My 40th birthday yesterday was just fine; thank you all for the well wishings and the not-so-subtle reminders of my decrepitude.

I spent the first half of the day pacing around The Dirt Mall while the Juke was serviced at the dealership next door.   Then, after hitting the office for a bit to catch up on a few things, I drove across the street to iFly.

I work basically right next door to this.

Jen, being a wise wife and knowing I nearly always prefer doing things over things as gifts, purchased a “Return Flight” package there for me.

Sadly, I had to make the flight alone this time, as she was at home watching Baby D.  Technically, both of them were there for my first flight, albeit one had a very limited view.  It was still a good time though, and I made some solid progress on learning how to move forward and back, and spin in circles…well, spin on purpose, anyway.

My only issue with this session was how nervous my instructor was about me gaining any altitude in the tunnel.  I had no idea at the time, but just about the time I’d get comfortable with how high I was flying, she would swing her arm underneath me, breaking the upward airflow and causing me to whirl unceremoniously back down to the grate.  When it was happening, I thought I was doing something wrong.

This stands in direct contrast to the first time around, when the instructor was just fine with me zooming up and down the tunnel.

Regardless, it was a good time and I’m looking forward to the soreness in my shoulders fading so Jen and I can go fly together soon.

And someday, a few years from now, I’ll have Daphne flying in there too.

j.s.