Monday, November 21, 2011
Well first let me preface this post with - unless you're in the SCA you won't get this.
My knight is Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny, whom has been Prince of the Sun in Atenveldt, Baron of Atenveldt, Knight of the SCA and for a significant portion of my life a surrogate father when I needed one deeply. An injury took him from the field for a good number of years and during that time for my own reasons (mostly girls and chasing skirts) I fluttered in and out of the SCA.
Coming back for me is like showing up at a family reunion and everybody grew up, got married, and moved out of mom and dad's. Dad's much older and can't help teach you some of the things you were to dumb to listen to growing up. So what is a squire to do?
I headed out and began meeting people again. I began to meet a number of people that started to help me get better as a fighter.
In the Barony of Sun Dragon:
Duke Jonathon Von Trotha (whom was also a squire of Sir Jerry and we served House Inverted as squires together)
Duke Aaron Graves (awesome left handed fighter and mass weapons)
In the Barony of Atenveldt:
Sir Shawn of Kilkenny (the current head of House Inverted)
Squire Duncan (I can't pronounce his SCA name, which is bad for me because he is the minister at my upcoming wedding!!)
Sir Elias and his monday night practices
Squire Pelagius - Queen's Champion of the 84th Crown of Atenveldt & the Baronial Champion of Atenveldt
In the Barony of Tir Ysgthir:
Duke Eduard Gostomski (his WHOLE household has been very welcoming, and helpful. I owe Sir Ivan more talk time about hand made tools, hahaha!)
In the barony of Twin Moons:
Baron Morgan of Twin Moons (has been helpful but mostly because when he would say something to someone else I paid attention)
Count Tristan Dragonheart (for figuring out my stance issue that had developed - trying to fight sword and shield like I was holding a pole weapon)
Sir Kazmir Konstantinov(short Kaz - and this is whom the remainder of this article will be about)
Look at that list! Now I will list a list a few name not on this because how they helped did not directly work with fighting: Baron Brion the Pious of the Barony of Granite Mountain, Thegn Tighearnain of the Barony of Tir Ysgthir, Baron Dongal of AESIR Metalwyrks, and Sir Johannes of Windrose Armoury. Baron Brion, Duke Edward and Sir Kazmir have kept up with messages asking how I am doing and taking a personal interest in me, and I am not their personal squire. This says volumes to their commitment to the SCA and its future fighters. Both Tighearnain and Dongal answered questions for me about what the differences were for them on the chivalry and the other peerages in the SCA. Sir Johannes simply said pulled me into a room at his shop and said, "You want to be a knight do this list long enough and it will be the best route I can suggest."
He told me my appearance looked good, Baron Dongal added I needed to keep the helm polished after each fight. Well I have been showing up and wow there have been a score of people to help me!
Well I got to know Sir Kazmir Konstantinov through Baron Dongal. He introduced me to him when I was looking to get a center-grip teardrop shield made from wood like Sir Vitus Von Aztinger is know for making.
I had even considered joining Duke Eduard's household in Tir Ysgthir, but he asked me to talk with Sir Jerry and Sir Shawn (whom let me borrow his pell). After those conversations I decided to stay and try an provide inspiration to my household I grew up with. I have since talked further with Sir Kazmir and he took a vow not to take a squire for a year and a day which will end at Saturday, Estrella War 2012. I talked with him about being a foster knight and I his trainer squire that he could get use to what that would mean to have one. An accord was struck and my training commences forward. Right now he wants me to use only wrap shots and rather than question it I am merely trusting my foster knight and waiting to see the wisdom in it. I just see no point in arguing with Mister Myagi about why 'paint the house' is important, just do it.
The road to KSCA continues forward thanks to everyone in this post.
My knight is Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny, whom has been Prince of the Sun in Atenveldt, Baron of Atenveldt, Knight of the SCA and for a significant portion of my life a surrogate father when I needed one deeply. An injury took him from the field for a good number of years and during that time for my own reasons (mostly girls and chasing skirts) I fluttered in and out of the SCA.
Coming back for me is like showing up at a family reunion and everybody grew up, got married, and moved out of mom and dad's. Dad's much older and can't help teach you some of the things you were to dumb to listen to growing up. So what is a squire to do?
I headed out and began meeting people again. I began to meet a number of people that started to help me get better as a fighter.
In the Barony of Sun Dragon:
Duke Jonathon Von Trotha (whom was also a squire of Sir Jerry and we served House Inverted as squires together)
Duke Aaron Graves (awesome left handed fighter and mass weapons)
In the Barony of Atenveldt:
Sir Shawn of Kilkenny (the current head of House Inverted)
Squire Duncan (I can't pronounce his SCA name, which is bad for me because he is the minister at my upcoming wedding!!)
