Inigo: "You are wonderful."
Man in Black: "Thank you; I've worked hard to become so."
Inigo: "I admit it, you are better than I am."
Man in Black: "Then why are you smiling?"
Inigo: "Because I know something you don't know."
Man in Black: "And what is that?"
Inigo: "I...am not left-handed."
[Moves his sword to his right hand and gains an advantage]
Man in Black: "You are amazing."
Inigo: "I ought to be, after 20 years."
Man in Black: "Oh, there's something I ought to tell you."
Inigo: "Tell me."
Man in Black: "I'm not left-handed either."
As you can see, a really excellent swordsman can change from using right to left hands at will. They basically make themselves ambidextrous, which must come in handy when you're chasing down the kidnappers who stole your true love and intend to kill her to start a war between Florin and Guilder.
Being ambidextrous also comes in handy when you have carpal tunnel syndrome from playing the cello, and are in so much pain you can't write with your right hand. So luckily, I who have this unfortunate problem was able to switch to my left hand last year when the pain was the worst and still take notes. Typing was a challenge, but the qwerty keyboard is constructed so that you can hit 80% of the keys with your left hand anyway.
This genetic quirk also made me a useful player in soccer, as I could kick with the left foot about as well as the right. They always need strong left-footed kickers on the left side of the field, whether in offense or defense. You think left vs. right foot doesn't make a difference? Take a soccer ball and try it out.
Also, during light-saber battles with my cousin, brother, and various friends, I always use my left hand. I don't know why, but the left feels more comfortable than the right when I'm holding a sword. Or a stick. Or a plastic light-saber. Whatever. I'm planning to join the fencing team at school next year -- they train you for a semester or so, and let you join if you're good enough.
I hope they won't react badly to a left-handed fencer -- because I know if I have to use my right hand, my carpal tunnel will kill me. It's already limited my future as a cellist; at this point, there is no way I would be physically able to practice enough to be a music major. Fortunately, I'm only a music minor. This was my decision, but having it forced -- or rather, reinforced -- by something largely outside of my control is unpleasant. To say the least. Before, I always had the option: it was my choice. Now, even though I didn't intend to be a music major anyway, the loss of that choice has been surprisingly hard.
On the upside, it's given me an excuse to snap at my mom whenever she brings up her opinions on my college and life choices.
Now, no one is truly ambidextrous; there's always one hand that is slightly stronger or that the person favors. I favor my right for writing, but my left for almost everything else. I once heard that left-handedness used to be seen as a sign that a child was a changeling.
Me: I know something you don't know.
Man in Black: What?
Me: I'm not right-handed! (or maybe, Oh crap, I am left-handed...)
In other news, I updated my Writing page to include two new reviews. You should go check them out. :)
Man in Black: "Thank you; I've worked hard to become so."
Inigo: "I admit it, you are better than I am."
Man in Black: "Then why are you smiling?"
Inigo: "Because I know something you don't know."
Man in Black: "And what is that?"
Inigo: "I...am not left-handed."
[Moves his sword to his right hand and gains an advantage]
Man in Black: "You are amazing."
Inigo: "I ought to be, after 20 years."
Man in Black: "Oh, there's something I ought to tell you."
Inigo: "Tell me."
Man in Black: "I'm not left-handed either."
As you can see, a really excellent swordsman can change from using right to left hands at will. They basically make themselves ambidextrous, which must come in handy when you're chasing down the kidnappers who stole your true love and intend to kill her to start a war between Florin and Guilder.
Being ambidextrous also comes in handy when you have carpal tunnel syndrome from playing the cello, and are in so much pain you can't write with your right hand. So luckily, I who have this unfortunate problem was able to switch to my left hand last year when the pain was the worst and still take notes. Typing was a challenge, but the qwerty keyboard is constructed so that you can hit 80% of the keys with your left hand anyway.
This genetic quirk also made me a useful player in soccer, as I could kick with the left foot about as well as the right. They always need strong left-footed kickers on the left side of the field, whether in offense or defense. You think left vs. right foot doesn't make a difference? Take a soccer ball and try it out.
Also, during light-saber battles with my cousin, brother, and various friends, I always use my left hand. I don't know why, but the left feels more comfortable than the right when I'm holding a sword. Or a stick. Or a plastic light-saber. Whatever. I'm planning to join the fencing team at school next year -- they train you for a semester or so, and let you join if you're good enough.
I hope they won't react badly to a left-handed fencer -- because I know if I have to use my right hand, my carpal tunnel will kill me. It's already limited my future as a cellist; at this point, there is no way I would be physically able to practice enough to be a music major. Fortunately, I'm only a music minor. This was my decision, but having it forced -- or rather, reinforced -- by something largely outside of my control is unpleasant. To say the least. Before, I always had the option: it was my choice. Now, even though I didn't intend to be a music major anyway, the loss of that choice has been surprisingly hard.
On the upside, it's given me an excuse to snap at my mom whenever she brings up her opinions on my college and life choices.
Now, no one is truly ambidextrous; there's always one hand that is slightly stronger or that the person favors. I favor my right for writing, but my left for almost everything else. I once heard that left-handedness used to be seen as a sign that a child was a changeling.
Me: I know something you don't know.
Man in Black: What?
Me: I'm not right-handed! (or maybe, Oh crap, I am left-handed...)
In other news, I updated my Writing page to include two new reviews. You should go check them out. :)
I always wished I was ambidextrous but sadly I am but a lowly right-handed person. Sad day. I think left-handed fencing is going to throw your opponents for a loop and that will be awesome!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Judy on the fencing. :) I always wished I was ambidextrous so when I'm writing something out by hand and one hand gets tired, I can just switch.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a convenient skill! I do that all the time...:) Since most people are right handed, though, appliances, cars, mouses etc. favor right-handed-ness.
ReplyDelete