Hi There.

[nurseymeg]

NAME: Meg

AGE: I am 33 years old as of April.  Holy cow.
 
INTERESTS & HOBBIES: I am interested in school, hah.  It's probably terribly nerdy of me to say, but I love learning.  I'm about to embark on my first semester as a nursing student, so I'd say the vast majority of my posts will have something to do with college or nursing.  Or both.  Probably both.

Aside from that, I enjoy being physically active.  I'm learning to sword fight - German long sword, if anyone's interested - as well as proper usage of the dagger.  I also love to read.  I'm currently working my way through JRR Tolkien's greatest hits.  I recently finished The Hobbit and am now reading The Fellowship of The Ring.  I also just read A Wrinkle In Time, but it didn't wow me.  I might give the second book a try once I finish with my current set.

I don't watch a lot of TV except during [American] football season.  I do enjoy going to the movies, especially if there's a new Marvel film playing.

I love to crochet and quilt and bake.  I love cats and chickens and time at the beach.  I don't know - what else would you like to know?  I'm an open book.  All you have to do is ask.  :)
 
LOOKING FOR: Anything, I suppose.  I don't mind fandom.  I'm pretty open about fanfic and will read most anything, regardless if I know the fandom or not.

I would enjoy hearing about daily life.  I would like to learn what other people are doing, how they're feeling, what they're thinking.  If there are any fellow college students or medical professionals out there I would definitely like to hear how life is going for you.

ANYTHING ELSE?: I joined DW over four months ago and have only today made my first post, hah.  I'm going to be better about that, though.  I may not post daily, but I definitely want to make writing a regular part of my life.

Anyway, thanks so much for reading!

 

Comments

[nurseymeg]

Oh, wow! I didn't think I'd meet any other sword enthusiasts here! I only started a few months ago, but I'm really enjoying it. My focus has mainly been the long sword but I've recently gotten into rapier as well, and dagger. Dagger is definitely my favorite at the moment. I enjoy the close-combat aspect of it.

I'd love to add you! Thanks for dropping me a line. :)

[zhelana]

When I broadsword fight it is a full contact sport using wooden wasters, and we hit each other pretty hard. I'm kind of terrified of two handed weapons. Last time I used one I broke my hand and was out for months. I fight sword and dagger with fencing, and I love it, but they won't let me fight just dagger yet. They say I'm too new and not good enough.

[nurseymeg]

Oh, gosh, I fortunately haven't broken anything yet but my friend did give me a bit of a black eye a few weeks ago. Broadsword sounds pretty awesome! I don't have the muscle tone in my arms to handle a weapon with one hand (rapier exhausts me), so I like being able to use the two hands on my long sword.

My friend and I are kind of unofficially teaching ourselves dagger using the Fiore manual. Every time we try to introduce it into our club it's looked at as more of a quirky novelty than anything serious, but we're still enjoying it.

[zhelana]

you don't wear masks or helmets? I'm pretty weak too, but a sword weighs 2.5 lbs, so I practice holding a 3 lb hammer every day, and I'm told I'm getting noticeably stronger in my shield arm.

[nurseymeg]

When we use long sword we wear headgear, jackets, and gloves, and the boys of course wear a little extra. With dagger we don't. We prooooobly should, but... :)

That sounds like a great exercise! I like that y'all use a shield. With long sword it has to be both weapon and shield at the same time and sometimes I get confused on which I want it to be at a given moment, hah. And then I get bonked on the head while I'm trying to figure it out.

[zhelana]

I've heard of too many accidents where people lost their eyes playing with swords without masks on. I would never do that.

[nurseymeg]

Oh, yes, I would never heft a metal weapon at another person without protection. And even with the protection the blows are still very powerful. I can't imagine what true combat must have been like for those who fought in centuries past. Just the other day our instructor landed a particularly forceful thrust to my chest and even with all the layers I ended up with a pretty impressive bruise for his efforts. :)

[zhelana]

yeah, when I first did this, 15 years ago, my professor gave me a battered woman's shelter's card like "just in case you need this" and I was like. uhm. "no no! you don't understand!" lol. oops.

[nurseymeg]

Hah, oh no! Kind of them to be concerned, but also somewhat hilarious. :)

I'm impressed you've been fighting so long! I've only a few months under my belt, but I'm hoping to continue at least through the rest of school.

[zhelana]

honestly, I haven't. I started in 2001, and stopped in 2004. Then started in 2011 and stopped in 2013. Then started in 2017. So even though I started a long time ago, I barely have any years under my belt, and I don't remember what I learned in 2004 at all so I'm completely relearning.

[nurseymeg]

I wish I had more time to practice, or at least more people to practice with. Every time I manage to get to a club meeting I feel like I need to relearn everything as well. :)

[zhelana]

www.sca.org - this is the nonprofit I practice with. It's international, and exists in a lot of places with regular practices and lots of people to play with. The only thing is there's no instructors, just other people who are better than you who will teach informally.

[nurseymeg]

Oh, neat! Thanks for the link!