Medium, Ludosport and more

And along comes Nanowrimo...

Thanks for joining me for another week!
It’s been a weird one. I woke up on Monday and was really depressed so I missed sending my week’s start email. The week has been endless - and as many of you are probably aware - there was a horrible death in our community. A whole family, gone. If you’re not aware of it, that’s ok, but it’s been hard, and horrible to move through the last few days. And honestly? I was kinda dreading last night.
Last night though, I did something amazing.

For those of you that don’t know, I’m quite excited to learn to duel with my lightsaber.

Yeah…really. I have a lightsabre.

I’ll be talking more about it, and no doubt, when I’m a bit less self conscious, I’ll show off some of the things we’re learning, but for now, just take my word for it, it’s a blast. If you’re local to me, and can make it to the taster sessions in Bristol please do it. Luke and the members of the group are welcoming, wonderful, funny, and I learned … started to learn form 1. I then got to see some AMAZING duelling, and quite honestly, I’m really excited about taking it up. I don’t expect I’ll excel it, but that’s not the point. I actually found myself relaxing and focusing on trying to get around my tutor, trying to land a hit. Thinking through the mechanics of what I’m trying to do, understanding and discussing the point of each move. A special thanks to Chris, who was my tutor for the session and put up with me analysing *everything* and Luke, who was kind, supportive and welcoming, along with the other members, whose names I’m still trying to learn. I don’t expect they’ll read this - I didn’t talk about this aspect of my life - the writing I mean, but, I came home bouncy, happy and this morning, a bit sore. Instead of going ‘nope’ because I really hurt though, actually, what I’m thinking right now is how I practice, how I make my knees better, how I deal with that ache on either side.

And when we’ll go back.

If you’re not local, google Ludosport. There’s academies the world over. (You might end up with a trampoline brand, that’s not it). And yes, it’s rooted in the duelling in the movies. And a mix of Kendo (form 1), fencing (form 2) and more. Seven forms to learn, and honestly, I’m so excited to see where this goes.

I know the mechanism of WHY I’m bouncy/happy - I got a good amount of exercise last night without wearing myself out. I held my own, even though I’m not particularly fit. I was soaked in sweat and euphoric by the end, but I did decline a duel at the end. I could have gone up against someone, to consolidate, but I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by that point. They accepted it, and my quirks. It was awesome.

Today, I set my yearly intentions. It’s my birthday in November, so it seems as good at time as any to start thinking about yearly intentions.

You can read more about *that* if you want on my Medium account.

Nanowrimo is round the corner, so there will be another email in the next day or two once I finish up with my notes and setup. Locals have one Discord to join, but I am combining down other places and having people merge onto one instead of being spread over six servers.

What’s your plans for the weekend?