Vanishing point
by Chris on Aug.31, 2003, under Events, General Thoughts and Meta
So sorry about having dropped from the face of the earth for a week, folks. I know my readership isn’t huge, but i suspect at least one or two people missed me 
So, here’s the scoop: The downtime resulted from Char and I moving, and shaw not moving as fast as we did, due to some wiring issues. I spent tuesday to today with no net access, which meant no mailserver, no webserver, etc. Very crappy. And, as i’m sure you can all imagine, also very jitter-inducing.
So, an update. Leaving aside private events that have kept me off-radar a bit of late, here’s what’s new:
We’re moved! Yay! The new house is coming together nicely, and i’d like to make a very public nod to Char, who has worked tirelessly to make the new place look like the home it’s going to be for the foreseeable future. The house looks nicer every time she puts something in place. Another nod that is not only necessary but huge is to Simon; without his help, there is no way the place would have been done on time. Bro, i owe you more than i can repay for your help, thank you again and again - i don’t know what we would have done without the time, effort, and general awesomeness you displayed getting this together for us.
Also new and notable, i’ve now skydived. I wasn’t really aware of the distinction, but … i sure as hell am now. There’s something very different about stepping out of a plane 3.5 km above the earth, even with two very professional and very kind instructors on my two sides, taking a breath at my own pace, looking out at the horizon, and with total awareness of what i’m doing and how, letting go and starting a free fall for 40 seconds, reaching terminal velocity as i fall. After 3000 feet falling, i had time to just look. And feel. And fly. The little hop we did in the training/first jump just doesn’t count, after that. Why even bother? A memorable t-shirt quote dad forwarded to me: “The meek shall inherit the earth. We own the sky.” This is how i feel. I will do this again, no doubt in my mind at all.
Last but not least, in 3 days, i go back to school. Year 2. Damn, i so look forward to this…
September 1st, 2003 on 7:19 am
so speaking of new houses and all, how does a house warming party sound the weekend before we leave for victoria? the 19-20th thereabouts?
September 1st, 2003 on 8:33 am
Congratulations on the move. I really appreciate your acknowledgements. I trust you got my note the other day, it’s weird to tumble at terminal velocity. Had another neat ride up with our favorite trainer, tell you sometime.
September 1st, 2003 on 9:36 am
I don’t recall a note about tumbling, at all. Last i checked, didn’t you do just the turning? Or didja mess up on purpose to get more “training” ?
Heh heh …
Anyhoo, i think we might have to book some more of this “in the arms of gravity” stuff for next summer, don’t you think?
September 1st, 2003 on 12:04 pm
I think that it’s safe to say that we’re all pretty addicted to that, now…
September 2nd, 2003 on 9:29 am
My direct emails not getting through? Anyway, look at AFF4, the second turn, I twisted my body and totally went for a tumble, got out of it by ARCH, I guess they teach you that for a reason. Came to rest facing Aiden, about 6000, waited, looked, waived and pulled, he was still about 5m away watching me. Also, both jumps on Sat I was under canopy with another jumper (Chris the one time) right around me and had to stay alert. Did a perfect landing on AFF4 about 7m from the target.
September 3rd, 2003 on 7:30 am
They’re getting here – i replied to the last one.
Weirdness. So, did Miranda make it down for that one, too?