JadedLady

Well, as a girl who has barely ever even left her own state and is dying to get away, I guess I can't blame you. I would love to travel the globe. I have plans for moving to Madrid next fall for two months. I figure that will be a good start for me. I don't know how long I can stay away from my loved ones... ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

If I had a baby that adorable, I would be proudly showing off pictures, too! It is sweet to hear a man gush about his offspring ;) ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Wow! That was very interesting. Up until you get to the leaf, it almost feels as if you are falling. (As if none of you skydivers know how that feels! ::grin::) Try having it go in reverse, too! Too much fun for a Saturday morning after drinking a little too much the night before... ;) ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Wow... That's all i can say. When you first said you put an eyeball on it, I was expecting a silly little crayon-like drawing (that's the best I would be able to do) but that is just incrediable. When I get mine personalized, can I use you? ;) ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Hmm... clever idea but I think some people might have missed the point. ;) Come on silly people, we got to make these lyrics make since together... We should probably start over. ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Sunny, I'm surprised at you! You should have known better! I'm betting there are at least four or five more of them ;) ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Very nice. I am extremely jealous. I can't wait to get my own! I'm looking into buying a synergy off of a friend, but I need to get myself a container first. I don't think the canopy is going to do me any good by itself. ;) I don't know too much about synergy, but he is selling it at such a reasonable price. I am definitely willing to look into it! ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Yes, I came across this in the newspaper on Monday, which is odd because I rarely read newspapers. Being a scorpio that just recently discovered sky diving this year, I found the coincidences very strange. I tore it out and kept it. ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Well, thanks to my dear friend Jamie, I can show you guys who I am. We were jumping here in Greene County last Sunday and we got a surprise visit from Billy Weber!!! I am the girl to the right of him. (No, I don't know what you are talking about... I don't like alcohol one bit!!! That's just... umm... root beer!!!) ;) http://jamescarstennet.readyhosting.com/skydivepics/BillyWeber/BillyWeber1.JPG ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Hmm... This thread has tempted me before, but I have kept quiet. Now as the rain is drizzling and beginning to mix with snow outside, I am tempted yet again, so here goes. Autumn Rain The rain is falling gently Against the window pane. It draws my focus to the world outside. My gaze holds so intently I clearly can't maintain Concentration on the tasks I must abide. My mind will not obey me. It has run away again. I no longer have any control. It seems my thoughts betray me. I am taken back to when You were the missing piece that made me whole. I remember how, so clearly, We were caught out in the rain. The Autumn air was numbing to the bone. But that chill was not as nearly As horrid to sustain As the cold I hold inside now I'm alone. It is not a finished piece, but it seemed suitable today. Every now and then something just brings back a memory or feeling... I'm sure you can probably relate in some way or another. It never ceases to amaze me what little thing can pull those emotions out again... ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Wow, I am very sorry. Definitely sending good vibes. Stay strong, we're all with the both of you. ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Wow, I really wish I knew that... Might have saved me a bit of cash. I should really look into something like this. Some silly people think I have a lead foot... That's just crazy talk! I've only been pulled over 13 times! Well, anything that can reduce points would help me out greatly. ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Sounds like a win/win situation! I love hearing the interesting ways happy couples hooked up. It seems more often than not, it is something truly bizarre that ends up bonding a pair for life ;) ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Funny you should mention buying shoes, Che... You should have come out, I would have been more than happy to buy you a pair... along with the pair I had to buy myself this morning. Crazy me woke up late so I just grabbed all my stuff and ran out the door. An hour or so later I pull into the DZ and put on my socks then look around and realize I completely forgot to grab shoes! A quick trip to the closest store solved my problem, but I sure did get some weird looks. ::shakes head:: Whuffos... I just don't understand them anymore. ;) ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Eek! I see you are living up to your namesake! Careful boy, some girls push back ;} ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

I say we all should learn this. I bet it is easier to hear a shrill whistle than an attempted yelling match in the sky. Hmm... now you have me wondering if it would work... I suddenly have something new to attempt on my next jump ;}. ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Sheesh boy, I'm new here and you even have me in a tizzy about this. I am dying to know what it could be, I can't think of many more possibilities. I sure hope the time comes pretty soon, I've never been good at waiting. ;} ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

I must agree. I absolutely love hearing stories from my more experienced friends about 'that time when I almost...' It just reminds me how much of a risk this really is. Newer equipment is definitely much safer than old days, but we are still jumping out of a plane. No matter how many safety precautions we take, there is always a chance for mistakes, and in a sport as extreme as this, mistakes can be fatal. But the way I look at it, if you don't take any chances, you aren't really living. This is so worth the risk. ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Wow, I'm with you guys on this. I am in Ohio and it is getting pretty chilly up here. I am on jump 21 and am trying so hard to get my a license before it gets too cold. I would like to travel around this winter if possible. It is supposed to be beautiful up here this weekend, though, and because I have taken Friday and Monday off of work, I plan on getting as many jumps in as possible. I can't wait for tomorrow morning!!! I have found out, though, it would be wise to invest in a pair of gloves... my fingers were numb for the longest time after my jumps last Friday... ::smile:: Good luck to you all about getting your license before your season is over. I am definitely going to try for some hop and pops this winter. I don't want to fall out of practice. Hmm... I didn't consider that before. I wonder if it really is possible to fall out of practice... ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

