And that is why I have been silent recently. Well, that and I haven't had anything worth saying. My little group have been working through things and although things have been good I have had no epiphanies about technique or made any significant links.
This is part of martial arts. Sometimes you have times that aren't stagnation, but aren't that thrilling for other people. "Today, my point control improved a fraction" "I'm spending time fighting left handed because I'm starting to get visible muscle growth on one side of my body".. Not worthy of a post in itself.
Drilling can be tedious. In fact it should be, your mind is going to be so busy during a fight that you don't want to think about how to move into true guardant/posta de finestre de whatever. In fact, during a fight, you shouldn't even be thinking about the name- *This* should be when your opponenent does *that* and so-on. It is supposed to be instinctive, and that's what drilling is for. If you can successfully perform a drill whilst your mind is elsewhere, you have been practicing properly.
I suppose I should start talking about muscle memory, something I've been developing in a different field for quite some time and I can feel it building up slowly. However, it is difficult to find the words for it- this is in the realm of the sixth sense. (we have more than five senses- there is sense of balance, sense of body and so-on. We just tend not to talk about them so the language isn't really developed)
Monday, 15 December 2008
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Rituals.
Your tongue contains quite a lot of nerves and provides your brain with an unceasing torrent of distracting information. You will find this information slows to a trickle if you hold your tongue between your teeth. However, this is a stupid thing to do during a fight. If you find yourself doing that, stop.. Then press your tongue against the roof of your mouth. It has the same effect and you don't risk serious injury.
Why do I mention this? Well, it has struck me that we all have our little quirks with mask on head and sword in hand. The master that I have the honour of being trained by reacts very differently in competition to how he does in freeplay, and as such he encourages his protegés to engage in competition even when the odds are against them.
I have noticed that my mind goes blank shortly after the salute, not in a bad way- I've just stopped thinking and.. well.. fight.. This can lead to problems, since I have noticed a tendency to mirror other people's fighting styles. This will probably fade once I know what I am doing and have learned enough to develop my own preferences, but then again, I would like to keep a little of that chameleonic tendency- knowing how your opponent fights on an instinctive level is a useful tool.
But I digress, rituals are important in their own way. In my opinion, Oriental martial arts overruse them. I could do some psychobabble here but quite frankly I find it insulting when people use long words to prove that they know what they're talking about, so I try not to do it as much as possible.
So the importance of ritual? Well, since it is becoming obvious that I am a fan of magic, I shall explain using Derren Brown as an example. Mr Brown is a sneaky, conniving git- he has, through the use and understanding of ritual, persuaded someone to be drunk every time he sees a certain word. This is allegedly through the use of something called Neurolinguistic programming. Although, you may as well call it semi-hypnosis. The concept involves tying a certain psychological state to a sensation, a Pavlovian response 1 if you will. This is the mechanism behind a ritual. You also have something known as state-dependent memory- this basically means we're more likely to recall something if we are in a similar state to when we learnt it.
So, we have the mechanisms, or at least some of them. Ritual allows you to step in to 'character', we use it all the time- you hear actors saying that the defining moment of their character is stepping into those clothes for the first time. People have their routines that get them into driving mode. Every one of us has something that brings us luck in certain situations.
This doesn't bring us luck by being lucky- it does it by allowing us time to access the right parts of our brain and tie everything together into the structures that make us better fighters/drivers/pass our exams. It can act as a placebo, allowing you to become calm again and be in the original state that you were taught in. From what I have heard about the Beast's self-defence training, he knows this- but because you cannot calm down when surprised, he tries to control your emotional state to replicate how you would be feeling in a dangerous situation... but my thoughts for teachers and what aspects I think they excel at is for a different post.
So, what are your little rituals?
1 Pavlov- Russian bloke, discovered classical conditioning. Made dogs salivate to the sound of a bell by ringing the bell and producing food at the same time. Eventually the food was not produced, but the dogs still salivated. Internal physiological effect produced by external, artificially related stimulus. If you spend a lot of time being beaten up whilst wearing a fencing mask, putting the fencing mask on should persuade your body to produce fightystuff before you get hit.
Why do I mention this? Well, it has struck me that we all have our little quirks with mask on head and sword in hand. The master that I have the honour of being trained by reacts very differently in competition to how he does in freeplay, and as such he encourages his protegés to engage in competition even when the odds are against them.
I have noticed that my mind goes blank shortly after the salute, not in a bad way- I've just stopped thinking and.. well.. fight.. This can lead to problems, since I have noticed a tendency to mirror other people's fighting styles. This will probably fade once I know what I am doing and have learned enough to develop my own preferences, but then again, I would like to keep a little of that chameleonic tendency- knowing how your opponent fights on an instinctive level is a useful tool.
But I digress, rituals are important in their own way. In my opinion, Oriental martial arts overruse them. I could do some psychobabble here but quite frankly I find it insulting when people use long words to prove that they know what they're talking about, so I try not to do it as much as possible.
So the importance of ritual? Well, since it is becoming obvious that I am a fan of magic, I shall explain using Derren Brown as an example. Mr Brown is a sneaky, conniving git- he has, through the use and understanding of ritual, persuaded someone to be drunk every time he sees a certain word. This is allegedly through the use of something called Neurolinguistic programming. Although, you may as well call it semi-hypnosis. The concept involves tying a certain psychological state to a sensation, a Pavlovian response 1 if you will. This is the mechanism behind a ritual. You also have something known as state-dependent memory- this basically means we're more likely to recall something if we are in a similar state to when we learnt it.
So, we have the mechanisms, or at least some of them. Ritual allows you to step in to 'character', we use it all the time- you hear actors saying that the defining moment of their character is stepping into those clothes for the first time. People have their routines that get them into driving mode. Every one of us has something that brings us luck in certain situations.
