The End of This Blog

This post was originally going to be way more business and much less how I feel.

I am incredibly angry to be leaving Missoula. I don't want to leave my students behind, but I have to. My students have every right to be angry with me, and all I can do is apologize. I ask that you understand a dire financial situation conflicting with my own personal pride in not leaning on anybody. Neither Shelley or I are happy here any longer and if we suffer one more setback we will be on the streets. To avoid this, we are moving to Minneapolis to find jobs in a much stronger economy.

With my current situation not likely to improve, I remain without health insurance or any other insurance. It is embarrassing to have to air this, but I can't just leave people in a lurch with no explanation. My contribution to MFA has been substantial at great cost to my personal & financial life, and I would like to see others put in to keep it kicking and growing.

To my students... I am so sorry. I apologize for not being there to help you along. If it is any consolation, if you have been taking lessons from me for the last few years and fencing on a regular basis, you have likely learned the vast majority of what I have to teach you. I can only ask that you share what I have taught you to others so that saber can continue in Missoula.

I have been told that if I leave, MFA will dissolve and fencing will no longer exist in Missoula. I do not believe this will happen because I know who fences here. I will not be here to fight for you anymore, you will have to do it yourself.

Good Luck Missoula, and Goodbye
AJ DeWees

Sledding

We're sledding this weekend in Rainbow Park. Sledding is one of those awesome activities that I have fond memories of from childhood.

My favorite sledding game, which we never bothered to name, involved everyone starting at the top at the same time. The object of the game was to get to the bottom of the hill on someone else's sled. You could accomplish this in a variety of ways.
1. Wait for a wipeout, grab the poor sod's sled, laugh maniacally, & finish the hill on their sled.
2. Knock someone off their sled, and ride the rest of the way...laughing maniacally.
3. If (Heaven forbid) you have been knocked off of your sled, you can intercept another sledder on the way down (usually involving impact), and take their sled the rest of the way...giggling like an idiot.
This game favors the psychotic, creative, and physically superior. So it's best to try not to hurt other people, as it tends to ruin the game. You win the game if you reach the bottom of the hill on your third sled of the run. If their are two winners, then they have to sled off, meaning that only one person can make the bottom of the hill on a sled. If they both make it to the bottom, then neither of them win.

Fun Methods of Sledding:
Toboggan:
Wannabe snowboarder-Sled down the Hill standing up. See how far you can make it.
Head First-For those who lead from the front, laying down on the sled with your face leaning precariously over the edge. The Dentist's favorite.
Sitting down-Feet facing front, sitting upright is the easiest and often most hilarious way to avoid impact from the front. Can't say much for a bumpy hill though as your tailbone takes most of the shock.
The Tiger- Knees bracing the sides of the sled, hands gripping the sides of the sled, torso horizontal facing the ground with head facing forward. This is the position of the sledder who wants to Get Things Done. From here a sledder can actually steer a sled, perform a barrel roll, and other crazy stunts. If they are a sledder of truly exceptional skill, they can even stand up from this position.

Sledding rocks!