traveled with me to Unser Hafen, ready for battle. After morning court, and a bit of lunch, I strode to the field and my previously swelled head deflated when I proceeded to get my slops kicked by Don Justinian.

Apparently, I'm way out of practice. Maybe I've been shooting too much video lately, and not spending enough time fencing. Speaking of video, here's what you missed if you didn't go to the post-revel after Newcomers...

Fencing Fun at Outlands Coronation

Though I missed Saturday of Outlands Coronation, on Sunday, the Protector of the Queen's Heart Tournament was wonderful!

Having not entered the tourney myself and with nothing pressing to do, I bore fruit to the weary fighters on the list field. I got a little exercise, and of course the opportunity to ask everyone to 'sample my melons' was just too juicy to resist.

I got literally ringside seats, and witnessed Don Charles overtake Baron Sir Chronos in the final round. Both fine men, and I was torn during their last fight as to who I thought would best the other.

A good surprise of the day turned out to be the new Queen's choice for the Rapier of Chivalry - Darbuka's own Marcos. That, my friend, is a damn fine sword you are holding there. Mabrouk!

And now for something completely different.

It appears that Secret Jedi Fencing Techniques are being learned somewhere in the Northern Outlands. Evidence of this was accidentally captured with a digital camera. Clearly, The Force is strong in this one...

I can't even get point control. Now I gotta do MIND CONTROL to keep up?

....ooops....almost forgot! Photos taken by Aleksi with Caoilinn's camera...

Mayday! Mayday! Oh, wait..... Beltane! Beltane!

It's hard to believe I started studying Celtic culture way back in 1990. Funny what stays with you. I remember my teacher telling us not to 'get frisky' on May Day or face the consequences.

Not that I'm normally a superstitious person, but today is Beltane and the Druids had some powerful mojo. The Celtic feast of Beltane is all about fertility, which is why I am staying home alone tonight, with no male company. I have learned to never tinker with the pagan Gods, for they are tricksy!

Smart guys, the Druids. If one were to celebrate the Beltane fires with a little physical intimacy, and one happened to become pregnant from the festivities, you've got a perfectly timed due date that should fall very near Imbolc on February 1st. In the event that the mother dies in childbirth, the babe would have a much higher chance of survival, as the female livestock would be producing milk for their own young as well. Not to mention the weather has shifted from the long dark winter temperatures to the blustery but warmer beginnings of spring.

But if she did survive the birth, Beltane rolls around again after three months. The new mother has presumably regained her strength, probably wants a break from the new baby, and is undoubtedly 'randy' following a winter cooped up with her swollen belly. That's a pretty decent population machine, and it keeps the gene pool from stagnating.

OK, enough Celtic history and baby-talk.

Check out this Medieval Marathon Runner who finished the London Marathon 8 DAYS LATE. Granted, I appreciate that he was raising money for a childrens' leukemia charity, but SERIOUSLY. Plate Mail?? He could've finished the same day if he had gone cavalier...

And speaking of cavalier, I simply cannot resist reposting a wonderful bit of humor from the OutlandsRapier Yahoo Group that came up today. Here is the entire thing, in case you are too lazy to join the list to read it:

Top 10 Reasons For Being A Musketeer

10. Spiffy tabard doubles as duvet cover.
9. Takes the sting out of being French.
8. No bag limit on the Cardinals Guard.
7. Fleur De Lys envy.
6. Screw swords, we've got guns.
5. Pick up spare change posing for candy bar wrappers.
4. Lifetime membership at la Rochelle Bed & Breakfast Club.
3. Two words: Annette Funicello! (Ooops, sorry that's Mouseketeers)
2. All for One and One for All, applies to wenches.

and the number one reason....
1. The Queen's diamond studs (if you know what I mean ;) )

Compiled by:
Baron Haakon Haakerson (Patron Saint of geese & gambling)
and Don~a Bianca Isabel d'Orsin

Outlandish White Scarf Recipe

Take one pound of a$$-kicking, and mix in five pounds of humility. Add a cup of leadership, and a pinch of sass. Slowly add a bit of decorum to taste. Bake as long as necessary to rise to the occasion.

During the baking process, dress the White Scarf with lace, ribbons and all manner of finery, just to prove you can. But we all know it’s what’s on the inside that counts, so make sure that it does not become “overdone’’.

