Jumping from planes

Way back when Brianna was a wee little girl, she saw pictures of her dad skydiving and asked if he would take her. Sean replied that she had to be 18 before she could jump. Fast forward about 12 years and I find myself at 13 000ft strapped to a burly bloke about to leap from the plane. How did this happen??

We arranged skydiving in Phoenix for Brianna's 18th. As she was required to do a tandem jump before the first jump course (and Sean does not need to do a tandem as he is licensed) I was somehow talked into joining her. I have never had a desire to skydive. In fact, I cannot think of a sport I thought I was less likely to try. But my logic on the tandem was I would not have to think. There would be no actions or thoughts required, I could scream all the way down and still land safely - other than perhaps some occupational hearing loss for my instructor.

We were subjected to a hard sell on video and photos and were shown a short video that was basically a marketing exercise and a legal lecture. We signed and initialed a 6 page waiver effectively giving up all our legal rights along with those of our heirs. Sam, my instructor, harnessed me up and gave me a couple of instructions - feet together, arch your back and hold the straps of the harness. Brianna was as cool as a cucumber!

We boarded the plane, three tandem jumpers, a videographer and a French stunt team. We took off and started climbing. By the time we reached 13 000ft, there were only the tandems left. I was comforted to see Brianna had a look of vague terror which was exactly how I felt. Sam clipped us together and we slid along the bench. I was standing at the door of the plane and next thing we were falling upside down towards the Earth!

Nothing can prepare you for free fall. Windy, loud, pressure on the ears (remember to breath), cheek wobbles, the neat fields getting closer and closer - I do not recall actual enjoyment, sheer terror would be more apt. 60 seconds and 8000 ft of free fall then whoosh, the chute opens, the wind disappears and it all become silent. We played with the clouds, did some spiral turns, enjoyed the 360 degree views all under a colourful canopy. We came into land with an elegant bottom slide and it was all over!

I cannot say I have been skydiving, instead, should be described as one amazing ride. We were given very little information about the jump and how the chutes work and I think that made it much more scary. So tomorrow, back I go to do the 6 hour First Jump Course and jump out of a plane all by myself. Then I will be able to say I have been skydiving!

Aging...

It is just before midnight. We are in Phoenix and our bags are in San Francisco. We have directions to Adrienne and Pete's house via the 202. The ramp is closed for roadworks and we must resort to a map. Low light, small print - where are my glasses?? Ohmigod, does this mean I am getting old???

"BRIANNA, I think your dad is trying to sell me porn!"

... and we think you may be right Mike!

Happy Birthday Brianna!

The aforementioned jar of Vegemite!

O Canada!

The red canoe is a traditional Canadian craft. Sadly, I have been unable to discover just why canoes are red. Perhaps it simply has to do with how readily Canadian's identify themselves with the colour....

We bought this when on holidays in Nova Scotia visiting Sean's brother who had recently "emigrated" to the Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is about 5,000km from Calgary, and being a small peninsula province, it feels like a different country from landlocked Alberta. It is also much older, having been originally settled by the French in 1604. It was one of the founding provinces of the Canada Confederation in 1867. Nova Scotia is Latin for New Scotland and people of Scottish descent are still the largest ethnic group in the province. .... and Gaelic is one of its official languages!

Goats on the Roof

In Coombs, Vancouver Island BC, there is a market called Goats on the Roof, and, yes, a family of goats do live on the roof during the summer....

This little chap was bought at the Goats on the Roof market. Which, incidentally, is next door to the Coombs Emporium which puts Trev's Bargain Emporium in Horsham to shame!

Coombs features a big part in Sean's life, as both of his aunts live there and long, long ago he did, too.

Gerald and Kerry

Gerald was my colleague when I first started with Transfield Services. He arranged my cell phone and computer and was there to show me the ropes on Day 1. He told me of all his great adventures, traveling through South America and all the cool locations he had gone to with work.

Six months later, we both find ourselves in Canada. Until Kerry joined him, Gerald and I had many adventures that included going to the Dinosaur Museum when we meant to go to the Dinosaur Provincial Park, hikes through bear infested alpine meadows and the first Canadian speeding ticket!

Kerry arrives and they put us to shame. They traveled every weekend, hit all the exotic locations before we even knew they existed, found all the great local restaurants and were up for any adventure.

