Forced to put dream on hold

[LloydDobbler 2]

Another great post, Bill.

To the OP, though I can't claim to have Bill's wisdom on the subject of skydiving (since that only comes with years in the sport), I've often told people that I think I've learned more about the sport on the days when I show up at the DZ and spend the entire day on a weather hold.

There are certain things that you learn in the air...and certain things that you only learn by hanging out at the DZ and hearing stories. Both can save your ass at some point. Just being there is important.

Good luck!

Signatures are the new black.

[peregrinerose 0]

From what I've seen, both in life and in skydiving students, is that there are two general subcategories of people... those that set goals and work their asses off to accomplish them and those that set goals and whine a lot about not reaching them. Guess which group of students tend to progress faster

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[NickDG 23]

Very nice Billo. It was my "Rake" post but better . . .

NickD

[SkyHigh04 0]

It's interesting to read how others got into skydiving but that doesn't mean I have to do the same thing. To each their own....that's how I see it.

The whole purpose of this thread was for me to inform others that sometimes you have to deal with things before you jump into something new. I simply want to focus on a career, spending time with my family, and saving a nest egg so that one day I can pre-pay for all my AFF jumps. I'm not "whining" about not being able to fulfill my dream because I WILL fulfill my dream, it's just a matter of when. It's hard to relate to others sometimes when you don't know them and can't put yourself in their shoes....Quite frankly it's been the hardest year of my life with losing my brother and I'm just trying to be strong. The loss has affected me in more ways than one and it's going to take time. I will be a skydiver one day but at my own pace. Blue skies to all.

"...And once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been, and there you long to return..." - Leonardo da Vinci

[Andy9o8 2]

Just out of curiosity - you still haven't explained why you're not considering IAD, which is measurably cheaper on a per-jump basis. Why not?

[SkyHigh04 0]

I've already gone through some AFF and I love it so I'll stick with that. I can't afford anything besides bills right now, skydiving or not skydiving.

"...And once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been, and there you long to return..." - Leonardo da Vinci

[Andy9o8 2]

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I've already gone through some AFF and I love it so I'll stick with that.

...which is really more of a non-answer answer, but you're entitled. Hope it works out for you.

[stratostar 5]

Sorry for the loss of your bro. As to your having every excuse under the sun as to why you can't jump, every one of them is a lameass copout on your part! If you really wanted jump you would find a way to ballance your time and also earn money at the dz to afford to not only pay your bills but make jumps as well.

You can post all these bullshit reason as to why this or that won't work for you, but to many of us here have done it or shown others how to do it. The fact is your just friken lazy and want it handed to you just like all the other drive thru wannabees we see these days.

You want to jump, then learn to pack and work your ass off doing it, you'll not only be able to make jumps but earn some extra bread to pay your bills.

The more jobs on a dz your able to do the better pay checks you earn, pretty stupid of you scoff at learning the manifest job, that was step one of many jobs on the dz one could do and learn.

There are many of us here that not only did manifest but we also were packing and fueling planes, mowing grass, taking out the trash, answering the phone and a whole host of other dz jobs to make our dreams happen, it's called multi tasking.

So in short stop feeling sorry for yourself get off your duff and go make it happen there is no reason you have to do AFF, hell you could have already been done this season had you not spent all season crying in your beer at your pity party.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[NickDG 23]

>>as to why you can't jump, every one of them is a lameass copout on your part!
I almost posted something similar. He brought it up initially and we offered several alternatives. He said this and we said that. And after his last post I spent ten minutes crafting a well thought out response.

But you know what? We can never know what it's like to walk in another man's shoes. So instead of posting what I wrote I deleted it. (Too bad too, as there was a couple of real good lines in it).

And maybe, just maybe, you should have done the same thing . . .

NickD

[stratostar 5]

You may very well be right, then again maybe you should have just posted your reply.

