Now that winter has decided to set in.. and it looks like most of the events are about 3-4 months away..

What are you doing in the meantime to improve your impression?

Myself, I am working on losing some extra weight.  I am walking a couple times a week to get some of the fat off me..

Also I am going back through my old issues of Civil War Times and America's Civil War magazines and reading some of the articles.  Also looking at the photos more closely to see what I can learn from them.

In terms of equipment, I am working on the smaller items that I might carry.  I replaced my old notebook with a nice one from Sullivan Press.

In terms of knowledge, I am attending the Ander's officer school.

Reading and repairing my little used knapsack.

I'm going to read the "Columbia Rifles Research Compendium".

For me, the weight is the main issue... No matter how good the clothing looks, if you have a stomach that is hanging over your belt, I believe that you totally loose any appearance of what a soldier would have looked like... I have been attending weight wathcers and lost 32 lbs. so far... While it was not easy, neither is marching with all the etra fat i have been carrying.

"I have been attending weight wathcers and lost 32 lbs. so far.."

Outstanding! While it nice that losing the weight will improve your impression, it's far more important for your overall health.

BTW, please sign your posts. We like to know who we are talking to here.

Thanks

Dang Bill,

That's an event all in itself being winter time and all!

Congrats on your wieght loss Bill!  

I joined my unit at the end of the '06 season, so I've yet to attend an event, aside from some drill and firing practice at Christmas in Zoar.  I've been spending my time reading, and assembling my kit.  Right now I'm reading Gone for a SoldierThe Memiors of Alfred Bellard.  I like it.  It's giving me a good look at the life of a private soldier.

When the weather warms up a little, I hope to get in some practice with my musket... Loading in nine times, shoulder arms, present arms, etc.  I'm also trying to understand Casey's Manual .

Also I had my trousers hemmed and my sack coat taken in.  I ordered a 50 regular, to fit my chest, but I guess they assume that a man with a 50" chest has a 60" gut.  It looked like I was wearing a blue bell!  It cost my $20, but it looks much better now.  

--Last edited by TheBaldYankee on 2007-02-04 09:30:58 --

Quote :

TheBaldYankee wrote : Also I had my trousers hemmed and my sack coat taken in.  I ordered a 50 regular, to fit my chest, but I guess they assume that a man with a 50" chest has a 60" gut.  It looked like I was wearing a blue bell!  It cost my $20, but it looks much better now.

Wow Anthony,

If this was a real war, I'd want to stand behind you!    

It's funny. I belong to two units and each has one really big guy. In both cases, their nicknames are the same "Tiny".

Quote :

Bill wrote :   Wow Anthony, If this was a real war, I'd want to stand behind you!     It's funny. I belong to two units and each has one really big guy. In both cases, their nicknames are the same "Tiny".

LOL, I hope they come up with a more original name for me then that.  Funny thing is I don't see myself as that big.  I'm 6 ft tall 250lbs.  I guess I would make a nice target for the rebs. I do have a bit of a gut, but you should of seen that coat befre I had it altered.  It was HUGE. Next time I'll give precise measurements to the sutler.  

Weight loss is on the agenda.  That will be long and drawn out process.  Columbia Rifles Research Compendium was ordered yesterday.  The “Documents of the Union Army” CD has arrived from Sullivan Press and it has spent a good bit of time on this screen.  The little book entitled Company Clerk was acquired but I need the large print edition.  I don’t have the patients to hold a magnifying glass in front of my bifocals.  In short, a lot of reading and dieting--more of the former than latter.

Well, I suppose my downtime will be to study the "History and Handbook for the Engineer Reenactor" and anything pertaining to CW engineers. Also to improve my Union and Confederate impression to better represent the soldiers in the Atlanta Campaign. This will take a  little time as I get an item here and there. As always, I'm reading books like crazy, especially memoirs.

My doctor has really been on my case to loose weight, which I hope to do if I can just get over my craving for RC cola!  

Roy Queen

As we move into the fall and eventually winter, what plans do you have for over the "off-season" to improve.

I have a couple of books to read and am looking to replace my coat with a new one.

I plan on going to an event in February.

I've got an event next week, maybe another one in November, and like Grumpy Dave, an event in February, probably the same one he's going to.

So right now, the pork is salting, and I'm reading up on Philadelphia and how to build bridges.

It seems most of my effort these days is in studying specifics for each event, and in making up event-specific goodies: maps, paperwork, appropriate currency, business cards, etc.

Plus, like everyone else, maintaining my weight. Went through the weight-loss thing a few years back, but now I need to lose two or three pounds a couple times a year, to keep it from creeping up again.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

Grumpy, what an amazing coincidence!  

I sent a check off for an event in February. Don't know if I'm goin yet. (Ain't heard back.) I suppose I won't need a cooler.

Bill,

If it is he same event I'm thinking about, you can inventory a good number of those geegaws a young feller might have in his spiffed up winter hut, and bring 'em along.

Speaking of such, I need to retrieve a big box o' stuff from the law office next weekend. With all the vandalism, I hope it is still sitting there intact.