No AAHH!!! No Splat!

I jumped. I have to say that all the pictures show me smiling, but I think it was just frozen on my face the entire time. And for those of you who told me you don't feel the freefall- yes you do! My stomach would have been in my throat had it not been frozen too.

A buddy of mine came with me, who also jumped tandem. I think he had a good time too, although he must have been nervous because he was giggling like a school girl. Sifu Freitag followed Lyle and I out of the plane, and although you can't see her she was beside us for most of the freefall. I apologize, the minute I stepped up to the opening in the plane I forgot everything and everyone else. It was like T.V static in my brain- just a constant buzz of the wind and not much else. My mom and dad came and watched, and now my mom wants to jump too. So, I think I'll be going a second time.

Now, as for the panic- I didn't so much as panic as go into auto pilot. Yes, I was nervous, and I have never had so much adrenaline in my system. When we landed, I held my hand up for Sifu Frietag- it was shaking like a baby's rattle. But, I didn't feel panicked, just... woah.

On the way up in the plane, I was getting excited. That surprised me. At the door I went blank, and in the air I just did what I was instructed to do. I wasn't thinking AAAHHHHHH!!! like I though I would be. I just thought, "Well, its happening". I don't know if thats good or bad. If I had panicked, well then I'd know. Best case scenario was if I had kept my cool, though about what needed to happen, and then followed through. But, neither happened. It was weird. And awesome. Yes, very awesome. I think I need to apologize to Sifu Freitag for giving her so much grief about jumping out of planes for the last 6 years...

Demo 1.0

I think this is the time to explain my theory behind the demo. Those of you on the demo you've heard it already, but for the rest, this is what I'm trying to do.

I want to primarily take the responsibility off of Sifu Brinker and Sifu Playter. It's not their responsibility, its ours. We need to be up to snuff and prepared. That's our problem, if we want to participate in demos and possibly grade.

I want to give everyone the opportunity to be in a demo. This was a chance- be at the practices and you're in. I can't say whether everyone in the demo is where they need to be, but this is the opportunity to get there and to show Sifu Brinker and Sifu Playter that we are. If we're not, then its an opportunity for further practice and feedback.

As for the song I choose and the time restrictions I've placed on everyone- Sifu Brinker has a theory that fast paced, chaotic music will hide our imperfections. And it does. But, I don't want us to be pretty good, I want us to be amazingly awesome to the point that we can do a demo with no music. Yes, its a high standard, but we are supposed to set a high standard. The quick on-and-off way I've arranged it should show our organization and showcase our best. Sifu Brinker and Sifu Playter shouldn't need a 20 minute demonstration to be able to gauge if we're ready. If we're ready, it'll be obvious. If we're not, that too will be obvious. Therefore, we need to make absolutely sure we're ready. If our forms were ready, then putting them together in this fashion should be easy.

As I mentioned, anyone who wanted in is in. I am not one to judge, I'm your peer. I just created an opportunity for people to show that they are ready and we can do this.

Secret Weapons... Fail

So I'm happy with the demo so far, and I can't believe how well its coming together. I knew what I wanted before we even got together on Monday, but whether it was realistic was uncertain until everyone showed me it was. I'm excited to see the final product. And you should see Sihing Lagner with his shades on- super awesome!

As soon as I find the charge cord for my camera, the first part of Operation Pistachio will commence. Perfect timing too- one of my unknowing targets will be around for the next while. The other will have to settle for mail...

I want to wait until the demo is done before I start my other project. Sifu Kichko, I'd love it if you were my partner with this one. You have a great way of keeping me focused and on track. I am exceptionally good at following unrelated tangents and as my mother says, I can be very scatter brained.

Lastly, I went to the Sanshou class last night. Whoa. Sifu Bryant, I know where you're coming from now in regard to Sifu Leitz. Oi, I haven't had my butt whooped like that... ever. Sihing Chessal came in a close second for the beat-down-and-destroy-Sifu-Rybak marathon. Here I thought I'd have a secret weapon against Sihing Chessal, being able to kick him in the head. Tall guy like that probably isn't used to that... right. Quick block followed by a fist in the face taught me otherwise. Oh, and thanks to Mr. Hamilton for being my very own (laughing)cheer team! But you know what? I loved every minute of it!