Gato 0 #1 September 29, 2008 Well, holy shit - it took me almost exactly 2 years to do it, but I finally earned my A license yesterday!! And yes, beer was immediately paid to the appropriate parties, as I was treated to a fraternity-style hazing from my instructors, a few up jumpers, and the honorable DZO! Guys with 3/4 of a beer in their bottle were screaming at me, "I'm fuckin' thirsty, John's lookin' thirsty, Tom's fuckin' thirsty - where's my fuckin' beer?!" Classic. Just.....classic. It is no small honor to me to have Tom Dolphin's signature on the back of my yellow A-card. I feel I got a first-class education from him and his staff. A very special thanks to Tom, Crash, Dorinda, Gary, Mark, Ron, Scott, Ashley, and especially Russ and John for making sure my ego didn't have a chance in hell. Oh, and I can't forget Cutaway - for introducing himself to my wife with class...... And thanks to you, my fellow 'commers, for your encouragement and support, as well as your uncanny abilities to amuse, frighten, educate, inspire, and offend. I salute you all. So many aspects of skydiving that scared me before are now some of my favorite things - funny how that works out, innit? I used to hate sitting by the door - now I love it. The thought of jumping my own packjob was scary until I actually did it (with a spring-loaded pilot chute!) Being the guy in JM position, opening the door, and spotting for the load has to be some of the coolest shit I've ever experienced - I LOVE being able to tell my instructor to, "Get the fuck out of my airplane!!!!!!" Now begins the REAL process of learning to become a great skydiver. I don't really know what I'm going to focus on first, but I know I want to really refine my belly skills and learn my canopy's full range of control before I venture off into some other disciplines. I'll be getting my rig this coming weekend (Talon, PD230, Raven III), and I can't wait to see where this goes in the future. It's almost time to venture out to other DZs and maybe a boogie or two later on. Thanks again, everybody - blue skies. Gato (aka "Chill") (Edited to add a name or two.)T.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #2 September 29, 2008 Congrats! It is pretty cool after reading all your posts along the way to see you reach that first milestone! Keep it fun and safe!"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nutz 0 #3 September 29, 2008 Does every dropzone have a "Crash"? Congratulations! "Don't! Get! Eliminated!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danielcroft 2 #4 September 29, 2008 Congratulations Gato! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
taylor.freefall 0 #5 September 29, 2008 Well done Gato - now you can go to the "when do you think you're a proper skydiver" thread and say - when you have your A But seriously, congrats dude Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #6 September 30, 2008 CONGRAT Mr Cat 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
WatchYourStep 0 #7 September 30, 2008 Congrats Chris, now when we can we jump together? "You start off your skydiving career with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience up before your bag of luck runs out." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnDeere 0 #8 September 30, 2008 Quote Congrats Chris, now when we can we jump together? Who would want to jump with you??? When you coming back down?Nothing opens like a Deere! You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
npgraphicdesign 2 #9 September 30, 2008 Congrats Gato!!! I'm hoping to post something similar in about 2 months. It's great that you stuck with it for two years and didn't get bummed out about not getting it within a month or so. I'm already itching to get it and mad at myself that I didn't jump all summer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gato 0 #10 September 30, 2008 QuoteCongrats Chris, now when we can we jump together? Two weeks, maybe three - or, if you come out to MRVS, next weekend! Thanks, J!T.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gato 0 #11 September 30, 2008 Quote It's great that you stuck with it for two years and didn't get bummed out about not getting it within a month or so. I'm already itching to get it and mad at myself that I didn't jump all summer. Stick with it, and don't give up! I couldn't jump at all last summer because of a shoulder injury and work. The cool thing (one of many) is that when I came back to it a few months ago, the anxiety of the plane ride wasn't really there anymore, and I just felt more confident. I'm still not sure why. Unless maybe it's the Wellbutrin. Don't be too hard on yourself, but hold yourself to that higher standard that will keep you determined - you'll have yours in no time!T.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LloydDobbler 2 #12 September 30, 2008 I'll add my voice to the chorus of 'Congrats!' Seriously, it's been really cool reading your posts, and watching your progression from a distance. Seems like you've had the right attitude from the start. (And given the delays, I imagine it was that much more sweet when you finally got that last signature). Congrats. You've earned it. Can't wait to hear what's next.Signatures are the new black. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gato 0 #13 September 30, 2008 Thanks, Lloyd! I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to get some more RW coaching soon so I won't be such a danger to others - I REALLY don't want to be the guy who kicks people in the face in freefall, you know? I can't wait to get a few more jumps under my belt, then get out of here and meet/jump with some of you all! Take it easy - GatoT.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danielcroft 2 #14 September 30, 2008 Quote I REALLY don't want to be the guy who kicks people in the face in freefall, you know? Isn't that the idea? I'm bummed that I keep missing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutejump 0 #15 September 30, 2008 QuoteWell, holy shit - it took me almost exactly 2 years to do it, but I finally earned my A license yesterday!! This person is living proff that the staff at MRVS are fucking miracle workers!!! We have seen better results when training pet monkeys! Quote And yes, beer was immediately paid to the appropriate parties, as I was treated to a fraternity-style hazing from my instructors, a few up jumpers, and the honorable DZO! Guys with 3/4 of a beer in their bottle were screaming at me, "I'm fuckin' thirsty, John's lookin' thirsty, Tom's fuckin' thirsty - where's my fuckin' beer?!" Do you call Buckhorn and Weidmans BEER!!!! Thats why we were always calling out for another! it takes 3 times as many to get a buzz on!! and you have to interrupt the drinking all of the time to relieve yourself!! I should have checked an made sure that Gato had passed the required brand of beer Quiz!! before i signed him off!!! QuoteClassic. Just.....classic. We havn't got to the classic part yet!!! Quote It is no small honor to me to have Tom Dolphin's signature on the back of my yellow A-card. I feel I got a first-class education from him and his staff. A very special thanks to Tom, Crash, Dorinda, Gary, Mark, Ron, Scott, Ashley, and especially Russ and John for making sure my ego didn't have a chance in hell. Oh, and I can't forget Cutaway - for introducing himself to my wife with class...... Hummm many people are honored to have my signature on paper! But those fuckers want it on a check!!! Listen it wasn't Cutaways fault! people are usually naked in the shower!! Quote And thanks to you, my fellow 'commers, for your encouragement and support, as well as your uncanny abilities to amuse, frighten, educate, inspire, and offend. I salute you all. Appearently you were more sucessful at fooling the people on DZ.com than the staff at MRVS!! WE got your number straight out of the gate!!! GATO!!! Quote So many aspects of skydiving that scared me before are now some of my favorite things - funny how that works out, innit? I used to hate sitting by the door - now I love it. The thought of jumping my own packjob was scary until I actually did it (with a spring-loaded pilot chute!) Being the guy in JM position, opening the door, and spotting for the load has to be some of the coolest shit I've ever experienced - I LOVE being able to tell my instructor to, "Get the fuck out of my airplane!!!!!!" SURE! its not as scary if you jump all of the time with your fucking eyes closed!!! If you hadn't set in the door like we told you we would have kicked your ass out!! You cost me money!! I lost $20.00 on the bet that I made on your pack job not opening, I have never seen such a wad of snot in my life!! JM position? we let you set there so the pilot would have a better view, so he could tell you when to get out!! Its a good thing that when you told your instructor to "Get the fuck out of your airplane" that you said it under your breath and the plane was on the ground being fueled!! Quote Now begins the REAL process of learning to become a great skydiver. I don't really know what I'm going to focus on first, but I know I want to really refine my belly skills and learn my canopy's full range of control before I venture off into some other disciplines. Good place to start is finding someone whom you don't have to pay to jump with you! You call it belly flying we call it stability! You should try it! Doesn't the continous visual Blue! Green! Blue! Green! make you nauses? Now do we "Really" want me to tell the canopy control story???? Quote I'll be getting my rig this coming weekend (Talon, PD230, Raven III), and I can't wait to see where this goes in the future. It's almost time to venture out to other DZs and maybe a boogie or two later on. Yes! "I WILL HAVE!"' a (Talon, PD230, Raven III), this coming weekend! We discussed this before you left the DZ!! No Pay! No Play!, and NO! you bringing your knee pads will not be excepted as a form of payment! I said that if you can get the bank prez to give you a deposit slip for the service! I may consider it! Quote Thanks again, everybody - blue skies. Gato (aka "Chill") Now that I feel vindicated for all of the torture that you have put me and my staff through! and all Bull shit aside I must say! "CONGRATULATIONS" it was a pleasure and an honor on our part to be able to assist you in your quest for new found skills and knowledge! My you enjoy the sport and find it as rewarding as we do! "BLUE SKIES! BLACK DEATH!" ain't it great to feel loved! . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daremrc 0 #16 October 1, 2008 Congrats, Cat... Glad to see you overcame the physical and psychological barriers to complete the first step inthe journey. I hope I can run into you sometime at a boogie or something...Good judgement comes from experience, and most of that comes from bad judgement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gato 0 #17 October 1, 2008 (Gato goes down in flames.....) "Mayday - mayday....."T.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutejump 0 #18 October 1, 2008 Quote (Gato goes down in flames.....) "Mayday - mayday....."*** Now be careful!! BE VERY CAREFUL!!!! That mayday shit can get you into trouble!!!! ask Steve O!. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gato 0 #19 October 1, 2008 Sorry - I was flashing back to sunday for a moment! T.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plummeteer 0 #20 October 2, 2008 Congrats again Gato, sorry I had to leave so early the other night. Thanks for the beer, unlike ChuteJump I've got something good to say about it. "It was cold". Next weekend we'll start doing 2 way drill dives, I've got one planned out, I sure we can hammer out 35 points or so on it (no video allowed). By the way, did you know it took me 2 yrs. 3 mos. to get my "A"? I believe it was in about the same number of jumps though. See ya soon! Edo Concumbui Aethrae Cernuare Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutejump 0 #21 October 2, 2008 Quote Congrats again Gato, sorry I had to leave so early the other night. Thanks for the beer, unlike ChuteJump I've got something good to say about it. "It was cold". Next weekend we'll start doing 2 way drill dives, I've got one planned out, I sure we can hammer out 35 points or so on it (no video allowed). By the way, did you know it took me 2 yrs. 3 mos. to get my "A"? I believe it was in about the same number of jumps though. See ya soon I see how this is goint ot work! You ard Gato are going to gang up on the old guy on the thread, Hummmm? you got me wondering now? hummm how long did it take that gimpy Crash to get his ticket? Your beer was cold??? I should have known something was wrong when Gato reached behind himself to get my Beer! Must have been totem them in his shorts, in his butt crack!!! I wondered why they were at body temp!!! . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plummeteer 0 #22 October 2, 2008 You're old? I'd ask how old, but maybe it's been asked before.... I guess I ought to do a search to see if it's ever been discussed before. I was wondering what that was he was toting around in his ass crack, the lump in his shorts looked big enough to be a six pack. How many warm beers did you drink? Edo Concumbui Aethrae Cernuare Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gato 0 #23 October 3, 2008 Oh, Plummy - You just don't know..... I humbly direct you to the following thread: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3301026;search_string=Tom%20Dolphin;#3301026 T.I.N.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefalling01 0 #24 October 6, 2008 Okay fine, that does it, I'll crawl out of the dark, dank, reaches of the internet to respond to a direct barb from the old river rat himself. For all who care, it took me about 2 years to earn my ticket and even longer to get my A license . No sure which scares Tom the most these days. But I digress... Time wasn't the issue with me getting my card completed, it was the sheer dollar amount it took. Between the repeated jumps and the eventual buying off of the staff after it became apparent I wouldn't give up and go away, it got expensive. But it was worth it. The abuse I get now is much better then when I was a student.... So keep that in mind Gato. Oh and congratulations. PS... is your rig done yet? Oh, I'm gonna pay for that one.... crash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutejump 0 #25 October 6, 2008 Quote Okay fine, that does it, I'll crawl out of the dark, dank, reaches of the internet to respond to a direct barb from the old river rat himself. Excuse Me! That's "Mr. Fucking River Rat!" Quote For all who care, it took me about 2 years to earn my ticket and even longer to get my A license . No sure which scares Tom the most these days. But I digress... Time wasn't the issue with me getting my card completed, it was the sheer dollar amount it took. Between the repeated jumps and the eventual buying off of the staff after it became apparent I wouldn't give up and go away, it got expensive. Hummmm? It seems these days I write more checks with your name on them, than you write to me???? Ha Ha Ha!!! O-Well what goes around "always" comes around! Quote But it was worth it. The abuse I get now is much better then when I was a student.... So keep that in mind Gato. Better Abuse? Does that imply that we are getting lax or that the abuse is more painful? Quote Oh and congratulations. PS... is your rig done yet? Oh, I'm gonna pay for that one.... crash Is his fucking rig done yet???? I was feeling sorry! Now you done went and stepped in the shit again!!!!. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
