MagicGuy

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content

    1,045

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Feedback

    0%

Everything posted by MagicGuy

  1. MagicGuy
    Fuck that, I check my spot even after the first group leaves. I never jump into airspace that I haven't looked into. Do I take forever? Nope, because I hate when people do that. But I make damn sure that I know the spot before getting onto the plane, and that I make sure I'm at that spot before I jump out. I hate people that are pushy about leaving. I would definitely talk to the S&TA about the individual.
  2. MagicGuy
    That's pretty much all I need. And also all that's in my 'cabinet'.
  3. MagicGuy
    (Mods feel free to move to the appropriate spot if this is not it!) I've been thinking about cutaways a lot lately. I've done my EPs a million times (and will do them millions of more times) because I want my reaction to a mal to be immediate, without hesitation. Anyways, what I've been thinking about... a cutaway has the potential to be very scary, and I've been wondering if anyone has stopped jumping after having a cutaway, either in fears of having another one or in plain fear of the one that they did have. Maybe they came to a realization after cutting away that this sport does have inherent risks and maybe the risks aren't worth the reward. I'm bored, too.. so that might be why I'm posting this Would love to hear some stories!
  4. MagicGuy
    $1300 for AFF $300 in coaching jumps 12 jumps after AFF at $55 each (renting gear plus jump ticket) Another 36 jumps at $23 each $1900 for rig $100 for helmet $75 for altimeter About $7163. That doesn't count 200 miles of driving per weekend for 20 some odd weekends roughly, beer and other various costs
  5. MagicGuy
    It's normal for parents to be nervous. My mom is nervous about me skydiving, she's my mom. But after she learned a lot more about the sport, she actually started to be not so nervous. She knows I take all of the safety precautions that I can. Give it time. I wouldn't ask for skydiving related gifts just yet. Let them get used to it more and gradually try to educate them a bit about the points you mentioned. They may never support it, but they will come to realize that it's something that you are passionate about and that you're going to do it regardless of what they say. Good luck with it, I'm sure your parents will come around eventually.
  6. MagicGuy
    Yeah, since I've had my A license all I've been doing is jumping with 3 ways, 4 ways, and a few larger number formations. It's nice to jump with experienced RW jumpers. They will teach you some basic stuff and get a feeling of what your skills are like. After that, people will probably start coming to you asking if you want to make some RW jumps. I agree about not making a bunch of solos. I also developed some bad habits in doing this. Jumping with at least one other person is always a plus. You will learn something on every jump, and it's also a lot more fun jumping with someone else. Good luck!
  7. MagicGuy
    Nice dude. Looks like it's in great shape! Congrats. Beer.
  8. MagicGuy
    I worked in the produce department of a supermarket for about 2 years. There was a lot of downtime in produce, so to entertain myself my buddy and I would take watermelons and other large fruit items and toss them in the air, slicing them with the machete as they were in the air. One day I was chopping up a plantain in the back, and wanting to be funny I said "Hey look at these Iron Chef skills" and started chopping the thing really fast against the cutting board. Thumb was in the way, sliced down from the side of my thumb in, halfway through the nail. I could look into my thumb. Almost passed out from the sight. Stitched that bitch up and I was fine. Pretty stupid on my part, though. I also used to purposely look at the sun when I was a kid. My eyes are fucked from it now.
  9. MagicGuy
    two40, I'm 5'8 130 pounds, so I am a small guy as well. I think what your problem is, as someone else pointed out, is that you are not relaxed. It may feel like you are, but I thought I was relaxed, and couldn't figure out why I couldn't stop potato chipping. Turns out I was just tensed up. Getting some tunnel time will really help you out. I know it has been a huge help for me. Jumping with a coach that you are comfortable with might help you out, too. I haven't run into any strength issues at my size, so hopefully it's just a matter of relaxing for you. Good luck!
  10. MagicGuy
    Sweet Doug glad to hear it came in! Yup, wore mine a whole bunch when I first got it. And it wasn't even brand new The new freefly suit is coming soon, though. And it will definitely be worn in the house and possibly to bed the first night
  11. MagicGuy
