mujie96

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Gear

  • Main Canopy Size
    120
  • Reserve Canopy Size
    113

Jump Profile

  • Home DZ
    Drop Zone Hawaii
  • License
    C
  • License Number
    33196
  • Licensing Organization
    USPA
  • Number of Jumps
    700
  • Years in Sport
    10
  • First Choice Discipline
    Freeflying
  • Second Choice Discipline
    Freeflying

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  1. Yes. While I will totally admit that money is a huge factor there are a lot of other issues. Here are some of mine, in no particular order. 1. I had a difficult time accepting the fact that I just didn't (and will never have) enough money to be good. I know its possible to just chill and have fun, but my own competitive nature wanted a damn medal, and it was just never going to happen. There are definitely exceptions to this rule (and they are a huge inspiration) but for the most part money plays a huge role in how far you go in the sport. 2. I noticed how quickly my "friends" disappeared when I stopped jumping. Not all of them, of course, and when I cross paths with my former mates they are always super friendly but I really was sad at how quickly my social schedule cleared out while I made new friends (especially since I fall into the category of social retard). Other recovering skydivers have shared similar experiences with me. 3. I got tired of watching people die under perfectly good canopies. Guess what? I still had to attend multiple memorials this summer for this #$%^. I know the whole "he/she-died-doing-what-he/she-loved" argument seems romantic but (and I apologize in advance for being offensive) I think its poop. Maybe I should just say that I don't relate well to people who think showing off under a small canopy or getting an adrenaline rush is more important than friends, family, and (especially) kids. I've seen the faces of the kids left behind. I don't want to do that anymore. 4. The best dropzones are all seasonal. Got tired of moving (1st world problems ). 5. The carbon footprint. Its insane. This might actually be #1. Who am I to put my own desire to have fun above the needs of everyone and everything else on earth? I'm a science major and I'm a huge fan of nature; I really think our planet is an amazing gift and I would like to contribute less to screwing it up. Airplanes, unfortunately, have a HUGE carbon footprint. Quick, someone invent me something solar powered so I can come back 6. DZ owners are nuts. Really, really nuts. I understand this-dealing with skydivers could make a Buddhist monk yell "Shut the $%^& up"-but dealing with a DZO reminds me a little too much of my childhood. A combination of waiting to get smacked or yelled at and wondering who is going to screw with your room when you're away. I absolutely do not miss the sound of a certain lunatic DZO banging on the door of my rented room at 5 am to yell at me because someone left a toaster on. Hells no. 7. Working in the sport. I'm weird because I actually ADORE packing. It appeals to my inner Rain Man. You have to pay attention to detail, you have to get things done FAST, and its repetitive. I freaking love it. I do not, however, love the drama of the packing mat. Strippers are less dramatic than a packer who has been "wronged." The politics of working in the sport are truly astounding and exhausting. That said, I will admit that I miss it. Anyone want a pack job? 8. The anxiety. It felt like the more I jumped the more I knew I didn't know shite. I'm a worrier anyway, so this particular aspect of my personality did not mesh well with the sport. That's probably most of them. I think I miss more things than I don't miss. Where's that thread? Y'all should start a forum thread for recovering skydivers. We can network and go places and not jump. I'm throwing a boogie with no planes-I bet the weather will be AMAZING. Wait, I remember another thing: 9. WAITING FOR CLOUDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peace and love, yo. Be safe and have fun. Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  2. DZ.com is THE place those of us that work in the skydiving industry look when we want to find work. Lately, there are a lot of ads from various skydiving professionals advertising their services. I think it would be a great idea to have a separate category for this; it offers us a way to post credentials, a way for DZs to locate potential employees, and it cleans up the help wanted section. Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  3. Words cannot express how much Tim and loved and will miss you. Rest in peace, you will always be in our hearts. Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  4. Is there a site anywhere with DZ reviews from employee perspectives? Something to look at when looking for a new place to work as a tandem master, AFF instructor, packer, rigger, video person....etc? Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  5. The experience of the staff at Pacific is incredible. I moved out here two years ago with my (I thought) hot shot partner and with 7000 tandems, he was at the lower experience level of the staff. I am employed by the DZ so I am probably a bit biased but I would highly reccomed this DZ for visitors interested in making a tandem or experienced jumpers interested in seeing perhaps the most beautiful jump run on the planet from 13000+ feet. Our new plane is a PAC750 and it is in spectacular condition (which might be a little odd for those of us used to 50+ year old aircraft, but nonetheless is is a wonderful plane). There is now food available on the DZ, and it is far better than the bar food at several mainland DZ locations, although a little slower as we are on Hawaii time here. The chef actually loves to cook and it shows. During the week, if we are slow, we tend to be shut down by noon, up-jumperwise. If you wish to make a tandem, a portion of the staff is always on call until 2:30 or 3 pm. On weekends we go until we run out of both tandems and up jumpers. Management is a little stingy about the number of sport jumpers required to keep the plane going at times, but with 8 or so of you and some sweet talking we can go until sunset (awesome for me cause I'd much rather pack than cocktail waitress....skydivers are so much fun to be around...). The staff here is generally a happy bunch, although (and I hate to be the one who announces it to the general public) they are paid way less than their mainland peers. If you are considering a job here, get your salary in writing. If you'd like more info about that part of working in paradise, feel free to email or pm me. If you are doing a tandem, take note of the fact that tandems here are WAY cheaper than many mainland DZs that have a far less scenic view and less experienced staff. Monetarily speaking, a tandem here is a sweet deal you can't get anywhere else. Hawaii truly is paradise. If you are an active jumper and find yourself out here please come check us out. For tandem students, I made my first jump at Pacific in 2002 and I would absolutely recommend making one with us. I believe that Pacific offers a unique and positive environment for your tandem skydive. However you do it, jump on Oahu!!!! And be sure to stop by and say hi to Jess. Aloha! Blue skies!!
  6. I have a Rawa tha I used to put my PC109 in before it was stolen. If anyone knows offhand what other camera models might fit in the same box please share this information. Cheers!!! Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  7. I'm ordering a camera jacket-are swoop cords something necessary or just extra? I have a really wide range of fall rates, being low isn't a problem at my size and build, but I'm told the camera wings will give me a little more control in those oops-I'm-going-to-land-on-the-4-way situations. I'm also poor and a chicken, so spending extra money on something I don't really need or that could add even more potential for malfunctions is really not in my best interests. Will I regret passing on the swoop cords? Jess Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  8. I might go. Thinking about it.... Who really needs to eat when there's $21 jumps and entry fees to be bought..... Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  9. They started yelling on the PA at 5am this morning. It's only 1:50 here so I don't think they're done yet but I'm hiding at school where its quiet so I don't know. Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  10. Could someone PM me some local information on the area near the DZ? Specifically, the name of whatever the local newspaper is so I can do some job hunting and information on schools, places to live for the summer....temporary-I-can't-take-the-summer-in-AZ-and-am-thinking-about-coming-to-NJ-type-info? Thanks! Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  11. Eloy is wet. Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  12. Thanks all for the vibes. 1. How do you sell a deaf guy a duck? 2. Michele, I'm down to one kitty. Yabu met his demise (I think) at the hands of the coyotes. Rambo's been watching me 24/7/though. 3. Thanks everyone for the vibes. I'm going back to sleep now. 4. I've been on that canopy for just under a month. I jumped it the three days prior, and the morning of my fight with the tumbleweed. I got my foot stuck in a tumbleweed about a foot vertical of and 5-10 feet horizontally away from the end of my canopy flight. My foot stayed where it was and the rest of me kept going and...snap. So.. 5. Special thanks to the Germans who splinted me, Monkeylip for driving me to the hopsital, and everyone on the DZ who has relayed well wishes via email or lipmonkey. You guys rock and everyone needs to come here because its really the best DZ on the planet. Hugs Jess Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  13. I do not have HIV, chlamydia, syphillis, or gonorrhea. Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  14. mujie96

    premier members

    Didn't you read the fine print at the bottom? It clearly states that if you sign up you will be irresistable to the opposite sex, people will want to be around you and good things will come to you. and then theres the smaller print that reads ..cause if you don't we will hunt you down like a dog in the night How YOU doin? Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....
  15. Who the hell wears a bra? Just keep swimming...just keep swimming....