Gato

Thanks! I won't let myself do the old switcheroo - my wife wouldn't let me near her fresh Brazilian. T.I.N.S.

Hey - A year ago, I promised myself that when I became a skydiver, I would stop smoking cigarettes. I said it out loud in front of my wife. On a mere technicality, one is not considered a "real skydiver" in the Static Line progression until one pulls for onesself. So I've continued smoking for this past year, but I passed my Clear & Pull on saturday. It's in my logbook. Now I have to honor my promise; I've read "The Easy Way" book by Allen Carr, and I believe I can do this! If I can get over the fear of a Cessna, this shouldn't be so difficult, even if it is a less acute and long-term fear. Would anyone care to join me - or at the very least send vibes for brief and uneventful withdrawl pangs? Just for fun, I'm going to put what I would have spent on smokes into a coffee can for a few weeks, and see what happens. Cheers! Gato T.I.N.S.

Thanks, everybody! Hopefully I'll get to jump with you folks someday soon. I swear, I smell airplane fuel on the wind..... Take it easy, Gato T.I.N.S.

I'm too giddy to contain this, my wife has heard all about it, and you folks are the only ones who might be remotely interested in this. I had been holding on to a static line ticket for about a month, waiting for the weather here in the midwest to clear up, and I finally got to use it yesterday. To make this shorter, no chronicle this time, just the facts: First jump of the day (#8 for me), my 5th PRCP: I kicked when I pulled, then went stable again, had my first stuck slider with closed end cells, which I fixed with no problem. Loose/too slick chest strap on the student container let itself out to the cinch, and I managed to do a couple of gentle harness turns, which felt amazing, like the parachute was a part of me. Stand up landing. JM tells me he wants to see one more, cleaner PRCP. Second jump, #9, 6th PRCP: Much better pull, very stable and clean deployment. I passed - go to Clear & Pull. Stumble-landing, I forgot to lean forward in the harness, which seems to help on these. Third jump, #10, Clear & Pull: Sunset load, the only spot open on the last load of the day with a tandem and photographer. The camera guy is the JM for me, and his words were very helpful: "Are you ready to skydive?" I nod and give a thumbs-up. He smiles real big and says, "Go get you some!" I couldn't help but be happy about what's coming, it was even cool to watch the door open (I had a habit of looking away, because I've always been the first one out, right next to the door). The plane was bouncing all over the place while I was climbing out, but I got out on the strut to hang ok. My exit was clean, I kicked only slightly when I reached for the ripcord, and went stable again as I arched. That was when I felt the beginning of the hill. What a cool feeling! While he was filling out my logbook, John, the camera guy, told me that he'd never seen anyone pull to full extension 15 feet from the plane, until me. Thus I have earned the name "Quickdraw" - and that was when the Crew Dawgs leered at me. What did that mean? And I have this kick-ass notation on jump #10 in my logbook: "You're a real skydiver now - congrats!" I actually giggle when I read it. Thanks to all of you for the advice you've given, and for taking the time to read about my student progression. Also, many big thanks to Crash, Gary, John, and especially Tom Dolphin, who helped make sure I got on the last load of the day - my first sunset jump. MRVS is 40 miles from Kansas City, and you can see the lights of downtown under canopy - absolutely one of the most breathtaking sights I've ever witnessed. I'm a real boy, now. Blue Skies, Gato (QD) T.I.N.S.

Wow, I think I just got clocked. You appear to be upset with me because of someone else's attitudes and behaviors in this forum. I never said I thought he was telling the truth, but some folks immediately pounce on him, and I wanted to know why. So I'm reading the page links that have been posted here, just so you all know I'm not slacking. The main reason I started this thread was to perhaps arrive at a comparison of truth to lies, a ratio of untruth, so to speak. I do the same thing when looking at any elected official I may vote for. Sorry if I caused a disturbance within the Force. T.I.N.S.

Winds, thunder, lightning - welcome to the midwest. Hopefully, we'll just get winded out next week. T.I.N.S.

Funny how the administration is all about listening to generals - while they're on active duty. But apparently their opinions are irrelevant once they retire. I guess it's all in the timing, huh? T.I.N.S.

Also, sir, if my question were not honest, I'd be waiting to pounce on everything you've posted, not to mention your misspelled clicky (Moreexposed). I was looking for actual answers. Please don't assume everyone who asks these questions is a troll, or waiting to ambush you. I'm not, and I wasn't. T.I.N.S.

It's bad form to quote yourself, sir. T.I.N.S.

So far, this has been a mostly unproductive thread. Does anyone have any other instances of blatant lies? A lot of conservatives act as if he's the antichrist, but so far, I haven't been convinced he's any better than Mel Gibson. Oh my god, did I just say that? Shame on me and my bleeding heart liberal attitude! Seriously, is the Charlton Heston/NRA thing all you've got? I think you have about 3.8 more hours of footage to debunk. T.I.N.S.

Really. So saying the things she does is an act of courage? Say it however you want, being non-PC doesn't equal credibility. Being willing to say what others won't doesn't mean much if you're the spokesperson for the criminally insane. T.I.N.S.

Yeah, cause I want to defile her in the back of a C182. T.I.N.S.

The last thread about Coulter prompted me to start this. I'm not advocating him, nor will I defend him. This is not intended to be a bashing session. I want to know exactly what he lied about. I'm just looking for anyone with concrete information about this to pipe in. If you know specifically how he got it wrong (in any movie) please let me hear it...... T.I.N.S.

So she's a missionary now? Let's not dignify her by giving her position legitimacy. T.I.N.S.

Care to elaborate with specific examples you can back up? T.I.N.S.

Yeah, I guess it would be difficult for her to admit she's preaching from her signed copy of "Mein Kampf" wouldn't it? T.I.N.S.

I didn't see any other discussion about this, the recent appearance of her on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, where she expressed her views on the Jewish faith, and how it would be better if we were all Christian. "It's virtuous to be a Christian." "We'd like to see them (Jews) perfected," she said. OK, I'm not Jewish, but I am offended by this. I am also profoundly frightened by how many people listen to her and follow her advise. Am I wrong - am I the only one who sees the similarity between her rhetoric and Hitler in his early days? The word Aryan wasn't used, but that doesn't seem far behind. Maybe I'm contributing to the problem by calling attention to this; I don't know. I'm afraid for this country. T.I.N.S.

Yes, I understand that, and I get where you're coming from. My questions really had to do with the lack of consistency with regard to placement in the ISP, and why so many people represent their methods as the best way. Case in point: One DZ I visited wanted me to do a Single AFFI Cat.C jump. Another insisted I must do three tandems, and then single-JM AFF jumps. This is after they saw my logbook, and assessed my skill level & attitude, etc.. I'm not saying either are bad (or good), I'm just saying that it's confusing. PS: I also realize I can't be angry with the wind. I just do my best to always fart in opposition to the wind whenever possible, just in case it might help. T.I.N.S.

I know this topic has been revisited time and time again, but I'd like (if possible) for a few DZOs to chime in on this. Before I go any further, let it be known that my intention is to seek information, not be a troll, or incite an online riot. I have 7 SL jumps, 4 of them being PRCPs. Also, I'm not asking which one I should pursue - I've already made that choice. (Which is none of your beeswax.) I've been trying to get my A, or at least off student status, for a few months now, and with the winds of the midwest, it's taking awhile to accomplish. I expressed this frustration to an experienced jumper on my home DZ, and he said, "You know, you can do AFF jumps if you want to. Just go to this DZ, and talk to ______." So I decided to give it a try. I drove 3 hours to the DZ, and right away they tell me I can do either a 2- or 1-jumpmaster AFF jump with the option to release, or I can do an IAD practice throw, and then a H&P. I asked them, "What do you think would be the best thing for me to do?" After all, I'm a noob, and I don't know shit. The reply was, "Well, IAD would be closer to what you're used to, but AFF will get you off student status faster, and anyway, AFF produces a better skydiver." The thing is, every DZ I've been to, or talked-to on the phone, has given me their own version of this shit. Go to the SL place, and that's what makes a better skydiver. Tandem progression to AFF is the same line. IAD is also the best way. And none of them are consistent about where to place a cross-over student. So my question for you very wise DZOs is this: Why do some of you allow this, when we all know the point can't be proven either way? Is it simply a marketing thing, or do you actually have data to back it up? I don't have a problem with opinions, but blanket statements like those above are irresponsible, in my opinion. Again, I mean no disrespect, but being a student is difficult enough without having to worry if I've chosen the deadlier instruction method. Thanks. Flame on. T.I.N.S.

Good Lord! I thought jumping from a 182 was scary, vibration-wise. Did you see how much his hand was vibrating while he was climbing out? Not much room for error. Looks like a bigger-than-normal gyro; maybe that's more stable? T.I.N.S.

The plugs you're probably referring to are made by EarPlanes, very cheap, but I'm not sure if they block enough/too much noise. (around $7.00) http://www.drugstore.com/qxp12445_333181_sespider/earplanes/earplugs_flight_ear_protection.htm These were recommended by a drummer friend of mine, the Vaters, and they run around $20.00: http://www.vater.com/newproducts/product.cfm?M=287 And these are what I use onstage, every gig, $15.00 per pair: http://www.hearos.com/earplugs/products-00211.html I haven't tried the other 2 brands, yet, but I can tell you that the Hearos work exceptionally well at blocking high noise, and I can still hear my bandmates talking. Since they don't really "seal" I'm sure they'd relieve air pressure at almost the same rate as wearing nothing at all. No question you'd be able to hear your Dytter. Enjoy. T.I.N.S.

Only if her ass cheeks are submerged in holy water. T.I.N.S.

If the girl has respect for herself, has herself together, and is intelligent and aware, she has my respect without showing me an inch of skin. Such women tend to practice Kegels, and are not afraid of most bodily fluids. If, on the other hand, she is boastful of her abilities in the sack, has the language capacity of a porn star, and keeps condoms in her purse at all times, well.... I'll help her look for her panties and car keys after I've found all that out. Then I'll introduce her to my bass player. T.I.N.S.

I just received my USPA membership card today. There are a couple of observations I have about this process: - I have read lots of posts about how slow they are to respond, or to get cards or licenses out. I sent my application over the web on the 8th of this month with a credit card, and I didn't use the "expedite" feature. I'd say that's a pretty good response time! - They actually spelled my name correctly on my card, which is rare. (It's Christophor, not Christopher) - I got the customary member window sticker, of which I am unreasonably proud. I know it's probably not that big of a deal to be a USPA member, but it's something that I'm proud of, and it connects me to the sport, and to all of you. I don't know if there have been times in the past when they have been slower, but I really appreciate the quick service. So I guess I'll keep using them as my parachuting representatives. T.I.N.S.

Yeah, it makes me feel calm, too. I'll try to do that more often. Thanks for your words of encouragement, guys - if I have my way, I'll be off student status by the time winter hits. Then I'll be hitting you all up for a place to crash while I'm in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Cali. Blusies, Gato T.I.N.S.