Croc

I have a wings with a freefly handle. Last month I was wearing gloves--the same pair that I had worn many times with my first rig (hackey handle on the PC). Anyway, on this jump I gave a good hard pull as usual and got nothing. I couldn't see anything behind me and was getting ready to try again when I check my alti and noticed I was below my hard deck. (Wake up call--make another try RIGHT AWAY!) Just as I was looking at my handles I got stood up. My Spectre opened with line twists all the way down to my risers. Once again I considered chopping but got them untwisted. Landed safely one mile out. No gloves for me ever with that handle. Near as I can figure it slipped from my hand and was only partially pulled out. I want my hacky back! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Used to pull at 3000, but since I got my Spectre I try to pull by 3500. 800 ft snivel! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

About twenty-five years ago I was seeing ""sparkles" in my vision so often that a friend of mine started calling me Sparkles. Turned out to be low blood pressure. Would happen most often when I got up after sitting. Eat more salt. (This is non-medical advice, but it worked for me!) "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

??? Hanging exit is the first exit a SL student learns from a C-182. Or are we not talking about the same thing? "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

What he said. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

I jump an older Vector with the legstraps that have snap connectors, and whenever I'm spiralling down I think, "I wonder what would happen if one of them opened NOW?" But usually, I'm more nervous on the ride up, until 1000 ft. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Have you given yourself permission to ride the plane down? You are the boss of your skydive, and your jump ticket includes the ride down if you want it. Secondly, do not resist the fear. Fear, transformed by success (i.e., you did not die) turns into joy--but you know that. It is the resistence to fear that causes suffering. Go ahead and feel the fear, give yourself permission to jump or not, and hang in there. We've all been there. Best wishes! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

My two cents. I've had nine bikes in 35 years, last one an FLH. Most Harley riders can't ride at all; just watch their girly-man cornering. Get a 250 dirt bike and learn to ride. Then when you get your hog you'll be able to scrape the pegs on both sides. Have fun! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

I suspect that freedom has declined worldwide with the advent of technology. Ultimately, freedom is a state of consciousness. The world seems totally insane to me compared to how it was even forty-five years ago when I was a boy. Then, as a nine-year-old, I would jump on my bike and ride ten miles to a park, play all day without adult supervision, and come back home for supper. Today if a kid tried that they'd put out an Amber alert and arrest the parents. Sorry--parent, as there would likely only be one. American kids today are prisoners in their schools--so much PC they don't even know what free expression is. Nearly all their "free" time is spent in adult supervised activities. These kids will grow up without a clue as to what is missing in their lives. They have traded security for freedom without even realizing it. T.S. Eliot was right; the world will end with a whimper, not a bang. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Don't have an RSL; would jump without an AAD; wouldn't even do a hop and pop without a hard helment and googles. And shoes. I love my pretty head. Love them feets, too. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

I'm not sure we've met, but Franklin is my home DZ too. Have you asked Richard? I believe he's a dealer. At this stage it is FAR more important to get the right rig rather than a good deal. (Trust me, I got the wrong rig.) Between Richard and Paul they'll make sure you get the right stuff at a good price. Look forward to being on a load with you! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Xenia rocks, for sure. Still like my home DZ best--Jerry's skydiving circus, Franklin, IN "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

A shotgun with a pistol grip is, in my humble opinion, one of the most fun guns to shoot. Recoil is negligable (sp?) because you are holding it in your arms and not against your shoulder. Get a plastic five gallon bucket and stand about twenty yards from it and see how fast you can get five shots into it. It dances all over the place but you will be amazed how quickly you can get good at it. I had an 870 that I used to shoot all the time like that. I also have a model 12--an old Winchester without a disconnect on the trigger. That means you can fire one shot and keep your finger depressed on the trigger and just pump. Way fun! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Dave Crocco, plumber "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Perhaps you are confusing an awareness of danger with fear. Fear has no redeeming qualities, but an awareness of danger is nescessary to respond to emergencies. I suspect that it is possible to have that awareness without fear. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Kip Lohmiller (sp?) rocks! I was so scared he had to drag me to the door, but I'm glad he did! I love this sport! Thanks to Kip and all the great instructors I've met since. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

The only reason that the world knows that there are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq is because we went looking for them. We called Saddam on his bluff and he lost. Had he simply cooperated he would still be in power. No Monday morning quarterback ever threw an interception. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Whenever you have the urge go take a long cold shower. No wait--that's the other urge. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

You got it. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Maybe the things that matter the most cannot be proven. Can you prove that someone loves you? You can gather evidence, but you can never know what is really in someone's heart. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Prove it to yourself by this little exercise. Think back to when you were five years old. Your mind, body, and personality were not yet fully formed; in fact, not one atom of your then body is part of you now, your immature mind was incapable of complex thought, and your personality has likely changed considerably. Nevertheless your sense of I-ness is the same, and when you draw your last breath it will still be "you" who does it. This continuity of awareness is who you are--the one who experiences the sensations presented to it by the senses, the one who experiences the endless swarm of thoughts that are generated by the mind, the conscious entity that lives inside the body. This is the one unchanging thing about us. By isolating our "selves" (by simply noticing it when the mind is quiet) we notice that "we" are unlimited in time and space. This is a very simple experience, nothing flashy or sensational about it. Perhaps it is the "peace that passeth all understanding." Perhaps God really does dwell within, or, as Jesus is supposed to have said, "the kingdom of heaven lies within." When a person discovers that, there is no more need for "proofs," nor will one need religion or any external God. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Despite the Colts loss to the evil Pats, the Colts will win 14 games and make it to the Superbowl. They looked too good Thursday--a fumble away from beating the world champs. Despite the two fumbles James looked like his (pre-injury) self, and the Colts line ruled. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

This guy is from India? "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

Perhaps you need to jump at a smaller, friendlier DZ. I would not waste my money on a DZ that had the attitude you expressed in your post. I am a new jumper and at my DZ I regularly jump on loads with experienced jumpers--free coach jumps! Think you're learning something jumping with other newbies? I can tell you, you'll progress much more rapidly when you jump with experienced people. Now that's FUN! "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy

That's pretty much what I've been doing--just was wondering if there was some procedure that was normally followed in this situation. Thanks. "Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy