skybytch

Hubby and I love to play craps. It's the only game in a casino that we play. I'll happily stand at a table for hours, until the stake runs out or when I can't keep my eyes open any longer. But the closest real craps is three hours away, so we don't get to play as often as we'd like. Last month we got a craps felt layout and some dice so we could play at home. It's been played daily since. We made the mistake of looking on Amazon for some additional chips and maybe a stick on Black Friday. And, well, you know how it goes, our craps table and all the accessories will be arriving early next week. So where do we put it? For now it'll replace the dining table and we'll eat at the island. But really, a damn near casino size craps table needs a game room. And we've each wanted one for years. One of our hopes when we bought this place was that we could eventually build one. Once we ordered the table, we started to talk again about how cool a game room would be. And then it came to us. There are two rooms in the outbuilding. One is the loft and the other is being used for storage; the plan was that the storage side would become my sewing room. We've been in there so few times that we had forgotten just how big that room is; in my mind it is the size of a small bedroom. But it's not. It's 21x13 feet... big enough for a game room! It's a white room with a plywood floor at the moment. I need ideas. Tell me what your game room has in it and how it's "decorated", or what it would have in it and how it would be decorated if you had a game room. Thanks!

Freefall is still home to me after 30 years. I completed all of the goals I set for myself in the sport. Now, without something to chase I don't feel the strong need to jump all the time. So I'm happy with a few jumps a year, just for the joy of flying. It's still a passion, it's just not the only one.

I'd be happy with that! Nice 360's on your grad dive. Now the real fun starts.

Well yeah. I mean, who wouldn't? ;-) BSBD Nate. Enjoy that big way in the sky.

Don't stress it, you'll do just fine. When you do your initial AFF jumps, the main side instructor will be guiding your hand to the handle on each of your practice touches and when you go to pull. You'll also be doing a BUNCH of practice touches during your FJC and before every student jump. Looked to me like you did a great job with altitude awareness and remembering the dive flow. Two pretty important parts of skydiving, whether you are a student or an experienced jumper.

Many canopies from many manufacturers are not built in the US. If PD took good care of you, why are you publicly dissing their quality comtrol? Every manufacturer has had canopies that were just off enough to cause an issue that wouldn't have been noticed without being jumped.

I'm around sometimes.

Seriously. People who work full time jobs and spend their weekends instructing (and even making instructors like someone I know well) have NO right to steal from those who choose to "live the dream". Doesn't matter how much experience the part timer has (although I guess it's worse if they have more than the OP). Those non-"professionals" should go back to their real life jobs and leave the skydiving... or do I mean ride operating? - to those who have dedicated their lives to it. </sarcasm>

Sooooo… move. Nothing stopping you. Take that equity and run. I know of a great house in Montana that's for sale right now. You'd probably end up with money in the bank. Lucky you for buying in a state with ridiculously high property values. Personally, I'll be staying here (even with the current governor). But then again, I reload and I don't mind waiting a few weeks for my next gun purchase.

Reload your own or take a road trip to a neighboring state. Problem solved.

Personally I wouldn't do it. There is likely a reason they are different dimensions. Why take a chance when PD will sell him a new one for $140? Warranty? On a parachute? Never heard of such a thing. Says very clearly right on the canopy warning label and in the owners manual of every canopy I've ever seen that there is no warranty express or implied. What insurance? Where can I get some? Liability? Excuse me while I go outside and scream about people who don't read the waiver they signed and assume that someone else is responsible for anything that happens to them. In the US anyway. I don't know about other countries.

I guess that depends on the motivation of the coach/instructor. My husband is a USPA AFF IE and coach examiner and a Master Rigger with a shit ton of experience. He is happy to talk with, advise, pass on useful information to anyone... for nothing. A beer is a nice offering but not required. He doesn't need to be paid to share what he knows with others. It's not about his pocketbook, it's about helping people become better, safer and more knowledgeable skydivers. Not to mention that it makes newbies feel like they are a part of the dz and not a wallet to empty. I know I'm a dinosaur, but I think It's pretty sad that jumpers now expect to be paid to talk to newbies.

