Dagny

Welcome to skydiving! I'm in school, too, so I'm essentially spending money I don't have to keep jumping...(i.e. credit cards and food money)! I'm looking for a job so I can feed my habit, but my short term suggestion is to start looking in and under couches. Loose change adds up! Sincerely, Missy (a 28yr. old with NO MONEY to Skydive, either!) Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I have NEVER seen anything like that before, scary. Stay safe! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

It's always debated about the safety of skydiving versus other things...like driving everyday. I'd like to nominate cycling as a more dangerous activity. No, I haven't done research and I don't have any numbers to impress you with, but here's my story. I bought my road bike about a month ago and it is really beautiful! A cannondale r600 with a caad 5 frame in orange and yellow. Little did I know how fickle and painful beauty can be. -I got my first flat after cruising over a rocky pothole. Tried to fix it, but ended up blowing CO2 from the cartridges into the atmosphere instead. Result: walked a mile back to car carrying precious bike. -I got my second flat on the rear tire the day I finally fixed the first flat. (this endeavour took three full days, by the way) Result: I was out of co2 cartridges, the atmosphere would live to see another day, but I had to walk over two miles back to car. (not comfortable on bike cleats) -Started having problems unclipping the right foot from the pedal. Made a mental note to myself about it, but still managed...twice!...to tip over in front of people while trying unsuccesfully to unclip. Result: embarassment...and lots of it. -Went on my first group bike ride yesterday. Started out really well until I was dropped about 9 miles into the ride. I couldn't hold the 26mph pace and fell behind. I wasn't too far behind, but still missed the "search party" that was looking for me and ended up riding alone on heavily trafficked streets where drivers think six inches of clearance and no reduction in speed is a fair compromise. Found another group of riders and started drafting on them for fun until I realized that we were riding farther away from my car. Started back to home (2 hours into the ride) and found myself alone facing a strong headwind on a street with no bike space. Succeeded in wiping out after a car buzzed me into rocks and gravel. Result: 30 miler--->exhaustion, painful wrist, road rash and a little blood. Was offered a ride back to my car after someone stopped to help me...a blessing as I was DONE biking after that and still 10 miles away from being finished. While I don't really feel like skydiving is safer than cycling, I'd rather take my chances under a parachute! Just kidding...hey, don't let my bike know...she's a moody little biotch and is likely to punish me later for saying that! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Yes! I looked into buying one, but they're expensive! Do you, or anyone for that matter, have an extra land abode you wouldn't mind loaning for the weekend? Oh, and count me in on the Friday group as well. I may get there late that night, but I expect to get there on Friday.

Marlins rock! What an awesome series!! Miami was going crazy last night and it was very, very cool. People were out in the streets partying and honking car horns and celebrating and even fire and EMS were getting involved with a little lights and sirens action. I just got my weekend edition New York Times and I'm wondering where the full front page "Marlins WIN" title is hiding? Seems they were content with a much smaller "Marlins shut out Yankees" article. Bloody Yanks! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