Sir Elias and his monday night practices
Squire Pelagius - Queen's Champion of the 84th Crown of Atenveldt & the Baronial Champion of Atenveldt
In the Barony of Tir Ysgthir:
Duke Eduard Gostomski (his WHOLE household has been very welcoming, and helpful. I owe Sir Ivan more talk time about hand made tools, hahaha!)
In the barony of Twin Moons:
Baron Morgan of Twin Moons (has been helpful but mostly because when he would say something to someone else I paid attention)
Count Tristan Dragonheart (for figuring out my stance issue that had developed - trying to fight sword and shield like I was holding a pole weapon)
Sir Kazmir Konstantinov(short Kaz - and this is whom the remainder of this article will be about)
Look at that list! Now I will list a list a few name not on this because how they helped did not directly work with fighting: Baron Brion the Pious of the Barony of Granite Mountain, Thegn Tighearnain of the Barony of Tir Ysgthir, Baron Dongal of AESIR Metalwyrks, and Sir Johannes of Windrose Armoury. Baron Brion, Duke Edward and Sir Kazmir have kept up with messages asking how I am doing and taking a personal interest in me, and I am not their personal squire. This says volumes to their commitment to the SCA and its future fighters. Both Tighearnain and Dongal answered questions for me about what the differences were for them on the chivalry and the other peerages in the SCA. Sir Johannes simply said pulled me into a room at his shop and said, "You want to be a knight do this list long enough and it will be the best route I can suggest."
- Show Up! We can't help you if you're not here.
- Practice! This will mean weekly beatings at fighter practice and pell work in between.
- Be Better! This will take a while since it means the beatings at fighter practice will happen less because you're getting better.
- Qualify to fight in crown! Even if you don't win no one will know your name if you don't make a showing in tournaments and in time start getting farther and farther to the end of them.
- Find a knight you click with and stay with it.
He told me my appearance looked good, Baron Dongal added I needed to keep the helm polished after each fight. Well I have been showing up and wow there have been a score of people to help me!
Well I got to know Sir Kazmir Konstantinov through Baron Dongal. He introduced me to him when I was looking to get a center-grip teardrop shield made from wood like Sir Vitus Von Aztinger is know for making.
I had even considered joining Duke Eduard's household in Tir Ysgthir, but he asked me to talk with Sir Jerry and Sir Shawn (whom let me borrow his pell). After those conversations I decided to stay and try an provide inspiration to my household I grew up with. I have since talked further with Sir Kazmir and he took a vow not to take a squire for a year and a day which will end at Saturday, Estrella War 2012. I talked with him about being a foster knight and I his trainer squire that he could get use to what that would mean to have one. An accord was struck and my training commences forward. Right now he wants me to use only wrap shots and rather than question it I am merely trusting my foster knight and waiting to see the wisdom in it. I just see no point in arguing with Mister Myagi about why 'paint the house' is important, just do it.
The road to KSCA continues forward thanks to everyone in this post.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
I want to be a knight.
Okay.
How do I do that?
Well, that's the funny thing is there is not one set path and the road becomes different for each person but one path seems more traveled than others.
Okay, what is that well traveled road?
You could become a squire, an apprentice or protege if you will, to a bonafide knight.
How do I do that?
Well you have to ask one of them and hope they say yes. They will most likely give you some tasks to see what you are made of and whether they can train you. Then they tend to let you know if you pass and or fail the challenge to serve them.
So this is a job?
Well what did you think it was a checklist? A gathering of points until you become a level 2 human? This is no game however, thinking about it like a challenge you WILL overcome tends to help.
So it's not a job but a challenge?
No, its not any one thing. So it's not just a job, but also a challenge, a path, a lifestyle, a career, a calling, and so much more.
Then how do you become all those things at once?
Choose to be them and live them each day.
Huh?
I make a choice and poof I am a knight?
Yes and no.
Wait you can't have it both ways how is it yes and no.
To quote a movie: "You find a great many truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view." Now while you make a choice to be a knight how can you choose to be one when you don't know what it is you are choosing to be? Now the "Squire" makes a lot more sense to have a guide along the path. Someone to help you discover what being a knight means.
Well yes when you put it that way.
There are some basic tenants you must follow, but if you follow the rule of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you then you're well on your way and didn't even know it.
Alright so if I treat someone nicely it is because this is how I wish to be treated, right?
Correct, but what if they treat you rudely, they are saying they wish to be treated thus?
Wait, if they are rude and I am nice might they be nice as well.
Perhaps, but if no one is there to show them the way then they may stay rude forever.
Oh I am choosing to be the example, right?
Correct, but this is still just the beginning of the journey and you have yet to face a trial when no one else is there to watch you, do you do the right thing or the easy thing.
Ok I need to find a guide, a knight.
And when you loose your guide and you know the journey is not over, what of the bond between knight and squire?
