Skyline Trapeze

On Sunday we checked out Skyline Trapeze in Dallas. I was hoping to see Donovan, but he was out of town. We did see Daniel, one of the catchers from Austin. I really just wanted to have fun. I hadn't flown at all since May, 2013. I had high hopes of a back-end whip. The really high hopes were to get into it gracefully with straight legs. Never even came close. I kinda scrambled into it. I forgot how quickly things happen up there. I'm sort of amazed I actually got into the position and got caught.

Ross worked on his swing. He says he misses trapeze.

It was great to be on a properly set up rig. I didn't feel like I was fighting the bar or the lines. My take-offs were actually decent. Today my chest and arms are really sore. Oh, and of course my shoulders. I had a lot of fun, and the weather was beautiful--perfect for outdoor flying. We will definitely fly again when we are back in DFW.

Truss Me

On Sunday I went to trapeze.  I flew out of lines for the first time. There is no video to prove it, but as Tiffany says, truss me, it happened.  It was scary shit.  I honestly don't know when or if I'll be doing that again!

Back at TSNY DC

I had a great class at TSNY DC this morning. I kinda felt like I was back at home--trapeze-wise.  I was so much more relaxed and comfortable.  I didn't have any shoulder pain at all and I feel like my take offs were better, even though I still had trouble lifting the bar (same as always).  I worked on my swing, my take offs, and then we worked on the back end gazelle.  I didn't have a successful catch--Meghan said I did a great trick, but Kirsten is a little short, so we just barely missed.

Roll Over and Catch (Penny Roll)

I've always wanted to try this trick--the penny roll.  Caught it twice last night.  There is a harder version that I tried, but didn't have luck with.  Not sure what I'll work on next week.  My shoulders were very sore last night.  I need to work on my swing, but I'm not sure my shoulders can handle that.

Pullover Shoot--Done!

Last Summer when faced with the decision between learning the swing or pullover shoot I chose the swing.  I didn't want to get discouraged.  I knew that the pullover was going to take me a while to get--so I kept putting it off.  I finally tried it on our flyerversary.  Then I went to class again this past Sunday.  My main problem was getting the bar positioned in the right place.  Daniel said he'd catch me--even though I hadn't really had a successful practice trick.  Well, the second catch try and he caught me!  My legs started to dip a bit, but I'm calling it a win.  I thought it was going to take 5 classes. Pullover shoot--check.  Never doing that again.  Next time I'm thinking of trying the penny roll or toes off.  I need to work on my swing, but I'm scared that I'll hurt my shoulder.

One Year Flyerversary

Sunday marked one year since our first trapeze experience.  We decided to have a flyerversary party.  We invited some friends, made cupcakes, and all had fun on the trapeze.  I've been taking it easy for the last two months because of a shoulder injury.  This was my second time back on the trapeze bar and it was fun.  I'm finally working on a trick I've been avoiding for the last 6 months.  It's going to take me a while to master this one.  I'm trying to figure out how I can practice balancing on the bar before I go back.

Everyone seemed to have fun. I'm glad we all got together and I'm glad that Jay was there to cheer us all on.

Alex seemed super pumped to get up on the trapeze.  He did a great job.

Ruthie was super flexible and light.  Daniel pulled her right off the bar.

This week Ross caught his bat trick.  I haven't done that trick yet.

This is me attempting the pullover shoot.  I kept flopping over the bar.  At one point Sarah told me to squeeze my butt as hard as I could--while I was standing on the board.  I squeezed so hard I got a cramp!  In the end I did a back end straddle and finally got caught.  It wasn't pretty, but I can finally check that one off my list.

I don't have videos of Richard or Monica.  If they send them to me I'll post them.  Richard was a natural.  He was so excited he somehow kicked the bar on his backflip dismount! It seemed like everyone had fun.  It is amazing how far I've come in one year (and 30 classes).  I just bought a 10 class pass, so hopefully I'll be even better next flyerversary.

I wish I'd taken photos of the cupcakes.  I made the strawberry-lime and some vanilla-almond.  And of course I took some milk--the Horizon individual packs.  Nothing like some (organic) milk to go with your cupcake!

Mini Class Reunion

Ross and I went to trapeze class on the 26th.  It was a 1 hour swing class and I had a little surprise when I arrived: Donovan was there, and so was my IFW classmate Megan!  Megan was in the middle of driving cross-country and decided to stop in for a class (yes, we are that obsessed).  It was like a mini class reunion.

I only worked on my swing, and that's kind of boring, so here is a video of Donvoan attempting a pirouette.  He completes the pirouette, but doesn't catch the return bar.

Soopa-Staaaah

Okay, so last night I felt like a trapeze superstar.  There were only 4 of us in the class, so we really got a lot of turns.  I felt great.  I felt like I wasn't working and fighting as hard to do the swing.  I worked on my take off and my swing. I took off unassisted for the first time! I took off from the riser for the first time!  It was pretty exciting. I ripped my wounds from last week back open, but it isn't so bad.

