Michele

Congratulations, Bryan! HAve fun! Hey, Meg and Viking! I'm here, but soon to tool off to bed - I know, early, but I need to be at the DZ around 7:30 - 8, and it's a 90 minute drive...which means I need to be gone by 6, so up at 5...blah blah blah! Lots of coffee for me. LOL, and hopefully better landings! As for DZ.com being deserted, it has been like that during the weekend, when everyone is jumping or doing other things. It's how it goes, I guess. Although the week can be a hoot when everyone gets going! Worry not, come Monday, there will be lots of chatter happening. have a good Sunday! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My condolences to the family and friends of the photographer, as well. Also, sincere sympathies to those who witnessed that accident. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Have yourself a most excellent time, you guys. And take pity on us who're not there...lots of reports! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Rawk on, Patrick! Yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooooooooooo! And the next jump? You'll swear someone screwed with your alti....just smile and enjoy it! On to your "A"! Good job! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yeah, Matt, I hear you! My father, who lives within 5 minutes of me (we're close), doesn't know about my cutaway yet...I tried to tell him, but it didn't actually go well. Me: So, yeah, there was this problem with one of my jumps. The parachute didn't open right. Pop: Well, but you landed fine anyway. Let's watch the Lakers. Me: O.K., I'll get the beer... At least he understands about the beer part! As to the rest of the family, they have always known I was, um "different", so something like this is, according to them, "normal" for me. (I just don't get why they think that, either. I've never done anything extreme like this before. Unless you count my (now-defunct) marriage.) Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

What is the question again? When is a whuffo not a whuffo, right? Then when they "get" it...whether they make a jump or not. My mother just sent me a beautiful note thanking me for my "smiley" picture - it was one I had blown up for her from Freefall. She said all she needed to see was my face, and she understands it. She's no longer a whuffo. My father, otoh, has the same photo, and still says "You just need to watch the Lakers more, and stop this jumping stuff". He, sadly, will take more working on. I don't like basketball. My brother gets it, my sister in law doesn't. My nephew gets it, and he's only 3 1/2. He loves seeing Noni's flying tapes. He jumps around the living room, and zooms around, clapping, then grabs my hand and pulls me to his balcony, insisting I "teach" him while he points at planes in the sky. My niece is way too young to even understand it. There are many non-jumpers who understand it, even if they don't/won't ever do it. Now, as to what makes a skydiver, or even one who simply tries it one time, well, that's a whole 'nother topic. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Kewlio, Michael! There was some guy with his behind to the cam at what appears to be "manifest". I like it!. Good work! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Frank! Cool on the sunset load... I am gonna jump tomorrow...at least three jumps, perhaps more if this ol' bod don't quit, and I don't crash every landing. I'm thinking a sunset load, or late late late late afternoon one, at least, is just the ticket to relax me at the end of a day. And maybe this time I won't misjudge the wind and go tumbling down the hardpan! [singing off key] An-ti-ci-pa-shun is driving me mad...[/shutting up now, uncover your ears] Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My father also does ELR....but is not red haired... Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Chris! Lessee.....total landings: 36. Landing since July 20: 4 (and three of them were on Wednesday). Hmmmmmmm. Perhaps you have a point. It's the part where I do the splits then whackthump to my chest and face. Bottom touchdowns are o.k. for me. You are an amazing friend, as is everyone else who posted. It is immensely appreciated. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sebazz said... Like me. I shouldn't be there. I'm not up for that just yet. But I can't wait to hear the stories from those who do attend..... And Meatmissle. I have to ask you this. Who the heck is BabaYaga, why is he coming for us, and what if I don't wanna go with him? Ciels and Pinks- Michele

I remember thinking "shit, it's loud" for exactly 1.3 seconds during AFF, and haven't thought about it since. You won't get distracted because of the noise. There's far too much going on. besides, ear plugs will make it really hard to hear the radio instructions on how to land... Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Nah, if I wanted that, all I'd've needed to do was talk to Dad.... Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I was asked today as I walked, carefully and gingerly, why I jump if I get hurt like this (I was wearing a skirt, and he saw some of my bruising). This is my answer. Away from safety and reaching for joy I plunge, drifting, falling Stepping away, stepping out I hear the sky calling. Smiling faces recede as the plane Blends into the day I am free to dance and sing, I am free to finally play. To touch the blueness as I drift through To slide swiftly through the sunlight To feel the fleeting silkiness of freedom It is only up here where I feel right. The silent majesty of the desert floor Spreads below, whispers gently In my mind to Look! To See! Dance and be free! To dance through the day To reach out, to soar and to fly To know the experience of simple glory To grasp the fragile sky... Cradled in it's hugeness The sky, unreachable by normal man Becomes my sanctuary Like no-where else can. Through the flickering winds I dance, solitary, singular. The only human in this place and time, My heart stretches far. I jump for freedom, for joy To taste the purity in the sky I jump to live, simple and free I jump to be alive, to fly. ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Why? Will you quit after you get your D? Or do you just want your D? And if they change the rules, and make it a little harder, why is that an issue? No, I am not picking on you or anything - just really curious what the rush is, is all. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

O.K., so it's official. I can't land. The suggestion was made that I try out the Sabre2 as it has a less steep descent rate. I have no clue. I love the Spectre, which is all I've ever been under except for student stuff. But if I can't land it, then no matter how nice it feels on opening or while in flight, it's no good for me. So aside from the obvious: "Learn to land, stupid" (which, if you read the post on the Talk forum, you know I am trying hard to do), what would the benefit be of staying in the Spectre? Moving to the Sabre2? As they used to say in school, "compare and contrast" the canopies for me. And yes, I understand it's simply your opinion. But that's what I want - a plethora of opinions from which I can base a conclusion on after discussing it thoroughly with someone who knows how I fly. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, everyone. First, thanks for all of the suggestions. I so very much appreciate them. Lemme go through and try to answer some of the questions... 1. I am finding the stall point up high, right after I do my control check. On the jump in question, I had found it 3 or 4 times, holding it to where all motion forward stopped, and I started to drop. The recovery arc is fun up high, too. But only up high. The "stall point" (if that's indeed what I've found) is somewhere between my navel and my crotch. I have never had the canopy go higher, though. Just drop. 2. I do not believe I flared much at all on the first jump and subsequent "landing" - more accurately called a crash. Several people gave me an earful about that, gently and kindly, of course. Someone said he saw me flare at about 3 feet up...but in a spectre 230, lightly loaded, it takes a bit more time for the effect to be felt, I imagine, as I felt nothing happen before I hit. Then I felt lots...just the wrong things (dirt, rocks, pain). 3. Before I manifested for the first jump, I went to the school and asked for help. They said they would video me, or at least watch it, but they forgot each time. Even as I reminded them as I was walking to the plane. 4. I have landed this particular canopy 3-4 times on my toes, perfectly. The only time that has ever happened was when there are winds, which help me out a great deal. I imagine that the flare stroke is smaller/shorter at that point, though. 5. I was given the suggestions of both going to a Sabre2, and taking wraps up high. I declined taking wraps, because I thought I was being video'd and would be able to tell what's happening from that. Alas, it didn't get done, so I still have no clue. As for the Sabre2 try, I dunno. But I have heard that a 9 cell is easier to land. I will put up a post over on gear for opinions in the right place. Viking gave me the same suggestions as I had heard yesterday. 