Learning to Fly?

When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.

- Leonardo Da Vinci

For most, skydiving is merely a box to check off on a list of things to do before they die. Its been six months since my first jump, and all I can think about is another one. Or two.. or three. Words fail miserably when attempting to describe the feeling you get plummeting towards the earth at 130 miles per hour. Its different than anything you've ever felt prior to, or will feel after. Call it adrenaline induced, religious, or downright euphoric - there's nothing like it.

It may not be the most lucrative profession in the world, and far from the safest (most skydive instructors don't have health insurance), but I'd have to imagine its one of the most rewarding. Your office is a hangar, your briefcase - a parachute. How phenomenal would that be? I mean, unless of course the highest you've ever climbed without soiling yourself is a playground slide, and the mere thought of airplanes reduces your knees to puddles of jello.

I don't plan on becoming a full-time skydive instructor anytime soon, if at all, but the certification alone is worth it. Once certified, one can jump for as little as twenty-five bucks whenever they choose, simply by hopping a ride at the local drop zone. That's less than a nightly trip to your local watering hole (unless its nickel beer at Confines, of course).

Shuffle. Skip. Repeat.

In 6 months – I’ve learned more than I’d learned in the previous twenty-two years. Lesson to be had? Life isn’t perfect, nor is it without its hardships. There will be ups and downs, progress and regressions, but through it all one must maintain an unwavering commitment to pushing on. Sometimes, the bad will seem to outweigh the good, but the urge to give in to pessimism and apathy must be avoided like the plague that it is. Good and bad are merely states of perspective, they aren’t absolute. Ultimately, you decide.

I’ve decided to take the days as they come. Today for today, tomorrow as tomorrow. Are they connected? Sure – but the latter should never influence the former.

I’ve come to realize that my life has been nothing short of amazing, and not in a glorification-of-the-past sort of way. I’ve been extremely fortunate in having the opportunity to experience multiple transitions and fresh starts – particularly since I decided to move to Florida. Despite bouts of uncertainty associated with being alone in a place far from home, it has been an invaluable experience. Everyone that I’ve met – since that fateful day that I walked into Joe’s Crab Shack a clean shaven, naïve to the world, eighteen year old – has left an unmistakable mark. Some, bigger than others. Some that will hopefully remain with me a lifetime.

..Because Free Agency is like High School Lusting

Philadelphia football fans, I feel for you.

All weekend, news outlets have flirted with the possible courting of Randy Moss to the Eagles, even going so far as to disclose the possible amount of the contract. Then Monday evening burst in, deflating your hopes and watching them fade into obscurity faster than an American Idol contestant.

If its any consolation, the feeling you must be experiencing is a universal one, endured by all at one point or another. Sort of like a high school lusting. The time the gorgeous girl you've been strictly platonic friends with (painfully nonetheless) for awhile, breaks up with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. Your hopes skyrocket. This is YOUR shot. All this time you've pined for simply a slice of paradise, and now the opportunity to claim it all in one swoop.

The next day she gets back with her boyfriend.

The cloud beneath you dissipates.

Back to solid ground you fall.

Randy Moss won't be catching bombs from Donovan McNabb this year, or probably ever for that matter, but look at the bright side of things: Last year, your team didn't even make the playoffs, you were in the cellar of your division.

From the bottom, facing up, there's only one way to go.

Mr.Moss hits the Market (again)

Randy Moss is (arguably) one of the greatest wide receivers of all time. And he's a free agent.

Personally, I'm indifferent as to whether he stays in or leaves New England, but judging by recent events in Foxboro, how does it go, "how the mighty have fallen." First Asante Samuel, then Wilson and Gay, which leave who in their defensive backfield?

Then Donte Stallworth bolts for "greener" pastures in Cleveland.

I'm not a New England Patriot hater by any means, but Pats fans.. no matter how hard you want to downplay the significance of the free agency depatures by comparing it to past years when the Pats have let big names go in the offseason, this is going to hurt. How much? Now thats up for debate.

Unfortunately, no argument, no matter how well reasoned, will prove valid until the season kicks off once again in September. Until then, speculation will run rampant. Opinions will dominate the media like a late game, Kobe Bryant-esque offensive flurry. None of it will matter though, not a single bit, until the Patriots step on the field.

If Randy Moss does elect money over loyalty, the possible places he could end up are if anything, entertaining to think about. A combination of Moss/TO in Dallas would be as close to unstoppable as a tandem could be, until week 3 when TO complains about not getting touches in the redzone. Peyton launching rockets to Randy in Indy.. now thats not even fair for the rest of the league. New Orleans? Philly? Miami?

Ok.. Miami was a joke. No one wants to play there (sorry Miami fans).