My Flying Trapeze Story - My 2nd Flyer-versary

Happy 2nd Flyer-versary to me!

Some people may think it’s silly to celebrate such a thing, but this date is pretty important to me. March 25, 2013 was a critical moment in my own personal history; it was a day that my life was changed forever.
 

 There are periods in time traditionally marked by specific life events…marriages, births, graduations, deaths. While these milestones are very important to me as well, it’s nice to also celebrate other poignant life events that have molded me into the person I am today, such as going to my first punk show (NOFX/Bouncing Souls at The Edge in FTL, early 1996), my first trip to Europe (Switzerland, June 1999) or finding the courage to “jump out of a perfectly good plane” (sky diving at Sky Dive Space Center, October 16, 2006).

I love looking back and thinking about these different events and how they weave the fabric of our own beings, each event leading us from one point in time to another. Anyone remember the scene in High Fidelity where John Cusack’s character reveals that he is organizing his records autobiographically?

But I digress…

Back to flying…so I log all my fly sessions. It really helps to document key elements of the tricks I learn and also the feedback I receive. I was inspired to track my flying classes after reading about logbooks on the TSNY website. Having never flown there, I’m not entirely sure of their process, but I’ve created one that works for me. I always document where I was flying, how many hours and if I caught that day. It’s really fun to look back and see what I was working on and whom I was training with on any specific date. Periodically, I’ll read through the feedback on specific tricks if I’m having a mental block (ahem, looking at you, layout). It’s also helpful to read as an instructor in order to gain coaching inspiration from my own teachers.

The reason I bring this up is because as I celebrate two years of flying, I find myself looking back fondly at all my past scribbles and smiling at just how incredible this ride has been. These notes to myself not only remind me of skills and technique, but also of specific points in time that I cherish dearly such as my first swing out of lines, first round trip to the board, finally flying at Cotton Candy Club after lurking on the pink rig for many months and even flying alongside of flying trapeze legend Tony Steele!

Last year, I celebrated my first flyer-versary at Trapeze Federation in Orlando with Zach and Rob. I threw backend splits across and worked on the press from hands, no return bar. At the time I was amazed at how far I had come! Now looking back, I can’t watch the video without totally picking it apart. Maybe one day I’ll embrace it, but for now, rather than posting a video, here are a couple of my favorite photos from that day:

Lista

 Flexing with my catcher, Rob

This year I won’t be flying today, but I will be thinking about all my flying friends and looking forward to the next time we get to play together in the air.

This past weekend, however, I did have the opportunity to fly and visit with some really great flyers and circus performers. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together on the board and on the ground. Having not flown in a little while, I found myself to be extra nervous as I warmed up. I think it was a weird blend of excitement to be flying mixed with nervousness about possibly geeking it in front of so many people. The longer I was in the air, the more comfortable I became. I tried not to be too hard on myself when I missed a trick or a bar. Everyone was so wonderful and welcoming and their words were nothing but encouraging. I can't wait to fly with everyone again!

As I was leaving, I had a really nice conversation with Pedro Murillo. It was a totally wonderful end to an already fantastic day. He asked me what tricks I threw and when I told him I was working on my cutaway, he told me about learning his double cutaway half. I told him that was my dream trick!! He told me a few other stories about his life in the circus. You guys, it was such a surreal day. I am still soaring from all the excitement!

 All smiles with my catcher, Michael, from Embrace Adrenaline Trapeze Club -- Thanks for hanging for all my tricks, it was really fun flying together!!

Group photo of the day with some really famous faces in there! 

I feel so honored to have had the opportunity to spend time with so many talented, inspiring and kind people. I've jotted this day down in my logbook and I look forward to reading about it in the future, smiling as I remember all the fun. A very special thank you to Efe, Paula, John and Tony for giving me this amazing day!