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I’m Striving to Keep Doing What I Love to Do
What I love is a combination of things that all tie to one thing.
I love storytelling.
Recently, I went to the big medieval event I attend every August with about 10,000+ people. For 9 days or so, I lived in a canvas square pavilion (10×10 feet, 5 poles, the center is about 9 feet tall). I spent time with friends just hanging out and talking, and did a ton of medieval fencing — both many single-combat and epic melees.
My favorite melee battle is the woods battle. We go into the woods at the edge of the campsite and run through the trees and uneven terrain to capture and hold 3 flags. When you “die” during the fight, you go back to “resurrect”, and fight again. (There are no limits on resurrection during the hour or so of combat). You can sneak up on someone through the woods and perform a “death from behind (DFB)”. This is done by placing your sword on your opponent’s shoulder so that the tip of your sword is visible, and you inform them (courteously) “You are dead from behind.”
I love moving through the trees, sword in each hand, trying to get the advantage over my opponent — and sneak up on them.
This has, over the years, generated epic stories for me to tell. Truth really is stranger than fiction sometimes. (One time, I…
