Time for Change

An uncertain path
Fifteen years of decadence
A revolution

More on Ticks

Ticks are far from nice,
And are far from nice from far -
Bloodsucking creatures.

God's Prank

Unfortunate man:
Planet planted up his arse.
How God must have laughed.

~stiz/senryu

Dreaming of Ticks

Hundreds of big ticks
Burrowing into my skin.
'Twas only a dream.

~stiz/senryu

Of Blogs And Senryu

Arbitrarily,
A social experiment
In commentary.

~stiz/senryu

Sweet Distraction

Small, beautiful eyes;
An air of natural grace.
Clouds my simple mind.

~stiz/senryu

Nicotine, the curse

Nicotine, the curse:
Borne with sweet satisfaction,
Ticking in your self

~stiz/senryu

Highveld Summer

Highveld rains rain down;
Short, sharp bursts from the heavens
'tis humid, Summer.

~stiz/haiku

Blogs with poetry

A fall from aloft
frees plenty time for writing
blogs with poetry

~stiz/senryu

Presents and wishes

Presents and wishes.
Better with own family.
Better than last year.

~stiz/senryu

Senryu

An elegant means
for a man of fewer words
to express himself.

~stiz/senryu

Post-op trauma

Popping pills for pain
On my retched back again.
End blight not in sight.

~stiz/senryu

David Gilmour

Oh man.  I gotta have it...

David Gilmour Live DVD

powered by performancing firefox

Testing Performancing

Hhmmm... New toy....

powered by performancing firefox

Unassisted Flight

Wild Sky paragliding school in Bulwer KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

I've been a skydiver for the past 6 years now and have loved absolutely every minute (or "second" would be more appropriate) of it.  Adrenaline, disciple, competition, outdoors, mates, memories, and many other factors that appeal to my simple life.  You cannot reach a closer moment with your "inner self" - not that I'm particularly spiritual - than 40 seconds of unassisted freefall with nothing more than a laundry bag packed on your back and a cheesy grin on your face.

My visits to the dropzone have, however, dwindled over the past two years for various reasons.  Skydiving is not cheap and a long trip overseas and buying a house once back home doesn't help the cashflow much.  I also damaged a knee which hasn't quite healed as I'd hoped for.  Subsequently, I've been looking for an out-there sport involving flight, but somewhat more tame on the bank balance and the bones in the body.

Two weeks back, a mate and I meandered across to a relatively unknown mountain called Bulwer in the southern Drakensberg, South Africa, to do our paragliding course.  What an awesome experience!  Adrenaline, disciple, outdoors, mates.  And given my urge to continue with the course, I'm sure the competition and memories factors will soon follow.  After 10 flights and approximately 2h15 under wing over 5 days, I have already reached nearly half the time I have spent under parachute in 220 jumps over 6 years.  Quite amazing, I think.

But don't get me wrong.  It would be fruitless to argue one sport's appeal over the other.  They both have that "something" that is unforgettable.  I will most likely continue skydiving when the opportunity arises and finances permit.  But with a bit more time in the air, I am hoping that paragliding will become my new love outdoors, second only to my greatfulness and privilage for being able to participate in these types of activities.

Thanks to Hans, Ria and Terry for there guidance and instruction.  We left without a doubt that you guys are fountains of knowledge, with a calm manner that encourages a comforting sense of safety.

Blue skies!

 

Blogged with Flock