peregrinerose

I ditto that. Dave's a hell of a teacher, I learned more in a few days than I ever thought possible... most importantly, learned that I have a LOT to learn

I bought everything used. Did 100ish jumps on it all. Then my husband's canopy needed to be retired (very very old and dead Falcon that led to one cutaway and a near second 2 jumps later). It wasn't worth the money to reline it. So, he got my hand me down canopy (a downsize for him) and I bought a new Spectre and have about 50 jumps on it now (I have no problem packing new ZP now!). We probably both would have kept our canopies much longer if it hadn't been for his issues though. It sure was a good excuse for me to by new gear We both still jump our original containers and have no desire to buy a new one. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Move? I also quit a job that had a 2 hour each way commute, for what I thought would be a lower paying situation and one that wouldn't exactly be ideal. Turns out I make a bit more (no perks like I had, but that's ok). I have a lot more time to spend with my husband and doing the things I enjoy doing. No regrets here. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I think he prefers beer. As long as it is free and cold. If I pass and ever see him again (he was only here for the summer) I'll buy him all he wants!! Poor man was so sick of me asking 'why...' everything all summer long, but patient enough to answer every question. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Considering the class starts Fri, not much time to follow up on that I did do a few chest repacks for shits and giggles, just to have at least a little bit of experience with a round since I'd never even seen one before. Dave said he'd work with local people to get chest rating for those of us who can't take an extra 3 days off of work. I'm glad I'm local and do have 10 chest repacks now. I watched as many repacks as time permitted with several different riggers on different containers and asked lots of questions. Basically grilled the rigger at our DZ over the summer (that poor man was extremely glad to be rid of me, I think, I was a royal pain in his ass all summer!!). Also worked as a packer all summer and spent plenty of time going over the written exam questions and read all of the suggested texts. Still scared shitless of the class and subsequent testing though. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

This is so sad, but it's the only time I have to catch up on reading the optometric journals. So now you know how your eye docs keep informed Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Hi Belinda, I ran into Cathy and Vince over Thanksgiving, they said they knew you and to say hi when we're in the course together

I got a shiny new Spectre 30ish jumps ago. I love it! So glad the rigger at the DZ recommended it, until then I was test jumping Sabre 2s. Honestly, I haven't had any problems landing it, just takes a little getting used to less of a glide angle, but the advantage is you can land it on a dime pretty easily. No comment on landing tips, that's for those more experienced than I am

Ruger .22 S & W .357, the little scandium model (the one I carry since it weighs almost nothing) Baby Desert eagle .45 Glock 9mm Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

At least on the one I have, the uncooked serving size is 3T, the cooked serving size is 1 c. There is no way that 3T of kernels make only 1 c. of popcorn. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I held harness, didn't wrap my legs around him, just straddled his hips (below pilot chute) with my knees. It was a cessna exit with a 280 Navigator borrowed from the DZ with the DZO's approval. He weighs 170 or 180, I weigh 140, so out the door it wasn't a bad wing loading. He pulled almost immediately, not even completely off the hill yet. Despite all the bets on the ground, it really was much easier than I thought to pull it off. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

92 kicked my ass. It's the only one I haven't been able to beat so far. I started at number 1, at game 234 now. Freaking addictive. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Definitely sending vibes your way. Hang in there. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I disagree. I acknowledge the belief system of others and respect that. I understand that they believe that their savior was born on Christmas. And I do wish them a Merry Christmas, for I do wish them well on their special day of celebration. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Want to clean mine next? Mine won't take nearly that long, isn't as bad as yours was. However, the ass of my jumpsuit is a different story.... Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I'm going to be doing the same. Made a very nice skid across icy snow and landed on my butt. Container looks very similar to yours, although the canopy escaped scathing. My rigger said brush off what you can from the container with a dry brush, then blot clean with water and small amount of mild dish soap. It takes a while, but works, according to him (haven't done it yet). I'm guessing the ass of your jump suit is as caked as mine too. I just washed the damn thing before that jump *sigh* Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I'm sure you already know from the first time that you will develop a million cues to help with things like short term memory. Maybe you used to learn or remember easily by listening to them or reading them, but maybe now writing things down will help incorporating learning/short term memory into the motor system too. If reading is a problem, try auditory reading (books on tape, computer programs like Ruby or Jaws or other screenreader) to help compensate. For the visual end, see a neuro optometrist or low vision rehab optometrist, that is their thing, working with people with head/brain injury. Sometimes a bit of prism helps since head injury can really mess with your eye alignment system. Sometimes glasses vs. contacts, sometimes tints, there are a lot of options, it's just one more avenue to persue. If you are not hooked up with your state office of vocational rehab, it's a good resource to help out and suggest specialists for your individual issues (I only work with the vision end) in your area. You may very well melt down. It's okay to just take a break like that, nothing wrong with a temporary loss of strength. As long as it is just that... temporary. You got through this once, you can do it again, you just have practice now, so will be even better at it. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

1. While a student, you can defer loan payments until 6 months after your graduation with most lenders. 2. I did work about 30 hours a week while in grad school (and I was working on 2 full time degree programs as well). It wasn't easy, but by living very frugally, it wasn't impossible either to borrow enough for tuition/equipment and work for living expenses. Depending on what kind of degree you are going for, check out the possibility of grants by being a research assistant, teaching undergrad, etc. My MS was totally paid for with a grant. 3. I didn't take time off, but a lot of my classmates had graduated anywhere from 1 to 30 years previously. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Abusive of the mother toward the child? I don't agree with it, but that's probaby what she was going for. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

LOL! That's just too funny for words Jen aka packer aka 'Dr. Galbraith'! Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

That is a classic piece of literature, freaking hilarious!! Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I second that... both parts. Funny and sad all at the same time. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I'm on the doctor end of things, and a lot of patients know I jump, so get quizzed just as much about jumping as about eyes The closing pin necklace I wear gets a lot of women complimenting it, so of course it comes up in conversation. My seizure doc had a holy hissy fit when he found out I jumped. (I have been seizure free for over a year). Docs are funny that way! Hope your surgery goes well, and I second everyone else on have that valium

Nope not kidding. Have no clue what you mean by the baiting thing. It's better to not make any assumptions on the web... you didn't mention talking with her about it, which is why I asked. Don't know why you seemed to take offense to that Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Have you considered asking your wife what she thinks instead of polling us? Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda