Friday, January 25, 2013

can fat girls fence?

I have been thinking of starting fencing with my son or one of my daughters for a while but I'm scared.
What if I am terrible? Well, that's a given since I have never done it before. I would like to learn.
What if I make a fool of myself? They'll be strangers right?
Can we fit something additional into our schedule? It's all about balance right?
Is it expensive? Is a lot of gear required? There is the uniform AND the equipment.
Can I get hurt? Will I inadvertently hurt others? Hence a uniform and good equipment.
I'm still on the FENCE so to speak.
I will keep you posted...

This is what I have found out so far from livestrong.com
Fencing is a highly individual sport that requires a minimal amount of equipment. The age-old sport of swordplay is ideal for girls who prefer not to play team sports, but still want to stay active and competitive. If you expressed an interest in fencing as a sport, you should know that the uniforms are not gender specific, save for one component mandatory for female players. The plain nature of the uniforms gives each participant an equal starting point in fencing.


Jacket and Knickers

The two largest parts of the fencing uniform consist of a jacket and knickers. Fencing jackets usually zip up the back, are fastened under the crotch and have plan fronts and high necks. Long sleeves are a must in order to protect the body from injury. The pants are known as knickers and stretch from the waist down to the bottom of the knee. Fencing gear is traditionally white, and extra adornment in the shape of stickers or embellishment is typically red



Breast and Underarm Protector

Female players are required to wear a breast protector as part of the fencing uniform. A breast protector is thin plastic piece worn under the jacket that hangs over the shoulders and across the chest to protect from injury around the breast area. It offers hardened, molded cups that provide protection much like a men's jock strap does. Underarm protectors are half sleeve shirts worn under the jacket that protect your dominant underarm from thrusts.

Mask

The final piece of equipment that a girl must wear as part of the fencing outfit is the mask. The mask is imperative for safety reasons. While fencing is not an especially aggressive or dangerous sport, a wayward foil or epee could cause damage, especially to the eyes. The mask covers the entire face in mesh while still allowing complete visibility. While some masks have bibs that snap on to protect the neck, the bib must be sewn on in fencing competition.
For now I will just repeat: My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. 
but not while flying Quantas or without a shirt at all.  

Friday, January 18, 2013

DUDE, YOU'RE WELCOME!

Dude, You're Welcome!
If you're a man does this appeal to you? 