This doesn't bring us luck by being lucky- it does it by allowing us time to access the right parts of our brain and tie everything together into the structures that make us better fighters/drivers/pass our exams. It can act as a placebo, allowing you to become calm again and be in the original state that you were taught in. From what I have heard about the Beast's self-defence training, he knows this- but because you cannot calm down when surprised, he tries to control your emotional state to replicate how you would be feeling in a dangerous situation... but my thoughts for teachers and what aspects I think they excel at is for a different post.
So, what are your little rituals?
1 Pavlov- Russian bloke, discovered classical conditioning. Made dogs salivate to the sound of a bell by ringing the bell and producing food at the same time. Eventually the food was not produced, but the dogs still salivated. Internal physiological effect produced by external, artificially related stimulus. If you spend a lot of time being beaten up whilst wearing a fencing mask, putting the fencing mask on should persuade your body to produce fightystuff before you get hit.
Friday, 7 November 2008
The true detectives.
The world's greatest detective (no, not Batman, the other one, comes from London, wears silly hats, smokes and shoots up) had his own martial art you know.
When people think of Mr Holmes, they think of an inquiring mind, but they don't think of a man who could soundly thrash an opponent. Despite the fact that he was no bookworm when it came to thugs. Victorian London wasn't exactly a safe place. Gaslight made the shadows darker. Thugs and garotters hid around the corner and most streets were not safe to walk down.
Enter a Mr Barton-Wright. A fellow who spent an appreciable amount of time in Japan, doing railway-type things that the Empire used to be good at. A time of Isembard Kindgom-Brunel and the building of Tower Bridge. A time when the British could do anything.
So, what did this Barton Wright fellow do?
He took time during railway laying to learn aspects of oriental martial arts, specifically Ju-Jitsu. he then brought it back to London, and taught it as one aspect of a system involving historical fencing, cane fighting, boxing, savate and generally anything that worked.
Stuff happened and Barton-Wright died a pauper. The two fellows he brought over to help teach Jujitsu helped fan the Victorian desire for the Orient and ended up eclipsing Barton-Wright's self defence for ladies and gentlemen. (or as he called it, Bartitsu)
And that, really is where the tale begins. Bartitsu lays forgotten, Barton-Wright in an unmarked grave and forgotten by all those who would never have practiced Karate if it wasn't for his visionary attitude. One comment kept this fighting system alive.
It was more of a throwaway remark in The Final Problem where Sherlock Holmes explains that he defeated Moriarty by use of Baritsu. People started to wonder if it was a real system. It grew from there.
Barton-Wright published a few articles in, if i am not mistaken, the same magazine that first published Sherlock Holmes. A lot of hard work has been put into this and the articles have been collated and re-published. (Mr Beast- I believe this is where the plug should go)
This is a fascinating fighting system, and I hope it is the time for this to re-surface. The historical significance is astounding, the techniques are for civilian, suit wearing combat. So even today it could be used as an effective self defence system. (Umbrella fighting, including how to use the crook to trip, ok the hat as buckler stuff may be a little inconvenient, but then again- why not bring back hats?)
When people think of Mr Holmes, they think of an inquiring mind, but they don't think of a man who could soundly thrash an opponent. Despite the fact that he was no bookworm when it came to thugs. Victorian London wasn't exactly a safe place. Gaslight made the shadows darker. Thugs and garotters hid around the corner and most streets were not safe to walk down.
Enter a Mr Barton-Wright. A fellow who spent an appreciable amount of time in Japan, doing railway-type things that the Empire used to be good at. A time of Isembard Kindgom-Brunel and the building of Tower Bridge. A time when the British could do anything.
So, what did this Barton Wright fellow do?
He took time during railway laying to learn aspects of oriental martial arts, specifically Ju-Jitsu. he then brought it back to London, and taught it as one aspect of a system involving historical fencing, cane fighting, boxing, savate and generally anything that worked.
Stuff happened and Barton-Wright died a pauper. The two fellows he brought over to help teach Jujitsu helped fan the Victorian desire for the Orient and ended up eclipsing Barton-Wright's self defence for ladies and gentlemen. (or as he called it, Bartitsu)
And that, really is where the tale begins. Bartitsu lays forgotten, Barton-Wright in an unmarked grave and forgotten by all those who would never have practiced Karate if it wasn't for his visionary attitude. One comment kept this fighting system alive.
It was more of a throwaway remark in The Final Problem where Sherlock Holmes explains that he defeated Moriarty by use of Baritsu. People started to wonder if it was a real system. It grew from there.
Barton-Wright published a few articles in, if i am not mistaken, the same magazine that first published Sherlock Holmes. A lot of hard work has been put into this and the articles have been collated and re-published. (Mr Beast- I believe this is where the plug should go)
This is a fascinating fighting system, and I hope it is the time for this to re-surface. The historical significance is astounding, the techniques are for civilian, suit wearing combat. So even today it could be used as an effective self defence system. (Umbrella fighting, including how to use the crook to trip, ok the hat as buckler stuff may be a little inconvenient, but then again- why not bring back hats?)
Friday, 31 October 2008
More magic and swords.
didn't intend this to become a blog with lessons on the principles of magic. Unfortunately I see quite a few links between magic and fighting and by explaining things in the language of one, I understand it in the context of the other.
There is something known as contact mindreading. During a mindreading show a member of the audience was asked to hide an item in the theatre. The magician would then take the audence member by the wrist and lead them to the hiding place. No stooges were involved and the magician honestly had no idea where the item was. I think the most skilled practicioner of this type of magic could find a ring hidden no higher than the first floor of a building in the City of London (or to be more accurate an urban area of one square mile)
My memory for dates is poor at best, but I believe this kind of thing was fairly popular in the early '20s. At one point, people did this with their only contact being copper wire. (had to be copper, otherwise the electricity from the brain couldn't reach the magician.. or some reason like that).
