airann

Hi yah! Dive in newbie!! Sometimes you have to put your helmet on in here, but good times for sure on this website. There isnt another one like it on the entire Web. I am glad you found it. ~AirAnn~

If you are interested in a guy who knows about this..... regarding 'going in'... www.deadmike.com Dead Mike WATCH the video clip of him on the A&E special. Get it on his site. It is extremely well worth the watch. If you have low # jumps, Watch It. If you have high # jumps, Watch It. It will straighten your ass right out about landing. Maybe save your ass too. Watch this video, Watch this video, Watch this video On August 3, 1997 around 5 PM at the World Freefall Convention in Quincy, Illinois, Michael B. Vederman, after a successful skydive, got into a parachute collision ... fell about 80 feet and struck the concrete runway almost horizontal, face down. Mike survived (brain intact) and this is his webpage. Dead Mike ~AirAnn~

Big giant Texas VIBES. Get well Sky-Sister. ~AirAnn~

His hair has been in the Mohawk for some time. I did mess up and cut it too much on the sides. ZipSter is back chasing the cat so he is all good. He only really wanted a Trim and for the flea circus to leave town. Well, no more fleas.. Flea= the bug Not Top Dog #2 Flea Flyer ~AirAnn~

Yep, that is Raymond Adams. Para Performace Tour Very cool Dude from Dallas. He and I traded Gatorz so he could have the blue lenses to match his hair a few years back. LOL LOL ~AirAnn~

Uh oh, here is my 'rant' The fact that women got into the military at all was a bitch, back in the day. History reveals these things - for starters America in 1942, for example, ladies did not wear slacks. if captured, they had no protection under existing international agreements covering prisoners of war, ... ....women had served the Army without benefit of official status, obtain their own food and quarters, and they received no legal protection or medical care. Upon their return home they were not entitled to the disability benefits or pensions available to U.S. military veterans. a bill in Congress in May 1941, failed to receive serious consideration until after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December. Enlisted soldiers tended to question the moral values of any woman attracted to military service ... Many soldiers believed that the WAACs' duties included keeping up morale and "keeping the men happy." ... It was rumored that 90 percent of the WAACs were prostitutes and that 40 percent of all WAACs were pregnant. According to one story, any soldier seen dating a WAAC would be seized by Army authorities and provided with medical treatment. The Newspapers said alot back then WRONG. It was a huge ordeal. Fearing incidents between the women and the large number of male troops in the area, some of whom had not seen an American woman for eighteen months, the theater headquarters directed that WACs (as well as Army nurses) be locked within barbed-wire compounds at all times, except when escorted by armed guards. ^^Regarding the post about real military operatives never talk.. Its very true.^^ I have posted here before about whom I was named after... Career Army, Lt Col Anne Marie Doering. Considered an American Hero on the site www.xservicemen.com/heroes, a link leads you to the one paragraph below on the Vientam Women's Vet site. Yet, this is near the end of her big long career of which is either not written down, or still classified. The first Women’s Army Corps (WAC) person to serve in Vietnam was Major Anne Marie Doering (1962 to 1963). The daughter of a French engineer, she was born and raised in Haiphong and spoke fluent Vietnamese. She was assigned to the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in Saigon as a plans officer. She was my great cousin/Aunt because- My great Uncle married her German widowed mother. My grandparents then adopted her and got her to Tx. She graduated Salutitorian in our high school and graduated college. She then went immediately into Army/Air Force. (Intelligence) They were the same back then. She was given the Bronze Star for Valor. Bronze Stars for valor are given in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. She captured a bad guy in New Guinea. She could read and write French, German, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, and English. If you know about military history, in the 40's she needed every single one of these languages. Especially Japanese. She knew Lt. Gen. Eisenhower & Gen. MacArthur. She scraped blood off walls of an underground something in New Guinea to get ready a radio station. She was in France the 50's doing something French/German. She slipped around there really well due to her languages. She NEVER said a DAMN thing that would reveal anything of substance about what she did. Just an extremely rare off handed comment. My Aunt called this week and said "Come over to see me and get your 'Box of Metals', nobody even knows what they are." ~AirAnn~

DUDE!!! WTF? That is scary. There must be a cypress in there with your lunch and bed roll. You dont look too worried. Green is definitely your color but I think you over did the accessories. Just a pop of color, yes a yellow scarf would have been better. ~AirAnn~

This is the best post I have seen in..., like forever. I have SO enjoyed these fotos. Absolutely CLASSIC and should be framed. No doubt. I will put my 1st here. I have way too many after pics to deal with to post, maybe later... ~AirAnn~

