Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Self Care

So I have made an appointment with an orthopedist for Monday, October 1.  The pain is getting worse overall.  I can walk on it, but with it wet out today, I used my cane to get from the garage to my desk.  I was not plannign to use it, but 3 steps on the sidewalk made me rethink things, and I grabbed it from my trunk.  I had to call Jennie last night while I was upstairs and she was down to help me get my sock off.  Grrrr, frustrating....

As such, I am going to be skipping coronation and a bachelor party this weekend.  I hope everyone has fun.  Bring me back good stories.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

River War

We were running a little later than I had hoped but I still made it in time to fence in the first tournament, Collin's Body Parts tournament.  I have fenced in this format before and while I don't care for it, I had fun fencing.  I think I only lost one or two bouts in my pool, likely to Eldrich and/or Melchior.  Eldrich and Thomas dB made it to the finals with 16 points a piece. I forget who won. 

Lorenzo was going to run a cut and thurst tournament, but there was only one entrant, so instead he ran a single rapier or rapier and buckler tournament.  I went out with single rapier.  I used my 36" blade.   There were about 13 entrants.  I took a bye in the 2nd round to rest my knee (more on that later).  I had some wonderful passes, pulled off a beautiful attack vs Atilla, and lost to James in the final.  He pulled off a beautiful attack/body void and I tagged him late in the back.  I decided to rest up for the remainder of the day, and my cadet was forcing me to sit out.

I think I either strained or slightly tore my MCL a few weeks back while we were on vacation in NC.  I am feeling pain on the inside of my left knee and the joint feels unstable.  There is sometimes a lot of pain or a little pain depending on what I've been doing.  It was bearable, just feeling like I had tweaked it, but its been getting progressively worse.  The most painful time is putting on socks, shoes, underwear, and pants/shorts, becuase of twisting the leg to get them on.  I wore a knee brace while fencing yesterday, and I'm sure it helped.  Between bouts I was talking with Thomas dB and telling him how I felt like i had no push from my back leg due to the knee.  So, next bout, what do I do?  A full lunge with a beuatiful shot at my opponent.  I paid dearly for it.  I was not intending on throwing that shot, instinct took over.  So for the time being, if I fence, I have to figure out a way to limit the damage I do to the joint and the pain I will cause myself.  I am going to try and see a doctor next week to at least get an evaluation. 

I am not sure if I will be going to coronation or not this coming weekend.  I had hoped to go, but it is up in the air.

#GettingOldSucks

Thursday, September 20, 2018

No practice this week

No practice this week due to celebrating teh Yom Kippour holiday and other issues.  Tuesday evening, I developed a migraine.  It was so bad not even a narcotic pain killer put a dent in it.  Add to that a knee that is still hurting, and I knew I was not going to make practice in Bhakail this week. 

Instead, we had a nice break-fast with Murray and Chrissy.  I made my version of eggs benedict:

  • Croissants
  • Prosciutto
  • Chipolte holindaise sauce
  • Poached eggs
We served it with cauliflower hashbrowns and prosciutto wrapped asparagus.  Dessert was some fresh berries:  Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries.  Overall, it was a nice evening.  I started feeling the migraine coming back, so I lowered the lights and took some meds.  Thankfully I stopped most of the symptoms and we were able to resume as normal. 

I got a decent night of sleep after watching Forged In Fire.  Evan work us up around 4:00, and Jennie went to comfort him.  He was worried all night someone was going to take his bunny away.  Its the one suffed animal he bonded with and we are not sure where this idea got into his head.  Unfortunately, I think he's inheritied some of my anxieties.

This weekend is River War in my home barony of Iron Bog.  Collin Monro is running his "Body Parts" tournament.  I think this is payback for my tournament idea at Bhakail Commons.  There will also be melees, as befitting a "war".  Let's see how my body holds up.  At least it is close to home.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Falling Leaves / Roses Tourney

I love the Roses Tournament.  I have been fortunate to be sponsored for the last three years by Duchess Aikaterine and be on her team.  I wish my fencing was a bit better.  It was good, but I did something to my left knee last week and it was giving me problems.  Add that to my right ankle, and I was in a lot of pain after the day.

Friday, I worked a half day and then we go the car packed up.  We headed out around 2:00, grabbed some lunch on the road as we got a late start, and made our way to the hostess with the mostest, Miss Sally's house in Easton, MA.  Connecticut was full of Connecticidiots as traffic was pretty bad on both the Merritt and 95.  We arrived and I was tired, having been up since 5:30 AM.  A quick dinner and then I was done.  Sleep was restless, Evan was coughing all night.  I was snoring pretty loud according to Jennie.  I could not get comfortable.  She wound up sleeping on the couch in the living room.  Neither of us got rest.

Saturday, we had to wake Evan up, which was unusual.  We got dressed and headed to the event. Dragging my stuff from the parking lot to the field, I twisted the already aching knee.  We found Mercedes and Frasier and staked out space for TOAD-landia.  Antonio and Stacey got onsite and I helped to unload their trailer and setup the TOAD fly.  Before morning court, Lissa gifted me with a beautiful piece of pottery which I in turn gave to my wife.  Lissa, Declan, Aibhilin, Lorenzo, and his girlfriend joined us, which was very nice.

I got some warmups in with Doroga.  I used his height against him by staying in a low crouch and forcing him to adjust to the height difference.  I also used my 37" rapier, giving me a mechanical advantage against his 45" blade and long arms.  We fought with rapier and dagger and then with single rapiers for a few passes.  They were a lot of fun.  I think I strained something in my right foot while fencing him.

