H. Peter Steeves and Sawbuck Books present

BEING AND SHOWTIME

The Skydiver

and

the Meaning of Life

Chapter 7 of Being and Showtime recounts a story that Del Close supposedly told to his friends on his deathbed.  It is a story adapted here—a story about the meaning of life and how we face our life knowing that we will die and all we have done will fade away.  It's a story about doing our tricks.

[SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LINKS TO ORDER THE SKYDIVER POSTER BY ITSELF OR THE SPECIAL SKYDIVER EDITION OF BEING AND SHOWTIME THAT INCLUDES A COPY OF THE TWO-FOOT POSTER.]

A master skydiver jumps from a plane and does his tricks for a full minute. On the ground below, his fans and family watch him through binoculars, proud and cheering. He finishes his show and pulls his cord. The parachute expands out...and rips to shreds in the wind. The spectators gasp but are seasoned enough to know that this is not the end.  Sure enough, unphased, the skydiver pulls the cord for his reserve chute.  And the reserve chute expands out...and rips to shreds in the wind.


Now, on the ground below, everyone starts to cry.  They know what he knows. There is nothing to be done, nothing that can help him now.  There is only the Earth rushing up to meet him, relentless and unforgiving, an impossible blur.



A few moments pass, the crowd watching in sadness and horror. It’s then that they see him right himself in the rushing wind.  And for the rest of his fall, he continues doing his tricks and his stunts. The most beautiful spins and tucks and figures carved out of the rushing air, each more wonderful than the last, up—down—until the Earth swallows him.


We are, each of us, headed for that same Earth.

The question is whether we fall screaming in agony or we fall doing our tricks.

WANT TO ORDER A SPECIAL EDITION COPY OF

BEING AND SHOWTIME

featuring the Skydiver Story Poster?


BEING AND SHOWTIME

THE SKYDIVER EDITION






COST: $80


Estimated Number Still Available: 3


  • includes free domestic shipping (contact us if you wish to have this edition shipped internationally);
  • Includes author-inscribed dedication page (please leave the name of the person to whom the book should be dedicated in the notes when ordering; if no name is left, you will receive a generic greeting with author’s signature);
  • custom drawing on the dedication page (like one of the marginal drawings in chapter 3 of the book); the drawing will reference the skydiver story);
  • the skydiver edition comes with a custom "motivational poster"; the poster has a skydiving image, the title "YOU WILL DIE" and the text: "Like an expert skydiver whose parachute fails to open, you must accept the fact that you are headed into the ground and nothing will change that. The question now is whether you fall screaming or fall doing your best tricks up until the end."  Great for reminding you that you are mortal, that it is incredibly frightening to accept this, but you still must keep doing all of the amazing things of which you are capable right up until the moment it's all over. Remember those "Hang in There," "Thank God It's Friday," and Farrah Fawcett posters so popular decades ago?  This poster will be more famous than all of them.  Plus it reminds you to be awesome before you die.  Put it up on your office door, your bedroom wall, or your neighbor's garage.  Spread the word!
  • The poster is 16.5'" x 9.28".  A much larger (x-large) size (24" x 13.5") is available for a small extra charge.  Contact us for more information.


Buy Just the Poster?
Buy Just the Poster?

By placing your order below and hitting "Send," you are committing to making a $80 payment to PayPal once you receive an invoice.  The invoice is typically sent to you quickly, though it might take up to 24 hours.  You will have 24 hours from when you receive the invoice to pay.



In the form below, include:


  • your name
  • the email address associated with your PayPal account*
  • the mailing/shipping address to which the book/combo-pack should be sent
  • the name of the person to whom the book should be dedicated (if you would like a signed copy)
  • any special note (leave in the memo area)



Any questions?  Contact us at <beingandshowtime@gmail.com>.


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SPECIAL!


For a limited time only you can also order the skydiver poster all by itself (without a copy of the book, Being and Showtime). 

Click here for more information:

SKYDIVER POSTER CLICK HERE
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