Form of Happiness

Have you ever sat and thought about what makes you happy? Like, really thought about it?

In a recent discussion with a friend I grew up with, we were talking about, as a kid, how I loved to re-arrange my bedroom. I would ask my parents to help me so frequently, in fact, it bordered on annoyance. Looking back, I think it was a good opportunity for me to take stock of what I had, throw out what I didn’t need, simplify and organize. Sure, those may be beneficial outcomes, but I also think it’s a trait that shines a bit of a spotlight on my psyche. The need for change.

No, I’m not about to wip out my psych minor knowledge and get all shrinky on you here, but it got my wheels turning about how daily actions can provide insight as to what’s going on internally (inside your brain, I mean).

Take skydivers for instance. Jumping out of airplanes provides us a sense of freedom that we otherwise wouldn’t experience in this life. It’s one of the most freeing experiences (for me, anyway), both physically and mentally. How many times have you heard me say that jumping out of an airplane allows me to leave all my stress and worries in the door, because you really can’t think about much aside from what’s happening in the moment. There’s your mental release. And how much freer can you get physically than to be wind surfing at 14,000 ft above the Earth? I can only imagine doing so naked would feel freer (no, I don’t intend on finding out).

There’s something to be said for our need to experience that kind of freedom. Does that mean that most of us have a craving for independence, a sense of freedom in all other aspects of our lives?

I’d have to vote yes on that one. Let’s look at a few examples:

Relationships: Most skydivers I know are either unattached in their romantic lives, or they’re dating/married to a skydiver – someone who gets them.

Career: I can’t count on my two hands how many jumpers I know that have either gone to great lengths to change their career schedules or changing jobs altogether to gain some additional freedom, allowing for a more flexible schedule, whether it’s to jump or not. Even my hand is raised on this one (oh yeah, did I mention that I quit my job a couple weeks ago? A new opportunity came knocking and I’m at a place where they actually allow you to do what you are good at without looking over your shoulder every second. I know, right? What’s that like? Fucking amazing, that’s what)!

Of course, this still doesn’t explain my need for frequent change, but that might be a topic for another day.

So what do your hobbies say about your psychological needs?

I’d be interested to see a study done about this (yes, I’m kind of a nerd like that). Someone has to have inquired about this before, right?

Love and Blue Ones Kiddies!

-Ashley

Great to be back

After nearly 5 months on the ground I was finally able to get back into the sky this weekend, and can I just say that it’s so great to be back!

As you can imagine, there were some pretty intense butterflies going on, but given that it was sunset load and I did a simple 2-way freefly I was confident it’d be a good jump.

Sure enough, once that door opened my adrenaline took over and we had an incredible freefly (sorry kids, no video this time, what with my new BoneHead REvolve and I don’t have a Contour to mount…yet).

I have to admit though, my muscles are a bit out of practice. Sure, the sitfly came fairly natural and my brain was firing on all cylinders (until the landing, but we’ll get to that) but I couldn’t help but think to myself that the wind seemed stronger than usual. The triceps are definitely feeling it, though I’m guessing it’s a combination of the freefly and packing a virtually brand new parachute, which is always a slippery struggle.

After separating from an awesome 2-way I tracked and dumped around 4 grand, just to give myself plenty of time to get adjusted. My opening was beyond perfection so the extra time wasn’t exactly needed, but better to be safe than sorry.

The winds were a bit breezy up top so I turned in around 700 ft to start my downwind, performed a beautiful flat turn to get myself lined up perfectly where I wanted to land.

I was coming in all excited when, at about 15 feet, my brain stopped. Completely froze right then and there. Which means that my toggles made it to half brakes and stopped. Needless to say, what could have been a nearly flawless skydive ended in not-so-graceful fashion and a leg strap that needs a thorough scrubbing.

