Duck

Sorry, just catching up on the threads. . . Dude, your DZ has a pool?! Anyone ever land in it? . . .well, it was the first question that came to mind. . . Quack

Gotta go with ObeseFeline's opinion. The detailed stories of the jumps helps me get back into the swing of things. So for all those out there that risk ridicule by posting their experiences, thanks. Keep it coming and I hope to keep learning. Quack

6 years between jumps 50 and 51, what a weird concept. . . It was nice. I guess I was expecting to be jumping up and down with glee after landing, but it wasn't like that. I was just very mellow, like a quiet kind of wow, where have I been all this time? Came out of it with some lessons learned, like I need to re-develop a sense of time in the air, 10K to 5.5K went much faster than I remembered, I definately took too much time on my initial manuevers and didn't complete my dive flow. In fact, my JM pulled my ripcord! I looked at alt, saw we were passing 5.5 (man, we didn't get all the flow done!) turned mainside to him just in time to catch his finger pointing at me, then reached for my ripcord. But for some reason (a lingering habit, bad in this case?) I thought, "Wait, I have to wave off" and went back to wave off. Then I reached back for my cord but before I got my hand on it, I was jerked by the deployment of my chute. Canopy time was great, I've always loved canopy time, very peaceful, but landing was a little rough as I flared low and skipped my ass to my feet. I've got video, it's pretty comedy. But I was a little upset because it's never a good thing to have a JM pull for you regardless of how everything else went. If a JM says pull, then fucking PULL, I just don't know what I was thinking about the wave off. But the debrief went well. We talked it over and he told me that he understood why my reflex was to wave off. I definitely understood his perspective as a JM, that when he points a finger, he expects only one result. They've got some courses for people that want to develop their RW skills, and we'll do stuff like that knock the rust off of my flying. No question that I need it, and I appreciate the help. Of course I was expecting to knock out the entire flow with a 1000 to spare. . . What a reality check, "Hey stupid you haven't jumped in six years." I should count myself lucky that I don't have to go through the AFF from scratch. Usually I get pissed off when I don't do as well I think I should have, as in manic-compulsive. But for this it was, "Y'know, that was still a great time. Think I'll do it again next weekend. Think? Yeah, right. I'm there already." Thanks for the encouragement. Good to have everyone in the corner. I had no idea how much I missed this. Quack

Oh, man, that's a hard question. . . They're all good! Just make sure you don't forget where to apply, you want to make sure you pass for a "real _____ (insert your color here)" ! Quack

SkyDekker, I've been spending a lot of time on the web reviewing stuff, and there's a ton of info out there. But I think the best two site are: http://www.uspa.org/ (download/print the SIM if you can) http://www.afn.org/skydive/sta/ (pretty much covers whatever you want to know) As for anything else, it doesn't get better than DZ.com for specific questions! Hope that helps some. Would have linked these for you, but I haven't cracked that code yet. Quack

LOL! CF, that's pretty comedy. I couldn't wait to transition to a throw out because I lost the ripcord on two of my AFFs. . . It was the running joke with my JMs, they were making money everytime I tossed the thing. What's so funny is, now that I'm going back up to get current (on a student rig of course), that I'm actually concerned I'll toss the ripcord. They cost $25 now! Quack

Pammi, I am no shit sorry to hear about that. Man, that sucks, don't you have any recourse or defense? Is it worth fighting for? I have friends involved with labor organizing, sometimes I give them shit, but things like this make me reconsider. What will you do, where to next? Are you OK? Quack?

HAHAA. . . Before I even start this thing, I know you guys will be like "What the fuck is up with this dude. . ." I DON'T CARE!! HAHAHAAHA I'm gonna jump my 51st jump this weekend and I am psyched! Why? Because I got so fucked up on my 50th and haven't jumped in x number of years! See, we got a little extra money from this guy named Bush, and my wife said, 'Ok, I guess you can do your jump thing' because with the family thing going now, we actually got to think budget about LVL IV and gear rentals. I didn't think I'd have the chance until next payday. I know some of you have said "no wife or kids for me, ever," and are looking at this post, "man, he needs to ask permission from his wife? Fucked up!" Well, yeah, that's the way it works. I even have to get a will done. She doesn't have a problem with me jumping, just wants things sqaured away when I go up. I mean, she saw me in hospital after my last jump, I can see where she's coming from. What's so ironic is that she has no problem with me jumping, but won't entertain the remotest possibility of my getting a bike! But I digress. . . I'm just happy that I'm actually going to get back up this weekend! A little nervous, too, but I can rope that back in, no worries. Yeah, I'm pretty sure. . . . I think. OK. Yeah, I'll admit it, a little encouragement would help too! I can't help it, I was about to burst! I had to tell someone! Quack! QuackquackqauquaquackackackQauck (ever see a duck on the water and everthing seems calm but you just KNOW those little feet are churning away underneath?)

