NtheSeaOrSky

I know when I first started jumping, I could not find enough stuff to read/watch/practice! I tried to educate myself on everything I could get my hands on, and pester the crap outta other jumpers (on forums and in person). BUT, still, there were some things that fell through the loops. At the DZ where I first started, you had a different instructor each time, and they all did stuff differently. Things got overlooked BIG things got overlooked! With no standardization from instructor to instructor, DZ to DZ, I still wonder what else I may have missed. I do know no one else is responsible for me, I don't trust anyone else that much either (especially now). So I will resolve to continue asking *dumb* questions and pestering the crap outta people. In 10 years I will still be learning, I will never know it all!

ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, my gosh, do the tandems really fall for stuff like that?? On my tandem, they tried to talk trash to me, but I just laughed and gave it back to them. All the tandems I've seen on loads with me, no one has really messed with. Are there some out there that really fall for the crap you feed them????

BAWAAHAHAHHAH!!!!!! So THATS how they make chicken patties!!!!!!

OK, now you guys have done it! Ahem, we all have those things we are passionate about. If you don't have any, well then, thats OK for you. There is a so much to be said for those people who do for others, NOT to see what they can get out of it, but purely for helping those less fortunate. To be able to truly give, no strings attached, and expect nothing in return, is an extremely admirable trait (in my eyes at least). That having been said, those people who devote their, time, energy, and money to the animals are some of the most generous people I know. To clarify some things for those of you who don't know any better: This woman Ann speaks of is not a "breeder" she Is a "puppy mill" - Someone who is breeding animals purely for monetary gain. These animals are bred and raised in deplorable conditions (many third world countries are better off). Imagine conditions such as no adequate food and water supply, moving around on weeks of packed feces, stepping on the skeletons of their siblings, maggot infested, and this is just the tip of the iceberg! I have with my very own eyes, on times too numerous to count, seen this and much worse. Some, even from the very places/people that profess to "save" the animals! Many of the animas never even make it long enough to be weaned. A litter of puppies averages 8 pups (but I have seen as many as 14), multiplied by the 3 heat cycles a year a dog goes through (some even falsely induce heat to breed more often), you can see the amount of innocent creatures that are involved. That is probably what pangs the most, the innocence of the victims. The puppy mills continue to rack in the $$ while the dogs are bred to death - literally. I know many of you really couldn't care less, but please do not demean those who do care. I am sure Ann's initial plan for the fate of the puppies was out of deep concern for those lil guys, and from the desperation of inadequate cruelty laws/intervention. I know if I was one of the pups, I would sure want her on my side! Before I step down from the soap box, there is a story I heard many years ago that seems appropriate to share: A little girl was walking down the beach one eve as the tide was going out leaving thousands upon thousands of stranded starfish. A man watched as the little girl picked up a starfish and flung it far out into the surf. She walked along and stopped, picked up the next one and did the same. "Little girl, what are you doing" said the man. "I am putting them pack into the ocean, for if they are left here, they shall die" she replied. "Silly girl, there are too many, you can't possibly make a difference" he said condescendingly. She looked down, picked up another one, looked the man in the eye and said "it makes a difference to THIS one" and returned it to the ocean. "Never doubt that a group of comminted individuals can change the world, indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"

OK, Thanks guys for all the input! Being a somewhat stubborn woman I am going to try one more freefall. If I still can't stop my spins, then I will head south! Tix for $39 WOOHOO! But, then there is hotel room, etc. Anyway, thanks again, and hopefully I just had an "off" jump, we will see!

Viking, You might be very surprised how much they do understand! Will he remember the color of your shirt? prob not, will he remember what you say or the feeling behind it? most likely. You are a lucky person to be able to be with him at the end, it may not seem that way now, but you will see. Its hard on you I know, but please make sure you get/give lots of hugs and smiles, that it what will make it easier on you after he is gone. Those are the things you will embrace remembering! And funny as it may be, those two things can always be understood! ~~good thoughts and big hugs

Anyone notice it was from PURGATORY, CO LOL!!!!

C'mon on now, like that was a secret???? Thought all you guys realized this about us!!!!!!!

Keep in mind this is a non-DZ type of tunnel. Doubt they would have great AFF theachers . I am looking to be able to correct myself not develop freeflying techniques.

I didn't know what to call them, those wind tunnels not associated with dropzones. Well there is one somewhat nearby (several hours) and I am having difficulty stopping my spins on my own. On my level 3 AFF when I turned, the JM's stopped and I fell stable on heading the rest of the time. On my level 4, it was a mess. I was backsliding and turning all over, no matter the corrections I tried (legs, arms, arch, breathe, relax) or the counter turns I attempted. I was at one time in a hard left spin banking (and looking) as hard as I could to the right. My JM's verdict was my legs need to be out more. Should I continue to do "practice jumps" at the current cost $150 or opt for a little training in the tunnel (much cheaper)? Are there any drawbacks to using the tunnel as a student at this level? I want to be able to recognize what is causing the problem and how to correct it, but with the very little time I have in freefall, it doesn't leave me much to work with. Can I get the basics in the tunnel and "finesse" them in freefall??

As a student who has has these things said about them on paper, I firmly believe I should be able to bitch slap the instructor who wrote them!

I got your DIM!!! You will see something firing, and it isnt gonna sound like synapses!!!!

would you prefer nail gun?????? Shows creativity! Is that when you sell your body???? Experienced advice??? Stand on the tracks and see if you can get a better view!! Is that how you get your hair to grow?????? Its craftiness, not speed that matters The other sperm got lost He's not dead just hungover Damn good hamster to be dead and still make the wheel turn!

shows obvious persistence and commitment.....most would stop at rock bottom and give up Hitler!!! shows optimism.......could have been delusions of inadequacy he wouldn't want to jeopardize your job! Always be consistent! Why hold 'em together??? Clay's just gonna drink 'em!

DING DING DING We have a winner!!!!

Don't forget my personal favorites: "Dim" "Needs help getting the synapses to fire"

My first jump at a new DZ, my instructor was giving me a run down of stuff. He said we will be jumping the frankenotter, non chalantly and just went on and on about landing area. All I "heard" was otter...thinking OK Ive jumped those before no biggie. We go out to the landing area and up drives the frankenotter, he points, "that will be our ride" Thats when I realize what he said. "Oh, I get it franken-otter LOL" He told me its story, and I was like its got mega personality! Nice quick ride to alti and a lot more interior room than I was accustomed to! Cool window stickers too!

It sounds a lot like that freak company in "Vanilla Sky" {movie not all that great, but Tom Cruise is so easy on the eyes!!!}

Just a bit of trivia for you all. It IS possible to set off several auto alarms while trying to *decorate* them. It is nearly impossible to cover your tracks in knee deep snow. I have a *friendly* city cop living a couple doors down ?who knew? Hmmm, can cabin fever be classified as "temporary insanity" ?

So I have cabin fever, its snowing and not stopping. Its all pretty and sparkly, but the more it accumulates on the cars........the more they start to look like aircraft. I'm thinking by morning, the parking lot could be full of jump aircraft (not cars). Think the neighbors would mind?? Maybe I could carve some jumpers into the snow on the ground behind them......hmmm.....heh heh, I will be back in a couple hours!.

They only do it out of love for ya I do it just to be annoying!

Awe, c'mon now Viking....I'm sure Clay could think of a way to thaw you back out, right Clay?????

We will have to start calling him Walt ...Disney

You really don't get out much, huh???

? if they issue these in the military, can they really be that bad? Look at what you wrote!! Please tell me you don't use this justification for anything else!!