So I walked away pumped about the freefall and a bit red faced from the tumble. But, it solidifies my need to get in a canopy course stat. My confidence under this new 120 isn’t what it was with my previous Sabre 150 and Triathlon 135. I went through this once before in my skydiving career, being a bit of a headcase on landing, but this time I refuse to let it get the best of me. I know what I’m doing, or what I should be doing, so seriously, what’s my deal?!

(Note: Sometimes, giving yourself regular pep talks is all it takes to get your head out of your a$$ and get with the program.)

Regardless of the minor stumbles in the road, I couldn’t be more excited to get back into the sport that I’ve become so passionate about. I walked away that evening not only with a huge smile on my face, but feeling the weight of 5 months of stress on the ground slipping away. It was as if it I left it all in the airplane just prior to exit.

Sometimes, there’s just nothing better than a good skydive to make you appreciate your life. Can’t wait till the next one!

Love and Blue Skies!

Ashley

SkydiveChick updates

A few updates in the life of a Skydive Chick (and no, I have no idea why I’m using bullets here):

• The balloon jump didn’t happen again yesterday. I think I’ve jinxed it by announcing it on Twitter and Facebook. So we’re trying to reschedule, but this time I’m keeping the wheres and whens to myself. You’ll know it’s happened when I post the video.




• We tried calling around to all the local DZs and no one was jumping. With a ceiling of 1900 ft and a possible clearing by 5 p.m., that didn’t leave us much time to skydive, and it was still a big IF that the clouds might clear.




• So instead I spent part of yesterday evening at North Coast Body Mod in Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH, having Donny draw up the second half of my skydiving tattoo. The closing pin on my wrist was just a little too simple for me, so I decided to have phase 2 drawn up. Donny was able to take the concept in my head and make it come to life. Flipping through his portfolio I knew the tattoo would turn out amazing as his detail work was incredible! I didn’t anticipate actually having the ink done yesterday, but I needed some form of adrenaline rush without jumping. Here’s what it looks like the day after.

(Still a little goopy from the A&D, but you get the idea. What an incredible original piece. I’m so proud to wear this. Thanks, Donny!)

Another great skydiving tattoo that came out of North Coast Body Mod is this one that’s on Rick’s shoulder.

(Actual colors of Rick’s Sabre canopy, absolutely incredible!)

This is a cover up piece done by Brian. I’ve yet to see a reaction other than pure amazement when he shows this off. Needless to say I’m now a huge advocate for North Coast Body Mod. I’ll definitely be tapping their talent the next time I decide to get inked.

Okay, enough about this skydive chick’s life – on to some weekend happenings you actually care about.

Given that this weekend is Halloween, I’m sure there will be a lot of spooktacular boogies going on at most DZs. However, in case you’re unaware, I’ve listed a few that you might want to consider attending if you’re in the area.

• 10/31 – Target Skysports. UK. Frostbite Friendly 10-way speed competition and Halloween party. Check out the details at Dropzone.com.
• 10/31 – Skydive Tecumseh. End of year party. This is an event that may be better suited for regulars as they’re having an end of year film competition with footage from around the DZ this season, but it’ll likely be worth the trip as they’re having helicopter jumps as well as a super otter. Don’t forget about what’s likely to be a hilarious Halloween costume contest.
• 10/31-11/1. Skydive Pennsylvania. Grove City, PA. This is where you’ll find me this year. There’s a Halloween party going on Saturday evening and the weather is supposed to be clear for lots of jumping on Sunday.

Where ever you end up this Halloween…

Blue Skies!

Ashley

Stress and the Skydiver

*Photo by Lonnie Kirk (from a C-185)

Over the course of the season I’ve found that my stress levels are significantly lower throughout the week after a weekend filled with skydiving.

It’s a perfect inverse relationship – the more altitude in my life, the less stress. Ask any jumper, they’re likely to confirm this statement.

Though I will admit, the more skydiving I do on the weekends, the more I crave it throughout the week. Unless I’m lucky enough to squeeze in a weekday jump – hell, even if I have made a hump-day jump or two – I’m practically twitching in my seat come Friday, needing my adrenaline fix.

