Follow up to my blog about my new job offer.
I've attended my first martial arts class to learn the ancient art of swordplay. I get to the venue and there's about 20 dudes there, all really fit and scary looking guys. They're all opening these long narrow bags they've got with them and pull out swords and start swinging them about as a 'warm up'.
Our instructor introduces me and welcomes me to the group. He runs through the health and safety rules: "Remember, while these swords are blunted, they're still dangerous weapons. You could easily break bones or smash a skull with one. If you're not fast enough to block a strike made at you, then we might, just might, call an ambulance for you."
Once all the guys have started on their practice he comes over to me and hands me a bokken (a heavy wooden practice sword that kinda looks like a katana). He tells me to take the sword in my right hand. I tell him I'm left handed but he says that because the majority of people are right handed, they always fight with their right hands. He shows me the first five basic moves. There are twenty-something moves which combine attacking and defensive moves. Once he's happy that I've got to grips with these five moves he leaves me to keep practising them for a while.
I then hear my name being called and look around. The instructor is standing with this guy who has arms like the Hulk and tells me I'll be sparring with this guy. Up to this point I'd been gleefully winning a mini battle with a ceiling-supporting post. I'm now getting kinda nervous. The guy says to me "best thing to do for now is to show you what you can achieve - it can be a bit boring doing the same five moves, I just want to show you what you can build up to". He tells me to stand still then asks me if I'm 'ready'. I say yes (fuckit, you only live once, right?). He then proceeds to swing at me with this sword. A real fuckin sword, not even one of the wooden things. He swings at my neck stopping the blade 2cms from my collar bone. He pulled the sword back then roared, yes roared, and then unleashed a combo on me that was so fast that I could barely even see the sword coming. After he was finished I hear laughing and clapping and realise that the whole group has been watching. The guy says that because I didn't flinch too much or try to back away that I'll do just fine.
I don't know whether I'll be able to get to the level of skill that these guys have got, but they were a cool bunch of people - encouraging and letting me know that they were all shit at it to begin with, etc. So, my right arm is killing me, my neck, shoulder, chest, back, stomach and leg muscles have all fallen out with me for the workout I put them through, but it was good fun and I did learn something.
Thanks again for reading this shit - if you did that is. :P
