cruelpops

Life or Live? And isn't it true that lemons are dead once they've been picked from the tree? So that, in of itself, is pretty depressing.

Then again, I'm a competitor so my focus is generally different in the gym than many people. Here's me at the last meet with 560lbs on my back. Holy rectum wrecker batman... it looks like you shit out someone's leg and about 145 lbs worth of plates!!!

Whenever I 'had' a gym membership, I would encounter plenty of people that were novices and didn't understand the different staging areas. I tried to help them - teach them a few things so they could feel more comfortable. They were already taking the big step of going into world outside of their wheelhouse. I didn't try to act like some mega dickhead gym cop that couldn't wipe his own ass. Those people are worse than the novices.

The Kardashians, Bieber, Lohan and a handful of other idiots need to be dropped off on some remote island and let the military practice their artillery accuracy. (Is there a license for that?)

Did someone say free beer? Is there a registration fee?

Are you the same guy hanging out on the observer deck at Deland asking the same questions with the clipboard? Where are you from? What grad school are you attending? It seems when I started asking questions it was frustrating for that person and he didn't want to participate.

After "gearing up" I inspect and pull on my own chest strap at least 5 to 10 times before and during climb to altitude. It's hard to explain but it's an OCD thing. I always have someone give me a pin-check and I'm constantly reviewing and feeling for any irregularities with my harness, handles, 3-ring, RSL, etc. The camera configuration (helmet mount) is checked before I get on the plane and forgotten until after I get on the ground and packed. The video should be used as a valuable training tool. This would be appropriate for both new and experienced "cool" skydiving kids. The guy obviously lost sight of his priorities and he is damn lucky a battery operated gizmo saved his ass. Eventually Darwin will smile and catch up to those that aren't paying attention.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=life+insurance+and+skydiving

Seems to me if money is not a "large" concern that you could drag an RV (travel trailer) and spend the best times of the year in the most appropriate places. Florida in the winter, Arizona in the spring, Colorado in the summer and pick a place for the $hits and giggles in the fall... perhaps Colorado and then rotate thereafter.

A lot of solid advice in this thread but I will take it one step further. Practicing maneuvers under somewhat controlled conditions and becoming comfortable are one thing; executing under duress is a different animal. A lot of people won't care if you go kill yourself and it would be that "I told you so" moment. But when you get into traffic with 15 or 20 other jumpers at or near the pattern - OR - more than 40 jumpers at a boogie or a large DZ and if you don't have a solid command of those necessary skills to get yourself out of the corner, you just put other people in danger because of a false sense of confidence.

Keep your head down and keep coming home safe. Thank you for your service!

Started skydiving in August 2011. Registered on dz.com in September 2011. I spent a lot of time looking at the protocol on the forums before I opened my big mouth. I'm not your typical noob as I'm a little older than beginner but I'm not sure what "typical" may be considered. Anyway, I probably won't post a whole lot as I would rather be in the air working on my skills than sitting behind a computer and lying about them. BS/BD