Sunday marked the last day of skydiving season for Eden North Para School, my home away from Silent River Kung Fu. A sad day, filled with freezing my butt off for a few final jumps. It may have been +2 on the ground, but it was -20 at 13000 feet. I got frost bite on my forehead when I was tracking away for separation. My eyes started watering and it made landing interesting. (no worries, I made a beautiful landing less than a yard from the target) Was it worth it? OH YAH!
My friends (mostly hard core divers, as rookies are to smart to jump in the cold) and I spent time between jumps chatting, drinking hot chocolate, hanging out in manifest to warm up, packing rigs and getting the place ready for winter. There was, as usual, the excitement of building dives, seeing each other, and talking about goals. But there was also a sense of subdued nostalgia about the place. You spend every weekend some place for 7 months, then all of a sudden it's the last one. Bound to make you a bit reflective.
We still hang out in the off season, but everyone has their own lives and responsibilities. And we all suffer from withdraw when there is no jumping. But that gives us something to appreciate and look forward to in the spring. Dusting the cobwebs off our skills and getting back into the blue. Most of the gang will be going to Arizona again this year. I'm feeling particularly sorry for myself that I won't be joining them. But there's always next year.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Looking Back
I had many great experiences when I was in Arizona. Some fun, some exciting, some just outright, well out there. But one of the most profound was when I jumped from the DC3.
The DC3 was a plane had served in WW2 on missions for paratroopers. I know I have talked about it, and probably blogged about it on another site already, but it was a very strong experience. One that has opened my eyes when I didn't know they were closed.
I was excited when the announcement came from manifest that the DC3 was making a load. My friends and I had been talking about the plane and it's history, it's flying abilities, and the coolness factor of being in a plane with it's service record. When the load was announced, we flooded to fill it. It was going to be great. We did the typical tourist thing (had our pics taken in front of the plane before take off) chatted, and got ready for a very cool ride.
On the way up however, my excitement turned to empathy. I was sitting in my seat, geared up and ready to hit the sky, when I started thinking about all the young men who held this seat 60 years before I did. Did they make it home? Were they scared? What did the future have in store for them. They were in a war, away from the people they loved, with no idea how long they had left. They had their objective and each other. Not a whole lot, and yet everything. Where were they going? They had to know that it could be the last moment for them, every moment in a war is potentially your last.
I thought about them on the way up, these nameless soldiers who were willing to give everything for us. I said a silent prayer and I made my jump for them. Small, insignificant, and no where near what they deserved, but it was all I had to give. I still make jumps for them. I have no idea who they are, or what became of them, but I remember and I'm thankful.
Find peace boys.
The DC3 was a plane had served in WW2 on missions for paratroopers. I know I have talked about it, and probably blogged about it on another site already, but it was a very strong experience. One that has opened my eyes when I didn't know they were closed.
I was excited when the announcement came from manifest that the DC3 was making a load. My friends and I had been talking about the plane and it's history, it's flying abilities, and the coolness factor of being in a plane with it's service record. When the load was announced, we flooded to fill it. It was going to be great. We did the typical tourist thing (had our pics taken in front of the plane before take off) chatted, and got ready for a very cool ride.
On the way up however, my excitement turned to empathy. I was sitting in my seat, geared up and ready to hit the sky, when I started thinking about all the young men who held this seat 60 years before I did. Did they make it home? Were they scared? What did the future have in store for them. They were in a war, away from the people they loved, with no idea how long they had left. They had their objective and each other. Not a whole lot, and yet everything. Where were they going? They had to know that it could be the last moment for them, every moment in a war is potentially your last.
I thought about them on the way up, these nameless soldiers who were willing to give everything for us. I said a silent prayer and I made my jump for them. Small, insignificant, and no where near what they deserved, but it was all I had to give. I still make jumps for them. I have no idea who they are, or what became of them, but I remember and I'm thankful.
Find peace boys.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Talking To Myself Again
Blogging.... As always, an important tool. But what good is the tool when you have nothing to say? Does one always have to have a message? Is it important to give out random thoughts?
Yes, it is.
Journaling or Blogging helps you organize your thoughts..... assuming you have any. (I seem to be lacking them at the moment)
It helps you stay in contact with others and keep them appraised to your life, goals, progress and so on. Bla bla bla.
