Biography

If it was held today, I'd be able to enter!

Time: Midnight.

Packing has gone well, though of course the last bit is always the test of that. But right now there seems to be plenty of room for the one cooler, my clothes, the new Justus shield and the cart. And that's about all that's left!

Here's the new shield! Just lacking some drying time and a couple crows.

I first went to Pennsic XVI, I think. Brad Freeman and I realized we could go on Tuesday of what was then a one week event, I made some phone calls and got camping space. We went up Thursday in his Civic, which wasn't terribly loaded. But then neither of us had armor, we only had a backpacking tent. And probably 3 sets of garb between us. No, we didn't share. 

We're having a lovely time out here in Seattle, but why is it that when I'm on vacation, I start to get antsy to work on SCA projects that I didn't bring?

We had a great time at Golden Rose Tourney this weekend. Even with the heat, the dehydration, a blown fan belt and water pump, what a great time.

Thanks again to Baron Girard and Baroness Guienevra for hosting us and chauffeuring us all around Raleigh in search of a car repair place open on Sunday. (For your future reference, the answer is always "Sears.")

I'm very very pleased to report that HRH Kalisa's team, the one I helped organize, went all the way to the finals and came oh so close to winning. I'm very happy with everyone's performance--the whole team backed each other up: Matteo winning a tough fight during a round where I lost, Philip and Amos (the "purple teardrop men") going (I think) undefeated until the finals, just a great showing all around.

We also looked damn good! I was surprised to have the only crest on the field, though Susan made a lovely wreath of flowers for Philip's helmet. Where are your pictures from the tourney?

Back on 2/25 I started my new workout. Let's see how I've progressed in a little over two months:

Then: 5 x 5 squats with a bar.
I had never done free squats before, so even though I felt silly, I just did them with the bar. Even the last set was easy, but still, I feel it in my quads today.
Now: 1 x 5 squats @ 90 lbs, 4 x 5 @ 110. Just a little sore.

Then: 3 x 5 deadlifts with a bar.
These were very straightforward and also easy. So ridiculously easy that after one set with the bar, I threw 20 lbs. on it. Still stupidly easy.
Now: 5 x @ 90 lbs and 5x 2 @ 110lbs and 5x 2 @120 lbs on the deadlift platform, which lets you lower the bar to your toes.

Then: 3 x 15 push ups.
These nearly kicked my ass. The first set of 15 was easy. The third was nearly not finished.
Now: I mix push ups in other times. Did 15 yesterday.

Then: 5 x 5 horizontal pull-ups or five sets of as many regular chin-ups or pull-ups you can crank out.
These did kick my ass. So I did 6/5/5 pull/chin ups, and then the inverted bench press came open long enough for me to finish with 2 sets of 15 horizontal pull ups.
Now: 5 full vertical pullups 4 times, 6 on the last set. Then, after the back hyperextensions, I came back and did 5 more! This is the most massive change since Feb.

Then: Skipped the back hyperextensions because I didn't know how to do them.
Now: 2 x 15 @ 35 lbs back hyperextensions, 1 x 15 @25 lbs. I'm being careful here, as I really feel it in my back muscles afterwards.

Then: 3 x 5/15 of ab exercise of choice. "Planks" were recommended.
I tried these. My oblique abdominal complained after 2 and made me stop at three. I need to figure out another way to exercise my abs.
Now: I've dropped these from my workout. I think I'm getting some ab work with the pullups, but that damn oblique ab muscle still complains when I try other stuff.

Then: After Effects: I'm moderately sore today, in a way that I didn't expect. Normally I get sore two days out from a workout. Maybe that means I'll be too stiff to move tomorrow.
Now: I get a little sore. Not bad. Just enough to know I've worked out.

Then: Weight: 196 lbs.
Now: Weight 200 lbs and all the same pants fit. Interestingly, all that weight came on in about the first 5 weeks.

It is time to revise the workout for more progress, most notably the addition of bench presses. If I keep this up, I think I may be in the best shape of my life by Pennsic!

Considering that every year at Pennsic, at least one of the big battles is so crowded and confused that the cart goes AWOL, I thought to steal dear Sir Roisin's idea and make a banner that accompanies the cart. And for other random flashy uses too.

Smaller and more portable than the standard, I want it to look Norman of course. This will be made using the same techniques and materials as the standards though.

Here's my first idea, but I'm not satisfied. Frankly, I wish it was a little flashier. At the same time, I'm keenly aware of the limitations of style in early period small banners. They did not typically have mottos or such on them. Even using a badge is an anachronism, since they were pretty rare prior to the 14th century.

Suggestions?