I am not sure try to carry on in their name, their ideal, I guess.
When you find yourself asking questions and you have no to answer them what then?
Do I find another knight or muck around in the dark?
Only you can answer that, and it may be the hardest question over doing what's right or what's easy. Welcome to your first trial.
To this day I keep asking the question and I am not sure about my choice...
Okay.
How do I do that?
Well, that's the funny thing is there is not one set path and the road becomes different for each person but one path seems more traveled than others.
Okay, what is that well traveled road?
You could become a squire, an apprentice or protege if you will, to a bonafide knight.
How do I do that?
Well you have to ask one of them and hope they say yes. They will most likely give you some tasks to see what you are made of and whether they can train you. Then they tend to let you know if you pass and or fail the challenge to serve them.
So this is a job?
Well what did you think it was a checklist? A gathering of points until you become a level 2 human? This is no game however, thinking about it like a challenge you WILL overcome tends to help.
So it's not a job but a challenge?
No, its not any one thing. So it's not just a job, but also a challenge, a path, a lifestyle, a career, a calling, and so much more.
Then how do you become all those things at once?
Choose to be them and live them each day.
Huh?
I make a choice and poof I am a knight?
Yes and no.
Wait you can't have it both ways how is it yes and no.
To quote a movie: "You find a great many truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view." Now while you make a choice to be a knight how can you choose to be one when you don't know what it is you are choosing to be? Now the "Squire" makes a lot more sense to have a guide along the path. Someone to help you discover what being a knight means.
Well yes when you put it that way.
There are some basic tenants you must follow, but if you follow the rule of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you then you're well on your way and didn't even know it.
Alright so if I treat someone nicely it is because this is how I wish to be treated, right?
Correct, but what if they treat you rudely, they are saying they wish to be treated thus?
Wait, if they are rude and I am nice might they be nice as well.
Perhaps, but if no one is there to show them the way then they may stay rude forever.
Oh I am choosing to be the example, right?
Correct, but this is still just the beginning of the journey and you have yet to face a trial when no one else is there to watch you, do you do the right thing or the easy thing.
Ok I need to find a guide, a knight.
And when you loose your guide and you know the journey is not over, what of the bond between knight and squire?
I am not sure try to carry on in their name, their ideal, I guess.
When you find yourself asking questions and you have no to answer them what then?
Do I find another knight or muck around in the dark?
Only you can answer that, and it may be the hardest question over doing what's right or what's easy. Welcome to your first trial.
To this day I keep asking the question and I am not sure about my choice...
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Well, I was finally getting good enough that there was not a single fighter on the Barony of Sun Dragon field for FP that I lost every fight to. I even managed to dis-shield one of the fighters using a center grip oval shield! His grace, Duke Aaron Graves has been kind enough to show me hand and a half fighting style and makes sure to train me a bit personally each week.
I can't thank him enough so when he asked for some repairs to his armour I was only to happy to oblige since this what I love to do. I tried to dye the outside coal black and then to match the color scheme of his armour I gave him red straps stitched into the vambraces. More to come as I work on other pieces as a way to say thanks.
Before:
After:
Lord Iosif Volkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
I can't thank him enough so when he asked for some repairs to his armour I was only to happy to oblige since this what I love to do. I tried to dye the outside coal black and then to match the color scheme of his armour I gave him red straps stitched into the vambraces. More to come as I work on other pieces as a way to say thanks.
Before:
After:
Lord Iosif Volkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
Monday, August 15, 2011
Here is the review of the Verix2 Linux Gaming/Mobile-server/etc laptop from ZaReason, by Joe "Zonker" Brockmeier.
http://www.linux.com/learn/tutorials/473692-review-zareasons-verix-2-linux-laptop-hits-the-spot
Linux
Laptops
W00T!!!
Lord Iosif Volkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
Monday, August 1, 2011
http://www.jonobacon.org/2011/07/30/open-source-health-with-fitbit/
This is a cool little contraption that can be hidden in your armour to test the effects of fighter practice on your body. Also, whether or not you are pushing yourself at fighter practice or just showing up.
This is a cool little contraption that can be hidden in your armour to test the effects of fighter practice on your body. Also, whether or not you are pushing yourself at fighter practice or just showing up.
Slava Atenveldta,
Lord Iosif Volkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Well, John of Windrose Armoury said when sat in on circles of Chivalry, that they ask how potential knights support the other order of the peerage: Laurels and Pelicans.
I have donated my time at events before and I LOVE doing demo's whenever I can. The S.C.A. doesn't grow on trees you know!! :-P
Today, however, I entered my first A&S (Arts and Sciences) competition. I entered into the Baronial A&S Champion for the Barony of Sun Dragon (West Metro Valley) and while I did not win champion I did win for the categories of food and jewelry. Wow, food that was my first attempt at making butter with shaking the creme, grinding the mint, and then adding honey as I mixed it together and froze it.
