Michele

Morning, all. Serious question. Please no flaming. Observation only. Opinion only. Over the last several days, I have noticed several "old timers" posting things which could be (mis)read as not wanting newbies here. Not wanting the new folk such as myself and others to not post, not ask questions, not have or voice opinions, not say anything which may rock the boat. There is a seperation starting, a rift, between the new kids and the oldsters. Is this a good thing? And why is it happening? Please tell me if I am wrong. I have been wrong before, will be again. I am not posting this to start a fight, but more to understand whatever undercurrent is going on. I would appreciate your response, but again, I am trying to be serious, and not instigate anything. So if you want to flame me, please refrain. I don't own nomex, and I am asking this in all sincerity. ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

welcome back, MM. Thanks for relaxing! ciels- me "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

I was fortunate enough to be at Perris when the POPs ladies got their record formation (it's on the Perris website) on the 3rd jump of the day. But what was even cooler was the attempt at the 45-way: a weedwhacker (I think that's what it was called). Standing on the ground, I could look up and see them - what an amazing sight! And when they broke - man, it looked like a flock of birds all deciding to go their own way. And then they pulled, which scared me because some pulled way low, and some pulled really near each other (at least that was the way it looked on the ground). All were safe, so I guess it was just my newbie eyes looking at this. So many canopies, all trying to get to the same patch of ground in the same relative time. I will say I have a newfound appreciation for the art of tracking. Some of them made it really far out! but most were near each other..... But man, it was intense. It's sure something to see from the ground.

Dude, relax. Fucking relax. So what if he missed every single one of your posts except this one? Does that really give you the necessary angst to go after DZ, who is only trying to make sure you don't get afflicted with Head Up Ass Syndrome. Aren't you the same MM who on the other post in Talk Back who said that you were sick and tired of the negativity? And then you go and post this? When you can stand back and take a look at what he was really saying, you'll wonder why you posted as you did. So, what - you hate people who want to see you be safe, and stay around? Then you must HATE me too. You HATE people who want to share their eperience, their knowledge? What the fuck is going on with you? You stick a post up, and expect no-one to comment except nicey nice things? Especially about going from a 220 to a 169? I mean, shit, man, even I know that's a radical transition, and I don't know the first thing about this sport. Haven't you been reading what people are trying to do? They're trying to HELP you, and if their assistance is not wanted, when they reach a hand to you, smacking them for doing it is plain nuts. Whatever else is going on with you, re-fucking-lax, dude. "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hey, DZ? Could you share that trick? The one about getting three extra hours in a day? Dude, I could use the time...... hahahahaha Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

What Clubber didn't mention was: First funneled exit! BEER First unintentional rodeo (didn't you land on top of Doug? Shudder - not a pretty picture...)BEER Good to see your Sunday went better than mine! ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hahahahaha, Slappie!!!!! Uh, well, I don't have any quite yet....perhaps during the race there will be some interesting shots.....suffice it to say that one comment from a fellow jumper, upon seeing a pix of me during ff was, "turn her upside down, and look-a table!"! And that was in a "relax and fall" position, not one which I was pushing for an arch.... Hahahahahaha. November, then, Viking. You're on. Just make sure that there are several photographers, so there is not a question..... bleus- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

No, it's just that getting out of a twin otter, if you "turn left at the end of the plane" as you are moving to the door, you won't get out.....so you have to be *in* the sky to actually turn left...

Dear Arthur: Ahem. Cough, cough. Well, good morning to you, too! Do you think that was what I needed to see on a monday morning? With a scratched eyeball and a broken toe? FYI, my flexibility is great. It's not just my lush, voluptuous womanly figure which sends me barreling towards the earth, it is also the fact that I am very bendable. I will chalk this up to youthful exuberance. But we shall see if you are right. Perris in a month? Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Arthur, I am so goddamn sorry I couldn't be there! I feel so fucking guilty. I had re-arranged my schedule and everything, but things happened this morning. I seem to have scratched my cornea, and had to go see the doctor, who won't let me drive, and I couldn't do the 5 hour round trip. Dude, I feel so shitty! I am ssssssooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyy! Please forgive me, o.k.???? I am really proud of you - you did it, you have accomplished this thing most people only dream of doing. You can FLY!!!!!!!! And, it sounds like you can land, too!!!! As soon as we get our "A"s, I'll make it a point to come down to Otay and we'll have a race - out the door, and whoever hits pull time last buys the other one beer. We'll have to get video of it and some stills, so everyone here can see the race! I really am sorry, Arthur. Really sorry. Ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hey, Monk. Pleased ta meetcha. And I am glad you're back. I will say that I have needed tons, lots, oodles, immense amounts of support about my jumping and the handling of my fears. I had only posted twice before I had my malfunction and cutaway. I attribute the responses I have received (both public posting and private e-mails) with the reason I was able to get back in the plane. Ed got me out of the plane, but these folk got me in the plane. I have had numerous questions, both stupid and not-so-stupid, that I have been able to ask here, and get valuable information in the replies. I have learned from others' errors, and was able to rpevent some newbie errors because of the shared stories. I have made friends who, if they were not in my life, would be missed. I have been "flamed", but not everyone is going to like everyone else, so I take it with a grain of salt. They are still people I can learn from, and in that I find value. If they hold a view to which I don't ascribe, o.k., so, like, isn't that like anywhere and anyone else? I cannot imagine a better place to be new in this sport. I cannot imagine a better place to discuss skydiving. I cannot imagine a place where the knowledge and willingness to share this knowledge is more forthcoming. I really like this site. I really like the people on this site. And if it was better before, how wonderful. But it is good now, too. Just my .02, though. Ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hey, Arthur. I feel so freaking bad about not being able to be there. I had plans to be there, I switched around some things, I cleared my schedule - and I can't freakin' get there anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so sorry - you came out to support me, and I can't return the honor. . You will have graduated when you get this - and I know you did really well, flew like a bird, and performed like a seal. And now - you get to jump without the pressure. Conratulations on completing the biggest thing in your life - you did it, you DID IT, YOU DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!!! (If it counts, I am really proud of you!!!) So, get your "A" and get up to Perris; or I'll get my "A" and get to Otay - or something!!!!! ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Morning, all. Please understand that I made jump #16 yesterday. I would like to add a few comments from the perspective of someone newly off student status and not yet an "A" license holder (weather hold yesterday made that the impossible dream...at least for two more weeks...). In getting ready for my "A" license, it seems as if I have more requirements to accomplish with freefall and rw then anything in regards to canopy control. The only canopy requirements are 5 landings within 20 meters of a selected target. Well, I have those, easily. However, what I don't have is an understanding about canopies, and about how to fly under them. For the record, my standup landings number 11 and my other body parts landings number 5. One of those five was my downwind one, which resulted in a broken toe. It could/should have been much worse, but somehow I pulled it out of my hat. While rw is important, and ff is important, canopy control is, imho, far more important. And yet there is no real requirements, and thus no-one makes it a point to learn - I mean, really learn - about canopies. Biffing a formation won't kill you; funnelling an exit won't kill you. Poor canopy control will. To that end, I really think canopy control instruction is vital to my staying alive. I have been fortunate enough to walk away from a really hairy landing. I don't want to depend on luck. I want luck to come into play only after I have learned about how to handle my dangling ass in the air. Luck and skill are two different things. I have had a rougher time than most people, granted. Because I have fear, and am not one of those (insert # here)jump wonders, I talked long and hard with a few people whom I respect, all who have over 6,000 jumps. I have designed a fairly costly education plan which should give me what I want and need in regards to canopy control, as well as rw and ff. But which comes first? I will complete my license requirements, w/ the 3 rw jumps (but only because it is a requirement). Then Canopy Evolution five jump series with Jim Slaton's folk. And then, jump 5 times one size/type canopy, repeating the course stuff under a new canopy. If I can fly it comfortably, do all the riser, flat turns, and so forth with little concern, accuracy land in whatever traffic, weather, whatever situation, on my feet 4 of the 5 times, then I move down to the next. And so forth. I figure that I will have a choice made about which canopy to buy by jump 50-60. Yes, this will take time. Yes, this will cost extra $$. I am worth the wait. I am worth the time. And yes, I understand that I am fortunate because I am at a larger dz, and that this education is available to me, when it is not available to other people. But I see so many people at my dz not taking advantage of this. I am not looking to fly like Clint or Jim. I am looking to fly safely. Period. In regards the marketing, it is more subtle than adverts. I see people I respect jumping high performance canopies. They do really neat looking things in the air, and I want to do it too. I want my fellow jumpers to like, respect and accept me, too. I want someone someday to look at me and think - wow! Look at her go. I want all these things. And to see them under their canopies, doing all the things I want to do, well, I have to remember that it is not the equipment which does it, but the pilot who does it with the equipment. And remember that I am not ready to play with thier equipment quite yet. It's hard to remember that when I am on the ground. It is easy to remember that in the air. I am not ready for the advanced things yet. And if I keep flying and learning, and walking away, I will someday be ready for it. But this is not the general mindset. I see people who are just off student status jumping at what has to be a loading of 1:1.3 or better. I have asked them, and they don't know - they don't know! what they are loading at. They don't know the difference between a fully elliptical or "regular" canopy. When I asked them how they chose their canopy, they said "my friend jumps this..." or "I liked it's look in the air", or "it was recommended by Joe Blow". I have never been one to follow the crowd, but not knowing your own equipment is dangerous. I look forward to the day I can try out the Cobalt. Until then, I will watch from the ground, and dream. And use that as motivation to learn, learn, learn. just my .02..... ciel bleus- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hi, Cheshire Cat... Just curious as to your suggestions as to alter/prevent this detail. I can't give any because I am way too new to even understand the complexities of the harness, let alone comment intelligently on it, or suggest any kind of modifications..... ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

