It's sort of like hand-me-down clothes.
Since she doesn't have a MySpace account, I'm hopeful that she won't be reading this, because I'm sure she would rather I say something like, "My Sister turned 20 plus 10" or some such quote garnished from Bridget Jones or every Drew Barrymore movie made after 2001. After all, we are a society that thrives on youth and for many of us, the 30's are the gateway into true adulthood, the time when we must leave our youth behind.
By now I'm sure that you have gathered that I am not 30 at all. In fact this year marked my thirty-third on this earth (just look at my front page, you'll see!), and I often joke with my girlfriend (who is still in her late-twenties) that I have entered my mid-thirties. It won't be long until I'm in my late-thirties.
Yup. I'm old.
However, I got to do a pretty amazing thing the other day: I got to celebrate my thirtieth birthday all over again.
How is this possible you say?
It's easy. You see, three years ago as a gift from my dad I received a voucher for a free ride on a sail plane from my father. The voucher was good for one year and being the busy individual that I am (not to mention the fact that the air strip was a 45 minute drive from my condo), I just couldn't redeem the voucher.
That's not to say that I didn't try: As it turns out, sail planes are very sensitive, and even the slightest wind keeps them grounded. I made several reservations over the months only to have them canceled due to wind. My dad and I even made the drive several times, but were turned away.
I know it was for my own safety, but it was getting frustrating.
Then the company that provided the flights began to have financial trouble, insurance trouble, and a very public dispute with the local Air Force Base. Subsequent phone calls made me believe that my voucher would never be honored, and requests for a refund led to the run-around we all get when cash money is at stake.
The owner however, gave me his word and said that he would honor the gift certificate when his operation was up and running again, even though it had long since expired. I was doubtful, but vowed to keep trying.
As the years passed, my life got busy, and I moved to Las Vegas. From time to time, I tried to make a reservation, only to have the flight school call and cancel (again) due to high winds.
I was, it seemed, SOL.
I found myself back in Phoenix with a little time on my hands, so I decided to give it another try, making an appointment for a Saturday morning. My dad had since moved to California, so I invited my girlfriend Kim and her son to join me.
By 9 AM we were on our way for my 11 AM reservation when the phone rang. It was Turf Soaring School! Were they calling to cancel again? The voice on the other end described high winds, and I thought the trip was yet again wasted. But after a little more discussion I was told that they were expected to die down in the afternoon. We rescheduled for 1 PM, and after a great picnic by the lake...
I celebrated my 30th birthday three years late, even though I'm 20 plus 13!
Here are the pictures!
Me moving the plane into position.
Jakob tests the cockpit to make sure it's safe.
Receiving last minute instruction before takeoff.
Kimmy and Jakob say goodbye.
The cable is attached...
Airborn!
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