There’s something about opening the caravan door (or otter, or porter) at 13,000 feet, smelling the clean, crisp air, and flying with your freefly partner (or RW crew, if you’re into that sort of thing).

There’s no better release than that.

*Still taken from video by Richard Simenc. Prepping for a two-man rodeo.

Talk about living in the moment – as you plummet at speeds upwards of 140+ mph, all you have to focus on is what’s going on in that minute of freefall. There’s no worries at all. Work, your to-do list, issues with friends and family, all that gets sucked out the door at altitude.

Under canopy, you’re completely at peace; reflecting on the preceding skydive, adrenaline still pumping through your body – it’s the ultimate alone time.

*Photo by Sandy Weltman

Of course, where I found the most tranquility was on my helicopter jump – which is essentially the same feeling as a BASE, jumping into still air (though with significantly more altitude involved) – which you may remember from my post on the Work Stinks boogie a couple months back.

I’ve heard hot air balloon jumps are even more peaceful than the helicopter, what without the sound of the blades above your head. I will soon find out as I do my first balloon jump tomorrow with friends Bryan and Landon and my freefly partner Rick.

Fingers crossed for beautiful weather and Blue Skies!

Ashley

Now that was fun!

Today was my fourth AFF jump, and it was by far the most fun yet!

It was a beautiful day, light winds out of the west, not a cloud in the sky. As the first jump of the day I had quite the audience of tandem jumper, including a bachelorette party, watching on as I came in for a smooth landing (no pressure).

So smooth in fact, that I probably should have stood up rather than PLF, but given that I landed in eight or so inches of brush I took the safe route.

But let’s back up to the free fall for a second, shall we?

Today was my release dive. I went out the door as usual, Dan on my right, Tom on my left.

We exited together, took a few seconds to level out – arching hard to get belly to Earth – and went right into my first circle of awareness.

Only a couple hand signals and minor body position changes before I found myself in free fall alone. Officially my first solo free fall.

Surprisingly, I kept it cool and stable. A few minor, unintended turns, but I waved off at 5,500 and deployed the pilot chute. And that’s when I realized it….I completely forgot about practice touches after the circle of awareness.

Before the jump we had modified our routine to allow as much solo free fall time as possible, and in those modifications we decided on just one practice touch. Regardless, I was still released, but when I reached for that hackey to deploy it hit me, “holy crap! This is the first time I’m touching this… I completely spaced on the practice touches.”

Minor mistakes aside, I felt great about this skydive, and my instructors seemed pretty proud too.

This was the first time I felt like I had more fun than I did stress.  Each time I jump I become more aware of just how much I was meant to be a part of this sport.

What has been one of your best jump experiences?

Blue Skies!

Ashley

Practice for Muscle Memory

Hard to believe it’s Thursday already. With the extended Memorial Day weekend I’m all thrown off.

On weeks like this I find time to be at a premium, what with trying to fit five days of work into four. And this week, I’ve had a hard time finding any additional time to practice.

Yep, practice!

Just like any other sport, skydiving requires regular practice, too. And not just in the air. Exercising the muscles you’ll use during free fall on the ground will only help build up the necessary muscle memory to perform a perfect skydive.

This muscle memory is critical, speaking as a new skydiver, since when the adrenaline is flowing and you’re dealing with sensory overload while plummeting to the Earth at 120 mph it can be difficult to remember proper body position and free fall progressions.

(Practice touches are a lot easier when you’re not focusing solely on proper body position for balance.)

My instructors at Cleveland Parachute recommended that I practice my arch while watching TV – which naturally helps bring my head up as my eyeballs are glued to reruns of Seinfeld.

Personally, I’m also practicing a little more yoga than usual to strengthen and elongate my muscles for a smoother skydive all around.

What are some other exercises that you experienced skydivers out there practice for optimal skydiving?

Blue Skies!

Ashley