wow what a night. i talkeed to 150 people aboput belegarth. The student org fair is the event for the university to promote its club sports.. I think this is the biggest thing fo rour realm ever.
I want to thank judekei for getting it together. Chase for going to the meeting, Mick for helping, Magpie for helping at the booth. Kayle and scrapper for doign everything they can to help to.
Days like this remind me of why i pour my energy into this sport. cause it rocks when you get it right. 3 more years of this and we should be as big as any realm out there.
it was a 2 years struggle with the UW to get into the fair, they always thought we would start a ruckus. Crazy isn't it. I encourage every realm leader to get intouch with local schools and get on the campus for a fair. hand out business cards and fliers. Get people to hold a sword and they are hooked
I've never been much of a consistent writer. Far from it, I write sporadicly and in random bursts. I think for now I'll stick to a novice's thoughts on this wonderful new sport.
I won't lie- I was never the most atheletic kid in school. I was slow, I'm fat, and I use my intelligence more than any brawn I might posess. As such, in today's society, that doesn't nescesarily attract the hordes of friends as fast as being the atheletic guy that everyone loves. I know that I sound cliqueish, but bear with me.
My friends were (and still) are more like a tight knit group. We're in each other's lives, but not in any sort of creepy way. We hang together, laugh together, and even in some cases date within the group.
I'm finding, through word of mouth mostly (from the most venerable veterans of Wolfpack of the High Plains) about different aspects of the sport- from the culture, to the mundane details, to combat rules, and even the split from Dagorhir that occured in the distant past. While I profess absolutely no expertise or any sort of educated opinion other than a few editorials online and web boards- I find it all highly interesting none the less. Hearing the tales of yore appeals to the Platonic "political animal" within me, and the historian that occupies so much of my mind. Say what you will- the split illustrates something profound (and no, I'm not going to go into a massive spiel about it- from what I find, it ruffles feathers among other things)
Authors come up with thier own worlds- from Tolkein to any other author you can imagine. The difference is that unlike authors who use the written word to convey that world- Belegarth uses foam weapons to litteraly beat back the heavy curtains of reality and throw Belegarth into the real world to kick ass and take names. The sport, in whatever form in whatever organization could very well have remained in peoples backyards with weapons that would make a weapons checker faint. But it evolved and grew into something. It survived and not only survived, but thrived. It's interesting how Tolkein, or even JK Rowling attracts so much readership/followership and yet- they're nothing but worlds within pages (until recently with the movies and the theme parks and so on). But either way you slice it, can you really throw yourself into the struggle of Helms Deep? In your head, yes. But most people I know don't really kill themselves in thier daydreams.
I keep finding out more little intricate parts to Belegarth and the sport in general. From different realms, to the politics of the organizations (the officers, the different views of the sport, anything) to the fact that folks beating the snot out of people on the Quad on Sunday's and Tuesday's even have thier own gypsy caravan, a somewhat different organization entirely in some respects, to an extension of those on the field in others- the Kumpaniana Del Rov (I apolgize for any spelling erorrs).
The point I'm trying to make is that despite any problems in the past, any mysteries shrouded in mist, any political issues, any conflicts not involving foam, all add to the fact that we- all fighters alike- have created something that is very real. I know that those in Wolfpack consider the Pack to be a second family (or, I'd daresay a first family). I know that I probably wouldn't have made as many friends in as little time as I have if I didn't happen to be walking past the stand on Quad Day.
Please- feel free to post comments on anything you wish. I know that I am a novice (read: noob) and thus am probably writing without the full story with every detailed nuance, but I offer my opinions either way in a decent fashion. I only ask that you do the same. Hey, the only way anyone is going to know anything is if somebody relates it to them. We don't learn by osmosis (but if you do- please get into contact with me!)
Our second session took place last Sunday with 14 participants. They had decided to start it about 45 minutes before practice to make sure it didn't get in the way of regular practice. I wasn't there so I'm relaying this information.
