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Celtic Radio Community > Introductions > Hey Look, It's A Gippy!

Posted by: Lady Gippy 30-Dec-2007, 12:21 PM

My name's Claire, and I live somewhere in NC, I forget where... I was born of an Irish Protestant and an Irish Catholic (that awful color problem of the orange and the green... ) The Protestant converted for the marriage, so they only get into fights every other day, and, for better or for worse, I'm green. I love Celtic music, and what's become a zealous foray into Scottish Gaelic was born of a simple curiosity about the lyrics of Capercaillie. Beautiful languages, (the Celtic ones that is) wanna learn 'em all! Besides that, I'm a beginner foil fencer, I play the violin (or do we say fiddle here??), and I love learning...unless it's being forced upon me and--well, you're probably sick of reading this by now so I'll shut up Hello everyone!

Posted by: Aaediwen 30-Dec-2007, 04:19 PM

NO! Don't shut up! Welcome to the fold! Dive right in and start gabbering away! We don't really force you to learn anything... we just sneak it in there when you're not expecting it. Use of sledgehammers, cluebats, or torture devices is optional... And beware the mean vicious rodents with sharp pointy teeth!

Posted by: leenieww 30-Dec-2007, 04:28 PM

Aaediwen...don't scare the girl away before she has looked around. Hello Claire, so nice to "meet" you. I think you will find that most of us here are quite normal, friendly people. The music you will find here is the best in the world. So have a good look, start posting so we can get to know you, and many many welcomes.

Posted by: Lady Gippy 30-Dec-2007, 04:45 PM

Well thanks to both of you Gaelic and anything vaguely related is certainly not one of the things that I'm forced to learn, and I hope to learn much more about the whole Celtic world, past and present, here. Thanks again for the warm welcomes. I love you guys already!

Posted by: Muircheartach 30-Dec-2007, 08:21 PM

Hello and welcome Claire! We're glad to welcome you as a part of our family! I'm happy that you found us and hope that if you ever have questions concerning your yearning for learning (Celtic or otherwise), you'll post them in our forums. As you have probably already found out, we have a few... I hope you'll like fencing - when I was in the Marine Corp I started with the foil and progressed to the saber. It's great exercise, not to mention the confidence it gives you in public, especially if you're wearing a sword! I'll leave it at that for the time being - I hope you have lots of fun here and I look forward to reading your future posts!

Posted by: Lady Gippy 30-Dec-2007, 08:33 PM

he he, great emphasis on beginner fencer. I'm still discovering exactly how bad a wimpy, flexible-looking rod of iron can hurt (yes, I'm ashamed to say it, but I'm still a screamer, as much as my fencing master hates me for it )--donno how I'd ever bring myself to fence saber, looks so scary! Great fun watching though

Posted by: Druid_of_Ark 30-Dec-2007, 08:52 PM

Welcome to the group we are a fun lot and you will learn we are mostly Harmless...Beannacht ort

Posted by: Muircheartach 30-Dec-2007, 10:11 PM

QUOTE (Lady Gippy @ 30-Dec-2007, 07:33 PM) he he, great emphasis on beginner fencer. I'm still discovering exactly how bad a wimpy, flexible-looking rod of iron can hurt (yes, I'm ashamed to say it, but I'm still a screamer, as much as my fencing master hates me for it    )--donno how I'd ever bring myself to fence saber, looks so scary! Great fun watching though    Hi Gippy! As long as you're "en pointe", you'll do well! If you ever get a chance to fence using the Epee, please try it - unless you're currently using the "electric foil", which didn't exist in my day, but has much the same effect. The Epee is a good way to progress to something larger, not that you should want to wheel a saber, but if you ever aspire to do so, the Epee is quite fun (it does smart a bit when you're hit hard, through...). As far as screaming goes, well, at least you're not a crier, which is a whole lot worse. I've fenced both men and women and have seen, felt and delivered some hard blows. But like I said, fencing does produce quick reflexes and confidence, not to mention bruises and welts! Have a great week and a very Happy New Year!

Posted by: valpal 59 31-Dec-2007, 08:42 AM

WELCOME CLAIRE!!!!! It is a pleasure to meet you. You have found the greatest music and the greatest people. Enjoy.

Posted by: TandVh 31-Dec-2007, 09:06 AM

Falite-bliadhna mhath ùr. Welcome- happy new year! Good luck to you in yer endeavors to learn the auld tongue. Is it to be Scottish Gaidhlig then? I've been trying to learn for over a year now and feel like I've ony scratched the surface. Learning how to aspirate correctly, rolling the r's and generally thinking backwards as far as sentence structure goes--- Off topic I guess- anyway- welcome from the Henderson Clan of Lindcove California.

