mr_music11

....only about a month away!! can't wait!!!! wooo hooo! If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Life (with full movement of my limbs!!!) is too precious. I'd never be able to hug my wife, pick up my grandkids... or tilt back that cold one that Ive enjoyed so many times after skydiving!! Although difficult...I'd have to WALK away from the sport and live thru others in their posts and vids online. blues and SOFT landings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

HOLY SMOKES! That cat used up all of his 9 lives in one fell swoop or should I say one fall stoop(id) - that is one lucky dude!!!! If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

NICE! but.....I was a little disappointed that the bird didn't do a front flip apon exit though If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Now THAT's a road trip. Dont think I'd mind road trips at ALL! if thats what all of them were about. Looks like you had a blast... thanks for sharing. blues skies/soft landings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

After going to full face helmet I was able to wear my regular sun glasses... maybe a little more expensive than just buying glases (and sometimes not! ) but.. love my full face helmet, again has allowed me to use my reg sunglasses as well gain all the other pros of having a full face helmet. Good luck in your purchase! If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

...dont usually get the "munchies" until sometime after 420p or so But when it comes to food and jumping.. Ive gotta usually go light.. breakfast is usually some toast, some turkey bacon and some water (maybe some coffee).. lots of water before getting the DZ and lots of water thru the day, even after jumping. During the day while jumping I'll have trail mix with fruit,nuts and chocolate, maybe a banana or another piece of fruit to keep the energy levels up. After jumping I am usually hungry cuz I havnt had a full meal and also have been burnin' calories thru the jumping. My stomache doesnt handle any heavy amounts of food before or during jumping(stomache flippin' turnin twisin' round in a free form roller coaster somewhere in the area of 120 mph ... go figure huh? lol ) blues & soft landings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Ok...so maybe Im takin this thread a little personal, but thats becuz Ive got long hair too...sooo, to those flaming this guy for having dreads.... Have you forgotten what freedom of expression is and how it allows YOU to skydive... trying to take his away by suggesting that his dreads are gay (which by the way is just stupid) or that they need to be cut, is self defeating and erodes away at that which affords all of us the right to that self expression... blues/soft landings ( to EVERYBODY by the way.. not just those with long hair ) If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Wow! what a rush for you! I remember my 1st very as well. And the tahoe DZ is a beautiful place... mountains, lake in the back ground.. yeah man.. you'll def! enjoy. As mentioned by the other posters, the risk factor for tandems is much less than for fun jumpers. As for your parents, they are only expressing (although in what I would say in an inappropriate way) their concern for your well being and saftey.. they want you around. This is understandable, but alas.. you are of "adult" status, and sounds like you have been making adult decisions for some time now. They have to let go and allow you to make those decisions which hopefully they have prepared you for thru your up bringing. It will be hard if not impossible to change their perception of the saftey or lack there of in this sport to them... the only way that SOME of my family were able to understand is to go to the DZ and see for themselves exactly what goes on and how gently we really do come down. I do have an agreement with my wife to call her after EVERY jump to let her know I am safe...and although could sometimes be construed as a hassle, its a small consolation for me to be able to enjoy this WONDERFUL activity. Its was, is and I pray... shall be something that I will be doing for a LONG time. Enjoy your jump.. relax, breathe... take in the view. Rest assured your TM will take good care of you. Look forward to hearing how the jump goes and hopefully....maybe huh? adding another to the fold ( c'mon on down to Skydance/Davis,CA where the views are great! as well!) .... blues/soft landings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

4get trying to rationalize to whuffo's the "saftey" of skydiving. Its a dangerous sport.... period. Yes, TONS of life's activites are dangerous and have a "risk factor" to them. As with anything that does have a risk factor... minimize the risk and then judge for yourself if it is something that you are willing to....risk. I too have set saftey limits above SIM guidelines to further minimize the risks...but again after all, there is a reason for the legal disclaimer that you see sewn, stickered or sign to waiver stating skydiving's inherant dangers. Good luck.. blue skies and soft landings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

This may seem a little harsh but I don't mean it that way...you posted your thoughts clearly and honestly, I'll show you the respect of doing the same. By the statement you made regarding 'chain of events' it seems to me your head isn't in the game right now...you probably need to do some real thinking as far as your priorities are concerned. Follow me here for a minute~ When 'skydivers' discuss 'links in the chain of disaster' the fact that they are jumping isn't one of them. When you reference one of your links as just being the fact your ARE a skydiver, your head is more aligned with your commitment to the welfare of your family, NOTHING wrong with that by any means. When you then reference your self-questioning of your currency to be jumping at all...it tells me that you're not necessarily comfortable with your abilities regarding your personal performance standards...again, NOTHING wrong with that, you are aware of what it takes to be safe and your are being honest with yourself (and us) about your thoughts in that area. This sport is one that can get you hurt of killed, it's not a requirement to completing a living your life degree, it's an elective. Something each of us should do from time to time is ask the question, is this skydive 'worth' everything I am and everything I ever hope to do...sometimes the honest answer is no. I have more respect for people that look into themselves and opt out, than I do for the ones that continue because it's easier than acting on the answer. Something happened to you that shook you up enough to question your priorities, if I were you I wouldn't do anything- quit/don't quit, until you sort all that out. Like Bigun said, only you can answer that. +1 The skies will still be waiting when/if you are ready to return. No matter your decision.. peace/blessings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Used everything except AAD and helmet.. saved a bunch of money and got my gear faster than if I bought new. Not tryin' to flame..but yes, this topic has been discussed extensivly/the search function is your friend. If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

If its something that you want to do then.. no, I wouldnt give up. Just approach it differently. EVERYTIME I jump, I get nervous before getting to the DZ. Stomache turns a little.. I make sure that I dont put too much in and nothing too rich or heavy. Usually a couple pieces of bacon, slice of toast or two and/or a banana. Then I make sure to have snacks @the DZ and pleanty of water. Have found that small amounts of food are much better than a reg sized meal or no food at all. Good luck.. blue skies and no vomit comet bags! If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Didn't think you were gonna have to learn how to pack your parachute AND your hair huh? HA! LOL.... Ive got long hair (to about the mid of my back) and although is not as bulky as yours I have found that braiding it up, putting multiple hair bands around the braid and then tucking the braid into the back of my jumpsuit works good. Not sure what your hair "pack volume" but if small enuf you may be able to get it into the back of your helmet as well. Good luck... blue skies/soft landings oh... and no high speed hair knots! If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Nope... didn't know..and didn't do anything out of the ordinary... Now... 4/20 on the other hand was a WHOLE nother story. If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Oh my goodness.. if the weather is ANYTHING like it was this past weekend... it will be a FANTABULOUS weekend/boogie. Great views, cool jump craft.. Lookin' forward to the gathering..hope to see you all there!! till then.. blues/soft landings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

+1 +1 If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

You'll find what motivated each person will be quite different/although there MAY be some common thread. All of which may also differ from from what currently motivates each person to continue.. there are many stories/posts in the intro and greet section of DZ.com that will give you understanding as well... My motivation was/is my desire for flight as well as quite a few other emotions & feelings that dont translate well into words. God willing, I will be doing this for a long time to come. Blues/soft landings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Thanks for the post ...What a beautiful tribute to life! Makes me proud that it took place at the DZ that I frequent as often as possible !! Been on the organ doner list since I had my drivers license and can't think of having it any other way. Hope to see you soon.. If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Although I was told that I should NOT rely on some of the skills that I learned in private pilot training/single engine/small aircraft, I found sooo many of the principals the same when it came time to canopy flight. So, I kept my mouth shut but my mind open and found that the skills DID translate to my canopy flying ability. I definately have more confidence in my canopy skills becuz of my experience with small aircraft. Blues/soft landings. If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Welcome back! I recently went thru a lay off of 4 1/2 months ( longest I had gone since my start in the sport) and I was quite anxious. I did A LOT of visualization prior to jumping. I reviewed the SIM. Drilled EP's in my head. Talked with coaches and asked for their advice before our jump. Dont forget to BREATHE/RELAX... it all came back to me/no problem. Most anxiety gone as soon as I jumped into the beautiful blue.So, am sure you'll be fine.. enjoy/keep us all posted. blues/soft landings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

Although I prefer Vodka/hard alcohol.... hard alcohold DOESNT like me... a nice red wine is on the menu If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

I'd say may>june are the 2 best months here in the central valley of CA... weather is dicey before and HOT between july and oct. But the heat doesnt bother me @ 120 MPH !! - nor under canopy. So, even the summer months are a blast!! Have a great trip.. you may also want to check out Davis/Skydance or Lincoln which are also in the area. blue skies/soft landings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

I think most of us would agree..that there are a lot of words that get close to describing the feeling... but ultimately its the experience that relates the feeling, not words. Ive quit trying for the most part.. A whuffo will NEVER understand. At least those open to the possibility of jumping TRY to grasp the understanding/concept. Minds are very like parachutes... they dont work if they're not OPEN!! So, I'll still try to give an answer so as not to come off as rude or uncaring.. but truly... you only GET IT if you DO IT... good luck blues/soft landings If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.

I do both.. but if I HAD to choose.. skydiving would win If flying is piloting a plane.. then swimming is driving a boat. I know why birds sing.. I skydive.