GLIDEANGLE 1 #1 January 3, 2010 I started jumping three years ago this month. Yesterday I made my 500th jump and earned my D-license. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to many, many people who made this possible and pleasant! I am sure that I will forget to mention someone…. I apologize in advance. THANK YOU… -- To Ernie Long and his team of instructors and coaches…. Not only did you give me a good start, you have remained a source of encouragement, information, & mentoring. -- To Dr. Lee Schlichtemeier and his wife Carol for running a safe, fun, and hospitable DZ. -- To Svien and Eddie for hundreds of safe flights to altitude and (mostly) great spots. -- To Ron for giving me great skydiving “career” guidance. -- To Laura for taking me under her wing early in my career. -- To the many load organizers at Skydive Dallas who have given me many, many, great jumps and lots of guidance about how to be a better skydiver. -- To my teammates for the last two seasons of 4-way FS: Roland, Kirk, David, Johnathan, Sean, David, and Bryce. I learned so much from each of you… and had a great time. You were more than patient with my numerous errors and brain locks. -- To Jeff for teaching me lots about rigging. Jeff: My primary skydiving goal this year is to finish my rigger ticket! (Maybe by declaring that in public will give me the pressure to FINISH.) -- To Michael Nowatney for being a great teacher and friend. I will always cherish my memory of you being a delightfully “bad” student during my coach candidate evaluation jump. I wish that you could have joined me on my 500th jump…but I know that you were with us in spirit. Blue Skies. -- To the many wonderful jumpers at Skydive Dallas, who have become a new family for me. To the many non-jumpers who made this journey easier: -- My wife, who lets me spend $$$ and be gone a lot. -- Bo, who picked me up when I landed out. -- Beckie and Val, who kept on top of the insanity in manifest. -- Debbie and her gang, who help keep my accounts straight. -- Laura, Sara, Jim, & Chris, whose pack jobs surprise me by opening every time! -- My faithful dog Katy who is always eager to go to the DZ, eager to see me after I jump, a great party dog, and a vigilant guard as I sleep. Plus, a final thanks to all those I have forgotten to mention. I can’t wait to see what the next three years hold for us!!!The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
captain1976 0 #2 January 3, 2010 Welcome to the "D's" and get rid of that "C" on your profile.Blue Skies You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #3 January 4, 2010 Congratulations on your “D” and for one of the best posts I have seen in a long time. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #4 January 4, 2010 Congrats!! And as Sparky said, a very nice post to read. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnDeere 0 #5 January 4, 2010 Congrats Jim! I should have been there yesterday but something came up. Good luck on your riggers ticket this year. I know Jeff has been working with you on this, at least your learning from one of the best riggers I know. Should be some great years ahead for a lot of us Nothing opens like a Deere! You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reginald 0 #6 January 4, 2010 Quote -- To Ron for giving me great skydiving “career” guidance. Ah, thanks. Now I feel bad for talking to Larry Henderson about you behind your back this weekend. Or did you mean Ron Hill? People get us confused you know. But I'm the taller one and dress better. Seriously, you've done well and progressed nicely. It's a good start. Keep it up."We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
upndownshop 0 #7 January 4, 2010 Way to go! Great post! You mentioned many names of folks that I miss! The Dallas group are one of a kind, great facility! Say hello to all for me, and have a drink at the crusty saddle for me too please!!! Congrats again, very nice post! J Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #8 January 4, 2010 Congrats...and a 'Thank You' for being a positive part of the sport! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robskydiv 0 #9 January 5, 2010 Congratulations. You've certainly made the journey worth alot. Sounds like your'e one helluva Skydiver. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poe62 0 #10 March 4, 2010 heeeeeey what about our short lived team? haha! ~Nikki http://www.facebook.com/poe62 Irgity Dirgity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
efs4ever 3 #11 March 25, 2010 Congrats. Before you know it decades will pass. Looks like it's time to start hauling students. Russell M. Webb D 7014 Attorney at Law 713 385 5676 https://www.tdcparole.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
emmiwy 0 #12 March 26, 2010 Congratulations, best wishes on a very successful skydiving career :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
