skybytch 273 #1 April 6, 2004 It's Tuesday. With the end of the "season" here in Florida and the resultant exodus of our seasonal (read: fickle ) friends it's pretty quiet on the dz early in the week. Since my only (and best) employee is one of those vagabond types and her time here is nearly up it's back to me, myself and I (with a bit of help from Jack and Lynn when I can't take it anymore) running the store. Since I'm basically lazy and get stressed out easily I gotta have two days off each week... so my new days off and the new days my store is closed are Monday and Tuesday. Monday's don't suck anymore - at least until October. Today Jack and Lynn brought their company down to see the store and watch them jump. They had another motive for coming here today too; they were gonna force me to get on a freakin' airplane and get current. I planned ahead even - dropped the rig and some fresh Cypres batteries off with Melanie (female riggers rock) this weekend and told her I'd need it sometime Tuesday, had a relaxing day off yesterday and a good night's sleep last night. Woke up this morning to beautiful blue skies with a few puffies and very light breezes at the house. Arrived at the dz and found that my rig wasn't closed yet. No biggee, I've got all day and I needed to kill a GoFast or two before I jumped anyway. Jack and Lynn went ahead and manifested; we figured my rig would be ready by the time they were packed up from that one and ready for another jump. Watched that load land and did some thinkin'. The winds had come up - not cranking but definite uppers moving differently than the ground winds and the ground winds looked to be over 10. Hmmm.... thought I. Here I am, not current (well, four months is current by USPA standards for my license level but it's not current by my standards for me), a good 15 pounds lighter than I was on my last jump so I'm now loading my main at close to 0.9:1, and I'm still under 20 jumps total at this dz. And the guys were saying it was a bit turbulent up there. Hmmm.... wind + light wingloading + uncurrent + turbulence + final approach over the buildings due to wind direction... My canopy is a Spectre 170. I do have a Spectre 150 sitting here though... and I have to hook something up to jump since I unhooked my main when I gave the rig to Mel.... Decisions, decisions. The smaller canopy - ie heavier wingloading - would make the winds not as much of an issue. But I haven't jumped in four months - would it really be smart to do my first jump in four months on a smaller canopy than I'm used to? Then let's add in the reason I haven't jumped in four months... I still don't know what's up with my neck/shoulder although they are much better than they were a couple months ago... Oh and the fact that I don't have medical insurance... So what did I do? I stayed on the ground. I'm sure I could have jumped the 150 and been just fine... what stopped me? The phrase "do as I say, not as I do." Thinking about all the shit you guys would have given me if I'd gone ahead and jumped it, screwed up and gotten hurt... and thinking about how I would have deserved every last bit of that shit for doing something I advise others not to do.... Yup. I didn't jump today and it's all your fault. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi 0 #2 April 6, 2004 way to go... its good to hear other "experienced" jumpers making the decision to stay on the ground. with all of the things you listed you might have been fine, but I think it was a good choice to not risk it..my hat goes off to you._________________________________________ this space for rent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #3 April 6, 2004 Aw Lisa. . . Next time the winds will be fine and you will get current on your 170. You'll be happy and life will be good. At least now you have set a good example for us newbies. . .________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #4 April 6, 2004 Not my fault darlin... I have a low enough D license number to KNOW when its time to sit on the ground. I am probably jumping a too small canopy for me in some ways compared to what I have said in the past. I figure I am really current and I can fly the hell out of my old canopys ( yes doing all the stuff in BILLVONS checklist) so I am having some real fun on the Lotus loaded at 1.4 to 1. Do what you feel is safe for you and the heck with others might think. You are not gonna heal any faster as you get older and older..so protect yourself. When you want to jump.. the sky is always there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #5 April 6, 2004 That is a great rule to follow. My other one is "better to be on the ground wishing you were in the sky than to be in the sky wishing you were on the ground." Cheers to you for making the right for you decision. However, here in Chicago 10+ mph winds are "light breezes" . At least we don't have the ocean to deal with though. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #6 April 6, 2004 Quoteso my new days off and the new days my store is closed are Monday and Tuesday. That's good, cause remember, we got some tunnel time to do on Monday and TuesdayWhen I started to read the post, I knew you were going to make the right decision. Cause if you didn't and you got hurt, you know I would have kicked your assMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #7 April 6, 2004 chickenshit.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #8 April 6, 2004 QuoteThat's good, cause remember, we got some tunnel time to do on Monday and Tuesday That had nothing to do with why I started the new schedule this week. Nothing at all. I swear it didn't. QuoteWhen I started to read the post, I knew you were going to make the right decision. Cause if you didn't and you got hurt, you know I would have kicked your ass Don't think that the thought of your foot impacting my ass repeatedly wasn't a big part of my decision making process. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #9 April 6, 2004 Oh you are such a puss!My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #10 April 6, 2004 Quotechickenshit.. QuoteOh you are such a puss! Why yes, as a matter of fact, I do resemble those remarks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #11 April 6, 2004 Proud to be in the company of a chickenshit. You rock bytch. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paige 0 #12 April 6, 2004 Soft asylum is found on the pillows at night and the comfort in knowing you made the right decision hospital pillows don't have the same squish factor as the old rusty trusty ones at home (and you only get 1). Keep yourself safe by making the right decision for you and flare on time, that should make things soft enough for ya Hell girl, I'll support any decision you make if it keeps you in one piece!Tunnel Pink Mafia Delegate www.TunnelPinkMafia.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stacy 0 #13 April 6, 2004 whoohoo! Long live the Wind Weenies! I've sat out two days this month due to watching other people's creative landings in the wind. Nope. __ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
