mattyblast

Take a deep breath, everybody, 'cause I need you to read carefully. I feel awful. I really do. Out of shame, I was considering just leaving this place, but I know dang well I'd only be hurting myself more if I did. I wish I wouldn't have said the things I said in this thread, and I genuinely feel bad about it. All night last night while I was trying to sleep, I thought to myself, "Why didn't I just say, 'Hmm. I didn't realize that the distraction factor was what makes it a no-no at this point. One more thing to look forward to down the road, I guess.'?" Excitement about toys doesn't justify getting lippy with people who simply don't want me to be sipping food through a straw the rest of my life...or cause someone else to be sipping food through a straw. Or die. There will be plenty of jumps to record on video--it just can't be done now. I'm not saying this because I think it's what you want to hear, or because I just want to "put a lid on" this whole subject. I am truly sorry. I was stupid, arrognat, and naive, three things that no student with single-digit jumps has any business being. I ask everyone who has even read parts of this thread to forgive me. I wish I could buy you all a beer and talk with all of you about this subject over some bruschetta (sp?) bread and spinach/artichoke dip (best appetizer ever made). Maybe even play a few hands of poker. Something to show you that I'm actually capable of being friendly and personable...and that's a lot easier to do in person than it is on message boards. *** To the tune of "Lordy it's hard to be humble": Lordy, it's hard to be patient When you're anxious in every way. I can't wait to play with a camera And make jump recordings each day. But those who know this warn me, "It's not time, you don't understand!" Oh, Lordy it's hard to be patient But I'm doing the best that I can." *** I am truly sorry. Everyone. So anyway, I was thinking of getting some smoke to use, so my friends could take some cool pictures of me from the ground...just kidding. "DOOR!!!"

My AFF Level 3 had a real embarassing ending. After the chute deployed, I spent a little too much time collecting myself and doing the steerability checks, and not enough time paying attention to the wind speed and direction. I passed by the DZ and couldn't come back to it, as the wind was too strong, so I had to land in someone's back yard. Plop! I landed right between the house, a tree, and a tool shed, right in the back yard. So there I am with a cheesy blue jumpsuit & helmet on, coiling up the lines to a huge black & hot pink manta. A 7-8 month pregnant lady comes out the back door & says, "Are you okay?" Feeling (and looking) really stupid, I thought why not use the stupid pun, and I replied, "Yeah, I'm okay--just thought I'd...(here it comes) drop in. Um...which way is the airport?" It turned out her husband had a hangar at the airport, so she woke him up & he gave me a ride back to the DZ. When I got there, one my JM's said to me, "Didn't your mom ever tell you not to hitchhike?" I said, "Yeah, but she never told me how to skydive, either!" Everyone laughed at me, including me. In my log book, my JM wrote (among other things) "Let's try this again" and I failed Level 3. I've paid strict attention to the wind speed & direction ever since. Self-edit: this is a pic from my first jump ever (AFF Level 1). It's embarassing because of how terrified I look, but always fun to look back on. Is this what your face looked like the first time? "DOOR!!!"

Then what I should have said was, "Many of or some of the most knowledgeable..." I stand corrected and I apologize to all whom were offended. And your advice, as I've said before to you privately, is valuable to me and much appreciated, otherwise I wouldn't ask for it. As long as I'm in humble mode, here, I should also admit that I just love playing with toys. So for that reason I'm anxious to use a camera, and I'm trying to justify its appropriateness by yapping about how it will be wireless, set & forget, etc. *sigh* I hate having to be patient. "DOOR!!!"

Have you ever seen me at my DZ listening to my coaches and jumpmasters? Have you ever seen me talk to the experienced jumpers at my DZ? Yes I most definitely AM open to education. I listen attentively to every guideline and instruction they give me. There isn't a heck of a lot that can be 100% concluded about a person based on somebody's posts on the internet. But getting to everybody's points: I understand all of that. I really do. Just like you, I want to learn, otherwise I wouldn't be here. Abrasive talk = safety = keep newbies from making poor decisions. Yes. I agree with that. Can that be accomplished without name-calling, being a "dick," and asking people if they "want a fucking boyfriend"? Yes. Take a firm stand and get on your high horse if you need to. You've paid your dues, jumped hundreds, even thousands of times, and your advice should be taken seriously. But no matter what you need to say, it can still be said with the kind of tact and civility that I'm sure the moderators had in mind when they wrote the policy I quoted. "DOOR!!!"

