Michele

Viking, on my first rehearsal exit (on the ground) on AFF, I did exactly what you're talking about - I slipped as I was getting into my crouch, and my right foot came all the away out of the "door" and onto the concrete. Which bothered me. So I asked my JM what happens if I do that again? His response? "Push off, get all the way out, arch hard, and we'll catch up". In other words, if it happens, turn it into something you are in charge of. As for tricks or techniques, I am still finding out what works for me. You will find out what works for you, but the only way to find that out is to get to-and then out-of the door. I've managed to do it even when my head was screaming otherwise, and each time I get into the sky, I remember how much I love being there, and how incredible it really is. Just my thoughts. ciel bleu - Michele

Thanks for the correction, Dave - and hahahahahaha for your pies!!!!!!!!!!!!! (It's late, and I'm tired....) (I looked for the icon with the "pie" on it, but there isn't one - also no beer icon....sigh) M

Me, doing level 5......Sunday, likely sometime late morning or early afternoon. Still unsure of exact time. ciel bleu - Michele

Not quite - I do know where the pull thingy is.....

Ed would be correct on that account....in the video, you can see sky between my pack and my back. And I wasn't pushing it, either. I wonder how fast I can go when I work at it? I timed the ff on the video, and I only got 44 seconds from 12.5 to 5. Female, shorter, and not a skinny floater. Ed is so funny on the vid - looks like Airborne Kung Fu crane style work to me. (For those of you who don't know Ed, he's about 6' 4", and like 180 lbs - can't be more than 190, soaking wet). ciel bleu - Michele

Good going, Dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yahoo......except I know what you look like, and I know where the pool is......and I'll be baaaaacccckkkkkk.....teehee..... ciel bleu - Michele p.s.: thanks again for your help - I still can't believe I didn't even know you were in the plane with me - I think I need to expand my "air awareness" (lol).....

Bloom, Julie, bloom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (couldn't resist!) ciel bleu, and no weeds in your blooms, Michele

Welcome home!!!!!!!!!!!! ciel bleu- Michele

I won't have my "a" license yet (I don't think) so I am willing to assist in the organization however I can. Just let me know how to help! Ciel bleu- Michele

Agreed. Totally and wholeheartedly. And I don't think anyone is saying that skydiving is "safe" - according to my father, I should stay home and watch t.v. for the rest of my life, then he'd be happy (but you should see him drive!) What he doesn't get (and what most people don't get) is that we take an acceptable risk; and it is acceptable only when we take the precautions we take. Like I said, I agree. ciel bleu- Michele

Congratulations, herv.....well done! And great story! (but since I am newer than you at this, I gather that a Falcon is something you get once you complete a 4 point 4 way, and it's not that you're handed a hunting bird to fly with....right?) Anyway, good job! Ciel bleu - Michele

Thanks for sharing that with me, Lisa. I still have incredible doubts and fears about jumping (and about me, if the truth be told), but they are lessening, and maybe someday I will only have the benefit of them and not the detriment. Since we're sharing stories, you know a little of mine. Almost exactly a year ago, after finding out hubby was gay (which explains the no-sex for the last two years of my marriage), and then landing in the hospital because he didn't want anyone else to know (first attempt at free fall by going over the banister and through the plate glass window is NOT recommended...lol), I divorced him. Two weeks after getting out of the hospital, I totalled my car, and wham! back into the hospital. Then my father came out of remission and had to go for chemo and radiation treatments again. It got so I wouldn't trust myself with any little decisions, let alone big ones. I wanted to highlight my hair, so it took me two weeks to decide to do it, and then another 3 hours to decide the color; demand that it was done so subltly no-one would know. And then got really pissed off that no-one noticed...... and got me to wondering how much of my life is run by fear, and by "safe" choices and no "risk" taking, which is what led me to jumping. I decided out of the blue that this would be a good way for me to learn to depend on myself, to trust myself, and to have confidence in myself and the choices I make about me and my life. And then I fell in love. With jumping, with the sky, and with the environment/skydiving society as a whole. And then I get the mal. Talk about finding out in a hurry about myself. And that experience has had interesting impacts in my life, in general. I don't know all the effects, but I find that I am more quietly confident, more relaxed, and more at ease with myself and the people around me. I am re-discovering myself at 12.5, and I like who I'm becoming. (Sounds kind of arrogant, sorry). And as to when this "drought" will end, it will end when it ends. I am in no hurry, and I can't say that I would be a good match for anyone until I know myself better; I know "he" will show up, and I am working on myself so I can meet him as a happy, healthy, whole woman, and give him the joy I know he will bring to me. Until then, I just keep smiling...see?