I must say, it is kind of nice to hear that other people are having tough times with packing as well. I now don't feel so alone. Granted you are all speaking of packing ZPs and tight fitting canopies while I can't even pack the simplest canopy without help, but it is still nice to know not everyone gets it right away. I have just recently done my 21st jump and I still need coaching when it comes to packing. Everyone at my DZ is so friendly and glad to take the time to help me, but the problem is I need repetition. Everyone has their own different tips and tricks to teach me and sometimes it gets confusing. Then if I only get in one or two jumps then have to wait a week to get back to the DZ, I will forget so much of what I learned. Sometimes it just seems hopeless, but I am hoping the purchase of my own rig (which should be very soon) will help me out a lot. l figure it will be so much better if I can take it home and practice pack over and over while watching the video my friend lent me. I am just thankful that I have so many supportive people looking out for me. I will get it one of these days, just wish me luck! ::grin:: ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Crazy? Well, that's what the doc says, but I think he's wacko... ::grin:: Not crazy, just stupid. We all have our moron moments, mine just seem to come around more often than not ::wink:: At the time, I just did it because I had to prove something to myself. I was afraid that if I didn't get right back on the plane, I would be hesitant to do so the next time around. It may not have been the most brillant of schemes, but it was just someting I had to do. ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Ifics, I turn 21 on Nov 3! We can share it together! ::wink:: ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Forgive me everyone, I am very very new and I apparently misunderstood the readings. Thankfully I have dear friends who let me know when I am making a complete fool of myself. (sheepish grin) For some reason or another I was thinking the winds on the ground were 35 mph, heaven knows where I picked that up. This whole time (been about three weeks) I've had that in my head, not even considering how fast that really is. I will have to go back and find out how fast they were going before I can give a true answer. All I know is my much more experienced friends were telling me it was not advisable that I jump, and I stupidly disregarded them. I hadn't jumped for two weeks and was dying to go again. Once at the DZ there was just no stopping me. The fall was amazing, but under canopy I realized I got in way over my head. I had a difficult time fighting the winds, and finally I thought I had myself on track, but at about 1k I realized I was not doing as well as I had thought. I tried to turn to come in over our runway, but was falling very fast. At about 500 it seemed I would just clear the parking lot area where several cars were, but suddenly I just dropped. It kind of felt like all of the air dissappeared from under the canopy for a brief moment. (I later found out about turbulence ::grin::)I was coming in way too fast to even consider turning, I was so afraid of hooking it into the ground. I tried to dodge between two cars, but lack of skill did me in. I hit the car basically from behind, leaving a nice little dent (sorry Brian!) and ended up laying between the two cars. I can only imagine what it looked like to see someone's canopy laying over a car and hearing an angry spew of profanity coming from somewhere on the other side. I was numb with shock and with the help of a few friends, I was checked over and helped up. Fortunately there wasn't too much damage to myself. I had a huge bruise across my thigh and opposing knee and both ankles were swelling quickly. Strangely enough, though, it did not hurt nearly as bad as one would imagine. In fact, I got right on the next load. (If you fall off the horse.) My next landing really lifted my spirits too. I think I could have stood it up if I hadn't felt an extreme jolt of pain stab through my ankle as soon as my foot touched. I was so pleased, but needless to say, that was my last jump for the day. With any luck, and a good deal of coaching, I hope to get much better at my canopy skills. I am absolutely terrible, but everyone has been so helpful already. So that's my best story so far, but with my luck, I am sure I will have many more (wink). I will be more than happy to keep you all informed of my mishaps! Take care. ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

In my case I was not planning on making a habit of jumping, it was just something I wanted to try once. I bought a tandem ticket and went. Now, I had had an excellent month at work the previous month and was expecting a very nice bonus. Originally I had planned on buying a new car with the money, but, as many people say, I was bitten. A good portion of my cash went to my jumps. I had 3 more tandems ($180 a piece) 5 AFF ($150 a piece) 2 solos ($60 a piece). I now pay $35 a day for gear rental, $20 per jump, and $5 for packing my canopy (I really need to learn to do this myself). So far I have spent about $1,860 on jumps alone. This doesn't include the numerous articles of clothing and some essential pieces of equipment such as altimeter, goggles, ect. Yes, I have come to find this is a very pricey sport, but I will tell you this... it is well worth it. Glad you have decided to join the family, enjoy your time in the sky! ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.

Thank you very much, I would love to meet up with you. With any luck I will be making my first trip down in early December. Canopy control? Me have problems with canopy control?? That's a laugh! Problems doesn't even begin to describe it. This is my worst problem so far, also the reason I got my nickname (granted I shouldn't have been jumping anyway due to 35mph winds and me just being a student, but I am so hard headed some times). I have PLFed more times than not when attempting to land. I really appreciate your advise and will definitely look into that. ~~~~ Rachel ~~~~~~~~~~~ -Converting the world one whuffo at a time.