curtismelaniej

Obsessive about 4-way? Uuuuummmm... YES. -Moved to California (SoCal) from New York. -Will not spend $2 on the brand name jelly for my PB&J's, but will spend $2000 on a weekend at the tunnel without blinking an eye. -Had my boss sign a contract stating that I will be granted the week of US Nationals off as vacation time every year. -GLADLY sold my soul to Skydive Elsinore. (Like I wouldn't be there every weekend anyway.) __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

You guys all rock-- THANKS for all the great posts-- you've definitely helped get me back to my upbeat self. I'm out of here in a few minutes-- just wanted to say thanks, and have a great weekend jumping!! (I think this is the first weekend I haven't been at the dz to jump in 6+ MONTHS! Crazy! Whuffo stuff is going to be good for me... ) __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

You are so sweet, Rosa, thank you. We'll see what happens, but I think for this visit I'll just stick with the whuffo stuff-- BUT, we might go tasting down in Temecula, so if we do, the DZ is right on the way... maybe, just maybe, they'll be up for stopping in-- it would be this Sunday... OH, and just to clarify-- my DAD owns a DZ in NY-- my parents divorced when I was very young, and my Mom and Dad don't get along-- so that's another element to her dislike of skydiving. My "parents" are my Mom and my step-Dad, who's been around since I was 3.

Yeah, you're so right-- the dz certainly isn't the best place for clean, wholesome fun. As for doing what they're into, yes again, that's what I'm trying to do-- we're thinking about going to the Getty, maybe some wine-tasting, hitting the beach, etc, etc-- all good whuffo stuff that I never get to do cause I'm always jumping! At least it's not a secret-- I have told them what's up in my life, and they just choose to ignore it because they can't grasp the concept of it all-- which I understand-- they're just whuffos, and that's that. Tonight I think we're going out for steaks-- um, ALL ABOUT IT! __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

I will be there organizing the belly peeps-- and maybe some hybrids with Kama-- hoop dives and raft dives too! Bring on the CHICKS!! __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

I have told her about stuff-- about my team, about going to the tunnel, etc. I even wrote her this long upbeat email before they came out about how we could do this, this, and this (whuffo stuff)-- and if they wanted to we could go to "the place I team train," and meet my friends-- they could see my team room-- we wouldn't have to stay very long, blah blah blah. In the past I have written her extensive emails about the gear, about how I have taken every possible safety measure in my skydiving-- that I wouldn't skydive if I thought I was going to DIE, in fact, I skydive because I want to LIVE! Preaching to the choir, I know-- I guess I'm just venting. My Mom is a small town girl who is very conservative-- she's VERY loving and her life is her children and grandchildren-- but she just doesn't live very largely herself. BUT, like me, I live my life how I want to live my life, and so does she. To each her own, I guess. Thanks for the vent. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

Ok-- so my parents are out visiting, which I'm psyched about-- we're doing a bunch of whuffo things, which is cool-- but I would obviously love to take them out to the DZ to see where I really spend all of my time, meet some of my friends, whatever. But I can't because my Mom is SO excruciatingly against my skydiving it has literally crippled our relationship into this kind of fake, superficial thing. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Mom, and she loves me (which is the very reason she hates skydiving-- like many whuffos, she thinks I will die jumping out of airplanes), but because of her closing herself off from any mention of skydiving, pretty much I can't even talk to her, because 95% of my life is skydiving right now. Anyway, I'm not the type to usually post personal stuff like this, but I need some comiseration, I think-- and maybe some advice on how to just accept it and let it go. Thanks, BLUES! (The good kind! ) Mel

I'd be scared shitless, but I'd probably do it for 100 million. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

Ouch-- well, whenever I can't do 4-way (for whatever reason), instead of getting antsy and anxious, I always tell myself that at least I'm saving money! Pick up teams are at least new and fun, and you can never beat the crowd at Nationals. Look forward to meeting you in Lake Wales, and going up against you in Open! __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

