skydivefive

I know it aint the coolest, but for a chepo protec, cheapo paint is the way to go. I think the helmet, paint and clear coat cost me $15. Buy a nice helmet, get a nicer paint job. Some of the other pictures here look sweet! It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

I actually painted an old protec that I got for free (ie stole from my boyfriend). It had been spray painted, and the paint all came off. I decided to paint it, and painted it with cheapo tempra paints. I painted it first with white since the helmet was RED and then I painted my design on. I tried to make the design kinda goofy, so that people would realize I was just being cheap, and then came the finishing touch. I bought spray clear coat at the hardware store, and put on about 5 coats. I knew the paint would eventually come off, so I tried to paint it in a way where it might acutually look cool when it got scratched and stuff. I used red as an accent color, so when the red shows through it is not so noticeable. It has made it through about 160 jumps, and it is doing well. I have attached a photo. I don't know that this was the best way to do it, but it was a cheap way, and it worked for me. One thing I also did, was I didn't really clear coat around the edges very well. That part has chipped quite a bit, but again, I think that adds character to the helmet. All I know is it looks better than when I first picked it up. -Lori It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Sweeeeeeettt! It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Alright, so my file is too big to use as an icon.... how do I make it smaller?? It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Good topic. Be sure to check out the article called "So you want to make a night jump" A friend of mine wrote it and I think it is very thorough. I did my night jump at jump 97, and Eric (who wrote the article) did a great briefing for us. I felt very comfortable that everyone on the jump knew what they were doing, and we all knew whose lights were where. We used clear packing tape to cover the chem lights and it worked really well. We also waited to break them until just before jump run. They only take a second to start glowing. Happy jumping! It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

I have been floating between belly jumps and freefly for a while, and I just did some tunnel time a week ago to work on my sit-flying. This past weekend I docked on someone. He had a little less experience than me, but had a stable sit, and I flew in and docked on his foot. I got two more docks on other jumps. I am so excited that I now have the control on all axis and am able to come in reach out a hand and dock. I love it! I can't wait to get out there tomorrow and try again! It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

I don't think there is anything wrong with picking one direction, but so far I am having some troubles doing this. I love freeflying, but I am having a lot of fun getting in on some good bellyway. Basically I show up to the DZ, look around at who is there, and then pick a suit. I told myself I would dedicate one day to each discipline, but as the croud shifts, so does my flying style. When I started trying to sit-fly at about 50 jumps people told me I had to stick with one discipline, but I don't know that anyone can decide that for you. I would be bummed if I was just starting to sit fly now. Sunday I did an 8 point five way and got my first unassisted sit fly dock (which I am really proud of!). All in all, it was a good day, and I am glad I am able to do these things. It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

You know I'll be there sparklin' away! I can't wait to run out the back of that thing.... memories to my first few jumps..... Aaaaa, sweet sweet memories --Lori It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Have you demoed the 149? I am looking at the same downsizing from a 170 to a 150, and have been demoing a lot lately. I stuck with the 170's but just tried out a friends 150 Pilot. It was sweet, but just like jsaxton said in the last post, any 'panic' moves will cost you. For me I am going to give my current canopy some more time and maybe 50 jumps from now will go down to a 150. There is no big rush, so I want to be sure I am confortable with the canopy I am flying. It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

About $2500 in three or four weeks. Then I bought gear...... It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Ralph: "My eyes feel like burning." "I wanna be a triangle" "Mine says ultra man!" (sash actually says 'Hall Monitor') Homer: "Stupid sexy flanders!" "I'm no genius... or are I?" "I am so smart, S-M-R-T... S-M-A-R-T." Bart learning to speak... "Homer." Homer: "No boy, 'Dad'" "Homer" "dad" "Homer" "doh!" It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Yeah, I was on Frasier Island right after that happend. I think I was there a month later. They killed something like 20 dingos on Frasier after that. Those things are crazy territorial on that island. We all drank a ton on that trip and then we were all to scared to leave the campsite and go into the bush to take a wiz. Interesting time. It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Was that on a crazy TV show? That sounds aweful! It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

I was camping once, well not so much as camping but staying in a cabin at a national park since it was raining, and cooking on a camp stove in the cabin with a pie iron. (It is like an old school sandwich maker if you don't know) And I invented the S'more Sandwich. I took bread, marshmallows, and chocolate and created the greatest snack ever! What is your best sinful sandwich? (I also made one once with Nuetella and peanut butter M&Ms

I would say it all depends on how quickly you plan on going through the program. I started my AFF labor day weekend last year and I jumped through October. I live in Ohio, and in the winter it gets cold and REALLY windy, so I didn't jump in the winter exept for a trip to Florida. Anywho... I did my AFF in two weekends and my solos that third weekend and after two months of jumping had 40 jumps. It is all about how much time you want to dedicate, and how fast you want to move through. I had the time in Ohio, I would imagine you could make it happen in Texas. It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

I totally agree. I think being a skydiver is a state of being. It could happen right away, or still after hundreds of jumps you still may not have it. I guess I have formed my oppinion based on my own experiences. After my first tandem the DZO (who chased me on the tandem just for fun) said, "You'll be back, I can tell you are a skydiver." I have always felt that being a skydiver is something that is inside of you that you set free by jumping out of airplanes. It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

My thoughts about WFFC: I will not re-post all of the suggestions already made, but here are my thoughts. 1) some people have been talking about freefly load organizers... where was the tent? There were 9 organizer tents and on the map there were 12. I think the freefly tent was 10... are they trying to tell us something? 2) How about a white board posting the events of the day? This could include aircraft updates so that I didn't have to ask, when are the helicopters showing up so that I could use the jump ticket I bought Saturday and then had to trade in on Tuesday when they didn't show. 3) change the CD when it starts skipping 4) The shower facilities were AWESOME! 5) Raffles during the week? Other suggestions have been great, esp. pro-rated entrance fee. I am willing to pay it, but I was bummed a lot of friends weren't there and they simply didn't want to pay that much to go for a weekend. Blue skies and safe jumps! It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Candy, That is kinda funny, because the same thing happened to me. By the end of the day I would get an annoying headache and after a while I realized I was dehydrated. It so hard to drink enough water when you are so busy jumping out of planes. I started going for Gatorade to be sure to stay hydrated. It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

I know you can get pretty sick, hypoxic and all, from being too high for too long without oxygen. So, I have had a headache for about 10 days now and I have been to the doctor and the hospital and they can't figure out what is wrong. So I am trying to go back to what could have triggered it. I first noticed the headache a week ago on a Sunday. One of the last few jumps on Saturday we had gone to about 14.5K and made a few passes before we exited and it made me a little light headed and I got a minor headache. When we landed I realized that others had the same reaction I had. Can anyone shed any light on whether or not this situation has anything to do with my constant headache now? I know it is a weird question, but my head is exploding and I am grasping at straws. Thanks, Lori It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

It is funny that you say you get nervous in the car on the way to the DZ. I have not yet experienced 'door fear' or anything like that. By the time we get to jump run I just wanna get out and fly, since jump one.... ....but in the car on the way... butterflies! Definitely depending on currency. Cheers to everyone saying that. The first couple weekends out this season I was so nervous I was shaking. I hid it well, but wow, I was nervous and anticipating and everything. But once I get to about 8K, it starts to get calm. I haven't jumped in two weeks, and I bet the next time I get on the plane I will be scared again. It doesn't go away, it just moves to the back of your brain. It is harder to fit the fear in when you are trying to remember how to sit fly, or the different points you are doing on the four way. Blue ones, Lori It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Simple question... how much is registration this year? Thanks, Lori It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Just got my suit a few weeks ago and I love it! I designed the stripes and everything, and they didn't even charge me extra for the special design. They also did some sweet tie dye work on it! It was VERY affordable, and the people who work there were excellent about answering questions I had. Great suit, looks awesome, fits awesome, flies awesome!

I have always thought piglet was female, and rabbit. Do they ever mention what sex those characters are? I figured since rabbit always fussed about the garden she was female, and piglet is so cute and little... what do you think? It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Um... how about reading darkwings post. If the money doesn't go to a charity, and the tunnel is running a raffle, then they could make a lot of $$$$$ on a half hour. It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.

Going to buy my first suit (beer!) this week, and trying to decide between a FF suit or FF Jacket and Pants. I really can't decide what to do, and wondering what opinions are out there. Do the jackets tend to come untucked? or get anoying to tuck in, etc? What do you think? It isn't what it could be, or it what it should be, it is what it is.