ladyskydiver 0 #1 August 18, 2003 My goals for the trip to California are real simple. 1 - find an apartment to rent 2 - get in 5 jumps at Elsinore 3 - get to interview and back without getting lost You think that would be sooo simple to do. But, nope...not this time. I did manage to do one of my goals - I did not get lost driving from Burbank to San Diego. As I leave Milwaukee airport ( see airport experience here), I'm really excited. It's almost time to move, and I get to see Michele and my California friends again. Get into the airport and give and receive a ton of hugs from Michele. It's so great to see her again and know I'll be able to hang out with my sister more frequently. We drop my stuff off at her house and start driving around looking at apartments. "Oh...this one's cute. Errr....ummmm....how MUCH?!?!?" Ok...so it's not working out as planned. Well...there's always Sunday to find a place. Well...time to go eat. Ended up having a really nice time at Kung Pao Bistro and RippedCord met up with us. Friday, Michele took me to the rental car place so that I could pick up a car for my interview. Walked in and the guy kept referring to us as "guys." Now..I'm in shorts and a belly baring, form fitting crop top. Michele's shirt is clingy, and you can tell there is NO WAY she's male. So...what's a good pair of skydiver chickies going to do? Give the guy grief for calling us guys. And the result? I get upgraded from an economy car to a Mustang - SWEET! As I go back to Michele's place to get ready for my interview, I'm nervous. Not only about the interview but about driving in California - bad traffic, forever and a day to get places, etc. Get changed into my suit and start pacing. Poor Michele...she's just now seen how I react when I'm nervous. The drive to San Diego is long - 2 1/2 hours. As I pass Camp Pendleton, I'm looking to see if there's any men in uniform. Nope. Oh, well...the scenery is so beautiful! It's rugged, alive, magestic....it is nature in all it's beauty. The ocean...the mountains....ah, yes...this is why I've chosen California. It calls to me. I find the place that I'm having my interview and walk in. The place is so pristine. I'd be afraid to walk in there if I had a spec of dust on me. Get into the interview, and the people are really nice. There's just a "minor" problem....they keep talking about 24x7, 12 hour days are common, if you only want to work 8am-5pm the company isn't for you. So, although I speak their language, I can say that if the job is offered, it's not one I'll take. I will not live to work...I work to live. Then, I get the [sarcasm] wonderful [/sarcasm] opportunity to drive from San Diego back to Burbank during rush hours. YEAH!!! NOT!!!! It took me a little over 4 hours to get back. Plus, I didn't know where to pull off and needed gas. I coasted into the gas station on empty. Whew! At least I'm at a place that doesn't have gang graffiti all over it. Get to Michele's, and she takes one look at my face and realizes I'm about to go postal if I have to deal with one more idiot! So, she suggests going out to dinner after we drop off the car. Sounds good to me. Drop the car off, eat dinner, crash as we're going jumping Saturday. Yeah....it's Saturday. We go to Starbucks to meet RippedCord, get coffee and then on to the DZ to jump. YEAH!!! I'm happy!!! Get to the DZ and get greeted by a bunch of friends with a ton of hugs! What a totally awesome way to start the day....Starbucks and hugs....Get to meet up with a few DZ.commers. Get some pics taken with them as well. Get to tease one of the guys from Sakibomb and get to watch him blush. Did 2 jumps and the second one got a little nervous under canopy. The thermals were really screwy from about 200ft. down. Decided that although my goal had been 5 jumps, it wasn't worth the risk so I sat down and enjoyed the company for awhile. Got to see what a dust devil looks like first hand - even one that went from being on the dirt to the grass and got to see it "disappear." YIKES! Glad I didn't run into one of those. The last jump of the day - high altitude sunset hop 'n' pop with Michele and RippedCord. We get off the ground later than planned so in the air we keep deciding to bring it a little lower - pop at 14,000...no...how about 12,000...no....it's a bit dark...we'll pop at 10,000. It's finally our turn and out we go. Ah...relaxation...beauty...ok, time to deploy. OUCH!!!! WHAT THE F&*$#!!!! I just heard my back crack all the way from the bottom of my spine to the top....excruciating pain. Damn it! Am I broken? Can I move? What if I can't? How do I get down without dying? Is it my time to go? Oh, man...this hurts! I slowly start checking my body. Can I move my arms? Can I move my legs? My neck? Things move, but I'm in so much pain I could cry. Well...there's one good thing - the sunset is gorgeous! I spiral as much as my body can stand to get to the ground. I need to be on the ground...I can't stay up here much longer. I somehow manage to stand up my landing. And as I daisy chain my lines, I see that the reserve housings on my risers have been partially ripped off. The left side is the worst (pics attached). I ask Diablopilot to look at the risers...his response - "The rig's grounded until fixed." I had no plans on jumping it like this, but it was nice to hear my thoughts confirmed by someone I trust. Watch people take a look at my rig. Their response - "I've not seen that before in all my time jumping." Great! Just what I need to do - pull a first (hence the beer number in the weekend numbers thread) with gear issues. Ok...ask Grasshopper to pack as I'm in no shape to pack. Let Michele know that