Well I am of Scottish/Irish decent so I guess I can claim "Clan Buchanan", but unfortunately the Highland Games have exactly ZERO stick-fighting involved.

So I am from Clan Cherry!  Does it make me a dork that I was excited that my name was just added to the Fighter's List?  This is getting more real every day...

James

Great thanks! That sure puts my mind at ease.     Wait!!!      No it doesn't! LOL

I say it is about 2:1 that I wake up around Tuesday (without a few major organs) in a bathtub full of ice somewhere near Reno.  

Thanks Toki!  I will clear my schedule for the following Monday then also-

Is this open to all fighters?  If I am not seeking medical attention I will be there...I can drink MUCH better than I can fight that is for sure-

Big thanks to Guide Dog for his "Real advice" post above.  I appreciate you taking the time to share that info.

Great write-up C-Mighty Dog!  Thanks for putting it out there- this event is exactly what I have been looking for (it seems) so insight is not just greatly appreciated but INVALUABLE.

I should have done this years ago, especially after I saw the Nat Geo thing a few years ago.

As for the Chatter- Thanks for the input Point Dog.  I have experienced it in things from athletics to law enforcement but neither of those had me fidgeting 4 weeks from anything.  I view "chatter" as a good thing generally (at least based on my previous experiences).  It feels like my body just doing a systems check before I am about to be tested or enter a dangerous scenario.

cheers

As a "cherry" fighter it seems to me that part of the learning/growing/finding the truth is the time leading up to the event.  I will be honest I have woken up every morning with butterflies in my stomach and every time I leave the gym I wonder if I did enough compared to the folks I will be stepping out with.

I am already learning about myself- I will consider getting up there and stepping onto the mat a small victory in itself.

The other night I was showing a few of the DBMA videos to my fiance when she noticed me kind of fidgeting on the couch.  She said are you okay?  I said "they call it chatter". LOL

CHEERS

Ahh, I see...

SWEEP THE LEG!

Will do thanks!  When I said realistic I meant my physical ability to have a fight with the chucks, since it would be my 3rd fight minimum and I may be TOAST by then.

And I may as well ask what is "the parable of the cherry"?

Poidog  I will take it!  I appreciate you folks spending some time on us newbies and look forward to the event!

C-Mighty Dog told me to start with a knife fight to get my "nerves" in order, would you recommend I pick another newbie for this?  Where am I likely to get the biggest benefit against a Dog Bro- single stick?

I am down for anything and looking to get the most out of this experience.  I would like to bring my "chucks" but as a newbie I do not how realistic all of this is.  I will probably get the crap kicked out of me in the first fight...

Poi-Dog:  If you are volunteering to school some newbies I would love to make that list.

Thanks to Mighty-Dog for the advice.  Shoes, got it- We teach many weapons in Kara-Ho but the stick is not one (or two) of them.  I have only attended a couple of seminars maybe 15 years ago.  I am not going to be able to attend the upcoming camp, I already tried to make that happen...I am fully aware that I am fresh meat at this event- 

Still VERY much looking forward to the higher learning, painful as it may be.

Gloves-  I have full gauntlet motorcycle roadracing gloves that seem to have as much if not more protection than some of the gloves used at the event, are they acceptable?

CHEERS

Thanks for the info. I am the Kara-Ho person. LOL  I will get the stuff from bloodsport.com then, thanks again for that.  I would rather support one of you guys than just fleabay. 

Barefoot is ok as well correct?

Oops almost forgot.

Gear-  I have read and seen where folks are using a fencing mask and hockey gloves is that correct?  Are there any particular types of masks and gloves you folks would recommend, my fencing knowledge is a little down...lol

I am curiosu about the stick types used also but I will research that before asking a stupid question in here...

Thanks again

This will be my first Gathering so I have NO IDEA what I am getting myself into except watching clips on youtube.

It looks like most fights are scheduled at the event on the spot as opposed to in here?

Tips from the experienced folks are appreciated.

Looking forward to my first gathering...See you folks there!