LyraM45

Oh, OK.... I agree with you there! I have caught that show on tlc called "say yes to the dress" or something like that and these chicks are buying these $15-25,000 gowns (let alone the rest of the wedding)!! That's a freakin' chunk of change for a house payment for gods sake! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

+1 Sippin on 12 yr. Glenlivet now. Hands down my fav for affordable single malt. Yyyeeesss!!! Glenlivet here please!! I am definitely not a lady when I drink. I'll take a scotch on the rocks any day! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Really good one back in FL right on state park land called Apollo - Playalinda (I think). It's part of canaveral national seashore and you can sit there buck ass nakey and look down the beach and watch the shuttle launch. It's AWESOME!! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Was that Ratatat for the tunes? Love those guys :) Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I had the same problems through college. I just started cranking out a few jumps again, but for a good chunk of time since my first jump, I couldn't really jump. What did I do? I hung out at the dz when I could and looked forward to the day where I would have my degree, have a grown up job, get shiny new gear, and be able to jump a little more often. All the waiting paid off because I have all of that, but I work a really weird rotating 3 shift schedule as a weather person, so being a weekend warrior is definitely out of the question at this time, but the point being is I never let it go. If you're having troubles right now then just set sight on the day when you'll be able to come back and crank out a bunch of jumps. I look back on the few jumps I made in college and it honestly wasn't worth it for me to just come back for a refresher every now and then. It probably isn't the safest either to come back multiple times as uncurrent as I was. Sometimes good things come to those who wait, so just stick it out and the jumps you get to do when you get back into it will mean that much more! Good luck!

Mind posting the video? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

If you get advice and it's not the advice you want to hear (IE: get some more jumps under your belt) and you go do it anyway, then keep me up to date where/when you're jumping so I stay home that day. I would NEVER fathom knowing that I should have a little bit more experience under my belt before trying something, but since people are emphasizing that and not telling me how to do it anyway, then eff it, I'll just go do it anyway. Do you not see anything wrong with this? The reason we need the experience is all for safety-- not just yours, but for the groups jumping in front of and behind you. I feel like doing something like this is as good as a big "F - U" to the rest of the load that you're on. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I am a stickler for things like this. I worked at a tunnel for a bit gaining some pretty decent freefly experience, but I am definitely not out flying in huge groups or going out in groups at all on my head. Why? Because I only have a couple hundred jumps and I don't think any tunnel freefly experience is going to give me the complete situational awareness that I need on a skydive-- and can only get from getting out there and knocking out some jumps to get that experience. Am I probably a little too much on the conservative side? Probably, but I think you need to sit and evaluate your situation here. If you're going to "go do it anyway," then PLEASE find a coach and/or a tunnel. For anything in this sport, I find if there is a large number of knowledgeable experienced people saying, "that's not a good idea, you should do this or that and X amount of experience before trying that," then take a second and reassess what you're doing, because more than likely you're probably in the wrong. Just remember you're not the only guy on the load and the advice that you're getting, even if not what you want to hear, is for your safety and everybody elses. Just my .02 on what I find to be just a heads up safety issue. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I think it's all a little silly, but I do have to ask myself-- do these kids really dress like this a lot? Any time, if ever before this? Sounds to me they were looking for confrontation and they got the hooplah they were looking for, but if they dress like this all the time, then then go on with their bad selves, I guess. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I thought a few thousand was a modest amount too, considering I know a lot of girls that spend that just on the dress alone. I'd rather put the money towards making sure everybody has a good time with lots of food/drink/dancing, because like I said, it will probably never happen again with both families in the same room let alone in the same state or part of the country. I see what gets spent for an average wedding now adays and it makes me shudder, but when I go to plan something for a few thousand dollars (which is WELL WELL WELL below the "average" amount for a wedding) I still feel like a horrible person sometimes. ::sigh:: Long story..... but every time I get support from somebody telling me that I shouldn't feel bad about a few thousand dollars towards my wedding, it really helps me out and makes me feel better-- so thanks for the input!