For the tournament, Duchess Aikaterine's team consisted of:

  • Sir Antonio, MOD, OGR
  • myself, OGR
  • Xavier the Sinister, OGR
  • Gregori Rogue Montana, Silver Rapier
  • Mable Fortune
One of the problems with the Roses Tournament has been finding teams to fight.  We managed to get in 6 fights with other teams.  We were later told teams needed 5 fights.  We were asked not to fight anymore (officially).  I had good bouts with Remy, Ogedai, Aesa (from Maine), Jamie, Christofel, and my cadet neice: Muirenn.  All were good, challenging fights.

I was thankful that my team was told we were done.  I know it was only 6 fights but also a lot of standing and by that time, I was done.  With Evan having a cough and Jennie and I both tired, we made our way quickly and quietly to the car.  I managed to find Evan's hat and sunglasses in the bathroom on our way out.  

We got back to Sally's house, I got in a shower, and then we headed out for dinner.  I needed protein, so I had a steak.  Then I had half of Evan's cheeseburger.  I was a bit hungry.  We got back, hung out for a bit, and we all turned in early.  This time I slept on the couch so Jennie could have the bed.  I knew I'd be snoring as my nose was stuffy.  

Sunday morning, we left Sally's and headed over to see Zsuzsy.  We had brunch with her, and then we went to her workplace, Salon Zed.  Zsu cut Jennie's hair and it looks so good on her.  We were out of there around 1:30 or so, and on our way back to NJ.  Connecticut was still the same when it comes to traffic.  We got to our town about 7:00 and went for sushi before getting home.  I got Evan to bed, and then soon we passed out. It was good to be in our bed.

This morning as I type this, my foot and knee still hurt.  The ankle hurts too but about what is normal, considering we are expecting rain.  Hopefully I'll make practice in Bhakail this week.

Monday, September 10, 2018

Ducal Challenge

I had a good time at Ducal Challege. The roads were wet and we left a bit later than we had hoped. I really need to remember to pack the night before. We were staying Saturday night at my parent's house, so we had to do some extra, non-event related packing.

We got to the site, checked in at troll, and then to the MOL table. I dropped the tray of baklava on the rapier prize table. The ground was damp and there was a slight slope to where we were to be fencing, so I opted to use a two handed sowrd in the list, rather than risk going for a lunge and hurting myself (as my ankle had been bothering me for a few days).

The pools were called, and I wound up in a great list with Justin Aucoin, David Tanguay, Matthew Kriebel, BobbyTights, Ilene Boucher, Kate Sokol, Annie Mohawk, Douglas Brooks, Nicolas Ferrero, Lindsay Gobin and one other who I cannot recall. A newly authorized fencer was very nervous when going to the list, so I talked to her a bit, hopefully got her to relax and have some fun. McCoy Munoz and Daniel Vildoso, thank you for marshalling our pool. I had a good day in the pool, coming out without any losses.

There was a break before the 16, so I got in to crongratulate Whitney Sternberg on her impending elevation as we would not be able to stay for court. She is going to make an awesome peer of the society.

I should have stopped in to see Ellesbeth Donofrey, but timing was not in my favor. Congratulations Ellesbeth Donofrey, well deserved, and you have been a force of nature for good in the society for many years.

In the 16, my first pairing was with Ray Edwards, of course. I missed him by " " that much..... but it was a great fun bout. I miss you terribly my brother.

Second round was against Mike Bannon. He knows me well so I had to change things up on him. I was lucky to leg him, but i forget how long his reach is for a guy who is not so tall. He was almost able to get me a few times, so I had to be cautious and setup and wait for my shot.

Third round was the baby OGR, Doroga. I came in under him, and it was a beautiful double tap, first to the belly and then light tap on cup. We laughed about it, but it was a good bout.

My final bout of the day was with Frank Hetherington III. I over extended and took too long to recover and he pounced on the opening and hit me so nice and clean. Every time I fence him, he continues to get better and better.

In the prize selection phase, I was lucky enough that my first choice was still there, so I have added another piece of art to the Thomas V. Berger gallery.

It was fun to see Evan playing with Turi and Kathleen's children and Lukesand Erikas' son. They are all so cute together. We packed up and headed to my parents' house to get changed and drop off Evan.

After a quick snack, we headed to Antonio and Stacey's house, where we knew people would be heading for dinner. We arrived and Marietta was there waiting for the food, but Christopher Butler was waiting at the train station, so I volunteered to pick him up. It was nice chatting with them both when we got back to the house before everyone got back from the event. I somehow managed to hurt myself when walking. Ice pack was gotten and I put my leg up for a bit. I did it again later in the evening. Not sure what happened, but Rachael Dufford got me her cane so I had some support. (good to have a cadet who likes to fight rigid parry).

We got back to my parents' house and tried to pass out, but a little boy takes up a lot of room in the bed. I woke up and made another tray of baklava for Rosh Hashannah dinner that evening. Jennie, Evan, and I headed out for dim sum with Miriam H Friedman Berger, Tom, Tina Edana, Maxine Lee. As always the food was good, but the company was better.

I passed out for a nap on the couch during the Giants game. Dinner with the family was had, and we headed home. It was a good weekend, but I want to know where it went.

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Training Day #1

So I need to get into shape.  I've talked a big game about this, but tonight, after getting Evan into bed, I rode my exercise bike for the first time in a long time.  I am a sweaty mess, but I did a 20 minute spinning workout, following an online video.  1 day down, more to come....