As mentioned in my last post, I have been tagged by Marvelous Marvin (henceforth known as MM) to spill the beans on six things my readers might not know about me. Six unusual things. This is kind of a toughie ‘cause most of the off the wall things about me are in my bios on whatever social network or blog I’ve joined or written. I actually spent some time thinking about this between 4 and 6am when I couldn’t sleep this morning, figuring it was a better way to entertain my brain than worry about finances. But I’m still having trouble, so I’m gonna start with one and see where it leads me. In fact, I’m going to cheat a bit and blog on one new and fascinating Dana factoid a day. I’m also supposed to tag six people so in keeping with my one a day (just like a vitamin!) revelation, I’ll tag one person at a time. This will also give me a chance to figure out who Marvin has not already tagged. J
Okay, number one:
Sword fighting is unusual (at least it was when I started; it’s become a lot more common as more renaissance faires and live gaming groups have sprung up over the years. Most of you know that I do theatrical combat, but most people don’t know how I got started on this swashbuckling past, so I’ll make this number one:
My first sword fight was actually a short sword fight at the San Diego Renaissance Faire the very first year it was held in the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion. I dressed as a gypsy in a full circle red skirt, cinch belt and off the shoulder white blouse and sauntered around the faire with all the confidence of an 18 year old having a good skin day. As I waited in line for some food (probably the ubiquitous turkey leg), I overheard a conversation between a two guys in breeches, puffy white shirts and boots. One of the guys was complaining that his fight partner had backed out at the last minute and he wasn’t going to be able to do his swordfight. The fellow talking was in his ‘20s, had a mane of thick black hair, shot with silver, smooth olive skin and nice features. Dashing. Cute. Puffy white shirt.
Without a second thought, I stepped forward and said, “I’ll do it!”
And thus begun my checkered career in theatrical combat and my introduction to Chris Villa, my first combat teacher. Chris took me up on my offer with an equal lack of hesitation, taught me the basic parry/cut/thrust positions as taught by SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors) in an hour and we performed the fight, complete with appropriately cheesy and sexist dialogue shortly thereafter. It went well and I soon became totally enamored with everything about sword fighting, including my teacher.
Chris started my predilection for men who swordfight. Something about the musculature of swordsmen, all smooth, subtle ripples under the skin instead of big old bulky Ah-nold type guns. And I’m sucker for the breeches and boots. Oh heck, it’s all about the romance that goes with the entire package. While I’ve met plenty of total assholes in the world of theatrical combat, I have never met one who lacked romance in his soul.
Chris was my first real boyfriend and we eventually became engaged. Things didn’t work out – I was SO not emotionally mature enough to settle down, but Chris had a huge impact on my life and was responsible for giving me the gift of what became an integral part of my life. He also got my cat high, but that’s another story.
Eventually I’m going to dig out my old photos and scan them so I can share a pictorial history as well.
And for my first tag, I tag Other Lisa!
Wow–that soundsa exciting–of course with my eyesight, it could be dangerous. There was a state policeman who did security for a store I used to work for. He was the shooting instructor for the state police and offered to teach us all how to shoot–except me. He said if I ever found someone to teach me, let him know so he could leave the state!!
Neat. I think I’d enjoy sword fighting.
cmr
HAH! Joyce, that’s a funny story, except it’s no joke to have trouble with one’s eyesight.
Chris, it’s just one of the funnest things I’ve ever done in my life…
Cool! Swordfighting – wow, who’da thunk it. Neat idea to stretch out the tage game into a week-long string of posts too, clever one. (smile).
As always, they way you write about your life experiences is thoroughly entertaining. Hey You’re gonna have to write a memoir someday.
Sounds just like you. It is a lot of fun (though if I’d had your training I wouldn’t have been killed in my first–and so far only–confrontation.) A friend was getting married and four of us were supposed to protect the maiden fair from the groom-to-be’s attempt to “kidnap her” before the wedding. We met his champions (who were Creative Anachronists and, therefore, knew just what they were doing. Alas I was clumsy enough to sustain arm and leg wounds and so fell to my opponent. At least I died valiantly. (Er..does this make me a zombie?) The groom? Well, as we were getting our butts creamed, he slipped in theough a back door and the prospective couple took off into the night. Sadly the marriage didn’t last. But the experience of engaging a foe at sword’s point (well, at cardboard dowell point) remains a pleasant memory. LOL.
There must be a reason that ‘puffy white shirt’ appears more than once in this entry. I can’t blame you though, guys in puffy white shirts get my attention, too.
Awww, Martin, thank you! I’m glad the oddities of my life make for good reading! Memoir, eh?…
Heeee..Jack, your story cracked me up. I’ve actually sparred against SCA fighters with shinai and…heheheheh…I scored more points. And no, that doesn’t make you a zombie. Just battered.
Ah, Peggy…the puffy white shirt on the right guy is SUCH an aphrodisiac!
“with all the confidence of an 18 year old having a good skin day”
that is a brilliant comparison!
and “He also got my cat high, but that’s another story.”
is hilarious. i hope to hear that story at some point in time 😉
Heee.. Sheina, just for you, I’ll tell that story one of these days… Can I tag you?!
certainly, if you tell me what tagging entails….
And if you think men who swordfight are a special breed, let me just tell everyone how rare and wonderful it is to find a gorgeous WOMAN sword fighter – my sexy valkyrie (and did I mention, she’s a brilliant writer, too?) Purrrrrrrrr………….
-D
I remember–as only a mother would—hearing 2 guys talking about this girl in a big red skirt who was sword-fighting. Last worry-free time I had for a long time. Come to think of it–I STILL worry—
Awwww…thank you, Dave!
Poor mommy. At least I don’t do karate any more and come home with big nasty bruises… Heh. You’ll have to tell me about the 2 guys talking about me! I don’t remember that!