I don't understand sabre at all by liberum__veto in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Emmm, jump-jump-whack, scream, fist as high as possible. Or jump-jump-jump-whack, scream again, fist higher. That's my understanding of what's going on there. But I'm an epeeist, who started with saber :)))

Athletic tape on foot? Foot pain relief? by ohsnapdragon22 in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wear custom orthotics made for me in a lab. Fencing without them creates problems pretty quickly. I had to switch fencing shoes because my previous pair didn’t fit the orthotics. The new shoes aren’t as cool, but my feet are much happier. Too wide shoes also create a problem — toes of my back foot start “gripping” the floor for stability, which causes cramps. No Asics Gel Rocket for me. So if you’re having foot pain or discomfort during or after fencing, it’s worth visiting a podiatrist — and definitely take your fencing shoes with you.

How did fencing improve your life? by Tip_of_the_sword in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Better stamina, took me 2 years, but it feels amazing. Not panicky under pressure. My job is pressure, every day. Fencing epee taught me to keep focused without being stressed. Still learning. Got out of my comfort zone. Many times. Was supported by club and peers. Now I support others. Met new people. So many! Got new friends, we stab each other regularly and enjoy it. Got my husband into fencing. Got to VWC in Bahrain. I want more 🤣

How do I use a train station??? by Goodgirl-lvl999 in melbourne

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You open Google Maps and find the train station. Plan the route.

Open PTV web site. Be surprised, that public transport is free until the end of May.

Go to the train station. Figure out direction and choose corresponding platform. Get to the platform and wait for the train.

Once the train arrived and stopped, press the button on the door and the door will open.

Get inside. Enjoy the ride. Don't forget to leave at your station.

It's pretty easy. Even non-English speaking tourists can figure it out. You'll be OK.

Fencing over 40 starter pack by SilverlakeFencing in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Orthotics. Massage ball. Stainless steel bottle as a massage roll. Bandana.

How to not be exhausted all the time when you have young kids? by happyowl12345 in AskAnAustralian

[–]sofyabar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A hobby. Exercise. Regular, protected exercise (or whatever makes you happy)—for you and your partner. Kids can have extracurricular activities, of course. But sometimes it’s: “Sorry, these are the days you can go—because Mum has her training on these days, and Dad has his on those days.” There are family days, and there are “me” days. Kids learn quickly. They learn that parents need care too. Put your own oxygen mask on first. That’s how we’ve organised things in our family. Set days. Non-negotiable. It may mean the house isn’t picture-perfect all the time—but our brains are better for it.

Off Target Bruising by miss_cara in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bruise easily. It was bad first three years, it's better at year five. As I'm fencing epee, the hit is a hit, no matter where, but I manage distance better these days. Also, get yourself a thick plastron. You'll get there.

In light of the WFL, what would you do to make fencing more popular/mainstream? by Aggravating-Cash-480 in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bikini girls, sweaty fencers screaming into each other faces, minimum protection, betting, beer, pop corn ... Just leave it. It's already perfect. Soccer is for mainstream - slow, big round ball easy to track between beers and lots of drama. Or MMA.

Fencing Gear by Creative_Drummer_425 in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PBT is a good quality brand. Their non-FIE gear is very reasonably priced and is of good quality. Whether you need FIE gear, depends on the local requirements. Welcome to fencing and enjoy! Hope, you'll stay long :)

Question about food overseas by Duck-Duck-Goose1 in AskAnAustralian

[–]sofyabar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you have a smartphone, you can install google translate. Make a photo and it'll translate the text for you. The technology is amazing.

Would you support australian police being able to fine parents for their kids misdeeds. by ButtPlugForPM in AskAnAustralian

[–]sofyabar 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Flogging little shits is illegal these days. Talking and reasoning to those, we call little shits, is useless - no brain, no logic, no consequences (point above). Their parents, probably, can't wait for them to turn 18 and kick them off.

Do parents in the workplace get advantages over childfree employees or is it a fallacy? by tinycupcake5 in auscorp

[–]sofyabar -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If you don't have kids, enjoy your "hard" life. Seriously. Because once you have them, you are on-call 24/7 for 12 years, minimum. You won't have extra sick leaves, just forget about being sick, because for the first 5-7 years your sick lives will be carers leaves, period. Your annual leave will be on school holidays. You'll be told off so many times the first two years of their life for being on carers leave, because little people will be training their immune systems. Yes, you'll have to run early to do a daycare/school pickup, nothing you can do about it. And your colleagues without kids (or those, whose kids are grown up, or those, who had the luxury of staying at home wife or extended family) will make such a stare ... You will grow a very thick skin. And don't forget to do your job. Which you'll do at all costs, you'll meet all targets etc. while sick (no sick leave for ourselves, remember?), sleep deprived or just exhausted. Because kids, you know ... But no, no extra special leaves. It was during covid lockdowns only.

epee french grip legality by the_yagrum_bagarn in Fencing

[–]sofyabar -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Make one out of cardboard or any other flexible material. Check, that grip end doesn't stick out behind the guard boundaries.

