Valentine’s Day, Massacred

When I was a young lad in Berlin, we had no such thing. But thanks to the tireless efforts of Nestlé and Fleurop, even my German compatriots are now encouraged to buy candy and flowers, and purchase a sappy, raunchy or—they say—even classy card on Valentine’s Day.

Nothing wrong with that.

So why not throw in a tender yet timeless story about this festive occasion into the FencingClassics mix.

A word of caution: We have no idea where the author got the notion that things can happen that way. He sounds credible.

Happy Valentine’s Day, you crazy kids.

Words to live by 2

“Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

—George Washington

“Best Investment?”: New antique sword site

We hope he’s right: “Antique swords are one of the best investments going, as well as one of the most evocative and obsessive hobbies a person will encounter,” says Ed Parker of AntiqueSwords.org.

That certainly would not only explain but justify the pile of scrap metal in the FencingClassics offices…

Rezension: Stephan Peters “Elite Sein”

Immer noch schön: Aus aktuellem Anlaß regten die üblichen Verdächtigen an, daß ich—als der “völlig unbekannte” Mystery-Rezensent von Stephan Peter’s Schwadronier-Dissertation Elite Sein—mein längst in die Internet-Dämmerung verblichenes Gedankensammelsurium zu diesem Werk erneut noch einmal ins Netz stelle. Da Herr Peters nun seit Jahren mit diesem Stoff durch deutsche Lande tingelt, sich für Geld sehen und hören lassend, und eine kritische Auseinandersetzung mit dieser Arbeit nicht erfolgte, sei dieser Bitte hiermit Folge geleistet…

Sorry for the delay

Due to a problem with my computer, I’ve been unable to upload new stuff to the site. Hope to be back posting on Tuesday.

Should you happen to be in Albuquerque, NM, this weekend, I’ll see you at the JOs.

Poll: What would you like to see more of?

Random Thoughts

*** I think what I like most about the historical postcards and photographs I add to my collection is the thought that after a century or more, the brief captured moment is all that is left of the person depicted. And that at that particular moment, they were fencing. What better way to be remembered… albeit not by name.

Kurze Geschichte des Akademischen Fechtens in Deutschland; Teil 1

 

Degen und Fechthandschuh: Werkzeuge des Teufels

 

 

Das akademische Fechten in Deutschland entstammt alten europäischen Kampfsporttraditionen, die von Adel und Ritterschaft über Jahrhundert gepflegt wurden…