ReluctantStool 0 #1 October 30, 2012 I notice alot of Skydivers wear one, and I know they are abundantly available to purchase, but I would think it would be earned not bought. Any thoughts? Discuss!!! ZEUS Skydive Team....FSL Rookie Class Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,340 #2 October 30, 2012 Define "Earned." It sounds like the Marine Corps ad. I started wearing one when I got my rigger's ticket. The first one (I lost a couple) came out of the parts bin at the loft where I took my course. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #3 October 30, 2012 Winner of a low pull contest? Sounds good to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr_Polite 0 #4 October 30, 2012 I earned mine by jumping a pilot chute so long that it gave me a bag lock. The new pilot chute came with a closing pin so i cut off my old one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantStool 0 #5 October 30, 2012 People spend a lot of time and money to become a Skydiver. Just makes sense I guess. You see it and you know that person Skydives, not they bought it at the gift shop because it looked cool lol, I dont know. Dumb question I guess. ZEUS Skydive Team....FSL Rookie Class Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,340 #6 October 30, 2012 Quote People spend a lot of time and money to become a Skydiver. Just makes sense I guess. You see it and you know that person Skydives, not they bought it at the gift shop because it looked cool lol, I dont know. Dumb question I guess. Not necessarily dumb, just a bit vague. You mean "earned" as in a "real" skydiver. Not just a "One and Done" tandem passenger. I've never seen one on anyone but a skydiver."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waveoff5500 0 #7 October 30, 2012 i have, kid in my dynamics class that had done a tandem. i dont really like them but i would think most people get them when they feel theyve become a skydiver"its just a normal day at the dropzone until its not" 1653 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfishhunter 1 #8 October 30, 2012 Mine was given to me after I made my first solo. I wear it on a silver David Yurman Chain. I get lots of "wow I really like that charm what is it?" I then get to explain what it is and how it works. It has always been a positive experiance when it is noticed but I wear it for myself. Totems are a reminder after all and it reminds me that skies call...... MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckakers 370 #9 October 30, 2012 Bought - just like some people's ratings!Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantStool 0 #10 October 30, 2012 Why are ratings so expensive lol, this A rating is costing a fortune!!! ZEUS Skydive Team....FSL Rookie Class Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #11 October 31, 2012 Quote Bought - just like some people's ratings! I saw all kinds of 'em as jewelry in a head shop on Venice beach last year. The real question is...how the hell did I end up in a head shop at Venice beach! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #12 October 31, 2012 Quote Mine was given to me after I made my first solo. I wear it on a silver David Yurman Chain. I get lots of "wow I really like that charm what is it?" I then get to explain what it is and how it works. It has always been a positive experiance when it is noticed but I wear it for myself. Totems are a reminder after all and it reminds me that skies call...... I tell people it's a stylised Sperm, it signifies that Im hyper-Virile Want some?You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pacific 0 #13 October 31, 2012 Some day you will earn your A license by demonstrating enough proficiency and paying your license fee. Despite the related humor and high expense, your A license is not a consumer product. The privilege that it bestows goes hand-in-hand with the responsibility that is required to use it. As for my necklace...it's a silly ornament for the most part. I wasn't proficient or crafty enough to make/steal one. So I payed for it; therefore, I earned it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loch1957 0 #14 October 31, 2012 What happens in Venice beach stays there.Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantStool 0 #15 October 31, 2012 Definitely looking forward to my A license, should get it this weekend!!! ZEUS Skydive Team....FSL Rookie Class Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warjunky 0 #16 October 31, 2012 It is not treated like a HOG's tooth, but it has a similar symbolism. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #17 October 31, 2012 Quote What happens in Venice beach stays there. Jumping onto Venice Beach is a trip. The Kites were a bitch, though! lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #18 October 31, 2012 QuoteMine was given to me after I made my first solo. Same here. I've tried to continue that tradition for others.Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #19 October 31, 2012 made mine myself! gave a couple away to good friends, too! “Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #20 October 31, 2012 I've had (and lost) a few over the years. The first was given to me by a dear friend, and another was cut off a worn-out bridle line on my old rig. I think I just bought my current one. Lately I wear mine only occasionally, and never at the DZ. Some people think they're tacky, but I reckon they're kind of cool. I'm not a fan of 'look-at-me' skydiving t-shirts - I think it's much nicer to wear something that's discreet, but would be instantly recognisable to another jumper anywhere in the world. And I like objects whose functional design results in them being attractive, which I think closing pins are. Don't let anybody tell you that you have to 'earn' a closing pin necklace. There's far too much preciousness in this sport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iambeav2 0 #21 October 31, 2012 I made mine myself. I jump a straight pin and when I needed a new PC, I (like an above poster) cut it off and made it using 550 and the king cobra knots. It's almost a choker and the closing pin actually closes the necklace itself....it's not the fact that you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone...it's the fact that you don't appreciate what you have until someone appreciates it for you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantStool 0 #22 October 31, 2012 ZEUS Skydive Team....FSL Rookie Class Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #23 October 31, 2012 i've been old school since the start and way before single pin bridles.... curved OR otherwise...I quess that while i HAVE earned one... i simply have never BOUGHT one...IF i were to wear a necklace it would likely have a crucifix on it, rather than a closing pin, and would be kept UNDER my shirt, and Not out in view... ( thought i GET,,,,,, that THAT is the reason to wear One.)I like when i see them on women but not so much when i see them on men... however... to each his Own !! jmy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanDanInc 5 #24 October 31, 2012 I was given mine to remind myself of my goals. I got injured on my Cat B jump in 2006 pretty bad. Ended up in the ER with a hematoma on my left leg. (definitely a freak accident and most likely because it was a wicked hard opening and I was out of shape and 245lbs) 2 cat scans later, surgery, and a Jackson Pratt tube installed in my leg for a week post surgery meant I wasn't jumping anymore that season. http://www.myspace.com/video/boy4sale/hemmorage/2262024 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2371490;page=unread#unread I ended up getting super fat (275 lbs as of this summer roughly 115 days ago) and realized that I was ruining my life and wanted to finish what I started in 2006. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4362963;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread So... I started going to the DZ with my family, purchased a closing pin to remind myself of my goal which was to go for my AFF again in 2013, become a licensed skydiver, and be a true role model for my kids. (There are so many role models in the sport right now and I want to be one of them too.) Currently I am 247.5 lbs, eat right (besides cake I fucking love cake), and work out mon-friday. I will become the skydiver I wanted to be in 2006 and I will earn the closing pin I wear every single day. This is my resolve. I can tell you that no one has asked what it is unless they are a skydiver and I haven't run into any skydivers outside of my home DZ yet. This was my little story about why I wear a closing pin and why I got mine. P.S. I was standing in the shop at my DZ talking with Don the day I got mine. I was talking to him about my story, what I had been doing for the previous 6 years, and he was meeting my kids and wife for the first time. Asked him to buy one and he just tossed it to me and said it was on him. Not a minute later a guy walked through after doing his 1st tandem and asked for the very same thing because one of his friends told him to buy it. $3 later he was psyched even though he probably didn't even know what it was he just bought. Cheers! Sincerely, Daniel (not as fat as he thinks he is) Adams http://www.skyjump.com http://www.vimeo.com/dandaninc http://www.youtube.com/dandaninc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ReluctantStool 0 #25 October 31, 2012 Great Story, glad to see you are coming back stronger than ever and determined to make your dream a reality. That is fantastic bro. ZEUS Skydive Team....FSL Rookie Class Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
