Meeting of the Masters

We had a good, long session at the GMAU annual Meeting of the Masters event on October 10/11. I appreciate the effort everyone made to participate on Friday and Saturday. We didn't place in the kata competition, but it is very difficult to compete against traditional martial artists when the judges are used to looking for specific things that do not apply to European fencing. I appreciated everyone wh stayed to cheer me on while I attempted to get my limbs ripped off and face beaten in during the grappling and full contact Pankration tournaments :). I still think someone else (Andrew...Pastor Smith...) should step up at least for the full contact.

Saturday was a very encouraging day for me. All of the GMAU Academies were told to ensure 100% participation from their regular members, and I think we were the only academy to actually do so! Bravo! The day was long, and I think it was productive as well as fun. We had six students join our regulars, and thanks to Andrew's great help they were able to participate in a small tournament by the end of the day. I hope the more advanced stuents gained more than just a lot of bruises from the epee tactics training...

I have received many favorable comments from people regarding our skit at the medieval banquet Saturday night. People said they could hardly stop laughing (at least, those who know Princess Bride). One mother said, "I wanted to express my appreciation for your contribution to the banquet entertainment. Well done! Our 10-year-old son kept asking me, 'What's so funny?'" Thank you very much to everyone who participated and worked so hard to make it a success. Hopefully we will have a video to post soon.

See you Thursday!