Great story. I can almost hear that little 'Woo Hoo' of yours in all it's pathetic glory ha ha. p.s. I had a quiet word with Life, some slight threats were made by me on your behalf and Life eventually backed down and agreed to stop kicking your butt. No problem homie 👍
Thank you, April. And haha yes, really was a pathetic little squeak!
Ohh thank you, I really appreciate you giving Life a good talking to for me — I’m sure Life will back off after your stern words. What a good homie you are :)
This was another on the list of early pieces I hadn’t read. It was a delight to experience the jump with you.
Because of the possibility of inelegant landings, I won’t ever be skydiving—it wasn’t high on my list anyway due to a long-standing fear of heights. But your recounting reminded me of both the appeal and the awkwardness. You mentioned that new perspective it offers, and that vantage point always did appeal to me as something uniquely beautiful, and the floating-while-hurtling richly answered one of my biggest questions about the experience. But then you also talked about the weirdness of being spooned by the diving instructor and feeling that need to respond in deference to his.
Beyond the vicarious experience, that balance you conveyed is probably my favorite element of this piece. I like that it doesn’t hide the awkwardness or oversell the experience as transcendent when it wasn’t quite. This reads as a human experience with highs and lows and joys and frustrations, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
Thanks for dipping into the archives for this one. I’m looking forward to the audio version. And I hope life gives you a much-deserved break soon, too.
Thank you, Michael. As you mentioned in our last comment exchange on your post — there is something really special about having others offer new perspectives on your work. I mean, I had never once thought about the idea of conveying this story in a way where it was, as you said, “a human experience with highs and lows” — but I really love that idea. I would never want to try sell something as more than it was, or not explore all aspects of an experience in order to focus on just one part. And until you said it, I never really thought about how skydiving is one of those things that some people present as transcendent. And so, I’m really happy to have conveyed all sides of it. Thank, as always, for your insights. :)
It’s not unusual that you convey human experience notably well, by the way :) I just really appreciated that this didn’t leave me with a sense of loss for not experiencing a thing but with a recognition that skydiving, like so many things, is a nuanced experience.
Thank you, Michael. I really appreciate that. And funnily enough, if I didn’t name my Substack The Curious Platypus, the back name was — The Nuance Hunter hehe. So I’m glad I’m still doing that some justice. :)
I love your honesty, Micheal. You dont write with puffed up bravado, which is both disarming and totally absorbing. Also, your pacing and set-ups are totally masterful. Im sorry life is kicling your ass, but never worry about publishing older pieces. They're so wonderful!
Echoing the mermaid queen herself, ME! I had not read this piece yet, so it was brand new to me, and the pacing was fantastic. Loved the sprinkle of snark at sitting in his lap - everything about this story from start to finish had me captivated. You and Kendall always make me RUN to substack when I see a new post!
Thank you Kaylen! I’m so glad you enjoyed the snark and the pacing! And I’m flattered beyond belief to even be mentioned alongside a writer of Kendall’s stature. :)
Sounds pretty darn ecstatic. I love how you fell into stunned silence, that’s how I take my most elevated experiences in too. Why in the world do we need to interrupt it with a human Whoohoo?
Captured so beautifully!
“Hurled into a hyper-focused state, all my sensory awareness ramped up to eleven. I was able to take-in so much of that moment all at once, while simultaneously having this serene calmness wash over me in a way that saw time and my internal dialogue melt away.”
Yes, exactly! I mean, can’t we just be quiet for a second while we’re awed by the majesty of the moment!? Glad I’m not alone in the stunned silence response. Thank you, friend. :)
I love this piece! It’s so fun and definitely worth a re-share. Things can only go up from here, unless you are falling from a plane then I guess down is the only way to go…
Hehehe things are headed up from here baby! Sky’s the limit! Unless of course we fashion ourselves a rocket (or a chicken spaceship) then we can go as far as we want! Hehehe 🐥🚀❤️😘
I love that I who am a big scaredy cat gets to vicariously experience skydiving through you mate! Will try to give this a listen as well. I hope that things get easier with life lifing a bit too much lately but in the meantime your archival pieces are wonderful Michael!
Hehehe I’m glad I could bring you along for the ride Marmi my mate! And thank you I appreciate that, I’m sure life will chill out with all the lifing soon enough. :)
Can't remember what I said last time, but probably along these same lines: There are several things in life that many people say is a dream, what a rush, face fear and conquer it, etc etc etc (and kudos to you and others who do.) But skydiving (and bungee jumping, and spelunking, and scuba diving) are firmly in the category of No thank you, I have absolutely no interest, I will remain happily over here having tea with terror before I ever jump out of a plane. 🤣 But good for you!!
