Flying lessons and more

I have to say that very few activities which I have participated in lately provide the thrill, exhilaration, and sense of freedom that flying a plane does. It took a few lessons to get the hang of it, but once I understood the basics I felt that I could handle the plane and fly forever. Landing is another story however. I've started to develop a sense of the timing, coordination, and nuance of the controls that it takes to hit the runway at the right spot and get the plane to roll along the way you sort of expect it to - you know, the way you see them do in the movies,. on TV, and when you watch one in person. I have no doubt that I will be able to land the plane one day.

I have also started to do more studying - yep, studying. There's a lot more to getting a pilot's license than pulling back on the throttle and turning right and left. As a matter of fact, if you aren't aware, there are verbal and written parts to the entire testing process, and it includes a lot of technical jargon, methodology, and other mumbo jumbo that you have to know inside and out. I have several thick textbooks and workbooks that deliver these details and the entire mishmash of facts, history and whatnot that you have to know. And, it's actually quite fascinating. I am enjoying reading about this stuff and I am embracing it almost as much as the actual flying. Especially after last Tuesday when the air currents were full of joy in a way that bounced my plane up and down, twisting and turning, bumping and bobbing, so much, that by the time my one and a half hour practice lesson was over I was about to woof my cookies all over the cabin; which, by the way, is very, very small. Still, I can't wait to get back up there and do it again!

So, I'm about a month into this new activity, and I do enjoy it. I'm in it for the long haul, all the way to flying solo and getting my license. I will try to write as many posts as I can to give you an idea of what the whole thing is like. Who knows, you may even decide to give it a try.

Getting better all the time

Okay, in case you didn't know I've finally retired from my teaching job of 27 years and I'm on to the next chapter in my life. So, what's next you ask? That's my question too. I have so many ideas I don't know where to start. Actually, I do - I've started taking flying lessons and I hope to get a pilot's license within a year's time. I know I have started some dialogue about other subjects like yoga, and music, but for now, this will be my main venture, or at least what I will be mostly writing about for the near future. This might not be the most common, or sensible goal for someone who is recently retired, and now on a fixed, and reduced, income, but I have had ideas and desires to fly an airplane for as long as I can remember. So, here we go, into the wild, blue, yonder (sorry, I couldn't resist). I expect it will be exciting and interesting, and I will be reporting on, and describing this experience every step of the way. I hope you will check in on me, and my blog, to find out if it is as interesting as I think it will be - and, if you already fly, or have a pilot's license, I sure would love to hear some of what you have to say. Till next time, carry on!
Jamie

Lousy Friday

It's been quite a while since I've woken up feeling like I had been run over by a truck, but that's the way this day started. Not sure what caused it, but it resulted in serious stomach upheavals that lasted till 5pm. With a couple of naps in between bouts with the toilet bowl I started to come around and I seem to be feeling better - as evidenced by the fact that I am able to write something here today.

No yard sale tomorrow I'm sad to say! We had planned this for a week or so, and spent $57 on an ad in the paper - but the weather is not cooperating, and as for my health, well, I'm still under it a bit as well. At least we'll have more time to prepare, so I guess all is not lost.

Oh, and I finally started my newest project - "The Learning Curve" - More on that later.

I hope you're all have the day you wanted.

Jamie

Yoga - now a lifelong pursuit

Okay, I just started yoga classes last week. I had planned on starting for a while now, several years actually, but my chronic case of procrastination got the better of me. However, Kendra just went out got me a gift certificate, an end of the school year present, to the studio she attends and loves. I did the beginner class, which considering my physical condition, or lack of it I should say, was more like an intermediate level class. Anyway, I fought through it and when it was over I felt great. Cleansed, limber, and somewhat rejuvinate. I say somewhat because it will certainly trake more than one class to rejuvinate this old body.

After my next class, which I plan on taking this week, I'll list some of the poses, or the routines, the instructor had us do. That's it for now. If you come across this blog, please feel free to post some ideas of your own - about yoga, or any other health related item yoiu feel close to.

Enjoy!
Jamie

How Do You Feel About ... ?

Good morning friends...

I'm just starting to get my feet on the ground with this blog thing, so bear with me. I have to admit that I haven't been an avid blog reader, and in fact, have had little experience with blogs until recently. I expect that to change, however, as I forge ahead with my new life adventure. My wife, Kendra, smiled at me when I started talking about blogging - mostly out of amusement I think - but I hope that she reads this, and contributes, as she has a lot of great ideas and experience on healthy, clean living.

Now, a big part of what I hope to see on my blog forum is not only a give and take on ideas and experiences, but also to find out what your take is on certain subjects. I will offer a regular suggestion of topic, and will usually put in my "2 cents", unless of course I have little or no experience in that subject to begin with. In that case, I will present the topic out of my own curiosity or desire to know more, and will look forward to being enlightened and educated in a way that will help me to take it or leave it (whatever that particular activity, idea, etc. is) as I so choose. I trust that this is what will happen with the rest of you. Please feel free to post questions, or answers, as you see fit.

Okay, enough talk for now. What I would love to hear about is "How do you feel about yoga?"

When I pose that question to all you fine, gentle folk, I really want to hear about your experiences with, opinions about, and ideas concerning how to participate in this age old healing, invigorating activity. Now I know that everyone has an opinion about pretty much everything, so remember that your opinion is just that -

By the way, Webster defines opinion as: 1. a belief based not on certainty but on what seems true or probable  2. an evaluation, estimation, etc.

- Opinions are not necessarily facts, so share your's lovingly and honestly, but with a certain amount of flexibility. You never know when you might hear something that changes your mind (and your life) forever!

And with that, my dear friends, I submit my charge to you. I had my first yoga lesson a week ago, so I have some feelings on the issue, but I would love to hear from someone who has a little more experience before I embarrass myself. So if you do have some experience (and you know who you are), or want to hear more, or have a pressing question, let's hear about it.

Peace!
Jamie

  

The Start of a New Adventure

Although I have read many blogs, many ezine articles, and many review pages about all sorts of subjects, I have never really put in my "two cents". The funny thing is that I definately have 2 cents worth to put in; maybe even 4 cents, or a nickel's worth, but the point here is that now I would like to start. After going through so much in my life, concerning family, health, career, and personal exploration, I believe that it is time to share some of my insights. I hope that some of you out there will join me, give feedback, and generally keep in touch with all my musings, and that you might even benefit from reading and exploring some of my ideas and interests (of which there are many, I assure you). If even one person gets a little something out of what I have to say, I feel that this adventure, that this effort to communicate, will be worth the time and energy spent. So, to all of you whose path I am fortunate enough to cross, I say hello, and welcome to my little part of the internet. Peace!

Jamie