OscarTgrouch 0 #1 November 16, 2010 ***Pre-posting edit --- Holly crap I just read this prior to hitting post. Sorry for this being long. Basically it goes like this. 1. I am new. 2. Never jumped. 3. Interesting in WS, but finding interest in other aspects. 4. Thanks to everyone. 5. Sometimes I can be used as a wakeboard. If you don't have much time, or don't like reading random rambling stop here and enjoy your day. If you like poorly written introductions and random rambling please continue. -Clay *** Ok so I better just go ahead and say my hello. My name is Clay, I am out of the Boise Idaho area. Have been spending a lot of evenings on the site over the past few months and want to say thank you to everyone for all the extremely valuable information. Now for the embarrassing part. I have never jumped. Not even a tandem. BUT.... This is something I am going to do in the hopefully near-ish future. Followed by an "AFF" course. With a wife and 2 little girls, and money being tight, I have a bit of extra work to do for some funding. To be honest that only drives me more. To give a little information about myself, well, I will start by saying I kind of tend to be "that guy". I have been called a gear whore more than once. I am not "that guy" as bad as some others though. Especially in sports were no matter how much you know, there is always much more to learn. This is what drives my love of gear. Gear will never make you good at something, but i do feel that the correct gear can help you learn, help improve your performance, and in different ways make things more enjoyable. Also the pure idea of taking a thought, making a product out of it, testing and watching it perform, rinse, repeat... Just is the the coolest thing ever. I love talking to a designer about a product they are working on, or worked on, and hear about the little details, what they are for, and what lead to them. SO if you haven't guessed by now I am completely fascinated by wing suits. What is funny is that at the start i was kind of bummed about the 200 jump min. Now after reading I not only understand the importance, but I also have gotten excited about the 200 "regular" :) jumps. Basically to clarify. At first the "regular" jumps, kind of sounded boring, but now i realize how much more there is to it, and how much more can be done. Instead of seeing my 200 jumps as something I just have to do. I now see myself doing "regular" (non-wingsuit) jumps after. Heck as far as I know I may not like WS jumping and get into something completely different. To be honest, I may not even like jumping. It may be something that when I experience, I don't enjoy it like i thought i would. I highly doubt that, but I know it is possible. Well, like I said, I tend to be "that guy" and I am doing it right now. You know, "that guy" that isn't even in the sport but has way to much to say. Mostly I will be pretty quite, that is until i get going. Then, well ya i will still be pretty quite. So to wrap it up. Again thank you to everyone on the forums and to the guys running the site. The information provided here is amazing. I can't wait to actually join the group and I look forward to jumping at some point with many of you. Clay Oh I guess I can say I have been under a canopy once before, but I am not counting it. A long time ago i had the opportunity to get drug around behind a boat in mexico. The funny part was that i was to small and the wind was a little stronger than desired. So doing what anyone else would do, the group tied a local onto my back with the excess webbing from my harness. All was going well until farthest from shore the boat ran out of gas. Needless to say the getting drug behind a boat part became all to real as i became basically a boogie board for the guy on my back. Still had a blast though, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this is the root of why I have little interest in swooping. :) Well at least at this point.Me = highly addictive personality with a very short attention span = to much A.D.D. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #2 November 16, 2010 Welcome. You don't have a cousin in Wisconsin named Robyn by any chance do you?Being detail oriented and interested in how stuff works, how it goes together and all that will be an asset in this sport. Read Sparky's rants on the "new generation" of jumpers not having a clue about their gear for a good feel on this (Note: I agree with a lot of what he says, this isn't a putdown towards him). You might consider working toward your rigger ticket. It's challenging, very educational, and a lot of fun (depending on how you define fun, of course). It's also very, very rewarding and more than a little bit humbling. Wingsuits are really cool, but I'm glad to see you aren't limiting your goals to "just wingsuiting". When are you going to do a tandem? It gets a little cold, but there are places that jump year round out there (weather permitting). Good luck. "There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #3 November 16, 2010 Welcome to the forums! that boring! It's good that we have so many ways to have fun in the sky, I hope you get to experience it soon! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #4 November 16, 2010 Here's a thumbnail photo for you to use in your profile (attached). I used it myself once, when I was accused of being a grumpy old man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OscarTgrouch 0 #5 November 16, 2010 Thanks for the welcome. No i do not have a cousin in Wisconsin that i know of. Sad to say. Thanks for pointing me at Sparky's rant. I havent read it yet, but have a feeling i will agree. I hope to do my tandem soon, but there are no plans at this point. There are just to many hurdles before i can set a date.Me = highly addictive personality with a very short attention span = to much A.D.D. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OscarTgrouch 0 #6 November 16, 2010 Thanks. I will make sure to put it to good use.Me = highly addictive personality with a very short attention span = to much A.D.D. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OscarTgrouch 0 #7 November 16, 2010 That is funny. I always like a completely opposing view, and i actually mean that. I must admit, some of the other aspects are looking more and more interesting. But I honestly have no clue until I give it a go.Me = highly addictive personality with a very short attention span = to much A.D.D. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ManagingPrime 0 #8 November 17, 2010 Quote No i do not have a cousin in Wisconsin that i know of. Future wife. LOL Welcome, +1 on getting your riggers ticket. It's a goal of mine to accomplish this soon(ish)...gear is cool. There is a TON of cool stuff to do in the sky and you never stop learning. Welcome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #9 November 17, 2010 QuoteThanks for the welcome. No i do not have a cousin in Wisconsin that i know of. Sad to say. Thanks for pointing me at Sparky's rant. I havent read it yet, but have a feeling i will agree. I hope to do my tandem soon, but there are no plans at this point. There are just to many hurdles before i can set a date. The "cousin" comment was in reference to another member of the forum who has a tendency to make long posts. Read the "MUST READ - Airtec issues bulletin" thread in Safety and Training for the comments about gear knowledge."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycamefalling 0 #10 November 17, 2010 Quote Quote Thanks for the welcome. No i do not have a cousin in Wisconsin that i know of. Sad to say. Thanks for pointing me at Sparky's rant. I havent read it yet, but have a feeling i will agree. I hope to do my tandem soon, but there are no plans at this point. There are just to many hurdles before i can set a date. The "cousin" comment was in reference to another member of the forum who has a tendency to make long posts. Read the "MUST READ - Airtec issues bulletin" thread in Safety and Training for the comments about gear knowledge. I would say that they have more than a tendency to make long posts. I see the name in the thread and automatically scroll down to see how long the post is But to the OP, welcome to the forums and hurry up and jump already.Speedracer~I predict that Michael Jackson will rise from the dead. And that a giant radioactive duck will emerge from the ocean and eat Baltimore. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 221 #11 November 18, 2010 Quote Welcome to the forums! that boring! It's good that we have so many ways to have fun in the sky, I hope you get to experience it soon! i wonder what his feelings on Sheep are.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VincePetaccio 0 #12 November 18, 2010 Welcome from another forum n00b. I don't have much interest in wingsuits, but tracking makes me feel like Superman. :o] ...but then again, so does melting iron with my laser vision, but that's for another post.Come, my friends! 'Tis not too late to seek out a newer world! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_squared431 0 #13 November 18, 2010 Welcome to the forums TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1 I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
