Fencing!
A few weeks ago, I looked up my local SCA chapter, the Barony of Angels, emailed the light weapons (rapier fencing) marshal, and asked if it would be okay if I joined their weekly practice. He said it would be okay, and that they had loaner gear for new people, so last tuesday night, I went. Turned out he was the only one to show up that night, so I got a private lesson. I was pretty nervous beforehand, not about the fencing, but about the people. I didn't know how welcoming they would be to a new guy, but by the time the marshal started taking through the fundamentals, all the nervousness was gone. He was very welcoming and seemed happy to teach me.
I went again yesterday and the turnout was better. Three additional people showed up. I got to spar for the first time. It was very humbling and instructional. Mostly I learned that I suck at rapier fencing. But that's just because I'm so new at it. Today I'm tired and sore in much the same way I used to be after karate class. It's a feeling I missed. (I'm getting a little tired of the pot-belly too)
Everyone was welcoming and willing to work with me at pace I could handle. I'll definitely be going again, but not for a few weeks, because practice is canceled due to wars. (SCA wars, not Iraq or anything)
I went again yesterday and the turnout was better. Three additional people showed up. I got to spar for the first time. It was very humbling and instructional. Mostly I learned that I suck at rapier fencing. But that's just because I'm so new at it. Today I'm tired and sore in much the same way I used to be after karate class. It's a feeling I missed. (I'm getting a little tired of the pot-belly too)
Everyone was welcoming and willing to work with me at pace I could handle. I'll definitely be going again, but not for a few weeks, because practice is canceled due to wars. (SCA wars, not Iraq or anything)