10/6

You’ve survived this attempt on your life.
The rune crumbles to dust.

- Nethack quote found in a source code comment at work.

So instead of dying today at my paragliding lesson, I had an *amazing* time. No amount of personal hype/excitement could reduce how incredibly awe inspiring my first tandem flight was. Just gliding above ravines and ridges with nothing but open air all around is quite possibly the coolest thing I’ve ever done.
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wow.
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wow.

Ok, you get the point. After the initial takeoff (which was startlingly uneventful: Rob (my instructor) went over the basics of the pendulum effect, etc. then basically once we were set he said ‘Run!’ and then we were off), I pretty much flew the whole flight, including the landing (which I managed to do quite gracefully, to my surprise). Rob only stepped in a few times to handle some potentially delicate situations like merging into a group that was circling a thermal, etc.

After that, we went back to the LZ (landing zone, for those kids not cool enough to know all the hip lingo) and I did a lot of ‘kite work.’ Basically, one of the trickier beginner things in paragliding is the initial inflation and control of the glider before/during takeoff. So I did that the rest of the day; I’m by no means a natural, but I was definitely starting to get the hang of things by the end of the day.

My next lesson is in a week, and I can’t wait. I’ll be doing more kite work, but with a more high performance wing, and also get to going from kiting to actually lift offs and short rides down the small hill at the LZ. I think I stick to several lessons just at that for a bit, then finally do my first radio assisted solo flight from the top. I can’t wait!

I’ve not yet met the SoCal girl of my dreams since I moved out here, but I can tell you one thing: I’m definitely in love.

Spent a long weekend last weekend back in NYC, primarily to participate in the NYU alumni vs. current team ultimate game. As predicted, we *destroyed* them, final score of 15-5. NYC got record rain sunday, and it was pouring the whole time. Talk about FUN!

Got to hang out with a bunch of the old ultimate crew, including Dusty, Julie, Meyer, John, Jimmy, Jeff, etc. Awesome times were had by all. Got some good scrabble and not-so-good smash brothers in while I was there, which was long overdue. Unfortunately, I took exactly 0 photos, which sucks. I’m bad at the whole ‘photo thing’ (unless it’s spin photos, those I can do).

In other news, *tomorrow* is my first paragliding lesson. Starts at 4PM. I’m so excited I need to buy a new office chair, cause I’ve soiled this one. Thor better bring me good weather tomorrow, or someone’s getting hurt. Will report back on how it went (assuming I don’t die in the process)

NP: Man Man - Push the Eagle’s Stomach

No, I’m not getting married, I’m not even dating anyone currently, silly!

NO! I’ve set a date with an instructor for my first paragliding lesson! Paragliding is something I’ve always had a great interest in, and I even managed to take one lesson whlie in highschool. Unfortunately, time, money, and opportunity were all against me then, and I never got to really get into it.

Fortunately, most of those factors are now actually to my advantage, thanks to the whole ‘moving to california for the great job’ thing, so what better time than now!

My first lesson is April 29th with “Rob” (I would’ve started next weekend, but that weekend I’m back in NYC for a quick visit to see friends and play some ultimate), and I can’t wait.

When I told my manager Ben my intentions to do paragliding a few weeks ago, his response was “Just wear a helmet and wrist guards, that’s all I care about” (paraphrased (*para*phrased; GET IT?! (oy))). No matter what else happens, long as I can type, and (optionally) think for my programming gig, he could care less. (:

Here’s to not dying!