at the end of the rainbow !! AFTER : 1) 6 months of "student" status, 2) 6 static-lines, 3) 20 freefalls (some REALLY ugly), 4) 6 stand-ups, 5) 2 heavy-duty butt bounces, 6) 1 off-DZ landing in the median strip of a highway, 7) 1 off-DZ landing in Farmer McNasty's cow pasture, 8) 7 all-day waits for the wind to die down, 9) 5 all-day waits for the clouds to rise/burn-off, 10) 4 all-day waits for the rain to clear, 11) 3 truly spectacular high-speed cart-wheeling PLFs, 12) 13 maimed, slow-of-foot obese children, 13) 5 cases of beer for various firsts/f***-ups, 14) approx. $1300.00 for course fees and jumps, 15) 1 DZ closing and transfer, 16) numerous laughs and good-times, 17) and dozens of tips and words of encouragement from the Dropzone.com regulars, I am now an "A"-licensed skydiver. Thanks for all the help, folks -- you made it a lot easier...... Don (for David Shanks -- rest in peace; I loved you, man.)