Topics covered:
Power generation. Discussed and drilled on the different ways of generating power starting from thebasic wrist snap, to arm, upper body, hips, and finally up to full body.
How to use the power--fast but light shots as a set up or for probing for vulnerabilities. Medium shots having the balance between speed and power. Slow but powerful shots for powering through blocks.
Shield work. Discussed and drilled on the different methods of shield work from the elbow pivot to the punch, the arm pump, and the hip twist.
Blocking using a sword-using the bottom third of the sword closest to your hand
How to defend against a flail-drilled on extension and intercepting the flail head
How to defend against the lower leg shot-drilled on the slide or lift.
I should have more detail in the next entry about Session III.
Wolfpack is booming right now. We have had to alter plans due to supplies issues for our weapons building sessions but our noobs don't seem to mind one bit. Our practices are averaging about 35-40 fighters every Tuesday and Sunday. Last weekend we got some of them even in garb I believe thanks to Faline. This saturday and for the following 3 weeks our residentgypsy caravan, Kampina Del a Ruv, along with Faline and anyone with a sewing machine are making garb for our enourmous influx of new people. We are busy hashing out runs to the fabric store, getting an idea of what our want to wear and whether or not it is possible, and getting prepared for Octoberfest. This year is going to be great.
Opener this year is already underway. I have appointed Rhys, our student advisor, with the task of speaking with ISU administration so we can get the Horton Field House again this year. As soon as we have a date, I will be posting up the details so people have time to get off from work and prepare for the best single day winter event in Belegarth. As a side note, I am also trying to see if ISU would be willing to let us use that site as a practice area for winter fighting. With fingers crossed and a hefty donation to ISU athletics, I think we can grease the wheels on this. I have big dreams for Wolfpack both at ISU and within Belegarth. Getting there is going to be the fun part.
I usually thank a ton of people for things going on in the realm but individually I can't do that. I have to thank the Wolfpack Knights, Squires, Vets and Noobs all together because honestly were it not for our dedication to one another, we wouldn't be where we are now. This has been a group effort and I am so proud. Thank you Wolfpack for being my friends, family and working to expand our realm and our sport.
Khador is a Belegarth realm my friends and I started back in the Spring of 2005. Most of them stopped Belegarthing since then. A select few and I didn't. This summer, I started a Khador practice in Rockford. And that is the greatest Belegarth related decision I've ever made. The Freeport practices usually got around 2-5 per practice. Rockford has been gettingno fewer then 15 per practice for the past four weeks. Thanks to the Khador mini coming up next Sunday, many noobies at Rockford are going to spend this week getting their garb and weapons together. Almost all of these noobies are open minded, willing to listen, do not have an attitude, and do not rhino hide. They are ecstatic and excited about this sport. Basically, they have what it takes to make it. They are willing to work for Belegarth makes me very proud of them.
Also, I would like to thank a few people whom has been helping us. I have been getting a lot of support from Bo and Kayle from the Rhun. Stroggy, and Roanoa Kiran from Dunharrow have also stopped by before. As did Remus. (I don't think he's part of Dunharrow?) And I would also like to thank Lady Renell for yelling FIGHTERS TO THE FIELD at people, because it's apparent I'm not loud enough. You have no idea how much I appreciate you all and your support.
I am quite optimistic towards the Khador realm. With that being said, Belegarth, you have a new and growing realm on your hands. It's name is Khador. And soon enough at a event, we are going to show up in force; and pwn many bitches..... beetoch!
This is an exercise to help me gain a perspective on what it means to be my character. Nuri Kirpachi is a Turkish Domari, recently finding herself in some weird land that looks strangely like Illinois, known as Wolfpack of the Highplains. She is part of the Kumpania Del a Ruv.
This is an ideal of what I am aiming for. The questions are part of the sca_silkroad friday 5.
1) Good morning! You (as your persona) have just woken up to another day. Describe what is around you (ie: bed, the room, etc).
