NWFlyer

Relax and have fun with it. I think I stressed more about being ready for my coach course than I needed to. That said, if you do want to prepare, get the IRM ahead of time (and a current version of the SIM if yours is old) and read the sections on ground prep and instructional technique. At least in my coach course, there was a lot of emphasis on the ground work, more so than the in-air. Along those lines, expect some sort of problem in the gear check - which might be somewhat obvious (alti not zeroed out, mis-routed chest strap, open flap, etc.) but might also be more subtle (missing something like goggles or alti). You're looking for things that are wrong, but also look for things that aren't there. I found the in-air jumps to be a lot of fun, and watching them pull "stupid student tricks" was actually amusing. "Oh look, there he goes into an AWESOME spiral track" or "He kinda looks like he's having a seizure ... oh, I guess that's supposed to be potato chipping!" The real key in the air is can you be safe? Can you be there? Can you observe and recall what you saw so you can give a good debrief? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I have a theory that I threw out on here a few years ago - that part of it is the fault of those of us who do get the risks - we tell people that one of the reasons to buy used gear for their first set of gear is that you will get bored by your first canopy within 100 jumps. We set the expectation that boredom with a conservative canopy is the norm, and that downsizing so they can have "more fun" is the norm. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

http://www.wisebread.com/10-outdated-job-search-techniques-to-avoid More awesome tips here. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Okay, even if we concede your point about the beauty standard, this whole side argument is a red herring because you've also conceded in post #47 that people outside of said beauty standard can be satisfied with their lives. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

For me, it's mostly about liking my job, and the salary & benefits that come with it, enough to want to keep it. I'm experienced enough and have enough political capital that I can drop an F-bomb or two on rare occasions, but in general, it's not good form in my work environment. I'm looking forward to getting to the point of the guy I used to share a cube wall with - he's a super-senior guy in the same role as me (he's just been doing it way longer than me and at a much higher level) ... based on the conversations I overheard, he's pretty much able to say what he really thinks and with whatever language he chooses ... and people listen. I'm actually working on a project with him now and I can see why he commands that level of respect ... maybe someday. But I figure that anyone can say "That's a stupid idea, you motherfucker." It's actually a fun challenge to figure out how to say exactly that in an office-appropriate way, while making someone think you're still on their side. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

(For reference - what was in the newsletter) "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Even if you skip a license level, to get the next higher, you still have to meet all the requirements for the previous one. So even if someone never applies for a B, when they apply for a C, they'd have to document all the B and C requirements. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

With gas prices heading up and up and up, sounds like good gas mileage should be on your list of required criteria. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

My first impressions (also to be shared at some point on the USPA site) 1. Revise the Integrated Student Program student progression to include five jumps that are dedicated solely to canopy-control training. As a static-line baby, on the face of it, I like this idea, so long as 1) it doesn't increase the overall minimum # of jumps for an A license and 2) the jumps would wind up being similar to a solo jump in cost to the student (in other words, that they don't come with some requirement that the entire canopy ride be observed by a coach/instructor from the ground or something that could significantly increase student cost). 2. Revise the accuracy landings requirements for licenses to include declaring intent before the jump, similar to the PRO rating requirements. I'm pretty neutral on this one. 3. Require completion of a Canopy Progression Card for achieving a B license. Like it. I think it's the right time to get a new skydiver working more on canopy control. I'd be okay if it were a C requirement, too. 4. Require the completion of the Canopy Progression Card before every coach and instructor’s next rating renewal. Eh. Neutral to negative on this one because I suspect there will be more pencil-whipping than meaningful work done. 5. Change the license tests to include more questions on canopy control. Neutral on this one. I don't think the tests really have much impact on overall knowledge/skills. 6. Change the Coach and Instructor Rating Courses to include more training and evaluation on teaching canopy control. Like it. The coach course (as I experienced it) was much more freefall focused and I think the balance could be improved. 7. Require each coach or instructor rating candidate to attend a canopy course geared toward teaching the candidates more about canopy control and how to teach canopy control. (This course has not been developed.) I prefer #6 to this one as a way to improve teaching of canopy control. 8. Develop methods to ensure that each drop zone is separating high-performance landings from other canopy traffic and ensuring that each jumper is flying an established landing pattern. Aren't we already supposed to have this in the "Group Member Pledge"? Are we looking at an actual BSR on this one? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

http://www.uspa.org/USPAMembers/Safety/CanopySafetyDiscussion/tabid/495/Default.aspx I'm sure this will generate some ... um ... lively discussion here, but to make sure USPA hears your thoughts, comment on the link above as well. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Told you! http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310760097 "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Y'know, she hasn't told us what she's interviewing for. We're all assuming she needs to change into more appropriate attire, but for all we know leather might be the exact look her potential future employer is looking for. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Then how do you explain all the people outside of the "homogenized world" (as you call it) of a certain beauty standard who nonetheless manage to meet, fall in love, make a commitment (whether it's marriage or not), procreate (there's that biological code at work!), and live reasonably fulfilled lives? Conversely, how do you explain all the miserable pretty people? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

But DZ.com is so helpful in those situations. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

And the beer your friends make. I've been extremely satisfied with my life when I drink your beers, Bill. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Oh hell no. I have been brining a corned beef brisket for a couple of weeks, will be cooking that up along with red cabbage & apples, and enjoying a quiet evening of Irish food at home with my SO. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Why is this a difficult decision? Unless the weather is horrible, what's wrong with changing when you get there (or slightly before, at a coffee shop or somewhere else with a public restroom)? The only downside to taking the bike is if the weather is shit and you'd show up looking like a drowned rat. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Then you have your digi-analog altimeter going haywire. My Altitrack "lost" about 1500 feet on one jump. Not the first jump of the day, it had worked fine on previous jumps, batteries were fresh, etc. It was a team training jump, so I doubt I looked at it the entire skydive, since my internal clock for those jumps is pretty well set (plus my eyes, my audible, and my teammates as backup). After I'd opened, cleared my airspace and done my housekeeping I noticed my alti said I was above 3,500, which is either one hell of a thermal, or an alti malfunction. Interestingly, it kept moving downward as I descended towards landing, but it still read about 1,500 feet upon landing. However, the digital logger registered an accurate freefall time and opening altitude. Go figure. Reset it on the ground and have had no problems with it since. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

5 a.m. is not a usual wake up time for me, but it's not that far out of the norm (like if I'm catching an early flight for work). Most days I'm up between 6 and 6:30. Can't tell you the last time I stayed up till 5 or anywhere close. I'm old and like my sleep. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Which can both be good or bad choices. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Oh, and always remember ... your plane has got to be better than this one. Hopefully your instruction is, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8F5MkP484E "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

My first jump ever was a static line jump out of a 182. I was worried about actually getting out on the step for a poised exit - would I freeze in the door? Would I have the strength to do it? etc. I'm not the worlds' skinniest gal, and at the time I'd just lost a bunch of weight. I also happened to be wearing shorts that day. (Stick with me - this becomes relevant). When it came time to get out (I was the first of three students), as soon as I stuck my leg out on the step all I could think about was how much the skin on my leg was flapping around in the considerable breeze. I was so busy laughing at myself (and probably vowing not to wear shorts anymore so I didn't have to look at my flappy thighs) that I went into autopilot on the exit itself and got myself up to the proper position without any hesitation. The last time I recall jumping out of a Cessna was in 2006 at somewhere around 500 jumps ago, so I suspect they'd probably scare me now, too. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I'm thinking a lot of our Bonfire guys could use this. http://www.cracked.com/article_19103_straight-guys-guide-to-being-friends-with-hot-women-5Bcomic5D.html (Attachment is the same as the link, just making sure I provide proper credit). "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Forecast around these parts kind of sucks. We've had a bad week, and this weekend/next week doesn't look any better. If you're okay with being bored in the middle of nowhere, might as well take your chances ... if anyone will be jumping, it'll be Lodi. http://www.accuweather.com/us/ca/acampo/95220/forecast-month.asp "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Costco often has them. They're cheap ($40ish) so they don't usually make it more than a season or two (zippers tend to break) but they'll hold a lot. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke