Pammi

I was going to stay out of this one, but couldn't completely. I've learned that there are some DZ's who will flat out tell you that they are more of a 'student DZ' and that's just the way it is for them to keep their head up and make money. While I totally understand and grasp it, it doesn't encourage the experienced to hang around much. Some mind, some don't. While your an AFF student, you probably will not have much problem because you're still paying student costs, even if it is such a DZ. I jump at a place with just one C-182 and in the summer, it's a mad house. It's even picked up now with 12 tandems last Saturday. The DZO does his best to give everyone else a shot on a load or two, but usually sit at the DZ the entire day waiting for my slot. I deal with it cuz the DZO is my buddy, and I love the people I jump with. I also am getting excellent training there, and have a great time when the beer light comes on. So I guess what I'm saying is be a bit forgiving of the smaller places that have no choice but to bump you now and again, and try to choose somewhere you feel like you're safe and getting a good training above all, even if it takes some patience. I intend on finishing up learning there, then I'm sure I'll be checking out the other DZ's in the area. My home DZ will always be my home tho and I will frequent there most. My .02 cents

Great! Thanks guys. I opted for booties on my suit that I ordered because she said they would be made where I could tuck them away if I decided I didn't want to use them on a jump and they would be much harder to get on later properly then to just add them in now. Glad I got em! Pammi

What has been your experience with booties? I hear that they are great for better tracks but you have to keep in mind that it takes less movement with your legs to make a turn, for instance, so good positioning of your legs is a must while wearing them. What is everyone's ideas on them or what have you found while using them? Pammi

No, 'fraid not Aggie :( I jump at the other one he lists in Cushing, Ok, about a half hour from where he lives. He jumps everywhere I think! However, I am intending on coming to Dallas at least once this summer. There is a group from our DZ that are going to be going once a month so as soon as I get licensed, I'm on my way! I've heard a lot of great things about them down there and am anxious to try something different. "Home" will always be OSC though.

*laughing* That's hilarious Aggie! I can think of one particular jumper who I wouldn't mind that happening to! Pammi

Wow, didn't realize it would be that complicated (and possibly expensive). I think I'll let this one pass and just make everyone watcht the tape! I really only wanted it for that same sort of reason, so my family and such back home could see it...but I'll just take it up with me the next time I go! I *am* however going to try to get a still off of the tape from a shot he got of me landing right as the sun was going down...it was gorgeous! I just love sunset loads! Pammi

Gotcha Covered I have to recommend this company also. The gal who makes the suits is a rigger at our DZ and we jump with her husband who did one of my vids this weekend. They are awesome and have great suits! Merrick and I just ordered two of them, and I'm really excited about it. She's fast and can make anything at all you want. Freefly, RW, even grippers on a tighter freefly sort-of suit. They are customizing ours to try to even out me and Merrick's fall-rate because I tend to fall very slowly..even her husband was having a time keeping with me in a winged suit (that they also made..it's kick a$$). One of the things they are adding is 'swoop cords' for Merrick's that he can use, or not, to pull a much smaller 'wing' out making him fall a bit slower. Anyway, I just had to recommend them because they really are good to their customers and can help you find exactly what you need, from design to the kind of material. And they are fast! We'll have ours in about 10-14 days she predicts. Check out their site and give 'em a call. their names are Shawn and Kris. Blues, Pam

Can anyone give me an idea of how I could convert a video from tape to an online format for windows media players? I got a couple this weekend of my jumps I'd love to do it with but am not really sure how to go about it...? Pammi

Merrick and I will let ya know exactly what can be done soon since it's something we've been thinking on how to do since we started diving! The ultimate fantasy, skydiving AND sex! Woohoo! (Figuring that it definately be a nekkie jump, of course, we better get better at spotting before we try something like that...really wouldn't want an off DZ landing in some trees or bushes!) I figure we can hook up in the plane then have the pilot just 'dump' us out like that and hold on tight! Might be the fastest quickie in history, but would still be fun to try! Hehe! Pammi

Ah, I see..thanks!

