MikeJD
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Everything posted by MikeJD
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Mmm. And imagine the pressure not to funnel it just before 'landing'. That could really concentrate the mind
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Don't think I've missed this one among the previous posts - when I first started jumping I was told that since big-way formations tend to slow down as they grow, one day people would build one large enough to land...
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Fearless, the Peter Weir film where Jeff Bridges survives the air crash. Lots of heart, and all about loss and the effect that traumatic experience has on people. The crash itself, which you finally see at the end of the film, is so affecting - this amazingly violent imagery with only classical music as the soundtrack. It'd be my favourite movie of all time if they could just remake it without Rosie Perez. She's a fine actress, but all that screeching...
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Since this thread's already been hijacked I guess it can't do any harm to add my vote in support of Point Break. Yep, it's extremely silly, but it captures the FEELING of skydiving better than any other Hollywood movie I've seen. It inspired me (and a hell of a lot of others) to enrol on my AFF course a long time afterI'd given up on my static line training
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Many credit card companies (at least in the UK) are now offering interest free periods - typically 6 months - when you take out their cards. And that includes interest on balance transfers. So an obvious way to help yourself out of the hole is to take out one such card, transfer your existing debt, and if you absolutely HAVE to use a credit card again make sure it's the interest free one. If you still haven't paid off the debt at the end of the promotional period, I see no reason why you shouldn't do the same again with a different card. I think the crucial rules are - once you've transferred the balance from your old card or cards, do not use them again. You have to remember that you're doing this to reduce your debt, not to give yourself an excuse to increase it! And commit to paying off a fixed amount every month against the new card, as much as you can afford and preferably by direct debit - it's surprising how quickly the debt reduces when you're not also having to pay interest.
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I don't have any - I was far too drunk for that! But there were loads of cameras about so there should be plenty! Well, you know if there are no pictures then it didn't really happen! I didn't take my camera to the party on Saturday since I knew I'd lose it (Steph, sorry it had to be you who proved me right - didn't yours turn up?)
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QuoteThat one by Norm Kent "Willing to Fly" is great, albeit a bit pricy...reply] Agreed, but get ready with the fast forward button to skip all the quasi-mystical voiceover.
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Dude, this is Talk Back! You don't need brilliance of any kind to post here Good luck with your next adventure, whatever it may be...
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This is interesting. I had heard that superglue was developed for repairing wounds, and clearly it works - but how do the two sides of a cut ultimately heal together with a layer of glue between them?
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My level goes up and down a bit. If I don't jump for a couple of weeks then I'm really itching to get up there. If I leave it longer then the craving gradually dies down but never completely, and I still think about it a lot. I think maybe the best measure is to ask yourself how you'd feel if you were told you could never jump again. I guess that would make me realise how addicted I am!
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Btw, Vicki - I'll fix your picture for you - if I can fix it in any way I choose I'm thinking Tony the Tiger...
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Hi Gerry, I'm Mike, and I too was on Vicki's last jump at Netheravon on 13th March. And yeah, it was cold and windy.
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Ahem! And what about us northerners?
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Uh-oh. I'm 1400 jumps overdue. Does that mean statistically I can expect a mal on each of my next 14 jumps? That could really get a guy down...
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Me too. A friend of mine once lost his ProDytter during a skydive and L & B not only replaced it for free but actually upgraded it to a ProTrack. Not saying that's the sort of thing they'd make a habit of, but it does go to show that they're way ahead of many dealers when it comes to after sales service. They also offer free replacement batteries, and the first time mine ran down they were surprised it had happened so quickly and offered to take the unit back for testing. Other manufacturers take note - this is how it should be done!
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Skydiver afraid of heights. Friends tease without mercy.
MikeJD replied to Brian425's topic in The Bonfire
The only time I've had vertigo under canopy is when there's been a layer of cloud a long way below me. Sounds weird, but other people have told me the same thing. I do hate standing near the edge of a long drop, though. The day before Bridge Day we went hiking in the gorge and I couldn't even get close to the cliff edge without getting vertigo. Convinced me I wasn't going to be able to jump the next day, but you know what? Everything feels different when you've got your rig on. -
Hey, at least you had a pre-blues holiday to get post-holiday blues after! Jeez, some people... It's been a whole two months since Eloy now so that doesn't count any more...
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Actually, this is getting me down now. My home DZ has at least one hate thread that I know of on this forum. And yours has a lurve thread. No fair! I could start an 'Isn't Headcorn Great?' thread, but I couldn't put up with the flaming.
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I was at Tecumseh just for a weekend in October last year. I thought it ROCKED and their regulars and staff were very cool people. It's probably a little quiet right now, especially since I think the Otter's at SoBe(?)
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I had an odd dream last night. Anyone had dreams like this?
MikeJD replied to Lee03's topic in The Bonfire
Now, what possible reason could they have to doubt you? -
I had an odd dream last night. Anyone had dreams like this?
MikeJD replied to Lee03's topic in The Bonfire
There was a similar thread recently in which people talked about dreams like yours. I've dreamed several times about impacting with nothing out and surviving. Usually I'm falling much more slowly than I should be, which helps! Sometimes it knocks the wind out me, though -
QuoteAltitude, one final look around, throw pilot chute, keep shoulders and hips level, ready to get on rear risers and looking around for other canopies… check canopy, check airspace and opening point, release brakes, check airspace again, control check, check airspace… fly… (with eyes wide open)! Wow! And I thought it was just, 'Wow. I love my Spectre.'
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I don't really think about mals, but I do prepare myself for the possibility of an off-heading opening or the potential to have to steer away from another canopy. If I've jumped with a big group and / or I don't have as much separation as I'd like, that anticipation becomes heightened. I also talk to my canopy if it's not opening the way I want it to. I never yell - I find coaxing works better...
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Quotedon't let your kitty outdoors! It isn't safe. there are things like cars and planes and coyotes and small children that are dangerous to him. I guess it all depends on the circumstances. My cats are free to come and go (but still choose to spend lots of time indoors). Both are 8 years old and I hope they'll be around for quite a few more. But I do live in a quiet street, and the coyote population of South London is pretty low. Plus, they eat small children for breakfast...
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In my experience, cats know what's good for them. If he or she has a warm place to sleep, plenty to eat and enough attention in your camper, s(he) won't be going anywhere. And given the typical DZ (lots of big fields to run around in etc) it should be a cool environment if the cat can get in and out during the day. I have known quite a few DZ cats. You might want to check with your DZ / Airfield owner re: how they feel about animals, though. You should check