T-shirts? We don't need no stinking tshirts! We can make our own... Okay, everyone should bring their tshirt of choice and let's get some finger paints! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Wow! Nice rig...now come get it dirty at the bytch boogie! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I'm studying physiology this weekend for a test on Monday. I don't even feel bad knowing that I'm missing the halloweend boogie and that my friends are in Sebastian right now without me...nope...not even a little bit! (Now where did I put that pouty, feeling sorry for myself icon??) Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I just saw your pictures of India. Wow, amazing! My roommate is Indian and she and her family have taught me so much about the system and way of life in India. I think it is a beautiful place and you captured that and the people very well on film. Good job! I would love to visit one day and hope to do a medical mission there in the next few years. Thanks for the photos! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Note to self----> pack camera and film for the bytch boogie... Porn karaoke....for when drunken blokes singing off key just isn't enough fun! Second note to self------> must...stay...away...from...microphone! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I've been applying for (a LOT) of jobs lately without much success. I have never and would never mention skydiving in an interview unless I knew I was talking to a skydiving enthusiast. Once I have the job then it's game on, but until then... I'm having a hard enough time finding employment on my own. I don't need some whuffo to think I'll kill myself a week after getting hired and therefore not be worth the investment. Then again, I haven't mentioned any of my other interests during an interview... Too bad because I could talk about biking forever! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Dude, like everyone else said..total scam. My sister was selling her scarlet macaw and received a VERY similar response from a "lawyer" in Africa who promised to arrange shipping for the bird via private airline and a courier. Same thing with the cashiers check that would be sent. It was requested that she cash it immediately and return the excess money to the "buyer". Luckily she found out about it and was able to report the incident. If I remember correctly, the FBI or something got involved and said that many, many people have been conned out of thousands (and thousands) of dollars this way. Glad you figured it out before you lost money! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I love that necklace! And, when my friend Robyn and I bought matching necklaces from preyor pins, interestingly enough, it was that exact style. Not that wearing the same necklace as two chicks should be considered a bad thing...you can always say we were desperately trying to emulate the skydiving guy with cool guitars and shockingly blue eyes....right? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I'd have to say the biggest reason I want my A license right now is so that I can jump with other people. Beyond that, I don't know what my goals will be...actually, on second thought, I at least want to get my C so I can do a beach jump one day. AAAAGH! Slave to the USPA licensing system! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to Sebastian this weekend and want to make some good jumps. I'll try some of the things you all listed and maybe I'll even do a coach jump if I can afford it. Angela - been having some trouble getting things signed off on my card. (Haven't gotten anyone's attention long enough to really go over it with me) I have two things signed right now - the 3500 ft HnP and the stand up landing. All the rest is blank. I think I need someone to look over my logbook and the card and help me get it together. In the meantime, I definitely want to try some fast 360s (using a knee and arm to get speed, right?) and continue practicing multiple maneuvers on heading. Oh, and I appreciate the exit suggestion by Zone Rat...always looking for a new way to get out the door! By the way, what are float exits? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Excellent news...I'd like to raise my bee...scratch that, water in a toast to safe landings on 10/15/03. Cheers! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Okay, so I'm doing solo jumps now while working towards my A license. Since I can't jump with others (except coaches), what belly skills should I be working on in the air? I've been doing back and front loops, barrel rolls, and turns while holding a heading. It doesn't get boring, but I'm ready to try some new things - especially if it will help me fly better with other people. Any suggestions?

I don't have my A, yet, but I really want it! Looks like I'll have to start working on accuracy a little more seriously. I've been content to land far out and walk back in even if I'm the last back. For those of you who took more than 20 (or 25) jumps to get your A, what held you back? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Always save your important firsts for your friends!!! You know, for encouragment, support, and....blackmail! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Heh. now creating secret evil plan to get microphone into Dagny's hands... who wants the video slot? No worries, we won't. ooh, I do, I do! :D Hehehe! Consider yourself warned! Hands, touchin' hands. Reachin' out, touchin'me, touchin' you Sweeeeeeeeet Caroline!!! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Reply To -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another addition to the party - Karaoke on the Drop Shop deck Saturday night. Bring your video cameras for future blackmail. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Okay, okay, just promise no one will sing any sleepy, tired, dull songs! And, for the love of God, no matter how many beers I drink, no matter how excited I am about singing, no matter what bribe I offer, DO NOT LET ME SING!! Save yourselves... Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Rest, medicate, hydrate, GET BETTER!!! I wasn't going to jump again until the bytch boogie, but then I remembered.... I meant to order a tonysuit from Lisa and forgot all about it before I went home. I should probably do that this weekend, oh, yes, and what do you know? I have to be at the DZ to do that! Well, might as well get a jump in while I'm there...

I'd have to agree with skypsycho...getting involved in what occurs in other people's relationships can be a nasty, dangerous, thankless endeavour. If you need to because you just can't sit idly by while this happens then you should talk to the guilty person and suggest they come clean. But don't expect a lotta love for it! Good luck... Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Oops! You're right....ummmm...well, I was just...ya know...planning on keeping Molly company....you know, so she doesn't get.....ahem....lonely? (backtracking as fast as I can! ) Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

You know, that where to sleep thing is going to be a little problem for me, too! (whispering so skybytch doesn't hear) maybe we could collaborate on the liberation of the drop shop keys! Operation distract and acquire?! Hmmm...thought to self....why is it every time I'm in sebastian the drinking gets out of hand? Oh, wait...never mind...that's just me! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali