Trapeze & Friends...Friends & Trapeze.

A few things to catch up on...

Flew with Dino, Jeff L. and Manny again Thursday on our little rig in Brooklyn. Fellow flyers Allegra and Maryam took the class too. We all can hardly wait for the next round of workshops...due to start in September. This is such a great group to train with; really hard core! Dino was catching again. We had solid forearm lock catches - we always do - and I made all four returns. I couldn't wait to tell Jeff L. all about my first round trip and I even did it again to show him. Dino couldn't believe I wasn't thrilled this time but I'm just kinda "Been there. Done that. What's Next?"

Instructor Bobby taught me how to hang by my ankles AND by my heels; a whole new spot for bruising. Yup, it hurts but it also looks really cool. I just practiced on a static bar for now but I'm itching to try it on the Swinging Trap. No pictures or video from this class...nobody felt like taking any.

Friday night was the second IFW Show. Rachel, me and Colleen were there to cheer on our fellow Sunday IFWer Lidia who wasn't able to fly in our Show last Saturday.

And I got to catch up with my dear friend Danielle. Our schedules have us flying at different times so we haven't seen each other all Summer but the conversation always just picks up wherever we left off. Neither time nor distance ever seems to matter between good friends.

Even though our Sunday IFW has ended, several of us are still filling our 6:00-8:00PM time slot with Trapeze. It was a beautiful night to fly. Instructor Adam worked the Board, Hal was on lines and Jeff S. in the Catch Trap.

I started class by working a couple of unassisted Take-offs. Each class I'm taking more and more responsibility for my own safety on the rig...and it feels good! I dusted off my Cutaway for the first time since October 2006. A bit rusty, I keep wanting to force out over the Board rather than pull up into the pike. You can see me tap the Board but it's coming along...



The TSNY photographer was there to snap a few cool action shots. Here's my first Cutaway...




Here's my second Cutaway...



Then Jeff S. and I decided to try something fun with our Returns. Here's our first attempt at an Angel Return off of my Split...

Not bad for a first try but we tweaked our timing, tightened up and our second was much smoother...

(And Yes! That safety line really is as uncomfortable as it looks!)

Trapeze Lesson - $75, Handmade Costume With "Sparkly" Headpiece - $300, Flying Beneath A Moonlit Sky Surrounded By Dear Friends - Priceless!!!

It was electric at last night's TSNY-IFW Circus Show 2007! (Rescheduled because of last Friday's rain storm.) While it was wonderful to fly under the stars, photographing the show proved to be quite difficult. These are the best shots I have...

Me chalking up on Board with Rubin & Tatiana

Here I am up on the second rise and "Listo"

Presenting "STYLE" in the net after my Split

There is an incredible energy that comes from performing in front of a live audience. Everything comes together and it elevates our game. Hal did an amazing job on lines and with Jeff S. in the Catch Trap, we all made our catches.

I threw my Split & Whip. My swing was really strong and smooth and I popped right into my positions. It felt effortless. I really got great height on both releases. I still can't believe how high I was flying on my own power. It absolutely takes my breath away. I touched the sky!!!

My Whip in particular. I was so high that when I snapped open and I looked up...I couldn't find my Catcher. And I had so much hang time; enough time for the following to race through my mind..."Oh, Crap! What did I do wrong this time? Where the Hell is he?"

At that point I noticed motion beneath me. I looked down to see Jeff S. nearing Peak about three feet below. I couldn't believe it. I dove down to meet him and we locked in a solid, forearm catch. We were both blown away and kept telling each other "I can't believe that height...Awesome!" We paid little attention to our Apron work (which ended up really clunky) but we didn't care it was an amazing moment!

Unfortunately a few flyers from our class couldn't make the rescheduled Show date so we couldn't take a group photo. But they were with us in spirit! Here are some photos from after the show...

Amanda & me

Catcher Jeff S., Amanda & me

I had the pleasure of meeting my dear friend Judy's sister Aud and friend Katy. They are visiting this month from South Africa. I've heard so much about them from Judy, it was wonderful to finally meet. And it really meant a great deal to Judy having them attend the show. Here's me and Judy presenting our "STYLE" and showcasing our costumes (handmade by Lizzy and Silvan, respectively).

I just love my costume. My inspiration was "Midnight Sky" and Lizzy did an amazing job turning my vague suggestions into such creative beauty. In it I feel Authentic, a true circus performer. (I suppose the glitter makeup and sparkly headpiece help too!)