The best icing in the world doesn’t help a tasteless cake.

Poke with an epee several thousand times in the midsection to determine if it is cooked thoroughly before serving up to the public.

Remember, a little blood adds flavor, and is good for keeping the bitter taste of pride down.

Les Tres Belles Heures de Baron de Caer Galen

I wanted to post about this event coming up, but I was pretty nervous about it. You see, I was TOLD to be there. Then I thought: Oh, no. The only time one is TOLD to attend is when you've done something very wrong, or very right. Either way, you are called into court.

Silly me thinking that this was all about me! Turns out that my fencer friend Cecily was elevated into the order of the White Scarf. Huzzah for the newest lady Donya of the Outlands!

And I even wore a nice dress just in case. My Don, Talan, just wanted to make sure I was there to see it. There has been only two women in the Outlands made White Scarves since I started fencing, and I didn't get to see the other ceremony. It was fabulous, and of course many people cried. I even got a little misty.

Even though court was long, it was punctuated with much humor, and Kamadevi's harp playing during the slow parts. We were well entertained. Caer Galen has found their successors to the Baronial thrones, war plans are being made and there is much to do for this Reign.

Speaking of the King, do you know how funny it is to get caught by His Royal Majesty sneaking out of the Royal Room, following closely behind Don Dio? Kind of makes you guilty no matter WHAT anyone thinks we were doing in there. Trust me, it was very serious business indeed. Even though His Maj gave me THAT look. But if you ARE reading this, I did eat three dates off your food table. In that I am guilty. But look on the bright side: I can honestly say that your food had not been poisoned.

Ah, but I just love the Crowns. It's hard NOT to want to do great things for them. And, as it seems I'll be experiencing a great deal of free time in the next two months, I'll be able to work hard on an updated version of the Outlands Map, which will be ready for Estrella War.

This is the 20th anniversary of the Outlands. I had shown up on the doorstep of the Barony of Dragonsspine in 1993, when she was only 8 years old. Hard to imagine the last twelve years have made me what I am now in the SCA.

Heh. And I'm STILL nervous about the possibility of being called into court.

Especially now.

Outlands Coronation report

It seemed we got off to a fitful start, as many roadtrips do. More like herding cats, really. But, finally, off we sped, southward into the raging storm. Myself, Dons Dio and Talan, and Talans' lady Kamadevi.

Don Dio (my grandfather Don, if you feel like drawing a flow chart) had been talking about winning the Protector of the Queens Heart tournament since the very moment King Hrorek won Crown Tourney. Actually, since long before that. He vowed years ago that he would win it if Hrorek was ever King.

So I had to go along and witness that he would indeed win. I really never had any doubt, because I knew Don Dio in the old days, when his powers were at their peak. So he stopped playing for what, five years? The Force is still strong in him.

Oh, yes. A side note. Spending six hours in a vehicle with Don Dio can feel like six minutes or six weeks. And no, you can't sleep through it.

After arriving at our stopping place for the night, we settled down to a get some sleep in the house of another Don, who shall for now remain nameless. His collection of sharp and deadly weapons rivals that of most museums I've seen, and I wouldn't want anyone to get any ideas. Not that you'd EVER find his house anyway, with an 11 mile driveway. It's not often that I've been able to step out of a house and not see ANY signs of civilization. Anywhere. It occurred to me that if I lived there, I'd save a ton of money on not doing laundry.

Anyway, morning arrives bright and sunny, and I recall why I don't like the southern Outlands. They've got their dayball set on kill. And if that don't kill you, the wind will. I started squinting immediately. Then came the telltale grit in my teeth. Mmmm. Dusty.

We get there in time for court, to see the the two other things I did not want to miss: Elijah Tynker's Knighting ceremony and the investiture of King Hrorek and his Queen (yeah, I'm skipping her name because it's one of those celtic ones with about sixteen extra letters).

I had heard that the fencing scenario was supposed to be a dance card draw, but it got changed to a one hour epee only speed tourney. Ouch. I'm suddenly very glad I'm not fighting in it. So Don Talan, Kamadevi and I settle in the watch the fights. Don Dio told me two months ago he was going to win it. I never really had any doubts, but it was glorious to watch....even with the wardrobe malfunctions...

