Michele

So I should traipse over to the school where I took AFF, tell them they did it wrong, and demand a refund? I can just imagine the looks I'd get with that. My point was not that I *should* have gotten better training, my point is that the canopy classes offered where I am are NOT about HP landings exclusively. They didn't teach me to come swooping through the flags, hi-5ing while I'm passing someone as I've planed out 3 inches off the ground. There is a misconception rampant in most circles that canopy classes won't teach new jumpers; if they do teach new jumpers, what they are teaching is dangerous to new jumpers. most people think the classes are about getting swoop training...and while they do offer that, mostly they teach what perhaps I should've received earlier but didn't. I am trying desperately to set an example. I talk to whomever will listen/read about my experiences, about my problems, and about finding the solution. I actively encourage canopy control class at ALL levels. Unfortunately, I am not most folks' "peer", and have no pressure value. Some folk have listened to me and my story...I know there are at least two other people who've taken or will shortly take a canopy control class because of things I've said and statements I've made. And hopefully that will snowball...more and more folks will forgo a day of "fun jumps" to learn about flying their canopy...simple stuff, easy stuff...vital stuff. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL W/L RESTRICTIONS, YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! DZOs, S&T's, if you're reading this, do a free canopy day. Have a seminar. Get ahold of jumpers, and teach them something. I dare you. Shit, I doubledog dare you. Do a day of HnP's after a mini-groundschool. Do it. See what happens...who shows up, who cares enough about their own lives to learn a bit more about their canopies. Show me who cares about their jumpers enough to have this seminar. Competent jumpers, here's your doubledog dare. Take the hand of several newbies and get them aside and teach them the basics. How to flat turn. How to determine flarepoint. What wingloading is and is not. Teach them what you know...YOU give up one day - just one - you can spare that, can't you??? - and help those you see at risk at your dz. Give them a hand. Share your knowledge. Turn it around...if you care, you do something. Something has to be done. Take the initiative, and do something. Help someone. Give up one single day and focus on junior jumpers' canopy skills. One SINGLE day. Who's life can you change? Find out... (rapidly jumping off my soapbox...sorry...) (BTW, Diverdriver, this is not directed at you...really. I promise...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes. He has already been contacted, and I know he will be making lots and lots of money this weekend...there are 43 registered folks coming, several from this site. And whaddya mean "eat"? Yeah, I know that's important, but I can't seem to remember it during the day. And I prolly should stretch, before and after. I don't usually do that, but I will try to remember that... Thanks, Val. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, everyone who had served, is serving, and will serve. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Vibes for you, QD...big ol bright sunshiney southern California vibes for you starting.... NOW!!! ~~~~~~~VIBES~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~VIBES~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~VIBES~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~VIBES~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~VIBES~~~~~~~ Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

So this weekend (today, actually), I will go down to Elsinore for Bridging the Gap. It's all about learning and fun, getting better and understanding more. It should be really excellent. It starts with a seminar tonight, and goes through Sunday. I am not positive what to expect, but I know there will be a huge spike in my learning curve. I am tentatively expecting to do something on the order of 8 jumps... Seeing as I am not "young", seeing that I tend to fall pretty hard and get achy and bruised (I'm still bruised from Memorial Day, as an example), seeing that 8 jumps in a 3 day period (or 2 day, depending on how you look at it) has never happened for me, how am I going to make it through? And to top it off, I fell out of the bathtub last night - wham, flat onto my backside and back, and thumped my shoulder but good. Yes, this was a "beer" fall, and I'd love to blame the cats, but they were nowhere near. It's just my clumsy self coming to the fore. Besides no partying Saturday night, any one have any hints as to how to stay in the game the whole time? Any ideas? Tips? I will have a brand new bottle of Aleve on hand, but what else extra can I bring? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Lots of vibes coming your way from So CA!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Good deal, Rob. Tell Angela there is a ton of people who support her and you, and that we are all anxiously awaiting pictures and news. And gently give her a hug for me... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Man, don't own a cell phone, and get dropped to 4th. Geesh. What's a girl to do????????? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

