I do remember you asking for a third and I thought I gave a valid "excuse" why I couldn't make it...sorry if it wasn't valid for you.
And yes...I did paraphrase it was more like "last time we duel ed I had only been playing 6 months, now I'm a lot better" it came off as an excuse, maybe not your intent but definitely sounds like an excuse...
All you said was "in about an hour,"never said that was an excuse.
When I said that I also said "let's see if I have gotten better " that's more me saying I'm using you as a way to measure my progress, almost a compliment. Guess you didn't take it that way, let me know if you want to go again, if not, ah well, GKs.