StangMan90

I'm 53. Have to do one more AFF jump (hopefully, just one) until self-supervision. Started on Oct. 30, 2009. simplify

I've been through two them and have a third scheduled next month. Just tell him that if he wants to maintain good health, he must find the strength to search deep inside himself. simplify

First, I'd tell my kids to start applying to Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc. Then I'd inform my boss that I'd like to spend more time with my family. After that, I'd buy every house in my neighborhood so that my family and friends could all live in a comfortable area with the people they like to be around. Set up a family/friends lending trust with incredibly reasonable terms and interest rates (but still with the legal obligation to repay). No handouts, but generous nonetheless. Then maybe a jumpsuit or two and a new rig. After that, an open-cockpit biplane and lessons to learn how to fly it. As far as "financial advisors" go, I wouldn't trust one as far as I could throw him/her. They are the ones that got us into this mess we call an economy. And while I'm on the subject, screw the banks too. I'd support my local credit union even more than I do now. And finally, I would donate a building to my home DZ with separate men's/women's locker rooms with bathrooms and showers and a nice big common area with comfy couches and big-screen HD TV with surround sound. I'd leave it up to somebody else to do the other necessary decorating (beer fridge, cheesy photos, Velvet Elvis, etc.). After that, life would be perfect. simplify

I'm a post-Vietnam-era Navy veteran, but my father and brother both did tours in Vietnam (my Dad was career military - 26 years). Both of my brothers lost friends from high school in that war. In my experience, in general, the more a guy boasts about his wartime service, the less of it is true. Those that did and saw the most usually talk about it the least. I was in my 40s before my dad started opening up about his WWII Marine Corps service in the Pacific, but he couldn't recall much of it because under battle conditions a combatant's mind isn't focused on soaking in the moment for future recall, it's focused on survival for himself and his buddies, and doesn't leave much for a guy to actually want to remember afterwards (at least that's my Dad's take on it). I wouldn't even bother to check out that guy's story. simplify

Prints & Popper simplify

***“Hi, my name is Nick.” And he said, “So what?” And I promised myself when I became one I’d do everything I could to change things in favor of treating beginners better. I didn’t change things alone, of course. And that is why, to this day, I get up when I see beginners being short changed in any way. And it’s why I offer students not only my knowledge, but my hand, and my heart too. If you want to call that coddling you can go right ahead . . . No, that's not coddling. First, you are being a good person and second, you are practicing good business. The whole country could use a good dose of that right now. Boy, am I glad things have changed (I came close to starting during the late 70s when I was in the Navy, but I couldn't quite come up with the necessary cash). Back then, I was immersed in a form of that culture in the military, so it wouldn't have bothered me as much then as it would now. As a student I really appreciate the respectful and friendly treatment I get at the DZ from my instructors, the owners and the overwhelming majority of experienced regulars. I think that most of them sense that I am there not only to learn how to skydive safely and have fun, but to make new friends and become a part of something that most people wouldn't. Thank you for working to change those old ways. If I had been treated now like you were then, I most likely would have quit already out of sheer disgust and the desire to distance myself from people who think it's okay to act like assholes toward newbies. Joe simplify

I love local and regional sports, but I don't watch ANY top-level professional sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR Sprint Cup, etc.) because the sterile, shiny big-business aspect overshadows the actual sport. My distaste started long ago when a bunch of spoiled rotten millionaires who were out having fun every weekend decided they weren't getting paid enough millions to enjoy themselves and went on strike, effectively holding their fans as hostages for ransom. How arrogant! Besides, going to regional NASCAR races is funky and gritty (I like it that way) and minor league baseball games are a hoot (think hot dog cannons), and both are tons cheaper to attend. simplify

If he's an intuitive, intelligent gentleman, zero (he'll have figured it out on his own); if he's an average reasonable guy, telling him once to stop should do it. But if he's a classless, clueless Neanderthal: twice (first use words; then, if necessary, follow up with pain). simplify

Ralph (May I call you "Ralph"?): In all fairness and with due respect to your experience and certifications, MOST of the posts in reply have been non-specific and don't truly step on his qualified instructor's advice, but I'm still with you 100% on this: No student should be asking for specific skydiving advice at this point from anyone but his instructor(s). That's just common sense. Most of the posts in reply have been more about mindset than actual practice (i.e., "relax"). What's wrong with that? Others have been related to personal experiences (not necessarily advice) as a way to provide encouragement. As long as somebody doesn't start telling a student how to skydive per se, I can't see anything wrong with trying to put someone at ease. I hear the same types of things at the DZ from non-instructors and I truly don't consider them to be skydiving-specific bits of advice. I'm sure you'd hear similar things in beginner motorcycle riding instruction (probably just as dangerous as skydiving) or anything else that requires being in the moment at all times in order to learn safely. All that said, I reiterate that you are 100% correct that skydiving students should only seek skydiving advice from their instructor(s), but I still don't see anything wrong with a non-instructor encouraging a student to relax, especially since all of my instructors have told me the same thing. Also, unless we (students like me) all were to take a vow of silence at the beginning of AFF, it would be impossible to keep us from talking to skydivers at the DZ about our learning experience(s), and after all dropzone.com is pretty much a virtual DZ. Thank you for your sincere concern for the safety of beginners (and the people around them) and all your hard work to help ensure it. It is reassuring for safety freaks like me. Joe simplify

On my Cat A jump the radio was on the wrong channel and I ended up landing without any radio assistance. But it didn't bother me because of the care my instructors took to train me, put me at ease, which in turn helped me with relaxing and breathing, which kept me in the moment. For me, relaxing has been the most important student tool to have and the hardest to remember. I'm pretty sure that a lot of experienced skydivers would tell you something similar because the words "just relax" have been used more in this setting than any other learning situation I have experienced. BTW, even with all that relaxing, I had to do Cat. C three times, not because I failed, but because I was told post-jump that there were a couple of things that needed improving. That teaching philosophy helps keep me from being too hard on myself when I think I haven't performed as well as I should. Don't beat yourself up. You are most likely doing better than you think (that's how it's been for me, anyway). In addition, I've been told that any skydive you can walk away from unharmed and without hurting anyone else is a good one (makes sense to me). Now, let's both just get through AFF without getting broken. Then our instructors will be happy and so will we. Blue skies! Joe simplify

You got to keep the goat? Sweet! You have my complete sympathy when it comes to paying for school. Best wishes on that. Yeah, I forgot about the pie thing. It's been nice trading barbs. Thanks. Very enjoyable. Joe simplify

I highlighted the parts of your post that quite a few either 'ex-jumpers' or 'ex-husbands' have recited verbatim over the years... Dude, you missed the 22 years part. I'm 53 years old (no more whipped cream for this old body) and I broke up with the goat a long time ago (my wife insisted). I really miss her (the goat). Plus, I have one kid in college and one starting in two years, so my wallet is always empty anyway. Thanks for your advice. Joe ~d00d....Ya got what SIX jumps?! Stick around for a while, come home a few times at 4am with an empty wallet, whipped cream in your hair and a drunk goat in the cars trunk that's wearing your clothes. See how much water leaks outta the holes in that 'no problem' bucket! simplify

Hey! Who drank my Bud Lite? simplify

I'm a total newbie, but my wife and I came to an agreement before I started. We agreed that skydiving was my thing and she wouldn't interfere as long as I can do it safely and in balanced fashion (timewise, and with regard to total mindshare). So far, it's working out. There are weekends when I want jump, but I have other obligations. But jump days are all mine. I just have to phone her after I'm safe on the ground. No pressure. No "When are you coming home?" stuff. I get home when I want get home, kiss her, give her the highlights (2 minutes at most), then it's back to Hubbyland, USA, where I have lived happily for the past 22 years. No problem. Hope this helps. Joe simplify

Pretty sure the guy doesn't work for Apple. Hmm, no profile info, forum contributor for one day, glowing comments for a device hardly anyone owns yet. Strike three. If he doesn't work for Apple, he should apply. Very clever marketing. My compliments. simplify

Thanks for your thinly disguised sales pitch. Please feel free to share my post at your next Apple marketing meeting. simplify

I got one for Christmas. So far, we've made burgers with super-lean sirloin and pounded/marinated chicken breasts. Both were excellent. I put a glass cutting board on top of my range for stability, set it on there and then the fumes go out the vent. I got the one with the removable cooking plates, so it's pretty easy to clean. But when the weather gets better, my Weber(s) get cookin'. George will be grounded all Spring and Summer. Sorry, Champ. simplify

I'm an AFF student with only 5 jumps (all AFF). My home DZ is very good at letting students know that there is no pressure to progress rapidly, just that you progress correctly and safely. I started on Oct 30 and two weekends have been shot due to weather conditions, and one was shot due to a ground school practice PLF injury, so I arranged with work to finish AFF during weekdays with 48 hours notice. That way, I know what the weather is going to be like, and I don't have to compete with tandems for JMs. It will work out well for the next 5 or 6 jumps, then I'll go back to weekend jumping when I get to solo student status. I don't let anyone else define my limitations. Everyone is different. My personal physical limit right now is one jump per week (I'm 53 years old) until I get into a bit better jump-specific physical condition. Also the decompression period for me is about 4 or 5 days. During the first 24 hours after a jump day I have an incredible buzz that is hard to quell. It will be nice when that gets better. There are three people whose advice I always follow to the letter: (1) my doctor, (2) my lawyer, and (3) my skydiving instructor(s). I have not heard any of my instructors tell me that I'm not going through the program quickly enough. The only caveat is that in order to stay current as a student, I have to jump at least once a month. For me, learning at my own comfortable pace has paid off with each successive jump. It helps me relax and enjoy each jump with confidence, which is really what it's all about as far as I'm concerned. Just my two cents. simplify