I do a much lower scale version of this, and it is one trick that I'm happy to 'expose' (or even teach) in the pub because I believe it adds to the wonder of magic in general rather than destroys it.
How does it work, I hear you ask?
It works, more or less, in exactly the same way as the bind. The bind, for those who are uninitiated in the ways of the sword, is the position where you trade witty insults in movies. Naturally, it barely lasts long enough for you to swear but artificially you can manage things like "Join me, my son and together we shall rule the Empire" and so-on.
This connection is a novel realisation for me (although, I think I've been doing it naturally)- Using magical techniques, you can read the mind of your opponent through sword contact. The resistance he places on your sword not only gives you extra momentum on a move, but also tells you if he is about to disengage and a host of information. This is certainly something I want to learn to exploit.
There is something known as contact mindreading. During a mindreading show a member of the audience was asked to hide an item in the theatre. The magician would then take the audence member by the wrist and lead them to the hiding place. No stooges were involved and the magician honestly had no idea where the item was. I think the most skilled practicioner of this type of magic could find a ring hidden no higher than the first floor of a building in the City of London (or to be more accurate an urban area of one square mile)
My memory for dates is poor at best, but I believe this kind of thing was fairly popular in the early '20s. At one point, people did this with their only contact being copper wire. (had to be copper, otherwise the electricity from the brain couldn't reach the magician.. or some reason like that).
I do a much lower scale version of this, and it is one trick that I'm happy to 'expose' (or even teach) in the pub because I believe it adds to the wonder of magic in general rather than destroys it.
How does it work, I hear you ask?
It works, more or less, in exactly the same way as the bind. The bind, for those who are uninitiated in the ways of the sword, is the position where you trade witty insults in movies. Naturally, it barely lasts long enough for you to swear but artificially you can manage things like "Join me, my son and together we shall rule the Empire" and so-on.
This connection is a novel realisation for me (although, I think I've been doing it naturally)- Using magical techniques, you can read the mind of your opponent through sword contact. The resistance he places on your sword not only gives you extra momentum on a move, but also tells you if he is about to disengage and a host of information. This is certainly something I want to learn to exploit.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Glossary
Since I'm writing this for both old hands and people who have no idea what I'm actually going on about, I suppose I should give a little glossary. If I'm wrong, someone's going to correct me.
HEMA- Historical European Martial Arts
HES- Historical European Swordsmanship
Historical Fencing... Self explanatory.
These are, more or less the same thing. If you want to do something cool with swords, try putting these into Google.
Weapons:
Broadsword- a cut and thrust weapon with an enclosed hilt- you can't lose your fingers, so the style is more upfront. Weighs between one and one and a half bags of sugar.
Rapier- Mostly a stabby weapon with limited cutting ability and hand protection. Weighs around one bag of sugar.
Longsword- Your traditional two handed 'knightly' sword- fingers are vulnerable and the styles reflect this. Weighs between one and one and a half bags of sugar.
Sabre- has two flavours, one is sport sabre and the other is martial. The sport one is considerably lighter. Not too sure about the real sword.
Epeé and Foil- Sport fencing swords. Have no real idea about the weights, but they are stupidly light.
Grosse Messer- It's a big knife (literally, Grosse- big, Messer- knife ah those crazy germans) Think lovechild of a machete and a knightly sword.
Main Gauche- Left handed dagger, usually paired with a rapier. Used for parrying and stabbing if your opponent gets too close.
Buckler- Small shield held in the fist.
People:
Silver- wrote in 1599, rampant xenophobe, tells some good stories. Remembered that his fighting manual didn't have much in the way of instruction and started writing something else. This got lost before publishing and rediscovered later. Mainly concerns himself with
broadswords.
Vincentio- Does rapier. Silver hates him, has a manual somewhere.
Cappo Ferro- I think IronHead sounds much better, but that's far too manly for a rennaissence italian obsessed with rapiers. Had cameo in The Princess Bride.
Lichtenheur- Medieval German. Does lots of stuff on blade awareness and feeling the movement. Mostly Longsword, but has a comprehensive system.
Fiore- Medieval Italian. Inspired by animals. Strength of the bear, Speed of the puma, Eyes of the hawk, Ears of the wolf.. kind of thing. Mostly Longsword, but has a comprehensive system.
HEMA- Historical European Martial Arts
HES- Historical European Swordsmanship
Historical Fencing... Self explanatory.
These are, more or less the same thing. If you want to do something cool with swords, try putting these into Google.
Weapons:
Broadsword- a cut and thrust weapon with an enclosed hilt- you can't lose your fingers, so the style is more upfront. Weighs between one and one and a half bags of sugar.
Rapier- Mostly a stabby weapon with limited cutting ability and hand protection. Weighs around one bag of sugar.
Longsword- Your traditional two handed 'knightly' sword- fingers are vulnerable and the styles reflect this. Weighs between one and one and a half bags of sugar.
Sabre- has two flavours, one is sport sabre and the other is martial. The sport one is considerably lighter. Not too sure about the real sword.
Epeé and Foil- Sport fencing swords. Have no real idea about the weights, but they are stupidly light.
Grosse Messer- It's a big knife (literally, Grosse- big, Messer- knife ah those crazy germans) Think lovechild of a machete and a knightly sword.
Main Gauche- Left handed dagger, usually paired with a rapier. Used for parrying and stabbing if your opponent gets too close.
Buckler- Small shield held in the fist.
People:
Silver- wrote in 1599, rampant xenophobe, tells some good stories. Remembered that his fighting manual didn't have much in the way of instruction and started writing something else. This got lost before publishing and rediscovered later. Mainly concerns himself with
broadswords.
Vincentio- Does rapier. Silver hates him, has a manual somewhere.
Cappo Ferro- I think IronHead sounds much better, but that's far too manly for a rennaissence italian obsessed with rapiers. Had cameo in The Princess Bride.
Lichtenheur- Medieval German. Does lots of stuff on blade awareness and feeling the movement. Mostly Longsword, but has a comprehensive system.
Fiore- Medieval Italian. Inspired by animals. Strength of the bear, Speed of the puma, Eyes of the hawk, Ears of the wolf.. kind of thing. Mostly Longsword, but has a comprehensive system.
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Drilling should be boring
Drilling is not the be all and end all of martial arts. Boredom is.
Think about how you are behind the wheel of a car. You drive with a knowledge of your lead foot, or at least I hope you do. The idea behind driving lessons is exactly the same as those behind drilling. You need to stop thinking about things.
As you learn to drive (and I apologise to the Colonials) you will spend quite a lot of time feeling for the clutch. You will spend hours trying to build up those routines and awareness that allow you to hold a conversation whilst processing one hell of a lot of information.
You shouldn't think about reactions, guards, positions, spoons, distance, True Times, the aesthetic pleasure gained from the woman behind your opponenent (if it's remarkably more pleasant weather than it is now).. You build as much as you can into your kinesthetic sense and work from there. You stop trying to drive and start reacting to the conditions.
Drilling is not trying to win, it is trying to minimise risk. With a drill, you know where the blow is coming from. You should have one movement needed to block it (or a group of plays). Your partner is helping you learn, not trying to make sure you carry your hands home between your teeth. Even in non co-operative drills.
Once you become so bored with a specific drill that you can do it blindfold, then you might- and only might- not need that drill.
Think about how you are behind the wheel of a car. You drive with a knowledge of your lead foot, or at least I hope you do. The idea behind driving lessons is exactly the same as those behind drilling. You need to stop thinking about things.
As you learn to drive (and I apologise to the Colonials) you will spend quite a lot of time feeling for the clutch. You will spend hours trying to build up those routines and awareness that allow you to hold a conversation whilst processing one hell of a lot of information.
You shouldn't think about reactions, guards, positions, spoons, distance, True Times, the aesthetic pleasure gained from the woman behind your opponenent (if it's remarkably more pleasant weather than it is now).. You build as much as you can into your kinesthetic sense and work from there. You stop trying to drive and start reacting to the conditions.
Drilling is not trying to win, it is trying to minimise risk. With a drill, you know where the blow is coming from. You should have one movement needed to block it (or a group of plays). Your partner is helping you learn, not trying to make sure you carry your hands home between your teeth. Even in non co-operative drills.
Once you become so bored with a specific drill that you can do it blindfold, then you might- and only might- not need that drill.
Instructions on card tricks.
I dabble a little in card and coin tricks. Nothing big or clever, just enough to keep me amused and to build up my dexterity. This has given me what appears to be a novel view of muscle memory- but I will share that at a later date.
This is more about manuals and the difficulties in creating a workable motion from the written word. Below is an extract from 'Expert at the Card Table' by Erdnase (Dover publications, reprint of a 1902 book about cheating at gambling)
I don't know many magicians who Lay Down The Law. They are more concerned with the effect rather than the method. This may be one of the better, harder to detect methods of culling cards. However, if you can just put the two cards where you want then do it.
Essentially, you take a base set of manoeuvres and principles, then adjust them to fit your own body mechanics and produce a desired effect. If you can produce that effect with less mucking about, then aren't you going to do that?
Magicians can't guarantee that their interpretation of the instructions are correct, and they are written in modern English.
Is any of this that different to HEMA?
This is more about manuals and the difficulties in creating a workable motion from the written word. Below is an extract from 'Expert at the Card Table' by Erdnase (Dover publications, reprint of a 1902 book about cheating at gambling)
To cull two cards-Confusing isn't it- and the bloody thing has no illustrations. The thing is, it is really hard to explain magic using a static medium. It has it's own set of dynamics that the uninitiated will not understand. Also, this is not the only way to cull two cards- once you get the principles and the basic moves, you will find your patterns altering towards a way that is more natural to you.
Undercut about half deck, in-jog first card and shuffle off. Undercut to in-jog, run one less that first number running one more and second number out-jog. (The two desired cards are now located at top and bottom of the middle packet, which is held by the in and out-jogs) Under-cut to out jog, forming break at in-jog, in-jog first card (a desired card), throw to break, and shuffle off. (The two desired cards are now together, being the injog card and the next above it.) Undercut to in-jog and shuffle off. This leaves the two desired cards at the bottom.
I don't know many magicians who Lay Down The Law. They are more concerned with the effect rather than the method. This may be one of the better, harder to detect methods of culling cards. However, if you can just put the two cards where you want then do it.
Essentially, you take a base set of manoeuvres and principles, then adjust them to fit your own body mechanics and produce a desired effect. If you can produce that effect with less mucking about, then aren't you going to do that?
Magicians can't guarantee that their interpretation of the instructions are correct, and they are written in modern English.
Is any of this that different to HEMA?
Friday, 24 October 2008
Let's defeat Knife Crime
There is all this bollocks about how to make carrying a knife less cool.
As anyone who has held a real sword can tell you, they are cool. There is something in holding a few pounds of metallic death that sings to the soul. Even oriental swords have a weak echo of this feeling.
We will never stop this being cool, so why not make it realistic?
We can get daggers with fencing blades and safe messers, there are people out there who would be good judges of the injuries collected. Let's just let kids stab each other in safety (with bare minimum of actual instruction- try to reflect exactly what would happen if they pulled a knife on someone).
Since practically everyone has a mobile phone, send them a text message saying
Get the loser to lie in situe for an hour or so. Maybe even draw a chalk outline. Send the message 'do this for real and you will die'. Give them tales of duels where the 'winner' was the chap who died second.
Make them realise that there is no such thing as a knife fight, it's a stabbing competition. The idea that you will come out of one unharmed is ridiculous. Do this for real and you will die. If they still want to fight, then help them do it safely.