Whoa, I guess I opened this thread expecting something else. This must be what it's like backstage at Lilith Fair! Hey! Watch it with that shoe! Quack

The most common one I've heard - million times it seems - is when people see one of my scars and ask what happened. Not wanting to get into details, I usually just say, "From skydiving." To which they invariably reply, "Oh. Did your parachute not open?" Y'know, and I'll probably get it for this, but I never heard the term 'whuffo' before I joined this shindig. "Cherry" or "Leg", yeah, but 'whuffo' was a new one on me even after about 9,10 DZs. I know that's not a lot, but you'd think I'd heard it. 'Course I was out for a few years. Is this a relatively new term? Quack PS excuse my ignorance, please

DSC, did you sing in the Crack Choir? How about posting those pics? Please? Quack

See, Sis, what did I tell you?! I KNEW IT!!! Perchance to paraphrase Kipling: "'E's a giddy type of hurumphrodite, a jumper and a drinker, too! Our boy's a mighty Morphin, all grown up and out of the jumplocker. . . *sniff* brings a tear to the eye. Quack

Alrighty, then. I guess that's cleared up, although the numerous references throughout this forum to AA's dick are more information than I actually needed. Don't know how all that digressed, but AA: Yes, it would alright if you were gay, there's no need to be defensive. Those petty biases have no business on a dropzone, right? So it's OK. The macho routine is not necessary. What did you do, anyway, give Sis the heisman during one night of drunken revelry when she wanted to check you out with a metal detector? Quack

Yes, apparently LOTS of confusion. After reviewing some other posts, I'm obviously missing something. So much gets lost through the electrons, it seems, even gender. Ok. . . *deep breath* would someone enlighten me?

How about "All by Myself" by Eric Carmen? . . . What? What'd I say? Hmm, this may make for an interesting thread. I know Viking's looking for a particular 'theme' song, and it would be cool to hear what everyone's preferred 'break away' song is. The song that gets me pumped the most for jumping is "Blinded by the Light" by the Manfred Mann earth band. It rocks, has funky lyrics and a smooth spirit solo near the end. Doesn't exactly have a theme, but. . . Other songs: Freefalling/Petty (of course); More Human than Human/White Zombie; TCB/BTO; Learning to Fly/Floyd; Fly Away/Kravitz; . . . Songs NOT to put on the video: Don't Worry Be Happy; Friends in Low Places; Rock Me Amadeus; Flight of the Valkrie; La Vida Loca; anything by 'NSync or Britney Spears Quack

Yeah, the gender thing never occurred to me. Well hell, I figure, just roll with it. These are open-minded folk. AA's cool enough not give me a hard time. Sorry, AA, I was lost deep in the right side of the brain. . . Maybe if you posted a pic showing off your more feminine attributes, I would have made the connection. After reading Sis's observation, I almost went back to edit it with a spat-between-lesbians spin, but the visual image overpowered me so I took a pass. I'll let all the .com'ers use their own collective imagination. Quack

AA, Deland is in FL, supposedly a major DZ, but I've never jumped there. It just popped first in my mind when I was trying to think of a radical DZ, but I suppose I could have put down any number of others. I can't claim credit for the writing, I took the 'inspiration' from an email that was forwarded around a few months back about 'Men are from Skylon 4, Women. . .' It was so funny I printed it out and pinned it to my work desk. When I saw the posts you and Michele had going, I thought to myself, 'hmm. . . this sounds familiar,' and started editing/changing some things around. As you can see, I keep myself busy at work. . . Right. Anyway, glad you took it in stride and hope that Michele does, too! At my first DZ (Gold Coast) Dukes went to Duke and somehow settled on Duck. I guess 'cause I landed like I had web feet! Quack

