Michele

What concerns me is that I haven't understood most of what you all said. Granted, I have never been good at word problems, and not the best mathemetician in the bunch, but I got lost somewhere, and never could pick it up again. I sit here, with 25 jumps, vaguely suspicious that this information is really important to me, but I can't get a handle on it. That's what concerns me. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Whew! Thanks, Jess and Lisa! I feel better now. Still jones-ing for the sky, and still too broke to go there, but at least a bit better! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

So, well, since I don't own my own rig yet, does having a license and renting gear make me at least a sky angel? A poor sky angel, but at least closer to skygddess rank than a whuffo? "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Last night, dreamed that I had a ball of crap over my head, but enough was out to have me in an upright position. Right side was all crumpled and wrapped up, and a little of the left side was open. I reached up and shook the risers, "open already", but it was not going to. Started spinning slowly, and decided, "yup, another cutaway". Then looked for red and silver, got one hand on each, and then couldn't get red off with only one hand. "Got to bring the handles back" thinks I, "but I can't pull with my hands full", so I get both hands on red, and pull, pull, pull, and finally it's at arm's length, and still not unconnected, so then I yank, and then I am free, and then pull and loose silver, and I have a good canopy over my head. Then, I looked around, and I was flying my reserve inside a big building, and landed uneventfully inside this building. Weird, huh? Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hi, Eve. Checked your profile, and noticed you're posting from West Covina. I would recommend that you call Perris Valley Skydiving School, and talk to them. I learned there this summer, and it is an amazing experience. Wonderful instructors, great facility, excellent people overall. You might want to come out to Perris and watch, too, and ask questions, and then, ask more questions. Another thing which has been recommended is that a tandem ride for a first experience is a great way to make up your mind. If your son is over 18, why not treat him to a tandem jump for Christmas, and go along with him? Perris Valley Skydive telephone number is (800) 832-8818, and the website is www.skydiveperris.com. Lots of great information there. Also, read through these forums, and really listen to the conversations. Most of the threads on this board, for example, discuss and discuss and discuss many of the issues which arise. From personal experience, I have learned many things here, and consider this site an invaluable resource. Personal opinion? Skydiving is not safe, but far safer than public opinion would have you believe. I am a very cautious person; yet, I skydive. I firmly believe that the benefits far outweigh the risks, if one takes it seriously. Feel free to pm me, if you want, or post all over these boards. You will get many answers from lots of very experienced people, and you will get answers from inexperienced people, like me. Hope this helps! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Speedy recovery, Pyke. Take care, and heal fast! "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Landmissle, well said. !!!!! "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Riser turns and spotting should be started. Ask your instructor about it, and ask for it to be included in your lesson for that day. As to it being standardized, I think the requirements are the same, but the way to meet/teach those requirements differ. For instance, your level 6 has you go unstable by initiating a backloop, right? Mine had me pushed out the door to get a wildly unstable thing going on. Worked for me. As to the hopnpop, yeah, it is unnerving. It was not a requirement for us, but I chose to do it for several reasons. Getting out of the door at 5 rather than at 12,5 is unnerving, but what if the plane had an emergency? I need to know that I can get stable and pull really quickly, and the only way to do that is, well, to do that. It is actually a funny story (I wrote it up here. Run a search for "A hopnpop, trees, and water. I took my water training that day, too). Like everything else in this sport, it is scary, until you've done it once. I have no thought that I might hesitate if the pilot tells me "out, now", and we're only at 3, or 2,5, or 2......I'll just go. Grit your teeth, choose a nonwind day, and go to it. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

At Perris, level 6 was, I suppose, a lesson in instability, and how to regain control. It would seem that they have a unique way of teaching it. You go to the door, cross your ankles, lean over, grab the back of your legs, and then they PUSH you out. Then, you're supposed to hold it for a brief count to 5, and then arch. Once stable, you then track. I was petrified, but got through it, and now think that was one of the most fun levels I had. Level 7 was simply fall rate control. Matching fall rates and keeping heading, up elevator, down elevator. We also have a level 8, which is barrel rolls, and more tracking. That's our grad jump. Hope it helps. I suspect it is different from dz to dz, although I don't know. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

As if I know what I'm talking about.... Richard said Not to quibble. Like I said, as if I know what I'm talking about.....and they do have intentional cutaway rigs for a reason.... But for me, it wasn't the actual cutaway which scared me. It was being able to deal with the stress of identifying a problem (took a little while for me to figure out what was going on), the initial wtf is going on??? and then controlling the thought process under severe stress, under a spinning mal, which was the most amazing thing. And I think that the mechanics of cutaway are actually sort of simple; it's the feelings, the sensations, the mental aspect of it which is complicated. And if you know you're going to cutaway, you will not have this serious complication. An intentional cutaway does not simulate an actual cutaway, in my humble opinion..... Just my .02, though. Do what's best for you, always. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Oh, wait.......meeting so many new people that day............... Now, getting out of the way of two women bent on using the potty is simple self-preservation, and we know you guys get out of the way of that.... But I do actually remember looking at your purple and green jumpsuit. Something about bartender type sleeves which didn't match the rest of them (the suit was faded, but the sleeves weren't, because you didn't wash them as often, or something like that, right???). I remember the thing about the sleeves because they made no sense to me then. Well, they still don't, actually.....hey, you're cute! That I do remember. Now, about this stalking stuff....you have to make sure the lady knows you're stalking her, o.k.? Otherwise, it's just plain admiration from afar. It's fun when you don't know who it is, but boring when you don't know it's going on. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Oh, that kind of discipline. 'Kay, never mind! "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

I'm scared of planes. "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

So, uh, Keith, are you planning to be at Perris any time soon? I'll bring the beer (and a bottle of hard liquor of your choice, as long as you drink it that night...)...and the camera.....

Two, for different moods. The Star Wars Trilogy, for when it's cloudy and rainy, and I pop open the sofa bed and just watch movies all day. Not the Prequel, though. And then, in a close second, Silence. Excellent late night stuff. Although, Braveheart is good, too. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hey, Ducky! Congratulations! And yes, the high is far from fading. Good job, and great awareness as to why what happened did happen. I don't think I was aware of anyone until about level 5, when I saw my jm below me as I opened. And that was weird! And yes, sometimes JM's pass us when we are not sure we should be passed. But remember, they are the ones who know what we're doing, not us. That's why they make the "big bucks!" Trust them. Looking forward to the next installment! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

A few "regulars" haven't been posting lately, and I was wondering how they were, if all was o.k., etc. DZBone: well, he and his wife had the baby. Little Jackson is Fine, and about 2 weeks old, so we understand why he's not posting lately. But where is April? Omrimon? Mouth? Just wondering if all is o.k. with them. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Good job! Congratulations! Beer! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Tickling's good....... "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Try asking Vinnie Palmieri at the Perris Valley Skydiving School. He's the Senior rigger for them, and is an all around excellent guy. Call the school, and leave a message for Vinnie. He'll get back to you ASAP. (800) 832-8818. Tell him "Michele from Hell" told you to call. Well, on second thought, maybe that won't help. Just don't tell him he looks like Ned Flanders, and you'll be fine. As for load organizing, yeah, by all means, Darryl and Mark are far too excellent. (Also, JBrasher, if you read this, help me out here....who are those other guys who l/o at Perris??????) Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Amen! Or, more apropos, AAHhhhhhhh, MENNNNN! "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Fight. and fight hard. Til the end. All the way down. "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

No, that might not be a good idea. BBBBWAAAAAAAhhahahahahaaa. "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

And I have to sleep alone tonight. (but I'll have great dreams......!) "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

God "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~