REBLOG


10 Things Extraordinary People Say Every Day

They're small things, but each has the power to dramatically change someone's day. Including yours.
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Want to make a huge difference in someone's life? Here are things you should say every day to your employees, colleagues, family members, friends, and everyone you care about:
"Here's what I'm thinking."
You're in charge, but that doesn't mean you're smarter, savvier, or more insightful than everyone else. Back up your statements and decisions. Give reasons. Justify with logic, not with position or authority.
Though taking the time to explain your decisions opens those decisions up to discussion or criticism, it also opens up your decisions to improvement.
Authority can make you "right," but collaboration makes everyone right--and makes everyone pull together.
"I was wrong."
I once came up with what I thought was an awesome plan to improve overall productivity by moving a crew to a different shift on an open production line. The inconvenience to the crew was considerable, but the payoff seemed worth it. On paper, it was perfect.
In practice, it wasn't.
So, a few weeks later, I met with the crew and said, "I know you didn't think this would work, and you were right. I was wrong. Let's move you back to your original shift."
I felt terrible. I felt stupid. I was sure I'd lost any respect they had for me.
It turns out I was wrong about that, too. Later one employee said, "I didn't really know you, but the fact you were willing to admit you were wrong told me everything I needed to know."
When you're wrong, say you're wrong. You won't lose respect--you'll gain it.
"That was awesome."
No one gets enough praise. No one. Pick someone--pick anyone--who does or did something well and say, "Wow, that was great how you..."
And feel free to go back in time. Saying "Earlier, I was thinking about how you handled that employee issue last month..." can make just as positive an impact today as it would have then. (It could even make a bigger impact, because it shows you still remember what happened last month, and you still think about it.)
Praise is a gift that costs the giver nothing but is priceless to the recipient. Start praising. The people around you will love you for it--and you'll like yourself a little better, too.
"You're welcome."
Think about a time you gave a gift and the recipient seemed uncomfortable or awkward. Their reaction took away a little of the fun for you, right?
The same thing can happen when you are thanked or complimented or praised. Don't spoil the moment or the fun for the other person. The spotlight may make you feel uneasy or insecure, but all you have to do is make eye contact and say, "Thank you." Or make eye contact and say, "You're welcome. I was glad to do it."
Don't let thanks, congratulations, or praise be all about you. Make it about the other person, too.
"Can you help me?"
When you need help, regardless of the type of help you need or the person you need it from, just say, sincerely and humbly, "Can you help me?"
I promise you'll get help. And in the process you'll show vulnerability, respect, and a willingness to listen--which, by the way, are all qualities of a great leader.
And are all qualities of a great friend.
"I'm sorry."
We all make mistakes, so we all have things we need to apologize for: words, actions, omissions, failing to step up, step in, show support...
Say you're sorry.
But never follow an apology with a disclaimer like "But I was really mad, because..." or "But I did think you were..." or any statement that in any way places even the smallest amount of blame back on the other person.
Say you're sorry, say why you're sorry, and take all the blame. No less. No more.
Then you both get to make the freshest of fresh starts.
"Can you show me?"
Advice is temporary; knowledge is forever. Knowing what to do helps, but knowing how or why to do it means everything.
When you ask to be taught or shown, several things happen: You implicitly show you respect the person giving the advice; you show you trust his or her experience, skill, and insight; and you get to better assess the value of the advice.
Don't just ask for input. Ask to be taught or trained or shown.
Then you both win.
"Let me give you a hand."
Many people see asking for help as a sign of weakness. So, many people hesitate to ask for help.
But everyone needs help.
Don't just say, "Is there anything I can help you with?" Most people will give you a version of the reflexive "No, I'm just looking" reply to sales clerks and say, "No, I'm all right."
Be specific. Find something you can help with. Say "I've got a few minutes. Can I help you finish that?" Offer in a way that feels collaborative, not patronizing or gratuitous. Model the behavior you want your employees to display.
Then actually roll up your sleeves and help.
"I love you."
No, not at work, but everywhere you mean it--and every time you feel it.
Nothing.
Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing. If you're upset, frustrated, or angry, stay quiet. You may think venting will make you feel better, but it never does.
That's especially true where your employees are concerned. Results come and go, but feelings are forever. Criticize an employee in a group setting and it will seem like he eventually got over it, but inside, he never will.
Before you speak, spend more time considering how employees will think and feel than you do evaluating whether the decision makes objective sense. You can easily recover from a mistake made because of faulty data or inaccurate projections.
You'll never recover from the damage you inflict on an employee's self-esteem.
Be quiet until you know exactly what to say--and exactly what affect your words will have.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

driving us crazy one minute at a time!


I cannot tell you how annoying this toy is! It lives on a high shelf next to a pair of parental quality earplugs. The children always seem to drag it out of the garbage and recycling bin when Dad has had enough of it. They of course think it's great fun, not to mention endless entertainment. Make great fun for your kids, this Sound Light Alligator will roll his eyes, rock his tail when start moving with the music and flash, very cute animal toy. It has Battery operate with sound and light, mouth opening and closing complete with eye rolling too. Plus it has an extremely irritating song that plays while it moves around and in circles. The bottom has wheels and batteries plus the speaker which already has masking tape over it. Apparently it promotes auditory development and music appreciation!  Said item was given as a give away at a birthday party in 2004 much to our shock and horror. It is so noisy it must be for the hearing impaired. Seriously! Somehow it is now endearing when on the high shelf only though. It retails for $14.95 but you can order a huge box from China for just $1.01 each if you so desire. Don't do it unless you have gift receivers to torture. Thanks Lily & Vince for years of fun! 

Monday, January 14, 2013

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