In the video I took off from the first riser.  Jay on the board and Russel pulling lines.

First Swing Class

Last Saturday Ross and I went to our first swing class.  Swinging on the trapeze looks easy, but it takes a lot of muscle.  Swing class only lasts one hour and that's a good thing.  The swinging zaps all your energy and the gauze bar tears up your hands.

 Ross tore up his left hand on his last swing.

I peeled off one layer of skin on one swing and then popped off a few more layers at the base of my pinky finger--that is when I called it quits.

Ross's swing greatly improved after his first turn.

This was my best turn of the day.

My hand has pretty much healed up, Ross's hasn't fared as well.  I'm taking another class on Sunday, and I'm hoping not to rip too badly.  I need to remember to chalk up before I put on my grips.

Ross Catches Set Planche

We celebrated Halloween by going to trapeze class.  I wore my costume from my recital.  I tried the back end straddle whip, but our timing was off, so there was no catch.

Ross finally caught his set planche. Oh, and he did his first one-handed take off.  I've been working on moving toward unassisted take off (no belt hold).  Sarah said that I need to work a littlemore on my take off, apparently I lean forward at the waist a little on take off.

It's a small world.  Well, trapeze is a small world.  It turns out that Donovan--my catcher for my IFW classes--is here in Austin!  He is training with trapeze Austin folks and teaching a few classes.  I haven't seen him yet. Hopefully I'll catch a class with him by the end of the year.

Straight Catch

Last Sunday I went to trapeze and worked on my swing--and the straight jump.  Ross caught this video of my catch.

Planche Catch!

On Sunday I went to trapeze again.  I worked a couple of times on my swing, then I had some really good practice set planches.  The first video shows my first set planche catch.  My position isn't very good--I'm not very straight, and my legs aren't glued together.

This second video shows a planche disaster.  I was holding a good position and fell out of it and almost kicked the catcher in the face.

I actually got a third try, where apparently I had great position, and I did catch, but there isn't any video.  I'm not too sad about that.  I'm just happy that I could try--and actually catch--the planche.

Skinning the Cat and Flying through the Air

Last week Ross and I went to check out Trapeze Austin.  Things aren't the same as at TSNY.  They said we could try the set planche--which was not on the menu for me at TSNY.  I only tried it like 3 times.  This video shows the third time--which was a disaster.  I didn't get into position, I skinned the cat (flipped over backwards) and then flew the air.  The flight was kind of fun.  I have signed up for 2 more classes.  I'll try that planche again.

Ross got to try the planche also.  He did better than I did...but also didn't catch.

Trapeze Show: My Trick!

I had lots of nerves yesterday.  They all melted away after I did my trick.  I'm super happy today, and super sore. 

We got home after 2am this morning. I slept until 930 or so, then napped for another 4 hours. That was my plan for today. Sleep.

Trapeze: Pro Photos

Here is a professional photo showing the face I make when I'm concentrating really hard and Meghan yells "Face!" at me. All but a couple of the pro photos had me making this face.  For some reason I couldn't hear the "Face!" calls tonight, so I guess I kept doing it.

There were two great photos of me back near the board. No lip-sucking face. I look calm, relaxed. And I'm rockin' my over-the-knee socks and booty-ish shorts. My legs look a little white because I was wearing flesh-colored fishnets.

Ross Catches Set Whip

Tonight Ross caught the set whip and started working on the set hocks off trick.

Trapeze: First Back End Trick: Whip

This first video shows my first smooth, successful back end trick. After this turn I was super-pumped. I haven't been that excited since my first class.

Here is the trick with Dan catching.

Trapeze: Wig Test

My Trapeze IFW show is only 2 weeks away. I decided to bring my wig today to test it out. It is really long.  I was concerned with it flying off.  As you can see in the first video--it flies in front of me during the trick and Donovan can't see, much less catch my hands.  On the second try I put the wig into a low pony tail.  No problem!

This photo is to show how red my hands get after trapeze.  I also have red streaks along the tendons on my palms.  My right hand is fine.  The tendons on my left hand are very sensitive and tender.  I have a Living Social coupon for acupuncture--maybe I'll ask them to work on my hands.

Climbing Silks

I decided that I wanted to climb to the top of the silks by the end of my 10 week Trapeze class. I'm proud to say I've been able to do it. Ross took a video last week. I was tired. So I was definitely look funny waggling my legs around. I've tried the Russian climb, but  so far I don't like it. I will practice it more though to see if I get more comfortable with it.

After Trapeze IFW is over I'm definitely going to take a silks class--and trampoline too!

Costume Adjustment

This week everything for my Silk Spectre II costume came in from Amazon. I knew the boot covers wouldn't work for me, so I ordered some wet look stockings. The stockings are one size/XL.  They are shaped more like Christmas stockings than sexy thigh high stockings. Luckily the stockings have a seam up the back, so I was able to easily alter them. See before and after photos below. Before the alterations I had cankles and curveless legs.