Michele

~Splurging for a good, thick, hardback book... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Have you considered posting it in the Stolen and Lost Gear Data Base here on DZ.com? That might be a good idea. It would help get the word out... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I know it's da Bytch's birthday on the 5th of May. And I know Perris throws her this really big, long party. But it's my birthday on the 3rd of May, which is this Saturday, and I am hoping you will come to Elsinore and play with me. I hear there's a party there, too, but it's not because of me.... So. Well. I have this stupid little idea...sunset birthday load and then a chorus of Happy Birthday in the packing tent. Then some beers. Even tho I won't be drinking any (not with a 93 mile drive home!), I promised to bring some...and I can't stay because of RW on Sunday... I know it's just a little thing, but I'd really like to spend my b'day playing in the sun with friends...so...well...wanna join me? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Could you tell??? LOL! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Oh, man, do it. Don't think twice. I did it at jump 40...and while I am still not very good, I am much better - it's not guesswork anymore for me, not "magic" that the canopy stays up, comes down, and does what it does. It's a great tool for anyone, at any level. What is really great is that they are able to tailor the course to your level, irrespective of who else may be in the class with you. The mix can be totally disparate, but the learning isn't... If you want "basics", the ground school is great. If you want actual work time, the jumps are great. The vids on landing, and the debrief afterwards was invaluable. Your accuracy will improve, your set up will improve, and your landings will improve...and for me, my confidence level shot up measurably. I honestly say that it was the best money after AFF that I've spent. Totally worth every penny (to me), and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone, at any time, for any reason.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, Clownburner....I really appreciate your thought processes detailed like that. It parallels some of my concerns. Pity you can't come play on my birthday....but (and you knew this was coming)...."told ya so" about the 240....

ROFLMAOPIMP.....touche, NacMac!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hrmmmmmmmmm.....maybe I need to reconsider... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And so why are you blushing? Do you have to drink tequila off of my belly? In which case, I'd be making the faces... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Jim and Sunnyone, deal. If I can get there, that is. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, Stacy. Midnite, huh? I turn into a pumpkin then, though... Tequila from my belly, huh? Yeah, I knew there was a catch. Something about public belly slurping (especially my, um, belly) is something I am not sure about...however, if I have had sufficient libation prior, it may not be as embarrassing as I suspect it would be. At least not until the photos show up... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Jim, I will bring your Hiney...wait, heineken, no worries. I owe you.... Still, there are lots of things which would need to fall into place before I can say for sure.... Just curious, though...how does one get to be a bumpy brother? Do you have to be cool (in which case, that's just something else I'll not ever be...)...and what's spanish for Airweenie? Sigh...will let those interested know as soon as I do....which may be August... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Birthday at the DZ...I shall bring some corona and some limes, as well...I have a seriously long drive so I willl not partake, however I will bring some for those who will! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Good. See, you need to be whole and healthy to jump with my on my birthday... As for me: 0:0:1 (humps.jumps.firsties, right?) First time I have ever washed Levelor blinds. I need to figure out a better method, I suppose....sigh... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

20 jumps for me....that includes 2 days going to the DZ, and not jumping...and one day going to the dz but getting only 2 jumps in because of winds. I had set a modest goal of 75 jumps by my birthday, and, had those three days been different, it would've worked....but no. Truth is I'm at jump #60, my birthday is next Saturday, and I will not make the goal... However, the good things about goals is you can change them. So I have! I want to do jump #70 at Memorial Day, and then jump 100 at Labor day. And the other good thing about numbers is you can look at them from different perspectives. I started may 6, 2001, (6 month increments would be ~May 6 through Dec. 5~ or ~December 6-May 5) ~In my first 6 months in the sport, I did 25 jumps. ~The 2nd 6 months, I did 2. ~The third 6 months I did 13. ~In the 4th 6th month period (which is incomplete) I've done 20. I may have 23 or 24 by sunset 5/3...) If I am to get to #70 on Memorial day, I will have to jump 10 times in May. And to make it to 100 jumps by Labor Day, I will have to jump 40 times (from present). Which means, by the end of the 5th 6-month period (12/5/03), I will have jumped 40 times, and my yearly total will be something on the order of 60 jumps. Which wouldn't be too bad, all things considered... So. Anyone want to buy me some tickets so I can afford this? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And therein lies the difficulty.... Thanks for stating it as simply as that. There's a reason I need an editor... Thanks, Jim. All of your concerns are why I am still on the fence, with the exception of house and children...I'm old, I hurt sometimes, and while it won't be nearly overloaded, first run stuff is still a concern for me. Sigh... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

IIRC, at Elsinore, if you choose to not follow the first guy down, there is the student area which is directly to the east of the grass "main" landing area. The swoop pond is to the south of both the runway and the "main" landing area. I do believe you can land however is best for you at the student landing area, but I have been known to be totally, horribly wrong about things like that, and reserve that right in this instance. As for downwinders, well, I'm not good at them, either....but I'll take a downwinder over a low turn any day. I am not accurate enough nor comfortable enough yet to actually land in the main area, so I tend to restrict myself to the student areas almost exclusively. And the one time I landed in the grass at Elsinore, it was a mistake . Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Jim... Thanks for the link. I read that one, and because I am so new, I don't understand it. I did read through most of the threads, but still have concerns. Why do you prefer STRONG? (and the wink would indicated a joke, but I don't get it...sorry, I really am dense...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I am considering getting a reserve. It's the SMART one, and I am not so smart when it comes to these things. Yes, I have read the posts about them, but it still leaves me undecided... Here are my concerns. 1. They are new. I don't really want to put something in as my last option which hasn't been fully tested. I guess I don't want to be a test dummy...who has jumped one? And what has been your experience (yes, I realize this is likely not a real-time experience as they are new on the market, but still...)? 2. Please explain the difference between Type 1 and Type 3. I don't understand either one at all, just that one isn't as reliable as the other. 3. Would you put your newbie sister/wife/girlfriend on one? Why/Why not? 4. Who has bought one, and why? Who has considered it, and chosen to not buy it? Why? The benefit is simply price. At the moment, there is a good sale going on, and with my incredibly tight budget, this reserve has been recommended to me because of price and reputation of the company. I really would appreciate any information, opinion, and caution/encouragement. This is a huge deal to me...and I don't quite know what I'm doing (as with anything skydiving...). Thanks in advance... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Dave. So, you took a little heat for sharing your opinion. Good deal. That means several things.... 1. Tons of folk have read that particular thread. Which means tons of people have learned a bit more about the complexities of this sport. Sometimes, it helps to remember that there is value from stating the opinion, even if it is never acknowledged...can you imagine how many people yanked out their gear and took a look, just to see? I'll be willing to bet that there were quite a few. Some of those folks you will not ever hear from, but you were able to teach them a thing or two nonetheless....you aren't always just talking to the person you're responding to... 2. Sometimes people aren't asking for help - or, if they are, they're asking for it only the way they want it. I've been guilty of this in the past...it's like saying "I'm hungry", and then rejecting the Top Ramen noodles offered because I wanted steak. That's my problem, not the offeror's. Likewise here. You gave information, and it wasn't exactly the way the requester wanted. Who's issue is that? There was no personal attack, there was honest concern. Again, who's issue is that? 3. You addressed an issue which, it would seem, several others thought about, as well. It is a concern. This sport kills, and kills fast. There is very little room for error, and his post concerned a high performance canopy choice with very little education about that particular canopy (it would seem). I bought my Spectre at 30 jumps, and didn't know a ton about it...but it was at 30 jumps...you showed a concern for his well-being, training, and safety which he didn't appreciate. Now, who's issue is that? Certainly not yours. 3. The pm I sent you should've told you something....... Look, Dave, we all need to take breaks in our world. Take yours, but know that your input is valued, appreciated, and useful, even though you may not realize it from the responses. There are many people who would be sad to see you leave (temporarily or for good...), and that far outweighs anyone's negative opinion.... Come back soon....you're already missed. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, if you can spank him before he gets you, please play a little Smack Booty on his bottom on my behalf... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

No newbie, but I've gotten tons of spam recently, and will take some steps to change my e-mail procedures. Also, I didn't check my e-mail for about 10 days and everything started bouncing, and now I've been receiving less than was usual... Thanks! Appreciate the tip. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

The benefit to that, Skygal, is that he'd have to be face to face with us to do so.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

There is the tiniest, most remote, barely possible chance that I will be there....there are lots of things which will need to happen before I can be sure, but instead if impossible, there have been some recent changes which may lead to me managing to get there.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yup. Mmmmmmmmmm.......me too..... Cora's is pretty good - if only because yours truly took that pix... OTOH, in the mood I'm in, I'm voting for my avatar. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~