I've seen to many other broke ass people who wanted it bad enough do what it takes to make it happen and worked thier ass doing it........Kind of like getting a rake and showing up for work.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[billvon 3,070]

>I simply want to focus on a career, spending time with my family, and
>saving a nest egg so that one day I can pre-pay for all my AFF jumps.

That's a great plan! Just don't make the mistake of saving up for it, blasting through all the jumps in a few weekends, and then going back to the family/work thing on the weekends. There really is a lot of stuff you don't learn unless you spend a lot of time at the DZ; allow that time in your schedule, however it gets put in there. (just a suggestion.)

[SkyHigh04 0]

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Sorry for the loss of your bro. As to your having every excuse under the sun as to why you can't jump, every one of them is a lameass copout on your part! If you really wanted jump you would find a way to ballance your time and also earn money at the dz to afford to not only pay your bills but make jumps as well.

You can post all these bullshit reason as to why this or that won't work for you, but to many of us here have done it or shown others how to do it. The fact is your just friken lazy and want it handed to you just like all the other drive thru wannabees we see these days.

You want to jump, then learn to pack and work your ass off doing it, you'll not only be able to make jumps but earn some extra bread to pay your bills.

The more jobs on a dz your able to do the better pay checks you earn, pretty stupid of you scoff at learning the manifest job, that was step one of many jobs on the dz one could do and learn.

There are many of us here that not only did manifest but we also were packing and fueling planes, mowing grass, taking out the trash, answering the phone and a whole host of other dz jobs to make our dreams happen, it's called multi tasking.

So in short stop feeling sorry for yourself get off your duff and go make it happen there is no reason you have to do AFF, hell you could have already been done this season had you not spent all season crying in your beer at your pity party.

You obviously don't have a clue what you're talking about....I'm not making any excuses. I'm simply stating that my money is going elsewhere right now and that's that. You call me lazy but you don't even know me....when the fuck did I say I wanted it handed to me?? I work for what I want. I'm a black belt in tae kwon do not because it was handed to me but because I worked my ass off for it. I represented our country as a student ambassador in other countries because I earned it....and when the time comes, I'll get my skydiving license. I'll jump when I'm damn good and ready. I feel sorry for myself??? How did you determine that from the 0 times you've met me? Get a life and stop acting tough behind a computer, calling people names and putting them down because it makes you feel good.

In a nutshell, I'm done with skydiving for right now so stop giving your advice or disrespectful comments. I appreciate the majority who posted good advice and words of wisdom.

"...And once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been, and there you long to return..." - Leonardo da Vinci

[JohnDeere 0]

I understand exactly what you are doing. I made my first tandem in 1997, then started AFF in 2001 (only made like 15 jumps). Got out in late 2001 due to starting a buis, and family. Got back in for good in 2005 after building a succesfull buis. and a great fam.

I thought about skydiving all the time and watched movies all the time i was off, but i had priorities. It worked out for me cuase now when i am at the DZ i can jump as much as i want!

Nothing opens like a Deere!

You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers!

[Beerlight 0]

I think Stratostar was just giving you the "go get em speech", not necessarily being as rude as you think he was... Plus, he's been around a long time and i think he gave Jesus a FJC back in the day!

Do what you need to do to get your life back on track, and then return to skydiving when your ready.

But be careful how things come across via the internet. It's hard to pick out inflection.

What you think sounds good when you write it, may actually sound harsh to those that receive it....... good luck....!!

[hackish 8]

Well I guess you will have to learn to pack for your "A" anyway no? Why not see if you can be paid to practice your packing? I remember working lots of extra hours to afford my IAD jumps. This year a good number of my jumps have been paid through my work as a nylon manipulation technician.

I think many instructors recognize a motivated student and some are willing to do extras such as free instruction/advice. Although I'm not in the position of an instructor I'd sure as hell pack someone's reserve if I felt they were deserving but unable to pay for it. Most people I've met jump for the love of the sport not 'cause it's another boring job...

