Monday, August 25, 2014

How I have changed as a fighter

I remember Last September catching wind that my sisters were authorizing in heavy fighting soon. i had talked of it but never made a commitment to doing anything about it until I heard that. Then everything changed.
Our prince at the time Sir Cellach(Jesse Weber) was having a fight practice at his house. I expressed interest in trying it out. I had just met him (during court LOL) a few weeks prior so I went to Columbus to at least fight rapier..... Hes a better rapier fighter then I first thought too. I admit I was nervous for a few reasons. #1 being I had just been involved into a horseback riding accident a few weeks prior and had just been cleared of my concussion a few days earlier. I fought at the event(melee @ Roswell) before but I was mostly trying my hand at commanding the rapier unit because I didnt want to push myself. Needless to say when it came to playing heavy for the first time Sir Cellach was very nice and encouraged me even though I was getting slightly frustrated I couldnt throw a shot ( I was expecting myself to be a natural.... Im not). After that practice I wanted more.

Fast forward to October or November. 2nd time in armor after a break. Sisters came to play with brendoken. It was great fun to see snipets of them fighting but for the most part I was working on rapier. Then one convinced me to get into her armor which I did. I did work with someone but wasnt quite ready for the hits they gave and almost quit. In part I got bruised pretty good because the armor didn't fit right. Enter Sir Cellach again. We discussed it and he talked me out of quitting and invited me to Tirnwedds practice. many months passed and I pretty much refused to practice with brendoken for the longest time. I got better slowly during the winter months and learned a ton of other things.
 In January I started putting my armor together and by march most of it was done.  March 1st was the day I authorized. I was so nervous the previous night I didnt get hardly any sleep. I kept running through everything in my head to do the best I could. Prior to the authorization someone came up and gave me a belt favor to use for as long as I was fighting. I think she could tell I was nervous. I asked Cellach to be there for my authorization (by this time he was king so was usually pretty busy at events) and I was super happy that he agreed. At one part of the autorization I was "legged" and went to go down but then remembered I wasnt supposed to and ended up hurting my knee pretty decently but I fought through it. and wouldnt you know it..... I Passed! I was on top of the world and ready to take on everyone! Prior to the fighting opening there was a morning court and our old baron made it quite clear I was to try my best at authorizing.....

Fats forward to April. April was a month of heartache and triumph. At the beginning of april my family attended an event called Spring Training. It was my first event being authorized that also had a sort of melee type thing. needless to say.... I was very confused on everything. But I did ok. Later that day the procession into court was getting ready to enter when my mom got a call and rushed out of the room. after a couple of minutes a friend and I went after her and when I approached her my heart sank to the floor. My grandfather had just passed away. The following will be in my mind forever. Seeing that we were distraught the King and Queen (Cellach and Vukasin) stopped the procession and they, as well as our baron and baroness, Zsoph and a few others came to comfort us. This will forever be with me and has changed how I view people in the SCA. I cannot thank everyone who was there enough.

Fastforward to Grand tourney of the unicorn. I have never been so upset in a fight I cried except for that day. I was still new to this whole fighting thing and was frustrated enough as is that I wasn't doing well or getting a single hit in on anyone. A person fighting 2 stick finally got to me and I ended up storming off the field and throwing my helm down and bursting into tears because of how frustrated I was. My sister and I ended off going to some steps and one of our friends saw us and greeted us and saw I was frustrated. after having a very long talk with her I went and fought some more feeling a bit better.

then there was blackstone.... The first full scale melee I have been a part of. At this point I have never called a hold..... NEVER. I also finally had my armour all together (YAY ME!) So as the day goes Im introduced to all sorts of fun stuff.... Like not getting killed and falling over a comrade. He asked if I had been hit. I said no so he told me to get up and keep going. So I get up.... Look around and see NO midrealmers. finally I find one left alive so I tell him to stick together.... he doesnt. so im looking for an oppoent and I see this guy legged..... I really should have killed him.... He asked if I was dead and I say no.... then he starts shouting " SHES STILL ALIVE..... SHES STILL ALIVE!!!!!" so I look up to see this mass approaching and start backpeddling trying to find help, I see the other guy go down and still no ones coming to help. I end up tripping over someone or something and as I roll over to get up one of the people comes up behind me and fouls (i think thats what it was) my weapon and I have 3 guys asking if I yield and I say yes. Complete fluke But I got congratulated quite a bit for being the last midrealmer alive at the end of the battle.
then there was the gated banner battle or something like that. Really fun. I got caught up in something called a column charge and amidst all the pushing and shoving my helm had become loose and the chin strap was choking me. I managed to call a hold, removed myself from the field and fix the helm. Then I went to the res point and waited for layon to be called. Well I was standing by the banner and had literally taken one step forward when I was crashed into like a freight train. I flew backwards into the straw bale and I admit I panicked. My weapon and shield was behind my back and i kept having more weight of people pile on me. I literally couldnt breathe and was starting to see stars. I squeaked hold probably 5 or 6 times before it was repeated and people actually stopped and got off. I totally panicked.... One of my friends said he could hear me squeaking hold from 10 ft away (he has a video too :P) Still it was immensely. I think some people call me squeaker now because of that.... I cant be sure.

Over the course of time and events I have received some compliments on how I am progressing. I am happy some people see it. I am trying to get better always and am working on keeping my frustrations in check. I often have to go back and think of where I was and where I am and keep focused on my goals. I look forward to continuing to improve and fight new people. I am eager to see where I am at in another year. I have a long way to go yet but I have the people to get me there.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me and continues to do so!

PS You cna see my auth videos on my facebook page.