Exactly. As long as both parties are okay with it. "Yes dear" is not an okay, it's a submission. Exactly. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

This is generally true. However, you are probably kidding yourself if you think your woman's "one thing" is the wedding. My experience has shown that the ones who want the big wedding also want the expensive luxury cars, the huge house full of useless consumer goods and are generally obsessed with "keeping up with the Jones". The wedding is just her "one thing" for "right now". Bottom line is that if you marry one of these women, don't expect her to be any less high maintenance after the wedding- it only gets worse from there! I think that is a little unfair... I'm a huge tom boy, and I got a tiny ring that costs a little more than my car payment, and I don't want a giant huge wedding, but comments like this and sentiments I'm getting from particular people I'm close with in my wedding predicament make me feel like a selfish bitch for wanting to take time to have my immediate family in a nice outdoor setting with good food, booze, and music. Hell, I was even looking at a dress at good will recently for 50 bucks!!! I'm definitely not high maitnenence, but if I want to spend a two thousand dollars for a night with my family (who I NEVER get to see that lives 3000 miles away now!) with good food/drink, is that so bad?? Damn... thinking about all of this stuff makes my head hurt. Has for the past two years. I just hate the threat of being labeled 'materialistic' or 'high maintenence' because I want an afternoon/evening (for what I think is modest if only spending around $2500 or something) with all the people that I love in one place at the same time. It will probably never happen again after that. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I'll pray to the weather god for you.... from 2,00 miles away!

I rode a plane down on my first jump after moving to Cali a few months ago. I know some pilots really crank it down on the descent, so I backed up as much as I could and held my rig flush against the SIC seat in case my cypress2 fired. I don't know anybody that it has happened to, nor do I remember hearing any stories of it happening, but if they can fire on a HP turn for a swoop I don't see why not if the plane is nose down for a quick descent so I figured better safe than sorry. As for getting out in clouds-- the pilot shouldn't have the green light on if they don't have visuals. It's against FAR's and the law is there for a reason. It's not only for your safety but as well as the pilot who is minding his own business flying his plane somewhere underneath of the jump plane who may have not heard the call. If some guy flying a little piper and is filed VFR he may be flying underneath the cloud deck-- say the base is at 6,000ft and VFR underneath. You track out of that cloud and BAM. Lights out for everybody involved. I walked off of a dropzone in TX last year because of this issue. First DZ I ever walked off of and won't return. I didn't appreciate staff and people yelling in the door when I was first out and after looking down into solid CB (with holes all around it... TX summertime with few to scattered towering CB's that may float right over the dz but will quickly move with a go around) and was going to ask for a go around to wait for a hole on the other side of the cloud, which is what I was used to doing at the dropzones in FL I had jumped at for years before.... but fun jumpers don't have the luxury of getting a go around at this particular DZ. At the end of the day you are responsible for yourself. You make the decision to get out or not get out. If you're not comfortable with the way the DZ operates with variable clouds, then try another DZ if you have the luxury of having another option somewhat close. If not, then don't be afraid to ride the plane down. Don't worry about the assholes yelling from the back of the plane. You're doing the right thing by abiding the rules and regs-- they're there for a reason! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

