March 6th - Skydive Mesquite

Throwing myself out of a flying plane? I think I missed that train about five years ago. But that doesn't stop me from being totally curious about the experience. Thank goodness for the bravery of friends...

Skydiving Mesquite.....I’ve wanted to go skydiving for as long as I can remember, so when it came time to decide what to do for my birthday this year, I figured now is as good a time as any to make it happen. Although I knew I wanted to go skydiving, I also knew I was afraid of jumping from heights. (One of my least fond memories to this day is when my high school swim coach made me compete on the high dive last minute for our diving team.) I had already been indoor skydiving at Las Vegas Indoor Skydiving had a blast, so I knew I had to do the real thing.

Before I could chicken out, I called the highly recommended Skydive Mesquite to make an appointment. My birthday is March 3, so I made my appointment for Friday, March 6, at 3 p.m. Three is my lucky number, so I was pleased when I realized the date (03-06-09) and time of my flight were all divisible by three. My chances of surviving looked good. After securing my appointment, I clicked through to Skydive Mesquite’s YouTube videos. One in particular, "Hit and Chug" caught my attention. Hm. I wonder if we’ll chug a beer when we land. I could probably use a drink after purposely jumping out of a perfectly good plane.


After work on March 6, I set out with my mom and my friends Megan, Nicole and Jenny for Mesquite. My boyfriend Marek was running late, so he drove up separately.We arrived at Skydive Mesquite late, but Brad didn’t seem to mind. Brad, who would be my tandem jumping partner, looked the part of a skydiver. He was tall and good-looking with tanned skin and tan lines in the corners of his eyes. Turns out looks weren’t deceiving. He made his first jump at age 16, and he’s now 44. He estimated he’s done around 5,000 jumps. I decided I would be pretty safe with Brad.


When it was time to go, we practiced first. We got into the tiniest plane I’d ever seen in person. While it was still on the ground, Brad instructed me: "When I say ‘Left leg out,’ put your left leg out. (I did.) When I say ‘Right leg out," put your right leg out. (Easy enough.) Then squat down with your arms crossed in front of your chest." I wobbled. I’m supposed to do this 10,000 feet above the ground?!?

Brad reminded me several times how to position my body as we freefell. "When we’re freefalling, keep your hands like you’re being held up. Head back. Feet at my butt."

Got it. I decided not to worry when the plane didn’t start right away and was reassured when Brad said he’d flown it this morning. No big deal – I’m sure it happens all the time … On the flight up to 10,000 feet, conversation was scarce since Brad was attached to my back, and the plane was pretty loud. I was marveling at the incredible view and how unbelievably high we were when Brad took out the video camera he’d been filming us with.


"Alright, we’re about half way. How do you feel?" he asked cheerfully. We’re only half way up?!? I gulped.


"If I were going to panic, would I have done it by now?" I asked him.


"I don’t know," he responded. Thanks, Brad. A few minutes later, it began to get cold. Really cold. I could see my breath. Under my jumping outfit, I was only wearing a tank top and jeans. I began to wish I’d spent more time planning my apparel. It also looked like a storm might be coming in. Well, I thought, If something happens to the plane, at least I’m already attached to a man wearing a parachute. Although I knew we had to open the door of the plane to jump out of it, I was jolted when he opened it. It just seems unnatural to open the door of a plane mid-flight. It was time. He reminded me again how to position my body when we freefell. Left foot. Holy crap! Right foot. HOLY CRAP! Crouch. Fold arms. Lean. We were freefalling before I knew it. We flipped over. I hadn’t put my body in the right position. Over the wind I could practically hear Brad’s eyes rolling. I fixed my arms and put my legs where I assumed his butt was.


Megan had warned me that when her boyfriend went skydiving, his mouth was dry, so he was making funny faces throughout his entire fall. Her other friend, on the other hand, drooled everywhere. I tried to keep my face as relaxed as I could falling toward the ground at 120 miles per hour.The freefalling was exhilarating, and the view was beautiful. I was surprised I wasn’t scared. Just excited. I felt free. Suddenly Brad pulled the parachute and we practically halted in the air. OUCH! I was thrilled to be safely strapped in, but Good God that harness on my thigh was tight! We lightly floated toward the ground, and Brad taught me how to steer the parachute. By this time, I could hardly feel my fingers, so I was relieved I kept hold of the handles.
I jerkily guided us through the sky. I could see all of Mesquite and much of the surrounding land. It was wonderful!


Eventually, Brad took over the steering, and shortly afterward we slid to a halt in the gravel by the bright yellow flag that had beckoned us from the sky. I made a mental note to keep my mouth shut next time I’m sliding through the dirt. Success!


Brad handed me a "Certificate of Incredible Achievement." It reads: This is to certify, to all who do not believe, that Melissa Rothermel has intentionally and successfully jumped from an aircraft while in flight thousands of feet above the Earth thus joining the elite group of humans who actually do the things they have always wanted to do instead of just talking about them while sitting on the couch watching TV. Sweet.

I selected "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC and "I Want to Get Away" by Lenny Kravitz to accompany my DVD. And then it was over. To celebrate, we decided to meet up with Outpast30 Lady at PTs Pub on Eastern and St. Rose Parkway for ladies night …


Thanks, Ms. Melissa! Boy, she's a trooper. She jumped out of a plane and then went on to barhop with me until about 1:00 in the morning. Truly an adventurer after my own heart. Of course, the barhopping will be reported on soon...

March 6th - Buffalo Wild Wings

I'm starting to think that those bankers who are throwing lavish parties with our tax money may have a point. In times of economic uncertainty, the last thing people want to do is stay at home simmering in their own special stew of discontent. They want to party or at least forget about their worries for a moment. They also seek to find answers in others. When one attracts people (say prospective customers) to a party and gets a few drinks in them, those people will spend money. They'll feel good. They'll eat a little. They allow themselves to fantasize about happy times and nice surprises.... Oh goodness, let me shut up before I anger one or more of my beloved readers...

All I know is that last night Buffalo Wild Wings on Horizon Ridge and Horizon out in Henderson was offering three hours of free Miller Lite and Tyku Vodka and giving away VIP passes to The Miller Lite March Hoops Viewing Party at The Palms on March 21st (courtesy of Spyonvegas.com). Buffalo Wild Wings already offers 60 cent boneless wings on Thursdays, so attendance for me and my fellow Imagine girls, Megan and Melissa (happy now?), was a no brainer. This notion also rang true with several other locals because the place was packed. In combination with a live broadcast remote from local radio station, Xtreme 107.5, the wing joint was a verifiable hit.

What's the relevance here? If you own a restaurant, beer or pub, there is no reason for you to be losing business. In fact, any business with a physical location and/or showroom can keep hope alive. With a little creativity and a reasonable investment you can attract, retain and raise customers even in our lovely recession. Why? Because folks want to be out, about and around other people and they want to do so while drinking. Now, I'm in no way encouraging alcoholism but, truth be told, enjoying a libation or two is the American way. In fact, according to the MADD 2001 annual report, the bill for a celebration party for the 55 drafters of the US Constitution was for 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, 8 bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of port, 8 bottles of hard cider, 12 beers and seven bowls of alcohol punch large enough that "ducks could swim in them."

If you're in Las Vegas, contact your local liquor distributor and see if there are any opportunities available for them to sponsor an event at your establishment. Contact your local radio station and see what kind of remote deals they're offering so they can do some advertising on your behalf. Hop online and start working your network of friends and associates. (If you're not on Facebook, Twitter, and/or MySpace, what the hell?) Once you're party is in full swing, you'd better be taking pictures like photography is going out of style and then using those pictures to further promote your business as a hot community destination. Why do I feel like I should be selling this information? Perhaps it's because you can find the same kind of consulting wisdom at Imagine Marketing of Nevada where I happen to work during the day. (As if you didn't know that would be coming. It's what I do, Baby!)

Anywho, hosting a party means building relationships. In a relaxed setting, you get to know what makes your friends, coworkers and potential business partners tick. You share hot buttons, hopes and dreams. You find that you have more in common than you previously thought. You find inspiration and a lasting human connection. You find life.

