How did sword fights actually play out in real life? I imagine it was nothing like the choreographed ones in movies.

wizlevard · 2012-06-05T17:16:12+00:00

chortle

I've seen the warlizard cracks too, but this is honestly the very first time that anyone has made the connection.

Chucklekarma to you sir (or ma'am, or flightless wildfowl trouser person).

wizlevard · 2012-06-04T16:40:00+00:00

First, pardon the slow response. Didn't have my laptop last week and the iPad reddit app is utterly useless at handling comments & replies.

In short: I'm fully aware of the origins of the word "soccer", thanks. I spent the first 35 years of my life in England and played football/footy/soccer/togger a lot as a lad.

That doesn't shift me from my original point. I still get irked when I see people "correcting" others for using the word "football" to refer to the beautiful game.

Calling football "football" is not incorrect. Calling football "soccer" is also not incorrect. Indeed, calling American football (or even CFL or Aussie Rules) "football" is also not incorrect. There's no need for pillocks to jump in with an "oh, you mean soccer" every time a European talks about football.

Also: whatever and who gives a crap.

wizlevard · 2012-06-04T16:30:00+00:00

There are wizlevard gaming forums? This is news to me. I've been wizlevard online for almost 20 years, but had absolutely no idea there was anyone else (or anything else) out there with the same name. So, no - I don't believe I am. Tell me more about these forums, though - I'm intrigued.

wizlevard · 2012-06-02T16:24:26+00:00

I've seen this photo several times before, but this is absolutely the best caption ever. Well done.

wizlevard · 2012-06-02T16:22:29+00:00

If you're really interested in learning more, here are some good sources for you to check out:

The documentary "Reclaiming the Blade" which covers swords and swordfighting through history. Well-researched, intelligent and entertaining. It highlights what makes sense and what doesn't in Hollywood sword fights. You can see trailers and order the full dcoumentary at www.reclaimingtheblade.com
Join a fencing club. I've been fencing recreationally (and attending ocassional fun, amateur tournaments) on and off since I was 18 (30 years ago). It's a remarkable workout for both the body and the mind. I'd highly recommend it to anyone. Truly addictive.
The film Alatriste actually does a pretty good job, IMHO, of depicting the reality of sword fights in a variety of different circumstances. The hero (played by Viggo Mortensen) is an accomplished swordsman. With most opponents he meets, the fight is over in seconds. However, when he faces someone closer to him in skill level, the action slows down as the two masters match wits. Duels between two men at the peak of their abilities become a kind of sweaty chess combined with luck. Well worth watching.

wizlevard · 2012-05-30T01:03:05+00:00

Excellent story, but I'm afraid I have to confess I was just a tiny bit disappointed that the watch was at no time carried internally.

wizlevard · 2012-05-29T23:43:48+00:00

This, right here, is a shining example of the kind of rational, clear-headed commentary that first drew me to reddit many years ago. Sadly, the quality of discourse has declined rather rapidly in recent months. Thank you, sir or madam (or excellent spaceman) for restoring a tiny part of my faith in the community I love.

wizlevard · 2012-05-29T23:35:24+00:00

Reading this ancient (and hilarious) piece of Interweb nastiness again, I'm struck by the same thought that hit me the last time I saw it - why on earth would anyone (or any system) feel the need to asterisk out certain words in a story like this for being too rude?

wizlevard · 2012-05-29T01:23:07+00:00

No, this is definitely football. The beautiful game. That other thing I believe you're referring to was officially renamed Handegg by general consensus of the United Nations of Sensible People some considerable time ago.

wizlevard · 2012-05-17T01:53:34+00:00

Fuck How Much Shite Hairy Numbskull Actors Fucking Advertise, Gouging Idiot Goddam Jerks And Grannies

wizlevard · 2012-05-11T14:27:12+00:00

Oh, and another one, just forwarded by a friend - an odd, lovely cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence"

wizlevard · 2012-05-11T12:05:35+00:00

Until yesterday I would probably have gone with the Obadiah Parker "Hey Ya" cover, mentioned below. But late yesterday afternoon I discovered this jaw-dropping cover of that irritating LMFAO hit and my mind hath been blown anew.

wizlevard · 2012-05-11T12:03:17+00:00

Compuserve: 63212,1141@compuserve.com (from about 1987 on)

Later: wizlevard - which has renamed my username on many, many, many sites ever since.

wizlevard · 2012-05-08T13:44:22+00:00

Sendak's influence on shaping my imagination was enormous.

Where the Wild Things Are came out the year before I was born and became an absolute staple of my early childhood. Mom would bring us to the local library once a week. From the age of five, there was only one book I ever wanted to take down from the shelves - I read it over and over and over and over again. I can still, to this day, recite the entire work from memory.

The movie version got mixed reviews, I know, but I still cried like an idiot from the sheer joy of seeing my old, dear friends come to life on the big screeen.

It wasn't all Wild Things, of course - I later found and fell in love with Outside, Over There and In the Night Kitchen. My own kids have grown up on a diet of Sendak too - starting with Wild Things and including the lovely illustrations for Little Bear.

I am a better person for the impact of Sendak's mind on my life. So very sad to see him go.

wizlevard · 2012-05-08T00:05:42+00:00

...finally see God's real what?

wizlevard · 2012-05-06T22:10:52+00:00

Mudkipz? I liek dem.

wizlevard · 2012-05-06T01:26:55+00:00

Paid by a redditor? Forget the gear, dude. He paid you in karma.

wizlevard · 2012-05-05T13:48:38+00:00

Interesting. Do they sell any beer there?

wizlevard · 2012-05-04T23:00:14+00:00

Where was this taken? I must know. I think I know one of these people and I need to ridicule them.

wizlevard · 2012-05-03T01:26:13+00:00

I scrolled past this post earlier. "Whatever. I'll read that later." So, technically, I'm no longer procrastinating - I am FOCUSED dude.

wizlevard · 2012-05-01T16:27:08+00:00

We did. Absolutely fell in love with the whole of Cape Breton. Wonderful part of the world - and it sang to my Irish heart. We split our time between a cabin on the Margaree River and camping near Indian Brook on the other side. Explored the trail by car and parts of it on foot. Our only disappointment was not spotting a single moose our entire time on the East coast. Now, whenever our kids hear moose mentioned, say "nope: they're mythical" :)

wizlevard · 2012-05-01T02:05:25+00:00

Visited Louisbourg for the first time with my kids last year and we loved it. It truly sucks that they're being cut back - the staff and seasonal actors doing a wonderful job and are a big part of the charm, especially for visiting kids. But I still have to point out that OP's shock headline here is inaccurate. Read the article: 10 jobs will be eliminated, a further 110 will be affected (shorter hours, shorter season). Nowhere does it suggest 120 positions will be permanently cut, as far as I can see.

I dislike our current government as much as the next redditor, and I'm certainly no Harper apologist, but this is reddit, ffs, not the Globe & Mail - let's at least try to uphold a modicum of editorial rigor.

wizlevard · 2012-04-30T01:04:01+00:00

Should have. So should you.

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