jceman 1 #1 May 1, 2005 TLML and I had our 10th Sky Birthday on the 13th of March, but didn't really celebrate it then due to bad weather (or one of us was sick, or something -- lot of that going around this spring), but we got to do it in style today. Deland was really hopping today, all three planes flying back to back loads, Majikal 50-ways going on, lots of tandems, wingsuiters, and free fliers galore. We had not been in the air since the Naughty Cupid Boogie in February, but when we got out of the Wonder Otter, it was like we had last jumped 12 hours earlier; she went into her stable sit and I docked gently on her feet, then her knees, orbitted her, redocked on both again and once more just for grits and shins. Tracking and deployment wre nominal and he both had gentle landings. It was so good we did it again, this time turning 8 points, including a dock on her rig and we sideslid into another soft dock, both facing the the LZ. Rest of the skydive was good and landings even better. Now that we've made the first skydives of our 11th year, we've come to the conclusion that we love this sport. We have lost two dear friends in the last week and a half, and we're diminished by it, but we have made so many friends in this sport that we have gained far much more than we have lost. Even when I hooked my fat ass into the ground, Lynn supported me, nursed me back to health and was as pleased as I was when I got back into the air months before the docs said I would be able to. She rocks. We've done a lot of things in skydiving -- run manifest, loaded planes, worked on jumpmaster rating (remember those), driven busses, arranged boogies, owned a gear store, been general flunkies and just acted as explainers to the many wuffos who came to watch people jump out of perfectly good airplanes; but most of all, we have met people from all over the world who share our love for this thing we call skydiving. Despite that bad things we've seen and endured, the memories we have stored away in the last 10 plus years are ones we will cherish long into our dotage. There is a reason skydivers are generous with hugs and kisses, we share a common bond, even if we can't stand each other once in a while. Thank you all. Did I mention that my wife rocks? Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #2 May 1, 2005 Jack.. congrats to you and Lynn on 10 years! 4 or 5 more to go for me... 8/28/99 was my first, I still remember the date off the top of my head better then I do my GF's birthday Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #3 May 1, 2005 Quote We've done a lot of things in skydiving -- run manifest, loaded planes, worked on jumpmaster rating (remember those), driven busses, arranged boogies, owned a gear store, been general flunkies and just acted as explainers to the many wuffos who I'd say you haven't been a tourist for a long time. But then, I don't really know if I believe in that distinction. Congrats, anyway, and happy sky birthday! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #4 May 1, 2005 Big congrats, Jack! Give TLML a huge hug from me.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #5 May 1, 2005 Quote I still remember the date off the top of my head better then I do my GF's birthday no worries there dude, they are onlya couple months apart...lol... i got 4 years and 3 months before i hit 10 years..... my first jump was the 9? of july 1998.... or somethinglke that, i can never remeber, i do know my 2nd jump though was on the 5th of august 1998...my 18th birthday.... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RkyMtnHigh 0 #6 May 1, 2005 Great story Jack! Thanks for sharing _________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #7 May 1, 2005 Congrats, my formerly single digit midget friends. QuoteDid I mention that my wife rocks? Yes. Yes she does. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paige 0 #8 May 1, 2005 Damn, I was there and missed you Great story, thanks for sharing!Tunnel Pink Mafia Delegate www.TunnelPinkMafia.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #9 May 1, 2005 QuoteBig congrats, Jack! Give TLML a huge hug from me. Done. And thanks. Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