I wake before my husband, as goblyns are want to be lazy after a long night drinking and stealing banners and pissing in the water buffalo. My tent is filled with tapestries and pillows. I open my eyes and give a few passing thoughts to Gan-Deva, hoping that it is not raining and that the day would be productive.
I am hesitant to wake up, and the covers on the mattress invite me back in, however, it is morning, and so the day must begin.
2) As you continue you morning ritual of waking up, you start to get dressed. What do you wear on a normal day?
I pull on all my necessaries, and then a pair of pants patterned after the type I've seen in the land I have found myself in. They are large and baggy, varying on whether they are gathered at the ankle or not. I put on my gomlek, a skirt made of a light cotton gauze. This is followed by another light shirt, a wrap, to contrast with the pale colors of the gomlek. My enteri is bright, and buttons up the front. I typically upturn the sleeves, showing the colors of my shirts.
I then put on my belt, upon which are my flags, showing the kumpania I belong to, and the lands I live in. I wear as well, beads that interest me, gifts from the goblyns I have known.
I top off my clothing with the headpeices for the day. Sometimes it is a simple headscarf, tied in various ways. Other times, fake braids or hats.
Other times, I wear clothing inspiried by the people I meet or places I have traveled, or even the monsters around me (elbowbands are so much fun!). Since I have left the village, my wardrobe has increased, but clothing always invokes reactions with me.
Sometimes, ususally for important occasions or when I entertain, I also wear face paint, in designs worn by the kumpania that suit my face.
3) Since you're dressed now, it's time to get something to eat. What would you be having for your breakfast meal?
Mornings are such a languid affair. Warm or not, it is usually the same: dry fruit, granola. If there is cold in the air, I will drink some tea or hot cider.
4) As you settle in to eat, the rest of the family also arrives. What is the average family structure like? Do you have extended family in your home? Is there a family hierarchy?
As much as my husband is family, as is the Kumpania, and the family that is the Wolfpack. Average doesn't factor into it, as it is a dizzing array of new friendships and little families forming and unforming. It is Chaotic, but we sit together and we laugh, forgetting that fractions between us. At least during meals.
5) Everyone is finished with their meal, and you are now off for your day job. What kind of work do you do? What's your job like?
Ahh, day jobs. The bane of existance. Back in Turkey, I was doomed to a life of basketweaving. I don't go anywhere near the weaving part these days. Theres no market for them here, thank goodness!
Nowdays, I spend my days in relative ease. I spend time in the kumpania, listening to stories and doing daily chores. I cook, I sometimes clean. I engage in musical interests mostly.
I had dance class yesterday. It was raining, which always flares up the bursitus. This was bad enough, but after work (the phrase yesterday was " THERE ARE ALIENS COMING OUT OF MY BUTT!") I was drained and for some reason, I couldn't counter the ADHD behaviors that I keep under control.
My ADHD is really bad, but through behavior mods and occassional medicating and therapy, I keep it rather under control and I live a happy, mostly productive life. But when I get that mentally and emotionally drained, something it just doesn't work. And yesterday was that day.
I messed up the choerography, different ways, each time. I couldn't move my hip right, and occasionally, I'd just blank out. I went to the Outpost afterwards, for weapons building, and I talked so fast, and was shaking and I hate it.
Practiced a bit today -- I think I might get the hang of the taxeems on the left side that I couldn't get yesterday.
Not much to report from last night's practice. Even more of our core members came back with the school year and it was great to see them (yay Mick and Rae!) plus, yet more new people. They lack a wee bit in strategy and ran away from their teams/partners every. single. time. leaving gaping holes but there was noticible progress even just throughout the evening. Very promising startto the year. There's been mild and underlying drama too, but I think it will easily be nipped in the bud.
Sadly, we can't have our indoor space until October and Autumn is closing in on us rapidly. Sunset was at 7:30 last night and because of all of the rain, the mosquitoes (aka Wisconsin's State Bird) were relentless. We found that as long as you kept moving and fighting, they weren't so bad but if you died... *shudder* All the more reason to fight well and not die. Between that and actually working/focusing on skills, I've been noticing slightly less suck on my part. I hope this continues.
