FlyingSquirrel

I think that's the point, is it not? I mean, if they are aroused, it doesn't mean they are gay per se, but it means if they were open to it they might be, or they might be bisexual. (I say might because it definitely isn't an absolute.) I think the phobia part of it is that they are subconsiously afraid they might be gay and don't want to be. (They don't have to know they have this subconsious dilemma to have it, either.) If they accepted that it is OK to be gay, they may actually become gay. (And they may not, even if they accepted it is OK to be gay.) But keep in mind that doesn't mean they don't also like women. They may. Many species of animals don't care what the sex is of their partner and have gay and straight sex, except of course for procreation. It is natural.

I'm glad you got it taken care of. Are you doing PT (Physical Torture, as Amazon calls it)? How is it going? I just had surgery a week and a half ago for an ACL tear in my left knee (happened at the Lost Prairie boogie this year). Be glad you didn't do that, although I guess my scar is smaller. It's not fun, but I plan to work hard on my PT so that I'll be back at it as soon as I can. ~Raquel

How did your first static line go? It looks like it was today... I just had my ACL repaired using my hamstring tendon about a week and a half ago. I have a long way to go as far as recovery goes, but plan on working really hard to get back to things. I absolutely plan on jumping again, but I know I'll have to wait until I heal. I figure by spring I should be good to go. I suppose I'll wear a brace when I jump. It sounds to me like that's the recommendation. After 3 years, you shouldn't have to worry about that, at least... Good luck in your training!

And... it has a Porter that gets up to altitude REALLY fast. Mt. Vernon is awesome!

This year's Lost Prairie was my pre-second time. I'll be back next year, of course... It was a lot of fun!

Yeah, yeah. I know. You pulled me into a funnel on the exit, too. You could say I was head over heels for the Pink Mafia. It was a pretty wild ride... A good time was had by all, of course. (And that includes Barbie.)

Hey Amazon... Why didn't I get a phone call? Congrats on the record! Having jumped with you, I know how fast you are. I recall the jump a couple months back when you whipped me around like a rag-doll and made ME go faaaassst. Spinning. You're a CRAZY woman! ~ Raquel

If my DZ had offered AFF, I probably would have done that method. They didn't, so I learned through static line. I think AFF would have been better for me for the freefall learning (although more helpful to me would have been jumping a smaller rig - it would have been easier for me to get into the correct body positions). There is one disadvantage in AFF training that I can think of, though. Here's an AFF student story that I witnessed in Southern CA when I was doing my last student jumps: A solo AFF student about to get his license still needed his hop and pop for his proficiency card (supposed to be at 3.5K). The door opened at 5K on jump run. The student stood the door. And stood it. He was terrified to get out that low and finally got out way past his spot. He landed well away from the landing area, off the DZ. The reason I mention this is because there's something to be said about learning not to fear getting out low. I recommend doing the hop and pop as soon as you can when you're an AFF student, because you never know when you'll need to get out of the plane low, in an aircraft emergency. Just do it and get it over with as soon as the instructors let you, and you'll be mentally prepared for it in case something happens. If you are in the way at the door and blocking it in an emergency, someone will push you out of the way. Just my two cents. I think AFF is a great choice! Have a great time and welcome to skydiving.

Well, I definitely don't plan on following her more recent jump habits... like speed diving. She's a crazy woman! I don't plan on tearing up any canopies anytime in the near future... or ever!

Maybe next time I'll hold on tighter and flip over with you. That could be fun, and then maybe I'll be able to keep the same altitude drop rate... or maybe I'll slow you down a little.

And hopefully at the DZ. We'll have to plan out a jump together with a couple of others and do something cool.

Thanks, all of you. I look forward to getting to know as many people here as I can. As time permits, I will check things out and post my 2 cents here and there... See you around, adrenaline-junkie pals! Rocky

Hi! My name's Raquel (or Rocky the Flying Squirrel). I've been here before and posted a few times (as a student) but didn't look closely enough to notice this area. So... Amazon urged me to come back and introduce myself here. Great idea, since I'd like to meet more skydivers. I started skydiving lessons last September (right after Labor Day - well, I did a Tandem on Labor Day weekend first) and got my A license in December. I have around 42 jumps right now, and I'm in the process of conservatively downsizing so that I can get to around 1:1 and buy my own gear. I did most of my student work at Snohomish but finished up my RW and A-license check-out at Perris Valley. I've also jumped at Kapowsin, but so far that's it. I can't wait to try out more DZs! I'm going to try to log on here more often, and post anything pertinent, or whatever comes to mind, too... See you on the forums!

It's true! I'm using the smallest student rig they have at the DZ and I get the bruises on the inside of my upper arms. The rig's too wide on my shoulders -- It'll be nice to get my A license so I can use a smaller rig...

Hi Dave, They offer AFF at Kapowsin, but that's in the other direction (at least for me)... I'm having some trouble with my 45 sec freefall. Better to get it nailed down now than later. Be glad they aren't passing you before you're ready. You'll get it eventually, just as I know I will. (I understand the frustration, but like someone else said, it's still FUN!) :)