Loch Lomond Highland Games October 6th, 2006

**The F-H.C.A.G.** · 7th October 07, 08:10 PM

So, just a few pictures that my wonderful husband neglected to post.

W2F spent the night at our place before the games, in order to reduce his commute (and be well fed

). He found this lovely jacket on his most recent cycling-across-the-nation adventure. I'm assuming Panache didn't want to post this photo because he looks a little silly in it. Personally, I think that's a totally natural reaction to the jacket! Or maybe to the fact that he's wearing jeans? Psst, hey, you, wanna buy a watch?

Apparently, my husband also doesn't want to post pictures of me, um... encouraging..., our highland athletes.

But, I was their cheerleader after all!

We had a marvelous time. The weather was perfect (unlike the 105 degree weather in Pleasanton) and the day was finished off with a marvelous meal and Ceileidh. The kids ran themselves ragged and we used up most of the memory on our camera taking pictures of them. If we posted all of those it would take up pages and pages. It was really nice to visit the place we were married-oddly enough, I haven't been there since our wedding!

Be well,

**Archangel** · 7th October 07, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by The F-H.C.A.G.

In this next picture, of course Panache is unperturbed-note my fist rapidly approaching Alan's face!

I have a few more pictures to post as soon as they finish uploading.

Be well,

Cool pic, work on the foot stomp as soon as you're pulled in. Your tailbone hits body so you know where you are. He wants you off-balance so go with it, foot goes down shin onto centre bone of foot. THEN, fist comes up.

Stomp brings him forward, taking blade away from throat. Fist only, drives him back forcing blade onto throat. Stomp and fist both.

I know you know this, it's hard not releasing all your powers when you're amongst friends, even ones that put an edge that close to you.

Be very well.

**Alan H** · 8th October 07, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Archangel

I know you know this, it's hard not releasing all your powers when you're amongst friends, even ones that put an edge that close to you.

Be very well.

LOL....Actually, Casey's Basket Hilt is a backsword, so the sharp edge is actually facing out and away from her ...ditto for the pic with Victoria. Also it was sharp but not that sharp. It did have a real point to it, though.

As for the Avatar, McMurdo....LOL...Time to make a quick grab of that pic,and crank up a graphics program!

**Archangel** · 8th October 07, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

LOL....Actually, Casey's Basket Hilt is a backsword, so the sharp edge is actually facing out and away from her ...ditto for the pic with Victoria. Also it was sharp but not that sharp. It did have a real point to it, though.

As for the Avatar, McMurdo....LOL...Time to make a quick grab of that pic,and crank up a graphics program!

Glad everybody was having fun, and I don't want to blow things out of proportion.

I'll give you my perspective:
1. I started training with swords at a military academy in Edinburgh when I was six years old. So I've been raised with that kind of playing with blades is very similar to pointing guns: you just don't do it. Poop happens: here at the London Club, years ago, we had an incident requiring surgery around the eye. The blade had gone into the eye cavity, the rubber tip saved the eye but the corner of the eye socket was cut. A very frightening moment for the two experienced fencers.

2. Preparing seminars for women's self-defense, delivering them and the work I do now, all make me aware that both pictures involved "threat", specifically to women. That's typical, it doesn't make the guy a bad person. It's just something that's not noticed until pointed out. Something to think about. Of course, it may be the case that the "threat" was posed with men and no picture was taken, or it wasn't posted. But that would be unusual.

In all this, please don't take offense. It's an area I've chosen to try and stay sensitive to.

If everybody was having fun, and the women felt that they were in a "safe place", then, fine, it's really none of my business. And, I'm more than happy to leave it there.

I've just learned to double-check that "safe place" concept.

Respect, peace.

**McMurdo** · 7th October 07, 08:08 PM

Wonderful photos and report, I like the red hose as well, and have a pair myself, as red is an accent colour in many tartans I think they work wonderfully, you just need to know what to wear with them.