Fierce4Life

I'll be there from 12/26 - 1/1 doing whatever I can. It will probably be mostly sitflying - gotta get ready for that upright world record.

Here's to Dennis. Your memory still lives on through your friends and family.

Yeah, you were busy during Nationals. I am going to be on a 4 way team next year so I will be just as busy. Brian

That is really funny. I guess I don't really make an impression. I have jumped with you before, Wendy. I am even pretty sure that you were on my SCR (not 100% though). And I have seen you many times at the DZ, and I am also sure you have seen me and would know who I am if you saw me. I think I will put my picture on here when I get off of work. Thats why no one would jump with me, they didn't know I existed. J/K. For the record, I don't have that problem anymore. Brian

I did jump with people sometimes but I would never approach anyone to jump. I am kinda shy in new situations so that didn't help, lol. Much better now though. Brian

Thanks for saying that, because I jumped by myself for probably 100 jumps after I finished the STP program with only a couple of jumps in between with another person.I was so worried about ruining someone elses jump that I chose to jump alone. I used the time to become more comfortable in the air; however, I wish I would have spent some of that time with other people. Brian

That is so wrong, but so very funny. Brian

Welcome and congratulations. Hope you aren't that attached to money, lol.

Here is my humble opinion. I have tried both Spaceland and Waller and prefer the jumping at Spaceland but the nightlife at waller. Spaceland does have some good parties on the weekend (sometimes); however, the people at Waller seem to stay more often for drinks and socializing which I wish Spaceland would do since they are my home DZ. I haven't really found that it is hard to find people to jump with, especially on the weekend. There is always someone trying to find people to do a SCR or just jump. The weekdays may be a little harder. Another important thing to consider is gear rental. I recently downsized and hadn't purchased a new main yet. I went to Waller to do a jump once and did not have a rig because a student was jumping it all day. The only size available was WAY too big. Since Spaceland is bigger they have more choices. As a student though, it won't be a problem. Another positive thing about Waller is the DZO. Todd Bell is one of the nicest, most sincerest men I have ever met. From the first time I met him he has made me feel at home at his DZ and always addresses me and asks me about a previous injury I sustained. He goes out of his way to make me feel welcome. That being said, the staff at Spaceland are awesome and I enjoy spending time with them even when not jumping. Like everyone else, I say try both. I am available to jump with at Spaceland once you get your A license. If ever I get another main I will also be jumping at Waller some more to socialize some. Brian

On September 18th of last year I was coming in on final at about 30 feet when out of the corner of my eye I noticed someone with target fixation flying at an angle to the target instead of a straight final leg and realized he was going to cross in front of me, and soon. At this time I had only about 150 jumps. My voice was stuck and I couldn't yell. In my head I contemplated turning but thought "No low turns." Then I thought "I should flare" but realized I would flare straight into him and potentially get wrapped. Well while I was deciding what to do I hit the ground without flaring. Ended up with T12, L1, & L2 compression fractures. Luckily I didn't need surgery but it hurt oh so bad (worse pain in the world). Even in the pain I never questioned stopping since I knew the dangers and if I wasn't willing to accept them then why did I start jumping in the first place. That was until one of my friends came into my hospital room and said "you wanted me to go skydiving, you aren't being such a good example." That made me really question getting back in the air. I thought that I shouldn't fly, that I wasn't safe. I was going to be out of the air and in a brace for 3 months but I still went to the dz to see my friends and just be around the sport. That is when I realized that I could never give it up. Sitting on the ground being so very jealous I realized that I could not see myself staying on the ground longer than I physically had too. The day that I was released I was back in the air. I was nervous for the first 10 to 20 landings in general and even still at 290 jumps, still land pretty far so that I'm not near other jumpers landing. But I am very happy to still be in the sport.

Darn, I guess I left too early. Hopefully the weather forecast is wrong for this weekend. Brian