Divadiver

Speedie: "The Archies!" Damn, I thought you were one of the young'ns around here! Do you remember HR Puff n Stuff? (too funny!). And NO, I am NOT my mother! Jeeze, I try and not insult people around here and then someone goes and says something like that!! Damn, I'm depressed . . . I think I'll eat a worm . . . first you pull his head off then you pull his tail off. . . then you eat the worm! Diva

Pammi: I've heard them, I didn't know they were a cartoon! You think you're getting old - ha! I spent almost 4 hours in a car with my (almost 1 year older) sister and two teenagers listening to hip hop and rap on the way to the beach this past weekend. There's been some serious mistake because my sister is hanging with the teenagers singing these songs!! And they say country music makes you suicidal, sh*t, I don't know what could possibly be more depressing than singing about your hungry, crying baby sitting on the bedroom floor and you having to sell your body in order to get food to feed him, while your man is getting high from smoking crack! Hell, I'd almost rather listen to Bluegrass the worst thing that happens in that music is your sister get knocked up by your cousin, the cow wanders on the train track and gets killed and your mother is arrested for spitting chew on a cops shoe! Jeeze, first Opra, Bluegrass, now hip hop and rap . . . the list of things I will not tolerate grows larger. Diva (I've fallen and I can't get up!)

Step right up guys, the line starts forming directly behind Wingie!! That's my Wingie!! Diva

First just let me say I MISS YOU GUYS AND GALS!! I've been working too long and hard these days to keep up with the forum - sniff, can you pass me a tissues! Secondly, I'll admit I'm one of the old farts around here and it's been way too long since I've seen any skin on this forum!! What's up with Wingie, flyme, and the rest of you stud muffins that use to whip us girls into a frenzy with your skin flicts? Don't even try and tell us that you haven't been out there jumping neeekid! Or for that matter just standing around on you deck modeling your rig in the nude (see old, but still have a good memory when it comes to the important things). And finally, I'll get around to my question. What is it with skydiving and sheep? I had the funniest damn dream the other night with these sheep jumping off of what looked like a ski slope. They had on their Protech helmets and the most colorful parachutes you've ever seen!! (no alcohol was involved, maybe some cold medicine, but no alcohol!) O.K., guys post em if you got em!! Diva

Viking: My first thought was RUBBERBAND MAN!! Then someone mentioned Gumby!

Merrick: On second thought, yeah, yeah, that's your version of the story!! I seem to remember something mentioned about a week or two ago . . . Pammi, did he take your shampoo and hide it??? Diva

Merrick: Ouch!! Man, does that sound bad!! What a trooper you are!! Hope you're feeling better in no time! We know you'll recover quickly, after all you have the best care provider there with you! Are you looking at 6-8 weeks before you're able to jump again? Diva

You think maybe they think if they show interest, that might encourage us to keep it up? Hmmmm, yeap!! Diva

Michele: Damn, girl! You had me worried there for a minute - reading that, I was sure it was going to cost you a manicure!! Ha-ha, all I have left are nubs of nails!!

Sivie: Go to: http://www.sunshine-factory.com/ they have them under miscellaneous (I think) (they are there!) Diva

Giggle, giggle, slapping knee . . . ruck sack!! Say that fast three times!! Diva

Marc: Sorry to hear about your tumble, especially since you were there trying to help someone else out. I hold you guys and gals in the highest regard, I could never attempt take on the responsibilities that you take upon yourselves. Kudos to you all!!! Hugs and a kiss on your boo-boos!! Diva

See (snicker, snicker), this is what happens when you become an addict! Breathe deep, Pammi! Diva

Pammi & Merrick: Is there reason for congratulations . . . are you telling us something here? You two will make beautiful babies together (1 cutie + 1 cutie = 1 small cutie!) Diva

I'd just like to jump in and apologize to everyone that I may have offended this weekend during my packing session and my Arrid XX-Dry apparently left the DZ without me!! Eeewwweeee, stinky! Diva

