Me, Backwards

So instead of writing I’m going to use bullets… things that happened in the last four days at the American Boogie  (in roughly chronological order):

• I got to Skydance, checked in, and found out that we had to wait for our “big” aircraft (an Otter) since the scheduled Casa didn’t show.
• We did two practice jumps for the base + six (I was in the + six) out of the PAC, and managed to stall two different PACs with two different pilots.  Seeing a plane go tits up (in other words, very nose high at about a 70 degree angle) is something I don’t need to see again any time soon.
• I managed to fall off on climbout for the first time ever.  Unfortunately, it was on the first full bigway attempt and I got cut.
• I have a lot of great friends who think that me getting cut was bullshit … but it is what it is and I’m not angry with the organizer … more at myself since I know how to climb out … just overamped trying to do it fast and lost my balance.
• I ended Thursday on a wonderful note with an amazing six-way jump with a bunch of cool folks near sunset.
• I got pied after that jump for doing my 500th (which fell on PAC stall #2).  Sean (who was behind it all) also brought pie from Marie Callender.  Yum.
• I found and used a lovely gym about 15 minutes from the DZ first thing on Friday.  It felt great.
• I did five great jumps on Friday during the day.  Learned a lot, especially the fact that I have a LOT more range with 35 lbs off my body (and being very current and active).
• I (barely) passed my D license written exam without studying (figured I’d try it and if I didn’t pass I’d actually study and take it again).
• I did a night jump to complete my two required for the D license (the first was the one that wasn’t going to be a night jump back in Lodi in November).
• I got my D license application filled out and signed off and it’s ready to fax in!
• I did a couple of all-female jumps Saturday morning and as I was walking in from the second one I thought we were going to have a double fatality as those on the dropzone witnessed a canopy collision and wrap.
• One jumper did die (RIP, Ken) and one (miraculously) survived and despite breaking most of the bones in his neck has an intact spinal cord.
• I worked out again Saturday afternoon once it got ridiculously hot (over 100) and worked the phones as word got out about a fatality.
• I had a good time hanging out with friends Saturday night.
• Did two more great jumps on Sunday before it got oppressively hot, then drove a friend to the airport and drove home through somewhat heavy traffic.

So, overall, it was a good weekend of skydiving for me - I’m generally very happy with how my skills are progressing and am happy I was able to hop back “on the horse” after my screw-up and after the fatality, and have great skydives.  I’m (mostly) happy with how I handled eating/drinking/workouts, though I did gravitate towards some crappy junk food today.  I’m going to go make a salad for dinner now and will probably be asleep by 9:30.

Yesterday Sean and I ventured out to Marin County to the Point Reyes National Seashore for a day of hiking.  We picked a beautiful day - temps were warm but not stifling and the sun was out all day, giving us wonderful views when we made it to vista points. More photos here. (more…)

Going on six months into this latest health and fitness kick, I am starting to feel like I might be making some changes I can live with.  Mostly because I see myself making good choices day in and day out, and I’m not “hanging on the edge” or feeling like I’m deprived, stressed about food, or overwhelmed by exercise. (more…)

It’s a gorgeous Saturday morning and I’m still in my bathrobe and very much enjoying that level of laziness.  Last weekend I was up early and out both days, and with the four days of the American Boogie at Skydance starting Thursday morning, I decided to take a weekend “off.”  It won’t be totally off - before long I’ll throw some clothes on and hit the farmer’s market and do a couple of neighborhood errands, then make my way down to the gym for a workout.  Tomorrow, Sean and I are planning to do a day hike - to take advantage of the beautiful weather, somewhere other than a dropzone.  We’re thinking about Point Reyes so we can enjoy some sunny, cooler hiking. (more…)

Saturday morning I got up early to do a walk / intervals around the lake before heading out to skydive.  I did some intervals around the lake using benches and tables and the like, and on my way back, I finally tried the Cleveland Cascade … that adds a nice little kick to the workout! (more…)