Drum it in- swordplay and knife fighting is cool, it's great fun, it provides lots of benefits like improved health and so on.
Swords and fighting are cool. Killing people isn't.
As anyone who has held a real sword can tell you, they are cool. There is something in holding a few pounds of metallic death that sings to the soul. Even oriental swords have a weak echo of this feeling.
We will never stop this being cool, so why not make it realistic?
We can get daggers with fencing blades and safe messers, there are people out there who would be good judges of the injuries collected. Let's just let kids stab each other in safety (with bare minimum of actual instruction- try to reflect exactly what would happen if they pulled a knife on someone).
Since practically everyone has a mobile phone, send them a text message saying
You are now a murderer, oh and by the way unless you look after the wound you got you will die from bloodloss soon. Good luck approaching the hospital- they've been told to look out for people who have been in a knife fight.
Get the loser to lie in situe for an hour or so. Maybe even draw a chalk outline. Send the message 'do this for real and you will die'. Give them tales of duels where the 'winner' was the chap who died second.
Make them realise that there is no such thing as a knife fight, it's a stabbing competition. The idea that you will come out of one unharmed is ridiculous. Do this for real and you will die. If they still want to fight, then help them do it safely.
Drum it in- swordplay and knife fighting is cool, it's great fun, it provides lots of benefits like improved health and so on.
Swords and fighting are cool. Killing people isn't.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
SFI's immoderate moderation.
For context, this is a thread questioning the decision to ban someone and commenting, in general on the lack of friendliness in the forum.
This is a comment by a moderator on SFI- Gregory Mele. I have no problem mentioning his name, since he made the comment in the public domain. However, I have concealed other names since they were making the comments in private, and on another forum.
This was from a thread entitled "Are Hemaboy, Hemaman, Hemagirl and Hemadog finished?" I have secretly harboured a wish to be personally insulted by Richard O'Brien, but failing that, I suppose a second rate lookalike will do. Yes, I realise this comment may end up with my skin becoming as black as a graveyard at midnight and as blue as my soul.
The full original quote was said with the irreverent sense of humour which is an integral part of the forum and is one of the reasons I enjoy reading it. And hopefully why I will only hunted down and get beaten up a smidgen.
So- the SFI Mods have banned people for alleged trolling, then made public a comment on a private forum (on a different site, with a different attitude and out of context) in a blatent attempt to troll and justify their general rubbishness. If this is not against the word of the rules, it is certainly against the spirit of them.
This sort of nonsense helps no-one. If Gregory really *wants* to increase the respectibility of SFI and HES (Historical European Swordsmanship- it's like HEMA, except they only use swords) then maybe he should be impartial and transparent. He also edited the site owner's post, for innocent reasons and in good faith. (You've got to be naieve to fail to see how suspicious that looks)
And the irony is: I wouldn't have had my mild antipathy against SFI reinforced if it wasn't for the despicable actions of a moderator on that site.
The phrase- again, I reiterate, in a private area of a different website- "Somebody stir up some trouble on SFI so they can rant about it." Was all that was needed to show that SFI is not a good place to go. It wasn't meant with any malice and I seriously doubt anyone was going to do that.
Even if it was in context (which it wasn't) in a public area (which it wasn't) there would be no need to bring it up as a means to disgrace your opponent.
I feel sorry for those newbies who find that as their first experience for seeking information. There are better places out there, ones that are more welcoming and have more information than a newbie would need with people who take pleasure in sharing it.
Mr Gregory Mele, I question your ethics, your methodology, your impartiality and your desire to make HEMA/HES a thriving and interesting community.
[edit- the offending comments have now been removed. I'm not one for revisionism]
This is a comment by a moderator on SFI- Gregory Mele. I have no problem mentioning his name, since he made the comment in the public domain. However, I have concealed other names since they were making the comments in private, and on another forum.
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:29 pm
Mr B wrote:
Somebody stir up some trouble on SFI so they can rant about it.
MR A wrote:
I'm working on it.
)
This sort of nonsense helps no-one. If A really *wants* to be reinstated here, then as his friend, maybe you should let A, C and I try and work this out rather than looking to "stir up some trouble" here?
This was from a thread entitled "Are Hemaboy, Hemaman, Hemagirl and Hemadog finished?" I have secretly harboured a wish to be personally insulted by Richard O'Brien, but failing that, I suppose a second rate lookalike will do. Yes, I realise this comment may end up with my skin becoming as black as a graveyard at midnight and as blue as my soul.
The full original quote was said with the irreverent sense of humour which is an integral part of the forum and is one of the reasons I enjoy reading it. And hopefully why I will only hunted down and get beaten up a smidgen.
So- the SFI Mods have banned people for alleged trolling, then made public a comment on a private forum (on a different site, with a different attitude and out of context) in a blatent attempt to troll and justify their general rubbishness. If this is not against the word of the rules, it is certainly against the spirit of them.
This sort of nonsense helps no-one. If Gregory really *wants* to increase the respectibility of SFI and HES (Historical European Swordsmanship- it's like HEMA, except they only use swords) then maybe he should be impartial and transparent. He also edited the site owner's post, for innocent reasons and in good faith. (You've got to be naieve to fail to see how suspicious that looks)
And the irony is: I wouldn't have had my mild antipathy against SFI reinforced if it wasn't for the despicable actions of a moderator on that site.
The phrase- again, I reiterate, in a private area of a different website- "Somebody stir up some trouble on SFI so they can rant about it." Was all that was needed to show that SFI is not a good place to go. It wasn't meant with any malice and I seriously doubt anyone was going to do that.
Even if it was in context (which it wasn't) in a public area (which it wasn't) there would be no need to bring it up as a means to disgrace your opponent.
I feel sorry for those newbies who find that as their first experience for seeking information. There are better places out there, ones that are more welcoming and have more information than a newbie would need with people who take pleasure in sharing it.
