Don't Let People Be Bad

 I was reminded a few days ago of a conversation I had about four or five years ago. This wasn't the first time it happened, nor will it be the last. It comes up organically every once in a while whenever someone in earshot asks why some negative outcome is occurring in some field of the SCA. 

You see, here's the thing:

Lessons from Nintendo

 I made an interesting connection this morning as I contemplated dusting off my NES Classic Mini and playing some of the more challenging games like Ninja Gaiden or Castlevania: those games use the same learning process as fencing should.

Is This Attainable?

Kensey and I have recently ordered some dussack trainers, so a few nights ago we took to YouTube to watch people using them. In one video, we saw a guy who moved really, really well-- in total control at all times, able to pivot and flow and change directions and stop on a dime, all the stuff you'd want to see out of a higher end fighter. The contrast with the opponent was stark, though the opponent wasn't moving poorly. The difference in juxtaposition was just very obvious. 

As we talked about what we were watching, she asked me: "Is that even possible for me?"

On Expectations, part 3

Continuing along on the topic of expectations, I want to touch upon some of what a student ought to be able to expect at a practice from their teacher. This is only part of that total list, but they are critical parts-- without them, nothing else will be enough to make the practice worth your time.

On Expectations, part 2

Thinking further, I want to also talk about how students might manage the pressure of expectations-- both that they put on themselves, and that others put on them. Pressure can be a useful tool, but not if it's destructive. I could visit the Mariana Trench, but I wouldn't want to live there!

On Expectations

Part of an upcoming class on how to have an ethical practice that Master Gawin Kappler and I are teaching will include a point about the necessity to set high expectations. Since I expect this to be a point of contention because of past misapprehensions I have encountered on this topic, I want to be clear about what this entails, and why it matters.