Too Brain Dead to Blog
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.