We stayed for Court, but since we didn't have feast reservations, we decided to go to an Indian restaurant instead. I somehow succeeded in finding this place I've been to ONCE, two years ago, without the aid of a map or an address. In Santa Fe. Which is more confusing to me than Boston. All that adobe just looks the same to me. And I found our way back to the site, where we picked up a map to the post revel...

...and my GOD, Santiago's house is awesome. He wins the 'best bathroom of the year' award. You could fit five people in that shower. And hanging around the fire pit and smelling that wonderful pinon smoke that I miss so much, reminded me that I haven't traveled to the desert since Outlandish 2 years ago. Remember when all of our garb had "Eau de Outlandish"? There were times when I hated washing my garb because then that smoky musk would vanish.

At the post revel I drank something called a "Citrovia" which is Nostrovia using citrus rum instead of brandy. Call me a heathen, but it wasn't bad. And Cailean's Mead was good too.

The next morning we went back to the event briefly to let the Dons attend a White Scarf meeting, while us ladies got to watch a little War Practice. That stuff really gets your blood moving.

I thought about the last 12 years of my SCA life and how it seems to be coming full circle. People who played 10 years ago are re-appearing. A new map or two is on the horizon... and I have an opportunity to see the SCA through a fresh pair of newbie eyes.

It's three months to War. Time to get busy old school.

It's going to be a Great Reign.

Newcomers and a 30th birthday bash

As I mentioned a few days ago, I wanted to go up to Unser Hafen for Newcomers. Well, I got myself all double booked with another party that I swore I'd be at, so I had to bail from Newcomers right before court.

I got there around 11:00, and parking was atrocious, but the weather was perfect. Why can't we have weather like this when we're camping? I walk up to troll and sign in. Forgot my blue card (again) so I'm stuck signing the waiver and paying the extra $3. I guess this means I won't be fencing, either.

I find some friends who have set up their beautiful pavilion for shade. I am invited to avail myself of their hospitality. I go back to my van, get dressed in my loungey Indian clothes, grab my Outlands map, documentation and reference book, and proceed to the hall where many such scrolls, jewelry and artsy things are displayed for the Newcomers to gawk at. Back to the pavilion, where I am afforded about 2 minutes of rest before my Don (Talan) shows up, and asks if I'm entering the tourney.

"I'll have to just do pickups, because I forgot my blue card and my green card is expired. It's just for Newcomers anyway, though, right?" Great cadet I am, eh?

"They are doing day authorizations. And anyone can enter. Besides, Kamadevi is fighting." Talan says.

"Ok. But after I eat?" I say.

I think he just wants to see his student (me) and his girlfriend (Kamadevi) duke it out. Not that I mind, at all. I just think it's funny. She's a good fight.

Anyway, lunch was a selection of pasta salads, breads, vegetables and cheeses. Thanks Cailean, I know you were cooking for days. The meat pasties were awesome. But the stew was the best. Though I'm not too sure what kind of meat was in it. Oh, probably best not to ask.

After lunch, I went back to my van to change into fencing garb. For those of you who are wondering, I have gotten quite good at changing clothes in my van. I do it all the time. That handy sunshade blocks out the whole windshield, to keep prying eyes away.

So back to the event. It was a double-elimination tourney, and I stayed in for three rounds. Lost first, won second and lost third. But I only won the second by dirty fighting. Is it MY fault that the Baroness shot a foam arrow onto the field? Is it MY fault that my opponent was distracted by it? It landed right in front of my foot, so I kicked it at him. And then, he just stood there, so I stuck him in the belly. He looked shocked and blinked a couple times, and then fell down, like he couldn't believe he fell for it. Little did I know that another arrow had hit him in the rear end at the same time the other landed at my foot. I guess some of the spectators had a idea of how they wanted the fight to go.

Anyway, the next round I got taken out by Louis, and that was the end of me. Back to relaxing under the pavilion. I'm much better at that, anyway. Damn, I wished that this wasn't a dry site. I could sure use a beer after all that swashbuckling.

It occurred to me that I should be moving on to my next social engagement, as people were bringing their things inside for court. I've never been one of those SCA'ers who lives for court, but occasionally it's fun. Seeing that I was already about two hours late for the birthday party, I decided it would be best if I bailed.
Gather up the map, swords, say my goodbayes and back to the van, to change again. That's what, only three times so far? I MUST be slipping.

