Quasimodem

Well, as of about 3 hours ago I am no longer a whuffo Adventure Skydiving Center and Johan my tandem master were just terrific. I looked pretty goofy (and said some goofy stuff) on my video (exept for the flying part), but I had the time of my life. Thanks for all your support in this and the video section. And to answer the unspoken question: Yeah, I'm hooked. Quasi *edited to fix spelling error*

After finishing my first Marathon, I was so overcome with emotion, that I collapsed in tears from happiness. Does this happen with the first tandem- dive as well? If so, I guess I'd better pack a few extra Tempos, huh? We Europeans! You never know what we're gonna do!

I saw them! Thanks very much for sending them my way! If you'll watch this post, I will "return" them to you after Saturday's jump! It's supposed to rain in our part of Georgia Saturday. I just hope it clears up so that I can make my tandem. Unfortunately, all my friends are in Germany (where I am from), so it will be a solitary celebration. But a celebration it will be!!!!! Thanks for your good wishes, everyone! Q

Please forgive a newbie for chiming in. (My first tandem isn't until Saturday) I was told to "paste" the smile on my face before exiting the plane. Is this realistic or am I gonna look like that painting of "The Scream? Quasi

Great! I just had to click on this one, didn't I? Q

Wow! Thanks for your words! I think I just found my post-jump song. My Dad liked Louis Armstrong a lot. I notice you have been in the sport a long time. I'd appreciate any tips on how to deal with those last minute jitters! My e-mail is in my profile. Thanks again for what you said. On this 60th anniversary of D-Day, that means a lot. Q

Right, it is, and thanks for your comments. The songs you mentioned are cool ones, do doubt, but I'm 54, my Dad was a paratrooper in WWII, and even though he's passed on, I think he would like to have seen my video and may have even sung along with "Blood On The Risers". I am actually choosing only three of my tunes. The others (if anyone cares) are ELP's Fanfare For The Common Man for the jump, Henrix's Purple Haze ("'Scuse me while I kiss the sky") for the chute portion, and I am letting my video guy choose the psot-jump music and whatever else he wants add. Got any suggestions for post-jump? Thanks Q

Hey! I'm using this tune for the pre-jump footage. It's an old West Point song called Blood On The Risers, and it can be found here: http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1981/38405/west_point/songs/bloodontherisers.htm A little gallows humor!

I stand corrected!

Dude, that's my DZ! Thanks for sayin' hey! Quasi

Guess I wasn't too clear. I meant as a song for the video. (Unless you meant the song "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, but that's about another subject entirely! ) Thanks for the welcome and the advice! Quasi

Am I excited? You bet! Am I scared? Not yet! Am I gonna freeze? Hell no! I went and scoped out my DZ/airport today and I couldn't have been made to feel more welcome! Watched a video of the very gentle exit with the tandem-master and another first-timer, and left with a big ol' grin on my face. Hey y'all! Please call me Quasi or Bill. (My real name is Wilhelm and I'm from Germany). I have lived in the deep South (Georgia) since 1960 and sound just like y'all do - no accent. I'm thinkin' I would like to do this as a hobby, and will make my decision after my first jump. (Shoot, I'm 90% of the way there already!) Anyway, do y'all have a FAQ for first-time "Kraut" Jumpers? I wanted to wear one of my GF's purple scarves on my arm, but didn't know if that would be allowed, and my group is closed right now. so I can't call 'em. Also I guess I can't hold a sign that says "Ich liebe Dich" ("I love you"), right? Anyway, this is gonna be a highlight of my life (I'm 54)! And I am so looking forward to it! Guess Y'all have heard all this gushing a thousand times before, ja? Anyway, I promise not to yell "Sieg Heil" on leaving the plane, nor will "The Ride of The Valkyries" be on my video. I have chosen "Fanfare for the Common Man" for free-fall, "Purple Haze" for chute-pop, and "Blood On the Risers" for landing. Anyone got any suggestions for pre-flight? Thanks, and I am very happy to be among the soaring crowd! Q