In part one of our two part series, we take a look into the mind of a Splintfest competitor. Eric "Holy Warrior" Jenkins sat down with us to answer a few questions so that we may hopefully gain some insight into the mind of a hopeful champion...
Why did you learn to splint?
For me it was kind of survival of the fittest. I mean when you look at it, why do any of us learn to splint. Is splinting really just splinting, or is it a metaphor for something else, I feel splinting applies to much more than just injuries of the body, I believe it applies to everything in life. A cook may splint a sandwich to hold it together, im sure you have seen it before the little toothpick sticking right down in the center holding the sandwich together, or what about duct tape on the side mirror of the car driving down the road, Splint. Cloth tap on the squiggie at Yolo ops, splint. For me it is easy, it was like…..splint, or fail at life.
What do you bring to the world of splinting?
I usually bring my lunch, some splinting supplies, and a big bottle of water, maybe some coffee if its really early.
How is splinting a reflection of our modern society?
I really think it all depends on how many mirrors there are or where actually the reflection is coming from if there are no mirrors.
What is your favorite color?
Purity
When did you make your first splint?
Actually happened in the womb, while my mother was carrying me. Her and my father were struggling back in those days, and so my mother worked 3 jobs. She was coming home one night when she saw some kids climbing a tree, as she got closer she could see one of the kids, who was about 30ft up, started to fall, my mother being the saint she is, ran to catch the child, as she did, the child landed on her 7 month pregnant belly (me) causing what I felt as separation from the uterine wall start to occur, knowing I had to act fast, I made a splint out of some nearby tissue from the placenta causing the tear to stop and heal within minutes of the whole incident.
If you could splint anyone in history, who would it be?
Greatest man to ever walk the earth, Jesus!
What do you think of your opponent?
I don’t know if its fair to label this man a mere opponent, I mean I did train under “Commando” for quit some years and I owe everything I know to him and his former predecessor, Sam Splinterson, and we all know what he has brought to the world of splinting. But “commando” is not really of this world, I mean who do you know, that can splint blind folded, while asleep. I mean, granted his eyes are closed anyway, but mentally, to know that you couldn’t see even if you were awake has got to make it so much harder. I have to tell you, when I received word of this competition from the mail service here in my village, I was overwhelmed with complex emotions, but to honor my fellow Splinturgeons ( one who’s splinting has attained a level consistent with that of actual surgeon) I knew I had to accept the challenge.
What have you been doing to train for Splintfest?
Honestly I don’t feel there is much I can do to train. I mean…… look at all the greats of history, did Michael Jordan train for swimming?, does Tiger Woods train for chess?, did Gandhi train for figure skating?, I think it would be safe to answer No! and all of them attained unattainable levels in there respective fields. I really think the only training I could do to improve my abilities is to not train at all and maybe even De-Train…….I feel I have to much knowledge and ability and it is weighing me down at this point, not allowing me to reach my full potential in the splinting realm. Well that is all for now, I need to get back to my thesis on “Genetics and Organic Splinting”, I’m trying to show the correlation between living organisms and their ability to mutate and adapt along with the body and its injuries. I mean, can you imagine a living, soft tissue, splint, that had genetically learned traits of the body, to contour and apply support at all phases of the healing process, the application possibilities are endless. Godspeed Friends!
Walking through 555 Matmor Rd. gives one a sense of being. A place where the aromas of the old country blend together in an olfactory symphonic arrangement as they waft through the summer breeze; telling a story of what once was. I can see Jalisco in all of its vibrancy; the folklore of Ixtapa, and the soul of Vera Cruz. You can’t fight the inviting sensation of community and food sure enough to tempt even the most stoic of individuals into a fit of epicurean indulgence. This is Woodland, Ca, a place where our first judge not only resides, but is a stalwart defender of life and property. 