Mr Gregory Mele, I question your ethics, your methodology, your impartiality and your desire to make HEMA/HES a thriving and interesting community.
[edit- the offending comments have now been removed. I'm not one for revisionism]
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
What Hema has done for me.
There is something strange about HEMA- it's a bit academic compared to how you would expect a martial art to be. This is an unfortunate side effect of us no longer carrying swords and challenging people to duels for farting in our general direction. We have a bastardised, sporting version of swordplay and.. well it's bastardised, fair and generally sporting.
Without blowing my own trumpet- I am an intelligent chap and having an extra bit that's a touch cerebral helps engage me a bit more. I was surprised at how easy I found 16th century printed English was to read (the handwriting's a bugger, but then it's always been like that). So HEMA has given me something to do with my brain when I would usually be idle. I quite like this aspect, but I can understand that others will find this a touch intimidating. There is no need, people are willing to teach and you can keep clear of the books if you really feel that you must. I urge otherwise, but that's for no other reason than because I find it fascinating.
My kinesthetic sense has been fine tuned. I'm now more aware about where I am and what I'm doing without being conscious of it- I have a much better internal map of where I am in the world. This leads into improved muscle memory, even unrelated things like touch typing have improved because of this internal map. I've not gone back to any old sports, but I'm fairly sure I will have a slight improvement because of this.
My balance has improved and so has my general, low level fitness. I judge distances/widths better. I'm a lot more alert without showing it- although my threat perception isn't top notch, I can feel a more self assured posture and an aura of "you don't want to mess with me" starting to develop.
My dancing has got a little more varied. You wouldn't believe how easy it is to tweak guard positions and drills into something that doesn't look out of place on the dancefloor. Silver's True Guard is fairly close the archetypical "Woe is me" hand stapled to forehead pose.
I am, generally, more relaxed. The general exercise does all sorts of lovely things to the brain that makes it a better place to be. Of course, when people at work start getting to me, a serene smile crosses my face as I mentally list the ways I could get them to STFU and RTFM. So that helps a little as well.
And, I'm insured against accidentally dismembering people. Which still hasn't ceased to make me smile.
Without blowing my own trumpet- I am an intelligent chap and having an extra bit that's a touch cerebral helps engage me a bit more. I was surprised at how easy I found 16th century printed English was to read (the handwriting's a bugger, but then it's always been like that). So HEMA has given me something to do with my brain when I would usually be idle. I quite like this aspect, but I can understand that others will find this a touch intimidating. There is no need, people are willing to teach and you can keep clear of the books if you really feel that you must. I urge otherwise, but that's for no other reason than because I find it fascinating.
My kinesthetic sense has been fine tuned. I'm now more aware about where I am and what I'm doing without being conscious of it- I have a much better internal map of where I am in the world. This leads into improved muscle memory, even unrelated things like touch typing have improved because of this internal map. I've not gone back to any old sports, but I'm fairly sure I will have a slight improvement because of this.
My balance has improved and so has my general, low level fitness. I judge distances/widths better. I'm a lot more alert without showing it- although my threat perception isn't top notch, I can feel a more self assured posture and an aura of "you don't want to mess with me" starting to develop.
My dancing has got a little more varied. You wouldn't believe how easy it is to tweak guard positions and drills into something that doesn't look out of place on the dancefloor. Silver's True Guard is fairly close the archetypical "Woe is me" hand stapled to forehead pose.
I am, generally, more relaxed. The general exercise does all sorts of lovely things to the brain that makes it a better place to be. Of course, when people at work start getting to me, a serene smile crosses my face as I mentally list the ways I could get them to STFU and RTFM. So that helps a little as well.
And, I'm insured against accidentally dismembering people. Which still hasn't ceased to make me smile.
Monday, 20 October 2008
Weapons II
Last post, I covered the common weapons. So, now I should give an overview of the uncommon and complex.
Sword and Bucker- egad, this looks fun and painful. I've got no idea about the guards, except I recognise a few as tricky and deceitful, depriving your opponent of a measurement of their risk. The few bouts I have witnessed (mostly on youtube) come across as fast, vaguely confusing and relying on decent strategy so your flinch reactions don't end up killing you.
Pollaxe- It's an axe, a hammer and a spear all in one. I would call this the swiss army knife of weapons, but that makes it sound pansy. Far from it, this is more like the anti-tank gun of the medieval era.
Scythes... Yes there are sources out there that describe scythe fighting. Proper two handed big scythes.
Quarterstaff- Nothing like the Robin Hood stuff. The extra reach granted by holding it by the near quarter gives enough range that a talented staffman can take on multiple swordmen.
16th century dutch barroom brawling- still valid now, except for the chapters on throwing people by their hair and what to do when someone is trying to stab you with their eating knife.
Umbrella and bowler hat fighting. Eat your heart out Mr Steed. Someone was actually doing that on the streets of London.
And the best thing? The list is almost endless. If you master one, you have several more to learn, maybe you will be lucky enough to get your hands on a 'new' old manuscript that gives novel instructions for a known weapon. They're out there.. Somewhere. (and I have opinions about the new Fiore furore.. but that is for a later date)
Europe has been at war in one way or another since one tribe found another. Even at peace, there have been civilian ways to kill each other.
Sword and Bucker- egad, this looks fun and painful. I've got no idea about the guards, except I recognise a few as tricky and deceitful, depriving your opponent of a measurement of their risk. The few bouts I have witnessed (mostly on youtube) come across as fast, vaguely confusing and relying on decent strategy so your flinch reactions don't end up killing you.
Pollaxe- It's an axe, a hammer and a spear all in one. I would call this the swiss army knife of weapons, but that makes it sound pansy. Far from it, this is more like the anti-tank gun of the medieval era.
Scythes... Yes there are sources out there that describe scythe fighting. Proper two handed big scythes.
