RIP Swiss Ball / office chair.
I heard a loud hissing, then before I could even look down there was a pop and a thump, as I landed on the floor. It must have been loud, because the guy in the next office came running, and the admin around the corner poked her head in a minute later. I've had that ball for two years or so, and used it every workday, so it's not surprising it's died; what surprised me is that it didn't spring a leak and deflate, but rather exploded into two entirely separate pieces. I guess I bounced on it a few times too many.
Casualties: one knee seems a little sore (though that could be from the gym yesterday) and my butt is a little grumpy where I landed on it. Good thing it's padded. Also, I think my lower back is a little stiff from the impact. The thud hurt my head, like a fall in snowboarding, but that passed.
I've been called a ballbreaker before, but not in that context.
Today was my last lesson with the CFII I've been working with, and his last lesson as an instructor there. He took the controls and did a little joyriding on the way back in, but it's not really possible to get too wild in a Cessna 172. He's going off to go be an airline pilot and fly the big jets. I'm glad for him, but I wish it had taken another month or so. He's the third main one I've worked with and now I have to fly with yet another instructor to finish. It's a matter of finding someone whose teaching style meshes well with my learning style. Also, this one is a 20-year retired Navy helo pilot with over 50 combat missions, who flew in both Iraq wars. He was instructing just to build up fixed time hours to qualify for the airlines. I liked the feeling that whatever happened, he's flown in worse, and I like his laid-back style.
This weekend, I'm flying with RUdder as safety pilot, just to practice my approaches. We'll see how that goes. It's legal for me, as a VFR pilot, to fly under the hood with any qualified pilot as safety, and I'm more than completed all the dual flying instruction required to quality, so now it's just a matter of finished my cross-country reqrirement and getting proficient enough for the checkride.
Posted by dichroic at August 11, 2005 02:42 PMI've been called a ballbreaker before, but not in that context.
*speechless*
*dies laughing*
(Sorry--I don't mean to mock your pain. My office mishaps just aren't as entertaining -- they're usually me either walking into a cubicle panel or landing on the floor because I forgot I moved my chair...)
Posted by: Mechaieh at August 11, 2005 03:02 PMAs one who falls down and goes BOOM a lot, may I extend my symapthies? Also for your seat/ball. I have found a well used/well loved 'thing' leaves a surprising hole when it dies. I still mourn a favorite pen. ~LA
Posted by: LA at August 11, 2005 05:16 PM