you might be an ARMAteer if...

[Jaron Bernstein]

1. You have learned to semitranslate old german by osmosis, despite no actual training in that language.

2. You have explained to more than 6 people that medieval swords don't weigh 10 pounds.

<img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[s_taillebois]

Or if you've had to repeatedly explain why one is doing these activities...
And have to explain that no...not using katanas
....nothing to do with 'Lord of the Rings'
....and no, you don't need a cape
....and no, it is not illegal
....and nothing to do with 'highlander'
....and no, it's not a pointless thing to do
(sorry, couldn't resist that one)
....and live with the interesting irony, of studying long dead texts and masters, from 500 some years past, over the internet.
Actually, the only real problem with the ARMA type of fencing, is that as yet, it doesn't fit into peoples percieved catagories. Mayhaps not a bad thing, provides some autonomy for development. And some distance from pop culture cross contaminations.
The other problem, seems to be most of the like minded people are in the south, or in Europe. Not too popular, as yet, here in the hinterlands.
Actually since posting here for the first time, some explaining might be in order. Have pursued an interest in historical fencing for a some time, but only recently got around to sending ARMA a membership application.

[Allen Johnson]

..you just bought a sword that costs more than your last car.

[Matthew_Anderson]

Yep, #2, that's me.

[JeffGentry]

I think 1. and 2. fit me.

Jeff

[Mike Chidester]

The other problem, seems to be most of the like minded people are in the south, or in Europe. Not too popular, as yet, here in the hinterlands.

And, for some reason, Utah. Not sure how or why it became an ARMA hub, but there it is.

[JeanryChandler]

Actually, the only real problem with the ARMA type of fencing, is that as yet, it doesn't fit into peoples percieved catagories. Mayhaps not a bad thing, provides some autonomy for development

Speaking as a non ARMA member, I'd say thats probably a good thing. I was in the local punk scene back in the 80's when nobody had a clue what punk was, you couldn't explain it or even begin to describe it to almost anybody. Some people would attack you on sight. But we went to our little shows, did our own thing, published our little zines, ran our independent record labels, underground pubs and little pirate radio stations and whatever.

Now half the bands on MTV are wannabe punk, the music style is being used in car commercials, and throngs of middle class kids are walking around with mohawks and punk t-shirts in the malls....

I liked it better before. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

JR

[Shane Smith]

All three sound like me.

[Jaron Bernstein]

I have a great recent work story about a fight between a panhandler, his trailer trash crack ho girlfriend and a bunch of skater punks. Chains, razor blades, bite marks, eye gouges, not exactly a "clean" fight.

[s_taillebois]

Well, there seems to be some initial interest here, but may take a while to get more of a group going.
Utah, alas, forgot to mention all of you down that way. No discourtesy intended.
Wider interest, methinks much of it might be in areas somehow associated with the collegiate environment, or those where the interest is in both martial arts, and exercise. Although too much of an implication for self-defense could be trouble to this kind of activity. Better to be thought of as a flock of eccentrics.
From what I remember from when I was back in the cities...the Asian focus is the norm there.
Ironic (or vexing) insofar as many ignore their own heritage in these arts. But learning an art of this type is obviously much harder when the masters have been dead for so long...hence Tobler, Brown,&amp; others, ARMA and all the manufacturers of useable equipment, deserve acclaim for rescuing these arts from academic obscurity. Nothing quite kills a tradition off, as when it becomes the sole venue of tweed jacket academia.

[JeanryChandler]

sounds hilarious Jaron, PM me with the story if you fear it's too off topic...

JR

[Martin,Younger]

if while practising some some yells out cut his head off and calls u starwars kid would that apply. lol its happened 2 times one time at a park and once more in my back yard. though both times i knew the person's and they were just joking and giveing me a hard time.

[Stacy Clifford]

If you've ever watched a swordfight in a movie and picked out at least five points where the character could have won (or lost) the fight before it was actually over. It kinda spoils a character's heroic image when you go home thinking "I could kick his..."

[Randall Pleasant]

...you have ever been laying on the floor with an aching head wondering why you haven't taken the time to explain to your five year old son the difference between a waster and a padded sword. <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />

...if on the very first day of Little League Baseball practice the coach pitches a ball to your son to judge his batting skills and your son takes a passing step and cuts a nice Zornhau.

...if you ever had to explain to another parent the big lump on the side of their son's head but manage to leave out the part about their rotten son coming over to your yard where your daughter was practicing with her waster and hitting at her with his cheap bokken and how your daughter counter-cutted with her waster. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Gene Tausk]

ARMA forum rules, clearly posted, state that your full first name and last name is to be used when posting on the forums.

Please sign off and re-enter the forums with your full first and last names. Also, please read our forum rules.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.


----------------&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;gene tausk
SFS
Forum Moderator