I was also given the award of the Honor of Sun Dragon (1st level - Red Ribbon / service award; think Pelican) and the Order of the Dragon's Scale of Sun Dragon (1st level - Red Jewel / A&S award; think Laurel). Now I am working on some aluminum shoulder plates to display them from the left side. The more important issue is that I have taken another step into a much larger world.
Then at closing court yesterday I was also awarded for winning the Sun Dragon Art Botega and gifted with a box that I shall mount hinges and a latch to so it may hold links for me.
Till next time.
I have donated my time at events before and I LOVE doing demo's whenever I can. The S.C.A. doesn't grow on trees you know!! :-P
Today, however, I entered my first A&S (Arts and Sciences) competition. I entered into the Baronial A&S Champion for the Barony of Sun Dragon (West Metro Valley) and while I did not win champion I did win for the categories of food and jewelry. Wow, food that was my first attempt at making butter with shaking the creme, grinding the mint, and then adding honey as I mixed it together and froze it.
I was also given the award of the Honor of Sun Dragon (1st level - Red Ribbon / service award; think Pelican) and the Order of the Dragon's Scale of Sun Dragon (1st level - Red Jewel / A&S award; think Laurel). Now I am working on some aluminum shoulder plates to display them from the left side. The more important issue is that I have taken another step into a much larger world.
Then at closing court yesterday I was also awarded for winning the Sun Dragon Art Botega and gifted with a box that I shall mount hinges and a latch to so it may hold links for me.
Till next time.
Slava Atenveldta,
Lord Iosif Volkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Thursday, April 7, 2011
 |
| Persian inspired plated-mail or Yushman in Russian armour. |
 |
| Russian styled Yushman armour. |
Slava Atenveldta,
Lord Iosif Volkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Friday, February 25, 2011
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keyholeprod/sets/72157626000871441/
This is a link for my boss actually to a photographer that has his pictures up from the event.
He had a few shots of me in his portfolio.
This first one is of me on Friday's battles walking off the field.
This one is of me on Saturday and I am using a "white" battle-axe which starts its swing in the top half on the right and I come into view after clobbering the guy in front of me.
Can't help it I dig action shots.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=103216&id=1454057208&l=acb1c27a6b
This is the link to my album of pictures Andrea took on my Facebook page.
This is a link for my boss actually to a photographer that has his pictures up from the event.
He had a few shots of me in his portfolio.
This first one is of me on Friday's battles walking off the field.
Can't help it I dig action shots.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=103216&id=1454057208&l=acb1c27a6b
This is the link to my album of pictures Andrea took on my Facebook page.
Slava Atenveldta,
Lord Iosif Volkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
House Inverted
Baronial Guard of Sun Dragon
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Friday, February 11, 2011
Let me preface this by saying this statement only will make sense to those in the SCA.
==============
This post has been rumbling around my head again ever since Brian Cole messaged me at 1:30am several days ago and said "You amaze me."
==============
This post has been rumbling around my head again ever since Brian Cole messaged me at 1:30am several days ago and said "You amaze me."
While I am still very grateful for the compliment I will, always, to some degree question the worthiness of the recipient.
It is often said throughout the years: to thy own self be true.
I am a flawed man, quirky, overly questioning, overbearing, stubborn, callous, skeptical to a fault on many things, and victim of my heart. However, our failings can be used proactively with positive outcomes, like any tool how we use it determines whether or not one is evil or good.
I am also a good man, loyal, determined, patient (more so as I get older), caring, and nurturing. When I look at the good and bad traits I see two side of the same coin. So what does that make me, human I guess, a person that feels at least, a man.
My faith in many things has been bruised and left in doubt but as my father would say, "the sun will rise tomorrow whether you like it or not." So I persevere because of an old motto of my Scottish clan: Lindsey, which is "Endure Forte."
My fighting style was centered around this and all my tastes in literature, history, and so many things have been centered around two simple, yet powerful words: endure forte. In Norse mythology it is dark about the end times of Ragnarök, and the Battle of Thermopile where 300 Spartans (yes and there roughly 1,000 other fellow Greeks) stood against insurmountable odds. These stories made me realize I cannot agree with Machiavelli in that "the ends do not justify the means." I read "The Prince" and there is wisdom in it but gather from it the wisdom you value and re-read it in a few years and see if you value the same things.
I believe strongly that "white leather" means first that I must serve as the wall, that I will defend against all assaults and those behind me can move freely because I stand here against the storm. This thought leads to service and the words of Leo Tolstoy and Jack London:
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." --Leo Tolstoy
"He who serves all best serves himself." --Jack London
When the water crashes against the stone and breaks it does wear it down over the years but when the people come and reinforced the stone the cycle is renewed. When Tolstoy talks about changing the world I think of every boy's dream about being a knight to save the land, but not what to do the day after that. Then I think of London's words and find that knights have become cops and firefighters they continue to save the day each day and by serving those around them they become reinforced because the whole gets stronger through their efforts.
