Ducky

Yeah i think we actually made it to 16.4, someone bribed the pilot apparently, but i watched no bobbies were involved. kwak

I did my first the solos todau, jumps 8,9&10. I'll say all the technical details... I flew with the angels today. I left the plane at over 16,000 ft on my third and final jump of the day, at the exact time of official sunset. To the West was an amazing sunset, I felt so high as I was looking down at it. A quick turn to the opposite direction revealed a bright and glowing full moon rising from the East. Below me the earth was calling me back, but for a little over a minute I was home. A warmth filled me as the air embraced me and responded to my every move. I moved gracefully as I admired this planet's beauty, If only I could see it from this persepctive always and forever. No traffic, no bills, no jobs, no drama, no worries only a "Yes you can" and you are. All the the things we think are necessary for our survival in everyday life evaporated with the feet between me and the soil. The only thing I needed then was me, and my knowledge. It's simple really, one quick pull and your floating, slowly sinking back to it all. A minute or 2 to dance before taking your seat once again, it always has been fun to dance alone, to your own rythm. As my feet touched the ground a momentary sadness enveloped me, the most amazing 75 seconds of my life just rewritten. Lessons learned? Hundreds, most important "The only thing I needed then was me, and my knowledge." I wanted to reach and hug someone, but it felt great to bask in the euphoria alone this time. I made a pact with myself then and there I will always recall this moment whenever I need a "Yes you can". Kwak

My current Dz is $20 for jump, $25 for gear rental, and so you mean it would be like another $20-$30 additional?? If so that sounds very reasonable. Kwak

Too Funny... The day of my FJC the first 2 guys up really screwed up the exit so the rest of ass got seriously schooled on the whole exit count thing. We must have down 100 exites each out of the mock-up. Over n over I went to sleep saying Prop-Up-Down-Arch.. Kwak

Fresh off of AFF and progressing towards my A license here. Just curious what I should expect to pay for a coach jump?? Kwak

Went for my 26th birthday and still 26 ;-} kwak

I have received a few replies from people with leads and would like to first off say thanks. I also wanted to say that I am still in need of more, not just from DZOs, but homeowners too. Thanx, Kwak

Thanks for the lead, I'll look into it. kwak

I made it through in 7 trys. One thing to realize, at least from my experience is that each usually gives more than enough time to complete the required task. It is inevitable you will have a few screw ups, but perfection is not required. Just be as mentally prepared as possible. Someone else mentioned visualization and thats a good tip it REALLY helps. As for having enough time.. heck i think you might could get your A License in 12 days my friend. Good Luck!!!!!!!! Kwak

I had one of those lil rodents for awhile. Man talk about high maintenance! Stinky lil shits. I don't care what people say, if they have the "glands" removed. Ferret piss has like 10 times more amonia than a cat! Yikes.. but the are kinda cute i suppose. kwak

Ok, first off this is not a plea for charity.... I'm a newbie, just finished my AFF and excited about moving on to get my A license. I had hopes of doing so over the course of the next two weekends and then making my annual trip to Mardi Gras. Hearing about the Mardi Gras boogie going on got me even more excited and determined to get things squred away before the beginning of February. Until the toilet flushed this past weekend. I work in construction, I'm a trim/finish carpenter by trade. My boss came to me on Friday, hours before i was leaving town for the weekend and informed that "we" have run out of work, and will have some time off. I found out today that we will be w/o work for at least 3 weeks. I'm flipping out cuz not only do I have bills to pay, I am seeing my trip to Mardi Gras and the jumps I have been dreaming of every night go down the tube. So here is where you might be able to help... I am experienced in all aspects of home construcion and remodeling as well as most common maintenance problems. I am looking for work. The type of work I normally do is hard to come by on short notice, we usually bid a job and wait weeks if not months before we do it. I am willing to do just about anything in the way of side jobs to keep me going. Heck just today I was hanging gutters, tomorrow I'm replacing some rotten siding etc. So I if anyone out there needs some work done around the house please let me know, I charge very fair, hell CHEAP rates and do good work. Just drop me a line in email and I will be in touch asap. djducky@aol.com Thanks for listening, kwak

You may be referring to me >>> "Now where was that other person that thought we were all just blowing shit about Cedartown before????" I never doubted anything anyone said I was just curious. I was aware of some of the things you guys said from the moment i arrived in cedartown. I chose to finish my AFF there and may still go back til I have my A. Its just comfortable for me there. The ownership and management of the place may not be great, but there are good instructors whom I feel comfortable and safe with. I am however thinking of going out to Monroe this weekend and investigating a lil more about possibly doing my A there. Anyone here that can fill me in on the cost of rental gear there?? ASC is up to $25 per jump til you can pack and $20 after, with a $10 credit towards purchase of gear in the future from them. I have recently become temporarily unemployed and gotta watch the $$$. Thanx, Kwak

