Brian425

I bought my container and reserve. I have my Cypress. I just need an altimeter and helmet and I am all set. Some one at my DZ is going to lend me a main canopy to use until I save up a few more $$$. (I would post his name; but, he is on dz.com - Thanks!!!) So all I need is a few more $$$ and I'm all set. Thanks to everyone who gave me advise and encouragement. I bought a Javelin J1 by the way.

On Otter with seats? Never seen one. If I only had a few extra $$$ The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Where's the beer?

Thanks Bsoder The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I know that this is from a motorcyclist's perspective; however, it will help protect skydivers also. Right now some health insurance companies will not cover your skydiving or motorcycling injuries. This bill will take away the loophole to provide coverage to everyone participating in a recognized recreational activities. This is us. The article and link are from the American Motorcyclist Association. I know it's not the USPA; but, there is a link to contact you congressman with a form letter. Here is the link LINK Here is the text. It only takes a minute and it will make a difference if enough people send the e-mails. ACTION ALERT - WRITE NOW! SENATE AND HOUSE INTRODUCE HEALTH INSURANCE BILL! TELL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO FIX THE HEALTH INSURANCE LOOPHOLE! U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced S. 423, "The Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act." U.S. Representative Scott McInnis (R-CO-3) introduced the House companion bill, H.R. 1749. The legislation aims at promoting health care parity for individuals participating in legal transportation and recreational activities-activities like motorcycling, snowmobiling, horseback riding, running or walking. This legislation addresses a loophole caused by a Department of Health and Human Services' rule making it possible for health care coverage to be denied to those who are injured while participating in these activities. Collins was joined by Senator Feingold (D-WI) in introducing the Senate legislation. McInnis was joined by U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland (D-OH-6) in addition to 49 original co-sponsors to the House bill. "From riding Harley Davidson motorcycles to visiting the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, these activities are part of Wisconsin's heritage and economy," Feingold said. "It simply doesn't make sense to exclude those participating in these activities from health care benefits." As background, self-insured employers and unions have been known to deny health benefits to their motorcyclist employees and union members. These unfair measures had been adopted on the questionable advice of third party administrators in an effort to keep the cost of insurance premiums low. On August 21, 1996 an important opportunity arose when President Clinton signed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), prohibiting employers from denying health care coverage based on a worker’s pre-existing medical conditions or participation in legal activities. Strickland called it "sad" that Congress had to step in on the issue. "When Congress passed (the original law) we intended to make sure someone who is motorcycling, snowmobiling, running, or walking couldn't be denied health-care coverage," Strickland said. "I'm pleased to be the original co-sponsor of a bill that would ensure these individuals receive the medical coverage they need in the event they are injured while doing one of these legal activities." In 2001, the Health Care Finance Administration released the final rules that would govern the law. The rules recognize that employers cannot refuse health care coverage to an employee on the basis of their participation in a recognized recreational activity. However, the benefits can be denied for injuries sustained in connection with those recreational activities. Essentially, the regulation grants protective status to motorcyclists without any substantive benefits. "Because of this loophole, someone who participates in motorcycling, snowmobiling, running or walking could be denied health care coverage, while someone who is injured while drinking and driving a car would be protected," Senator Feingold said. "It is time that Congress corrected this so that those who are abiding by the law are not denied coverage." The AMA is urging all motorcyclists—and those involved in any other type of recreational activity— to notify their Members of Congress and tell them to support S.423 and H.R. 1749, The Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Times Square is pretty much in the center of Manhattan. PM me and if I can work my schedule, we can go for a beer. Sunday I'll be going to the Ranch to jump. If you want to come, we'll find a way to squeeze you in for the ride up. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Where will you be staying in NYC? I live in Brooklyn and work in Manhattan. If I can work out my schedule, first round is on me. B The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Monday 11/17/03 4:30PM. Send out some Vibes for me. I will be interveiwing at Bricolage Capital, a hedge fund in NYC. I'm excited. I think I'll get it. I just have to seel them on my ability to learn the tax portion of the job. Hopefully no more consulting for me!!! The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Some prayers and vibes for your dad and your whole family. I wish you all the best. Keep strong. B The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I'm going to work on them; but, I will not worry about them. When they come, they come. Until then I'll just relax and enjoy the ride. Bubbles, Go to the Ranch on Saturday. I have things to do so it should be sunny and warm. Have the carbide and rain gear ready for Sunday, I'll be up early.

I will defintely stick with it. I've been working in the mock up to build up muscle memory. Hopefully it will work. I have hit two exits that were very good so I know the feeling. I just want to be able to repeat it at will. I actually enjoy going out unstable. On my solo, I was told to dive out and grab my legs. It was the most fun. Thanks for advice and support. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Quade, Sorry if I sounded a little defensive. I did not mean that. I just wanted to say that my instructors feel I am safe and can move forward. It's just that I have watched a few other people exit and they are the picture of a perfect exit. My goal is to get as close to that as possible. Especially since I am paying for people to help me work out these things. I will definitely use the "wheel burble" I might get a kick in the ass from my coach but I think it will make them laugh. Thanks for the advice and a new excuse for why my exits aren't perfect. Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Quade, My instructors have passed me on every level. My exits are acceptable by student standards. I just feel that it's the one thing where I need the most improvement. I did two hop and pops Sunday. I find that I focus on my exit MUCH more on the hop and pops. My coach said she wouldn't let me do H/Ps if she did not think I could do them safely. My goal is to use these coach jumps and pre A jumps to work on this. Relaxation is a big part of it. Eventhough I feel confident that I can complete my dives safely, I still get a little nervous going to the door. I guess it's just a matter of more jumps to get comfortable. So I think my plan is right. Work in the mock up to try to get good form; then jump as much as possible to work on it. Thanks, Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I'm jumping from a twin otter. I always get stable quickly; but, I want to work had on this part as I feel it's important. I have already passed my AFF requirements; so this is just a personal goal. I always see the plane, the problem is it's usually a case of see green, see plane, see ground, get stable. Oh well, I'll keep working on it. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I have just finished AFF and I am working on my coach jumps right now. I will not give you any specific skydiving tips as I am not qualified. I will give you some tips on AFF and some of the things I learned while going through it. Get a GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP!!! I cannot stress this enough. Also bring some food with you. I was very busy the first few jumps and I did not eat lunch. All this adrenaline burns up lots of fuel. During your First Jump Class, pay attention. It's easy to lose focus and want to jump ahead. We are learning the basics of what we will use in every skydive. When things go bad in any sport, you always go back the basics. It's instinct. Spend the time to learn them well now. It will serve you well in the future. Work on your arch with your instructor. While it seems very easy, it's new to us. A stable arch will serve you well in every jump through the AFF program. Study your dives before you get to the dropzone. It's just one less thing to worry about on the days of your jump. Then when you get time with your instructor, you can spend time learning how to do the moves required in the dive. Work on some things to help relax you. Slow deep breaths help me. Smile. It may seem fake; but, it helps. Every student is nervous. The key is how you deal with it. Learn to do your own gear checks and turn on your cypress. It helped me to know that I actually inspected my gear before going anywhere. After you check it, get your instructor to check your gear. (this check is the one that will save your life ) In the plane, talk with your instructor. Go over the dive, ask about their experiences, make some small talk. It makes the ride to altitude go quicker and keep the nerves at bay a little. I also try to do the dive in reverse on the way up. Note your pull altitude on the way up. Note the no more maneuvers altitude. It reinforces what you have gone over on the ground and helps keep your mind focused on what you do. Try not to be afraid in the door. Your instructor will keep you safe and you have the training to keep yourself safe. They would not take you up if they did not think that they could take you out safely. Once out, relax and arch. Follow your instructors instructions. You will be surprised how much help you instructor can give you with just hand signals. Make sure you are altitude aware and pull. The only advice I will give you is the most basic skydiving rule. Pull, Pull at the correct altitude, and Pull stable. If you cannot do any two of these, just make sure you pull. As hard as it is, relax and try to enjoy it. Pay close attention to your debrief after you jump. This is where your instructor will give you the most instruction. After your debrief, start to work on the things that your instructor spoke to you about. Many things come down to repetition and muscle memory. Good luck, have fun and buy beer for all of your firsts. Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Well, I am off AFF status and I am doing my coach jumps. I still need to work on my exits. For some reason, I put my head down on about half of my exits. For some reason I cannot break this habit. I have been working on my exits in the mock up. I still cannot seem to get it right consistently in the plane. I know that the ground is there and I will not miss it. Does anyone have any advice? I will be working with my coaches this weekend. I just want to try to work some of it out before going up to jump. Thanks, Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Do you have sharks with lasers or just lasers? Just lasers sucks. Sharks with lasers are cool. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Of course we put it in the fire. I just thought that was a given. See, I should have paid attention in chemistry class. Look around for shops that have supplies for cavers. They will have carbide. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I have a plan to owrk on the exits. So hopefully I can get this cleared up fairly quickly. I almost forgot to mention how much fun they are. It's kind of strange when you open the door. Everything looks so close to you. It also seems that the plane is going faster. The pilot did not really throttle back like they do at 13,500. Still it's lots of fun and I think it's a good way to work on my exits. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I met John, Bubbles and Mike this weekend. I had a great time. I was up at the Ranch bringing the wind (no rain this time) on Saturday. We were told early that there would be no student jumps. Feeling a little bummed out, we watched the tandems fly. We had a few laughs. Then we went over where the cool people (who have there A or above) hang out. The bonfire was going early and we started to have a few beers at around noon. I had a blast. Skydivers grounded by wind seem to have a lot of energy to let out and it must come out somehow. The beer flowed, the people were good and it was worth the trip up. Bubbles taught us some cavers chemistry with carbide and water. She was a blast to hang out with and seems to have an affinity for fire. John was next to me on my hop and pop. He gave me a few words of advice and made me feel relaxed in the plane. Thanks John. I met Mike for a couple of minutes today by the bonfire and he was very nice. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for making me feel welcome! I'll be back next week to work on my exits and try to finish up my last two coach jumps. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

It went ok. I am still trying to sort out my exits and I thought this would be a good way to do it. I can get stable very quickly. It's just that initial barrel roll or front loop I want to get rid of. I need to work on presentation and trusting that the ground will be there. Even when I hit a good arch, for some reason I feel compelled to look down. I guess it's a natural feeling to look where you think your body is going. I did a second hop and pop a little later and this one was WORSE. I felt ok intially on the exit then for some reason, I started running. I must have looked like wiley coyote in the road runner cartoon. My feet going full speed and no ground below. I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN. I will present, arch and watch the plane fly away. Who cares where the ground is. I did pass it as far as the requirements; but, I spoke with Mike and Linda and they both said that they will make some extra time to work on exits with me. Most importantly I pulled, pulled on time and I pulled stable. I bought beer, and I laughed about my own silliness. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I am taking my skinny butt up to the ranch to do my hop and pop and hopefully a few jumps. It' supposed to be cold and windy. I wish I lived in Florida. No matter what I'll be back again. I must get my A. This is so frustrating. At least I can do some fun jumps

Two of my favorites are from one instructor who will remain nameless. My AFF level 4 jump. He promised to give me some advice to calm me down before goin out. The advice: Don't Fuck up. Same teacher has a shirt that says "A dead student is not a repeat customer" Not heard, but seen. Level 8 jump with Gabor. Had a great jump all manuevers complete. Gabor picks his nose and flicks it at me in freefall. It made me laugh. I got a little unstable and laughed all the way down. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Mike, as long as I can make it on that weekend and swing the $$$ I'll be there. I have to find you this weekend and say hello. B The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Just relax and talk with him when you have the chance. If it's right it will happen; if not, you are probably better off. Here are {{{{VIBES}}} to get you going.