Ain't she great! She's a keeper! Congratulations on graduating!! Diva

Some people are just allergic to nuts! One woman commented after trying them, "they taste just like I thought they would." Duho!! She kept repeating "they sure are big," "I don't think I can eat two." Too funny!! I might go so far as to do some of the challenges but, I ain't puttin' no bug in my mouth. I was mowing the grass one day last year and a moth attacked me and went right into my ear - talk about voices in your head! That little sucker hummed. Went to the emergency room and the Doc puts a light up to my ear to see if it would back out (walk towards the light), all it did was settle in and humm. Mental note: you can't drown a moth with water, it's wings repel the water, you have to use an oil to suffocate it! Diva

Thanks Pike and Wildblue (hanging head in shame, I don't get the Skydiving mag., yet!) Blue Ones! Diva

At one time someone had posted about a company that printed checks with pictures of skydiving/skydivers on them. Can anyone point me to their web site, company name, etc. . . .?? Thanks a bunch!! Diva

Al: What were you and your "friend" training for? With friends like that who needs enemies?! Hope you have a good time this weekend - don't know about flying with stitches, I'd recommend a really secure bandage or a full face helmet. Diva

Skystorm: Aaaachhuuuuu!! Oh, gosh, I'm sorry, I hope I didn't get any of that on you! I'd hate for you to come down with something!! Seriously, you may want to check to see when the next available Friday off would be before you come down with something. I know at least 4 people who have been fired or laid off in the past three weeks. I'm betting right now, answering the phone is looking pretty darn good! Sorry, I hate it when our receptionist is off as well, we all get a mind numbing hour manning the phone. But, considering the alternative, I'd rather answer the phone today and jump this weekend! GOOD LUCK!! Diva

HH: Man, life sounds like it's rough for you right now, I'm feeling your pain!! [eyes turning green with envy!] You need to learn how to kick back and take it easy, I may have some suggestions for you (take me, take me!!!) Seriously, hope you have a kick ass time!! Please, by all means share pictures with us when you get back!! Diva

Michele: Last night was the first night of my scuba diving class and the drill sergeant was making us do six laps in the pool. I was on my back making my way across the pool when suddenly I had a personal equipment failure!! My strap was floating along beside me and my top was starting to come down . . . I got so tickled thinking about you, I started laughing and trying to fix the problem at the same time. Of course the laugh echoed back at me in the pool about 3 times louder than when it came out of my mouth, so everyone's thinking, what's up with that chick?? Yeah, I'm down here with my hand in my top, laughing and having a good time, all by myself!! Too funny!! Well, they had to find out sooner or later, may as well have been the first class!

ROFLMAO!! HAAAAHAAAAA!!! I think what you and Grogs are shooting for is a NAKID Skydive!! I've had my goggles slide up on me, but no personal equipment failures!! Too funny!! You are something else! And it's all good!! Congratulations!! Diva

After waiting months, after making excuse after excuse, I scheduled my recurrence jump for this past weekend. First a refresher by sitting in on the ground school class then I'd make my jump (if not Saturday then Sunday for sure). Friday - The butterflies came and then seemed to finally fade. I prepared myself by e-mailing several friends from Dz.com and confessed my sin of not jumping. I told them that I was going back up and to please think about me and wish me luck. Thank you all for your support and encouragement!!! Thank you for lending me your strength and aggressiveness to take on the challenge!! I found Michele and Donna's post about returning to the sky, and printed those out along with the article that Pammi pointed us to by Jan Meyer. I only told one person at work that I was going to jump again. She was right there telling me how much I wanted and needed to do this, how much I really loved doing it and missed it (she sounded like one of you guys - yet, strange coming from her since she doesn't skydive). She assured me I'd do just fine, it would all come back to me and I would do fine. When I left work on Friday, I had my print-outs and I was ready for the weekend to begin. I went to the gym and got on the treadmill so that I could read over the stories and worked out the anxiousness. What wonderful, wonderful people you are to share your experiences and allow the rest of us to learn and draw strength from them!! Thank you so much!! By the time I left the gym, the sun was setting and I pulled over to admire the sky with it's hazy pink, purple, orange and blue color. I thought about how lucky I am to be able to enjoy this breath taking view and how amazing it was going to be to get back up there again. The light from the sun faded and I headed home to read over the information about the Level 4 jump. COA, PRCP, left 360,COA, right 360, COA, unstable move (I got to choose which one), COA, lock on at 5,500, pull at 5,000. What else, anything??? Go over the dive in my head again, and again. Thinking about kicking the door demon's ass!! No - no you can't have my day - I will NOT allow it!! Once I get to the door - I am OUT!! I not going to worry about the wind trying to blow me back in the plane, I'm not going to give it time, I going OUT, NO HESITATION!! I'M GOING TO KICK ASS and jump in it's face!! Wow, was I tried! I went to bed and slept like a rock. Saturday - 5:00 am, woke up and started thinking about the jump and couldn't get back to sleep. I didn't need to get up until 6:30, but I was wide awake now. Checked out the window, YES! Beautiful day!! After my shower I pulled out my videos and watched them, jeeze, should I have done that, yeah, it felt O.K., my heart wasn't racing and I wasn't in a sweat, it was alright. Time to leave, walked out the back door and thought about how Michele had felt. I had a slight bit of a sinking feeling but it wasn't bad at all. The sky was a brilliant blue with only three small cotton ball clouds. It felt good to be alive, the air was cool, clean and crisp and felt wonderful on my skin. Rolled down the windows in the car and I was off. No speeding, not today Mr. State Policeman - you'll have to have fun with someone else, I'm on a mission and I've got time on my side. Got to the DZ, new stories, and tons of new faces. These young people who weren't even here last year, but they've got their A's (stick fingers in ear and wave while sticking tongue out!! - HA!! Lucky bastards!!) Sat and listened while in the ground school class, trying not to let my mind wonder. (hey, I remember this stuff!) Worked in the safety harness - YES, needed this, I feel loads better! Wait, I'm not nervous - where's the butterflies and that sinking feeling? I know they're waiting at the plane for me and they're accompanied by a door demon. I know they're there, they'll show up for the load. COA, PRCP, ARCH, ARCH, check arms, legs, go over exit. . . yeah, it's all good. Now, the students wait their turns, I might not make it up today, but I'll hang around because I'm not so sure I'll be this confident if I have to come back tomorrow. Better to get up today, hands aren't shaking, heart isn't pounding - reminds me of my first tandem jump - no nerves, not shaking and I ask myself "Are you Nuts?" "Look at the guy next to you adjusting his altimeter - just look at his hands shaking and he's done this before!!" "I must be nuts." I get on manifest, it's all good! The JM and I go over the jump, I can do this!! I've done it before!! We're ready, 10 min. call. What, what . . . they shut down the load because they need more jumpers??? HEY, GUYS!! Is this bad, will I get up?? No, still feels good, we kick back and relax and talk a bit. Finally, we going - we're walking to the plane, get in the plane and sit, we're up. . . Where's the nerves? No, not there yet. They're waiting for me at the door, I just know they are. Someone yells DOOR! And the sound and wind rushes in - we are last to get out so I watch the others move to the door and disappear. We're up and I'm in the door, I get a thumbs up and I my heart is racing, Read-Set- GOOOOOooooo!!! I launch myself out - unstable - I tumble but recover immediately - nailed that ARCH HARD!! COA, PRCP, 360 - woow went well, 360 back in the other direction - a little slow didn't make it all the way around, COA, two more 360s, still plenty of altitude, I flip on my back (ahh, that feels good) and then complete the barrel roll. Still lots of altitude, may as well do some more 360s, then lock on, wave and pull. It's great, there's a square canopy, slider down, no line twists, and I yell at the top of my lungs - WWWOOOOWWWWEEEE!! Check for steerability, flare, hum, lets see that flare and the stall, O.K.!! Where's the airport? There's the runway, oh, yeah, there's the DZ!! Let's spin this baby, first right, then left, this big canopy sure takes some muscle, but let's do it again!! Overshot the distance on the base leg of the landing pattern, knew I wasn't going to land on target, but wanted to avoid the corn. Woow, that ground sure is coming up fast - wait - flare - oh, shit - feet touch, ankles, knees, hip, shoulder - the perfect PLF (Kingie would be proud if he'd seen that!!!) God that was GREAT!! And I"m current!! Thank you all (especially Michele, Donna, Pammi and Kingie) for your strength and support!!! HUUUUUGGGGGGS!!! Diva