-Michael

[skittles_of_SDC 0]

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I think Stratostar was just giving you the "go get em speech", not necessarily being as rude as you think he was

I'd call it more of a reality check.

I will admit I don't have money issues. I made a few good plays in the stock market. As far as your brother I am truly sorry, but dude, things happen in life. We all have hardships. I lost 2 family members this year in the course of 5 months. Skydiving got me through it. Granted we all handle it differently but when I get upset or I feel sad the dz is where I go. I started in late May and I have 132 jumps. Do you think I racked up all those jumps sitting on the computer telling people my sob story? No, I went out to the DZ whenever possible.

I've been packing for myself for a whole of 3 weeks and have gotten to the point I can knock a (fairly used) 210 out in 20-30 mins. Thats slow for a packer yet you could still make $10-$18 an hour. You got offered a job with manifest and turned it down because you didn't think it was worth it. (btw good luck getting anymore than 39 hours from wally world=no bennies) Don't come on here and give us a load of bullshit about how its your biggest dream. You had the opportunity to take a path that would lead you straight to the dream (the manifest job) but you burned the fucking bridge that leads there. Do what you gotta do but don't give me your sob story and expect me to shed tears for you. I know you think I'm an ass but you know what? Somebody (besides strato) has to call it like it is.

[SkyHigh04 0]

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I understand exactly what you are doing. I made my first tandem in 1997, then started AFF in 2001 (only made like 15 jumps). Got out in late 2001 due to starting a buis, and family. Got back in for good in 2005 after building a succesfull buis. and a great fam.

I thought about skydiving all the time and watched movies all the time i was off, but i had priorities. It worked out for me cuase now when i am at the DZ i can jump as much as i want!

I agree, and that about sums it up. As for the last guy...I don't work at Walmart slick...I don't care how long it takes you to pack...I didn't pass up any opportunity to complete my dream, you obviously haven't read this thread because if you did you would realize I don't WANT to focus on skydiving right now. Oh and my "bullshit" excuses and dream that you and the other guy mentioned..."bullshit" would imply that I'm lying and since I'm not then I guess you have no idea what you're talking about since last time I checked, not too many people find their family and paying their bills to be "bullshit". I also never said it was my biggest dream, just a dream of mine. Just because I'm not jumping all over getting my license ASAP doesn't make me any less of a person.

"...And once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been, and there you long to return..." - Leonardo da Vinci

[skybytch 273]

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I don't work at Walmart slick...

What's wrong with working at Walmart? It's a job, isn't it?

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I also never said it was my biggest dream, just a dream of mine.

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Skydiving is my goal, my dream, and something I want to work hard at and become good at as time goes by

[NWFlyer 2]

The basic point that I think folks are trying to get you to concede is that you aren't being FORCED to do anything.

You're making a choice to prioritize different things right now. Which is a very different, and perfectly acceptable thing to do, but given that you've been offered opportunities and help so that you won't be "forced" to put it on hold, perhaps you can see where people are less sympathetic than you might have hoped.

There's a big difference between saying you're "forced to put dream on hold" and now saying "I don't WANT to focus on skydiving right now." People are attacking, and you're getting defensive, but perhaps you can step back and see where some of these interpretations of your words are coming from?

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[SkyHigh04 0]

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The basic point that I think folks are trying to get you to concede is that you aren't being FORCED to do anything.

You're making a choice to prioritize different things right now. Which is a very different, and perfectly acceptable thing to do, but given that you've been offered opportunities and help so that you won't be "forced" to put it on hold, perhaps you can see where people are less sympathetic than you might have hoped.

There's a big difference between saying you're "forced to put dream on hold" and now saying "I don't WANT to focus on skydiving right now." People are attacking, and you're getting defensive, but perhaps you can step back and see where some of these interpretations of your words are coming from?

