Dougiefresh

I don't think we're going to Hinkley. Jim and Amy can't make it, so there's really no point in paying for the registration, etc. with 2 alternates. Stew and I might come out and fun jump though. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

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I just want to thank my instructors for teaching me a good PLF. I used it this weekend and without a doubt avoided some serious pain. The uppers were howling, and as first out we kind of got a bad spot. Realizing at about 2.5k I was going to clear the river but not much more, I aimed for a spot I knew wasn't ideal but was big enough to land in (I've been there before, and under a reserve). It's a hill with trees all around (including the top, more on that later), railroad tracks and the river at the bottom. Sashayed down, trying to put myself in the middle. So far, so good. At about ~7 feet about the ground, the winds changed, probably because I had gotten below the tree line at the top of the hill. When I say the winds changed, I mean they disappeared. I dropped, hit, and rolled. End result, a small scrape on my left shin. It could have been much worse. Lesson, especially for fellow newbs: If you have any questions about your ability to PLF in all conditions, PLEASE find someone to teach you. It has to be natural and automatic; you might not know you need it until you're using it. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

I have ~ 200 jumps and am just beginning to think of myself as legitimate skydiver. I am still a noob, and I know it. The longer you keep the humble attitude, accepting that you know jack, the better you'll do. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Great, it's bad enough that she makes fun of me, now she's trying to get rid of me. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

It's gotta be that sexy Canadian accent. I wish I had an accent, then hotties would like me too. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Shit. You totally read right through me. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

You two need to quit flirting. This is getting gross. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Not with that attitude. If you want to see change, you have to do something about it. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

http://www.bird-man.com/?n=faq I was looking into jumping a wingsuit at summerfest. I was told by LouDiamond that I needed ~200 jumps to go with an instructor, and 500 to go alone. I'd hold off on the wingsuit, there's plenty of fun to be had before you add complexity. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

I had about 70 at Summerfest last year. It was kind of a waste, because I didn't have the skills to get in on the skillz camps and jump with people I normally wouldn't. Solos at boogies kinda blow... Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

I think we've found our team name for next season. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

I was having this discussion with one of the big boys at sdc a few weeks ago, after he noticed me jumping barefoot. He said he and some other big shots used to jump barefoot all the time... until he landed on hot asphalt with gravel on it. Needless to say, the shoes went back on. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Oh my god. I never realized we sucked so bad. I knew we sucked, but this level of suckness sucks too much. I hereby tender my resignation from Chasing Amy, as we suck. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Yeah, skydiving is easy. All you have to do is relax while plummeting towards earth at 120 miles an hour, all while doing tricks, most of the time with a camera pointed at you. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Dammit, I knew I shouldn't have gone to Perris! Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Yeah, we gotta do that again, it was a blast. Tunnel time '06, baby! Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

I just saw fireflytx's ittybittytitty dance routine, and let me tell you... Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

As a competitor in Rookie class, I'd be pretty pissed to see someone with 500 jumps in the same class. That being said, if your team is genuinely learning RW (ie exits) for the first time, then Rookie is the place to be. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Get rid of the dude and your team can do whatever they want to me... tie me up... cover me in oil... spank me.... excuse me a minute... Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Awesome. I'm in the area, so I'll see you tomorrow! Is the Excel stuff just belly flying, or can I work on my sit, too? Either way, I'm down. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

RhondaLea's: Insisting on perfect safety is for people without the balls to live in the real world. Mary Shafer Iliff Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

In college, I once turned my neighbors' room entirely upside down. Everything was exactly where it had been, just flipped. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Don't worry, the reserve will work if and when you need it to. There is a reason only riggers can pack them. The chances of a double malfunction are pretty low. The chance your main will malfunction is higher than the chance your reserve will. From 3500 feet, you have about 15 seconds to pull your reserve. These are things you should ask your instructor, as well. Keep asking questions, it might well keep you alive. There's no such thing as a "wimp question". Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

Try it and tell us how it goes. I doubt you'll have any problems. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams