Let's talk about fencing, shall we?
America is not known for its great fencing or for its famous fencers. I mean, not the same way that Hungarians are known as the world's WORST and MESSIEST fencers, but in a "French people always win the Olympics" type way. In fact, Americans haven't won a fencing medal in 100 years and no American woman has won one ever...until this week!! YAY!! Ok so womens sabre hasn't been in the Olympics since this year ... but I'm really excited anyway. So while she's all proud of what she did for her country, I want to say that I, too, did my part for my country. I didn't mean to--its a curse! Anyway-- you know how I have this...thing...where whenever I do projects on people or things they kinda...die...or retire...or lose the Olympics? Yea, well there's this lady and she won gold in Sydney and she was going to win again this year...until she lost in an upset to (of all things) an AMERICAN!!! I also happened to do a project on her in French this year...ya.
Anyway the new fencing champion of the world's name is Mariel Zagunis and she's really cool. Also Sada Jacobson, who was supposidly the highest ranking woman in the world (also, randomly an American) came in third with a bronze medal. Still sweet. I don't want to talk about either one too much because you know what can happen, but if you would like to read up about it here's a link.
But that isn't all I hafta say.
In local fencing news there is much to discuss.
You see, the Les Amis Fencing Club of Buffalo New York has a long history which I will share here: 21 years ago a wonderful man named Steven Hilbert, a qualified fencing master (no small feat) decided to found a fencing club in Buffalo because there were none in Western New York. During the Early Years some people who I love (Dan and Linda Sova for instance) joined and were cool while some people I don't like (they know who they are) also joined and smelled bad and continue to smell bad to this very day. Then the Club moved to a Church. These were the Church years. Then, with the help of Dan's friend at the City we moved to the NorthWest Buffalo Community Center (where Baby Joe Mesi learned to box) and thus started the Golden Years of Fencing. During the Golden Years such people as Liz, me, Dana, Chelsea, Peter Fox, Brian, Sam, Adam, Kevin, Ed, Matt, Arjay, Graham, the other Brian, Kristin, Duane, Lisa, Tom, Evil Twin, and many others joined. This was the time of the gym, the Cute Team, the Blue and Red teams, spikes, happy tuesdays, the Not So Cute team, the Christmas party at the Turtle, Straw in Back, Look there's Fabio, everything that was awesome, Brian I'm on Allegra, Brian getting arrested, everything....EVERYTHING was during this time. Then, on January 25th, 2003 Steve died (the week beforehand I had gotten NHS recommendations from him, Widman, and Herb--try to find one of them who's doing the same job as they were when I got the recommendation) and we were thrown into a brutal Civil War. The Civil War was bloody and ugly--but eventually we came out and into the Reconstruction phase. Some powerful leaders emerged--Tom, Dan, and the four of us for instance. Liz and I took leadership positions that weren't technically allowed to as kids, and we just busted out. And now its the end of the era-- again, on the exact date of Tuesday, the Reconstruction phase will end and the new LaFayette Era will begin. New days, new times, new place, new armeror, and the end of the Liz, Chelsea, Dana and my time (at least until vacations) I mean, I'm not trying to sound stupid, but...its true. Its the End of an Era.
RIP Les Amis as we know it. You will be missed.
For more information, please check out the Les Amis site which is great. And while I'm plugging websites check out the Cove's site. Its awesome (And I'm an Admin now!!)
Regular Update later on.
I just thought this stuff needed a place.