Hey lowhook-- yeah, we (Elsinore Adrenaline) actually are doing about a 14.5 right now on a medium to fastish draw, and zirc-zirc is just one of our problem blocks--- we just trained last weekend and I had a lightbulb go on for sure--- basically, I did WAY LESS, and ARCHED through the move (originally wasn't doing this on stardians either, but have that one dialed in now)--- I don't know why it has taken me so long to get that concept on verticals-- Hello, ARCH! Anyway, that helped take away the ridiculous level difference between the pieces, and doing less (on everyone's part actually) has made me see the light-- the centers were also doing too much causing separation in the peices right from the start, giving the outside the wrong pictures, so we adjusted our moves accordingly, blah blah blah, you know the drill-- so the centers toned down, and now we've got something to work with. Basically, I think I've finally switched on the more acute awareness needed to fix little sh*t that's going wrong in the middle of these blocks, all of course in split seconds. Obviously, I'm not 100% dialed in yet, but putting conscious focus on the intricacies of a block in freefall (sounds like it's the obvious thing that everyone would be doing, but when you're moving that fast (I don't have THAT many jumps) it's very easy for your brain to skim over stuff and simply miss the details that ultimately matter a lot. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Anyway, I'm feeling good-- 5 more training days til Nationals-- we're ready. Thanks for the posts, everyone-- see you in Lake Wales? What are your teams? __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

I personally like the Oxygn helmets best--- none of my peripheral vision is blocked (something I found to be true about the Z1, but everyone's different-- I know peeps who swear by theirs because of the easy up and down face shield)-- I keep my shield down under canopy, so that bit is a moot point for me-- I do open it in the plane, and have never really had any problems--- one of my teammates uses goggles under his full face-- I asked him the other day why, and he said that he hates how you keep having to change the shields so often, clean them, yada yada yada-- and he likes the wind on his face. Those things don't matter to me-- I prefer not having to carry around anything but my gloves and my helmet. That's my take!! Hope your jaw heals quickly!! __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

Currently having my brain fried by corporate America--- but it keeps me doing hot sh*t 4-way, so for now, it works! __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

Honestly the cogg was sucking too-- like I said, very stretchy at every close-- I'll find out why we're sticking with this particular double-vert method and post it later.... I think you're right too, Ron-- I honestly think I'm just doing WAY too much-- now I just want to get back in the MF air and do it again, but we're not training again til the 6th (damn it) ... videos and visualization til then..... Thanks for your posts guys-- will come back later with an update..... __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

Awesome post, thank you! It all helps-- fyi, we've got the centers building the compressed, and picking up the close-- the p/t are taking arm grips. I think you're right, in that my problem might be solved by the old less-is-more thing. The more I think about it, the more I think I'm just going to frickin' hard, realizing it way too late, and then trying to stop as hard as my body will allow-- hence the contorting, twisting, tipping thing that I'm inducing in our piece. As for why our team chose this method-- well, I'm not really sure to be perfectly honest-- we started out with the cogg, but it was slow, and the close was always stretchy, causing need for boxing out before the key, or leading to funk into the next random build. We ditched the cogg for this version, and have been plugging away at it ever since. We used to do them better than we are now, but I was still making not quite the right move-- so we tried to add some sugar and spice, and I just for whatever reason started sucking more than before. I know I'll get it, I just havn't heard the ding yet. I'm going to try doing less, and I'll let you know how it goes.... Thanks again for the post, it DID help-- got me thinking in a different direction..... __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

Ok, for whatever reason I'm sucking at the vertical zirc move in the point slot when the centers cross first. I can do snowy-off's beautifully, but can't seem to get the zirc dialed in. I keep contorting my body trying to stop myself hard after I go over the top, and it's causing our whole piece to tip and move away. Yeah, yeah, don't do that anymore, I get it, but I'm thinking maybe some different language on the same stuff will help the light bulb come on for me. (And FYI, the back piece is stellar, so it's not like I'm getting the wrong pictures.) If anyone wants to throw out what they're thinking/doing on that move, I'm all ears! Thanks! Mel __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

Hey Chicky-- sorry I couldn't make it-- I have to be AT work at 5:30AM on weekdays-- UGH! So how was the night?! Fill me in, I'll live vicariously through you.... __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

I agree with Quade-- learn it now so you don't have to work on breaking bad habits later. You're one of the lucky ones-- getting in the tunnel with world-class coaches at 25 jumps!! The first time I was in the tunnel I had 300 jumps-- I STILL have some bad body position habits that I'm trying to get rid of. Go to the camp and learn all you can-- if you want to throw out what they say later on after you've learned more and gotten better, do it-- but right now is the perfect time to start learning good body position. And I agree with Ron too-- why pay them if you're not going to listen to them?! Ok, I'm rambling now. Good luck!! Cheers, Mel __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

