Someone gotta help me understand

[bocabruce1 0]

Hey DZ

No one wants to talk to me anymore because all I talk about is skydiving. My friends and co-workers ignore me most of the time. They cant believe I would do anything like this and spend this kind of money. I dont care !!!!

I am gonna JUMP!

bocabruce

[wmw999 2,452]

Skydiving obsesses some folks, and they can't really think of anything else. Some leave their day jobs and go live on the dropzone and work just to be closer to the sport.

It obsesses a LOT of folks early in their jumping careers, but not to the point of quitting their jobs. But even so, they don't really want to talk about anything else, they bore many of their friends with skydiving stories, and they put aside many other interests for jumping.

That's probably what he means.

Wendy P.

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)

[DangerRoo 0]

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Skydiving obsesses some folks, and they can't really think of anything else. Some leave their day jobs and go live on the dropzone and work just to be closer to the sport.

It obsesses a LOT of folks early in their jumping careers, but not to the point of quitting their jobs. But even so, they don't really want to talk about anything else, they bore many of their friends with skydiving stories, and they put aside many other interests for jumping.

That's probably what he means.

Wendy P.

SO true,
....not to mention contemplating paying my bills on time or whatever to make more jumps, buy gear... travel to boogies .. its endless I say

(I.C.D#2 VP)
""I'm good with my purple penis straw" ~sky mama

[bocabruce1 0]

Jumping is all I talk about. Home, work, family, friends. Most of them just have this look of boredom and walk away from me. I know I am obsessed with skydiving. I look into the sky and long to be there. I love it. But dont understand why an old friend would be so discouraging about the lifestyle. I am a man of strong faith and conviction.

bocabruce

[skybytch 273]

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But dont understand why an old friend would be so discouraging about the lifestyle. I am a man of strong faith and conviction.

Consider that skydiving attracts a wide range of people - from 18 to 80, male and female, religious and non-religious, straight and gay, alcoholic and teetotaler. sex addict and prude, drug addict and police officer... To many jumpers, the dz is an adult playground, a place where just about anything goes.

Many activities that take place on a dropzone - especially after sunset - may offend you if you are very religious. Be tolerant of those who don't live the same way you do, just as most jumpers who do not share your beliefs will be tolerant of them. Leave the kids at home if you don't want them to hear profanity or possibly see public displays of affection. And pack up your stuff and head home when the beer light comes on.

Although many jumpers will not share your convictions and many jumpers will do things that you will not, they are still some of the nicest people you'll ever have the pleasure of getting to know.

Welcome to the sky!

[JohnRich 4]

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No one wants to talk to me anymore because all I talk about is skydiving. My friends and co-workers ignore me most of the time.

They may take it as bragging. It's nice that you like skydiving, but you need to be able to talk about normal stuff with your friends too. There's no reason to drive them away from you because of your new obsession. Show interest in whatever they're doing too, even if you have to fake it. Don't turn every conversation around and direct it toward skydiving. Just let the topics drift where they may.

So, how's the wife and kids?

After 30 years, I don't even bring it up any more. A lot of my friends in other areas of my life don't even know that I skydive. The conversations get boring after a while, because they always ask the same series of questions. I'd rather talk about something else, then repeat the standard answers like a robot.

It's okay to be enthusiastic, but don't over-do it. The fact that people are walking away from you, means you're over-doing it. If they don't want to hear it, don't force it on them.

[Andy9o8 2]

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After 30 years, I don't even bring it up any more. A lot of my friends in other areas of my life don't even know that I skydive. The conversations get boring after a while, because they always ask the same series of questions. I'd rather talk about something else, then repeat the standard answers like a robot.

As the saying goes, "What he said."

[pontiacgtp00 0]

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If they don't want to hear it, don't force it on them.

Why not

[NiteQwill 0]

I don't even talk about it. Only a few friends and family know.

The occasional, "Did you know he skydives?" (pointing) comes from my close friends at gatherings when other people discuss "wanting to do something crazy." I briefly talk about it and say they should come down to the DZ to tandem. But that's it. I don't force it (the subject).

Then they call me crazy and tell me they rather learn "surfing." Pfffftttt... at least we don't have sea creatures in the sky that want to eat you...

"Fail, fail again. Fail better."
-Samuel Beckett

[skydiverbry 0]

Tie them to a chair....blindfold and gagged...then using a megaphone tell them your skydiving stories,thought and obsession over a period of 8-10 hours...They will listen and respond...good or bad they will respond....ok I'm being an ass

Just that people at time could care less about us jumping and I could care less talking to THEM about it...I keep it between us skydivers


Bry

--------------------------------------------------
Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!!

D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver)

[JohnMitchell 16]

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If they don't want to hear it, don't force it on them.

Why not

Yeah, if you preach long enough and hard enough, they'll convert!
I was pretty excited about jumping when I was starting, but quickly found out others didn't share my excitement so much. Most of the rest of my life is pretty normal, so I can do the "normal" conversations very well.