It was actually tucked into the waiver (paraphrasing here). "YOU CAN DIE IN THIS SPORT. YOUR PARACHUTE MAY FAIL. THE PLANE MAY CRASH, KILLING ALL ABOARD IN A VERY DISGUSTING MANNER. YOU MAY LOSE YOUR JUMPMASTERS IN THE AIR. THIS IS DANGEROUS. YOU MAY GO SPLAT. YOU MAY NOT LIVE THROUGH THIS. YOU MAY BREAK A LEG IN 47 PLACES, YOUR HEAD LIKE HUMPTY DUMPTY, YOUR BACK, YOUR NOSE, A FEW TOES - HECK, ALL AT ONCE. YOU MAY LOSE YOUR ABILITY TO WALK IF YOU DO SOMETHING STUPID. You may land near a snake, and if it bites you, we are not responsible. YOU MAY DIE. YOU CAN DIE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOU MIGHT DIE. YOU AGREE THAT YOU MIGHT DIE. HELLO, YOU CAN DIE DOING THIS. AND YOU CAN'T SUE US IF YOU DIE. There it was, buried in the midst of all the other warnings....and that's what I picked up on. I actually pestered Ed (FJC instructor and JM) to point out, on the aerial photo, where the snake lived...and I made him promise he would not let me land there. He kinda looked at me, and promised. Yeah, the things we fixate on...ROFL... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Mom understands, but has panic moments which usually subside after talking to her for a while. Dad doesn't understand, and plaintively asks that I stay home and watch the Lakers with him. He can't stand hearing about it - tells me to stop trying to kill him with a heart attack... Would either one of them ever try to talk me out of it? No. As my father said to someone who, aghast that he "lets" his 38 y/o daughter skydive, asked him how he felt about it..."Well, ever since she ran away at 3 years we've known she was very independent. Best to just nod, smile and not listen too hard to the details...". Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Andi, darlin, I totally understand your rage...I would be lit...furious...ready to tear off the theif's head... Could it be that it was just stolen, and not part of the TSA at all? No, I'm not defending them, I am suggesting that luggage content theft is not uncommon, and had happened many times prior to the TSA putting controls in place. Did you report it to the airline? Ask for an explanation? Ask for the airline to either recompense you the oil immediately, or refund the ticket and cost of the race? Maybe that's the place to start.... Hugs, girl. Sorry this has happened. It sucks no matter who, what, why, when or where it happened. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Deb! Know what? I agree. Repeat level 1. But not because you sucked. Because you need the confidence to progress. Here's what I wrote to another poster on this thread.... "Me? FJC, fine. Got a little fixated about landing on a snake, but fine. PLFs, PRCT, all perfect. Harness work, all perfect. However...in the air, I was a complete mess. I'm flying around the sky, grinning like a fool. my JM is frantically shaking my jumpsuit, but I ignore it. He wants my attention, so I finally realize it's not the wind, and look at him. Legs in signal. I nod, and don't do a thing. Then I look at my rJM, and he gives me the arms in signal. Again, nod, and nothing. I am grinning and waving at the camera, and my camera guy gives me the three finger signal for RCPTs...which I stare at. Uh, hmmmm....peace plus one? Fuck you three times? What? Oh yeah....and reach with my left arm. rJm is pushing, and JM is pulling, and I finally switch arms and do it with my right hand. On the 4th PRCT, it becomes a pull....and out the pc comes, and whoomp, there the chute is. And then I'm too frightened to look around for the airport, and sail off into the sun. I look between my feet, and start trying to think of outs because all I see are houses and roads... Forever later, I finally look over my shoulder and see the plane. Genius thought - hey, that's where I am supposed to go....so I turn the canopy like 3 degrees at a time, and get headed back. Now, I am about 400 feet, crossing a runway (I saw the plane land, but didn't realize there was another one flying around...), and just let it fly straight. Fly over family, holler hi, and WHHHOOOOOHOOOOO JM on the radio, telling me to pay attention, gets me in the right direction and flared. I fell over." So do what you need to do. Do what is right for you. But like Jimbo said, LISTEN TO and LEARN FROM your instructors. And trust yourself. Have faith, because courage and confidence grows from experience, but faith is immediate and full...and KNOW you can do this. And my only other suggestion is: smile! It's all easier when you smile. Dunno why, don't understand it, but I know it's true. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Agreed. And exactly my question. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I would be very interested to see any sort of statistical assessment of injuries with jumpers under 100 jumps...IIRC, 1/2 of "my group" (the 4 who went through AFF at the same time and same place as I did) who did not injure themselves significantly (in one situation badly - and he will not walk without a limp) in the first 50-75 jumps. And I was really at risk of being the 3rd...that's a pretty high percentage, don't you think? 50%? So I would be curious to see statistical data to see if I am in the outlier group or part of the majority... It would seem to me that people don't actually understand the risks - there is a lot of lip service; "Yes, I understand, this will kill me"..."yes, I understand, it's too small for me"..."yes, I understand how to dig myself out of the corner", but honestly, there isn't an understanding on how to fly the canopy. Look at the discussions about keeping a canopy pressurized in turbulence - there isn't a consensus. And those who do talk intelligently about it, and debate the issues, have hundreds if not thousands of jumps...groundspeed v. airspeed, for example, and many others. No, you don't have to understand how the engine works to drive a car...but you do need to understand simple things like braking, opening the door, where the keyhole is, the rules of the road, which pedal does what. Same thing with canopy flight. There is a basic understanding of why and how things work which should be taught....damn it!...and are not taught. For some people, it's intuitive. For more, it is not. Why do you think I chose that particular canopy and not something else? I am not smarter than average, nor wiser. I am not unique (as much as I'd like to think I am). So why did I chose that one, Bill? O.K., here's an example. Someone with 1500 jumps at 1:1 on a spectre decides they have enough experience, enough understanding of the canopy, and enough understanding of conditions to radically switch to a HP, fully elliptical loaded at 2:1. Should he take the class? I would not take it. And I doubt that many instructors would teach it. Fortunately, your understanding of what is taught to the 35 jump number person is wrong. How can I say this.... Canopy control classes are not necessarily about HP landings.. I know today exactly the same amount about swooping and flying a small canopy as I did at jump number 39...canopy classes are not necessarily about swooping. You're talking about that, Bill. I am not. I advocate a mandatory class before getting your A - which would teach basics. Pure and simple. Others advocate a testing system which will make you demonstrate a certain degree of competence. I don't know enough yet about that aspect of it to comment intelligently. ANd I have to get to the office right now...sorry... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Andy, I've experienced line twists in a spectre 230 which were pinning my neck down - they were so bad that they involved the risers. However, I was not spinning, and fought myself clear of them. In hindsight, I should've cut. My point is they can be that bad (and perhaps worse - I dunno, I didn't see them), and not be spinning. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Bill, you've lost me. Am I understanding you right? Only those who believe they should be able to fly a HP canopy should take a canopy class? If so, you are promulgating a common misconception about canopy classes, and leading some people astray. Canopy class is not necessarily about HP canopies and landings...it's about understanding how what you fly flies, learning life saving techniques, and learning how to not need them in the first place. How did my taking a class expose me to any more risk than throwing myself at the ground repeatedly? Sorry, Bill....it's not. Again, you're spreading the misconception that a canopy control class is only valid if you want to swoop....uh, kinda like the people who told me to not waste my time/money taking the class 'cause I didn't want to swoop, but just wanted to learn more and be safer. I really hope I misunderstood your comment...but I don't think I have. Please clarify for me if I have. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I will... I do have to get into the office pretty quickly, and have a long day, so it will be more likely this evening. But look for it...and thanks, 'Slut! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Whhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaahoooooooooooooooooooooo! Cora, you rawk! Someday I'll get my C. But at the rate I'm going, it will be a higher number than my A.....sigh.... LOL, oh well. A goil can do only what a goil can do! Many hugs, Cora. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Jonno. Man, I've used that ploy many times....I didn't think it worked! LOL...guess you were ready to sell anyway! Make sure you are getting a good one... Hey, know what? My company has a huge network of realtors, including Florida (and international), and it would help me personally if you would let me refer you to a realtor in DeLand or surrounding areas. I would get a referral fee (minor $$ - something like $200), but what it will do is allow me to remain on the incoming referral list so anyone with the relocation branch for my area will come to me (on a rotating basis), and then I can earn a whole commission. There is at least one skydiver in TX who let me do this for him; he got a place, and I got an incoming referral shortly thereafter. Anywho.....so if you want to help a fellow jumper out, pm me...and I'll get you set up! (and that goes with anyone!) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, WFFC. Experian! Innovis is not yet a major player, which is why I didn't include them. I tend to work with FICO's, and as they aren't reported on them, I totally forgot about them! D'oh! And JT, Fliege is correct - there is not any point in carrying a balance on the card. It will not say anything other than "Paid as Agreed", if you carry balances and make payments on time or if you pay it in full. So, pay it in full, stay within your budget, and don't incur the dreaded evil finance charges (interest). Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

-Slut, Do you find that many people try to avoid/skip/pencil whip this? And do you see a difference in the flying safety of the newbies? I've got a bazillion questions for you...can I put them into coherent form and pm them to you? (sometime later tonight?) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

For inquiries, yes. If you are paying cash, there is no reason to check credit. You likely can dispute it, but know what? Unless you need the 15 points in the next 90 days, there's no real reason for it. However...as it seems there's a high number of points, I would suggest getting a copy of the report and verifying who has been looking at it, and why you dropped 15 points. It may simply be because you are carrying a credit debt which is disproportunate to the charts. And if you needed a loan, with a credit score over 800, you can easily write your own ticket. I shouldn't be very concerned unless there's an anomoly of some kind. Nope, it is a federal clearing house (TRW, Equifax, and brain fade on the third). These credit agencies are national, and not state run. For instance, if you came to CA, your credit score would follow. Therefor, it is not bound by state laws, regs and so on. Hope it helps! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

There are several more complex reasons, but the easy one is John Brasher sets great store by your opinion...I set great store by his...someone who I'd seen around the DZ who had been pointed out to me as a great role model and example, and that person suggested it was choppy and I might want to sit it out, which comported to my thoughts, well, then, down my bottom goes. I don't see that as peer pressure, I see that more as following the suggestion of someone who has more jumps in more conditions than I do, and while I had already demonstrated concern by asking the question, my observation was validated and I was reassured that said decision was correct. And if you didn't understand my reasoning, why didn't you ask me then? As I will, doingthe Bridging the Gap seminar. I would like to give you my newbie perspective then, if I have time. Ciels means skies...and it's how I've signed off for 2 years... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, then, I was on an hp elliptical at jump number 12.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

What kind of loan are you looking for that requires a major credit card to verify with? Something is not right here... And yes, each time someone runs a credit check, 3 points are deducted, thus lowering your score and making you less desireable...it's not necessarily a good thing to do. However, those "inquiry" points will come back after about 3 months, IIRC. And just fyi, employers and rentals will also check credit at times, too. You should be aware that you can receive a copy of your credit report if denied credit if you ask, so you can see why. And you are allowed one free credit report annually, and should check it out then, as well. I tend to get mine when I get my taxes together, so that it's all done at one time. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~