Posted by: Rindy 31-Dec-2007, 09:41 AM

Welcome to the Celtic Radio Network forum Lady Gippy. I hope you will enjoy the music as well as the wonderful people that you will find here on the forum. What ever you do don't shut up. I look forward to you posting. Slainte

Posted by: Lady Gippy 31-Dec-2007, 10:31 AM

Any kind of Gaelic I can get really, but for now I'm starting off with Scots...see how that works out for me. I've started to hit pronunciation hard, so anyone who comes within hearing range of my room these days is likely to be set upon by a series of peculiar grunting noises that could have come from an angry dragon eating his tail. I really need to apologize to the spirit of all Gaelic speakers that were, are, and have yet to come for what I've done to their absolutely lovely language. It'll get better, promise! Thanks for the fencing advice Muircheartach! I feel better about my screaming now I see what I can do about epee after I'm done with foil, sounds like fun. ...And thankyou all for the welcoming I've been on one or two forums before, but none were as friendly as this one. Happy new year to everyone!

Posted by: Druid_of_Ark 31-Dec-2007, 05:19 PM

I tried fencing once but stringing up all those posts and wires was hard work, now for recreation I just work out with my wee Claymore.

Posted by: Muircheartach 31-Dec-2007, 08:27 PM

QUOTE (Druid_of_Ark @ 31-Dec-2007, 04:19 PM) I tried fencing once but stringing up all those posts and wires was hard work, now for recreation I just work out with my wee Claymore. Hi Druid_of_Ark! Yes, setting up the Epee/electric foil is time-consuming, which is why it's usually used just for formal practice or matches. The saber/claybeg/claymore is a good choice, just make sure that your armor is all in place, especially 'round the head! Have a great New Year's!

Posted by: Robert Phoenix 31-Dec-2007, 10:42 PM

Greetings M'Lady Gippy, I take it you are a fellow rennie? Welcome to the forum and I know you'll find lots of goodies in here. I'm also into fencing and just now starting to get into the heavy swords. Your starting off with the foil is a good thing. Stick with it and remember that fencing itself is nowhere near as hard to learn as trying to pronounce some of those french terms for the parts of the foil. I've been fencing off and on (we keep losing our practice places) for about six years and I love it. I am also trying to learn Gaelic which is not easy with no teachers around ( I too hate being forced) and I have to admit I would love to learn fiddle (and bagpipes) but for now I have to settle for my tin whistle and my brodhran. Have a fantastic new year-2008-its going to be great! Wow that last bit was like a really bad high school level cheer wasn't it?

Posted by: haynes9 01-Jan-2008, 07:50 PM

Howdy, Lady G, from the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona! Glad you found this place! Good to see you posting! Jump right in and meet all of the folks that inhabit this little community. Great bunch! Welcome aboard and have a great day!

Posted by: Lady Gippy 01-Jan-2008, 10:27 PM

Wow, we've got a lot of fencers here! Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, this forum being what it is... I would be happy for any tips you seasoned veterans have for me, because God knows I need them!

Posted by: Muircheartach 01-Jan-2008, 11:21 PM

QUOTE (Lady Gippy @ 01-Jan-2008, 09:27 PM) Wow, we've got a lot of fencers here! Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, this forum being what it is...  I would be happy for any tips you seasoned veterans have for me, because God knows I need them!  Hi Lady Gippy, In thinking back, the thing that comes to mind in all the fencing matches that I competed in or watched is that the most important thing you can do is strengthen and take care of your "fencing shoulder and elbow", since those body parts are used and stressed the most. I have fought many opponents and have won because I found weakness in their shoulder or elbow and was able to take advantage of it in quick and well-placed strikes. Over time, nearly all fencers have physical problems in these areas - if you want to fence into your 60's or older, take care of yourself now. Practice with better fencers than you is also of utmost importance - to leave you with a quote from Pirates of the Caribbean: "Using a sword is like sex. You can’t get good by practicing by yourself or with your relatives." - Jack Sparrow May your point and wit always stay sharp!

Posted by: Lady Gippy 02-Jan-2008, 01:35 PM

That's great, Glorious in its vulgarity What would the world be without Jack Sparrow? I shall most definitely take it into account. How would you suggest taking care of the sword arm?

Posted by: Muircheartach 02-Jan-2008, 02:52 PM

Hi Gippy! To start with, like any sport (I'll use that term, since I am guessing that you are doing this for fun and not learning the skill to run someone through...), you need to work the muscles and joints smoothly and without over-doing it before you begin. If you do weight training, which can help (although I wouldn't necessarily start pressing weights if you haven't been), you'll want to focus on resistance that strengthens the arms moving up and in, as well as curling dumbell weights that would probably be no more than five pounds, depending on your body type and size. If you don't do weight training, then push-ups, pull-ups and general calisthenics like jumping jacks and twists can do a lot for you. The best thing to remember is, don't ever over-do it and never fence with cold, tight muscles. Perhaps, although not being a doctor I can't say for sure, taking some form of glucosamine for improved joint flexibility would also be good, but this depends on your phsical condition and lots of things that your doctor would be better suited to tell you. I hope other fencers will comment as well - a lot of time has passed since I held a sword in competition. All the best!

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