Cool passage quote, re: high-risk sport specialists

[Airhead 0]

"In the world of a specialty - diving, climbing, caving- cliches formed, egos became wrapped in layer after layer of shared hype, of the glamour of overcoming real and imagined dangers, of feeling the exquisite pleasure of keeping secrets denied the uninitiated. Devotees ran the risk of becoming intoxicated by their own differences. Finally they came to resemble the stereotypical Parisian; if one couldn't speak the language, and flawlessly, the conversation was over." Blind Descent by Nevada Barr (pg.8)
Cool, huh? I can see how it'd be easy to isolate into skydiving cliches - those who know, those who don't. As a newbie, I want to understand MORE...I understand SOME, but need for those who are experienced to SHARE their knowledge in a down to earth manner... - to enlighten & teach with what they knowand what they've done, too.

[freeflir29 0]

So true....I was sitting in a training class yesterday. The instructor said something about this is my "First Time" using this application. Well...of course I yelled...Beeeeeeeerrrr!!! No one else got it....

[Lolie 0]

A little while after I did my first jump, I looked up a bunch of skydiving links online, and came across the "You Might Be a Skydiver if..." I didn't really get a lot of them, but I just re-read them a few days ago and appreciated them a WHOLE lot more.

-Miranda
you shall above all things be glad and young / For if you're young,whatever life you wear
it will become you;and if you are glad / whatever's living will yourself become.

[tigra 0]

How about saying "smells like jump run" after someone farts?? Unless you are with jumpers, they just don't get it!

[Sinkster 0]

Very cool passage. I agree.

[dove 0]

I always get a lot of pissed of glares when on a commercial plane that's just pulled up to the gate and I yell, "Door!" then, "Exit! Exit! Exit!"

Fall in dove.

[fastmartin2002 0]

the world of skydiving and those who inhabit it are a unique and diverse group of there own. a lot of people don't really understand it until they have experienced flight!

[ernokaikkonen 0]

How about just peeking out the door and yelling towards the cockpit: "5 LEFT!"

[Skyrad 0]

LOL

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Sinkster 0]

I think it would be hilarious to carry on ur rig in a bag and then take it out and sling it over your shoulder and go up to the pilot before takeoff and say "hey, uhhh... would you mind letting me know when we're over Baltimore? I tried to get a ticket there but everything was booked slam full for a couple days. Thanks."