"DOOR!!!"

Did you notice that there's a disclaimer in small type on the bottom of the screen? I forgot the exact wording, but I'm sure it's along the lines of "Stunt professional--do not attempt." In other words, "Don't purchase property next to a 500-ft. cliff. And don't build a house on it. And don't extend your driveway to the edge of it. And don't do a BASE jump down to your vehicle." I'm not saying the disclaimer shouldn't be there--it should. It's just funny to think about all the hassle you'd have to go through to duplicate the situation. "DOOR!!!"

A former coworker of mine did just what you're planning. She basically invited everyone to come who had the means to come, and then had a reception when they got back. Best wishes to you both! "DOOR!!!"

I see what you're saying about attention being diverted from safety to "wanting that great shot." For many people, I'm sure that would/will be the case, since they'll be anxious to show their families or significant others. I could type until I'm purple in the fingertips about how that's not everyone's motivation/focus, and how I won't give a rat's left testicle about the "showability" of the video, but as anyone can see from the attitudes people have copped in this thread, it will accomplish nothing. Peace. Matty out. "DOOR!!!"

I think the problem here is that the folks who are preaching don't understand what makes this camera, and its intended use, different from other cameras traditionally used by experienced videographers. This camera is not entirely mounted on a special helmet. Only its external lens is mounted, and it can be mounted to any helmet (as long as you don't use that stupid strap), and the external lens is not much bigger than a tube of lipstick. The camera's main console is tiny, too, and can fit in a shirt pocket easily. This camera is not meant to be focused, zoomed, started, stopped, etc., while in flight. It's like the Ronco rotisserie cooker. Set it and forget it. This camera has no mouth controls. You hold on to nothing, press nothing, adjust nothing. So if Jackpunx wants to attach the lens to a helmet, push one button while on the plane & then forget about it until he lands, then what he's doing (and what he's doing it with) is a completely different animal than what pops into everyone's mind when thinking about the idea of "jumping a camera." He's not asking "Should I become a videographer now and use sophisticated professional equipment and get close to 100-ways and make hot-shot videos for the people whom I'll be selling the resulting DVDs to?" If that were his intention, then I could see reason to give him a gentle reality check (without being a dick). All he really wants to do, though, is have a video log (if you will) of the jump to look at after landing. This specific camera is a great tool for that IMHO, and in the opinion of a jumpmaster I've met who has seen the unit first-hand and has tens of thousands of jumps to his credit. In fact, in a month or so, Samsung is coming out with a new model, the SC-X210WL. This one will be fantastic because the external lens (again, not much bigger than a tube of lipstick) will be completely wireless--nothing connecting it to the main console. Nothing to get in the way of the rig's mechanisms...you better believe I'll eventually be investing in one! One more comment before I shut up: the best & most knowledgeable skydivers...are they on dropzone.com? No--most of them aren't. They're too busy jumping. "DOOR!!!"

That Samsung camera is a great little device, and it even has a picture of a skydiver on the box it comes in. But that headband is blech (as your sarcasm correctly asserts). That thing would slip off of any helmet during the walk to the airplane. I wish Samsung would have consulted with some experienced videographers before showing that headband in the ad. "DOOR!!!"

Actually I don't know you, but I can tell you exactly why you are so dang difficult. First of all, when your man's favorite hockey game is on, leave him the heck alone! I mean, yeah, you can put your arm around him & such, but don't start any meaningful conversations, initiate sex, or ask him what he's thinking. Secondly, knock it off with the senseless arguments! No he WASN'T looking at that girl! Why would he be attracted to some slutty-looking butt-twang alcoholic who wears a shirt that's three sizes too small for her?? And finally, stop saying that a tomato is a fruit. I don't care what the scientists say. If you can't make a bubble-gum or ice-cream flavor out of it, it is not a fruit! Fix that stuff and you'll be the easy-going sweetheart you want to be. "DOOR!!!"

(I did a search for this one & couldn't find a thorough answer, so here goes) Is a container that has been converted from ROL to BOC just as safe & functional as a container that has always been BOC? "DOOR!!!"

Have fun, dude. Welcome to the forums, from one newbie to another. "DOOR!!!"

The object of this game is simple: post your favorite movie quotes, substituting the word "pants" for any word in the quote. "Mr. Andrews, I saw the iceberg, and I see it in your pants. Tell me the truth!" "Pants on, pants off!" "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE PANTS!" "Obi-wan never told you what happened to your pants!" "Oh Captain, my pants!" "DOOR!!!"

Yo mama's so fat... ...the back of her neck looks like a 10-pack of hot-dogs! ...she could roll over and still be on top! ...she got a cell phone in each back pocket! ...she could jump up in the air and get stuck! ...when she sits around the house, she actually sits around the house! ...she once sat on a quarter and squeezed a booger out of George Washington's nose! "DOOR!!!"

You're right. I should do something about this instead of yapping on here about punctuation. I'd like everyone's suggestions on how I can open the door to a potential meeting for coffee ("or a bunch of caramels...when you think about it, it's as arbitrary as drinking coffee"). What can I say that will get my message of interest across without seeming like I just want to get into her pants? I promise I'll keep everyone updated--I'll need further help as this little soap opera goes on. "DOOR!!!"

Oh great, now I have to stay up all night wondering what the hell three question marks combined with three exclamation points mean! How dare you people toy with a horny guy's delicate and frail emotional state!! *snif* "DOOR!!!"

I got an e-mail from a girl that I know through a volunteer organization. Today she sent me an e-mail, thanking me for the volunteer work I did for her part of the organization last weekend, and it ended with "Have a great week!!!" That's three exclamation points. Now one exclamation point just means "I'm saying this because it's an appropriate way to close an e-mail." Two of them means "I'm really grateful for your work and it has been really nice to meet you." But what about three? You think three means "I've enjoyed meeting you so much that I'm hoping you ask me to meet you for coffee sometime?" Ladies? What would make you put three exclamation points on an e-mail like that? And yes, the reason I'd like to know is that this girl is adorable. "DOOR!!!"

Hmm. Sounds like we should have a "Personals" section of this website. If one meets somebody on there, then they don't have to worry about selling their gear because they got married (how many times have you read that on the classifieds?). To answer the "now what?" question: jump, jump, jump. I'm referring to parachute jumps, of course. "DOOR!!!"

You're pretty. "DOOR!!!"

*searches forums* *comes up empty* Hey folks. I need a primer on serial numbers. Where are all the places they're found on containers and canopies? We'll start with that--I'll probably have follow-up questions. Go easy on me, I'm a newbie. "DOOR!!!"

What do you get when you cross an agnostic with a dislexyic insomniac? You get a guy who stays up all night wondering whether there's any such thing as a "dog." Self-edit: If there are any members of D.A.M. (Mothers Against Dyslexics) reading these forums, I apologize if I have offended! "DOOR!!!"

I bought a black Pro-tec and used it for the first time a couple of days ago. It actually looks pretty sharp, and was extremely comfortable. Newbies like us don't need the fancy-schmancy helmets just yet. "DOOR!!!"

A word or two about the cost...the jumps (at my DZ, anyway) get cheaper as you progress through the AFF course. Contact the DZ where you will be doing your tandem jump and have them provide for you a schedule showing what each of their AFF Levels costs. Once you get to the point where you have your "A" license and have your own gear, jumps will be cheaper and you'll be able to budget for more of them. Until then, try not to focus so much on your goal of becoming a successful base jumper that you fail to realize how incredible skydiving is. "DOOR!!!"

That has to be the loudest I have ever laughed at 6:45am! "DOOR!!!"