Last night I finally got to see someone perform that I’d been wanting to see for a while - Neko Case.  I wouldn’t call myself a total fangirl, but I’ve always enjoyed her music and, particularly, her voice.  I’d seen/heard her on TV and the radio, and enjoyed her sense of humor and rapport with her band, so I figured it’d be a fun show.  I wasn’t disappointed. (more…)

It had been a couple weeks since the tunnel adventure with Mom and Dad, so Sean and I decided to go again on Thursday. I invited Karl to join us so I could get some (always-helpful) coaching, and he was happy to join in. Sean worked with the tunnel rat, Kris, on backflying skills, while I continued to work on some breaking some bad habits and learning to fly a bit differently with less weight on me. (more…)

I’ve written a lot about the changes I’m making in health and fitness this year, but that wasn’t my “official” New Years’ Resolution.  No, after going through five dental visits in about six weeks to get three crowns put on, my resolution was to floss more consistently.  I’ve tried before to break the bad habit of only flossing when there’s something stuck in my teeth, but haven’t had any luck.  I think part of it was because I tried to do it “every few days.”

This time I told myself I would floss daily so there was no need to remember “well, did I do it yesterday or not?”  I’ve been good at keeping to 5-6 days a week, which is such a vast improvement that I’m willing to consider the resolution kept.  Things were definitely feeling better, but Friday morning at the dentist for my 6-month cleaning, I got objective proof.  All of my gum measurements were steady or improved, and the hygenist said I had “almost no tartar buildup.”  Woo!

Woo hoo! I’m trying to be really happy about the table but I keep focusing on a (relatively minor) flaw that you can’t see in the photo. I had two sides to choose from for the “top” of the table. One had a slight crack, the other had a “hump” at the edge from where the wood was split. Sean and I had discussed which side to use … not the humped side. But I forgot about the hump and focused on the crack … so I have the “wrong” side up.

Still, super cool to have made something myself, and I still have to think about how to finish it - whether to go for some sort of stain or lacquer, or to paint it.  For now, it’s in the foyer and will be the “dumping” table where I put keys and mail and such.  It’s nice to have made something functional.  (Dimensons are about 2 feet tall, 14″x18″ top).

Losing weight and staying in shape has always been a challenge for me.  This time is no different, though I’m starting to feel pretty solid in the habits I’m creating.  Although I’d like it to be faster (always impatient!) I’m also pretty happy with the progress I’ve made - dropping about 30 lbs since the beginning of this year.  I’m eating well but not obsessing about calories or carbs or any other measurement, just trying to make good choices at reasonable portions of quality foods.

I get frustrated sometimes - like this morning when my shoulder was hurting, and I did some running as part of my workout with Noah and I still felt like such a wuss.  I’m sure I’ve made progress, but I don’t feel like it whenever I run - I feel like I’ve got no stamina and the idea of running a 5K (or even a mile!) still seems as far off and unattainable as it did when I first started.  I get frustrated that I can’t seem to find *any* new pants that fit, and all the smaller pants I have i my closet seem to be dress pants or capris.

So I have to remind myself of all the small victories …

• Every time Noah reminds me “That [exercise] would have killed you a few weeks ago.”
• Kicking my own ass every morning that I’m not working out with Noah.
• Running into friends I haven’t seen in a while and hearing them comment on my weight loss.
• Slowly, but surely, fitting back into clothes that I haven’t worn in 3 or 4 years.  (Fortunately my fashion sense is more classic than trendy so it all still works!).
• Feeling my heart rate come back down to normal much faster than it used to.
• Having to arch a lot more at the tunnel a couple weeks ago.
• Seeing my blood pressure register as normal to low-normal rather than high or high-normal.
• Putting up a new profile pic on my Facebook page (a full-body shot of me climbing up in a cockpit at the air museum) and having people comment on how I’m looking thinner.
• This morning - when a client of Noah’s who goes to the Boot Camp class that ends as my session starts said “Wow!  I haven’t seen you in a while and you look really different.”  (It’s probably been 2 months).  Love the random stranger compliments!