I need to get back to my day job. Please tune in this weekend for more musings and reasons to blackmail me. Tonight, I'll be attending the Leadership Alumni Reception at 5pm, going to PT's Ladies' Night (ladies drink free!!!) at 7pm and then back to Tao for open bar from 9-11. Saturday, you'll find me at the St. Baldrick's fundraiser (benefitting children with cancer) watching my coworker's head get shaved.

Toodles!

March1st - NASCAR Shelby 427 @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway

On Saturday night, I did my fair share of volunteering at an event that will be televised on ABC's 20/20 this coming Friday. It was the The Power of Love Gala 2009 to benefit The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute. Since my grandmother suffers from Alzheimer's I was glad to take part in support of this organization and I encourage others to volunteer their time in support of any cause that is near and dear to them.

I wish I could say that I was excited to be in the presence of national and local celebrities such as Hilary Duff, Teri Hatcher, Danny Devito, Kenny Guinn (Ex Governor of Nevada) and Lorenzo Fertitta (majority owner of UFC) but I wasn't. After all, they are just people. While I am thankful for the money these people donated, I believe that real stars are those individuals that truly illuminate our lives and help guide us through the dark mysteries of this human experience. After retiring Saturday evening, I excitedly anticipated going to the Shelby 427 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with one of the stars that I work with. (Thanks for coming with me, Ms. Megan.)

A little history on NASCAR. It was born out of friendly competitions during Prohibition between moonshine runners just for the honor of boasting the fastest car. Anyone remember the Dukes of Hazzard? Since it's formation in 1948 it has become a marketing monster. It's the second most popular professional sport in the United States following the National Football League and that was obvious from the crowd gathered in the stands on Sunday. So, what does this have to do with someone like me?

My appreciation of cars goes back to Saturdays spent with Dad working on the old grey Charger in the garage. We'd go back and forth to Kragen like ten times to get a tool for that or a gadget for this. I remember the grease that would accumulate on his hands and the blue coveralls zipped over his clothes. The way he would say "doggone it" when something wasn't working out quite the way he imagined. My dad, an Oklahoma native, was also a NASCAR fan and I could just hear him saying "woo-weee" after getting a look under the hood of one of those competing beasts. Those cars are truly mechanical wonders what with the way they roar around the gigantic track in thirty seconds or less.

Contrary to popular notion, NASCAR is not just celebrated by Southern men with sun burned necks. Walking into the event on Sunday, I saw both men and women. I saw people hued black, brown, yellow and white. I saw small children and senior citizens. I saw America. As the National Anthem was performed by the stars of The Jersey Boys and Thunderbirds flew overhead, the roar of the crowd was wondrous. Gotta love this country.

As a marketing professional by day, I saw tons of dollar signs. Beneath the bleachers, booths offered every kind of artery clogging delicacy one could think of from turkey legs to pulled pork sandwiches. How convenient of Tums to be giving out free samples! Liquor was consumed as if it were going out of style and thus one of the biggest attractions was a Jack Daniel's tent. Lamar Billboards (thanks for the tix, Suzy) were situated between the first and second turns of the track. During the race, the cars travelled around the track 285 times over the course of approximately three hours. Thus, both the billboards and car wraps provided a ridiculously long commercial for brands such as Miller Beer, M&M's, Lowe's, 3M, GoDaddy.com, DuPont and UPS. NASCAR is marketing genius.

For car enthusiasts there is something romantic about the roar of engines and the love of American brands such as Ford and Chevrolet. Watching the careful and quick choreography of the pit crew is also something to behold. However, I believe that all those fans tolerate the inhalation of oil fumes and tire debris smudging their faces for one thing only..... the potential car wreck. Every time one of those machines crashed into a wall or another car, the crowd was on their feet to watch the undercarriages glow with flames and the miraculous manner in which racers narrowly avoided running into a car careening across the track. It's amazing AND patriotic!

Congrats to Las Vegas racer and driver of the M&M's car, Kyle Busch. Why do I have a sudden taste for chocolate?