I don't know where to begin about this night, because it was just so much fun. I've been wanting to go up by my knees for over six months now. Having asked Emrys about doing a suspension one night at the Lucky Monkey, he informed me that the landlord banned us from hanging out there anymore. I was very bummed to hear about this, but he invited me to come out to the new location in Warren and hang. I was overjoyed, this was way closer and when I walked in, I realized this place was way better for a great number of reasons. As I walked in, Miranda was in the middle of her Crucifix suspension. Not too long after that, I was greeted by Emrys. Immediately, my usual nerves and anxiety melted away. I decided that I was going try and throw my own hooks, after plenty of reassurance that it was way better to do it yourself. I wasn't quite ready to go up yet, I wanted to watch others suspend and absorb the energies from that. After watching two suicides on a spinning beam, a lotus, and a heartbreaking first time attempt for the owner, I began to feel the itch to go up.
At A Glance Author Melinda Contact Melinda@bme.anon IAM Orchestra Influenza When It just happened Artist Emrys, Jason, Myself Location Warren, MI I went to go change into shorts and watch some hooks get thrown, when I ran into a friendly face I had met once a long time ago, Art. It took him a little while to remember me, because I had changed quite a bit since the last time he saw me. Once he did, he became my moral support for the night. When it came time to throw my hooks, he was all about it and rooting me on, as were many others who were watching. I thought alot of people watching me would be rather intimidating and would feel like the pressure was on, but it was the complete opposite. Emrys was my instructor and explained every detail for me, suggesting different ways to go about throwing hooks. I absorbed every word he said, for this is something I want to do in the future. The time came to throw my first hook and it was flawless. Slid right through and I hit my mark and I was completely overjoyed. The next three were a piece of cake and the support from those around me gave me an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. I sat there admiring my work for a moment and then hopped down and walked like a penguin over to the rig.
While getting rigged up, I was getting nervous about having to pull myself up. I was given the rope and began to put tension on the hooks. After some adjustments, I layed back down and scooted forward and began to mentally psych myself up for what was about to come next. I began to pull myself up and the pain was incredible. My mind was going through a million thoughts at once, but all my focus was on my hands and the rope. Hand over hand, I kept pulling until I was completely in the air. I remember swearing left and right as I was doing this, but through all the pain and jumbled thoughts, I could here words of support from those around me. I handed off the rope and let my fingers drag across the floor. The burning pain in my knees was overwhelming and hard to handle. After a few moments, I relaxed some and just listened to the music. I could hear everyone around me, but their voices were distant as I cradled my head and focused on my breathing. I tried to push myself around some, but I was very disoriented in which direction I wanted to push myself and which direction I was actually going. I opened my eyes occasionally, but found it was more relaxing to keep them closed. Not too long after this, I had to come down due to tearing. Jason grabbed my hands as I was lowered back down to the ground. Once there, the most amazing rush washed over me. I couldn't contain the happiness and began to laugh uncontrollably. Emrys informed me that I'd need several sutures and all I could do is laugh. I knew it would happen and didn't care one bit at that moment. You could have told me my cat died and I think I would have still laughed, that's how intense it was for me.
After being cut free from the rig, Art helped me over to the back room, where I was to endure eight stitches in my knees. A small crowd of friendly faces watched on as I took out my hooks and marveled at seeing fat cells protruding from my wounds. They looked nasty and painfull, which they were. Then the stitching began and it was worse then anything before it. I took a few without a flinch, but the others were very painfull, but more annoying then anything. Despite all the pain he was causing, and frequent apologies from Emrys, he did a good job and I couldn't have been happier with the whole experience. He hooked me up with a scalpel blade to cut out my stitches in a week or so and gave me the mosquito clamps he used. My knees were very sore and very tight after getting down. Walking was a whole new experience and it took me a while to get the hang of it. My unsutured wounds kept bleeding on me, so I wobbled over to the other station and had Jason bandage me up some. I was exhausted and layed down while I watched Eash do a suicide suspension. After that was two simultaneous knee suspensions that were amazing to watch. Around 3am, I was spent and said my goodbyes and thank yous. My drive home was happy and reflective as I kept laughing to myself over having accomplished so much in one night.
It's day two with my stitches in and they are looking good. There was some small trickles of blood throughout the night, but nothing major. I took a shower this morning and massaged all the air left in my knees. They are still very sore and tight, but walking isn't so much of a chore anymore. I am in complete awe still and couldn't have asked for a better experience then last night. Thank you to everyone who was there, to those who were so very supportive and those who kept me smiling and laughing, you all made this a night to remember for all time.