LuvToFly 0 #1 January 25, 2004 As a computer dude, it's been freaky to see how many people that jump out of perfectly good airplanes are somehow connected to IT. Software engineers; IT Consultants and Project Managers (yours truly); Programmers; System Administrators; etc.. Our profiles call ourselves, "Geek," "Wonk," "Nerd," and beyond! What's up with all of us computer folks needing to skydive? Too much time behind the LCD?? :-) Let's hear how you got into skydiving - I'll get the ball rolling with my own story: - Started by flying hang gliders - Earned a fixed wing pilot's license - Earned a helicopter pilot's license - Decided to skydive - Became an SD addict (but still do conventional aviation, helicopter, etc..) Basically, cannot stay out of the air - How about you other IT folks out there? What drives you to this level of insanity (meant in the best of ways, of course!) T.B. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawndiver 0 #2 January 25, 2004 The amount of stress and frustration incurred on the job can only be cured by an equal and opposite amount of adrenaline! Shawn_________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuvToFly 0 #3 January 25, 2004 QuoteThe amount of stress and frustration incurred on the job can only be cured by an equal and opposite amount of adrenaline! Shawn Motion for adrenaline is seconded. All in favor say, "I." "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bch7773 0 #4 January 25, 2004 actually at my college club, we've noticed before how many engineer students skydive. And most of them are considered pretty nerdy. We decided because they are more likely to trust their lives to a device. but beats me why computer geeks skydive. I guess the real answer is that there isn't so many of em, but you just have more of em on a website like dropzone.com. MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuvToFly 0 #5 January 25, 2004 Quoteactually at my college club, we've noticed before how many engineer students skydive. And most of them are considered pretty nerdy. We decided because they are more likely to trust their lives to a device. but beats me why computer geeks skydive. I guess the real answer is that there isn't so many of em, but you just have more of em on a website like dropzone.com. That's interesting Brian - never really thought about the engineering side of it specifically as those folks can be in a number of disciplines. More than trusting to a device, I think a lot of IT folks may see the whole damn thing as interesting - while providing a much-needed, bustin' out craziness - Which to me is necessary. I swear there is a large opposite force at work. Sit behind a computer in a safe world (hey, it's not exactly high steel work!) and need to do other stuff to make you know you are alive. Low risk, high risk - any thoughts on that folks? I don't think I ever feel more alive than when skydiving... T.B. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #6 January 25, 2004 Same with the club I was in. Nearly everyone was either engineering or computer science. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gravitysurfer 0 #7 January 25, 2004 <<<< see avatar otherwise... 0b1 aloha. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjiimmyyt 0 #8 January 25, 2004 QuoteI swear there is a large opposite force at work. Sit behind a computer in a safe world (hey, it's not exactly high steel work!) and need to do other stuff to make you know you are alive. Low risk, high risk - any thoughts on that folks? I don't think I ever feel more alive than when skydiving... T.B. I think this has been talked about before here but there is an interesting paper, http://pavlov.psyc.queensu.ca/target/, that looks into this. "This isn't an iron lung, people. You can actually disconnect and not die." -Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faber 0 #9 January 25, 2004 QuoteWhat's up with all of us computer folks needing to skydive? i just guess all is colected here as there is 2 interests at the same time. i know serval people who never visit here,they has enough just to jump and live normal lives Stay safe Stefan Faber Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDuck 0 #10 January 25, 2004 I have always wanted to skydive, but never had the opportunity. When I was married, my wife put the big red-x stamp on those plans. Once I got out of that situation and moved from the left coast to the right one and met the woman of my dreams, we decided to start skydiving together. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #11 January 25, 2004 What drives you to this level of insanity *** I was always on the edge of insanity. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrumpySmurf 0 #12 January 25, 2004 That might not be all that far off the mark. We live with a daily life of relatively high stress ('Get this done or we are going to lose this contract and your job' vs. you are possibly going to die), deadline oriented goals ('We need it yesterday' vs. ground - 13K feet down), complex problem solving - oftentimes with no one right answer ('Fix one bug only to create 2 more' vs. you can do everything you were taught to do and it still may not work). Polar opposites, yet rather similar - work provides the means to play, the play provides the reason to work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #13 January 25, 2004 Well Put.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #14 January 25, 2004 Same here, after dealing with morons and tons of computer problems ALL WEEK, the best way to blow some steam is to JUMP!!! Besides, I always wanted to skydive. __________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodyflight.Net 0 #15 January 25, 2004 I first wanted to skydive in the 4th grade. I started tunnel flying at 20 y/o and made my first skydive at 22. I did it cuz everyone said skydiving would be easy since I knew how to fly already.. and they were right! Now I only jump once in a while when I need to strech my wings, otherwise I stick to the tunnel. It's hard to get out either way when I work behind a pc 14 hours a day, but hey, the money is GOOD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chaoskitty 0 #16 January 25, 2004 "Computer Geek" is my occupation. I'm good at it, and I enjoy it, but it has little to do with who I am. I've always been involved in all sorts of activities and willing to try anything. A friend talked me in to skydiving when I was still in college and couldnt afford it. I had recently stopped teaching kickboxing and was really needing a new challenge. I loved it from my first jump! It took me a while to start jumping regularly (had to graduate, get a job, buy gear, etc.). I will continue to vary my activities. Currently I take ballet, play softball, and skydive. But skydiving is something I see myself doing forever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JakGramley 2 #17 January 25, 2004 If you were truly a computer geek, you would let the world know! Jack Gramley "Rent-A-Geek" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuvToFly 0 #18 January 25, 2004 QuoteIf you were truly a computer geek, you would let the world know! Jack Gramley "Rent-A-Geek" Where do I sign up Jack? 17 years in IT gotta' count for something!! :) TOM "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #19 January 25, 2004 QuoteIf you were truly a computer geek, you would let the world know! Jack Gramley "Rent-A-Geek" Hey...I'm for rent too. __________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MagicLou 0 #20 January 25, 2004 What's up with all of us computer folks needing to skydive? Too much time behind the LCD?? :-) In my case too much radiation from CRT's Lou ___________________________________ . . . now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb - Dark Helmet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chute 0 #21 January 25, 2004 The non IT types do not relize what headaches they give us. I have seen and heard of some real stupid crap out of there mouths about computers.Bottomless Beers and Blue Skies! * Brother_Brian * D.S.W.F.S.B. #2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodyflight.Net 0 #22 January 26, 2004 [Phone rings] Me: Hello? Client: Hi Dawn, I'm having problems checking my email, everytime I try to get it nothing happens.... Me: Ok, tell me what you are doing exactly... Client (panicked): Well, NOTHING, my screen is completely blank!!!! Me: Ok, it's alright, first, is your computer turned on? Client (confused): well of course it is!! Me: What is the little light doing on the front of your compter box doing? Client: Nothing... I don't see a light... Me: Ok, please push the power button to start with.. Client (embarassed): Oh, I'm sorry, I'll try it now and if I'm still having problems, I'll call you back. I KID YOU NOT, this is an actual conversation I have had DOZENS of times with countless different people over the last 5 years... RIDICULOUS!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,447 #23 January 26, 2004 Actually, I was a skydiver long before I was a computer person. I was a social worker at the time. After college I did more social work, and then finally decided that I needed some real-world experience. And computers (and other real-world jobs) paid so much better. So maybe it's skydiving that makes you a computer geek Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodyflight.Net 0 #24 January 26, 2004 I jump; therefore I click Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuvToFly 0 #25 January 26, 2004 QuoteActually, I was a skydiver long before I was a computer person. I was a social worker at the time. After college I did more social work, and then finally decided that I needed some real-world experience. And computers (and other real-world jobs) paid so much better. So maybe it's skydiving that makes you a computer geek Wendy W. Now that IS an interesting angle Wendy "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
