Interesting times

Definitely a busy, interesting week. Tent lumber was dry enough to drill and set some pins in, sewed up the "futon cover" (see previous post), and taiko went OK - we've got the parade gig on Wednesday and will be going full tilt on "Shinkyoku." Which means I'm definitely going to want a shower before the drive up to War.

Yesterday we had the annual Employee Appreciation barbecue luncheon (Hawaiian themed, this year) and raffle. Usually I look at the prize table and think "Dear God, don't let me win," because it's usually stuff I don't need (ice cream maker), already have (my bike is more awesome anyway), or won't have room for in my apartment (lawn games). This year I won a portable fire pit - which has a case and will fit in the back of my truck with room for drums if the cooler rides in the front seat. Of course, I now need fire tools for the thing....

Looking forward to camping with JAF and his lady - they're nice folks, we all cook and it should be fun. (We've been IMing back and forth over who's bringing what. Must take some ahi for grilling!)

Went to the BART practice last night, got in some rapier work with Brogan and Staffan. We're going fairly slowly and they're both good, patient teachers. Brogan did poik me in the mask a good one last night and while it startled me, it didn't freak me out. Nobody's hit me hard enough to sting yet, but I don't think I'm going to be deterred by fear of getting hit now. I fought with one of Brogan's Zen Warrior beginner kit blades that he has for loaner gear. Comfortable weight and length - I took along a wooden dowel, marked it so I can cut it down to the same length and use it for targeting drills in the alley. Might even drill a screw and a couple washers into one end if the balance doesn't feel right.

I had some lucky Nook Laloosh "That was beautiful, what did I do?" moments, particularly with draw and push cuts against Staffan: I think I realized that if I missed on a thrust I should still try to make some sort of contact with the blade.  I'm starting to remember to use my off hand to move the other blade out of the way. And I sorta kinda remember to keep moving, though I have this stupid newbie tendency to attack and then stop.

James and Sylvia showed up and both gave it a try too. I ended up fighting the guy from Alaska whose name I can't remember and to whom I died repeatedly, and with Isolte who made me do all the attacking. (I'd almost prefer to do the same thing, myself, Gaius was all about the Way of The Potato, but I need to learn how to attack anyway). I died a lot, lost a hand and decided I might as well try fighting left handed. Felt awkward as hell, but when I went back to fighting Brogan I tried it again - and died again.  The hardest part was when it got dark - the sodium lights in the lot were better than nothing, but the mask makes it darker* - Brogan became a looming, dark blob and I had trouble seeing where his blade was at times. *The mesh is painted black - stainless may be better when I choose a mask of my own. Lots of information to process, and I'm nowhere near ready to rush out and buy my own kit, but I AM having fun.

I thought I had the weekend wide open except for karisu_sama and didjiman's party on Saturday. Then James and Sylvia wanted to do Japantown on Saturday and how can I not go to J-town, right?. Then Dafydd and Margaret invited me down Friday night to do tent repairs (which could probably mean Dafydd repairs my tent and I run interference with the children). And the rapier folks are doing a melee practice in Golden Gate Park (this one I'm probably not even going to try to make). And the Buddhist Temple float decorating thang is also Sunday - may or may not get over for that depending on how late I'm up Saturday, but I do need to do some pre-war prep!