Others will mention that all the stone cannot be attended to at the same time surely some must fall. I would agree but remember Thermopile, remember the Alamo, ethics and morality are what you do when no one is looking. They could not see the future and yet stood their ground to make a way for that future to come, they served without regard for their well being because they saw what the SCA strives to see everyday.
the Dream...
... of what should be, not what was or often is.
I see "white leather" as perfect imperfection, when a broken soul can find reparations to itself through service to a goal bigger than they are yet like a unique, perfectly imperfect snowflake fall with the power of an avalanche of change when they unite in community of action.
Sister Joan Chittister of the Order of Saint Benedict said it best about the church, and I find this to be true of any institution that becomes successful and sustaining.
"The church is a human institution, and it is slow. It's also a universal institution. It takes a long time for ideas to seep to the top, let alone to move the bottom. So you just realize that what is going on right now is simply the seeding of the question. It comes down to how many snowflakes does it take to break a branch? I don't know, but I want to be there to do my part if I'm a snowflake."
Each bearer of "white leather" and the peerage as a whole is one of these snowflakes, and with the inspiration they can muster all of us become perfectly imperfect, unique, and special.
I can't wait to see what we can do when such a community moves together.
My faith in many things has been bruised and left in doubt but as my father would say, "the sun will rise tomorrow whether you like it or not." So I persevere because of an old motto of my Scottish clan: Lindsey, which is "Endure Forte."
My fighting style was centered around this and all my tastes in literature, history, and so many things have been centered around two simple, yet powerful words: endure forte. In Norse mythology it is dark about the end times of Ragnarök, and the Battle of Thermopile where 300 Spartans (yes and there roughly 1,000 other fellow Greeks) stood against insurmountable odds. These stories made me realize I cannot agree with Machiavelli in that "the ends do not justify the means." I read "The Prince" and there is wisdom in it but gather from it the wisdom you value and re-read it in a few years and see if you value the same things.
I believe strongly that "white leather" means first that I must serve as the wall, that I will defend against all assaults and those behind me can move freely because I stand here against the storm. This thought leads to service and the words of Leo Tolstoy and Jack London:
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." --Leo Tolstoy
"He who serves all best serves himself." --Jack London
When the water crashes against the stone and breaks it does wear it down over the years but when the people come and reinforced the stone the cycle is renewed. When Tolstoy talks about changing the world I think of every boy's dream about being a knight to save the land, but not what to do the day after that. Then I think of London's words and find that knights have become cops and firefighters they continue to save the day each day and by serving those around them they become reinforced because the whole gets stronger through their efforts.
Others will mention that all the stone cannot be attended to at the same time surely some must fall. I would agree but remember Thermopile, remember the Alamo, ethics and morality are what you do when no one is looking. They could not see the future and yet stood their ground to make a way for that future to come, they served without regard for their well being because they saw what the SCA strives to see everyday.
the Dream...
... of what should be, not what was or often is.
I see "white leather" as perfect imperfection, when a broken soul can find reparations to itself through service to a goal bigger than they are yet like a unique, perfectly imperfect snowflake fall with the power of an avalanche of change when they unite in community of action.
Sister Joan Chittister of the Order of Saint Benedict said it best about the church, and I find this to be true of any institution that becomes successful and sustaining.
"The church is a human institution, and it is slow. It's also a universal institution. It takes a long time for ideas to seep to the top, let alone to move the bottom. So you just realize that what is going on right now is simply the seeding of the question. It comes down to how many snowflakes does it take to break a branch? I don't know, but I want to be there to do my part if I'm a snowflake."
Each bearer of "white leather" and the peerage as a whole is one of these snowflakes, and with the inspiration they can muster all of us become perfectly imperfect, unique, and special.
I can't wait to see what we can do when such a community moves together.
Slava Atenveldta,
Lord Iosif Volchkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Barony of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
House Inverted
Barony of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Friday, February 4, 2011
In an earlier post I mentioned getting blasted in my right knee. Well that prompted me to remove my thigh armor and go with football padding from Reebok and Under Armour. Now for the knee I went back to the original style hinge and I only had copper rivets on me for supplies. Below is a beginning pic of the project.