Overseeing the whole event was our Jonathon...being Jonathon. This one's for you Mum.

Round Trips & Rips!!!

Tonight found me back at our little rig in Brooklyn training with Dino and Manny.

I really got in a good workout. Thirteen jumps, including five catches, in little over an hour and a half. I started with a couple of warm-up swings to "feel" the rig, then spent the next 45 minutes practicing my fall. Tonight it was my half-turn to the net. It's surprising how hard it is to maintain a tight plank position, parallel to the ground and flip my body - belly to back - in midair to land safely. Pleased with my progress but I'm still piking the turn way too much.

Dino climbed to the Catch Trap and it was time to practice our Catches & Returns. Spectators often don't realize this but we have little conversations up there while we're attached. Dino and I usually have a really solid forearm "Lock" and his calming instruction keeps me from rushing my Apron work - most of the time. (Patience has never been my strong point.)

We caught my split twice before something absolutely magical happened...(The first part is blurry but the focus improves for the good stuff.)

I made my FIRST EVER Round Trip!!! Everything just came together. Before the jump, I was merely hoping we'd make the catch, Manny would throw a good bar and I'd get to practice my return. But even after I made the return, it never entered my mind to try for the remount. I was entirely in the Now...swept forward and forced up & out over the Board. When I felt Manny's hand on my lower back, I thought "Hey, that's a good idea. I'll plant my feet, let go of the bar and hang out up here with you guys." Round Trip!

I was so excited...my whole body was shaking. I had the biggest, goofiest grin on my face as I took my cool-down swing to the mat. The image I'll most remember is Dino's beaming smile looking down at me from his perch on the Catch Trap.

Then I got cocky, rushed my next trick and the Trapeze Gods humbled me...

It occurred to me that the more I think about the trick, catch, return or remount...the less likely I am to actually "make the beauty". With only about 15 minutes left in class, I decided that I was pleased with tonight's accomplishments; no need to push any further. While on Board waiting for my "Hep", I told Manny that I was just going to fly this one "for the love of it". My swing felt so strong and "flowy" - not my usual "mechanical robot". I floated into my split. Dino and I had our BEST catch. Patient Apron work. Great height & hang time in my 180. I was primed for the return...

But I made a rookie mistake. I didn't recognize that the return bar timing was off - already past Peak and fading back. But it was in my sight and I was touching it. I wanted that bar!!! I grasped it with my left hand; chasing it on the fade. A more experienced flyer would have immediately realized this, abandoned the return and fell safely. I didn't. Gravity came to play. I ripped and fell hard. But I learned something about return timing. Assuredly, I'll fall again and I'll rip again. I've so much more to learn.

Okay this is kinda gross but hey, it's all a part of Trapeze...

The small rips - right ring finger & left thumb - aren't bad. These little ones happen all the time. We just pack 'em with chalk to absorb moisture and keep flying. But when there's blood...well, we cut the skin flap and hang up our belt for the night.

Here's my parting shot with my instructors Dino, Manny & Susie on what was an incredible night at our little rig in Brooklyn...

I'm not going to lie, this 37 year old body took a beating today. It was an Ice Pack & Ibuprofen, Band Aid & Neosporin night...but it sure felt good to get back there and train hard again!!!

It was a really great day. I'll lay my head down on my pillow with absolutely nothing left to give...until tomorrow!

Defying Gravity

I just received another action still from last week's Sunday IFW on 8/5. I think this one looks really cool. It shows my Whip and was taken immediately after the "HEP". I've released the bar...to complete the trick...waist down stays in position, waist up whips open (hence the name) to a straight plank position. At this point momentum is still lifting me up. I fly high, above my Catcher and then I fall down into the catch.

This also highlights the "blind catch" concept. As you can see, I don't "Spot" my Catcher until well after I'm open and airborne. I just focus on doing my part and trust he'll always be there.

Notice the loose safety lines...flying under my own power...I LOVE that!!!

Cruising the Hudson...

...at our Metro Market (NY, NJ & CT) summer 2007 outing. As always it was a nice event, good attendance and very well received. Me and my fellow Client Managers secured a spot up on deck for the three hour cruise. Here's Doug, me and Brian solving problems and discussing market strategy.
Many thanks to our "Captain" Bob (aka Americas Region Head) for hosting this event. In Bob We Trust. A good guy, he's always had my back...signs my checks, great mentor and gets all "Papa Bear" when hearing about my latest adventures. I can never make it out of his office without him telling me "now just don't hurt yourself" at least once. Here's Bob and me.

