ARMA PDX

[Sal Bertucci]

Hello,

Due to a change in plans this Christmas break I will be in Vancouver, WA the 26-30 of Dec. I was wondering if anyone in PDX knows if they're having practice during those times, or might just want to meet up. PM me please so we can work something out.

Thanks

Sal Bertucci

[Brent Lambell]

Sal, we would love to train with you. We train on Saturday mornings from noon to two at an indoor facility in SE Portland. Its not too far from Vancouver, well, a little ways but I hope it would be worth the drive. It probably takes twenty or thirty minutes depending on exactly when and where.

So December 27th is our training date based on your weekend, but if you cannot make that day let us know and I am confident that we can arrange some time to meet with a colleague from afar. Please E-mail me at armapdx@yahoo.com to discuss details. I can get you all the details from there including the training address, phone numbers and such. Also let me know what equipment you have with you and what you will need. We have a little extra of most necessary items.

This is good news Sal, we are excited to see you here. Take care til then.

[Jason Romandell]

Let me know if you need a ride or something if you get stranded in Wa.

[Stewart Sackett]

I look forward to training with you.

[Sal Bertucci]

Thanks. I look forward to coming. I might need that ride on Sat. We'll see though.

[Sal Bertucci]

Thanks guys, I had an awesome time while I was there. I'll let you know when I come and visit next.

[Brent Lambell]

It was good to have you sir, you are welcome anytime. Let me know if we can help your wife convince you to move to the area, Portland is a beautiful town! Enjoy the rest of your stay.

[Sal Bertucci]

Are any of you coming to the IG?

[Brent Lambell]

Sadly I believe ARMA Portland will unrepresented at the IG. I have a full schedule and no money so I am no good, I think most everyone else is in the same boat. I am personally holding out for another year or two.

Are you headed there?

[Sal Bertucci]

Yeah, it's practically in my back yard so I don't have to worry about travel funds. I also have in-laws that live in north Houston so I can bum their couch to avoid hotel costs.

That's too bad. I've been working on my dagger and a little of the ringen. I guess the rematch will just have to wait a year or so. ( wear gloves )

[Sal Bertucci]

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you again. Especially for introducing me to dagger work and Ringen. I was practicing with a friend yesterday, when we bumped into some of my old fencing buddies. We mingled a bit bit the that old "what are you all doing?" question showed up. After I told them about it one of my friends said "I wanna play." (as a joke) But I held him to it and tried to show him some techniques, but he wasn't getting it. Finally I gave him a rubber dagger and just said "attack me". His responce was "really? There's no way you can win."

So we did a few rounds, and I did get stabbed a few times, but I blocked the majority of them, and successfully counterd a few too. The best one was when he attacked me and I tried to pull off an elbow break. (just to sibdue him) I think it's on pg. 68-9 of Jason Vail's book. Anyway, I missed it, and he kept me from pulling it over my shoulder, but but we were still back to back. Now this next part all happened in about 1.5 seconds.

I thought crap, there's nothing I can do in this situation. I can't go for the wrist, elbow, or shoulder without getting stabbed. Then I looked down and saw that I could get his leg. I bent the knees, and hooked his knee. Lifted and twisted, and he went flying! It was cool, and I think I have a convert for next weeks meeting.

[Brent Lambell]

Sal, we were happy to host. We dont get nearly enough visitors up in the great Pacific Northwest so we get excited about any and all. The rondel is such a fun and crucial part of the fighting curriculum as it so closely relates to ringen and as we all know, alles fecthen kommt aus ringen. I think I got that quote right. Anyhow, we believe in that principle most sincerely. Its good that your friend saw the validity of what you did. I would never want to get into a fight where my opponent has a knife and I am unarmed, but I am at least comforted by the fact I have a handful of effective techniques that might turn the tables. Plus, that is why we train after all. We do not rise to our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.

Good luck with the new converts, we really enjoyed free play with you both in the ringen and longsword. I think you have a lot to offer as a scholar and fighter, keep up the good work. And make sure to let us know when you make it up this way, we would love to host again.

[Sal Bertucci]

Anytime.