mnealtx 0 #1 July 5, 2005 Oh boy, where to start? First, the bad: DO NOT use the America's Best Value Inn located in Waller - not only did they not clean our room for 2 of the 5 days we were there, but they did some shady stuff on my refund for the last few nights. I could understand taking off 5 - 10% for potential loss of business, but 20% seems a bit steep! On to the jumping! Met Nina (boinky) at the airport on Friday - we've been talking online for a while now, and decided to meet and see how things went. Seeing as we're now dating (or as close as it gets with 8000 miles of separation), I think they went pretty well. Met Tim (Hookit) at the DZ on Friday. Got to see the rig for the first time, and he gave me an impromptu packing lesson. I have to say that I never saw it go in the bag or in the rig as neatly the rest of my trip - thanks, Tim and Brit! Did my checkout dive with Elio - everything went well until it was time for landing... winds had picked up during the dive and I didn't have very much penetration on final. Caught a gust just after I touched down that was *JUST* high enough to pick me off my feet and dump me on my butt - maybe a landing and a half? Worked with Sheri, Hutch and Don on coach jumps across the weekend. Worked on movement to dock, vertical/horizontal movement and tracking. Had some bobbles but passed all jumps. Landing patterns were a lot different from the student rigs - the Sabre gets more forward speed and float, so it's taking some time to get used to that. The "Great to be back" party on Saturday went well... trying to grill in the dark was an experience, that's for sure!! Despite catcalls from the peanut gallery, nothing was carbonized and nothing was raw. It all got eaten, so I guess it wasn't TOO bad! Went to Aggieland during the week - they graciously opened their doors to us during days that they're normally closed so that I could get some jumps in. Did a few coach jumps with AggieDave working on docking and vertical movement - it's still tough at this point but getting better. Tracking is getting better, as long as I don't try to jump into it too soon. Several hop-n-pops helped with my landing patterns and flares - still learning but getting a bit better! "Can I finish?" "Can I finish, can I finish, can I finish?" Time for the check dive - Todd made sure that my new favorite cereal is Fruit Loops! I should've realized that something was going to happen with the way Dave was smirking the whole ride up. I was a bit hesitant moving in for dock so Todd made me repeat it into a tight dock. Then he grins, Fruit Loops me and takes me headdown for several thousand feet! I'm told that they heard me whooping and hollering at the hangar, but I think it's probably bull - you never can tell, though! Todd spits me out about 5k, I get stable, turn and track and pitch at 3.3k. Snivel! I can see it slowly getting spanwise inflation, but I'm running out of time, here! I'm shaking risers, yelling at the canopy and checking my cutaway handle... one last hard snap of the risers and it starts inflating - yes!! I was fully ready to chop it, but glad I didn't have to! Needless to say, I asked the packer for "a bit LESS snivel next time, please!" Decided to make another coach jump to work on movement to dock with Mark Futch. We went through the ground training which REALLY helped me be able to visualize where I needed to make my transitions to get a good dock. Made several docks on the jump and felt a LOT more confident that I could dock on someone w/o running them over. Todd calls me over later that night, tells me to bring my SIM. About 2 hours of questions later, I'm a brand new "A" licensee!! What a huge moment!! Back to SD Houston on Saturday to meet with the ex. They were a bit surprised to see Nina there, but it all went as well as could be expected. Came back on Sunday and did another coach jump with Hutch, working on turn and track. The ex was also on the load making a first tandem. Jump went well as long as I concentrated on finishing the turn BEFORE I started tracking. Missed seeing the ex land, but that's ok - I got to see the video later... she did pretty well, considering. Didn't make any other jumps that day - I think I was still getting used to the fact that I didn't have to have an instructor/coach anymore. Had a fun time shopping with the kiddo... she ended up getting very homesick and complaining of her ear/throat hurting, so back to Mom she went. Returned to Aggieland on Wednesday...made 3 coach jumps with Todd, working on docking and vertical movement. Felt a lot more solid and comfortable with my performance. Did a fun jump with Nina - tried for the kiss pass but wasn't able to pull it off - still had a blast, though! Went back to Aggieland on Friday and just hung out - wasn't up to jumping due to sinuses. Drove to San Antonio on Saturday and saw the Gingersnap (granddaughter) - wow, is she getting big! Almost on the verge of walking, too! Took the kids out to dinner and shopping on Saturday. Sunday was the younger daughter's belated birthday party. Going to their place out in the sticks was quite a surprise for Nina, but she handled it very well. I guess she didn't realize just WHAT I meant when I told her that they lived out in the country. We rode the horses a bit, took some pics of presents being unwrapped and then the surprise... her own car. She never had a clue... Did more things with the older daughter/granddaughter on Monday, then off to the airport on Tues. Never want to come back to work, but this time was really hard.... Only 6 months to go!! *HUGE* kudos to Skydive Aggieland - I can't thank Todd, Kathy, Dave, Mark, Wade, Josh, Amanda, Layli and everyone else enough! You welcomed us with open arms and made us feel like we were family. You definitely spoiled me, and I'm definitely going to be back! Clint - thanks for your hospitality and for the dinner. Look forward to seeing you next time, buddy. Everyone else we met while we were there - LittleStranger, 78Rats, Heidihagen, JohnRich, Jules, and everyone else I'm forgetting - thanks for the fun, the jumps and I'll see y'all next year! *Yes, pics are forthcoming - I've been lazy and not pulled them off my laptop yet!*Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #2 July 5, 2005 Coolio! Sounds like it couldn't have gone much better. Now post some pics dammitt! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #3 July 5, 2005 QuoteCoolio! Sounds like it couldn't have gone much better. Now post some pics dammitt! It really was a great vacation, overall... other than some friction with the ex... Pics will be up later today... promise!Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #4 July 5, 2005 Quoteother than some friction with the ex... Well.............that's STANDARD. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #5 July 5, 2005 QuoteWell.............that's STANDARD. True, true... sad but true...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #6 July 5, 2005 Ok, a couple pics... Yes, there WERE 3 grey stripes on either side of the red in the rig...we just couldn't see them without the canopies inside! And a couple of me flying in and after my recertification jump... More to be posted in my photo gallery later...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #7 July 5, 2005 Cool pics.............now we just have to work on that "Gumby" body position under canopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #8 July 5, 2005 QuoteCool pics.............now we just have to work on that "Gumby" body position under canopy. I'll have you know that I have successfully transitioned to the "Official Cool (tm)" ankles crossed position... Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craichead 0 #9 July 5, 2005 QuoteCool pics.............now we just have to work on that "Gumby" body position under canopy. LOL! AndyMan calls 'em "frog legs." Seems that more and more people are doing that now and NOT getting shit for it... Great pics, Mike! Purdy rig, too! _Pm__ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #10 July 5, 2005 Ok, got some of the pictures up... posted here. Some new pics of the orphaned colt here.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boinky 0 #11 July 5, 2005 Nice pics, hon. After seeing all of those, a person might start thinking the vacation was "all about you," huh? Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boinky 0 #12 July 5, 2005 Hmmm....I notice that you conveniently left out a very important part of our first visit to Skydive Aggieland. Okay boys and girls, let ME tell you what evil thing Mike did to them. As he said, they graciously opened their doors to us on a Tuesday, which is not a normal operating day. What sweethearts they are! Then they took the caravan up instead of the Cessna because I have claustrophobia issues. And how does he repay their kindness? He shows up in [B]AGGIELAND[/B] with a [B]UT LONGHORN shirt on! HE BROKE THE PLANES! NOT JUST ONE, BUT BOTH OF THEM! HONEST! I SWEAR! After only 2 jumps, Todd was landing the caravan after taking us to altitude and one of the tires blew out. After scrounging for jacks and other miscellaneous equipment to change the tire, they had to order another tire. Plane 1 down for the day! Not ready to quit for the day yet, Todd gets the Cessna out. Does some pre-flight. Everyone (except me, mind you) dons their gear and heads for the plane. 3 Folks were in when they realized that one of the flaps or something in the rear or tail (I'm not technical, can you tell?) wouldn't move. They all climbed out of the plane again and a mechanic came down to look at it. It was decided that it's going to have to be taken apart and repaired. Plane 2 down for the day! After killing both planes, it was agreed upon that we should just have some beer and start over the next morning! Damn hon, if you had just wanted to have a beer, there were easier ways to get one! You can bet your ass that I wouldn't even let him have that shirt in the truck during our visit on Wednesday! Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #13 July 5, 2005 QuoteI'll have you know that I have successfully transitioned to the "Official Cool (tm)" ankles crossed position... Excellent.............we'll have you ripping 270's on a handkerchief in NO TIME! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #14 July 5, 2005 Never mind donations and premier memberships. HH has got to be making a killing collecting all his pimp fees! Congrats, sounds like a fabulous weekend, despite breaking planes and stuff..."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #15 July 5, 2005 QuoteHH has got to be making a killing collecting all his pimp fees! Speaking of...........is there a certain time limit in which I can get my money back when the hook ups go WAY SOUTH? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #16 July 5, 2005 Nina!!! You weren't s'posed to tell that part!! It's all rumor and hearsay, folks...I promise!! Besides, I HAD TO... I told Dave if I ever got up that way to meet him, that I was gonna wear a UT shirt just for him!! Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #17 July 5, 2005 QuoteQuoteHH has got to be making a killing collecting all his pimp fees! Speaking of...........is there a certain time limit in which I can get my money back when the hook ups go WAY SOUTH? Read the fine print: Pimp fees: Dropzone.com pimp fees are payable at the time of initial hookup. Dropzone.com makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the future of the relationship or its duration. Dropzone.com to the full extent permissible by applicable law, disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to, implied warranties of quality or durability of the hookup for any particular purpose. Dropzone.com will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this site for matchmaking purposes, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental punitive, and consequential damages from said hookup."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #18 July 5, 2005 That's COMPLETE and UTTER BULLSHIT!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #19 July 5, 2005 Hi Mike! It was great to meet you and Nina at Skydive Houston. Readers: did you know that she's named after one of Christopher Columbus' ships? At least that's how I remembered her name. The cookout was a success: the food was all eaten, and no one got sick. But you've really got to do something about that "chicken" tattoo on your leg... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #20 July 5, 2005 QuoteBut you've really got to do something about that "chicken" tattoo on your leg... Yeah, I had to explain that one several times over the weekend.... Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #21 July 5, 2005 Quote Nina!!! You weren't s'posed to tell that part!! It's all rumor and hearsay, folks...I promise!! Besides, I HAD TO... I told Dave if I ever got up that way to meet him, that I was gonna wear a UT shirt just for him!! It's okay, Mike. The next time I show up at Aggieland, I'm bringing Dave a bunch of OU stuff for him to wear and put on his truck.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #22 July 5, 2005 QuoteQuote Nina!!! You weren't s'posed to tell that part!! It's all rumor and hearsay, folks...I promise!! Besides, I HAD TO... I told Dave if I ever got up that way to meet him, that I was gonna wear a UT shirt just for him!! It's okay, Mike. The next time I show up at Aggieland, I'm bringing Dave a bunch of OU stuff for him to wear and put on his truck. Cool - appreciate that, buddy!! Somebody's gotta keep that crazy @#$@#$ in check!! Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boinky 0 #23 July 6, 2005 QuoteHi Mike! It was great to meet you and Nina at Skydive Houston. QuoteReaders: did you know that she's named after one of Christopher Columbus' ships? At least that's how I remembered her name. Oh no...please tell me you didn't just go there! QuoteThe cookout was a success: the food was all eaten, and no one got sick. While the peanut gallery enjoyed ragging Mike about charcoaling the food, I notice that everyone was back for seconds and possibly even thirds! Poor Mike. I know he lost all the hairs on his arms from that fire. He forgot to mention our beer run to Walmart and the 5 minute visit to the liquor store where we spent over $100. 4 cases of Shiner Bock, a bottle of Patron, Gentleman Jack and Captain Morgan. Man, does this man know how to throw a party or what? I think we have taken care of our "first" dues for the next several years! QuoteBut you've really got to do something about that "chicken" tattoo on your leg... Hmmm...would it help if I told you it's a male version of a chicken, not a female (think about what they're named-and no, I don't mean rooster either). I'll leave the rest of the explanation to him. Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #24 July 6, 2005 QuoteHe forgot to mention our beer run to Walmart and the 5 minute visit to the liquor store where we spent over $100. 4 cases of Shiner Bock, a bottle of Patron, Gentleman Jack and Captain Morgan. You've got to be shitting me... Gentleman Jack and Captain Morgan are my favorite hard stuff... And where's my pimp fee for making sure you went to TX, Nina? Just kidding!!! "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boinky 0 #25 July 6, 2005 QuoteClint - thanks for your hospitality and for the dinner. Look forward to seeing you next time, buddy. I concur and would like to elaborate a bit more. Clint honey, I'm about to ruin your "bad boy" image. Clint (Turtlespeed to us dz.commers), is one of the sweetest guys I've ever met. *He called me on my 800+ mile drive to Texas, making sure I didn't fall asleep, as I drove it all in one day. *He and his wonderful grandparents took me to lunch and out to a job site, just to keep my mind off of being nervous about finally meeting Mike. Then another call while I waited for over 2 hours at the airport (Mike's plane was delayed)...."I'll bet you're as nervous as a 9-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs." How can one NOT laugh at something like that? *He showed up after work every night we were at Aggieland jumping, just to say, "Hi" and get a jump or two in. He managed to lure me away from the dark side long enough to sneak in a kiss pass. *Whenever we needed directions, he was just a phone call away, making sure we didn't get lost in the big city. "Call me if you need anything," was his constant request. *Meals together with the two of them are quite unique. They are SO much alike. I didn't stand a chance! If one wasn't picking on me, the other was, many times double teaming me. It was especially funny when they were trying to teach me to talk with a Texas accent. Sorry Turtle, I still don't have "ya'll" down pat. *When I regretfully dropped Mike off at the airport to head back to Kosovo, guess who was there for me on the phone to make sure I was not too terribly sad? *Yup, he was on the phone with me on my way back to Georgia making sure that at 2:30 a.m. eastern time, I was safely in my driveway. Some people you meet come across one way, but once you get to know them, you find out they're better than you originally thought. Clint is one of those folks. He's like a big roasted marshmallow....a little tough on the outside, but all softie on the inside. Nina Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz) Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
