Newcomer

[Christopher C]

Greetings to everyone here on the ARMA forum. I just recently came across this site (through Wikipedia, it turns out), and I became hooked instantly. I've always been interested in learning about true medieval combat as a martial art, as opposed to a sport or reenactment art, or acting silly with toys. The description explaining how ARMA is a very serious martial art expecting members dedicated to serious training and learning felt almost personal, as if it was talking right to me. I've previously been quite discouraged at being interested in an activity that I thought I would never statistically have a chance to run across. Perhaps I still wouldn't, were it not for such an internet site as this.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm heavy into fantasy and role playing. Heck, Dungeons and Dragons is a weekly activity for me, and I admit it is responsible for a lot of my interests in sword combat and such. Yet, I sincerely am interested in realistic combat, and I feel that I can separate the real from the fictional.
Over the last few years, I've purchased many different training weapons and tried to take it as seriously as possible. I've had wasters, heavy-duty foam swords, and even shinai (despite their Asian origin, they've been enjoyable nonetheless), as well as some inexpensive protective gear that I use to fight with my friends. We often go to a local park or someone's large backyard and try to have "official" tournaments with each other, though our skill is hardly impressive to any extent as of yet. And yet as serious as I take it, I have to admit to myself that there is only so much that I or any of my friends could accomplish alone.
Although I intend to submit an application for membership as soon as possible, I am a bit surprised that there is not any study group available in my local area already. I live in a relatively small town in New York, but it is only a 20 or 30 minute drive from Albany, the capital. I found 3 different study groups in New York, but not one in the capital, which was a bit of a downer. I am not sure if any of my friends are as interested as I am, and I am not completely confident that I could find enough others to complete a group.
Regardless, I look forward to becoming a part of the ARMA community, and making friendships with many here on the forum.

[Will Adamson]

Nothing wrong with D&D. Our own Jake Norwood wrote a roleplaying game several years ago.

Try to get some of your buddies to do at least one road trip to a study group. I'm basically on my own still, but in the past year and a half I've made a couple of trips to train with other ARMA folks. Each trip has been well worth the time, money, and effort. An increasing number of commitments have kept me from doing such lately.

[Keith Culbertson]

Definitely go to a NTP 1.0 seminar to learn the basics so you have something tangible in experience and knowledge as soon as possible---see another recent post about starting a group...good luck and hope to see you and your friends sometime

[Gene Tausk]

Please log out and log back in with your real name, first and last, as specifically demanded by our Forum rules.

[Christopher Czyzewski]

I apologize about the name. I merely assumed my last name was too long and would not fit (And prefer not to go by merely Chris)

[Shane Smith]

Welcome aboard Christopher

[Eric Dohner]

I have next to no experience, but I attend SUNY Albany, for what it's worth.

I had been intending to start working on boxing and wrestling this fall for my self-imposed "combat general education requirement," but if an ARMA group were to appear in the area all MMA bets would be off (time with swords vs. time with BJJ: swords win, sorry).

[Will Adamson]

And you're less likely to end up in that inverted ground fighting position with another guy in ARMA.

[Eric Dohner]

And you're less likely to end up in that inverted ground fighting position with another guy in ARMA.

Wow, like that one hasn't been done before.

Christopher, if you're interested in another clueless student of the sword joining you, definitely get ahold of me. I'm afraid I don't have a car, but I can probably always hitch a ride or bus it to Schenectady, if you like.

[Christopher Czyzewski]

Well, who would have thought I'd have such luck. I'd love to get together and practice at some point. Don't we only need just like one more person or such to form a group? That'd be some pretty exciting progress right there

Also, Eric, I have a vehicle and know the way to Albany well enough, so it would probably be more efficient to come down there.

[Eric Dohner]

Excellent. Get ahold of me on AIM, if you frequent it, and we can plan something out.

[AlexCSmith]

Figured I'd borrow this thread to ask if anyone is close to North Georgia (the one in the US) since it's on the topic of newcomers.

So...anyone close to N.GA that's interested in a fairly well read noob?

[Joey Marmorato]

So...anyone close to N.GA that's interested in a fairly well read noob?

As you can see on the practice partners and study group listings page, I lead an active group at UGA, which will probably be your best bet, though you'll have to drive some depending where you are.

I don't want to derail this thread, so send me an email or a private message, we'd love for you to come practice with us.

ARMA UGA

[Christopher Czyzewski]

Eric, I have found one of my friends that is sincerely interested in joining as well. If I understand the rules correctly, three people is enough to begin a group, so we can actually begin the Schenectady-Albany team

As for reaching me on AIM... it may be possible, however I am normally on only at night... and I do mean the middle of the night. Due to this, it may be difficult, but please tell me what times I might find you and I should be able to work out some communication.

[Eric Dohner]

Chris, that sounds great, although actually becoming a member can be a tough first step (or at least a lengthy one). Would your friend be interested in dagger and wrestling experimentation as well? Those two have interested me a lot lately for reasons mostly related to their current-day practicality.

Also, if you happen to have Skype, my name there is ericthesecond, and my email is zwerchhau ([at]) gmail [(dot)] com. I'm sure we'll be able to figure something out -- and I got my second Hollow Earth waster the other day, albeit my first one hasn't been waxed in a year (my bad).