Tourney report: US Championships, gifts, kindness, the blood god.

We’re now a fair distance from the U.S. Championship events of 2026, and after allowing my noodle-y brain process everything that happened, I’m ready to share some of the highlights, what was wonderful, and what was less-than-stellar. Think of this write-up as a sort of, hmm…,sort of a Kerouacian, free-association sort of highlights reel. EXCEPT there will hopefully be far less weak-wristed sexism. Jack, you meant the world to me in high school but babe you’re problematic at best.

The trip to ChillAxe was exactly right, as was the company kept.

I had the good fortune to travel with some Class A+ people: Otter, Joy and (in his first out-of-the-meadery-tourney-appearance) Big Bad Kitty Cat (don’t ask, I don’t know). I had the even rarer opportunity to be a passenger rather than driver, which gave me plenty of time to DJ via my NEAR PERFECTLY TIMED playlist (you can check out out right here:

We popped into our Airbnb for just a moment before heading back out for the welcoming festivities at Taps, Axes and Games — but that was just enough time to get a sense of the place. And friends, it was WILD.

airBNB means Always Interested Resident (0f) Blood and Bone

This place was cursed. I don’t want to get too far into it, as I fear the blood god (it always hungers and is never full) still follows me, but here are the highlights:

1. Every bedroom door had a number on it, with a keycode door handle.
2. There were lit exit signs.
3. Every bedroom had an enormous TV. for reasons.
4. Two speakers that told you when doors were opened. One of which was in Joy’s bedroom.
5. A “Welcome Home” banner, twice, just under a 5-set of mirrors.

I really need to just. I need to talk about the banner. I need you to see what I saw:

Weird? Sure. But this is what I saw — and realized:

He always hungers. He cares not from where the blood flows.

Despite the cosmic horror of the place, it was otherwise alright. OH except the shower we had (one of two!) was very leaky. Mostly just for me. I like to party in there. I will not explain nor apologize. OtterGuy also made us breakfast every morning, and I don’t know how you can’t have a great time when that happens.

We popped into T.A.G. and I got my first gift(s) of the tourney

TAG seems really cool. A great space, good vibes, and a set up that just feels right, you know? We were quickly gifted some axe-throwing bracelets (I went with Friendship Threes), and then.

Gang.

And then —

Friend-os.

Huckabella, at Choptober, said her mom was gonna make me a vest (having admired the vest that Joypocalypse made me). And that was very sweet and I thought maybe kinda a joke. BUT IT WAS NOT.

It would be a lie to say that I didn’t sleep with it on my bed (like a lil security blanket) the entire time I was in Pittsburgh. I’m also wearing it right now. I’m effing blown away by how sweet and lovely it is, gift-wise. Like. What is this world I’m living in? I’m just a little, sensitive creature. I just put words into the worldwide interwebs. Sheeeesh. I kinda got overwhelmed with the gifting of it, so if you’re reading this, Huck clan, know that I wear this thing all the time and love it so very much, as I love all of you.

The Tourney(s) were perfect

Rob and Dina don’t mess around when it comes to tourneytimes (or, really, anything around axe throwing, as far as making a comfortable, joyful space goes), and the Championship was no different. The ENTIRE time I felt like I was in the heart of the community, and even though I was full-on exhausted by Sunday, I am so happy I got to spend so much time in the house Dina and Rob built.

I only threw in the main event and doubles, but both were ultra fun. Joy was an absolute pleasure to throw with, and I did manage to make the very best piece of art I have ever made. With puff paint, no less.

I think what makes ChillAxe so good (outside of Rob and Dina themselves, as people) is prolly:

1. Lots of space to sit/lay down/move around
2. Good lighting on lanes
3. Attentive people everwhere
4. Nothing is hard to find (food, bars, etc.)

Selfishly, I think I like ChillAxe so much because it’s easy to escape people when the overwhelm gets real big, and that’s pretty great, too.

Anyway, it’s a very special place and I love it. That’s all.

Oh – there was also a lovely caricature artist at ChillAxe, who made a picture of me that was kinda the very best image of me that exists, I think:

And yes, dear reader, I left the thing at the Airbnb when we departed for home by accident. So I hope whoever stays in that cursed place enjoys it/gets even more creeped out because of it.

I did a lot of interviews, and everyone was so kind.

I know I beat this drum a lot (maybe to the point it seems like an act), but: I am always surprised when people are excited by the work I do. And to be honest, I’m comfortable saying it’s work, now. Between all the photos, and the interviews, and the prep — running this site isn’t easy. But it is fun. And because the majority of the work happens in the privacy of my badger den, having people recognize me when I’m out and about/doing the visible work still blows my hair back.

I got the chance to talk to a lot of throwers I really, really look up to, and interviewed a few that made me feel lucky for the opportunity.

I also feel lucky to have had the crew I did for this one. Sure, I missed my dads, but Rob, Joy and BBKC made it easy-peasy, fun and full of laughs. As a surprise, BBKC also made a “donation” to The Axe Badger by buying me an 81 Axes handle I had been eyeing up for, sheesh, maybe a year, now?

I only had one instance of imposter syndrome

During the Adeline Cup (Friday), I did have a period of about 3 hours where I felt like people were just fed up with me. It could have partially been because I forgot to take my heart pills (one of which is also an anti-anxiety med), or it could have been my standard, run-of-the-mill fears, but it was fleeting, and resolved itself nicely.

Saturday/sunday were days of talking and losing better

Saturday was really, very long. I lost to Tasteful Sideboob and Jenny Beams – neither of which was a blowout, and both extremely fun. I managed to snag a bunch of interviews and get a bunch of pictures, and that was nice.

Sunday I got the chance to do my very first doubles tourney. Joypocalypse was the perfect person to have that experience with, and we managed to, you know, just have a lot of fun, which is the whole point of the ding dang thing. I also had a conversation that was a long time coming, which helped resolve a longstanding awkwardness that, hopefully, will find a comfortable new existence. I realize that’s some grade A vaguebooking but frankly, you don’t get to know everything, dear reader. I get to keep some secrets to myself, by gum.

By the time I was heading home, I was very tired, and my heart was very full. I think 4 days is about the limit of my ability to do axe throwing stuff in a row, even if it’s at a place as top notch as ChillAxe. I was very thankful to find my own bed.

All of that to say: I had a really, really good time. I managed to avoid the worst of the tourney plagues, didn’t kill myself with bad food or drink, and didn’t absolutely lose my mind with social anxiety. Wins all around!