Allegedly British SAS troops are performing HALO–which stands for High Altitude Low Opening–training jumps with dogs. So careful with that pooch, Eugene.
The Sun includes a PhotoShopped picture in the article. Poor doggie doesn’t even have goggles. Yeah, right.
Michael Fournier has tried harder than anyone in history to fall. So far he has spent nearly twenty-million dollars and years of his life in an attempt to best Joe Kittinger’s leap from an altitude of 102,800 feet.
Technically Kittinger was the first astronaut, as he pierced the stratosphere at speeds exceeding 614 miles per hour when he leaped from the Excelsior III in 1960.
What Fournier wants to do defies convention and most would say common sense. The cost and toll seems insurmountable. And in the end, the journey and preparations will probably only seem worthwhile to him. But really, his is the only opinion that matters. I would not do this–nor can I imagine the amount of physical and mental duress he might experience–yet I respect his courage and persistence. He is doing something that only one has dared to before, and besting it.
Unfortunately a malfunction on the ground resulted in the loss of the balloon a few days ago, and thwarted Michael Fournier’s most recent attempt at the goal. He has vowed to try again.
I believe he will.
For now, Kittinger’s breathtaking record of human flight stands.
Still waiting on my new spectacles; it looks like another thirty-six hours of staring through lenses covered in splotches. Had I opted for just a new set of prescription glasses and frames as per my habit every four years, relief would be mine already. I broke with routine, though and bought two pairs–daily wear and sports.
Gone are the Harry Potter round rims. Seventeen years was enough. With a few differences, the new daily wear glasses resemble these:
Made by Nike, the bendable ear pieces attach to the glass, and the lenses are rimless. I opted for a single piece nosepad, which are typically more comfortable than two floating attachments. Also, instead of the oval shaped lenses above, I selected the mezzi cut, which are rectangular. The whole package is very European.
Anyway, the daily wear glasses are ready. It’s my sports glasses that are taking more time. But it’s worth it. These babies are air tight, with molded leather interior padding and rated for skydiving and motorcycle riding.
Here’s a model in the same vein, though mine have gray frames with 25 percent rose tint.
Da, Detka!
By the way, if you ever wondered what the ground below looks like when sky diving, the Google Earth interface does it justice.
Here’s my drop zone at 3,800 feet. The red marker indicates the center of landing area. To the right, five buildings with dark red roofs confirm the location. Running diagonally from center top to center right is the runway. Last, the white building at the upper left side of the drop zone is the hangar.
