Livermore, CA Games 2007

[way2fractious]

The weekend was a WINDY one, a little cool in the mornings, but nicer during the days.

Alan H competed in his second games, cheered on by by his clansmen - the Luminous Joan and her parents, and two of Alan's cousins. XMarks members walkerk, bunchdescendant, and way2fractious, and their families, rounded out the rabble on Saturday. When the announcer said, "And the crowd went wild...", he was usually referring to us.



Alan throwing the hammer (still shot):



Hammer (video):



Eventually, on the the weights over bar. Note three things: Alan cleared this throw, the falling weight just up and to the right of his head, and Phil from Newark, CA in the cow print kilt in the background.





(more...)

[way2fractious]

Of interest is the democratic nature of the games, especially on a Saturday during the C class events, when walk-ons from the crowd are occasionally allowed to "take a turn." At the slight risk of embarrassing Alan, this young man (in the middle) did his buddies proud by taking first place in the weight over bar event. And the announcer, who is in the 60+ class, in a demo throw also cleared the same height as the young man.



First and second place over-all winners:



Another (recent) XMarks member at the games was RossCroft, camping out in the Living History area for the weekend.



His outfit is self-made or bartered-for. He is the one who made his own "dragon scale" wrist cuffs.



Easily-made ghillies:



(more...)

[way2fractious]

Casey had joined us late Saturday, but returned again for the day on Sunday, helping out in the Clan Cian tent. (They told me to give the "raspberry" to Michael Steinrock.)



Monkey@Arms, his wife and two children made it out on Sunday, too. (I know, this pic captured only one child... The other was a wee bit excited and gone that particular second.)



...then they turned my own camera on me.



Spotted at the games - the newly introduced leather kilt from Sport Kilt. The man informed me that numerous requests regarding leather kilts at SK HQ resulted in this rollout "only three games ago."

Front. Note the wide apron, unadorned with rivets, snaps, etc.


Pleats. Leather in both reveal and under-pleats. The pleats hang straight, except for the stiff breeze.


(end...)

[Panache]

w2f,

Sorry we didn't make it to the games. I'm glad to see "Clan X Marks" was well represented though.

We hope to see evryone at the Campbell Games!

Cheers

Jamie

[Monkey@Arms]

Great pics as usual W2F Its always fun to run into brother Xmarkers at these events. This was my first time at Livermore, and I thought it was very nice event. I particularly liked that you could listen to the bands and watch the games at the same time. My only regret was that I couldn't be there on Saturday to cheer Alan on.

Best regards,

Jake

[Alan H]

Had a great time on Saturday and I'm seriously jazzed at getting within a hairs breadth of 40 feet on my 28 pound WFD throw.

It was also great fun to have Mom and Dad and Joan...AND my cousins at the event..that was a surprise, to see both Kathy and Eric. As you can see from the pictures, it was cold and windy in the morning....Joan is really wrapped up!

I *really* like that targe... and I hefted that claymore and was surprised to find out how balanced it was. My trashmo $40 claymore for the clan parades is so unbalanced that it would be hopeless for a weapon.

I'm looking forwrd to Campbell!

Goals:

40 feet in the 28 pound Weight for Distance
80 feet in the 16 pound Hammer!
turn the caber!

[mudd]

That hammer throw looks impressive.

I would like to have tried that when I was younger. If I tried it now, I'm afraid my arm would fly off with the hammer.

[TimC]

Wish I could have been there. Alan did an awesome job with some impressive throws!! I'll see ya all soon at Beer Friday and then at Campbell.

-Tim

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Of interest is the democratic nature of the games, especially on a Saturday during the C class events, when walk-ons from the crowd are occasionally allowed to "take a turn." At the slight risk of embarrassing Alan, this young man (in the middle) did his buddies proud by taking first place in the weight over bar event. And the announcer, who is in the 60+ class, in a demo throw also cleared the same height as the young man....

Wait, does this mean that someone can walk on, compete in ONLY ONE EVENT, and then actually receive an award? I thought that when you competed in these games, you had to compete in EVERYTHING. If this young man competed in everything, then fine, but if he only competed in this one event, fresh, then he doesn't deserve to place.

Be well,

[way2fractious]

Wait, does this mean that someone can walk on, compete in ONLY ONE EVENT, and then actually receive an award? I thought that when you competed in these games, you had to compete in EVERYTHING. If this young man competed in everything, then fine, but if he only competed in this one event, fresh, then he doesn't deserve to place.

Be well,

Alan could probably answer your question about actual placings and awards. It was only my observation that at a games of this small size, an opportunity allowed for seeking walk-ons in the "C-class" to augment the four who signed up prior. I did see these young men compete in some of the first events, but I do not know if they signed on at the very beginning or not. I did see other spectators "invited to walk on" at later events, too. My overall impression was one of good-natured inclusion.

What a great recruiting tool for celtic youth! What competitive male (and a fair number of females) could resist the urge to take the field and prove their manliness and whatever females call their equivalent characteristic? {Fantasy/on} Even I could scarcely contain the desire [to attempt] to throw large and heavy objects in front of a cheering audience. Who needs a certificate when awash in adulation? {Fantasy/off} "A man's GOT to know his limitations." (Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry.)

Don't fret on Alan's account. The "C-class" novices are trying to decide if they're good enough to continue on, and the officials are trying to decide if they are good enough to let them continue on.