Yup, you will be real suprised at what real world job descriptions you will find at a DZ and NO where else. If you need something done, you will likely find a skydiver who does it for a living. I had a buddy staying over for a while (skydiver) and he noticed my sink was not working great in my kitchen. He fixed that and the incineration thing. He is a plumber. I had NO idea and I have jumped a LOT with this guy. Veterinarian, lawyers, Doctors, nurse, computer types, accountant, carpenter, physical therapist, district attorney, a scientist, a nuclear atomic particle dude-(BASE), college students, the temp unemployed, a female astronaut, chemical engineer, car mechanics, plumber, landscape design, realtors..... and more that I am leaving out or have no idea. Yet, at the DZ we are all on the same page. ... or the same aircraft . ~AirAnn~

Sweet bike!! I owned a Motobecane Vent Noir, silver sky blue. It weighed at or less than 20 lbs. A real fast bike. More for racing than road. Every bell and whistle and a super sweet computer. You have to pick your road rather well or change out your race tires or road crap is going to give you hell. Lucky you have a group that you can draft off of as well as your chase vehicle. I found a pretty decent road in Fayettnam where I started riding. Nobody ruined my jet stream there, but I suspect 'people' slowed to check the butt as I wasnt far from the base. No matter, when you are riding that fast you dont have time to take surveys. I rode 21 mph for 10-12 miles each morning when I moved back to Houston. This was on a new road. Later on when the road became ultra popular for bikers. There were idiots who frequently swished us on purpose. My Dr friend was thrashed pretty good even in a pack. My other friend lost some teeth and broke a forearm. I got caught way out facing a big headwind on the way back with rain. I rode inbetween 2 towns 11 miles apart. The extra weight of the rain even with tights was horrid. I had a light jacket with some light fleece inside. It was winter. By the time I got back my legs were unable to hold me up. At one point the wind changed and I swear I was riding at some 70 degree angle. I cant remember what my computer read. I didnt care that time. I thought about training for the Hotter Than Hell 100, (100 miles in hundred degree weather) here in Texas. But quickly I abandoned that idea after seeing the course. I never clipped my feet. I thought about it and I tried it. But I just felt better without. My bike, amps, guitars, cameras, jewelry, and a Mini-14 were stolen from my apartment some years back. I have a $100 off coupon for a new bike and I have been measured, but - I get hurt less skydiving. Being a biker gets you real close to some perfectly shaped legs and butt. Tina Turner on a slightly smaller scale comes to mind. There is a drome here just outside of Houston. I did witness an Olympic trial years ago. I wore a Red shirt and black tight little capris pants and it was against the Russians. All night people thought I was Russian. I was asked all kinds of stuff, mostly if I was KGB. Oh well, those were my favorite pants. ~AirAnn~

Very good job.

Classification of human beings irritates me. In addition, asking to clarify a 'classification' is about a waste of good time. Another waste of time is me in this thread. ~AirAnn~

"the middle of the desert in Texas" That is going to be West Texas likely. We have about 5+ different types of terrian here. Dad gum, thank God he is alive. That must be one hell of a story he has to tell. But, being a skydiver we know how to survive things. I suppose. We are all Bad Asses. ~AirAnn~

You can cook funny looking pancakes in a George Foreman grill. They look like bear feet with claws. You can also cook an egg in there. ~AirAnn~

Congratulations! 10-20 is a nice even number too. Likely your marriage will work out just fine. I am sure you are relieved to know that. Then again, I thought 10-08, Eight being my lucky number, would work. Beep Wrong Answer, Try again.. So, try again I think it was... 4-16.. Beeeeep Wrong Answer. Hell I knew that walking down the asle. Why I did not turn around, I will never know. That was a good waste of 1.5 years. Many nice long evenings in rockin chairs for these two. I could tell in an eariler post. The Real Deal. ~AirAnn~

