squirrelgirl

Thank you for this. I think the problem here is people assuming I need the help and not asking before they touch the rig. I don't really know if their level of experience matters so much as the common courtesy to ask before grabbing. That said, still a student here, I need gear checks. The license will come as soon as weather cooperates! You are right about being new and female at the DZ. There are apparently a million right ways to do things and everyone seems to think their way is best. I've taken to just asking one guy whom I trust because I know he will give me honest answers. As for the gear checks, he pointed out three people and said "don't let them touch your stuff." I guess airing on the side of caution applies here.

I wasn't saying that at all. However, the mentality at the DZ and all over these forums seems to be that unless you've jumped at least a couple hundred times, your opinion doesn't mean squat about anything. Gear checks included. I'm not crazy, I am absolutely following what I've been told. I'm sorry you were treated the way you were in 1985, but that was 24 years ago, and the opinions are obviously much different now.

It's the ultimate secret-shop experience. It could get a lot of good feedback if the D licensed person wasn't already known at that DZ.

We called it the MRS degree, every girl looking to major in fashion and become a missus.

They must know something we don't... zombie-pocalypse.

I was the last one out of the plane and it felt SO weird! But I leapt out and screamed most of the way down. It felt really, really good :) I did nothing but enjoy the scenery and grin like an idiot. Came down and enjoyed a beer that I had preemptively brought for said first fun jump.

This is understandable, but something I'd obviously not thought of. The few times I've been on a solo jump, others have bent me over and checked my rig for me, giving it that slap to let me know all is well. They aren't my instructors, some of them weren't even coaches. But I thought they were being nice and a third check never hurt. Am I wrong?

The job is an incredibly serious one, which is part of the reason why I maintain that I do not wish to have children. (I could change my mind, but we'll see.) I am firm believer in the quote "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." I help repair broken adults for a living and it leaves me worn out, emotionally drained, and in desperate need of a mental health day. Sometimes I laugh and sometimes I get to see something really good, but mostly it is one of the hardest jobs there is. Being a parent is a tough job because, primarily, they should be building children that will be able to have a productive, healthy future. Not as easy as it looks!

I've never met a single Christian who is exactly that. Everyone makes concessions somewhere. I'm unsure if you're implying that you are one, but beliefs are so muddled at this point I'd have to disagree.

It's one of the best feelings in the world, isn't it? When my tandem was finished I bounced up and down and said "I want to do it again!" My camera guy said "Yeah everyone says that." Within 10 days, I was back for AFF, no lyin' :) I hope you get to jump again soon!

Hi Joe I was trying to do the same thing for AFF and it wasn't necessary. Very nervous about flipping, but it turned out to be no bigger deal than any other thing I'd learned. Instructors will help you and you'll be a-okay!

Two jumps a day has been my physical and financial limit and I've been told this is perfectly alright. The sport is for anyone willing to work enough for it and love it enough to stick with it. Nobody's going to be perfect on their first try!

C'mon now. Too many kids today can't even remember what they learned in math class just two weeks after school is let out for summer break. This speech could very likely have the exact same effect of in one ear, out the other.

It was fun to watch, but they shot it in Byron. I would like to see that get on TV, they worked pretty hard for it!

I thought it was all me, too. There was no flare to speak of and was told by my instructors that I was caught in a dust devil. I take full responsibility for screwing up and am harder on myself than I should be. I'm not trying to blame the weather for everything, but this time it wasn't working in my favor.