Five (plus one) Reasons Why I Should Fight Rapier
I originally wrote this essay for myself, but after chatting with a couple people they seemed interested in reading this too. I also sent this in to the Northwatch, and it may get used in a later, rapier specific issue. I thought I'd post it here too.
Five (plus one) Reasons Why I Should Be a Rapier Fighter
By Lady Elizabeth Wren
Over the summer I decided this was it, do or die time. I’ve been authorized rapier for a few years now, but in the last couple years a lot of mundane concerns had stopped me from having any kind of regular practice for myself. I felt like I had lost any skill I ever had with a sword. So I figured that if SCA rapier was something I really wanted to do then I had to go all out, or leave it all together. Because really, what’s the use of doing something if you’re not going to go for the gold, right?
So a couple days ago, I sat down to make a list of all the reasons why I should and shouldn’t continue fighting rapier. I started with the “should” list (in no particular order):
I figured five was pretty good, and started in on the “shouldn’t” list, but then I came up with just one more “should”.
My rapier just feels right in my hand.
And that realization stopped me for at least a minute flat. Nothing I came up with on the “shouldn’t” list could stand up to that one reason why I should. I realized that, beyond mundane concerns, the reasons I was coming up with were all based in fear. I was afraid that I would go out and play and never win. I was afraid to be a “looser”. I hadn’t lost any friends because I didn’t fight much any more, and they hadn’t given me any flack for not playing (okay, maybe not much), so why did I think they’d be any less my friends if I kept playing?
I should fight rapier, because I want to fight rapier, I realized. It was as simple as that. Nothing that anyone else thinks or says, or what I fear they might think or say, should have any effect on whether or not I play. This is my game. I play because I want to. I may never be a rock star on the field, and I may never get to fighter’s practice every week, but why should I let that stop me from playing when I can? This is my game.
I’ll see you on the field.
Five (plus one) Reasons Why I Should Be a Rapier Fighter
By Lady Elizabeth Wren
Over the summer I decided this was it, do or die time. I’ve been authorized rapier for a few years now, but in the last couple years a lot of mundane concerns had stopped me from having any kind of regular practice for myself. I felt like I had lost any skill I ever had with a sword. So I figured that if SCA rapier was something I really wanted to do then I had to go all out, or leave it all together. Because really, what’s the use of doing something if you’re not going to go for the gold, right?
So a couple days ago, I sat down to make a list of all the reasons why I should and shouldn’t continue fighting rapier. I started with the “should” list (in no particular order):
- I need the exercise anyway. (It is more fun than running, etc…)
- I want the thrill of (someday) beating the pants off others on the field. (I might as well be honest with myself… ‘cause I mean, really, who doesn’t like to win?)
- It’s a sport that can demand individual excellence, as well as the ability to work in a group. (Kind of like life… yeay life skills!)
- When you “die”/loose you can get up and play some more. (Unlike life. You’re really only limited to how much you want to play… you may not get another bout in that particular tourney or melee, but you can play again the next day and the next.)
- You get to wear pretty clothes. (Again, only limited to how far you want to go… and I’ve seen some pretty sweet armor out there.)
I figured five was pretty good, and started in on the “shouldn’t” list, but then I came up with just one more “should”.
My rapier just feels right in my hand.
And that realization stopped me for at least a minute flat. Nothing I came up with on the “shouldn’t” list could stand up to that one reason why I should. I realized that, beyond mundane concerns, the reasons I was coming up with were all based in fear. I was afraid that I would go out and play and never win. I was afraid to be a “looser”. I hadn’t lost any friends because I didn’t fight much any more, and they hadn’t given me any flack for not playing (okay, maybe not much), so why did I think they’d be any less my friends if I kept playing?
I should fight rapier, because I want to fight rapier, I realized. It was as simple as that. Nothing that anyone else thinks or says, or what I fear they might think or say, should have any effect on whether or not I play. This is my game. I play because I want to. I may never be a rock star on the field, and I may never get to fighter’s practice every week, but why should I let that stop me from playing when I can? This is my game.
I’ll see you on the field.