Where are you and where do you want to go? Do you intend to work legally there or work while on a tourist visa (which are often pretty specific about not working while "visiting " their country)?

Not sure what you mean by ground hungry; I seem to descend at a reasonable rate. As for the flare, I couldn't land any canopy well until I took a canopy control course, where I learned the correct way to flare. I've jumped both 7 and 9 cells since and landed fine using the same flare technique. Just out of curiosity, what is your wingloading?

In addition to what Joe said, do some jumps working on belly exits. Exits and funnel recovery are very important skills for AFF instructors, as students routinely screw up the exit. Practice spin stop and roll over techniques if you can find an experienced AFF instructor to jump with you. Tunnel time is great for working on flying close, fall rate and spin stops. I don't know if roll overs can be practiced there. Hot tip for the course is to bring several jumpsuits - a fast suit and a slow suit at the minimum - and weights if you might need them. Dress for success - you might need a slower or faster suit to stay with the evaluator.

1.1 on a 210 at 70 jumps is not at all unreasonable if you are landing a 230 well. If you already have a few jumps on a 210 and have landed it well, I'd say definitely go for it. I would suggest that you purchase the main used. You will "probably" want to downsize again in several hundred jumps (although you certainly don't have to). You aren't likely to have any problem selling it when/if you decide to downsize further.

What kind of jump are you doing? Tandem? Not much preparation needed. If you intend to learn to skydive be sure to tell your instructor that you want to learn not just go for a ride. AFF? You can find first jump materials on USPA's website (probably on the APF website as well). Reading that before your first jump course might be helpful. Not a requirement though. Either way, wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. And a smile.

Wow, you bought it from a dealer and they didn't verify it would work for you before selling it to you? That sucks, this isn't a lesson you should have to be learning. Tbh, if I were you, I'd sell it and get something that is right for you.

Not trying to be an ass here, just curious. Why buy a container sized for a reserve that is too small for you and that doesn't have the MARD you want? Back OT. Something that has yet to be mentioned. Cubic inch volume is affected by humidity. What fits ok in Florida might not fit so well in Arizona. Not sure where you are but it is something to think about. My 170 main packed up great, snug but not ridiculously so, in a container built for a 150 when I was in Florida, but it was a tight pregnant looking pack job in southern California.

You can't delete it. Door is open, you can leave anytime. We won't lock it behind you. Nice positive attitude btw. You should probably go jump now.

Sorry, i didn't realize telling someone about a forum rule is a negative thing. As for what Erroll said, he's right. While I often find it to be a useful word, not everyone appreciates the word fuck. Using it on the back cover description might drive away potential buyers. . Pointing out something that could affect your sales is constructive criticism, not negativity. Negative would be telling you that you're an asshole for putting it on there. At least that's how I would take it.

If you don't already own that Vortex and you gotta have a MARD, buy something that already has one instead of going through the hassle of modifying it.

A magic formula for figuring out what size MLW will fit you. Your height in inches minues your inseam in inches minus 20. Example. I'm 5 feet 8 inches with a 33 inch inseam. 68 minus 33 minus 20 equals 15. So a 15 inch MLW should fit me, and it does. Figure out your MLW, then find out the sellers inseam (you already know the height) and do the same. Compare. Personally I'd pass on any used rig that is longer or shorter in the MLW than what should fit me using the above formula. Leg strap and chest strap lengths can easily be modified. Laterals cant be done as easy or cheaply; they should fit fine if you and the seller are of similar body shapes, Dont buy a used rig if the seller won't allow you time to try it on and have it inspected by your rigger before making the sale final.

Technically this post is advertising, which is not allowed in the forums, but hey, congrats on getting published! Skydiving has helped a lot of people fighting depression and other mental health issues. But that depression comes back with a vengeance should you have to stop due to injury or other circumstances. Especially if you have wrapped your whole life and identity around it, which is easy to do in such an amazing activity. That's what I experienced anyway.