Bitter

Summer Nationals is over. And I wasn't there. As I sift through everyone's facebook albums of the San Jose (right?) event, I remember why I wasn't there.

I don't remember the date, but I was at a qualifier and it was raining and cold outside. I made it to second DE's and made the biggest come back ever. She led the entire bout by 5 points, and finally it was 14 to 9. I've beaten this girl before, and I knew she was a huge stresser, so I made five touches I'm very proud of, tying it up. Of course, the ref had been giving disappointed comments on each touch as he appointed them to me, and at 14-14 I felt a little, exchange between the ref and the girl I was fencing. My coach was watching from across the room and saw what came next too - definitely a simultaneous or my attack. He calls it my preperation and give her the touch. I stopped, asked if he was kidding, and shook her hand and got off. I had never been so pissed in my life. And she qualified after losing five points in a row because she got all cocky and got a shit call in her favor. i have favoritism, especially when its because you simply know a person, or because they're the same nationality. Which is what I think is going on here. I should change my last name to Liebowisz.

Anyway, no Summer Nationals for me. I feel really left out among my fencing friends, not because they leave me out, but because I always mess up my qualifiers. So annoyed just thinking about it.

Enough ranting for today.

Peace.

People May Actually Find A Use For My Three-Year Study of Fencing!

So I start my very first fencing-related job tomorrow!

I'm going to teach these two kids how to fence and I'm really excited. I've never been sure of what I want to do with the rest of my life, career-wise or even college major-wise. But if this goes well, maybe I'll have coaching to fall back on.... Alright, maybe I'm putting to much thought into this.

But still; I'm glad that I can do something with all the time I put in to my sport in a way other than tournaments, awards, trophies, and ranks.

Tell me is this unethical?: The women whose children I'll be teaching obviously isn't a fencer or well acquainted with fencing (no problem, most aren't) so is it wrong to just let her assume that sabre (the blade I plan to teach them, since it's the blade I fence) is okay to be chosen as their weapon? To be honest, when I started fencing, sabre was chosen randomly for my as well. I don't really feel obligated to determine which blade best suits them (they're kids! I can't predict their mental capacities for each blade, or their body types when they'll be at a competitive level) so as of right now, I'm thinking its okay to show them all three blades, but only teach them sabre. Also, if they both decided to fence foil or epee, I wouldn't really be able to teach them, thus ruining my master plan of raising a child fencing army. I mean....this cool job I'll have of coaching....

Anyway, I think its okay. I know plenty of people who started on a randomly selected blade and either loved it and stuck to it, or later on transitioned to other blades rather easily. So I think its okay.

Anyway, have to collect equiptment tomorrow and get to it, so I'm off to bed probably. Thanks for listening! Or at least flicking past my blog...

Peace

Stuff You Should Know

I'm a sabre and have been since I began fencing in my freshman year.

I had a unique beginning with fencing; my freshman year, my high school's team (which was fairly new) didn't have enough sabre girls to fill our varsity squad, so I fenced my first varsity bout about fencing for about two weeks.

As of right now, I'm ranked D07. Which I'm rather proud of, seeing as I skipped my E, went from U to D. I know, jealous yeah? Well as everyone knows it's not like that; its all about the day you're fencing, whose there, the size of the tournament, the refs...the variables go on. But when these things align themselves, the hard work you put in pays off.

I've missed Summer Nationals '08 by a few points two or three times. Which is an ever-expanding thorn in my side. Missed Junior Olympics '07 by one point too.

I might be the unluckiest fencer in the world. The chances are great.

I go to the camp by Manhattan Fencing club every summer and I love it! Its a home away from home. Its the best eleven days of my year.

I've won three District Squad Championships and two State Squad Championships (the third one we went to we came in second). I made it to top 20 individuals this year (07-08 season) but had a really crappy day of it, still, I made top 15 and got past the first pool, which I think isn't half bad for fencing on a hyper-extended right knee.

Sorry, not meaning to brag! But I think its important among fencers to talk about our wins and losses. Its not all about winning and losing, but its a way to get to know the fencer your talking to (this is all in North New Jersey by the way).

Thats all for now, hope some fencers comment or email me! Thanks guys, keep fencing.


Peace

Hello World,

I find that I complain and explain and relate and rant over and go on an on about fencing more than anything else. My non-fencing friends are starting to block out these conversations, so I think its time that I begin a fencing blog to outline why I fence, what I'm thinking about fencing, the 'fencing world''s social goings-on, my results, my complaints, fury with referees, and also to keep myself on track with my practices and training. If I write about it here, it's going to be easier for me to do my training for my upcoming camp in late August.

I'd love to hear from other fencers! So please, email me or leave me a comment, i would truly love to hear from you! Even non-fencers, comment too guys!