There's another thread where typical DZ.comers bash a 100 jump guy with a GoPro who ditched his helmet before cutaway, yet he is all ok and well and nobody else was hurt as well.. This can be an exactly same analogy, because next time this guy can pull his friends RESERVE handle on exit instead of a cutaway, now that would make for a "fun" video wouldn't it? As I pointed out in another thread, it's all about jump numbers here, if you're below 200, you're gonna be bashed no matter what you do, above that and you're in the cool zone.. No... if you're under 200 and think you have MAD SKILLZ and post in every thread that you have no business posting in (like wingsuit, camera, etc, etc), THEN you will get bashed. .... just sayin' Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Oh, man... I had to watch it twice to see the look on his face!! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I'll echo this post. One of the DZ 's I've been to recently has a jumper(s) that ALWAYS brings his/her kid out and just leaves them to run around while they are off jumping. IMO, the dropzone is NOT a baby sitting service. If you want to jump and your kid wants to spend the day at the DZ then please bring a family member or friend to accompany them around while you are jumping (while they are young to walk around and get in trouble... obviously teenagers and older kids are more likely to not run around and trip over your lines you have laid out while you pack or pull on that shiny handle sticking out of the webbing.), or get a baby sitter for the day where you can drop them off before you go to the dz. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Really good statistical fact that shows whats going on there. Thats not what he said. he probably should have said high quality FF. Also, bones is probably one of the most down to earth guys on and off the DZ. He has no problem bringing a begging freeflyer on a fun jump and he might even bring his spaceball too. He will probably give a lot of coaching too. I know I was one of them. I was born and raised in texas. haha... who gives a fuck? you dont have to be from here to see what is currently going on is. I would have to say that I like the otter better, but only when I am in the door. I would have to say that this is simply a terrible point to take a stand on. Pacs are great planes. A good team should sell themselves to bring business to that DZ. Its effective and smart. If it was not raining outside, i would be at SDH right now ONLY because i would have the opportunity to learn from Bones and Brad's videos and debriefs. O, yea.... They were going to do some FF fun jump organizing after their team jumps instead of packing up and leaving. I have another FF friend that was going to go because Ver-tex was training there. Maybe some people do not understand that.While i dont like legend... Ill say that he is in fact very well known. Yes.... If all the teams that were jumping at SDH currently got up and moved to another DZ, it would be the place to be for FF. You sir are correct. tunnel coaches are know to be damn good flyers. In this specific case, that is defiantly true. last and certainly the best quote. haha... defiantly not true. To back up bones' statement, I would have to say that the people who are good enough to be on the 100 way HD record and who had the means to go in fact did. I love spaceland and it is my home dz by far. It truly has world class facilities. However, i can say that it is not much of a freefly DZ. I would have to say that I am one of the few regular freeflyers there and I only jump during summer and holidays. We do not have a FF team competing (unless you count Collegiates). thats all You just said everything I was going to say. Simon is one of the most down to earth guys you'll run into on the DZ. Everybody wants to promote their DZ and their freefly/RW/wingsuit/etc, etc scene. Simon has a little bit of data to back up the claims he was making. I don't think he meant for that to come off as only DZ's with medal winning freefliers are the only good DZ's, because anybody who knows simon knows that would sound ridiculous coming from his mouth since he's all about promoting freeflying period no matter what. I've only been to San Marcos a very few times and I've never been to Dallas, but in the immediate Houston area Simon is right-- the freefly scene is at SDH. IMO, the fun jumper scene in general is at SDH. For anybody looking for what DZ to jump at, just keep an eye out for the events coming this season. Where are all of the freefly weekends/boogies/camps/etc going to be? Wingsuit weekends? Scrambles? You'll probably see a lot of events at SDH. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I am chuckling to myself right now because I just did this myself last week, but not as bad. Not the first time I've done it either. Tunnels will get ya too with the helmets and loose suit parts. I got bruised up from a large suit in the tunnel so bad everybody thought my fiance was beating me up! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

What a beautiful soul. Talented, funny, and a great friend to many all over the world. I'm still in disbelief. He will be missed by many in the skydiving and tunnel community! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Sunday at Lodi. My first jump as a Californian! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

That freakin' rocks!!!!!! Here are a few from SVO. I moved to Houston and was without tunnel for 2.5 years but I just moved to San Fran this week and hallelujah I am with a tunnel again!!! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Oh oh.... the generals and admirals didnt like the bit about getting rid of dont ask dont tell......those were some serriously icy stares.... but if it lets more closeted republicans serve.. I guess its a good thing... Yea, I saw that too and I thought that was pretty shitty. Do gays bleed differently? Do they want to die for their country differently than a straight soldier does? They (the brightly dressed military guys we're talking about) shouldn't be in any high ranking military position if that is their stance. They should be welcoming anybody and everybody who wants to fight for our country. Just my opinion, but we all know the saying what those are like.... Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

WHAT WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!! I would have loved to see their (the plaintiffs) ugly faces face down and smothered to death in the mud during the trial, but this result is OK too. I freakin' love SDH and I'm so happy to hear this news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Antsy? No, considering I'm one of the many intelligent people who voted for Obama and didn't expect him to flip a switch over night and magically fix everything. A year is really not that long in the grand scheme of things. All in due time my friends, all in due time. Let the man have ample time to prove himself one way or the other. What exactly is "ample time," you might ask? Well, I am not certain but I am certain it is not 1 year, IMO. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Possibly more. But make sure your "math" is complete - do the other jobs come with benefits (health insurance, paid time off, sick leave, holidays, possibly disability insurance, etc.)? If so, figure that into your math. They may also come with a more stable/predictable income (regular paycheck every week or two, instead of a wad of cash on a busy weekend and an empty pocket during crappy weather). So do all that then decide what's important to you. I want to echo what she said here. I had to think about the same kind of stuff when I first went away to college. I wanted to skydive so bad and almost said screw it just so I could move onto a dropzone and work full time. Now looking back on it I am glad I made the decision to pursue the degree and become a professional. Now I have the freedom to have paid time off to go to boogies where I want, paid sick time, benefits, and a schedule that allows me to keep skydiving as a hobby. I known this doesn't happen for everybody but I am glad I kept it as a hobby since I don't want to risk making it a job that I eventually don't have as much fun with anymore. Just my .02