6. I have arranged to take the canopy class, but as the guys are on tour until the beginning of September, I am on my own until then. 7. I am on short risers, and I dunno if I have short arms. As to checking if anything is out of shape when I am under canopy, I will make a point of looking for the back specifically, and noting carefully what I see. I know that I flare early - no-one's had to tell me that. And I know I flared late on all three jumps yesterday, because of the landings. What I DON'T know is when to flare properly. I was trying to break the habit of flaring early....and nearly broke myself in the process. Yesterday's crash left a large number of colorful bruises...I shan't describe them for you, but suffice it to say I measured one on my left knee/inner thigh, and it's 5 inches long, and about 3 wide...and it's very scary looking. I have similar ones in other places...though not under my chin or on my face...but that is luck rather than anything else. I got the comment "I couldn't believe it when you stood up" from several people, and one went so far as to tell me he thought I'd be hauled away by an ambulance at the very least. I dunno about wheaties, but I do know how very lucky I am to have been able to not just walk away, but to jump again yesterday. I just need to learn how to land. Thanks again, for all of your suggestions. I really appreciate them. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I get out to Perris, bright and early, not realizing that the place doesn't pick up at all on Wednesday morning til about 11. My goal today is simple - hopnpops to work on landings. I landed once on my feet in the last 10 jumps, and many people tell me I am flaring too soon. So after talking about it with the school, and hoping against hope that someone can watch the landings and help me figure it all out, I decide to try the "look at the horizon and wait" method... There's something wrong with the chest strap on the Infinity I am renting. I can't get the chest strap unfastened after I am in it...it sticks, the overlap flap is off somehow. Square One gets a rigger to come look at it, and after reassuring me it's safe, I get geared up and onto Shark 1. The Infinity is a little odd-fitting, a little tighter than I'm used to, a little smaller. I worry that I haven't had time to touch hacky with my eyes closed...but get on the plane. I will be doing a high HnP, because it's midweek, and the pilot is way cool. He and I discuss how to spot it exactly, and I go over how to do a HnP with Bret Townley. He'll be on the load, too, so he'll check my spot after I do it, just to make sure. Because it is a HnP, I have to sit on the jumpseat by the door. I don't like that much, but I like climbing over people even less. Up we go, and now, turn onto jumprun. The door is open, and I am watching the DZ approach...and now the green light...to the door, hold on, look out nod, check with Bret, wave at everyone, and out I go, watching the plane, arching, waiting to be stable...and reach and tug and release and whoooooooooooooosh, perfect, hello my friend. I grasp the toggles, and pop them loose. And now I am alone in the sky, alone. No other canopies around, none above nor below me, just me and the sky. It is so quiet, so beautifully still and serene. No winds, no noise. I slowly turn, seeing the mountains etched against the summer morning, seashell shaped clouds lacing the blue, gold shafts slanting through them, coloring the day. The air is still soft and mellow, the heat has not arisen (as it will soon), and the birds are circling. I mimic their actions, circling, playing, isloated in the sky, drifting back and forth, spiralling through the morning, free. Flowing liquid smooth over the fields, over the DZ, over the day. It is my time, now, my time to explore the sky in a way few ever know. I decide that because there is no winds whatsoever, I will make my approach North to South, and it is time to start the pattern. Still alone, I drift, turning, bleeding off alti because there is no wind to help me. Now time to get ready to touch down. Eyes to the horizon, wait, wait, not yet, oh shit, wait, wait...fuck-there's-the-ground. I yank the toggles, but there is no discernable response. Thwackwhackthump. I feel my feet touch down, and my right leg slide out perpendicular to my body, as my left knee folds inward under me with my left ankle stretched out at right angles to my body. Whapfuck as my crotch smacks the ground, and then my upper body slams into the ground. My upper back immediately clenchs as my head hits my forearms, smashing them into rocks and debris in the ground. I feel the force of my impact rock my lower body up off the ground, and I slide a bit on my arms and shoulders, breasts crushed into the ground, chin resting in the dirt. And then all is still. I decide the Horizon method just doesn't work for me. I gingerly climb to my feet, wondering what I've broken. My upper back seizes and cramps, radiating pain into my neck and skull. I look over my shoulder, and someone is standing at the gate, staring at me. I wave, gently - "I'm o.k." - and they turn and go back from where they came. I stand there, testing out toes, fingers, removing helmet, goggles and atli, hooking them to my chest strap. By the time I get it together and start to make my way back to the packing area, the rest of the load has landed, and they are moving off the field. I carefully make my way over the ground, and I can already feel the swelling in my left knee. I decide I am leaving my jumpsuit on, because I don't want to see the bruising I know is there. There will be time later to catalogue them later. I turn my gear over to the rigger so he can fix the chest strap, and am unable to get out of it. We manage to get it undone, and I give him the gear so he can fix it, and limp off to get some ice. I sit there with ice on my knee, and decide I am NOT going home after that landing, I am still walking and moving and fundamentally o.k., damnit, I will not have that as my last experience of the day. I manifest another HnP on Shark 3. I struggle back into my gear, sore and achy, and wait. I am going to work the landing again. Damnit. Up we go, and it's time. This time the exit is poor, but still workable, and again I find the magic in the sky. That solitude - that singular display which comes at 2000 feet, blue against browngrey mountains outlined against the sky. I feel my hip start to cramp, and kind of wiggle in the harness. Cool, that turned the canopy about 2 degrees. I wonder if I can do that again? I lean really hard, and stick out my left leg, putting my entire weight onto my right side, and now the turn is about 4 degrees. This must be what's called "harness turns". It hurts too much to try to hold it for more than that little time, but I will practice that some other day. I work on flat turns, and get one which only takes about 60 feet to go 180. I spiral, thrilling at the way the canopy swings me out and around. I practice penetration checks, although there are no winds again, but just because I could use all the practice I can. It's time to land again, and this time, I will look at the ground. I come in, fast, and start the flare. I smooth it out, gentle pressure, not yanking. I get the toggles buried to my crotch, in front of me, my arms are fully extended, and I am still coming in really hot. I am in full flare, about 2 feet off the ground, and I am not gonna stand this up. I get feet and knees together, still in full flare, and hit and roll. This one doesn't hurt as much, but I am really baffled. I had full flare, and still was not able to shut it down totally. I stand up and brush myself off, and watch the dust cloud dissapate slowly. There is not even a little breeze. I look down at my canopy, and there, snagged in the lines, is some wire. Well, a lot of wire, actually, and it takes a while to untangle it from my lines. That went better, over all, but I am still not doing something right. And I have no idea what's wrong. I bring the gear back to the packer, and show him the wire. I ask him to check the canopy for holes, because I have no clue as to where this came from. He checks it out, and the canopy is fine. I go get more ice for my knee, and go sit under a tree. I am happier about that landing, but still really ticked off about not being able to get it shut down. I wonder if the toggle lines are too long for me or something, but I am not sure at all about it. I decide I have one more jump in me, so I manifest. There are winds, now, so I think perhaps I will be able to land better. Gear up, and manifest, and go to the landing area. As I sit there, I see three dust devils mixing it up and chasing each other. They are little yet, and dissapate before they get big. O.K., so I need to watch for them while in the sky, and plan my landing accordingly. Up we go, and I again am right by the door, and this time, I watch the wings tilt and fly. It's interesting - and I realize I am actually enjoying sitting by the door - or perhaps not enjoying it, but at least not freaking out about it. Time to go, and this time, I totally screw the exit. Upside down I spot the plane, and the guys watching from the door. I wave at them, arch really hard...and then deploy. And here I am again, playing by myself, alone in this gorgeous sky, above the desert floor. I see cars and trucks on the roads, and wonder if they know I am here. I turn slowly, gradually, and soak up the mind pictures, seeing a wall of clouds to the west, huge and towering and thick, and to my east I see a huge plane on it's way somewhere. It's big and silver and it looks really close but probably isn't because distance is deceptive. I wonder if they can see me, so I wave. I hit turbulance and bounce around a bit, realizing that the turbulance is a reminder that we have heating air on the ground, and that I should look around for dust devils. I see several, but they are not near the landing area, so I plan out my approach and start to get ready. I run downwind, and then turn cross wind, and now for the final...two hundred feet, commit to this pattern, breathe, breathe, take a last deep breath, and get ready and wait, now flare smooth and slow and completely. I touch down