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Got my new blade today. Great news, right? Hold up a minute....
Turns out that installing (for it is not mere "assembling") it in the guard is a more delicate process than I thought. D. helped valiantly, but as neither of us knew what we were doing we managed to cut the insanely fine wire that closes the circuit to register touches, so I took the lot to club with me and solicited help.
Hooboy...
Veteran fencer R. and I futzed with this thing for 2 hours. In this time I witnessed the disassembly of the entire weapon and all its numerous and tiny parts. Rewiring is a process that requires steady hands and the patience of a saint and IMHO is not for novices - R. had rewired many blades before and we still had to troubleshoot with the assistance of coach V.
I did get to fence one bout, but by that time I was fading (10 pm seems to be my "turn into pumpkin" time) so I went on home.
I was invited to participate in a group competition Sunday, but I've got smallsword practice and I'm under-equipped anyway. I DID ask E. to keep me in mind for future ventures though - who knows, perhaps this competition thing will happen sooner than anticipated.
I am a bit bummed I didn't get to fence more tonight though. In addition to the adrenalin rush, being out on the strip is one of the few things that makes me feel glamorous lately - between my usual black/shades of grey work clothes and my mostly boring jeans/sweats/t-shirt weekend uniform, I've felt a bit "blah" visually of late. In full fencing whites I feel like I shine, even when I'm losing. Hopefully a fresh haircut this weekend will perk me up a bit.
Turns out that installing (for it is not mere "assembling") it in the guard is a more delicate process than I thought. D. helped valiantly, but as neither of us knew what we were doing we managed to cut the insanely fine wire that closes the circuit to register touches, so I took the lot to club with me and solicited help.
Hooboy...
Veteran fencer R. and I futzed with this thing for 2 hours. In this time I witnessed the disassembly of the entire weapon and all its numerous and tiny parts. Rewiring is a process that requires steady hands and the patience of a saint and IMHO is not for novices - R. had rewired many blades before and we still had to troubleshoot with the assistance of coach V.
I did get to fence one bout, but by that time I was fading (10 pm seems to be my "turn into pumpkin" time) so I went on home.
I was invited to participate in a group competition Sunday, but I've got smallsword practice and I'm under-equipped anyway. I DID ask E. to keep me in mind for future ventures though - who knows, perhaps this competition thing will happen sooner than anticipated.
I am a bit bummed I didn't get to fence more tonight though. In addition to the adrenalin rush, being out on the strip is one of the few things that makes me feel glamorous lately - between my usual black/shades of grey work clothes and my mostly boring jeans/sweats/t-shirt weekend uniform, I've felt a bit "blah" visually of late. In full fencing whites I feel like I shine, even when I'm losing. Hopefully a fresh haircut this weekend will perk me up a bit.
