matthias

Thanks for everything Brit. Best wishes _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

^ _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

Yeah what really bugs me are the two most common excuses a whuffo has for not trying it. "I'm afraid of heights" or "I dont like the falling sensation." I only have a fear of heights when I'm not earing a harness I suppose...because I never had that sensation while skydiving. Falling sensation is completely inapplicable as the only indicator you have that you are "falling" is the wind. martinrusso...try a tandem at least once. you'll see what we mean, and might find the same reason we did for coming back for more. 0.02 _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

others might have said the same thing already, but here's my 0.02: If you can afford AFF, go for it. I did the FJC the weekend following my first tandem and so far haven't regretted it. As far as the gear, I hear you on that. You should have the option of renting it until you can save up for your own. Least thats what I plan to do. Good luck. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

You should have gotten either a A License proficiency or progression card with all the requirements. Once its signed/stamped that's what you fax for the A to my understanding. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

the credit score/line of credit I had prior to starting AFF...back, and the bill collectors to stop callin. Maybe by next xmas, perhaps. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

Heh, all the women jumpers at Skydive Houston are either taken, too old, or don't date students. I cant see myself dating a non-jumper until the novelty of the sport kinda settles down in my life, and while it would be nice to date another jumper... my mindset while at sdh is more on AFF progression rather than finding a date *shrug* its all good... _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

0:1:0 passed AFF level 4 saturday afternoon. Funds didn't permit trying level 5 today, but the winds kept any students from jumping, up until I left at least. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

Jumped off the roof of the house, bounced off the trampoline over the nieghbors fence, and landed in the pool. I was 14 at the time. I dread what woulda occured if I had missed the pool. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

USMC 0311 from 99-03, didn't do it for money but it was a 'job' I guess and it got pretty wierd and crazy at times. I'd imagine being a tandem instructor or AFF-I has its share of moments. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

There are no gauruntees, that's why the waiver exists. However...I would strongly encourage you to go to the DZ with her and observe the AFF lvl 1 first jump course. Talk to her jumpasters, talk to other instructors, riggers, the S&TA, ask any question that comes to mind about the gear, how it works. I wont say this will or will not make you feel any better, but it should minimize your fears of the unknown...which from my observations thus far is where most of the fear in non-jumpers stems from. my 0.02 _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

Guess it depends on what city you live in. (driving in major cities vs small towns, etc) _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

Biggest challenges: financial situation Plan to overcome it: patience and perseverence _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

first skydive exit: "oh sh*t!!!!!!!!" _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

Will do. I've jumped with him the most, cool dude. His voice is almost identical to the actor that plays the foreign exchance student from That 70s Show. Maybe its just me but it never fails to crack me up. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

I was terrified on my first jumps as well, and for me most of the thrill came from the fact I was actively facing my fears and the strength I got from doing it. I'm still on AFF status, but I have faith in the gear and the training. There are implications, but everyone is aware of them when we signed the waiver. I weighed the risks and rewards...and found a reason to continue the progression towards the A license when funds and weather permit. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

If memory serves me correctly I gave him the relax signal on the plane and sometime after the beer light came on. Sort of an observation, it seemed like I tensed up after Elio redocked at the 1:43 mark, or at least it caught me offguard. Not saying he didn't have a reason to redock, but up until that moent seemed alright. The reason it was a borderline pass was the turning and whatnot at the end, but even then I was altitude aware and waved off as soon at the needle hit 6:00. I'm confident level 4 should work alright, hopefully this weather clears up. Thanks to everyone who replied here and via PM. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

The whole driving and skydiving thing really gets up my cunt, no idea why but it does. You cant compare the two. this is pure speculation as I'm relatively new, and feel free to correct me...but it seems the majority of incidents on the road and in the sport are cause by pilot/driver error rather than gear malfunction/vehicle breakdown...and just like how cars require inspection, maintenance, the same preventive messures are taken with reserve inspections and repacks, gear checks. my 0.02 from observation so far _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

video here: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1293684235 Location: Skydive Houston Also starring JMs: Larry (aka Luminous from here) and Elio..not sure if he posts. Video by Troy. Music: Vangelis - Will of the Wind. logbook review and personal evaluation here: http://matthias81.livejournal.com/ Thought I'd share :) Feedback and constructive criticism always welcome. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

^ Yep. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

Yeah I've gotten that too a few times. I just tell em if I really had a death wish we wouldn't be weaing a rig. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

I can say from past experience that there will always be the 5-10% in any organization who behave in a dishonorable manner. For a good example, during my time with 2nd Bn, 5th Marines..the men and women of the Marine Corps were to uphold the core values of honor, courage and commitment and never lie, cheat and steal. While many of the men I served with lived up to that, you had the few that weren't with the program and lacked integrity. Since I got out of the military, and from my observation and time at Skydive Houston (havent spent anytime at other DZs); skydivers are the first civillian group I've come across that has a similar code of ethics and integrity as well as people actually stepping up and looking out for others. Its not to say there aren't a few skydivers who aren't trustworthy...but comparable to the general whuffo/civillian population they have alot more credibility with me. 0.02 _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

Hehe, if my post came off as negative in anyway I apologize. I guess I was sympathizing with the frustrations. After 3 level 3 attempts and a on a day that 'somehow' I felt stress-free and in a indifferent mindset, I passed level 3 and moved onto lvl4...where the jumps are $40 cheaper. As luck would have it, I lost my job, found a new one, but by the time my next full paycheck came in...I was uncurrent thus...back to level 3 again. Honestly I can't wait until the day I get my A license, and I'll do what I gotta do until that day comes, I just hope things get a littel less frustrating once I get to that point. I suppose I understand where your coming from on the issue of getting your own gear vs renting...when I get to that point I can tell its gonna be a hell of a time. The day jumps become $20 each, I will be one happy person. 0.02 _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

The "OH SHIT!!!" yell/expression on my first jump, caught on video. Most god-awful body position, I dont think the tandem instructor was having too much fun. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com

whenever I have the money, weather permitting and 2 jumpasters available. I can't wait for the day I get the chance to jump during a sunset. _________________________________________ trance/house mixes for download: www.djmattm.com