themitchyone

I took an online course through Orange Coast College in So. Cal. There was a bit more work than I expected, which is a good thing. I felt like I'd learned as much as any course. I would do it again. The time factor is the plus, not having to drive to campus. "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

Yes!!!! Yaaaaaaaaaay Red Sox!! "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

Kewl pics, and what a beautiful day for your first jump!! "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

Thanks for the link. That was very cool. But imagine trying to get 20 friends to help just so only you would get the ride "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

Not as bad as you, Kai: 14.65 "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

I'm an "Aggressive Outdoor Encourager"... hmmm, really... "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

I squat down on the floor, holding my cat between my legs, almost sitting on her (she's 16 lbs). I take each front paw and with one hand push out each claw one by one and with the other (using human-kind nail clippers) quickly snip the tips before she screams and bites too much. I try to sweet talk her through it and give her treats afterwards. Don't clip too much. Only the sharp, dead tip. "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

Congratulations! -Michele

Hey, in that first picture of the mini-van, the back side of the person driving looks like a man's head to me... could be wrong. And in the next two you can't see the drivers... just saying, man! "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

As for me, my jumps were in the twenties before I had a nice, long stretch of great landings. (However, I recently started wearing a weight belt that changed my wing loading which changed everything. Now I'm learning to land again .) I've learned it's small, constant adjustments at final approach and during the final flare. At first I flared too late and gave up. Then, I started flaring too high, and I had some times where I pretty much stalled out several feet off the ground. That is very scary. Luckily I never hurt myself other than bruises and sore muscles. It seems to me if you can PLF, you're doing fine. It's better than flaring high. Soon enough, you'll get the feel for it. "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

Sounds like good advice. Thank you. "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

Thanks for all of your input. I weigh 125lbs. I haven't tried the Turbo Z 165 yet. For the moment I'm staying on a larger canopy (190). Since starting to use a weight belt my landings are way off. I need to learn to land again. Hopefully I'll adjust soon, but in the meanwhile I'd like a more forgiving canopy. In a few weeks when I've moved back down to the Spectre 170 and am comfortable with that, maybe I'll try the other. "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

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Someone I know has a Turbo Z 165 for sale and suggested it might be a good canopy for me. I've just started using a Spectre 170. I've done a little research so far, and I've seen phrases like significant airspeed. I don't know if this is faster that what a Spectre would fly. I still of course want a fairly conservative and somewhat forgiving canopy. Any advice? Thanks!

I love Halloween. I've made some pretty creative costumes over the years, winning first place once at Black Angus as Madonna and several times at work as Marge Simpson and a scarecrow were some of the ones I remember. I love to be creative and fun and to freak people out if I can. But driving to work on Halloween morning... people look at you like you're a serious freak! "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

Indeed I did - I sewed three Reebok ankle weights end to end and added snap fasteners at the front. The weights are in zippered pockets and come in and out easily. Each supplied weight is a little over 1/2 pound but I can fit 1 pound and 2 pound weights in the pockets if I need more. Entire cost, including 8lb of weight, was around $25 Great idea. Thanks. "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

Thanks guys for some stuff to think about! "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

I rented a 10lb weight belt this weekend, and it made a tremendous difference. Instead of working to keep up my fall rate to match my jump partner I could concentrate on the flying part. Weight belts are $75 from Para-Gear. A SCUBA friend suggested SCUBA weights which are cheaper, but from what I've seen they are bulkier. If anyone has any suggestions about weight belts I would appreciate it. Thanks. "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

I found this at http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/11/messages/394.html which one is right? 1. the best defense is a good offense 2. the best offense is a good defense _A Dictionary of American Proverbs_ (1992) gives two forms: The best defense is a good offense. A good offense is the best defense. Make them believe, that offensive operations, often times, is the surest, if not the only ... means of defence. (George Washington, 1799) The British People had always believed that the best form of defence was attack on the enemy. (_Times_, Nov 26, 1941) "My old and very good friend, Jack Dempsey, has a saying which he has proved time and again in the ring. The best defense is a good offense." (Elia Kazan, _The Arrangement_, 1967) He had learned -- at an early age -- that the best form of defense was offense. (Jackie Collins, _Hollywood Wives_, 1983) "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

I've been trying to find a campground along Ortega Highway where there is good hiking and is near where we can watch the hang-gliders take-off and fly near Elsinore. Does anyone have any suggestions for campsites? Thanks!

I'm sure that many newbies spend plenty of time reading about risers vs. toggles as well as other threads to become safer jumpers whether or not there is a tragedy. It doesn't make most people's condolences any less sincere. I wholeheartedly disagree that this cheapens the loss. On the other hand... taking the time to count and post the number of those who didn't qualify to give condolences... "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

My sincerest condolences go out to Adria's family and friends. I've seen her pictures before and feel like I know her. Such a beautiful, young, and intelligent woman for her life to be cut so short. It's a very sad day. May she rest in peace. "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

This morning I happened to write some haiku for my boyfriend. So... Why must we be such unhappy little creatures? Life’s short. Let’s jump, dive. Flying close with God or down deep with the Devil. Living on the edge. Most do not know of the beauties we see and feel; and most never will. "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson

Oh, wow, Rick. Now I sooooooo wish I would have gone!! It sounds like such an awesome time!!! Glad you had a blast. And hey, where's my tee-shirt?? Joking... "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson