Most everything in my life has changed in the past year, and this little story is about one small part..
At A Glance Author cricket Contact cricket@bme.anon IAM cricket When A month ago Artist ihung, kentucky suspension team Location out in ky A bit of background: I first started my IAM page in July of 2002, after a large chunk of personal life unhappiness. I was immediately rewarded with new friends and experiences- beginning with IAM.Scary, the halloween party that was thrown down in McDaniels, KY. Not only did I meet the people who would rather dramatically open my eyes and change my life, I saw for the first time live, a suspension. Well, several, actually.
Until that time, I had (like many people) only seen these performed on television, usually in a show on the rites and rituals of Native American tribes. After checking BMEZine.com, I was really interested in seeing a live suspension. I was suprised at the support from the crowd at IAM.Scary, but wasn't at that point really wanting to try it myself.
At the end of that year, my husband (now ex) and I split, and about 2 weeks later, I woke up with the need to suspend. It really was quite sudden, and there was no getting out of it.. I had to do it. Fortunately, my now good friends down in McDaniels had just built a large garage/suspension building, the previous ones had taken place in an open barn type area.
My first suspension, a 4 point suicide, didn't see me off the ground, but nevertheless, I was still extremely proud of how far I'd gone- and I would keep trying until I was satisfied fully with my results.
I went for a 4 pointer 3 more times, getting better with each try, until the IAM.Scarry II in November 2003. This was a big party for me, as it marked my one-year anniversary of sorts, with all my new friends. After the usual start of the show by Josh, who always manages to do something most folk think impossible(or at least crazy)Saturday began rather late, and those who had not done a suspension before went first, while the rest of us cheered them on and ate a lot of excellent food. I'm also fortunate to have made the acquaintence of some amazing cooks! Josh again stole the show, although not in the best way, by popping his hook hole open and squirting blood around. after he was taken care of, the newbie suspensions continued with some great attempts. I wasn't really in the right mindset myself, I admit, there were many new faces, and I'm not the best when it comes to showing the kind of emotion a suspension takes in front of new folk. I went off to bed early, under the be autiful stars in my starry nova.
After better sleep than I thought I'd get in my hatchback, I trudged up to the house for breakfast and coffee(again, amazing cooks!!) and everyone slowly began the 2nd day of the shindig. Many folks had left already, due to jobs, or whatnot, so the ranks had thinned considerably. I was in a perfect mood for being hooked.
After a bit things got going, my turn came and Jason and Thomas were marking me up for another 4 pointer, when Jason mentioned I might be fine with a 2 point, I'm only about 5'2" and somewhere around 120lbs. I hadn't thought of it actually, and I decided to go for it, as I usually hate getting the hooks more than any other part of the whole deal. The marked me again, and I suddenly got reeaally nervous.. not sure why, but there you go. So I asked for a pair of volunteer hands to hold, finally got myself ready, and off they went..
Turns out that every part of a 2 point is easier for me, including the hooking. I was quite happy! no pulling, easier arm movement, everything. cool. I was ready to go up, so Jason (I think) roped me up to the rig, and I motioned for my pal Christy to give me her hand in support- Jason also helped with this, he's just so good at it!
I went up for a sec, then down- glucose tablet, and water.. then back up, then down..and I did that once more before try #4 when I was really finally able to relax into it. I managed to stay up for a bit, and then I came down a happy camper- from now on, it's 2 points for me!
Somehow I managed to find people who support me for who I am, they don't ridicule my style (or rather, lack of it) and they don't make light of things I hold dear. There is no way I could have done all the things I have in the past year, from leaving a bad situation in my personal life, to working my way into a 2 point suicide. it is an amazing feeling, to set a goal and achieve it. Completing a good suspension was one of my goals at last new year, and I feel I have done so. Rar!