AntiPinkChrissy

I remember when I first started skydiving... I said I would never jump a canopy under 170 square feet, I would never do anything more than a 4 way, and I would definately never BASE jump because that is way too dangerous. Now jump forward to present day...I jump a canopy quite smaller than 170, I have participated in 60+ ways and I have over a handful of BASE jumps...I have learned over the years to never say never. I guess the reason why my views have changed is what got me in the sport in the first place. I'm willing to try anything once and to live life without regrets. Also I have learned more about gear, what makes it safe and educated myself in whatever I don't know a lot about. I guess it is just a matter of getting more comfortable with the sport, which at the same time, makes it more dangerous. blue ones Chrissy ~La La Gang Member #2~

I know I AM a whiner!! ~La La Gang Member #2~

There are so many people going in and out of our breakroom it is impossible to track them down. It is probably people coming from different floors that steal it too. I know they come and snag our hot cocoa and paper towel. ~La La Gang Member #2~

That's HIM!! That's HIM!! My god, I didn't realize he has caused mayhem all over the world ~La La Gang Member #2~

awww...thanks for the vibes!! Actually the only coffee I know how to *make* is the kind that is prepackaged and you just dump it into a filter. I never make it at home. I don't know how much to measure out, if I want some at home I just steal some out of the pot of coffee my boyfriend makes ~La La Gang Member #2~

Is making coffee hard? I mean because everytime I walk into the breakroom at my office there is no coffee. I don't even drink coffee that much, just on those days that I NEED it. Like those days of long meetings and training sessions. It never fails though that the guy in front of me fills up his BIG mug, takes the last of the coffee and walks away carefree and just leaves the dirty sludge in the bottom. Of course I make more, but if I walk away from that brewing pot, I know that I am SOL. I guess I should invest in one of those coffee makers that I can put at my desk and brew single cups. aahwhaaa...guess I am done with my whining for the morning. (without my coffee) Chrissy ~La La Gang Member #2~

My first two canopies were used. My third canopy was a brand spankin new Samurai. There aren't many used around so I don't think new was really a choice for me. Plus I wanted to pick the colors to go along with all of my other new gear. ~La La Gang Member #2~

ok, well I went home and tried my rig on because I got to thinking, I haven't put my rig on in awhile, how do my laterals fit? The 'elastic lumbar support' is actually quite loose. According to the Mirage website 'Elastic lumbar support has been added at the hip to comfortably snug the rig to your lower back without cutting into you.' I guess I am not sure how this function should actually fit? Maybe due to the fact that the attachment point for the laterals is higher (than other rigs) on the backpad it keeps things snug? My rig does fit my snug though. ~La La Gang Member #2~

huh, that does sound pretty useless. Maybe it was mis-made? Mine fits me snug and totally does the job in comfort. ~La La Gang Member #2~

here's a pic from their website ~La La Gang Member #2~

It is basically the same idea as the Odyssey. I demoed a Javelin and I felt that the laterals made the rig tight and restricting. What I like about the Mirage is they have spandex that hugs your body instead of webbing. Their main lift web is still sewn to the outside of the rig, but they have spandex which cuts in and hugs your body. Kind of hard to explain, maybe someone can find a pic, I couldn't real quick, if I get time I will look some more. ~La La Gang Member #2~

I put my vote in for Mirage. I think that all the rigs you listed have good pin and riser protection. Thoses were two things that were important to me. I bought my G4 for a few reasons. My dropzone has a great relationship with the company, they have the 'S' series, which means the rig is the short version, they have a quick delivery time, cut in laterals, I have a friend who has been sponsored by them for awhile and I asked him how he felt about the rig (not that that alone was a deciding factor, but he has been jumping Mirage for years and figured he would have some feedback) and I also got a discount because it was a team rig. I'm not sure what other manufaturers are making short versions of their containers, but that is what I especially love about my Mirage. I'm not that tall, 5'4'', and I love the fact that my rig doesn't hang below my ass. It makes it a very comfortable rig. Cross Countrys are actually fun because I'm just hanging ount in the sky as comfortable as can be! Like it has already been said, if you ask 10 different people their opinion on equipment, you're going to get 10 different answers...opinions are like assholes...everyones got one. Blue Ones Chrissy ~La La Gang Member #2~

Just wondering if you could elaborate on this comment. I jump a Mirage G4 and am extremely happy with it, but just curious to know what happened. ~La La Gang Member #2~

That is some priceless video!! yeah!! Congratulations! You guys do an awesome job of running it. Cya Chrissy ~La La Gang Member #2~

JRock you crack me up!! ~La La Gang Member #2~

I have been in this sport for a few years but there is still so much to do and work on! As Lisa said before, my #1 goal is not to die. Other than that though: -Get better at my sit and get stable/proficient on my head -Have my 4-way team get either 1st or 2nd in the A class in the Michigan Skydiving League--last year took 3rd -Work on canopy skills/get more performance out of my canopy -Try some crew -Jump my butt off!! -Improve my BASE skills and jump off more objects Editted to add: Fly camera and work with more students hmmm...I think that covers it! ~La La Gang Member #2~

teehee!! That one made me giggle

I think the canopy control this year at Rantoul was the worst I have ever seen it. Not that I have been to too many, only 3. I swear I thought I had a big X on my back because of the number of times people cut me off or started doing radical S turns to bleed of alititude on final right into me. And since the winds were light and variable, obviously people weren't listening to the announcements about which way to land since I had people coming at me numerous of times. GRRRR!!!! ~La La Gang Member #2~

My friend just flew Spirit on Saturday without a problem. She carried her rig on. ~La La Gang Member #2~

I completely agree with you here, low man has right away, you can't see behind you. One thing I think people need to keep in mind is that, most of the time on final there IS someone behind you, therefore you should make your landing a predictable one. You need to keep in mind what size canopy you are flying and realize that you may overtake the person in front of you. Many times I have been lined up on final, I am the higher canopy and the person below either decides, oh well I'm gonna shoot the peas, or decides to land crosswind or decides that they must be perfectly down the windline to land. So it becomes a domino effect, I turn a little because the person below me is now directly in front of me, therefore the person behind me must adjust and so on. Being predictable on final is greatly appreciated. -Chrissy ~La La Gang Member #2~

I just wanted to say excellent post Ron. I really like your posts because they are blunt and to the point. It is obvious you have years of experience under your belt and want to share that with others so we can avoid some of the mistakes that you have seen. Some people here have referenced the 'drill sargent' instructor as not being an effective teacher. For me personally, if I don't like the delivery method of an instructor, I ignore the delivery method and focus on the message. My dad has the military type personality (he was in the Army for a few years), over the years I just learned to ignore the tone and focus on what he was saying. If you want to learn, I think that is necessary to do. Chrissy ~La La Gang Member #2~

Those pics are so awesome!! Looks like you guys maybe had some fun?! ~La La Gang Member #2~

Hey Angela, I will definately be down again. Next time I won't bring a cold front with me! ~La La Gang Member #2~

I'm gonna give it to you straight Dan... YOU SUCK!! ~La La Gang Member #2~

Hey! It was nice meeting you! I had a fantastic time while I was there, too bad I picked the coldest weekend that Florida has had so far to come for a visit! I just can't wait to go back. Maybe next time we can get a jump in together! Chrissy ~La La Gang Member #2~