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In yesterday's quick entry, I promised more to come later. So here is the more...
Yesterday afternoon, I made my fourth skydive. Yes, once again, at an altitude of 13,500 feet, I decided to part ways with a perfectly good airplane. As usual, it was phenomenal! I can't really describe the thrill of skydiving in mere words, so perhaps it is best if I do not even try... lest I do the experience a disservice.
With regards to skydiving, though, I have reached the point where it is time to take the proverbial piss or to get off of the proverbial pot. In other words, I have done as much as I can do without getting serious about acquiring my USPA "A" license. There are certain skills that they teach during a tandem jump; by now I can do them all perfectly. Indeed, after my previous jump -- in March 2006 -- my instructor told me that I was ready to begin the Advanced Freefall Program (AFP) and pursue my license. This needs to be done in a relatively short time, however, so this jump was at the same level as my last one... given the years that elapsed in-between. Unless I get serious about being licensed, I will always be stuck doing the same tandem jump that I just did... and I think I have had enough of that. So I do not think that I will be jumping again... until such time that I am ready to invest $2600 and one week of my time in earning my "A" license. My instructor was quite clear that he thought I had what it took to continue in that direction.
After returning from the jump, I cleaned myself up and headed over to meet![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
unclevlad, wyldekyttin, crim_ferret, datahawk, and emrldgrrl for dinner. It was the first time that I got to see their house, which is most fantastic! A real fine find! We went out for Chinese food for dinner -- the first that I have had since my triumphant return to the States two weeks ago. Then we sat around and chatted for a bit until I had to return to the Event Horizon to meet the lovely tawneypup.
My return was perfectly timed -- I pulled onto our street just astawneypup had arrived and was pulling our her phone to call me! It was very sweet of her to drive out from Michigan to spent her day off with me, and it was great to see her again so soon after Starwood! We got to know each other a bit better... and today she joined me on my annual outing to Hurricane Harbor! Twas indeed a most excellent day! The weather was perfect, the water park was exactly what the water elemental in me needed, and the company was superb! We spent the day in an ongoing ramble of conversation that covered so many topics -- I really love those!
Alas, on our return from the park,tawneypup needed to depart to return to Michigan -- after all, she does have to work tomorrow! That was just a short time ago... and the rest of the evening promises to be fairly mellow. Can't stay up too late! Even though I am on vacation, I have a meeting to attend at Fermilab tomorrow morning!
Yesterday afternoon, I made my fourth skydive. Yes, once again, at an altitude of 13,500 feet, I decided to part ways with a perfectly good airplane. As usual, it was phenomenal! I can't really describe the thrill of skydiving in mere words, so perhaps it is best if I do not even try... lest I do the experience a disservice.
With regards to skydiving, though, I have reached the point where it is time to take the proverbial piss or to get off of the proverbial pot. In other words, I have done as much as I can do without getting serious about acquiring my USPA "A" license. There are certain skills that they teach during a tandem jump; by now I can do them all perfectly. Indeed, after my previous jump -- in March 2006 -- my instructor told me that I was ready to begin the Advanced Freefall Program (AFP) and pursue my license. This needs to be done in a relatively short time, however, so this jump was at the same level as my last one... given the years that elapsed in-between. Unless I get serious about being licensed, I will always be stuck doing the same tandem jump that I just did... and I think I have had enough of that. So I do not think that I will be jumping again... until such time that I am ready to invest $2600 and one week of my time in earning my "A" license. My instructor was quite clear that he thought I had what it took to continue in that direction.
After returning from the jump, I cleaned myself up and headed over to meet
unclevlad, wyldekyttin, crim_ferret, datahawk, and emrldgrrl for dinner. It was the first time that I got to see their house, which is most fantastic! A real fine find! We went out for Chinese food for dinner -- the first that I have had since my triumphant return to the States two weeks ago. Then we sat around and chatted for a bit until I had to return to the Event Horizon to meet the lovely tawneypup.My return was perfectly timed -- I pulled onto our street just as
tawneypup had arrived and was pulling our her phone to call me! It was very sweet of her to drive out from Michigan to spent her day off with me, and it was great to see her again so soon after Starwood! We got to know each other a bit better... and today she joined me on my annual outing to Hurricane Harbor! Twas indeed a most excellent day! The weather was perfect, the water park was exactly what the water elemental in me needed, and the company was superb! We spent the day in an ongoing ramble of conversation that covered so many topics -- I really love those!Alas, on our return from the park,
tawneypup needed to depart to return to Michigan -- after all, she does have to work tomorrow! That was just a short time ago... and the rest of the evening promises to be fairly mellow. Can't stay up too late! Even though I am on vacation, I have a meeting to attend at Fermilab tomorrow morning!
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In any case, time in the States is less the issue than time off from work, as I only get six weeks vacation per year. I think that, in a couple of years, I will probably do the one week class that Skydive Chicago offers. We shall see...
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I've heard that balloon jumping is interesting (compared to normal skydiving) because your initial airspeed is 0, so your initial drag is also 0, so you start at 0g, as opposed to skydiving where your initial airspeed might be 90kts, with a noticeable amount of drag.
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By the way, will you be going to the usual October gathering? I'll keep fingers crossed, because it would be spiffy to see you again!
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Indeed, I have now friended yo back! Hi! *waves*
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Ch-ch-ch-chia!
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Re: Ch-ch-ch-chia!
Indeed, I'm beginning to think that the Lansing Pagan Village is just way way cool! I've also got a bit of a soft spot now for one of your other village members,
(Guess that's why they call me the Chia Pet of Love? And by "they", of course, I mean you!)
As for friending me? Of course! Go right ahead! I'll be a'friending you back now, too!
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You are also completely mental, and part of me is rather glad you're not going skydiving again.
You are such a Gryffindor, my love. ;)
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Thank you, my Love!
You are also completely mental
What's so crazy about a water park? Or is it
and part of me is rather glad you're not going skydiving again.
*soft smile* Your concern is touching. Seriously, my darling, it really does warm my heart. I know that sounds snarky... and it totally isn't.
That said, I feel the need to point out that I did not say I will not be going skydiving again. Just that I would not be doing any more one-off tandem jumps. It will probably be a couple of years, but I think that I will end up going for the weeklong class that will earn me my USPA "A" license. If and when this happens, I promise to check in daily so you know I am still alive!
You are such a Gryffindor, my love.
And yet somehow we get along! Boggles the mind, it does!