Robert Small

7/5/05

EXW 400

There are several times I could see myself at my personal best. There is the time I leg pressed 1100lbs, the time I helped 6 people get air lifted to a hospital as a result of a car accident, or the time I learned a computer language on my own. The most recent time I was at my personal best, as far as a stressful situation, was the time I went bungie jumping in Las Vegas, NV. I had talked about doing this for so time now and this was my opportunity to do it. I was with my friends from work on a guy’s trip to Vegas and on the second day I decided it was time to “take the plunge”. I was very scared jumping off a 167 feet crane in the middle of the Las Vegas strip. The jump does not look to be very high at first and then you actually get up close and see it. If I could I would have said “Never mind this is not for me I and taking the elevator down”, and been on my way. But I felt as though I really needed to take a leap of faith and hand my life over to someone else even for a little bit. I guess hats part of my personality, to do what others say can not be done. To have an open-mind and be brave enough to explore things that has not been explored before.

I have never studied the statistics or read up on bungie jumping. I just knew that you basically were tied to a big rubber band and you jumped off a high platform. On the way up I was in an elevator with about 6 other people some had already done this before and others like me, it was their first time. They called my name first so I did not have a lot of time to anticipate the jump/fall. We got up their and the team instructed me to go to a spot to get the bungie cord tied on. They seemed like they knew what they were doing because the guy who was tying the cord onto my ankles asked me some questions that I can not recall, probably to calm me down. Even as I am writing this paper I can still feel the adrenaline rushing to my veins and my hands are getting shaky. After he finished tying the cord to my ankles they escorted my to the ledge. This was it 167 feet straight down, no stopping if it was too scary no harness to hold on to like in a rollercoaster it’s a free fall. I stepped out so that my toes were hanging off the ledge and I looked for the pool I knew was below but I could not see it. They asked me if I was ready and 3…2...1...GO! Off I went free falling 167 feet straight down, my body was in shock. I was cold and the wind was rushing by so fast 40+ miles per hour right at the ground and it was coming fast. For what seemed like a minute or two (which was actually like .2 seconds) I wanted to stop I wanted off and I wanted my feet on the ground. Then like the guys on the platform could hear me, I felt a pulling back and stopping, the bungie cord was going to work and slowing my decent. I felt so relieved I was smiling from ear to ear in utter joy that I had done it. I jumped off a tower and was now bouncing up and down like a rubber ball on those ball and paddle kid toys. I was elated. I could return home and show everyone what I did, what I was able to do and not back down. Although this was not the first time I had faced the possibility of death, every time it still feels the same. What a rush.

I feel that this story illustrates my Bravery and valor, my open-mindedness, and my curiosity and interest of the world. It takes a lot of bravery to do something like this or perhaps a lot of stupidity. I can not tell you which. Looking back I feel as though this was a big step I will always remember it. It will help me to cope with situations I have no control over. I know that I use it now as a parallel to death. I know it is come, not how or when but the jump is coming. When I come to that ledge, so high up with nothing but a free fall in front of me I will remember this, those that have passed before me, my family and friends will be there to pull me back to safety like the bungie cord did in my free fall.