As the day progressed we had a lot of strategy discussions and well, we drank a lot of wine...


And of course...it wouldn't be a Mercer party without our Eugene picking up all the girls. (New analysts and interns were all warned well beforehand.) It was nice to catch up though, I hadn't seen him in ages.

Despite being about 14 years my senior, he will forever be "the little brother I NEVER wanted!!!"

Tonight was such fun...

...we all felt like we were drunk on Trapeze!!! (Figuratively, of course.)

Another Great Sunday Night IFW Crew!!!

It's hard to believe but tonight was the last class of our 2007 Sunday Night IFW. We spent the evening working our final tricks, catches and returns in preparation for our upcoming Circus Show. Yes that's right...I get to wear sequins again!!! And thankfully, no fractured vertebrae this Show so I'll be up on that flybar with my friends!!!

Come on down to Pier 40 this Friday night 8:15 pm - 10:15 pm and watch us fly. Arrive between 7:45 and 8:00 to secure a good viewing spot.

Instructors Hal, Frederique and Jeff S. work us hard but also bring a great deal of fun and positive energy to every class.

Jeff S. was up in the Catcher's Trap for four rounds tonight. We practiced each of our show tricks twice, tweaked our timing and worked our "STYLE". I'll be throwing my Split and Whip in the Show.

In order to maximize my height and power, I'll throw the tricks off a riser. A riser is a metal 2" x 4" placed several inches above the Board. My stance continues to be a bit off, particularly with a riser. Proper form would have me on my toes for take off - a challenge as I slowly regain feeling in my left foot.

While it may seem that our videos are a novelty made simply to delight and amaze our family & friends, their real purpose is to serve as a training tool. We use this footage to dissect our tricks and our timing; identifying what we do wrong so that we may correct, visualize and improve our performance.

A few things to look for in the first video...my flat footed take off has me hesitant off the riser. Another example of tentative flying, my feet drop below my hips on my force out. (At front end Peak...the moment we feel a split second of weightlessness...my body should be near parallel to the ground.) That's Tatiana working the Board and notice Rachel, next flyer up, practicing her "STYLE". And lastly, this is a great angle to see my big goofy smile during flight. Always smile to your Catcher!!!




No comments from the "Peanut Gallery" on tonight's background music. Yeah, I know what it sounds like and well, I'm at a loss. Last week we heard "Thriller" and it was Zeppelin before that. I don't have a say in the music, I just fly. In the next video, my force out is better but the return bar is still too early...



Next up is my Whip. I should hold the position parallel better and Jeff S. needs to call me off the bar a little sooner so I release above him and float down into the catch. It's all about the timing...





Here are a few action stills...

On the Board, pre-flight checks

Always smile to your Catcher!!!

Summer 2007 is just flying by. I truly hope yours has been filled with many great moments too...

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - Show the Bar who's Boss!

A couple of my regular Sunday IFW classes were rained out earlier this season so I decided to take a make-up class at TSNY. It was a beautiful morning at the rig and such great fun to fly again with Kathy. It's really cool...we push each other hard to excel and advance our flying but there's never been even a hint of competition between the two of us. I am forever grateful for her advice and unconditional support. She always gives an automatic yet truly genuine "Yes you can." response whenever I even suggest "I can't do that". I hope everyone has a friend like my friend Kathy.

Me & Kathy

It doesn't matter what we're doing...flying trapeze, static, silks, a Zero G flight or dance classes at Crunch...it's always a blast hanging out with her (and puppy Nina).


I really worked my solo take-off today and I am so close. The instructors on Board aren't contributing anything to my take-off anymore but I still freak if they don't have a finger on my belt. I know that my limitations are only in my mind. I've got the strength, the position and the desire. Now I need to let it go and show the Bar who's Boss!

A huge thank you to Lizzy for tweaking my stance and swing. She's an awesome instructor with an amazing ability to assess and articulate suggestions that result in immediate improvements and greater confidence in my flying.

Me & Lizzy

Lizzy was up in the Catcher's Trap with Rob on lines for this class. This was only the second class I've thrown to her so I stuck with my "Go To" Split. (Yeah, I'm getting a little sick of it too but I'll start learning some new tricks once the Streb workshops with Dino, Jeff & Manny start up again.) Our timing is a little late...we managed a hand catch but it totally cut down our swing in the Apron.

The second catch was much smoother but we didn't get that one on video.