Is a kissy - face smiley and a Pucker two way different things??? ~AirAnn~

Are you NUTZ.... True Story: year 2000 DZO "Ann, can you wait till they get out of their car, at least." For new jumpers - if it happens that I am on a load and I look over and dont know someone... I will say "Hey!!! I dont know you!! How did you get on my load and I dont know you?? Ha, ha" Ok, good to meet cha, now you can stay on my aircraft. I find this makes their experience better. Introduce yourself, show them around, and introduce the new person whuffo or jumper to others. Say- RW person.. I introduce to someone who is a RW person... FFers to FFers.. Non-jumpers to non-jumpers A guy who I call Reynolds Wrap apparently slipped by me. He was headed to his car... I said, HEY, who are you and where are you going? He explained that he had been at X dropzone and everyone was friendly. But this Y dropzone he was leaving because nobody would talk/jump with him. WHOA NELLY.... I hopped off my tailgate and waltzed him inside and introduced him to 3 top freeflying friends of mine. Blah, blah, You guys havent jumped with Reynolds yet have you??? Damn, you almost missed it too, he was just about to leave!! I told Reynolds that if they didnt treat him right to get back with me ... . He has jumped there ever since. I find that acting crazy puts people at ease.. I did once run out of my normal crazy stuff I use. And that tandem was bawling her eyes out. I made her play patty-cake with me. Where I got that idea, I have no clue. But it worked like a charm. I also remind tandems not to miss the view, like a tour guide... On your Left you will have the City and on your Right you will have ... a rice dryer!! Watch out along the horizon, its real pretty. This I think keeps them from staring at the ground. I personally believe that if that tandem leaves the aircraft with a learning experience attitude and fun attitude they are more likely to jump again. Whuffos are pretty easy. Entertainment. Its all about the entertainment. ...I will point out some skydivers to watch. ... I will say, Watch that guy in the blue suit, that is called a swoop. They try to go as far as they can before they touch down. They build up speed just before they do this so you have to keep your eyes peeled. Point out a couple of folks to watch and explain a few things. In the case of RW types, I will tell the person, Listen, Hear that? That is the plane slowing down to let the people out. Now, look there and see that. That is called a 4-way. Nice, huh? or Lookit this Dude, he has this team and they win all the time. Hey, check this out.. see those people on those roller things, that is what they are going to do in the air. How about that, kinda silly looking but practice makes perfect .. Pretty cool, huh? See that Dude over there, watch him when he lands he has a really pretty parachute. In the case of Girlfriends. This one is tricky... First off they (sometimes) have the impression that all the skydiving women are after their particular boyfriend. Especially those women who jump with their BF. Erg... The only cure I have found is to speak to them a lot. Like after every jump almost and sit with them for a while if you are not on a load. Strike up a conversation, proving you know very little about their boyfriend. Which is ordinarily true. ...What does your BF do again? .. Computers, Huh, ... I didnt know that. All I ever hear him say is 1,2, 3, Go. His name is Bob, right? I find no lying is required here. If forget names frequently & I could care less what someone does for a living. What a girlfriend wants, second to her BF not getting hurt, is to see that the place whereby he spends a great deal of time is about sports and its not a pick up bar. She might trust him, but women skydivers she wont likely know much about. I believe its up to at least me, to eliminate any stereotypes we women may have. We are just as dead ass serious about our skydiving as their men. None of us really have time to find out if someone is single, married, widowed, divorced, employed or on the most wanted list. All I want to know is if they can handle what we go over in the dirt dive. And that is All. Also, if you get the chance show the significant the dirt dive dance. That will help with still more understanding of what skydiving is about. Whoopee, there you go and all in 58 seconds or so!!! When I see a girl or guy, whuffo or significant other bored as hell just sitting there, I really feel sorry for them. Sometimes I see them reading a BOOK. They might as well be on the moon. To explain in your own words some interesting things about a dropzone will make them feel more at home. Their significant other may have this focus about skydiving. Hearing another take on what is interesting at a dropzone I think, is helpful. He may be a RW person. Explain your discipline and some others. CReW for example, make sure they dont miss those. If you get the chance point out a downplane and explain how that works. And, point out the peas. If you have a team training at your DZ, take the whuffo or GF over to the debrief and stay with them in the back. Explain what the people are doing and why, quietly. Most teams will not mind as they know you and can see what you are trying to accomplish with a new person. Explain how the film was taken, etc. I believe this.... it is up to us as skydivers to help along those who dont skydive. You can paint skydiving in a negative light -I nearly died- or you can make it wonderful. Its all in how you go about it. It could be that the person you are talking to is the next World Champion Skydiver. ~AirAnn~

I hope to be as lucky as your Grandmother. To have lived my life, to just go to sleep and wake in an awesome place with new adventures. That is the most heart felt lovely statement I have heard in years. Thanks for that and the tribute to your grandmother. ~AirAnn~

Awe, how cute. ... makes me want another puppy... ~AirAnn~

Brittany or Brits17 also just recently got her riggin ticket, as well. (and Pablo) All these people and my rig is still out of date. ~AirAnn~

Looks like stress is envolved. Every job I have ever had that paid huge money- did so for a reason. ~AirAnn~

Excellent!! Best news of today. ~AirAnn~

Very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, .... BAD ASS it just so happens my rig is due.... ~AirAnn~

Spaceland has shared their (extra) Otter 2-3 times that I am aware of. These thing say a whole lot about a DZO if you ask me. Steve has always been good about that. He shares his toys. Speaking of sharing toys for the good of the common skydiver.... After my first cutaway over at Skydive Houston, and after they came and got me some mile or two away -They held the sunset load for me and the DZM gave me his own personal rig. Not a student or rental rig, HIS rig. Plus, that jump was free. If I am not mistaken - it was his slot. ~AirAnn~

Is there such a thing as Cell Phone Information? I need someones phone number and I wondered if there was an Information number like land lines. I would ask someone for the number, but I know of no one who would have it. ~AirAnn~