What am I celebrating? Life. ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hey, Craddock. What didn't you understand?......nothing personal, o.k.? Here's how I read the above: He likes the canopy....he's jumped one, and would jump it again. He doesn't think it would be good for someone with few jumps (like me or Viking). He is upset because he perceives that Atair and other manufacturers are targeting newbies in the sport, because we really don't know much about anything. We are easily taken advantage of, because we know pretty much nothing about gear. We are easily taken to the hospital, too, and he's just trying to look out for us. He'd like to see us learn how to fly with canopies that are solid, predictable, and controllable with little or no experience. He has his opinion. It was well stated. I appreciate the advice. And from what I have seen, he's pretty correct in the marketing tactics (nothing personal, Cobalt Dan). I have no clue as to what to buy. The first canopy I could identify (and still the only one) is the Cobalt, because of it's distinctive double diamond. It flies well, and looks like something I will want to try out in about 150 jumps. But not yet. Until then, I rely on more experienced jumpers, their opinions, and their guidance. I will not buy something because it is cool, or because my friends have one. I will buy what is appropriate to my skill level, whether I am color coordinated or not, whether I am fashionable or not, or whether it is the lastest style or not. I am new. I need good, solid advice. I will take it where I can get it. I want to sky dive for a long, long time, and I am solid sure that I will eventually become skilled enough to handle a fully elliptical canopy. But not yet. Please take this in the manner it is offered - it is not meant as as an attack, o.k.? ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

If you go into the Control Panel (in the menu bar on the top of the page), and scroll down to the bottom left corner, you should have a private message box. It should tell you about the pm's you have waiting or have stored or have sent. The little letter icon should appear on the left corner of the menu bar, but as you guys have said, it doesn't always show up. Hope that helps- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hey, Arthur I sooooo remember something that Ed said to me about the purchasing and selecting of gear. This was after I announced to Ed that I was thinking about buying a Stiletto 120. After he figured out that I was teasing him, his main comment was buy something good for my level - i.e., novice. His exact wrods were: "Never let your ego buy a canopy". Now I know I quote "skygod Ed" alot here, but this seems to be excellent advice. Keep in mind that I am a really conservative canopy pilot (except in downwind, airplane dodging moments at sunset...), so I, right now, am not going to get anything more challenging than a Spectre or Safire, and then fly the hell out of it. Bore myself to tears in it. And be able to land in every traffic situation, time of day, winds, and new dz's with confidence (notice I didn't say "on my feet"??? lol) Check with your jm's. And then demo a bunch of stuff. You're nice. I'd like to see you around for a while. ciel bleus- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Ahem....Digital dexterity is a good thing, right? "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Sigh............ Well, here goes. I, officially at least, have "Old Hands".....funny how they aged so rapidly. And with no warning. First they were pudgy little girl hands, and now, well, hell, where's the fade cream?????? Well, let's raise a snifter of Grand Marnier, and celebrate! Or beer, if you'd rather. Or whatever. ciel bleu, Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

"CNN: At least 10 jumpers hospitalized in an accident during a large scale military paratrooper exercise in Germany (~I didn't catch the name of the town - but I think it was in the east~). No immediate word on fatalities. " Anyone have any information? How are all our fellow jumpers out there? It doesn't say if it was a plane crash, or a problem landing in rough terrain. Just that little blurb. Hoping all is well, and it's just a few broken toes - ciel bleu- Michele (Off topic btw: #299...) "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Well, how long would it take you to get here???? lol. Let me know if you ever get this way, and I'll cook you up a feast you'll not soon forget. Ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Let's see. Jack Daniels Grand Marnier Stoli A good bottle of Merlot or Chardonnay and, for when I get a sweet tooth, Kahlua, Bailey's and Frangelico. BTW, I make a killer Jim Beam pot roast. And chicken in a cream and chardonnay sauce. And I make some intense adult desserts (fruit, like berries and such, soaked in Grand Marnier, over some delectible homemade pound or angel food cake, topped with lots of whipped cream and sometimes semi-sweet chocolate drizzled on top....) That's it, I'm hungry. It's time for dinner! Ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

You look like this is fun or something! Great shots, Viking!!!! ciel bleu- Michele

O.K., I will ask. After all, I will be close to getting my "A" after this weekend. Might as well get closer. Oh my god, I am close to getting my "A"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the first time that has really hit me. 4 jumps on Friday, 3 doing rw and then the hnp, and then, one more to jump the pack job, and - holy criminy, oh my god, gulp.....the elusive ever challenging "A" approaches, getting closer, creeping nearer..... Chick Boogie, here I come!!!!! ciel bleu- me