anotheranon: (Default)
anotheranon ([personal profile] anotheranon) wrote2011-12-18 10:38 pm

first weekend of break..

..was an eventful one:

I had my last fencing lesson of the year this morning, with an exciting new twist - working on my lunge. As in, lunging and then shifting my weight back and forth between my back and front legs. While doing bladework. And keeping my back upright, legs stable, and no bobbing up and down. This is necessary for reach, stability, and injury avoidance.

Con: besides being technically difficult it hurts like a mother_)*(!_! Coach mentioned an ideal of being able to do splits(!) at which I laughed because I couldn't even do those as a child! Pro: this is something I can do while I'm at home/traveling without equipment. And I'll force myself to do it, because I won't be on a fencing strip again until January.

D. and I went to see "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" in the afternoon. Wow.. it is good, but so subtle, all of the acting is in the facial expressions so it takes careful viewing. I had some difficulty keeping track of characters and following the plot and I suspect it's easier to follow if you've read the book (I picked it up on the way home). ObCostume: The costumes and sets were straight from the seventies. I noticed no obvious shortcuts (like bad wigs) or anachronisms; the latter admittedly may have been easier because most of the actors were older men who are presumably less hung up on adding Hollywood style glamour where none is wanted. Go see it, but read the book first if you can!

Off to finish up Boardwalk Empire. And laundry.

[identity profile] sealwhiskers.livejournal.com 2011-12-19 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
I'm excited about Tinker, Tailor...I saw the 7-part BBC tv series with Alec Guiness from 1979 with a friend last year (he is a serious BBC collector) and I can recommend it warmly.

[identity profile] maehymn.livejournal.com 2011-12-19 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
That sounds like excellent practice. I need to do the same thing as I tend to rise up when lunging, which is a bad habit I don't want to ingrain into myself.

Thanks for the rec! I'm going to see if the library has that book.

[identity profile] anotheranon.livejournal.com 2011-12-19 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Once you perfect your lunge, then I would recommend this exercise (consult with your coach first of course - I wouldn't want to steer you wrong!). I don't know how old you are but I'm 38 and was never flexible, you may have an easier time of it!

[identity profile] anotheranon.livejournal.com 2011-12-19 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Definitely going to seek out the Alec Guiness version!

[identity profile] maehymn.livejournal.com 2011-12-19 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
34 and I've never been flexible either! Yes, I'll get back to you when I get it down really solid!!