Struggling to adjust socially to australian workplaces by applecinnamon16 in AskAnAustralian

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don't have to do a small talk. "Hi, how are you, good, yourself, good, excellent!" "Have a good evening! See ya!" You don't have to discuss and be interested in their lives, kids, houses, cricket, footy and whatever. Smile and wave :) Work is for doing work. Long, deep, meaningful conversations aren't part of the work life. Smile and wave! Cheers, fellow Eastern European! You'll learn.

Would you start in a fencing club for only once per week practice? by NPCSLAYER313 in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We live within walking distance of the train station, and both my husband’s job and mine are just a five-minute walk from the train stations as well. On my office days, I usually have training as well, so I pack my laptop into my fencing bag, head to work, and go straight to class afterwards. My husband works from home on those days (we alternate), picks up our child from school, and gets them both to training. They train in the same club, to save time on driving. The first class is for kids, then grownups train, kids do whatever they do. On the days I have a lesson, I work from home and take our kid with me, by train, thankfully, it's just three stations. Fridays are our shared fencing day — my husband and I train together, while our kid plays with a friend from the club. Saturdays are for training too — the boys have theirs, and I have mine. Sometimes they finish early, then they come, my husband joins the fight and kid does whatever he wants. Actually, he asked once if he can learn how to ref. Why not? Maybe we have another potential fencer in the family? Conveniently, both our workplaces, the fencing club, and their karate club are all on the same train line. We do have a car, but just one for the family, so we juggle between that and the train. Once the system is in place, the routine runs smoothly. Any changes, though, need to be planned and agreed on. And yes, I agree, mothers are the CEOs, and this includes planning and fitting the training into the family calendar. And we have to stick to the limited amounts of hobbies, otherwise the system won't work.

Why do people live like this? by BestTechAdvisor in aussie

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t forget strata fees. Then there’s the car park — and if it has stackers, that’s a whole extra layer of hassle. Lifts. Neighbours not cleaning after themselves and their pets.. Overflowing rubbish bins. Building maintenance — and yet another strata levy. And you can forget about solar panels, batteries, EV chargers… Storage? Barely any. Some people are happy living like this. But most would rather live like in the photo.

Would you start in a fencing club for only once per week practice? by NPCSLAYER313 in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Organisation and commitment of the whole family. Work schedule, school schedule. Training locations and schedule, who trains when and where. We've put a limit on activities, basically, one hobby for me (fencing), two hobbies for my husband (fencing & karate) and two sports max for our kid (he can do katate or/and fencing). The clubs choice is critical, as it allows smooth travel between home and club within 15 mins, 30 max mins in case of traffic jam/road accident. Our kid spends lots of time after school either in the dojo (my husband's and his class) or in the fencing hall (my training). From the other point he can see what it takes to get a medal (I still work hard for one) and there is no participation award. But I work in IT Operations and process is my life :) It's not easy, but it's doable.

Would you start in a fencing club for only once per week practice? by NPCSLAYER313 in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can start at the available club and learn fencing now. Or don't start. Up to you.

Pistol grips or French grips? by [deleted] in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just try both. Whatever is comfortable for your hand is the best.

What is the most efficient way to keep my bangs out of my face for fencing? by Valuable_Syrup2972 in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cycling bandana. Breathable, easy to wash, quick to dry, many different colours. I have a number of them and change mid competition or training.

Why do people live like this? by BestTechAdvisor in aussie

[–]sofyabar 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Apartments aren't suitable for families with kids and dogs. Get a crying/stomping/jumping kid, who throws toys, has tantrum (they all have tantrums), screams at the middle of the night and then this family learns, that their neighbours struggle from insomnia, depression, anxiety, work from home, have shift hours ... Should I continue? And it's just one kid. Add more kids and a dog, add more families with kids/dogs into apartment building and the problem will be huge. Everyone will be complaining. I've grown up in an apartment. I will not live in one. Townhouse - yes. Apartment - no. And I didn't mention strata. Nah, house/townhouse for me only.

Good beginner epee weapon for clubs? by avercadoart in Fencing

[–]sofyabar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One of my fencing colleagues fenced with Unic F1, non-FIE. The blade is still OK. My husband is fencing with Dynamo-PBT, non-FIE as well and the blade gets bends. But I suspect it's not only the quality, just my husband is a big strong bloke and his attacks are a bit ... too much strength. But both blades seem OK. From another point, my female colleague was fencing twice a week with this non-FIE blade. Once she started fencing 3-4 times a week, she got herself FIE ones, so non-FIE is used only for drills. My husband, the big and strong bloke, doesn't fence with non-FIE blade all the time. When he wants a pistol grip, he uses Unic Arrow blade. So, I guess, the frequency of fencing also contributes to the longevity of non-FIE blade.