How Long Has it Been?

Over two months, apparently. Way, way too long. And in the interim, there has been some really great flying and some really crappy flying.

I can't focus on everything all the time is the bottom line. If I'm working angel returns, my regular returns suffer; if I work the 540, I'm not investing as much time on the mod. Highlights from the past couple of months include taking my splits/angel and planche/double angel out of lines with Dino,slapping arms w/Manny and Randy on Mods, and getting closer and closer on the 540. (Videos):











Lows have been that I've since started being a little freaky on my mod, and apparently chicken about a lot of things. The idea of getting hurt doesn't really appeal to me, but because I'm afraid I've been making mistakes. Until I figure it out, I'll be doing the mod in lines at the beginning of each class, until it's looking as it should.

Frusturating as always is seeing how people are growing as flyers by leaps and bounds while I feel like I'm struggling, and back-sliding. A few weeks of going back to basics would probably fix that, or some back to back classes. (Or both)

But it's been beautiful to see Leah take her splits, half turn and layout out of lines, and her returns to the bar (or bar rejections); Fran's layout out of lines is gorgeous, and her swing is so, so powerful. Alex has totally mastered her turn around and return to the board, and the list goes on.

But I've been trying really hard to stay positive, and make some proactive changes in other areas in my life. So far so good on quitting smoking (4 months now!), and I've also cut out virtually all weekday caffeine, and most alcohol. I went back to the gym about a month ago after a long, long hiatus, finally figured the running thing out, have been taking my vitamins, drinking a lot of water, and trying to get to sleep before midnight.

I think it's sort of working. I feel more cheerful (although maybe that's just the weather) and a little stronger. I'm still waiting to see the huge dividends, though.

On a completely other note, some very belated pics from the Northern California trip with the Things. It was a fabulous trip, and we definitely will be going back. Enjoy!