Silver in Cincinnati @ North American Cup! Yay!

Finally, all the training is starting to come together.

Earlier this month, I traveled up to Cincinnati, OH for the North American Cup A Division II Women's Epee event.  Let me say, I love Cincinnati! Great city!  My results?

I earned the Silver medal and my B-rating in Epee.

Princess Rashid (me) receiving the Silver Medal at the North American Cup A
Division II Women's Epee event.

I did pretty well in my pool. I got out undefeated. That was pretty great for me actually because it usually takes me some time, one or two bouts, to get it together. Plus, when I walked into the venue that morning, I felt terrible....the beginnings of the flu. Turns out, I fence pretty well when I'm sick to my stomach. LOL!

Here's some shots of the final bout: Rashid (left) vs. Jarin-Lipschitz (right)

I score the first touch. Yay!

Rashid scores the first touch! 

But throughout the bout we are neck and neck. In this next shot the score is tied and 2-2.

Score is tied 2-2.

And then she comes out with her attack. Jarin-Lipschitz penetrated my distance and scored the next touch.

Jarin-Lipschitz penetrates Rashid's distance
and scores the next touch.

Still, I'm not worried. There's still plenty of time..... In the next shot, the score is tied again at 7-7.

Scored is tied again 7-7.

The final score was 10-9 ( Jarin-Lipschitz-Rashid).

We were tied 9-9. I get the priority coin flip. I'm thinking great..."all I have to do is double".  That was my plan. She comes for me, just like I knew she would....and then, I apparently have a brain F*RT. Excuse me!

I thought I had waited to make the double but a trusted spectator informed me later that I was a hair too soon with my action. Instead of doubling, there was only one light! Curses! She must have parried! Curses!!!!!!!

Oh well, there's always next time!

All in all, it was a pretty exciting day!

"Indicators"-Original Watercolor Painting

The painting depicts young fencers waiting for the director/judge to tally up points. Do you see the young female fencer in the background? What is she waiting for?

This original watercolor painting is available. Contact me.

7 x 5"
Watercolor Painting
The painting will ship matted and ready to frame.

Please contact me if you have any questions. I always appreciate on blog comments as well. Thanks!

Elmo Wants To Know-"What Happened To Your Tip?"

Yeah, me too Elmo! All I really know is that, I'm not an armourer...yet!

I was trying to rewire my epee blade. I  broke the wire earlier by not being patient. Epee and patience...Hmmmm! I think there's a relationship....

Anyway, the day before my last tournament, I was having equipment issues. I wound up having to attempt to re-wire my brand new epee blade.

What happened? In trying to cut the tang, I broke the wire....UG! 

Well, I took the weapon apart and was pretty proud of myself for having a pipe and some acetone to soak the blade in and remove the glue. Unfortunately, I left the blade in too long with tip attached...the washer in the tip dissolved.

Can you see that? Who does that? Me that's who! Well, luckily my club has a couple of decent armourers. I will pay someone and then go back to the drawing board when I have some free time... Yeah.....well probably not anytime soon.....

I have a NAC to get ready for. Later!

New Work In Progress-Collaged Fencing Images

Detail- Collage of fencer by Princess S. Rashid

Detail- Collage of fencer by Princess S. Rashid

These are just teasers. I should be finished it in the next two weeks. If you like it's progress, stay posted...I am willing to even take a pre-order :-).

Make me an offer. Email me: prashid@theswordandbrush.com

New Club T-Shirt-Don't you want one?

Check out the new club T-shirt that Tampa Fencing Academy (TFA) members are sporting. Do you want one?

On the front is the TFA logo. The back features my painting, "Abstract Epee" in full color. If you'd like one, contact Coach Boyko Krastevitch at Tampa Bay Fencing Academy.

If you would like to license one of my images for your club or tournament T-shirt  or other merchandise contact me:

  prashid@theswordandbrush.com

Women's Epee -First Place Medal!

Well, my first tournament of the season was last Sunday in Gainsville, FL. It was the "Back To School Duel". I fenced in the Open Epee and Women's Epee event. I won the first place medal in Women's Epee. Hopefully, it is the first of the season :-)

Top four finalist in the Women's Epee Event, "Gainsville's Back to School Duel",
September, 26, 2010. Princess Rashid wins 1st place medal.

It was a LONG, long day. From Tampa, its about a 2 hour drive and the first event checkin was 8:30 am.  We started pretty much on time but I felt terrible. I never slept the night before. My body just wouldn't relax..I tried tea and hot milk. It is just hard for me to sleep the night before a tourney. So I was a little sluggish in the morning for the Open Event.  It was very strong event too....A-rated. (As of right now, results have not been posted..)

Well, I know I didn't win so ....but I kept my chin up. I viewed it as an excellent warm up for the Women's Epee event that was supposed to start around 1 pm.  It all worked out. By getting knocked out of the Open in my second DE, I was able to take a much needed nap.

I would say the nap and staying hydrated and constantly munching on food bars and various snacks kept me going until the end..all the way to Gold. Yay!

Fellow TFA member and friend, Michela standing with me (Princess) after I recieved my prizes.

Oh! The first place winner also received a very cool dagger. Very nice!