I don’t remember exactly what you said last time, but I know you mentioned something about liking the idea of being strapped to a bear — which I thought was hilarious.
And I hear ya, Troy. There are certain things on the list where I’m right there with you having tea with terror. And now that my bodies feeling the effects of all my youthful thrill-seeking that list is growing larger by the day. Haha
Oh my gosh!! What a delight. That little woohoo was everything.
Skydiving is something I’ve always wanted but have not yet (?) had the chance to do. My desire has waned since the AS diagnosis (and to be honest, I probably shouldn’t—am to avoid things that jerk me too much). So lovely to fly with you vicariously.
Hehehe, yes, that little woohoo even had me giggling.
I’m sorry you never got to experience skydiving, Holly. I would’ve loved to read your take on it. But I’m so glad I could take upu with me on my flight. And yeah, you’re right, it is a pretty jerky-jolty experience. I even remember the instructor saying that it was taking a toll on his body.
Dude!!!! So glad you re-shared this. I hadn’t seen this one. 🤩 I’m sitting here in the DMV (awful tiny building crammed with a bajillion people waiting to renew driver’s licenses and such…always guaranteed to take way longer than necessary). I’m sitting here and realized as I type that my body is still all tensed and my breathing is still shallow. 🤣Trying not to grin too hard or laugh out loud. If alone, I may have let out a woohoo of my own. Mine would have been convincing. Such a fun read!!
Hehehe it’s always good when you can let out a genuine woohoo hehe! So flattered to hear my piece helped you pass some of the time at the DMV, Alexx! And thank you, as always for your supportive feedback. :)
Great story. I can almost hear that little 'Woo Hoo' of yours in all it's pathetic glory ha ha. p.s. I had a quiet word with Life, some slight threats were made by me on your behalf and Life eventually backed down and agreed to stop kicking your butt. No problem homie 👍
Thank you, April. And haha yes, really was a pathetic little squeak!
Ohh thank you, I really appreciate you giving Life a good talking to for me — I’m sure Life will back off after your stern words. What a good homie you are :)
This was another on the list of early pieces I hadn’t read. It was a delight to experience the jump with you.
Because of the possibility of inelegant landings, I won’t ever be skydiving—it wasn’t high on my list anyway due to a long-standing fear of heights. But your recounting reminded me of both the appeal and the awkwardness. You mentioned that new perspective it offers, and that vantage point always did appeal to me as something uniquely beautiful, and the floating-while-hurtling richly answered one of my biggest questions about the experience. But then you also talked about the weirdness of being spooned by the diving instructor and feeling that need to respond in deference to his.
Beyond the vicarious experience, that balance you conveyed is probably my favorite element of this piece. I like that it doesn’t hide the awkwardness or oversell the experience as transcendent when it wasn’t quite. This reads as a human experience with highs and lows and joys and frustrations, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
Thanks for dipping into the archives for this one. I’m looking forward to the audio version. And I hope life gives you a much-deserved break soon, too.
Thank you, Michael. As you mentioned in our last comment exchange on your post — there is something really special about having others offer new perspectives on your work. I mean, I had never once thought about the idea of conveying this story in a way where it was, as you said, “a human experience with highs and lows” — but I really love that idea. I would never want to try sell something as more than it was, or not explore all aspects of an experience in order to focus on just one part. And until you said it, I never really thought about how skydiving is one of those things that some people present as transcendent. And so, I’m really happy to have conveyed all sides of it. Thank, as always, for your insights. :)
It’s not unusual that you convey human experience notably well, by the way :) I just really appreciated that this didn’t leave me with a sense of loss for not experiencing a thing but with a recognition that skydiving, like so many things, is a nuanced experience.
Thank you, Michael. I really appreciate that. And funnily enough, if I didn’t name my Substack The Curious Platypus, the back name was — The Nuance Hunter hehe. So I’m glad I’m still doing that some justice. :)
I love your honesty, Micheal. You dont write with puffed up bravado, which is both disarming and totally absorbing. Also, your pacing and set-ups are totally masterful. Im sorry life is kicling your ass, but never worry about publishing older pieces. They're so wonderful!
Echoing the mermaid queen herself, ME! I had not read this piece yet, so it was brand new to me, and the pacing was fantastic. Loved the sprinkle of snark at sitting in his lap - everything about this story from start to finish had me captivated. You and Kendall always make me RUN to substack when I see a new post!
Thank you Kaylen! I’m so glad you enjoyed the snark and the pacing! And I’m flattered beyond belief to even be mentioned alongside a writer of Kendall’s stature. :)
Thank you, Kendall. Such high praise on my writing coming from a writer of your calibre honestly means so much.
And aww thanks, I must say it is nice to bring out some of the archives from time to time.
Thanks again Kendall, I appreciate you. :)
What an amazing experience!