Now I split the hinge to help with articulation which would contract to a point when bent at the knee. See below:
Now you can see the split hinge contract at this point and articulation is no longer an issue. Now came what turned out to be a bigger issue for me. Because the right half of my body is a half-inch longer than the left half this right legs sits to low given the shins were measured off the left leg. I know its my fault for not realizing this would come back to haunt me. That being said I went down to the closest Tandy Leather / Leather Factory store to talk about keeping the leg from sliding down. The manager was in and he had made a number of leather armour suits for various S.C.A. fighters over the years. I walked in wearing the right shin and we began to discuss my options of how to fix it. He peg the right-side / left-side size issue within 10 minutes of talking to me. Then the conversation became not "how to keep from sliding down" but "how to hike the shin up to the right spot."
This is what I could come up with give time, only having copper rivets, some 10oz. leather straps and chainmail I wanted to build something with:
Now I will be adding to the chainmail to make a sabaton of sorts but that will wait till FP so I can test the alterations out and then it is on to the vest. Ahh, at least E.W. is paid for and we are stocked on gear.
Slava Atenveldta,
Lord Iosif Volchkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Barony of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
House Inverted
Barony of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Well, I wanted several times to help with "shield walls" at the Atenveldt War Practices. However, I had some heavy, unbalanced basket hilts and mitten gauntlets. So I ordered from Windrose Armoury a hilt and pommel made from aluminum. The objective is to make a weapon that I can use with a gauntlet one handed. The picture here is an attempt to show my progress and the blue on the handle is wrapping for a tennis handle for shock absorption and then leather stripping removed from an axe I had used and re-purposed for grip on this handle. After E.W. I will trade the pommel out for a brass pommel for better balance. The thrusting tip is also from Windrose as well.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Oh my god, where do I begin!
This has been the best of the practices and one of the most memorable trips I have had in a while. Andrea and I left at
7:30AM for the Shire of Granite Mountain in hopes we could be there by 9:00AM. We set all of our alarms for 5:00AM in hopes that we would wake by 6:00AM, LOL!
Well off we headed off and pulled up the event on facebook and then used the navigator app on our android phone to get directions. Bows to T-Mobile and his myTouch 3G slide, hahaha!!!
On the way up the scenic views were so beautiful I told Andrea we needed photos of our trips going to and from in the future but the very first picture she scored with the camera was after we found our way there.
Upon arriving at the site we parked and went to sign in and when we got there one of the heralds
mistook Andrea height and said, "One adult, one child." Now I did smirk because she is short and I can see how they made the mistake. Braids in the hair we both agreed later probably did not help. Andrea said rather matter of factly, "Umm, I'm 30." Then I saw a sight rarely seen in the S.C.A., the herald's jaw dropped in shock! One of her associates said to her playfully, "Don't you have somewhere to be?" Truth be told it was one of the funnier moments I have had after returning to the S.C.A. at the beginning of the year. Andrea has had so much fun and I get to re-live being a newcomer through her experiences.
Then I hiked my way to the bathrooms because wouldn't you know it, put your cup on and instantly you have to pee, geesh! Now regardless of the walk, the line, and what not these were indoor bathrooms and warm! There is nothing more awakening to a person than you somewhat cold bum hitting freezing metal or plastic toilet seat at 3am! AHHHHHHHH!!!! You know I am right if you have had this happen to you. My thanks to the heralds for securing such privy locations.
Well I finally got dress in my "Sunday Dress" armour which means I added mail to the outfit and here is the picture. To which I got several compliments on the rig's appearance. Now enjoy the shot because after the fights that day there will be modifications to the armor after a floating knee floated to low, dragging my thigh with it, yipe! Andrea (her SCA name is Ulianna) found out that the Queen of Atenveldt, Amirah, Aten Regina, shares her gluten allergy when I came across it on the Atenveldt website. So she made a gluten free version of a food recipe called "Fighter Biscuits" she found on a site talking about Pennsic War. To help bring her out of her shell and get to know people I got her to make extra for the queen and we got her some glueten free cider as well. Sadly we have no pictures of this but way to go for the Atenveldt virtual herald!!! For this person recorded the event it was awesome!
Please go " here " to see ALL of her photos I upload and I will paste a few more in here as room allows me for the post. Then I saw the coolest thing ever! I got to see the creation of a Barony, but really I saw the realization of a decade long dream become realized.
The Shire of Granite Mountain had been acting the part of a Barony for some time but were being formally recognized now for their efforts. Above is a link to my facebook album for all the details but this is some of the cooler shots I think matter for the post.
Now both the founding Baron and Baroness get to retain the title of Baron and Baroness of Granite Mountain for all time, which is just a cool milestone in the lifestyle for someone to earn by sweat and sacrifice.
I am so happy his excellency, Brian the Pious of Granite Mountain, was very cordial on the field and when I asked to see his bazubands (vambraces / arm armour) up close. Okay, so I got some compliments on my fighting which only means I have stopped sucking horribly since returning to fighting. In one on one I would still get "owned" fight with that heavy basket hilt blade and shield. Even Andrea said I was wailing on a few guys. I only brought my pole axe and 9-ft spear with me because my right wrist still gives me horrible pain the following day if I use a heavy one handed weapon in it.
