just a thrill seeker?

[Caelum 0]

My family thinks I skydive just because I am a thrill seekers. True, I like adrenaline, but I think it is more than just that. I tell them I have a wonderful group of friends there and it's a way for me to appreciate life and the sky. And that I love learning about the gear and how it works. I wonder what else I can tell them so they think I am more than just a thrill seeker. All the other things I do outside of skydiving, school , work, are really overshadowed by the fact I spend my weekends skydiving.

[popsjumper 2]

You say that like there is something wrong with being a thrill seeker...Stand up! Be Proud! Declare your Agenda!

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[tmaricle55 0]

Welcome to skydiving... no one will ever understand but the people you jump with. That is what makes your friendships so special.

Muff Brother # 3883, SCR # 14796 ICD # 1 - Pres.
Yeah, I noticed and I think it's funny!

[freethefly 6]

Tell them to take a flying leap

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[NlghtJumper 0]

Hence why I am constantly trying to talk more and more people into at least trying it. Its not because I have some deal worked out where I get something for each one who comes in. Its because I want them to understand what it is that keeps me constantly looking up. There is no way to ever be able to accurately explain the jumps, or the feelings. You just have to do it yourself.

And btw... I am a thrill seeker. I live for this shit.

A man will do anything for the right woman,
and when that woman destroys him,
that man will become a hunk of meat with the common sense of a rodeo clown! ~ Christopher Titus

[psipike02 0]

Just as tmiracle said, no one will ever understand. There are a few ways though, either get them to try to make a jump or bring them out to the DZ one day so they can actually see it for themselves.

Other than that, no one will ever understand the logic of why we do this except you and the rest of us.

Puttin' some stank on it.

----Hellfish #707----

[soberamprat 0]

Those that don't can't understand those that do can.t explain.
Plus the friends you make in this sport are nothing short of way cool. I know back when i broke my neck at the convention my skydiving friends were there to help out with the special needs where i am sure my whofoe friends would not have been there in times of need like when my halow came lose one night and a skydive friend came to my rescue taking me to the hospital to have it bolted back into my skull. Thanx Liz, Stan, and Brent.

http://www.swoopstudios.com/videos/videos-rex.php

[stitch 0]

Quote

You say that like there is something wrong with being a thrill seeker...Stand up! Be Proud! Declare your Agenda!

You're such a maniac.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[freefal 0]

Read this book then give it to your family:

Falling: How Our Greatest Fear Became Our Greatest Thrill--A History by Garrett Soden
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393054136/qid=1150219725/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-6292304-7204135?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

I got it when I started BASE and it really helped explain why we're considered so "weird" by the general public.

"Ignorance is bliss" and "Patience is a virtue"... So if you're stupid and don't mind waiting around for a while, I guess you can have a pretty good life!

[Caelum 0]

Thanks everyone for the great advice!

[FlankSteak 0]

Quote

My family thinks I skydive just because I am a thrill seekers. True, I like adrenaline, but I think it is more than just that. I tell them I have a wonderful group of friends there and it's a way for me to appreciate life and the sky. And that I love learning about the gear and how it works. I wonder what else I can tell them so they think I am more than just a thrill seeker. All the other things I do outside of skydiving, school , work, are really overshadowed by the fact I spend my weekends skydiving.

"Mother/Father, would you rather I take drugs, knock over old people on the sidewalk as I pass, spend my money getting drunk (oops - edit that one), fight, run around looking for fake happiness? Well, instead, I skydive - I am a good person"

______________________________________________
"...whatever stands against freedom must be set aside, be it ritual or superstition or limitation in any form."

[MagicGuy 0]

It really isn't worth trying to explain, because if you haven't made a jump than you just don't know the feeling. When I made my first tandem last year, I was telling everyone about it. I thought that they would share some of the enthusiasm that I did, but either they thought I was crazy, or would just say "I would never."

There's so much more to it than seeking thrills, but it sure helps to fullfill the need for a thrill!

[popsjumper 2]

Quote

You're such a maniac.

I guess I should take my own advice and be PROUD of that?

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[MF42 0]

One thing I've told my family and friends that they seem to almost understand is that I very much enjoy being a student again. And skydiving has so much to learn, more than any one man's lifetime could master, that I get to be a perpetual student.

Matt

[Mayberry 0]

If you can get your hands on a copy of the latest issue of Parachutist there's a pretty good article about this subject.

Don

Don

Here's to friends!