Remember the book "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus"? Well, here's a prime example offered by a moderator at Dropzone.com. "Since DZ.com is a terrific avenue for creative writing, we will experiment with a new form called the tandem story (perfect for skydivers!). The process is simple. Each person will pair off with a person at random. One of you will then write the first paragraph of a short story. The partner will read the first paragraph and then add another paragraph to the story. The first person will then add a third paragraph and so on back and forth. Remember to re-read what has been written each time in order to keep the story coherent. There is to be absolutely NO private messages and anything you wish to say must be posted in the forum. The story is over when both agree a conclusion has been reached." The following was actually turned in by two of my favorite DZ.com'ers, Alienangel and Michele. MICHELE Michelle tried to sleep, but really couldn't. It was hot but the cats wanted to cuddle, and the clock kept ticking through time. Would she actually graduate tomorrow? As she dreamt of the clouds she would fly through, she was reminded of her and Jo and when, in happier Level I&II times, they flew free through the skies together like birds on a wing. But she felt she must now, at all costs, keep her mind off Jo. His possessiveness was suffocating and if she thought about him too much her asthma started acting up again. She had to focus on her first solo. ALIENANGEL Meanwhile, Total Sky God Alien Angel, organizer of the world record attempt at the night vision goggle assisted 128-way over the Grand Canyon, had more important things to think about than the neuroses of an air-headed asthmatic bimbo named Michele with whom he had spent one sweaty night over a year ago. He gave the leg he held a shake, signalling the beginning of the 6th point. All seemed going well as the ground, viewed through an eerie green light that inhibited his depth perception, rushed up to meet him. But he was not afraid. "What a rush!" he thought excitedly. "This what I was meant to do, all adrenaline, baby!" But before he could complete his next dock, the formation funneled at 2,000 feet and Jo, the infamous Alien Angel, was sent tumbling down as he desperately fumbled to grasp his throw away. MICHELE In his panic, he finally threw his p/c just as his cypress fired. The resulting horseshoe wrapped him completely, and as he fell he felt one last pang of regret for psychically brutalizing the one woman who had ever had feelings for him. Soon afterwards, USPA began intitiatives to force strict regulations on dropzones everywhere to limit the testerone levels of skydivers. "Congress passes USPA-sponsored restrictions," Michele read in the latest copy of Parachutist someone left on board of her DZ's Otter. The news simultaneously gave her a sense of security and bored her. She stared out the window, dreaming of her youth when the days had passed unhurriedly and carefree, with no magazines to read, no Dropzone.com forums to distract her from her sense of innocent wonder at all the beautiful things around her. She heard "Door!" and moved to the edge in preparation of her first solo. "Why must one lose one's innocence to become a woman?" she pondered wistfully as she leapt into the sky and began her dance with gravity and her Goddess, Nature. ALIENANGEL Little did she know, but she had less than 10 seconds to live. A sense of tranquil peace enveloped her and numbed her already sloth-like reflexes. The dim-witted wimpy Mothers Against Skydiving who forced USPA to endorse the Neutered/Spayed Parachutist Law had left all but a few dropzones vulnerable to new programs, such as supplemental estrogen shots before any load left the ground. With her already neglible sense of aggression thus hindered, her survival instincts failed to energize her to deploy her main. As all jump-related personnel were subject to the same law, her reserve failed as well because it had not been subjected to the intense scrutiny normally provided by expert riggers. Skydivers everywhere began acting like whuffos. With jumpers no longer searching for new challenges, beer for first time achievements ceased and sobriety spread through every dropzone - with one exception. Deland, home of the Skygods, was the last rebel base of renegade skydivers. "We can't take this shit! We'll show those mothers! Let's do a naked 80-way over the Capitol and swoop the Mall!" MICHELE This is absurd. I refuse to continue this mockery of literature. My writing partner is a violent, chauvinistic, semi-literate adolescent. ALIENANGEL Yeah? Well, you're a self-centered, tedious neurotic whose attempts at writing are the literary equivalent of Valium. "Oh let us feel the serene embwace of the sky and gaze upon the wickle fwuffy cwouds. . . But I've only been pretending and they'll find out I really can't do this! Oh no I'm such an air headed bimbo who reads too many Mills & Boon novels." MICHELE Asshole. ALIENANGEL Bitch.

