bluiev

That's the way to sneak in extra jumps in a year!

If you watch closely, it comes loose after the drogue throw during the first close up with the camera. It just slides off his face. 4:40

I havent seen it on, so I dont think it's a repost... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laK4in8DrU8 Up to you to decide... is the conspiracy real or not? -b

Why? Don't get the rant started... I know I won't win anyone over... Let's just say I'm a dog person. Elvisio "a world without cats" Rodriguez "Im on your couch... sexin your dog!"

http://shadowdane.shackspace.com/cats.htm -b

That's awesome!

Love it!

...Or that tandem video (I forget which one) where the girl pax looked like she had an orgasm... ie. all skydivers are having sex? or just all tandems?

I agree, in a way. I like the show because it's ballroom/latin dancing. But as far as it being choreographed... It doesnt really bother me much. Even in any given competition - Amateur, Pro, or Pro-Am, there's choreography/routines built in. The only difference is that we do know how to insert the basic patterns around the routines in case we need to apply some floorcraft .. since competitions usually have more than one couple on the floor at a time, hence a couple may need to 'improvise' their routine on the fly. With DWTS, it's more of a showcase competition where the couples are dancing alone on the floor and are judged by both technique and how the dance 'flowed' with the chosen music. That said, I do think that the show is more for 'family entertainment' than say a comp from Blackpool, but I still enjoy it. The judges can be both annoying and funny at the same time, but I think, that's part of what the show is all about

It used to be only for college/high school students/alumni who had to have their school emails. Now it's pretty much open to anybody by invite... That said there's a few skydiving groups within school networks there too. I think most of the people there are already part of dz, though.

If you two pass level 4 before I do, Im gonna be mad!

Oh no, you found the forums... I bet you'd never guess who this is! ;) Anyway, let me know if you and Kenny will be there this weekend. I need to pass my level 4. ... I wonder if I could take Wednesday off from work...

I love my name. It's unique the way my parents came up with it, so Im keeping it.

Im a fish in the air, so water sign. Then again, I cant seem to pass my AFF level 4, so I cant really say my body is fit to fly yet.

Talk about microscopic... I cant even imagine how much hand-eye coordination one would need to do this kind of thing. Just thought I'd share. http://www.snopes.com/photos/arts/microscopic.asp

Being bored at work, I perused another forum I frequent and saw this. I thought it was funny... Subject: COMPANY WEBSITES All of these are legitimate companies that didn't spend quite enough time considering how their online names might appear... and be misread. You can click on any one of these to see for yourself that they are all real... 1. Who Represents is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is www.whorepresents.com 2. Experts Exchange is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at www.expertsexchange.com 3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at www.penisland.net 4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at www.therapistfinder.com 5. There's the Italian Power Generator company, www.powergenitalia.com 6. And don't forget the Mole Station Native Nursery in New South Wales, www.molestationnursery.com 7. If you're looking for IP computer software, there's always www.ipanywhere.com 8. And the designers at Speed of Art await you at their wacky Web site, www.speedofart.com PS: For some reason, Experts Exchange changed their website to www.experts-exchange. Weird! -b

Thanks for the warm welcome and the tip! My instructors told me the same thing about looking for the first few jumpers. So far I've been trying to focus on which direction my landing pattern should go and looking left and right as I practice some canopy moves high up that by the time I try to look for those landing, they've already landed! Ah, but clearly, something I need to work on! ... Im confused, you look like a yellow face with shades on, or a furry monkey?... or a yellow furry monkey with shades on? ~blu