Sometimes the "hey, they jump out of airplanes" thing can almost be embarrassing now, but with 30+ years in, I have a few good anecdotes that whuffos can relate to. I think as I've gotten older, I've gotten a lot more modest. My friends have always told me I have a lot to be modest about.

[shropshire 0]

Discussing the same things with friends is always boring. People with a one track mind, tend to be boring so ... so learn to listen more than speak.


Remember : Skydiving ..... It's something that I do, not what I am.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[docjohn 0]

Wuffo's are interested in your skydiving for about a millisecond. Then they want to talk about their favorite subject.....themselves. So I just let them.

Doc
http://www.manifestmaster.com/video

[kkeenan 14]

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Jumping is all I talk about. ... I know I am obsessed with skydiving. I look into the sky and long to be there. I love it.

I'm starting to know what those friends are feeling.... Just kidding.

It's hard to contain oneself when you first start jumping. The advice here has been good about dealing with the practical aspects. My opinion is that wuffos are intimidated by jumpers' descriptions of their mastery of the Forces of Nature and their Superhuman abilities.

Time will tell if you are to be a long-term jumper or a tourist passing through.

Kevin K.

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[topdocker 0]

I wonder if in the Parents.com they have a discussion about "I can't stop talking about my kids toilet training?" How many times are you supposed to sit quietly by will some chowderhead goes over in excruciating detail the youngsters attempts to get one in the bowl?

It's awesome that you are into something that is exciting, inspring, and physical in nature. You want to share that feeling with those who are important to you and that is perfectly normal. The easiest solution is to stop caring about what whuffos think, and worry about what the DZO, instructors, and other jumpers think of you!

Also, as you get more experienced, the stories will get better!

top

Jump more, post less!

[Parafoil27 0]

Dammit i hate when people talk about heir kids . Very good pojnt though. I do feel bocabruce1's pain though. I had the best jump yet saturday thanks to some friends at the dz but not even my GF gives a shit........

EARTH! Short bus of the universe,
since the year T+10.3 billion!

REV. DUDEMIESTER D.S.#120

[skypuppy 1]

Remember : Skydiving ..... It's something that I do, not what I am.

Maybe you. I've been skydiving more than half my life. During that time I've been through at least 4 career changes, moved around, married, moved around, bought a house, moved again, gone through 6 vehicles. The one constant in my life has been parachuting. Family members die, friends die, employers lay you off or go bankrupt, maybe you go back to school, or to jail, who knows. But the one thing you can count on, is, you're are a jumper.

I don't really bring it up consciously in conversations any more, the way I did when I started BASE jumping, for instance, but having not been a great atlete in school, skydiving gave me self-confidence, taught me goal-setting, both short and long term, and gave me a lot of friends who liked me for me, not for what I could do for them. It showed me how to train, how to compete, how to mature. I've learned how to instruct, and hopefully how to assess students and to put a student's needs before my own....

Sure, I may problems, could be an alcohol problem, could be ego problems, but generally I've learned if you want to claim something you should be able to back it up.

I'm not perfect, hell, I may not be a great person, but what I am, I am because of this sport.

And I'm guessing there are a lot other people that feel this way, too, right or wrong.

If some old guy can do it then obviously it can't be very extreme. Otherwise he'd already be dead.
Bruce McConkey 'I thought we were gonna die, and I couldn't think of anyone

[Parafoil27 0]

Awesome Post! Although I have a limited time in the sport (1.5yrs)and most likely will never be good enough to be an instructor i agree 100% When i get up in the morning and look in the mirror i know what i am and i'm proud to be me. I couldn't always say that. It doesn't bother me much anymore to keep it to my self because as long as i know it and i'm proud of it i'm a better person in all aspects because of it. The when you go to the DZ and one of your fellow divers offers you their rig to jump and another diver sits one out so you can get on a load you realize your part of something special until they ask for the beer you owe them LOL!

EARTH! Short bus of the universe,
since the year T+10.3 billion!

REV. DUDEMIESTER D.S.#120

[shropshire 0]

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Maybe you.

Well that's all I'm qualifed to talk about; hence the I. - each to his/her own.

I did my first jump in 78 and have flewn Paragliders for over 18 years now... I fully understand that it has helped to make me who I am but so have lots of other things .... family, friends (un-Friends!!) and even just casual folks that I've met.... My life is a big, rich tapestry with way more than one (albeit exciting) thread.... That's all I was saying.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[yoink 321]

Man, I'm a skydiver and even I get bored when people talk about nothing but jumping. For whuffos it must be excruciating.

There are other things in life worth talking about too.

[shropshire 0]

Hi Will - how's things?

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[headoverheels 333]

If someone wanted to talk to me about (golf, NASCAR, pro sports, their religion -- you pick), I would tolerate it for a short time, then consider them a bore.