allicat

Man, I wish people at my office would goof off like this! Everyone is too serious here! Who needs a professional atmosphere? I think I'll bring in my fart machine tomorrow...

My cat just farted. Should he be tortured?*** Could you describe the fart?

So I suppose you'd never say that animal torture is one of your pet peeves? You so clever!

Play with them - of course! Torture - hell no! (sorry, I just don't like the words "torture" and "pet" in the same sentence) My favorite is the peanut butter on the roof of my dog's mouth. Funny stuff.

At this point my absolute favorite is a running diving exit from the CASA. Adding in a yell makes it even better. I just LOVE that feeling. I hope it'll always thrill me.

I read somewhere (stats on uspa.com?) that one's chances of dying in a car accident in a given year are equal to skydiving 17 times that year. So, for most skydivers, we are more likely to die skydiving.

muchas, muchas gracias

gotcha

Thanks you both for your advice. I totally agree that I need to take this VERY slowly. I know that high performance landings done by an inexperienced jumper are very dangerous. For now I will just stick to learning what I can up high. WHERE can I get Bill Von's list of tasks?? I will be happy with simply trying to master those before I even think about doing stuff low. It's good to know though, too, that I can swoop on a canopy as large as mine (when the time comes). I don't know why I felt the need to downsize. I have been jumping a 210 rental b/c I am waiting on a new reserve handle for the rig I bought. My exit weight is 160. I guess it's that most everyone at my DZ flies small canopies. But I told myself when I first started skydiving that I would never allow "peer pressure" to persude me to do something beyond what my gut tells me I should. So, at least for a while, I'll be satisfied with my 220.

Hi I'm a newbie- just got my A. I recently purchased a used rig from another jumper at my DZ. The main is a 220. I know, it's large but it's old too and I plan on putting a smaller one in before too long (the container will fit it). My question: is there a certain size canopy above which you cannot learn to swoop? Does it have to be smaller than a 220 to even think about swooping? Also, what can I start practicing (up high of course) in order to start learning about carving/hooks/swooping?

Those are some damn good reasons everyone.

Yes! I have. I had an incredible weekend – got 12 jumps in total Sat and Sun so I am now up to 38. The weather was gorgeous, sunny, nice light winds – perfect. I tried learning to sit fly. The first try was hilarious – I was flailing ALL over the place the whole freefall. I got video of it. It got better after that but I ended up mostly knee flying. Need more practice for sure. I have also developed this habit of loving to run out the back of the CASA. I also like to yell when I do it. It's just such a fun feeling, know what I mean? Today is gorgeous again but I am stuck inside at work. oh well, I can't be too upset after the weekend I had at the DZ.

sounds fun - I guess you'd need an open face helmet though.

I know no one's posting here anymore but I just wanted to post that I got my A this past weekend. I can't believe I got my license one month and two days after my first tandem--> I was lucky b/c I could afford it (I had saved up money for a vacation this summer but used it to do this instead). I am so thoroughly addicted. Skydiving has changed my life. I can't believe what I was missing out on before! I also bought a used rig.

what's a kiss pass?

I am feeling a little guilty. I have a good friend coming into town to stay the night Sat night who I haven't seen in 6 months, and while I am excited to see her, I am also totally bummed that I can't go skydiving Saturday! AAAAGh! What am I going to do??? The good news is I will be able to go Sun b/c she is leaving int he morning but still. I feel bad for feeling like being at the DZ is more imporrtant than seeing her but it's hard for me to help it. It's like a damn drug! Plus I wanted to finish my last 6 jumps for my A. Oh well, I guess it'll have to wait until next weekend...unless I jump 6 times Sunday...hmmm.........

Thanks! This weekend rocked! I did jumps 7-10 Saturday and graduated from student status, and then did jumps 11-14 on Sunday. 11 and 12 were completely solo which I loved. No pressure, got to do whatever I wanted (which ended up to be lots of backloops- I love them). 13 was a video jump which was cool b/c I had never gotten a video before and I got to see what I looked like. I did arm and leg turns, backloops and barrel rolls. My videographer said it was the best level 13 he'd seen in a long time and there was really nothing he could correct me on! I was like, REALLY!?!? I was pretty proud of myself. BUT I competely botched the landing by reversing the windsock in my head. I landed perfectly DOWNwind. But I dealt with it. I didn't make any low tursn, slid on my feet at first then rolled to one side and was drug a bit. Didn't hurt at all though! I was pretty embarased. Then, level 14 was the first of 7 coached jumps during which I did tracking. I was a little wobbly so I need to relax my body position more. I am flying so HIGH from this weekend and can hardly concentrate on work.

Hi guys, I am back...and up to jump 7 now! I told you - I am seriously addicted. This past Fri I played hooky from work (I have never done this before) only b/c the weather forcast was crap for Sat and Sun. The weather was gorgeous Fri- sunny and 60s. The DZ wasn't crowded at all so it was great. Did jumps 4 and 5 really well (if I do say so myslef), then took 3.5 hour ground school one-on-one with the best instructor ever (Randy at Carolina Sky Sports - been jumping since the Army in '69 and I did my first tandem with him). Then, it was about 5:30 and they asked if I wanted to go up on the last load and do level 6, which is the first solo (IAF). I was slightly nervous (we'd been talking about malfunctions all day!) but I decided to go for it and am SO glad I did. I wouldn't have wanted that build up of anxiety, plus everything was so fresh in my mind. It was beyond awesome. As soon as my canopy opened and I checked that it was good, I let out the hugest yell. What a truely amazing feeling. Weather this weekend looks perfect *keeping fingers crossed* so I called this morning and signed up for Sat and Sun. I plan on doing at least levels 7-10. Thanks for letting me "vent" to people who understand!

Just did my first jump on Sunday and I am now in the same boat as Suzie – I am totally hooked! I am still riding the biggest high from it, even 3 days later. I am going to complete jumps 2 and 3 this coming Sunday and am counting down the days until I can get back up in the sky. I have already resigned to the fact that I am going to get my license now so I can jump anywhere – I better start eating cat food!