HRM Phelan reminded us not to break ourselves on the field that day but that happened about two fights before the 20 minute resurrection battle at the end of the afternoon (2:40pm to 3pm). It only makes sense when I mention a small birth defect which means I developed with the left half of my body being a half inch shorter than the right half. On most clothing you can't tell unless you ask me to stand straight and my right leg is bent at the knee. Well when the armour was made with my leg measurements on the left shorter leg.
Well I got a shot in the right upper knee sliding it down so the edge of the floating cop was over my knee cap. Then came the second shot and BLAM!!!! I got popped but good. The picture here is me resting and then getting up to go and try to do the last rez battle.
Well I told my housemate that I was done and I headed over to strip down. Boy was I happy when HRM said no closing court my knee was popped and swelling. I was going to make damn sure that injury could not happen again!
Now at this point we might have been leaving the event but the map of Atenveldt had been forever changed into the one below.
From here we headed to the Best Western Prescottonian and had a lovely room set up by a future mother in law. The ride was gorgeous and the town square was a sight to behold. I am told it was used in the filming of Back to the Future's town square, but I have not verified that.
From here we headed the feast and it was awesome! Andrea did get a picture of some of the food
and me helping with the dishes. My knight said the highest form of leadership is service and every knight should be willing to help serve. I decided to do that when I could help with the most menial of tasks, washing dishes so the cooks didn't have to. There is something to be said for honest labor and a task well done. I felt great!
What a weekend!
Slava Atenveldta,
Lord Iosif Volchkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Barony of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
House Inverted
Barony of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Friday, January 21, 2011
Iron Man Suit
Ok really! How is this not one of the coolest inventions out there! I mean it allows the weakest person capable of using the suit to lift 200 lbs. Imagine what I capable person could accomplish.
Sorry Geeking out and looking at armour!!!!
Woot!!!
later,
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Haha!We had saved up and it finally arrived! The World's Biggest
Tootsie Roll...
::murmur::
Oh sorry, apparently its the way they ship tempurpedic mattresses so let the un rolling commence!
It was a 10" thick mattress (7in + 3in <-- whatever that means) that ballooned up like a popcorn piece in the microwave, LOL! Now the wood I am told helps with frames that don't have a flat layer between the wooden ribs on the box frame and the mattress. After sleeping in it I don't know if it helped but I love it, with one con. I was told they retain heat and that part is true so I have a fan run while I sleep small consolation to deal with in the scheme of things.
Later,
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Monday, January 17, 2011
...When I got off work that morning I had been working a 12 our shift and drove home, gathered up the girlfriend, the gear, assorted stuff and off we headed to the Shire of Grandholme in Casa Grand, AZ. Well by the time we got there, setup and I got dress I had been up for about 18 hours, but the chance of seeing Sir Jerry after all this time would have made me wear a speedo to court! Now I know what your thinking but this was a joke Eric had heard Sir Shawn make to him about Sir Jerry awhile back, hahahaha, LOL!
Well Sir Jerry wasn't there and after
getting on the field I got about three bridge battles in and got my head lopped off in each of them. Thank god for photos and Sir Shawn's insight because after he told me what I was doing wrong I could see it in the photos. This is probably the best example of me leaning forward with my head. Ok, I have been out of practice for 5 years, and it is time to head back to fighter practice for the weekly stuff.
With the current work schedule that won't be possible until after war except for the Sundragon practices on Sunday. So this coming weekend I will be in Prescott and we will stay over night and come home in the morning. While practice in the Shire of Grandholme was short and small the pictures Andrea captured were awesome so head over to my facebook page to check them out.
Slava Atenveldta!
Lord Iosif Volchkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Barony of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Lord Iosif Volchkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Barony of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Sunday, January 16, 2011
I am hoping today to fight beside my knight whom I have not seen in several years and (admittedly) did not go see in the hospital after hearing one of the SCAdians that did go gave the staff a hard time about not being let in. I am hoping this return to my third war practice and budding permanent return to the society via a very supportive girlfriend allow for some measure of redemption. More to come later...
Later,
Slava Atenveldta!
Lord Iosif Volchkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Barony of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Later,
Slava Atenveldta!
Lord Iosif Volchkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
Barony of Atenveldt
Kingdom of Atenveldt
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Slava Atenveldta! This is the simple phrase I feel after this event, Glory to Atenveldt.
By 0747Hrs Andrea and I were on the road
to the Barony of Tir Ysgithr in the mundane lands of Tucson, AZ. It had been a week since I was in armour at the last war practice. I was not set up for going to the Wednesday practice due to distance and work keeping me late. Right now when all the effort of Estrella War is over for this year we will be going to Barony of Sun Dragon practice each week and Barony of Atenveldt every other week due to work schedules.