We shared hilarious dinner parties, fabulous ski trips, concerts, exchanged theatre and symphony tickets, Canada Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Australia Day Celebrations. Including all extended family from both our side and theirs. Sadly for us, the day came when Gerald was transfered to The Middle East. They missed both our wedding in Australia and our party in Calgary but our last night together was memorable. We started at Marathon, a local Ethiopian restaurant and ended the evening at a favourite gelati shop. As a wedding gift, they gave us the beautiful pewter vase decorated with maple leaves and a large jar of vegemite.

Gerald and Kerry, we miss you but take continued delight in the beautiful, and very Canadian, vase.

Mammy

Mammy was discovered in Munroe, Louisiana at a thrift shop whilst Sean and Diane were on a southern road trip. One of the objectives of this trip was to visit the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. An artifact of a bygone time, before political correctness and gollywogs were still allowed and Noddy wasn't gay. Mammy is a cast iron moneybox and is so cheerful and cuddly, we wish we had known her in real life.

Mammy was purchased with coins already rattling 'round in her innards - we wonder what age and origin they are?

The City of Churches

The artist is Franz Friedl and this is a photograph of his last work - "The City of Churches" referring to his native Salzburg. Our art collection boasts several of his works and they are treasured.

I have been blessed to know Herr Friedl for the majority of my adult life. He has warmly welcomed me into family celebrations at Christmas and Easter.

Kristin's Bowl

Our niece, Kristin, is studying at ACAD. (Alberta College of Art and Design)

As a Christmas gift, she created this beautiful bowl - and filled it with Lindt chocolates. The chocolates are long gone but the bowl takes pride of place.

It, in itself, looks like a candy wrapper. How delightful to be related to one so very talented.

Straight to the Pool Room!

The Purple Flower

A wedding gift from Sean's swimming pal, Bob.

Swarovski Crystal flower - beautiful, sparkling, delicate, magic. The perfect wedding gift. It represents the finest, most dazzling and stunning bauble.

And why is it in the Pool Room? Our purple flower reminds us of fun with Bob, drinking port and of the importance of real friends. Thanks Bob!

Our Clutter

And now for a series of blogs on each item of our clutter!

Every piece on and above our fireplace/window sill has a tale to tell so, over the next dozen or so blogs, their stories will be told.

Each tells a tale of us and why they have pride of place.

For those familiar with the movie The Castle - these are the tales from our Pool Room.....

Battle for the heat mat!

Ow! is an African pygmy hedgehog and, like myself, suffers somewhat from the chilly Canadian climate. So we bought him a heat mat that he delights in snuggling under. Sadly for Ow!, he has to tolerate Snowball plonking herself down on top of his heat mat....

Note small bump to left-hand side. That's our long suffering Ow!

... yet another winter sport!

Skiing by Braille!

Our weekend at Big White was exactly that - very white. They say the resort gets it's name from the masses of snow it receives... but we now know the truth!

Can we go a year without buying anything new??

We are about to find out! We have pondered this for a while as to whether we could do it (or at least be brave enough to attempt it) and today, we have decided 2010 is the year. Unfortunately, because we decided today, we cannot do the preemptive shop - which is kind of cheating anyway but must be very good for the psyche.


We have added an additional exception - we can buy something new if second hand would devalue or compromise the asset or simply not make sense. A for instance is we need to replace the boiler in our house. It would make more sense to install a new, energy efficient one rather then something second hand.

Here is the scope. Wish us well...


The Compact is a social and environment movement where members promise not to buy anything new for a year. It was started in San Francisco. The movement began as a challenge among 10 friends in 2006.
Goals of The Compact:

1. to go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socio-economic impacts of U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc;
2. to reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er);
3. to simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)

Members of The Compact are only allowed to buy underwear, food, and health and safety items such as brake fluid and toilet paper. During their one year vow the Compact members must shop only at second hand stores. They can also barter or simply share with each other for goods they want.

Hello 2010!

It took us a little longer than others in the world, but after the Aussie handovers were starting to fade, we here on Mountain Standard Time, finally waved in 2010. This was done accompanied by Karen's magnificent boeuf bourguignon, a Rockstar session, guitar playing and some very bad singing.

All thoughts of a New Year ski day had completely evaporated by the time we poured ourselves into bed at 4am!