That's about where I'm at Robert. I bought a Triathlon 160 and I weigh about 145 (without gear on of course). I haven't jumped it yet, but from everything I heard it is a good size for me. Aerodyne even says you can go up to around a 200 pound exiting weight with them, although I couldn't possibly say anything towards that since I'm pretty new at this also. The only flack I've gotten at all is how it's just not as 'high performance as the Sabre', which I let go in one ear and out the other since that's almost entirely what's jumped at my DZ so it's just their preference in my opinion. I'm confident it'll be perfect for my first jump canopy, and maybe even for later ones! Just read around, decide what you're looking for and talk to your JM/DZO who know how you fly/land and they will help you out. Blues Pam BTW...Thanks Flyboy for the input! You also Mike! Glad to see other 'pro-Triathlon' people out there. I can't wait to try mine! Maybe this weekend, but if not, for sure the next! Edited by pammi on 3/5/01 11:54 AM.

Okay, I've been skydiving for nearly a year now and I STILL don't have a clue what a HALO jump is. Can someone enlighten me?

Venwood, I agree with you that low turns are a large number of our fatalities and injuries. I'm constantly preaching at my husband to *please* not do them, on purpose or accidentally. To not put himself in the position of 'needing' to do them, although, I don't know that there is ever a 'need', unless you are avoiding something worse, in which case I hope you've practiced some flat turns. My personal theory, and one that I've heard others mention at the DZ, is that the number of people who get hurt or killed seems to increase as experience increases. You stop reading those articles to get better, you start hurrying your packing and trying to get that long swoop. It's when you get too comfortable that errors can start to occur more. The, of course, can happen to newer divers also, but I am like you, I read everything and am much more conservative/cautious then perhaps someone with 500 jumps. Anyway, these are all just my opinions and personal goals to not let myself get too comfortable. Blue skies and safe landings! Pammi

Those still make me laugh!!

That's beautiful. Thank you too Carrie. I'm sure there are many in the world to include us who are thankful that you chose to fight for your life, not just survive an existence. You too Froggie. I can't even imagine the kind of pain you must have went through, no one can unless they've been there I imagine, and even then, everyone's situations are entirely their own. How bad can skydiving be when it allows us to bond with people we haven't even met and share things even those in our day-to-day lives don't know? I've learned more, given more and gotten more in these threads then I would've imagined. *hugs to all* Pammi

Hey..why'd it get changed to Skreamer? Wanting some of FFF's action?

LOL Tee! How about the Aquanet hairspray, then holding the front up and blowdrying it to see how tall you could get your bangs *grin* It was almost a status thing back then! LOL!

Patkat, that was an excellent post. I agree with you completely. I'd like to add another thought to it all. I think I can speak for most of us and say skydiving is a huge relief from it all. It let's you just release so much stress. I don't know about any of you, but (confession time) as I've hinted on here, I've had my own addictions. From getting sloshing drunk on a regular basis, then progressing to cocaine as a 'pick me up' while working so much. Any time my kids were with their dad, I was stoned or drunk. I tend to be a worrier...I stress over everything. I'm such a perfectionist I'm always worried about 'dropping the ball'. That coupled with divorce from a mentally abusive husband, my son's severe health problems (I was NOT doing anything back then, even so much as a beer, so please don't flame), daughter's molestation (babysitter's son), etc, etc, I wanted an escape from my own head and thinking. So I took the easy route...numbed it. I still feel that way from time-to-time, overwhelmed with life, but now skydiving is my release that refreshes me and gives me the courage to keep pushing ahead. Shit just seems to happen and everyone's had their hard knocks...I could post for days as I'm sure others' could also. Like Freaksis said, though, I doubt skydiving is her 'problem', it's her cure. It's a safer, better way to clear your mind rather then numb it with drugs. I can't believe I just said all of this :) Not even my family knows some of it...so ssshhhh!

Hey Merrick...you mean that isn't true? Forget those dryer sheets when you go to the store for me! :) What about the pointy ends of the raindrops? *kiss*

*laughing* Now you sound like my brother FFF. I tend to always have him blushing, but he's the shy type so that's not too hard. Your sister is cute tho...hope she did something with the hair

She's a little '80's-looking' but there might be some assets you guys will appreciate Click here Pammi

Oh my gawd, that was hilarious! I'm sorry FFF, your impotent..I wasn't fast enough! LOL! Pammi Edited by Pammi on 3/1/01 02:21 PM.

Thanks for the help guys. Hadn't actually thought of that...how well they are supposed to open and that if I packed it like Merrick's Sabre, it might snivel longer then I want. I'll be watching to see how yours goes also Flyboy. Getting to jump it this weekend? Pammi

Ah thanks again Skreamer

Ours are going to pay off our rigs :) We coulda had a lot more if OK hadn't raped us on taxes this year! Nearly half of our federal refund will go to Oklahoma! Bastardos! LOL!