a little fast, and bang onto my bottom, but stand up all in one motion. My canopy collapses in front of me, and I let out a whoop! While it wasn't perfect, not nearly so, at least it was my bottom and not my front, and it wasn't even painful and I probably could have stood it up but I was surprised so fell over instead. Much better to fall over than to crash! I stand, and start to daisy chain my lines, and see two dust devils, one good sized, in front of me. My canopy slides over the ground a bit, and wafts up to my ankles, folding itself around me. I look over my shoulder, and there is another one, smaller than the others, and then I spot another, swirling there. I am surrounded by these little nasties, so I kneel onto my chute, and then gather it together under me. I have put my body through enough today, I figure. No need to go bouncing around because of a dust devil. They pass me and two join together and become large, but the other two disappear. I wait 'til the last one goes far enough away that I can't feel it at all, and then stand up, gather myself and my gear together, and walk off the field. I am sore, very sore, and I decide that I will go on home. I know that I have gotten hurt, and I also know how damned lucky I was that I didn't spend the day in the hospital. The last landing was much better than the others; because of the wind, I figure, and not because of me. I dunno what's wrong, but I am thinking I need to try a 9 cell on Sunday. But the good thing? I am no longer scared of the HnPs; as a matter of fact, it is sooooooo fun to be alone in the sky. And yes, I am taking the canopy control class at the first available opportunity (in early September). I can fly - I just can't land! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Good deal, Fred! You are learning something, each and every time. Keep practicing, even if it's monotonous...that way, when you do go play with others, you will be in control, and able to match fall rates without whizzbanging into people (which is one of my biggest fears). Keep on keeping on, as they say. Congratulations! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, I haven't got a whole lot, but I'm getting a small check in the mail... Godspeed on the recovery, Lynette! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Congratulations, HH, RAWK ON!

Well, I am willing to bet a pitcher of beer you know more than me at this point.... sucky or not! LOL, I didn't miss your point, my friend, I was just teasing you... Hey, Sharkie, one of the reasons I can't yet move over to 'Snore is the equipment rental - but lemme tell you, and especially in the mood I'm in right here and now, I may have to get into some serious debt to get this handled, you know? I'll be there as soon as I can... TG, thanks for the advice - it's true, the more I get on the plane, the more I get out. The more I get out, the better I'll be. The better I get, the more loads I'll get on...once I get "good enough"...which brings us full circle to where we started. Not that it's not good advice, it's just hard to get good at RW when you're doing solo's....

hey, Fred - it's a pity you jump in Michigan, because you and I'd be able to jump together really well... Just checked my log book, and top speed was 141. Then, several jumps later, top speed was 136, and now, I generally run around 124 (once I went 121, but that was slowest, and the comments in my book was "totally out of control")...these were in several different "baggy" suits. What I do know that I practiced a lot on solos is, like Andy said, flying big...solo-ing so that I can work on that without hurting anyone if I get out of control. During one of my AFF jumps, I lost my JM - he never got back to me (really funny video - I have no idea where he is, and keep turning around looking for him. He wore weights from there on in...) I only have a few jumps, so I am definately not the person to listen to for advice - but I thought I'd share my "slowing" experience with you. There is a point that I reached where I don't arch into a "U" any more, and am more flat, and still can maintain control. I know I spent several jumps just arching hard, and then de-arching, to feel the difference and learn where my out-of-control point is...so despite being short and "chubby", I can slow enough for some fast belly fliers to stay with me. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Cool...something is off with my pms...I'll call or e-mail. I am so not going to be a big star....and even if I were, it's still just me, you know? Of course I'll talk to you - provided I can jump with you when y'all win Nationals... hugs to you, Chris! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You are totally right, Lori, my bad . You absolutely have, in addition to several of your team (which I mentioned - Albie, and Cptnstrttn/Steve...). Forgive me? >>>>>>>>>hugs