How about Airtran or Delta????? They both fly in to Gulfport/Biloxi, about 20 minutes from the DZ and 10 minutes from the Casinos. Another lodging option, some of the casinos offer airfare/room packages at awesome rates. I flew there and back this weekend on Airtran from Atlanta for $53 eachy way!!! Kwak

OK so I'll bite AGAIN, why the unethical comment about ASC??? Not defending the place just wanna know. Kwak

Well I am going to be down that way for Mardi Gras and visiting family that week. I am going to do my best to be there. the only hold back is if I cannot squre away my A license in time. $$$ is tight, but will do all in power to be there. I have heard its great. Kwak

"On your way to your A lic.. just out of curiousity.. do you still take a written test for that or is it verbal now? i heard it both ways.!!" Tina, There is no more written test, a proficiency card and verbal test is it... for more info check out this post i made about it in the safety and training forum. Kwak

Why is there such loyalty to the DZs in GA?? I only return to ASC to do my AFF and training because that is where I started and because I like the instructors. I plan on visiting the other DZs here soon, but I don't understand the animosity from one DZ to the next. Kwak

Oh shit ya mean i gotta wait to fly camera?? I guess I'll have to start doing Tandems then ;( Yes medic had it right. I am a part time photographer. I'm saving for a Nikon D1x about $5,000. I shoot NHL hockey games mostly with some NFL, and MLB. I also do most major concerts in Atlanta. Kwak

My Mug, no email addy so here it is. kwak

Not an instrucor but fellow student here... USPA Membership and A License Proficiency Cards I just graduated AFF on Sunday (see other forum for beer demands please) and realized something I hadn't known before. The new USPA reqs. for an A license require a proficiency card be filled out. There are alot of tasks to accomplish and be signed off on etc. It occurred to me that as I was handed this proficiency card and then sat with an instrustor, whom I had never met before that day when we did my level 6 & 7 together, that I should have had that card all along. We tried to go back and fill in some of things I had already accomplised and it was not a huge deal, but kind of a pain. Also I had never been prompted to join the USPA until I graduated. Now that I am all psyched to cruise through to my A license in one weekend it may take weeks to get my USPA member info regardless of what happens with my License. Anyways just be aware that these are all things that you can start on from the beginning don't wait til level 7. Kwak

Ok why not... Born in Pascagoula, Mississippi Moved to Rochester, New York at age 9 Moved to Atlanta, Ga at age 15 and still here 11 years later Home DZ is A.S.C in Cedartown/Rome, Ga First jump on September 9th, 2002 at A.S.C.

Thanx Everyone! Yeah saving for a rig :( I have 2 major purchases to make very soon, that and a new camera. I really wanna do the rig first but the camera will provide some more income and make the rig more affordable. So rentals it is for now. Unless of course I could find someone to barter with, anyone in GA need work done to their house for cash or gear?? Nice thought at least.

To be honest, not sure about being worth what ya had into the original purchase, ($300) but probably a good deal considering what you had to trade. If the bike you got, the RM125, runs,is safe and fun to ride and last more than a month it is probably worth $300. I was a bike junkie growing up, Bmx, dirt bikes and crotch rockets later in life, I made countless trades and deals. Dirt bikes are alot of fun provided you have decent space to ride them and I'd say a month worth of riding is definately worth $300. So hopefully you get that and more out of it. Heck i could ride a dirt bike at age 5 but could not ride a bicycle til I was almost 10! Anyways hope that helps. Kwak

Woohoo!!! Finally, I did my AFF level 6 & 7 yesterday at ASC with Hans Paulsen. Wow, talk about fun jumps! 6 was not as pretty as I would have liked but it made the grade. Level 7 was a blast, there was no time for the suprise Hans had planned (he was gonna flip me at about 7,000ft without warning) luckily he didn't get to me in time, but told me after landing of his plans. I still am having trouble with my landings and timing my flare, but a few grass stains won't hurt. I guess the green will match the bottles of the BEER I owe :) I just wanted to thank the folks here at DZ.com, you have been a tremendous help, with your knowledge and enthusiasm. I hope to see you all in the sky someday! Kwak!!! p.s. I threw in a pic from my level 5 for the heck of it. Can ya tell Jack is struggling to slow down and stay with my feather-weight ass?!?

oooops guess i should read hunh?