thrillseek

doesn't anyone have a good story that hasn't been told yet?? Come out of hiding and tell the world what a fabulous experience skydiving is! Let's all be famous.

...the horse's name is "dunker"! :) Murray State now has a skydiving club, "Racer Relativity" The jump is for a new student video, but it is also going to be a blast! I appreciate everyone's concern about the jump. This is a cool community we have here. "without pushing our limits, we will never realize our potential" A.T.

I shared dinner and drinks with my S&TA last night...he thinks the rig will be fine with that light loading. As far as injuries go, I don't think that a slow opening right off the step will hurt my arms, as long as i pack the rig for a slow opening. The video shot is for the "un-initiated" among us...I realize that you would be gone before the image was witnessed in real life, but students would most definately get the message, don't you think??

I'll show you the video this summer at your boogie!

Greg Gasson isn't the inspiration actually... I am helping make a first jump course training video and this will be the "this is what happens if you don't fasten your chest strap" part of the video... If any student is EVER able to forget that image, i'll kiss your ass!

slow, sub-terminal opening with a snivel packed into the rig....should be safe enough, but if not, I'll protect my thumb so i can open a reserve! :) weeeeeeeeeee!!

I'm going to do a cool-ass stunt tomorrow... jump out with a rig in my arms(arms routed through the leg straps) Of course i'll be wearing another rig, but the video footage of me looking up at a rig with canopy opened and nobody in it will be priceless!! Anyone else have any good ideas for stunts?? Done any good ones lately??

I guess you might want to know more info... go to www.semoskydiving.com for info or you can call the DZO for info at: (573) 471-3610 Reply if interested. Blue Skies! A.T. Clinger

A little bit last minute, but anyone wanting to get the boogie season started early can join us at Southeastern Missouri Skydivers for our "green weenie weekend"-- St. Patrick's Day weekend (March 16-17). FREE BEER AND FOOD - No registration fee- Raffles for Free Jumps all weekend long. Come out and join us!

OK all, i know it sounds like I am beating a dead horse here, but i am STILL looking for people to be included in my ongoing book project. When i am finished, it will be the best, most accurate depiction of our sport--everything from our traditions, to our closeness and competition. What I need from you all: Write a brief version of your best, worst or most memorable skydive and send it to me at: thrill_seek@yahoo.com I will then send you a release form that says it's cool for me to publish your info. As soon as I get enough good entries, I will have the book published...simple as that! Help not only me out, but our community as well. Take the time to let others hear your stories. A.T. Clinger

4:5:1 1st time jumping in a thong....long story!

145 jumps 7 months 3 cutaways more beer than i can possibly count!! "what a long, strange trip it's been....."

cool photog man!

new rig = case of beer, right??

his first e-mail tells me that if any of you want to be in this thing, you will need to hurry up and send in some stuff to me! A.T.

Anyone who wants in this thing needs to contact me ASAP! From the publisher: Andrew, Yeah, I know, that sounded snotty, which I didn't mean it to be. Really. I look forward to seeing the manuscript. Tom -----Original Message----- From: Andrew Clinger [mailto:thrill_seek@msn.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2002 10:43 AM To: McCarthy, Tom Cc: Laurie Subject: Re: publishing skydiving Tom, When I have the full manuscript completed, I might (and I stress might) send you a copy to review and perhaps publish. :) Also, a lot of skydivers have contacted me asking if they can include short stories about their experiences. I think it is a fantastic idea. The book will probably have logbook entries, photos, and short stories intermixed. I will send you the material when it is complete. Regards, Andrew "A.T." Clinger ----- Original Message ----- From: McCarthy, Tom Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2002 9:05 AM To: 'Andrew Clinger' Subject: RE: publishing skydiving Andrew, Just a quick note to tell you that while I think your idea might (and I stress might) have potential, I really can't do anything until I see a full manuscript, with photos. Best regards, Tom McCarthy Senior Editor The Lyons Press An Imprint of The Globe Pequot Press

as long as the smell of taco bell isn't mixed in there!! I think we know some people at our dz for example that could ruin even the best sweat/jet fuel induced wet dream!! Can anyone say "REDROCKA??" ha ha ha

isn't that a part of our "culture" as skydivers though?? If we were to cut out all of the BS in this sport, how much fun would that be?? NOw i'm not asking for creative writing, but sometimes people expand on the truth a bit, ya know?? Hopefully people will just tell it like it is...to the average whuffo, that's still pretty damned exciting!

pay very close attention to how that guy jumps out and the flip he does...that is what makes that a cool stunt vs. a dumb way to die. If you are going to do it with a skydive rig, it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that you have that slider secured to the risers positively. Imagine what it would be like if you let it slide downto the canopy and tried to jump...damn...splat! That is why the guy in the photo has a base rig. If i were to prepare for such a jump, i would find a trampoline and practice doing flips until i had it DOWN. Good luck, and be careful! ~~~~>A.T.

To all: I have decided to include some changes to my book that i am working on. A lot of people are saying that they don't have good logbook entries, but they have fantastic stories about their experiences. Based on all of this feedback, i am going to have a large portion of the book dedicated to your stories. If you want to have your story told, e-mail me at thrill_seek@yahoo.com and let me know. Basically all i will need other than the stories is for people to fill out a release form, so that i can use your information. So, for all of you that want to be in a book, you now have another way! THIS APPLIES TO THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T HAVE MANY JUMPS TOO -you have stories, let's hear em'

I had 3 in my first 6 months in the sport. The first time, i went right to it cutting that bad bastard away. By the time i got to my 3rd, i was actually weighing options as to whether i could fly the dead center line over as opposed to paying the rigger to repack...common sense got the better of me and i cut away. I am sometimes referred to as "captain cutaway" at my dz! (for any of you who are concerned, i went to a professional packer and was taught how to pack afterwards)

will do...thanks for the info all.

i'm looking at one with about 300 jumps (a 165) They are selling it through one of the bigger named gear stores, so i gather that they should be trustworthy...rigger inspected and all of that.

i have way too many to list, but here's an excerpt: 1st, horny gorilla (not my idea...a surprise horny gorilla), 1st skidmarks left on asphalt, 1st grass stains through a jumpsuit onto clothing underneath (ouch), 1st time having sex in a plane, 1st night jump (fell out of the same plane as previous "1st") the list goes on and on...

that was me....i just HATE landing with the aircraft