littlestranger

Thanks, I needed to hear that. I've been trying to be a good girl by doing everything the JM's tell me feeling I have to fight the urge to do things my way, which always seems to get me in trouble. I do need to take responsibility for my own reactions instead of relying on the JM though. Maybe the best thing for me would be for that radio to go out...give my survival instincts a chance to kick in.

Big Blue VIBES from Texas! Heal fast!

Yesterday I did my level 5 jump, it was very educational. Exited fine, good arch, stable, did a few 360 degree turns, then figured out the 90...LOL, pulled at 5,500. Had a hard opening. I think the leg straps were a little loose though they seemed fine on the ground, got jerked pretty good, and had a single line twist under the slider that I worked out, (that was actually the best part of the jump, I knew just what to do!) Anyway, when I came into land I heard the JM say flair, flair, flair...I'm just not sure why I didn't. Landed HARD. Both ankles together, didn't PLF. hurt like a mother but I walked away. JM, awesome fellow that he is passed me to level 6 despite my landing. Not that it matters anymore, went to the doc today, broke my right ankle. 3-4 weeks in a boot, OUCH! I feel like such a dumbass! I thought I was flairing...obviously not. Hopefully I'm a fast healer and get back up in the air before I have to repeat Level 5. Really appreciate some feedback from fellow boneheads...

Thanks for sharing your experience. My first AFF jump is Saturday, and I'm nervous as hell, and hope I've got the courage to not jump if it doesn't feel right.

We feel your BLISS! Welcome to the family! Blue Skies!

Hey, I kind of like pditto! Congrats, on the A. I'm jealous, I start AFF Saturday. Blue Skies and Soft Landings

Or you could do what I'm doing, take a few classes every couple of years! Been working on the degree for 22 years now, only eight classes to go! It's kind of like a mortgage, spreading the cost over a period of time. Since I've taken up skydiving, I'm thinking this is going to be one of those 30 year mortgages. Today, I'm wasting a vacation day because I have 4 papers due and a final on Wednesday, been spending too many weekends at the DZ! It's so worth it though...better get back to the books or I'll be taking tomorrow off too! Blue Skies!

That's fantastic!! Think she'll do it again? I've gotten my husband to commit to a tandem on September 6th. Skydiving has become so important to me since my first jump, that I want him share the rush (I even offered to pay for it). My daughter is already hooked, I caught her making an appointment to jump with my tandem instructor, 11 years from now!

You'll get it!*** You know I think your right... I feel pretty good about it. See you in September!

You should come to the AOT boogie Sept 19-21, CASA, killer parties, great people and the TAMU Jazz band should be playing (with yours truely on lead trumpet*** If I can get through my Level 7 jump (this is assuming I pass every level on the first try) by the 19th, I'll come down there to celebrate. Wish me luck!

AggieDave! You have to come visit me at my DZ, Skydive San Marcos, it ROCKS! I should be taking up residence their pretty soon...

Hi you wonderful people at Dropzone.com! I am so excited to be here. I've responded to a couple of posts but have never made a point to introduce myself. I feel like I know so many of you already. I am a recent addict to jumping out of airplanes. With three tandems under my belt and AFF on the calender, I fantasize about my 1,000th jump, and a base jump into the Grand Canyon (can you do that?). I have so much to learn and I want to learn it now, if you can picture someone that could literally jump out of their skin, that's me now! I don't even have to be jumping, I think about jumping and I get that adrenaline rush. This is so hard to describe, but I'm not embarrassed to admit I am a walking, talking, spastic, enthusiastic, poster child for skydiving. Can you relate?

Im planning on going back in a couple weeks and i want to get certified. *** This is going to be the longest two weeks of your life! I've done 3 tandems (required at my DZ) and I am scheduled for AFF in two weeks as well. The anticipation is driving me nuts, it's worse than Christmas was when I was a kid. I suggest you invest in "Parachuting The Skydiver's Handbook" by Poynter and Turoff, it's a great read and being proactive about my training is helping. All I want to do is jump and I can't get the shit eating grin off my face. I'm just afraid I'm going to be out the door before the jumpmasters and will be doing level 1 twice! Blue Skies!!!

Just watched a great story on Fox News. Rita Cosby did a tandem jump with the Golden Knights. Very cool. Follow up story on the 82nd Airborne.

Hi, I jumped for the first time two weeks ago, and will do two more tandems on August 15. My instructor is at Summer Fest and I felt so comfortable with him I'm willing to wait for his return. It's killing me though! This will be the longest two weeks of my life! After that I start AFF. I totally know where your coming from. All I talk about at work is jumping and doing it again and again, and getting my license, ad nauseum. I show the pictures to anyone who shows the remotest interest, I'm talking total strangers here! I'm really glad these forums are available so at least I know I'm not the only one obsessed with this sport. It's funny, I ran into a guy at a party tonight that jumped a couple of times in college, and I was confused that he didn't seem to have a desire to do it again. So I did the hosts a favor and didn't whip out my video (oh yeah, I brought the damn thing). I guess it's like some people who take that first drink instantly become alcoholics, that first jump was all it took for me. I read alot of these posts where people, as you do, wonder why they didn't do it sooner. Speaking for myself, skydiving never really occurred to me, I just assumed I'd freeze and land with the plane. But when I did decide to do it, (that would be about a 3 weeks ago), it was the most natural thing in the world. For one of the few times in my life I had no fear, it just seemed right. Life as you knew it will never be the same, because now it is "normal". Oh, I'm 42. Blue Skies