Hi everyone! I guess it's my turn to come out and greet everyone. Four weeks ago, a friend asked me if I would ever want to do a tandem skydive. Since he caught me in one of my spontaneous fits, I asked why not? A couple of days later, I started perusing articles and websites about the jump, and started asking co-workers about skydiving (turns out we had a few who jumped once in their life already). A week later, when the time came to make reservations for the group, I said forget tandem, Im doing AFF! So three weeks ago, I did my AFF1 at Perris. I had to wake up early for the FJC, but man was it worth it. Ed totally ingrained all EP's in our heads and went through the class in great detail for us beginners. At that point, I stopped worrying about the actual dive, because I felt we got prepared well, and started worrying about how to land. I didnt want to land away from the DZ on my first jump! When we finally started gearing up, did our last practice exits, and ran over the jump with my instructors, I felt very calm. Even at the climb up, I was more worried about my performance than the actual thought of falling off at terminal speed. I just wanted it to be perfect. By the time we exited, I was already all smiles. It sure was surreal looking at everyone floating around me without feeling what I thought would feel like falling off a rollercoaster. I did have trouble looking for my cord during the practice pulls. I didnt realize how strong the wind would be when I tried reaching back. And man, did that fall feel fast. Next thing I knew, I was almost past my lock on altitude. So, I locked on, waited til 5k, and pulled. Woohoo! And then I blanked out. I looked up at my deployed canopy and said, "Shape, spin, float. Woohoo! Err... but now what?" I looked down and saw my handles, and my programming almost took over! I so badly wanted to pull them (we had to do the EP process while yelling it out over and over during FJC). I thought that was funny. So I looked back up and remembered about the toggles. I released the left. At that instant, a little voice in my head said, "Shouldnt you be pulling those at the same time?" I guess the canopy agreed with the voice, because as I relaxed my left hand.. BAM... brake fire = line twist! I was like... "Oh maaan..." Then training kicked in again and said, ok.. level the wing and try to kick it out while spreading the risers. And there it went. My landing was far from perfect. I still claim the ground snuck up on me and tricked me into flaring early. Hehe. I tried a PLF which we practiced too, but I managed a mix between a PLF and a sitting roll.. or something... Im just happy it didnt hurt. Hehe. I was hooked. Last week, I went back for my AFF2, this time alone, and passed. I was so stoked so I signed up for AFF3 on the same day. I tried it and learned that my experience in ballroom dancing doesnt really translate well when doing turns in the air! I was twisting along my spine (ala promenade dance position) rather than pushing the air. So, I only did one good turn. So, I have to retake AFF3, which I feel will only help! And so, here I am. Planning on maybe doing some coached wind tunnel time on the 9th before doing the rest of my AFF's. My landings are still far from perfect (I did manage to do a standing landing on the 3rd jump!), and I still have problem paying attention which way the wind is blowing (especially if it changes while we're high up -- with me having some problems looking at the small flags on the green), but I do enjoy the whole thing! Thanks to the wonderful instructors and people at Perris! I cant wait to get back! ~blu

Pretty new myself... just took my AFF2 and 3 this Saturday (have to retake AFF3.. grrr. hehe). Anyway, from my recent FJC experience, and as others had said, they will drill the emergency procedures into your head. Before taking the training, I had the same concerns as you did. I decided to go straight to AFF rather than tandem because I heard how detailed they go through in class and I so wanted to learn. Funny thing was that after the class, the steps for the emergency procedures was so ingrained in my head that during gear up and while on the plane, everytime I glanced at my red, I kept wanting to pull my handles in sequence. I had to keep trying to stop myself! From then on, I keep practicing the drills by yelling them out and going through the motions while at work (during breaks) or when Im alone with nothing to do. As far as the frequency of mals? Since Im a newbie, I have no idea. But I did had, what I guess they call a 'brake fire' on my first jump... my fault though because I pulled the left toggle sooner than the right. It resulted in some line twists and a bit of a spiral. Funny thing was, training just kicked in so I check alti, slightly pulled the left rear riser to level, pull risers apart, and kick -- in sequence -- and it just cleared itself. I released the right toggle and manage to land safely (albeit a failed PLF... but no scratches, bruises, or pain) :). So, I guess that's just a round about way of me saying that once you go through training, dont worry about when you're getting a mal. Know that once you do pay attention and focus on the training, you will know what to do. Im still scared that I will get a mal each time I go through my AFF's, but I just have to trust myself and be confident that I have been prepared and continue to prepare myself by practicing my EP's on and off the DZ. ~blu