Again thanks to Google Maps app for the Android phone finding the site was cake! Then I noticed on the map a Starbucks and Andrea pleaded for the morning wake up call of corporate mundania!!! Huzza...I mean yes honey we can get Starbucks, LOL! When we showed up this was her second event ever and first in loner garb (I made her a Russian felt hat from designs I got from Lady Isabelle), sans the hat. She was nervous but then I pointed out another lady in what appeared to be a Mongolian outfit. She relaxed and the acquisition of morning fuel commenced.
With latte and frappuccino in hand we made it to Himmel Park and as we began our first haul I spied an "Inverted House Shield" being carried and just opted to follow my housemate to where we had gathered. There were housemates I have not seen in years and particularly my childhood friend Eric Hasbach. We caught up on old times and what's happened since we last spoke and I introduced Andrea once more to everyone.
I then headed over to the list mistress and signed in and filled ou
t the form for the fighter authorization card. The unloading of the car continued and then I hit the opening court and tried to listen to anything from the what was effectively the "nose bleed" section, lol! Check out my facebook page for pictures from that.
I tried some new elbow pads but they would not allow my arms to strap down.
So re-fitting this issue cause me to missed the first engagement, but with the addition of a new sweat rag on the head I was ready to hit the field with my great axe. The new padding built into the knee cop works great and I scored 4 kills with the great axe. My endurance is improving and I took breaks this time when everyone else "popped" their hats for water and such. I performed much better this time even though. Throughout the day I changed weapons two more times mid day to a great mace/maul and then 9ft fiberglass spear.
Now for the list:
1. Ok I need to fix the buckle on my upper chest strap.
2. Right leg strap and buckle need adjustment but should hold for war.
3. No more sword and board until I get leather bazubaunds with aluminum splints.
4. After Estrella War get fingered gauntlets as soon as possible.
Well the day ended with an Inverted House BBQ at the Lyons house, which was AWESOME! Then we had to make the drive home so I could go to work at 12AM. Sorry no pics of this the camera was dead by then.
Later,
Slava Atenveldta!
Lord Iosif Volchkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Monday, January 3, 2011
Ok where to begin,1. This is my first time back in armor in about 5 years. I started the S.C.A. when I was 12 years old and fought my first war, Estrella - 3, when I was 13! Sorry to the marshalls and heralds for the spoiler since I ended up having 5 18th birthday's in the S.C.A. Let's just say I learned some things on those birthdays at a younger age than I should have, wink.
2. OMG!!! I had an absolute blast even though my right shoulder and hip ache due to getting blasted more times in those spots than others. Oh crap, and for the love of god, make sure you have tested your padding before you fight because my left shin was ready to get me a restraining order from pinching! Let's just say before next weekend in Barony of Tir Ysgithr's War Practice I will be fixing that!
3. I was slower than I wanted to be but got just about a 6 out of 10 kill ratio for the day! Not bad for an out of shape diabetic, and I did take two extra breaks more than the other fighters but I could run decently in my armor, improvement yeah!
4. I will over the next year swap out my arms for aluminum splints on leather vambraces to increase speed or I am going to keep getting "owned" in one on one battles. Also I am going to make another less fancy gambeson to used in day to day practice and save the nice one for Pas de' Arms tourneys, where your rig appearance is a factor.
5. I need fingered gauntlets to get a better grip on some of the weapons I am using with the mittens. I am going to be looking for some over the course of the year and buy them if necessary.
6. It was so much fun and this was my girlfriend Andrea's first SCA event, and she was nervous but loved it! All the pictures I have of this event are thanks to her and her camera on her cell phone, it's really not bad for a phone (T-Mobile MyTouch 4G)!
For all the items I have stated that I need to alter or change I should point out again this is an assessment having fought in my rig once now and I am looking hard at what to do to make it better and last me for years to come. Any pieces I can recycle back into the House Inverted I will do so. If anyone needs armour though and has some money to throw at it I would recommend John Van Hassel and Dave Demers from Windrose Armoury.
Now what else can I say of the day but just "AWESOME," and I found out the current Queen of Atenveldt fights!!!!!!! THAT IS SO COOL!!!!!
Let me add some more photos to see if that helps!
Slava Atenveldta!
Lord Iosif Volchkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
arizona.rune@gmail.com
Clearly I needed a nap and while I do belong to House Inverted (house symbol is an azure field with inverted double bladed battle-axe, argent), I don't think they would advocate sleeping with sharp weapons so close to your face!LOL!!!
Still alive, yep
Later,
Lord Iosif Volchkov, Squire to his excellency Viscount Sir Jerry the Inverter of Kilkenny
House Inverted
arizona.rune@gmail.com
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