numb3r_5ev3n

I took some time off this week because work made me or I'd lose the vacation time. Which...this is the first job I've had that does that since the 00s. Usually work either did not offer vacation time (and were legally able to do so since everyone was technically a contractor) or offered vacation time on the unspoken proviso that it would never be requested or used ("we just don't have the staff to cover an absence longer than a day or so, and you'd have to find someone to cover for you, I'm sure you understand.")

I'm also at the "spending your tax return on crazy stuff" stage. ( Witness exhibit a: )

This isn't one of the fancy ones. It's a Kybers brand RGB Basic Series Saber, with the "gun metal" finish. I spray painted the black and brass accents on the hilt. It was recommended as a good budget "sound saber" (a saber that does sound effects as well as lighting up) for first time buyers by some folks on youtube, so it was what I got. It seems to be a popular choice in the saber spinning community.

I first found Ultrasabers back in 2014 or so and had intended to buy a saber from them, but lately they have have developed kind of a problematic reputation. Same with Saberforge. Researching this caused me to fall down the rabbit hole of the Star Wars replica lightsaber community. It really is true about finding out about a new interest on Reddit, for example.

If I end up joining one of the dueling clubs after this pandemic mess is over, I may end up building a "stunt saber" (a saber with a blade that lights up, but with no sound effects) to regulation specifications. There are places where you can order the parts, and a bunch of tutorials on the subject.