Quarterstaff- Nothing like the Robin Hood stuff. The extra reach granted by holding it by the near quarter gives enough range that a talented staffman can take on multiple swordmen.
16th century dutch barroom brawling- still valid now, except for the chapters on throwing people by their hair and what to do when someone is trying to stab you with their eating knife.
Umbrella and bowler hat fighting. Eat your heart out Mr Steed. Someone was actually doing that on the streets of London.
And the best thing? The list is almost endless. If you master one, you have several more to learn, maybe you will be lucky enough to get your hands on a 'new' old manuscript that gives novel instructions for a known weapon. They're out there.. Somewhere. (and I have opinions about the new Fiore furore.. but that is for a later date)
Europe has been at war in one way or another since one tribe found another. Even at peace, there have been civilian ways to kill each other.
Sunday, 19 October 2008
On weaponry
So what weapons are covered in HEMA?
It's seems to be one of three. Rapier, Backsword or Longsword. This isn't an exclusive or comprehensive list, you can find many weapons if you look hard enough. At the larger events you will be able to find people willing to teach practically anything.
Rapier is as close as I want to get to sport fencing, it's actually rather fun and there are lots of subtleties. I've not moved on to using a second weapon, but I am looking forward to learning a little rapier and cloak, rapier and dagger or rapier and buckler. Apparently, this kind of admission may result in people questioning my manliness. But I wear nailvarnish and eyeliner, so I'm used to that.
Backsword is interesting- It's a bit simplistic, there's only a few methods of attack and defence but this allows a better understanding of the mechanics of the fight. You don't have to worry about lots of guards and many places to attack. It's a good starter for people who want to get a feel for the dynamics of a fight. Besides. Paradoxes of Defence is actually quite a laugh to read, there might not be a lot of information about fighting but it tells you a lot about the time.
I don't really know much about longsword. It comes in two main flavours, German and Italian. German is a bit forthright and potentially suicidal. Italian is a bit sneakier and complex. It looks interesting, but I've only had brief instruction on the two types so I don't have enough knowledge to form an opinion. It looks fun though.
It's seems to be one of three. Rapier, Backsword or Longsword. This isn't an exclusive or comprehensive list, you can find many weapons if you look hard enough. At the larger events you will be able to find people willing to teach practically anything.
Rapier is as close as I want to get to sport fencing, it's actually rather fun and there are lots of subtleties. I've not moved on to using a second weapon, but I am looking forward to learning a little rapier and cloak, rapier and dagger or rapier and buckler. Apparently, this kind of admission may result in people questioning my manliness. But I wear nailvarnish and eyeliner, so I'm used to that.
Backsword is interesting- It's a bit simplistic, there's only a few methods of attack and defence but this allows a better understanding of the mechanics of the fight. You don't have to worry about lots of guards and many places to attack. It's a good starter for people who want to get a feel for the dynamics of a fight. Besides. Paradoxes of Defence is actually quite a laugh to read, there might not be a lot of information about fighting but it tells you a lot about the time.
I don't really know much about longsword. It comes in two main flavours, German and Italian. German is a bit forthright and potentially suicidal. Italian is a bit sneakier and complex. It looks interesting, but I've only had brief instruction on the two types so I don't have enough knowledge to form an opinion. It looks fun though.
HEMA, defined by what it is not.
Is HEMA full of frustrated Larpers and renactors?
No.
Are there frustrated larpers in there?
Yes. Me for one. I have also been a frustrated karate type and a frustrated sport fencer.
So why did I get into HEMA?
The short answer is I got dumped, but this isn't about that. What happened is I was left with time on my hands and the need to do something.
I have problems with Sport fencing, it's a bit two dimensional- the rules don't really reflect what you would do if someone is trying to stick a giant kebab skewer in you.
I dislike the formality of oriental martial arts and it doesn't have a resonance with me. I'm learning someone else's culture when there is so much of my own hidden in the shadows.
LARP and Reenactment are just people running around in silly costumes. At least LARP has nicer food and more comfortable outfits.
So- why HEMA?
It is informal- people (paradoxically, considering my last post) encourage you to develop your own views. It's not just repeat after me. Not only are you allowed to ask 'what if' or 'how does that work' it is almost demanded of you. You are encouraged to find new knowledge that interests you. Some people might just say this is because my instructor is lazy, I would argue it's because he is a teacher rather than robot.
It is realistic- It's not foam rubber swords, pointy ears and shouting "double, double, single". It's not "you can't strike unless you make a successful parry". It's not being authentic in all ways but the actual fight.
It's he's got a "fucking big sharp piece of metal and he wants to kill you, stop him". It's authentic in the fight and the fight alone. There are safety measures, and politeness (and people clever enough to wear a box) dictates that you don't kick them in the bollocks and decapitate them whilst they are.. distracted. But this is taught as a legitimate technique.
You can slash, thrust, pommel strike, disarm, wrestle, and aim for the face. It is a fight. Sometimes it's not pretty, but so what- pretty doesn't save your life.
And then there's the range of weapons, but that is for another post.
No.
Are there frustrated larpers in there?
Yes. Me for one. I have also been a frustrated karate type and a frustrated sport fencer.
So why did I get into HEMA?
The short answer is I got dumped, but this isn't about that. What happened is I was left with time on my hands and the need to do something.
I have problems with Sport fencing, it's a bit two dimensional- the rules don't really reflect what you would do if someone is trying to stick a giant kebab skewer in you.
I dislike the formality of oriental martial arts and it doesn't have a resonance with me. I'm learning someone else's culture when there is so much of my own hidden in the shadows.
LARP and Reenactment are just people running around in silly costumes. At least LARP has nicer food and more comfortable outfits.
So- why HEMA?