Well what are my goals? Get back into shape (preferably not round, even though that is a shape). Continue my education in personal interests (I have achieved Coach 1 and am working toward SSI, JM, and Coach 2). Creating new projects for the Kwoon and the community (working on that). Increase my awareness and empathy, and live by the standards I feel are important (working on that too). There are others, but a rendition of personal and professional goals are as much fun to type as they are to read (like watching paint dry).
Why the verbal barrage? Being consistent and practicing follow through is how you achieve goals. I have never been one for journaling or blogging. If I have nothing to say, I skip it (it drove my teachers nuts in school, as my marks were known to reflect). But that is not how one achieves their goals. Taking consistent action, remaining focused, and recording one's progress, that's how it works. So with this most simple of tasks, I am going to succeed. Even if I am just talking to myself.
BTW, for those keeping track, UBBT... I'm in.
Yes, it is.
Journaling or Blogging helps you organize your thoughts..... assuming you have any. (I seem to be lacking them at the moment)
It helps you stay in contact with others and keep them appraised to your life, goals, progress and so on. Bla bla bla.
Well what are my goals? Get back into shape (preferably not round, even though that is a shape). Continue my education in personal interests (I have achieved Coach 1 and am working toward SSI, JM, and Coach 2). Creating new projects for the Kwoon and the community (working on that). Increase my awareness and empathy, and live by the standards I feel are important (working on that too). There are others, but a rendition of personal and professional goals are as much fun to type as they are to read (like watching paint dry).
Why the verbal barrage? Being consistent and practicing follow through is how you achieve goals. I have never been one for journaling or blogging. If I have nothing to say, I skip it (it drove my teachers nuts in school, as my marks were known to reflect). But that is not how one achieves their goals. Taking consistent action, remaining focused, and recording one's progress, that's how it works. So with this most simple of tasks, I am going to succeed. Even if I am just talking to myself.
BTW, for those keeping track, UBBT... I'm in.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Test of Character
This past weekend I took a very intense seminar. I left from the school after classes Thursday night, picked up groceries and dinner, and made the drive to the course location. I arrived around 2330 hr, checked into my hotel, and tried to get some sleep. Friday we were in class from 0830 hr. to 2230 hr. Saturday from 0830 hr. to 2130 hr. and last night from 0830 hr. to 1930 hr. 36 hr. of learning, doing, and intense mental and physical concentration, followed by a 2 hour drive home last night. It was a hard experience, but a very good one.
I bring this up, because when people are tired, induced into stress, and among strangers you tend to see the truer colours of the person. This is not always their best light, but is an assessment to the strength of their character.
I only had met 2 of the 6 people on my course previously. One I know on a casual basis, and the other have met once before. But still, we were all more or less strangers. Over the last 3 days eating, learning, working, and bonding with these people, I have the privilege to say that these strangers are now new friends.
We pulled together in a very short time and worked together to achieve a common goal. We cheered each other on, and pulled each other along when the long days threatened to over take us. It was a very positive experience. Our instructor kept us moving as quickly as he could, and we kept each other motivated with humor, positive reinforcement, and just a touch of lunacy.
I look forward to seeing these people in the future and plan to stay in contact with them. This situation could have been vastly different had we not all been positive people who were excited about what we were doing, willing to make the sacrifices required, and open to and supportive of each other. In my opinion, these people have strong characters, and I'm glad to know them.
Blue ones guys!
I bring this up, because when people are tired, induced into stress, and among strangers you tend to see the truer colours of the person. This is not always their best light, but is an assessment to the strength of their character.
I only had met 2 of the 6 people on my course previously. One I know on a casual basis, and the other have met once before. But still, we were all more or less strangers. Over the last 3 days eating, learning, working, and bonding with these people, I have the privilege to say that these strangers are now new friends.
We pulled together in a very short time and worked together to achieve a common goal. We cheered each other on, and pulled each other along when the long days threatened to over take us. It was a very positive experience. Our instructor kept us moving as quickly as he could, and we kept each other motivated with humor, positive reinforcement, and just a touch of lunacy.
I look forward to seeing these people in the future and plan to stay in contact with them. This situation could have been vastly different had we not all been positive people who were excited about what we were doing, willing to make the sacrifices required, and open to and supportive of each other. In my opinion, these people have strong characters, and I'm glad to know them.
Blue ones guys!
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