    So messed up. The thought that a fellow skydiver would do this makes me feel shitty. I hope it turns up, keep an eye on classifieds section (if the person is dumb enough to list them for sale here) and even on places like Craig's List and eBay. Maybe someone's conscious will get to them and the stuff will turn up. If not, they got some bad karma coming their way.
  12. MagicGuy
    I'll be there! And I am definitely a cool kid
  13. MagicGuy
    Well, Jumptown's open again in March. And I better not see you doing another tandem.. fucker CPI (in Ellington, CT) is open throughout the Winter as far as I know, but I think they are only catering to experienced jumpers. I could be wrong, though. Any CPI regulars feel free to correct me. I think every other New England DZ is closed until March I'd say.
  14. MagicGuy
    Apple all the way. I've said it before and will probably say it again. Macs basically do not get viruses. This is especially helpful if you plan on downloading a lot of stuff. I've had my iBook G4 for a a year and a half and it is still as fast as the day I bought it. I can't say the same is true for my brother's laptop (a Dell), which is less than half as old as my Mac, and more than half as slow as it, too.
  15. MagicGuy
    Doug, I say, why fix something if it isn't broke. I personally was taught the: grab cutaway with both, look at reserve, pull cutaway and pull reserve method. I have practiced it so many times that it would be a pain in the ass for me to change it. Go with what you were taught, IMO. I'm sure the method was developed after some real world usage. Do, however, never let Kevin pack for you EVER again
  16. MagicGuy
    Just up until a few weeks ago I was waving at 4500 and dumping by 4. I like to play around under canopy and prefer to have an extra thousand feet or so to mess around with my front risers. And I like to be sure I can get to my spot to set up for my landing pattern. Lately I've been taking it down to about 3500, dumping between then and 3000. I actually prefer it being higher, but whenever I am on an RW dive it seems like the normal break-off altitude is usually at about 4500'. So after that and tracking, I'm at about 3500'. Fine with me, I just like to have extra time to have fun under canopy. With an A License you techincally shouldn't be deploying below 3,000'. But I'm not an instructor...
  17. MagicGuy
    Yup, definitely have to read while going #2. Plenty of Parachutist mags in the bathroom for that. But I am with the other guys.. should I not have anything, I'll take out a box of medicine or something just to get me through the moment.
  18. MagicGuy
    Plane ride for me. It gets a little bit easier on each jump, but I still don't really enjoy it all that much, except for maybe sunset load. But once I'm in the door I'm good to go.
  19. MagicGuy
    Wow, you're .96:1 on a Spectre 135? I can't believe it! A dude smaller than me (not by much). What's your average fall rate, if you don't mind me asking?
  20. MagicGuy
    It's actually illegal to do, or so I'm told.. No, would never do it. Unless I'm jumping a Strong Tridem. Why waste a good canopy, and have to go chasing after it. And why put yourself in even more risk. I'm all set.
  21. MagicGuy
    Yeah, I know about front risers and whatnot and how they are used to build speed, giving you a nice long swoop. But it just seemed at 125 jumps doing front riser turns at 150ft is probably not the best idea. I do agree that they are fun as hell, though. I love doing 360s on my fronts. I do them under canopy all the time, but never below 1,000.
  22. MagicGuy
    Yeah, it's the cloth part of it, don't want it to scratch the screen. Smile like a donut, Doug
  23. MagicGuy
    Absolutely. I'm not arguing with the fact that it pays off, and that it's really not as expensive as other things. But even $2,000, that's a good chunk of dough to drop all at once. Believe me, I'm not complaining about the costs.
  24. MagicGuy
    Hmm.. well, no offense meant here, and my jump numbers are lower than yours, so take my post as it is, but.. Why were you doing front riser turns below 1,000ft? I have always been told, throughout AFF and afterwards, not to make ANY radical turns below 1,000ft. Light toggle turns yes, but front risers?? Once you heal up, do some front riser turns up high... maybe right after you deploy, and check your altitude before the turn, and again after your canopy planes out. You'll be surprised at how much altitude is lost.
  25. MagicGuy
    I agree. Skydiving gear IS expensive, but I'm not complaining about it. Look at buying all new gear. $5,000, maybe more. That is a good amount of money.. a down payment on a car, a couple vacations, a few computers. But look at what the gear does. It saves our lives over and over, and we have a whole bunch of fun when we are wearing it. Skydiving gear is expensive, but it's worth every penny.