It is informal- people (paradoxically, considering my last post) encourage you to develop your own views. It's not just repeat after me. Not only are you allowed to ask 'what if' or 'how does that work' it is almost demanded of you. You are encouraged to find new knowledge that interests you. Some people might just say this is because my instructor is lazy, I would argue it's because he is a teacher rather than robot.
It is realistic- It's not foam rubber swords, pointy ears and shouting "double, double, single". It's not "you can't strike unless you make a successful parry". It's not being authentic in all ways but the actual fight.
It's he's got a "fucking big sharp piece of metal and he wants to kill you, stop him". It's authentic in the fight and the fight alone. There are safety measures, and politeness (and people clever enough to wear a box) dictates that you don't kick them in the bollocks and decapitate them whilst they are.. distracted. But this is taught as a legitimate technique.
You can slash, thrust, pommel strike, disarm, wrestle, and aim for the face. It is a fight. Sometimes it's not pretty, but so what- pretty doesn't save your life.
And then there's the range of weapons, but that is for another post.
Saturday, 18 October 2008
You are only as good as your opponent.
Are you the best you can be?
Are you sure?
How can you consider yourself good if your opponents are all rubbish or non-existent?
Finding good opponents is a difficult thing for the Hema newbie- I don't mean good fighters, there are certainly quite a few of those around. In fact, that's part of the problem. The good fighters are..glib.. about starting a fight. They know their abilities, are sure of the level of safety they can maintain when fighting. A battle holds little to no real world fear. Sure, injuries happen, but 9 times out of 10 it's been an accident in the truest sense of the word.
Now, I'm no naive fool- I know that confidence is best gained by faking it, and it's something that I'm making moves towards. However, it is intimidating to challenge those who outclass you in many ways. Pain may be a good teacher, but you need to have time to realise why you've just had your arse handed to you- that split second between oops and ow is what teaches me, not when you've been hit five times before you've finished wondering why you were hit the first time. (well, except that time you lost concentration, twat.)
I realise the value of a decent foe. This is why the HemaBoy debacle surprises me.
For a scene that prides itself on being able to beat someone up, shake hands after a fight and then head off to the pub. We're awfully afraid of conflict. SFI (a forum I browse once in a while, but cannot bear to read properly) is reknown for sycophantic behaviour and punishing those who break the status quo. HemaBoy has been the centre of a furore because he was being a bit of an outspoken gobshite and trod on a few toes.
Will people just wake up and realise one little thing- We have come together because of the love of a good fight, it is what we do. We spar with honour, We proudly announce when the opponent has made a good, well placed hit and you compliment your opponent when he has done something well.
Why is the friendly, good natured obliteration of your opponent only ever limited to the battlefield?
Without an opponent, all you're doing is waving a stick in the air. If that's the case, maybe Morris Dancing would be your thing.
Are you sure?
How can you consider yourself good if your opponents are all rubbish or non-existent?
Finding good opponents is a difficult thing for the Hema newbie- I don't mean good fighters, there are certainly quite a few of those around. In fact, that's part of the problem. The good fighters are..glib.. about starting a fight. They know their abilities, are sure of the level of safety they can maintain when fighting. A battle holds little to no real world fear. Sure, injuries happen, but 9 times out of 10 it's been an accident in the truest sense of the word.
Now, I'm no naive fool- I know that confidence is best gained by faking it, and it's something that I'm making moves towards. However, it is intimidating to challenge those who outclass you in many ways. Pain may be a good teacher, but you need to have time to realise why you've just had your arse handed to you- that split second between oops and ow is what teaches me, not when you've been hit five times before you've finished wondering why you were hit the first time. (well, except that time you lost concentration, twat.)
I realise the value of a decent foe. This is why the HemaBoy debacle surprises me.
For a scene that prides itself on being able to beat someone up, shake hands after a fight and then head off to the pub. We're awfully afraid of conflict. SFI (a forum I browse once in a while, but cannot bear to read properly) is reknown for sycophantic behaviour and punishing those who break the status quo. HemaBoy has been the centre of a furore because he was being a bit of an outspoken gobshite and trod on a few toes.
Will people just wake up and realise one little thing- We have come together because of the love of a good fight, it is what we do. We spar with honour, We proudly announce when the opponent has made a good, well placed hit and you compliment your opponent when he has done something well.
Why is the friendly, good natured obliteration of your opponent only ever limited to the battlefield?
Without an opponent, all you're doing is waving a stick in the air. If that's the case, maybe Morris Dancing would be your thing.
Please allow me to introduce myself
Well, what with HemaBoy, HemaMan and now HemaGirl, I thought this would be a good time to find my voice.
What these lot have in common is that they're all old hands at this. There seems to be lack of a voice about what it is to be new to this...
I am new to all of this. My martial arts history is practically nothing. I got bored with karate well before I got past the white belt. I've had introductions to fencing which stuck me as immensely two dimensional and pointless. I also, at least on the surface, conform to a lot of the stereotypes about the kind of person that participates in this kind of thing.
However, don't assume that I am writing under any form of anonymity. I'm fairly sure those who know me will identify me within the first few posts (assuming the name hasn't given me away already)
So consider this a fresh pair of eyes, untainted by a lot of the politics and too new to remember the glory days. The answers are not in the past- The past merely serves to provide us with interesting questions.
What these lot have in common is that they're all old hands at this. There seems to be lack of a voice about what it is to be new to this...
I am new to all of this. My martial arts history is practically nothing. I got bored with karate well before I got past the white belt. I've had introductions to fencing which stuck me as immensely two dimensional and pointless. I also, at least on the surface, conform to a lot of the stereotypes about the kind of person that participates in this kind of thing.
However, don't assume that I am writing under any form of anonymity. I'm fairly sure those who know me will identify me within the first few posts (assuming the name hasn't given me away already)
So consider this a fresh pair of eyes, untainted by a lot of the politics and too new to remember the glory days. The answers are not in the past- The past merely serves to provide us with interesting questions.
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