Getting back into the spirit

Been sick recently, but had to put that aside for our dress Rehearsal for the Fresno City College RenFaire. Our entire guild showed up to figure our what acting gigs we'd be doing and to finally get to act like someone other than our 9-5 selves for the first time in 3 months. I managed to get my part in the major scene down without to much trouble. Mostly just remembering to march and look 'menacing'. I'm nowhere near menacing in real life, but there's a lot that chainmail and a long sword can do for that. Being a Galloglas is just plain fun sometimes. In entering the court, the Women and Kern are going to swarm in making a lot of noise and chanting, but we get to come in, swords drawn across our faces, full battle gear on display and 'Tough' written in bold letters all over us. There's nothing like walking into a room and knowing not only are you better armed than anyone else, you've got more combat training than the entire elite palace guard put together.

Also occurring was the Galloglaich competition. This was a quick Waster(hardwood practice sword) fight in full armor to decide who'll get the starring role in the opening fight between the Irish and the English. I almost held my own against one of the veteran fighters, but took a last thrust to the chest that had me dead to rights(2-1). Fighting in chainmail is a whole new experience as you can't rely on quick strikes or quick defenses. Only a good solid thrust takes out a chainmail fighter and so a lot of your shots become grappling matches to try to smash through your oppennets block and penetrate that blasted chainmail.

Everyone in the Fresno,CA region is encouraged to come in Fresno city College on March 12-13th. It's a great place to kick off summer at and the root beer is the best we'll see all year:)