So I drove the hour into north Denver, and got lost in the industrial section off 58th. Damn detours. After about 20 minutes of this I finally find the right street. This party is for a few of my friends who are all turning 30 and it's a Fiesta! Pinantas, mexican food, sombreros, luminarias, and many of the partygoers were dressed in panchos and those silly flat hats with the dingle balls hanging off the brim. Boy, am I in the wrong time period.

There was a cooking contest, and I'm happy to say that Torin's "Inferno Verde" green chili won the prize of $100. Sweet! My mouth is still numb from the experience. I love hot food. But for days after something like this I won't be able to taste things correctly. Such a small price to pay...

There was Karaoke, which I did NOT get involved in. I always want to see my friends make complete idiots of themselves (cough...Brent...cough) but if you stick a Karaoke microphone in my face you better be wearing body armor.

I missed out on the pinata beating, as I was socializing indoors at the time, but I'm sure the whole neighborhood could hear the screaming. I'm actually really, really surprised that the police never showed up.

All in all it was a great Saturday. Today I'm hennaing my hair and going to do some more fencing down in Boulder. Probably about time I step away from my blog and get this goop out of my hair.

UPDATE: Photos from the bash>>>> http://www.radhole.com/fiesta.htm

When I got my scarf

Originally uploaded by anachronista.

For those of you who missed it, here's a photo of me receiving my Red Scarf at Northern Colorado Fencers from Don Talan last year. Really, this is just a convenient way for me to test out the new photo uploading tool from Flickr.

I bet if you click the thumbnail, you can see the image bigger.

Hopefully.

I finally got to watch an episode of "Young Blades"

So I took a day off work this week to be sick with a cold. When I'm sick, I like to watch a lot of TV. It's mindless entertainment when the Benadryl kicks in and turns my brain to goo.

In my previous post about Young Blades, upon learning about this show, I was not very confident that it would be entertaining, accurate or funny. Even with the Benadryl, which usually imparts a degree of surrealism to television, I still had to force myself to watch the whole show.

I watched the entire episode called "Davinci's Notebook". The plot was mostly about one of the Blades finding a scrap of said notebook, and getting a hold of more of it, then building a weapon from the sketches and instructions. Of course this was all part of the master plan of the bad guy, whose minions swoop in and steal the weapon so that they can defeat the army of the Kings's nephew, or something like that. I don't know. Maybe it was all a bad dream from the drugs.

Oh, yeah, and one of the Blades is actually a lady masquerading as a man! Of course some peasant wench falls for her/him and much unconfortable 'hilarity' ensues. Did I mention the actress playing this crossdressing character is in real life named Karen Cliche? Funny how that works out.

I'm skipping this next time it happens to be on. I'd rather watch old MASH reruns.

Just in time for the Thursday pratices!

Remember that awesome doublet I ordered? Well, it finally arrived. Once I get a photo sharing program set up in this blog (hopefully soon) you will be able to see it in all of its leather glory!! I based the colors on Faramir's doublet, and it came out really, really nice. If you are jealous, you can't have it. Get your own.

Who will be the first to hit me at the Unofficial Thursday Fencing practice in Broomfield? Ok, Probably Don Triffin.

If you feel like showing up, here's the goods:

Time: 6ish to darkish, Thursdays, weather permitting

Place: Midway Park in Broomfield

The city was recently doing some construction on the playground area. Hopefully this means restrooms. If not, there is a store, restaurant or a Target a few blocks away. Remember to bring your own chairs and plenty of water!!

Directions:

From Hwy 36: make your best route to the Broomfield exit (Hwys 287 and 128) and go north to Midway Blvd, take a right (go east). After Laurel Street, you will see the park, stretching out from both sides of the street. Park on either side, but we'll ususally be on the north side.

From 120th: Go west on 120th into Broomfield. You may actually never even notice this, but at Vance Street, 120th ave will split with 287. Stay to the right. Turn right on either Laurel Street or Nickel Street and follow to Midway Blvd. Turn right, you will see the park, stretching out from both sides of the street. Park on either side, but we'll ususally be on the north side.