Michele 1 #1 May 13, 2003 How tumultuous this last 10 days have been. How amazingly up and down and up again. How difficult it's been to decline the Racer generously given me by Jack and Lynn Ceman... But as much as I wanted to use Barney, or, as I said, "I wish that I was Barney's Girl", as much as I would've loved to dance through the skies and shown him the sights from this side of the continent, it was not to be. Despite talking to several riggers and gear manufacturors, despite working the numbers every which way, it was to be an unrequited love at first sight... The smallest reserve I am willing to get under is a 190-193. While the Smart reserve was a potential option, the CU IN packing has not been published that I could find. Trying to get an idea of it's actual field pack volume, I checked many different manufacturors, calling some, e-mailing others, and pm-ing still others. I tried as hard as I could, but couldn't find a reserve that came close to the size I need that would pack into the reserve tray. Still hoping against hope, I brought Barney with me to Elsinore on my birthday. I had Diablopilot (JP) from Action Air/Davis look Barney over, and see it actually on my body. He and I talked for a long while (it was raining, he was set up for demos and no-one was there, and I had questions...perfect!), and he said he'd go back on Monday to Action Air and research it further. He apparently called Jumpshack, and they confirmed what we already suspected; it was not sized to handle the reserve I need. He knew Barney's story, and knew how disappointed I would be, so, continuing the spirit of Jack and Lynn, following their incredible lead, showing the very same generosity, JP has shipped me a Javelin C-5, DOM 12/92, 17-18" MLW, reserve sized PD 193-218 and main tray will accommodate the 210. I was further able to work out a deal on a cypres, which is back from it's 8 year check with fresh batteries. The Jav arrived today, and the cypres should arrive tomorrow. Now all I lack is a reserve. And my rigger is waiting on standby for my call to assemble my - MY!!!!!! gear... And just to note that the deal JP and I struck was the same as with Barney, Jack and Lynn...when the time comes that I order my own brand new gear, that I continue the generosity and pay it forward...and I will do that gladly. I will do that with a glad and happy heart, and still marvel at the amazing hearts of skydivers, the spirit and generosity and human-ness this family of ours displays... And I am again brought to tears, realizing how blessed I am to call all of you family.... And again, I ask, how hard is it to express the fullness in my heart? How hard is it to say thank you to folks who've given me the sky - twice, now? How hard is it to articulate the difference that not just their gifts, but their display of heart and kindness, has made in my life, and in my perceptions? How hard is it? Impossible. Again and still, impossible... Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a container waiting to get a bath, and tears will course down my face as I try to understand how I got lucky enough for this blessing to have come my way twice... 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
freeflir29 0 #2 May 13, 2003 Skydivers...They're just DAMN cool! Congrats Michelle!!! Your FIRST rig is a special thing. Enjoy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Islandcool 0 #3 May 13, 2003 Quote Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a container waiting to get a bath, and tears will course down my face as I try to understand how I got lucky enough for this blessing to have come my way twice... Does this mean beer again?? Good deal Michele congrats again. Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dterrick 0 #4 May 13, 2003 Hey Michele, I thoutht quote was "I wish I had Jesse's Girl "(or mine? Could you stand a Canadian for a while???) My racer came to me with a Strong Stellar 160, PIA'd at 165. Talk about comfort, my ragged out F-111 210 flies as if it were about a 170- (190 ZP's are a DREAM under canopy and flare) - I think... but because I fly a Raven as a main there's little I can do to incite a chop (that's NOT a brag!!). I've flown 170's but the thought of setting one down a la Billvon in soneone's backyard is a bit of a stretch... Care for a Raven II (218) with about 800 jumps on original microlines as your reserve??? Neither would I... but as a main... well I'm "tough" and I trust my riggerDave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #5 May 13, 2003 Will it be packed in time for Friday?? Got this really cool skydive planned... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #6 May 13, 2003 LOL...no reserve yet. No skydiving in that rig 'til the reserve gets handled. But why couldn't I do it in the rental rig? And just as an fyi...containers get really heavy when they're wet...and I can only imagine how heavy it would be with a water landing... Hey, Islandcool, I already brought beer - Corona, just for you...but we all went out instead. Or don't you remember? I got this package at work, and I was having a bad day, I opened it...and then took it into my brokers office and showed it off. He was impressed. I know he was, even if he didn't exactly say so... JP, I tell ya, I'm in love. And Jack, I am still in love with Barney... SKYDIVERS RAWK! 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
Squeak 17 #7 May 13, 2003 Hey chook, good for you But you know it hasn't really happened until the pics are posted. Welocome to the Javelin club, I love mine You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #8 May 13, 2003 Glad to hear, hon! Looking forward to seeing pics of her.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
SkyDekker 1,465 #9 May 13, 2003 skydivers plainly just rock!!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #10 May 13, 2003 Quote it hasn't really happened until the pics are posted. I will have photos posted of it someday...but I don't have a digital cam, so it's more delayed than most of you all.... O.K., so does anyone have any idea how to securely hang this thing? Hangers are no good...I've broken three so far (o.k., so I learn slow...), and the showerhead won't cooperate. I've tried hanging it by the legstraps, the shoulders, and the chest strap. I've finally managed to rig something up with rope laced through the shoulders, but it keeps slipping. It's over the tub and makes a heck of a racket when it falls... 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
VectorBoy 0 #11 May 13, 2003 Hey Michele I will gladly loan you my currently unused para swift 175. Don't worry about the size, You won't neeeeeed it. worry about the color, its baby blue, will it match the rest of your gear? Glen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #12 May 13, 2003 Quote It's over the tub and makes a heck of a racket when it falls... Keep dropping it, maybe it will scare the raccoon away. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #13 May 13, 2003 Quote Keep dropping it, maybe it will scare the raccoon away LOL, I think that may be an idea... Glen, what's with a 175...and here I was, thinking you liked me or something...Bubble bursting...Oh, I get it. It's payback for the tu-tu photo, right? 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