Thank you, Donna. It was very cool. It was nice to have a fall without a crash landing for once too hehe
Maybe the crash landings come when we are more foolish than brave? This was a bold, brave move and you were rewarded with one hell of an experience.
I think that is a really profound point, Donna. I couldn’t agree more.
Sounds pretty darn ecstatic. I love how you fell into stunned silence, that’s how I take my most elevated experiences in too. Why in the world do we need to interrupt it with a human Whoohoo?
Captured so beautifully!
“Hurled into a hyper-focused state, all my sensory awareness ramped up to eleven. I was able to take-in so much of that moment all at once, while simultaneously having this serene calmness wash over me in a way that saw time and my internal dialogue melt away.”
Yes, exactly! I mean, can’t we just be quiet for a second while we’re awed by the majesty of the moment!? Glad I’m not alone in the stunned silence response. Thank you, friend. :)
Wow! I don't have to skydive now. Hehe. I was right there with you. All senses aboard! Wonderful essay.
Thank you! That is such high praise. Glad you could come along for the ride, or should I say, fall. :)
I love this piece! It’s so fun and definitely worth a re-share. Things can only go up from here, unless you are falling from a plane then I guess down is the only way to go…
I like your jokes! ✈️
She’s the best!
Hehehe things are headed up from here baby! Sky’s the limit! Unless of course we fashion ourselves a rocket (or a chicken spaceship) then we can go as far as we want! Hehehe 🐥🚀❤️😘
What's the name of that fucken Indian? - .... Oh yeah Jeronimoooooooo
For a second, I didn’t get that, and then it landed, or should I say it plummeted. Hehehe Thank Emmett! :)
I love that I who am a big scaredy cat gets to vicariously experience skydiving through you mate! Will try to give this a listen as well. I hope that things get easier with life lifing a bit too much lately but in the meantime your archival pieces are wonderful Michael!
Hehehe I’m glad I could bring you along for the ride Marmi my mate! And thank you I appreciate that, I’m sure life will chill out with all the lifing soon enough. :)
Can't remember what I said last time, but probably along these same lines: There are several things in life that many people say is a dream, what a rush, face fear and conquer it, etc etc etc (and kudos to you and others who do.) But skydiving (and bungee jumping, and spelunking, and scuba diving) are firmly in the category of No thank you, I have absolutely no interest, I will remain happily over here having tea with terror before I ever jump out of a plane. 🤣 But good for you!!
I don’t remember exactly what you said last time, but I know you mentioned something about liking the idea of being strapped to a bear — which I thought was hilarious.
And I hear ya, Troy. There are certain things on the list where I’m right there with you having tea with terror. And now that my bodies feeling the effects of all my youthful thrill-seeking that list is growing larger by the day. Haha
Strapped to a bear sounds like me 👻
Hehehe 🐻🙃
Oh my gosh!! What a delight. That little woohoo was everything.
Skydiving is something I’ve always wanted but have not yet (?) had the chance to do. My desire has waned since the AS diagnosis (and to be honest, I probably shouldn’t—am to avoid things that jerk me too much). So lovely to fly with you vicariously.
And LOVED the reading!!
Hehehe, yes, that little woohoo even had me giggling.
I’m sorry you never got to experience skydiving, Holly. I would’ve loved to read your take on it. But I’m so glad I could take upu with me on my flight. And yeah, you’re right, it is a pretty jerky-jolty experience. I even remember the instructor saying that it was taking a toll on his body.
Thanks you, friend. :)
This experience was well described that I began to feel uncomfortable in the pit of my stomach... Bravo, Michael!
Ohh wow! Thank you, Jeffrey. To hear my writing provoked such a response is the highest praise. :)
You're welcome, Michael. I really enjoyed this.
Thank you, Jeffrey :)
Dude!!!! So glad you re-shared this. I hadn’t seen this one. 🤩 I’m sitting here in the DMV (awful tiny building crammed with a bajillion people waiting to renew driver’s licenses and such…always guaranteed to take way longer than necessary). I’m sitting here and realized as I type that my body is still all tensed and my breathing is still shallow. 🤣Trying not to grin too hard or laugh out loud. If alone, I may have let out a woohoo of my own. Mine would have been convincing. Such a fun read!!
Hehehe it’s always good when you can let out a genuine woohoo hehe! So flattered to hear my piece helped you pass some of the time at the DMV, Alexx! And thank you, as always for your supportive feedback. :)
Oh yes! That was the only good thing about that trip—it let me catch up on some much needed reading.
It’s good to be able to find those silver linings! :)
Totally. 🤓
Great and gripping, Michael. So well written and I was sad when it ended with a thud.
Thank you RenoQueen! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it. And yes, at least it only ended with a little thud hehe :)