I think you're right, but the "forced" part has to do with financial reasons. I'm forced to balance NEEDS and WANTS. I NEED to eat, NEED to have shelter, WANT to skydive. The "I don't WANT..." part is because sure, I could sell everything and skydive if I really wanted to but I don't feel like living like a bum therefore I won't do that. Also, I think there are more who get the point I'm making as opposed to those who don't get it. I've received some very nice PMs and I thanked those people. I'm not trying to argue with anyone, just feel like I always have to defend my position.

"...And once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been, and there you long to return..." - Leonardo da Vinci

[NWFlyer 2]

But ultimately, it's still a choice. There's really only a couple things that truly force us from the sport, death and catastrophic injury being two that spring to mind. The rest are just choices.

And despite being one of those yuppie scum skydivers who came into the sport after I was already well-established in my career (so I've "had it easy") I've managed to forge some friendships with some of the "crusty" old-timers, including some who have posted in this thread, by also respecting the choices THEY made and the wide variety of paths people take to get into this sport (and stay in this sport). Be aware that in "defending your position" you are also coming off as very dismissive of people who are willing or have been willing to make different lifestyle choices. Careful about that because those are often some of the folks from whom you'll learn the most and get the best stories.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[SkyHigh04 0]

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But ultimately, it's still a choice. There's really only a couple things that truly force us from the sport, death and catastrophic injury being two that spring to mind. The rest are just choices.

And despite being one of those yuppie scum skydivers who came into the sport after I was already well-established in my career (so I've "had it easy") I've managed to forge some friendships with some of the "crusty" old-timers, including some who have posted in this thread, by also respecting the choices THEY made and the wide variety of paths people take to get into this sport (and stay in this sport). Be aware that in "defending your position" you are also coming off as very dismissive of people who are willing or have been willing to make different lifestyle choices. Careful about that because those are often some of the folks from whom you'll learn the most and get the best stories.

Yeah it's a choice but it's a choice that would make no sense in any way shape or form to me, to just sell all I had, not eat, not have my house, not have my car, and just skydive. I'm not dismissive of anyone. To each their own...everyone takes their own path. See, you're making a point but in a respectful manner. When disrespectful people just start bashing on you when they don't know you or your situation, then I defend myself.

"...And once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been, and there you long to return..." - Leonardo da Vinci

[skybytch 273]

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I NEED to eat, NEED to have shelter, WANT to skydive. The "I don't WANT..." part is because sure, I could sell everything and skydive if I really wanted to but I don't feel like living like a bum therefore I won't do that.

At a large dropzone in the western US, it's said that you can't walk through the "ghetto" (ie the place where the bums live) without tripping over a world champion or three. Are they bums because they've chosen to live in a trailer (or, Gawd forbid, a tent) so they can chase their dream? Or are they examples of people willing to do whatever it takes to live their lives to the fullest?

[billvon 3,070]

> I NEED to eat, NEED to have shelter, WANT to skydive.

Right, and you can do all that just as many others have done. If you instead choose to wait a while to save some money, great! But again, that's a choice. If it's the choice for you, then that's fine.

[SkyHigh04 0]

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I NEED to eat, NEED to have shelter, WANT to skydive. The "I don't WANT..." part is because sure, I could sell everything and skydive if I really wanted to but I don't feel like living like a bum therefore I won't do that.

At a large dropzone in the western US, it's said that you can't walk through the "ghetto" (ie the place where the bums live) without tripping over a world champion or three. Are they bums because they've chosen to live in a trailer (or, Gawd forbid, a tent) so they can chase their dream? Or are they examples of people willing to do whatever it takes to live their lives to the fullest?

Kudos to them for giving up everything for their dream. I live in a log cabin on the east coast. I live my life to the fullest in my own way and it doesn't consist of having to degrade myself to bum status. You live your life how you want and I live mine how I want, we're all happy campers. I'm done with this thread, so respond all you want but I'm done, tired of arguing, I've made my point. Billvon gets it. Blue skies.

"...And once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been, and there you long to return..." - Leonardo da Vinci