I bought a new buckler

I bought a new buckler

 I had to stop by Wegman's (a big supermarket chain in New York) and I found this by the front door. It's a plastic shield that came with a snowball maker/launcher.

WHY DIDN'T THEY HAVE THESE WHEN I WAS A KID?

Not that it would have been useful down in Texas. But still.

It's barely legal, size-wise, for AEthelmearc's Rapier rules, and I don't think that it will stand up to heavy rapier combat. I might spray-paint it green and black, to match my Barony's colors, and donate it to our youth rapier loaner pool.

It's strapped nicely: the straps are stretchy and I was able to get my fat arm through them while I was wearing a hoodie. I prefer a single handle, when I fence, 'cause I am a fan of I.33, but it's not uncomfortable to wield. 

Again, this probably not last long against heavy rapier, but against foils? It should be good enough for kids. $12.95 is a good deal for something that made be giggle. 

Strange Things Found On Medieval Manuscripts

Have At You! - Gesundheit!

This is from Verdun, Bibliothèque municipale, MS 107, f. 99v, and it depicts two headless sword fighters. WTF? Did they cut their own heads off before they started the fight? I need some context here. What is going on. Is it some kind of social commentary from when the manuscript was created? Is it some sort of allegory about how there are no real winners in a battle? Are they aliens?

By the way, this would make a good SCA, tourney scroll. 

This has been a week of Mondays

It could have been worse, though. 

We had some high winds, the other night, and a large branch fell on my car. Now, it missed the house, the garage, the power lines, and the FIOS line. And while it hit the car, it didn't destroy it.

The hood is dented, but the windshield wasn't broken. If I had parked one foot closer to the garage it would have been a disaster. I was lucky enough that the side fence took the bulk of the impact. 

Still, the first estimate was about $2300 for all of the dents and scratches. 

I hate being an adult. When I was younger and was happy with $200 beaters, this wouldn't phase me one bit. Now that I have a nice car.... Pooh!