Tomorrow to Azeroth where some sort of chili festival is going on in their town and they will be doing demonstrations. I adore the gumption of this group. It'll be great when they are all old enough for nat'l events.
We ran our first structured training session on Sunday, 2 Sep. We had a total of 10 participants. We expect more in the upcoming weeks since this was a holiday weekend and quite a few of our new fighters went home for the long weekend.
I first started by emphasizing that the training was voluntary and that a person may choose to use any style they want outside of the training sessions; we don't want them to get locked into sword and shield if that's not what they want. For the sessions, we would be using round shield and sword since many of our drills would be mirror-style where one person does something and the other person would do the same thing, alternating between them.
I then started giving the general overview of Belegarth's and Wolfpack's organizational structures-admittedly dry stuff. After talking a bit, I noticed that they weren't doing much so I ended up lapsing into drill sergeant mode-if the drill sergeant noticed that you were getting too comfortable, he or she would take measures, usually physical training of some kind, i.e., pushing your face away from the ground, to keep you occupied. I had them swinging the sword at different angles and doing steps while swinging as I was talking.
After that, we went over some of the various types of protective equipment such as gloves, footwear, and knee pads. Then we discussed some of the specifics regarding grappling, armor, and shield bashing. After that was complete, we stretched from head to toe. We covered different stances (squared, fencing, and staggered), grips (saber, pommel, pommel saber, and fist), and then went into teaching four of the six basic angles of attack. After that we talked about how you can chain those attacks into two-hit combos. After that, we reviewed the material we had taught and let the trainees loose on the regular field.
Later on that evening, Sir Fox and I went over how the session went and reviewed the outline for the next session. As had happened at a rehearsal for Session I before, we immediately went into combos without a lot of repetition of the four angles. We would probably have to refocus a bit on control and accuracy in our next session. Also, we decided that instead of using attacks 3 and 4 as the leg attacks for the early sessions, we would keep them as the torso attacks and introduce 5 and 6 as leg shots in the future. Originally, we were planning to start with only four basic attacks, each essentially angling towards a limb. As we advanced, we would change the numbers to introduce attacks 3 and 4 as torso attacks. Rather than make it confusing by changing numbers midstream, we would maintain consistency from the beginning. We discussed how blocking should have more focus than parrying and how we would introduce sword blocking in the next session. The next session is going to have a real focus on drills and I look forward to see how successful it is. I wish I could help teach but a few of us are heading up to Minnesota to see the Mall of America and to attend the Minnesota Renaissance Faire.
Saturday I will take the first real Vacation in probably 10 years. All my past vacations I have returned from totaly beaten up from events ever since I left Highschool. It also co-incides with the fact that Saturday at noon I will be getting married to Julie Rose my sweetheart for the better of 3 years. She'll be moving in to my house and I will finaly get internet access at my new home. Whichis kind of cool.
I find it odd that I am the top blogger on Belegarth.com. I don't blog about much. For the first time in a long time that I can remember I haven't been to practice in 3 weeks as of today. It all is odd. When I get back I have a few small projects I will be rapping up reguarding side jobs and the such and then I will dig into taking our website to a whole "next level" right now I think the site has a lot of really good elements but they don't work smoothly together for one solution. New visitors can easily get lost in the chaos that is our front page, and I realy hate most of the old text on the website. A minor face lift and new paths, and I have 2 modules that are installed, just turned off that I hope can get us moving.
While I am gone Kyrian has all the passwords to the website and Ora has access to most things. I am pretty sure the world won't fall apart. Rausumeans know how to get ahold of me as well if an emergancy occurs while I am gone. But I leave you all in the good care of Ora, Enoch, and the other admins for about 3 weeks while I am away honeymooning with my beloved.
Post Scriptus: http://wedding.key-cell.com is my Wedding Website, Everyone is welcome to come celebrate our day with us.
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