I might possibly need to go to the hospital. Well...I'm kinda, sorta stubborn when it comes to going to the hospital and decided against it. Figured a nice, warm bath and painkillers will help. Get back to Michele's and go to sleep. Sunday we spend a few hours driving around trying to find an apartment and eat lunch and then it's time to go to the airport. I thought my rig was heavy before, but with as much pain as I'm in - OUCH!!! Get on the plane and get home. Alarm goes off this morning and it's almost impossible to get out of bed. Well...I'm not feeling better so...doctor appointment today to get an x-ray and make sure I didn't do more damage than I think I did. My rigger now has the rig and is going to do a very thorough check for me as well as fix the riser housings. Oh, well....I'm in too much pain to jump tonight, anyway. All in all....despite the pain....it was a good trip. Thanks, Michele, for letting me crash at your place and driving me around trying to find a place to live. Thanks to all the DZ.commers I saw again and those I met for the first time. It was great to see y'all and get the hugs. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmpnkramer 0 #2 August 18, 2003 Hey one out of three goals is not bad. :) Seriously Girl I hope you feel better. Hopefully the doc will be able to help you out. Take care and keep me posted. Your Bud, KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The REAL KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER! "HESITATION CAUSES DEATH!!!" "Be Slow to Fall into Friendship; but when Thou Art in, Continue Firm & Constant." - SOCRATES Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #3 August 18, 2003 Quote So...what's a good pair of skydiver chickies going to do? Give the guy grief for calling us guys. And the result? I get upgraded from an economy car to a Mustang - SWEET! And did you convince him to go skydiving? Feel better soon. Big hugs to you. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #4 August 18, 2003 sorry you had that openeing ((((((soft hug)))))))) .Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #5 August 18, 2003 QuoteAnd did you convince him to go skydiving? Tried, but he came up with more excuses than anyone I've ever seen as to why he can't go skydiving. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
infinity 0 #6 August 18, 2003 I have a Wings container myself. I'd be really interested if anyone can come up with a reason why the damage the the housing occured (besides the obvious hard opening). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #7 August 18, 2003 Oh gosh, Cora. The opening sounded brutal. I hope that you feel better. Thank you for writing about your weekend. It was almost like I was there, and you know that I wish that I had been. You did get plenty accomplished, so do not feel so bad. Please try to relax and take care of yourself. Your health is so important. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mujie96 0 #8 August 18, 2003 Hmm...I figured you didn't go the other night when I didn't get a call. Get better quick. Jess Just keep swimming...just keep swimming.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #9 August 18, 2003 Moning, darlin'... Somehow, those pix look worse than I remember... Hey, it's all about faith at this point, love. It will work out - and there are those two places I'll go look at for you. Soon, you will be in town, and we can get Starbucks and hugs all the time Great seeing you, and even better knowing soon you will be here... Many gentle hugs, and let us know what the rigger and Wings say. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clownburner 0 #10 August 18, 2003 It was great seeing you on Saturday, sorry to hear about that opening. Yow! Take care, do what the docs say, and heal fast. Can't wait till you live out here and we can jump all the time! At least that way I'll have someone to ride the golf cart back from Egypt with... 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #11 August 18, 2003 QuoteI'll have someone to ride the golf cart back from Egypt with... Do you have any clue how odd it is to be the one in the group who has the "best" accuracy (relatively speaking, and not including Diablopilot?)? Keeps making me laugh... And didn't the Egypt landing earn you an HDOD number? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #12 August 18, 2003 Hey Clownburner, How's it going? We still haven't ever jumped together. Well, from your last post if we jump together some future weekend, we will probably end up in the golf cart or in someone'es SUV coming back from a long spot together. I am getting better, but I tend to land...uh...far. Sadly, I actually mean to do that! I tend to not enjoy landing by others, but I am thinking of ending that practice now that I more comfortable with landings. Dont' worry about it too much as there always seems to be some nice person out there with a cart when I look up after stowing my brakes. ROSA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites QuickDraw 0 #13 August 18, 2003 Hey LSD, vibes for your house hunting and your bones. Did you pack your own ? -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TheAnvil 0 #14 August 18, 2003 Holy Schneikes that hurts me just looking at it! Hope your back gets better soon! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites chopchop 0 #15 August 18, 2003 OUCH! Cora.. hope you feel better soon.. and good luck with your job / housing search. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Clownburner 0 #16 August 18, 2003 Heh. Actually my accuracy is getting a lot better. At least it was until this weekend. I'm blaming the spot and the winds at this point, especially since I landed only a little farther out than LadySkyDiver did! No, the Egypt landing was a perfect into-the-wind standup with a flare turn at the last minute to compensate for a wind shift. It was a thing of beauty. Let's hear it for canopy control classes!! The HDOD number was because of the first landing, which was me misjudging the set-up point at El Snore, going from no-wind to tail-wind at 25 feet, and taking a downwind into a ditch. But that was nothing compared to the snow-plow landing I did on memorial day! 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Clownburner 0 #17 August 18, 2003 QuoteHey Clownburner, How's it going? We still haven't ever jumped together. We've got to change that... We seem to just be on opposite schedules! Quote Well, from your last post if we jump together some future weekend, we will probably end up in the golf cart or in someone'es SUV coming back from a long spot together. I am getting better, but I tend to land...uh...far. Sadly, I actually mean to do that! I tend to not enjoy landing by others, but I am thinking of ending that practice now that I more comfortable with landings. I usually try to land in the student area, as I don't like the traffic (or the turbulence) in the main landing area at Elsinore, and I usually make it there fine. On this particular occasion my total lack of wind penetration and glide slope teamed up to land me in Chino Hills. At least it was a good landing (if not quite where I intended to be). 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PhreeZone 20 #18 August 18, 2003 >But that was nothing compared to the snow-plow landing I did on memorial day! I'll take the credit for that one... Thank you, Thank you. Did'nt anyone ever tell you the pattern is subject to a 180 degree turn at 400 feet anytime I'm around Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mouth 0 #19 August 18, 2003 OUCH...I hope you are ok. HUGS to you sweetie and take care. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites VanillaSkyGirl 6 #20 August 18, 2003 Gosh, Cora, I am still thinking/worrying about you and your back. I hope that you are resting or at the doctor right now. Clownburner ~ Yes, we will jump together soon. Chino Hills!?! Also, I like that you have your face in your avatar now, but the way that it's cropped gives it a sort-of "Jack Nicholson in The Shining" look. I hope that wasn't too rude to say. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ladyskydiver 0 #21 August 18, 2003 Hey, Jess! I actually did call you with the number Michele gave me. I even called you on Sunday and left you a voice mail before I flew back. If you want, PM me your cell number, and I'll correct it in my phone.Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ladyskydiver 0 #22 August 18, 2003 Well....went to the doc and got pushed and pulled and prodded. She said that since I didn't kill her for doing that, she didn't think my back is broken and chose not to do x-rays. I am now on muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories with the "if you're not feeling better in a couple of days, come back in" caveat. As soon as I find out what my rigger says and see what Wings has to say, I'll post it. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TitaniumLegs 8 #23 August 18, 2003 Oww!! Hope you're feeling better soon! Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Clownburner 0 #24 August 18, 2003 QuoteClownburner ~ Yes, we will jump together soon. Chino Hills!?! No, not really. I was open over the freeway at 2200, and my best glide on rear risers with a crab angle was going to land me right in the motorsports park. I opted to turn a downwind leg and run a normal left hand pattern into the fields to the south of there instead. So I landed on the other side of the motorsports park. Of course, when it's 100+F it sure felt like I walked in from Chino Hills. The golf cart picked me up about half way. Quote Also, I like that you have your face in your avatar now, but the way that it's cropped gives it a sort-of "Jack Nicholson in The Shining" look. I hope that wasn't too rude to say. No, that's exactly what I was going for! It's from this picture7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ladyskydiver 0 #25 August 19, 2003 I'll find out what my rigger says tomorrow at work. But, in the meantime, this is what Paige at Wings had to say: Thanks for writing. I spoke to Henri and found out that it is not uncommon for that stitching to give on such a hard opening, not just on Wings risers but throughout the industry. Because of the direction the stitching is sewn, it pulled out to help absorb the shock of the extra hard opening. The webbing underneath the stitching will not break but it had stretched to its fullest capacity after stressing with the hard opening you’ve had. If your rigger resews the stitching, because it has extended, the stitching should not come out again. .... Since the time your rig has been made, we’ve made small modifications in the way we do the stitching by sewing it a little looser so even the threads are kind of pre prepared to absorb the shock of such a hard opening. Paige and Wings have been great with responding and their suggestions and help. I still love my Wings and am looking forward to jumping again soon. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