Justin, don't forget Hartwood Paracenter! Outlaw and crew are good folks, the BBQ Sat nights is a great deal for $5. Great DZ, very 'grassroots' and friendly. Hope to see you there, Quack

You are not the only one, if that is any consolation. After my accident, my life was wrapped in so many things for so long that I didn't really think about jumping (other than what I did wrong). I told myself that I'd get back into it, but never did. Now I'm on the edge, waiting on USPA to reissue my license. I need to get recurrent with a Level IV and hope to come to terms with a few things at that time. While I've been waiting, now I'm thinking about jumping all the time, seeing all kinds of scenarios play through late at night. Maybe I spent six years avoiding the issue, but now it's in my face and it's at times exciting and others terrifying. But - and this is just me, my situation - I have to find out. Because for the past couple of years, I have never been happier than when I was jumping and being around fellow skydivers. I know how Clay and Av thinks works for them, but others like Tiger and myself look at it another way. You just need to figure out your approach, which may be entirely from another direction. I guess I don't have any fool-proof advice for you. When I read your post, I just thought to myself, 'Yeah, yeah. I know what that feels like.' And it's easy to be embarrassed/ashamed/disappointed with yourself feeling that. Don't. It's a very real issue, and it's good you threw it out for someone to hear. I guess I'd just say, listen very carefully to yourself, both sides, to include the part that's in love with the air and the part that's terrified of the ground. There's a balance somewhere in between and you need to find it. Good luck and, I hope, Blue Skies. Feel free to send me a message if you want.

Thanx, Spectre, I'm sure it will as long as I keep the right attitude - but the encouragement is definitely appreciated. Saw that you're Phoenix way, I know that we had some Otters from there come up to support the boogie. I'm pretty sure the ship I jumped out of was one. If you run across some AZ friends that were there, please let them know I'm interested in hearing first hand accounts.

Tried posting this in the 'Talk Back' forum, but no response. This is probably more of a S&T thing anyway. I am looking for anyone that was at the '95 Lost Prairie boogie. Winds took me into the foothills, where I busted about 17 bones during the landing. I haven't jumped since, due to various reasons, but will next month after a Level IV. So I've been checking out several skydiving sites lately and ran across DZ.com. Great site. Back to the jump. It was my 50th, so we decided to celebrate with a naked 4-way on the last load of the day on an Otter. Things were kind of rushed, trying to beat sunset and all, so we all got in with the other jumper and made for altitude. We were the first out, were doing our thing with a planned break of 3.5, when one of the guys (forget his name) waved us off early. Turns out he saw the spot was way off. I tracked away and dumped high, thinking the canopy time would get me back to the DZ. After doing checks (and putting on my shorts), I headed for the DZ. Winds pushed me back. I tried a few things to increase my forward movement, front risers, tucking legs, but nothing worked. When I crossed the treeline still at 2K, I turned with the wind to see if there was somewhere else I could land. I found a potential landing on top of a hill where the vegetation wasn't bad. I don't remember if I turned into the wind for landing or continued to run. I do remember that before my flare, I suddenly dropped like a rock into the side of the hill. I'm pretty sure that I hit the turbulance of wind coming off the hill, kind of like hitting an air pocket that cancelled my lift. Later on I found out that winds at altitude were very high, even though on ground they were neglible. Anyway, I'm looking for people that might be able to fill in some gaps. Seems the whole thing was a domino effect, bad spot, high winds, low experience. I know it's been about six years, but any help would be great. Any other comments are welcome, too! Thanks.

If you were, then you may remember the poor fool that was caught by winds and taken into the foothills, only to find himself at Kalispell Municipal a few hours later. That was me. Anyway, long story short, I'm getting back into jumping. I've been spending time researching the web, getting my head back into the game and thinking about a few things I haven't thought of in a while. I'd like to hear from anyone that was there and get their pespective of what happened. I know it's been several years, but any feedback would be appreciated. I also heard later that it put a dampner on the chorus/choir festivities that night and I felt kind of bad about that. Sorry.