Hey Janet--- kudos for getting on a team so early in your skydiving career. Mitch is correct in that team discounts are almost always classified information. If you have a team put together that is looking to make a significant number of jumps, organize yourself in a professional way, and present yourselves to your home DZ and see what they can offer you. I'm sure it depends on the DZ, but the more jumps you make, the more money the DZ makes, so you may be able to work out a mutually beneficial arrangement. Obviously, team training schedules/jump numbers are worked out according to the goals, finances, time available, etc of the particular team in question. I'm a complete and total 4-way addict, as are the other members of my team (Elsinore Adrenaline), so our plan was to shoot for as many jumps as we could fit in and afford from February through Nationals in October. Our goal was 300 jumps this season-- we'll come close, but due to weather, and other factors, we missed a training day here and there, so naturally the number of jumps we'll end up making will be less than that--- and that's ok, because we're still training hard and working toward our goal of kicking ass. And that's the good stuff. Good luck with the team-- you guys going to Nationals this year? If so, see you there!! Cheers! Mel __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

A static-line student once struck the tail of my Dad's Cessna 175-- what we think happened is that as he catapulted himself up and back off the wheel/strut-- the plane may have hit some turbulence or something, causing the strike. (We have tried since then to jump off the wheel and touch the tail with our hands, and it's proven very difficult-- that's why we're deducing that some other force, like turbulence, was involved.) The student was fine and didn't even realize that he'd hit anything-- however, the plane had nearly $7,000 damage, and my Dad came very close to ditching it. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

I've had pretty much all the mentioned scenarios happen to me-- and this is all post-9/11. My first experience was that they didn't bat and eyelash, didn't even unpack my carry-on to see what the metal was all about. Since then, I've had the major hassle, pulling out cypres cards, airline approval manuals, etc. and ultimately being allowed to take it on the plane, but being forced to leave them up near the flight attendants. The last time I flew back from the tunnel to CA, I had a MAJOR hassle, so much so that they forced me to check my bag. I was NOT happy. Basically, now I dread traveling with my gear-- sorry to be so negative, but it definitely, sucks. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

yeah, I like to stay out of stuff like this, but I'm just curious if anyone knows the owner of the locker, where the canopy was originally found? That guy seems to be the first domino in this whole situation.... probably some whuffo that didn't know what it was, but liked the fabric or something... __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

I'll tell you a funny story actually-- it was lost, gone forever for all I knew-- so yesterday, I'm in my gym parking lot standing at the back of the Sube digging through the moutain of crap in the back, looking for something to work out in. As I'm digging, this Mustang pulls up with this young couple in it-- the girl is sitting in the passenger seat, and half frantically says to me, "I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could help us. Our car is completely out of gas, and I only have one dollar in coins, and I have to get home, and I'm sorry, and..." So, I'm thinking yeah, right-- I NEVER give money out to people I don't know-- homeless people, random strangers, whoever, I just don't do it. But for some reason, the couple looked sincere, so I gave the girl 5 bucks and told her that that was my good deed for the day. So as they drove off the girl was spouting thank you's, I love you's, whatever-- Anyway, so then I go back to digging in my car and immediately find my phone!! It was a total good-karma moment. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

FYI everyone-- I FOUND MY PHONE! Yeeeesssss..... __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html

Hey everyone-- if you were at Elsinore this past Saturday for the Poker Meet (AWESOME time, btw), and saw a silver camera flip phone lying around-- IT'S MINE!! Please PM me, and I'll drive wherever to pick it up-- THANK YOU! Blues, Mel

I'm still working on finding what arousal level gives me my optimal performance-- I think it's down on the calmer side-- but not too calm, I still need that fire burning in my belly to kick ass-- basically a trick of mine is to tell myself I'm the shit-- if I don't have the confidence on a particular block, slot-switcher, mirror, whatever, then I just lie to myself about how I'm going to fucking own it. A lot of times that works, then the next time I see something similar, I have the REAL confidence to own it. Tangent-- anyway, so like most, I visualize in the plane DEFinitely, but I also like to keep it relatively light-- dead silent competition planes are a bit annoying to me, so I find myself laughing in my head about how serious everyone else is. Serious is good, but too much of it takes away from my headspace. I'm sooooo rambling here. I posted this because we just had our last meet, and although my team performed very well, I personally felt slightly off the whole day. I worked mentally to overcome that and didn't fuck anything up too badly, in fact we even pulled out a ripper in round 6 (awesome opals)-- whoever advised to do more competitions (Harry, I think that was you...) is right-- I think confidence comes with familiarity, and with confidence comes, relaxation, and with relaxation comes quality execution-- well, most of the time anyway. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html