QuickDraw 0 #13 August 18, 2003 Hey LSD, vibes for your house hunting and your bones. Did you pack your own ? -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #14 August 18, 2003 Holy Schneikes that hurts me just looking at it! Hope your back gets better soon! Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #15 August 18, 2003 OUCH! Cora.. hope you feel better soon.. and good luck with your job / housing search. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clownburner 0 #16 August 18, 2003 Heh. Actually my accuracy is getting a lot better. At least it was until this weekend. I'm blaming the spot and the winds at this point, especially since I landed only a little farther out than LadySkyDiver did! No, the Egypt landing was a perfect into-the-wind standup with a flare turn at the last minute to compensate for a wind shift. It was a thing of beauty. Let's hear it for canopy control classes!! The HDOD number was because of the first landing, which was me misjudging the set-up point at El Snore, going from no-wind to tail-wind at 25 feet, and taking a downwind into a ditch. But that was nothing compared to the snow-plow landing I did on memorial day! 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clownburner 0 #17 August 18, 2003 QuoteHey Clownburner, How's it going? We still haven't ever jumped together. We've got to change that... We seem to just be on opposite schedules! Quote Well, from your last post if we jump together some future weekend, we will probably end up in the golf cart or in someone'es SUV coming back from a long spot together. I am getting better, but I tend to land...uh...far. Sadly, I actually mean to do that! I tend to not enjoy landing by others, but I am thinking of ending that practice now that I more comfortable with landings. I usually try to land in the student area, as I don't like the traffic (or the turbulence) in the main landing area at Elsinore, and I usually make it there fine. On this particular occasion my total lack of wind penetration and glide slope teamed up to land me in Chino Hills. At least it was a good landing (if not quite where I intended to be). 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #18 August 18, 2003 >But that was nothing compared to the snow-plow landing I did on memorial day! I'll take the credit for that one... Thank you, Thank you. Did'nt anyone ever tell you the pattern is subject to a 180 degree turn at 400 feet anytime I'm around Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #19 August 18, 2003 OUCH...I hope you are ok. HUGS to you sweetie and take care. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #20 August 18, 2003 Gosh, Cora, I am still thinking/worrying about you and your back. I hope that you are resting or at the doctor right now. Clownburner ~ Yes, we will jump together soon. Chino Hills!?! Also, I like that you have your face in your avatar now, but the way that it's cropped gives it a sort-of "Jack Nicholson in The Shining" look. I hope that wasn't too rude to say. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #21 August 18, 2003 Hey, Jess! I actually did call you with the number Michele gave me. I even called you on Sunday and left you a voice mail before I flew back. If you want, PM me your cell number, and I'll correct it in my phone.Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #22 August 18, 2003 Well....went to the doc and got pushed and pulled and prodded. She said that since I didn't kill her for doing that, she didn't think my back is broken and chose not to do x-rays. I am now on muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories with the "if you're not feeling better in a couple of days, come back in" caveat. As soon as I find out what my rigger says and see what Wings has to say, I'll post it. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitaniumLegs 8 #23 August 18, 2003 Oww!! Hope you're feeling better soon! Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clownburner 0 #24 August 18, 2003 QuoteClownburner ~ Yes, we will jump together soon. Chino Hills!?! No, not really. I was open over the freeway at 2200, and my best glide on rear risers with a crab angle was going to land me right in the motorsports park. I opted to turn a downwind leg and run a normal left hand pattern into the fields to the south of there instead. So I landed on the other side of the motorsports park. Of course, when it's 100+F it sure felt like I walked in from Chino Hills. The golf cart picked me up about half way. Quote Also, I like that you have your face in your avatar now, but the way that it's cropped gives it a sort-of "Jack Nicholson in The Shining" look. I hope that wasn't too rude to say. No, that's exactly what I was going for! It's from this picture7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #25 August 19, 2003 I'll find out what my rigger says tomorrow at work. But, in the meantime, this is what Paige at Wings had to say: Thanks for writing. I spoke to Henri and found out that it is not uncommon for that stitching to give on such a hard opening, not just on Wings risers but throughout the industry. Because of the direction the stitching is sewn, it pulled out to help absorb the shock of the extra hard opening. The webbing underneath the stitching will not break but it had stretched to its fullest capacity after stressing with the hard opening you’ve had. If your rigger resews the stitching, because it has extended, the stitching should not come out again. .... Since the time your rig has been made, we’ve made small modifications in the way we do the stitching by sewing it a little looser so even the threads are kind of pre prepared to absorb the shock of such a hard opening. Paige and Wings have been great with responding and their suggestions and help. I still love my Wings and am looking forward to jumping again soon. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