Hey, Mouth!!!!!!! Sorry it's monday, you seem to have had a super weekend - I'm jealous......but my time will get here, I know it will. Tell all, dearie, oh, the gossip!!! (Only thing I want to know is did you have a ton of fun?) As for me and my "scores", if friday counts, then: 0:1:0. The first number has been years(sigh!), I jumped on friday (level 4), and I did not increase my beer debt by one bottle (thank god - but I didn't drink any, either). Oh well. Perhaps I will have better numbers to report someday..... ciel bleu Michele

Mornig, all of you Thanks for the opinions. I think I will go ahead and get some tunnel time. I don't have a problem with my arch (in a recent photo you can see the sky between my back and the chute at about 7500 feet, and I averaged 166 feet per second according to the math and timing of the vid), so I will be going to have more experience in the freefall time. In my last video, I saw some "rocking" (chipping?) but I didn't feel it at all. I do have a little problem with my arm position in freefall (they're a tad stretched out). Though the last time up was the first time I had been without someone touching me, I still want to nip any problems in the proverbial bud. About the "hill": can someone explain that to me more thoroughly? Again, thanks for all of your suggestions and responses. ciel bleu - Michele

yes, we still have to do the written "A" test. Dunno about any of the other license requirements (B, C, or D). I try to see it this way: the more training I get, the better I get, and the more safe I'll be in the air. The more that is demanded of me in training, the more I will know I can perform on my own. The harder they are on me, the easier I will have it later. The more expensive it is now, the less expensive it will be later (something doesn't seem right with that last thought, though....) ciel bleu - Michele

Julie You have shown to yourself that you can handle the situation. I really understand how you feel - and all I can offer is attack the fear, and conquer it, however you can (I literally pretend I am not afraid - which mostly works for me); talk to your instructors, talk to them about how you feel. You are not the first person to have a mistake in training, and that is what they're there for - to teach you. Never be embarrassed for making a mistake, be proud that you had the presence of mind to deal with it successfully. ciel bleu- Michele

Hi. How about just calling your dz or the school where you are looking to go to and ask them? They probably have the answer. ciel bleu - Michele

Hi, Zennie: This is a point of confusion for me, as well. I asked about it Friday, and the answer was 3 jumps with a Skydive U/RW coach (for me about $80 each one) and then the balance with someone willing to jump with me who has at least an "A" license.....but I am still confused. And you have to do some solos, which seems to contradict the other requirements. To get your "A" at Perris, you must also have 20 jumps total, 5 landings within 25 meters of the target (but is that while on student status with the radio, or on your own after AFF?), packing classes, and some further ground instruction. Perris has an interesting rental to own type of deal, but you must buy new gear to participate in it. I will try to find out more particulars and specifics, and if I find anything out, I will post. ciel bleu Michele

I was wondering about wind tunnels on the West Coast. There is one in Vegas, and I e-mailed them for information a week ago, but have had no reply from them. I was just curious - I want to do some wind tunnel stuff when the wallet allows (and once graduated from AFF), but I don't know where to go. Any hints, suggestons? ciel bleu - Michele

ohhhh, and I can't get there.......but I will get a virtual pie ready for you! Congratulations - ciel bleu - Michele

Good for you for handling that!!!!!!!! my heart did a little dance as I read this, picturing it..... Thank God you're o.k. ciel bleu - Michele

Zennie, you can rant all day long. I'll listen. You generally have insight to something I either haven't considered or have not yet thought through, and I appreciate hearing your opinions. Besides, your post is not ranting.

Congratulations!!!!!!!! I am pleased for you!

Yeah, *you* could keep up with Ed.....I just lost him somewhere out there.....and on level 8, you really had a good exit, chased Eric right out the door. You haven't got a clue how much your being there for me helped. And of course you went there to support me, but then, on a whim, just figured you'd finish off your AFF...lol...you're so cute (no, really). And before anyone asks, he bought beer for a bunch of the instructors and staff! Congratulations, Nelson, I am happy for you! Ciel bleu - Michele (Muskrat)

I am so glad for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! England is a really fun place to be, and I know you will enjoy yourself! Ciel bleu (although that may be rare for you in coming days) Michele