Baksteen

Today was to be a milestone in my skydiving career. My brand spanking new custom cloured main had arrived (thanks PD) and I was going to pick it up at DZ Teuge where incidentally the world's CReW-top dogs are gathering for next week's world meet. I chatted some to Kees, my rigger, after which I pulled out Ye Auld credit card to finalise the purchase while wincing at the enourmous crater that would appear in my bank account in the very near future. I fieldpacked, and took my brand new Storm 190 to the packing hall. Just as I exited the loft it started to drizzle. Some random jumper kindly held open the door for me and I placed my new purchase reverently on the packing mat. 'Right', I thought, 'Coffee first, pack later.' So I had coffee and my Dutch courage now suitably shored up I returned to aforementioned packing mat to try and persuade my canopy (god it feels good to finally say that and really mean it) to get into the bag - and stay there. As I was flaking the nose I saw that it was still gently drizzling outside and suddenly I realised that I was about to humiliate myself in front of the cream, or in any case something that floats to the top, of the CReW. Hoo-kay.. this canopy is going in the bag, no matter what. And so it went. To my surprise I had comparatively little trouble getting the fuc- the canopy in the bag, saving the occasional patch of drool perhaps, caused by my excitement over finally having my gear set complete. Admittedly, if a student would present a rental canopy for inspection and it was stuffed into the bag like mine is right now they would have to start over again, but that's not my problem. Or, as the case might be, it will be. Kees walked past as I was stowing the lines and stuck up his thumb. "Piece of cake" he called, smiling. "Yeah," I answered, and looking down at my handiwork, "But I'm doing a hop and pop just in case.." During my struggle with my new little toy the actual sun had graced us with it's presence so I went outside to have a look-see. Ground wind looked okay too from where I was standing - but then I looked up. What I at first took to be a sudent canopy turned actually out to sneakily be a tandem - going straight down. According to manifest the uppers were blowing 30 knots at 500 feet. WAY out of my comfort zone. So the day ended with an anticlimax. I brought my gear back to my home DZ, talked to some friends and went home to count off the nights (again) until the weather gets better. Finally, I hope with all my heart that the weather will pickup for the world championships next week - for if they have blue skies, so do I "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

You've got the curiousity - that's good. But I guess you'll find out for real when you're in the plane. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

As it happens, I just finished browsing the manual for my brand new Cypres2 and I'm sure I saw something about adjusting the unit for dropzones that are situated significantly lower than the airport.

vinegar, sugar, onions, bacon, potatoes, uncooked endive... "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Completely aside of the poll I find it funny that some people over here got all in a huff when I didn't know who Sarah was two days after she was announced McC's ViPr, while my friends themselves had nothing more useful to mention about her than that she alledgedly is hot. I've heard that kind of stuff before, also concerning national politics; what kind of dumbass way to decide for whom to vote is that? [breathless voice]Yeah I don't know what (hotstuffs) political viewpoints are, but they're so hot - I'll vote for them anyway[/breathless voice] Then just don't vote at all.. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

"Feed the Birds Tuppence a Bag," One Noit Ah Sed it to Me Gel An' Now Me Gel's Me Wife On the Rufftops of London, Cor what a sight.... Frugally Invested in the Bank Because a Spoon Full of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down! Or Blow me a Kiss - 'Cuz That's Lucky too. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

No - quite the opposite in fact

Whenever I smell jetfuel or hear a turbine startup I get all excited cause it reminds me of skydiving. Pavlovian skydiver syndrome... "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

My boss during a work meeting when adressing the need for better communication within the department: "The only [thing] I like coming out of the blue is Dennis." "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

This is not personally directed at you Andy, but a blanket statement. Fitting shoes and all that. To the average whuffo the idea of skydiving is so.. alien, that they cannot imagine someone doing it ten times - let alone 2000. Making fun of whuffos does nothing for our sport, nor does it reflect well on yourself. Maybe, just maybe people are just trying to express an interest in something they have hardly ever heard about, but are doing the best they can to uphold their end of the conversation. As to the idiots, the wannabees and the pretenders, laugh and bash ahead. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

I'll reeply whiff a typical Dutsh acsent zen.. About de Br-r-itish acsent, I would expectorate zet it would cum* out someting like "Blimey! That's a serious allygaytion guv'nor.." *I'm sorry to say that I know several Dutch people who honestly believe that this is the correct way to pronounce "come". I wonder where they got the idea? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Thank you

Nope - No USPA over here. We are KNVvL members (the equivalent) - but still. I'm also curious whether the add was really there. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

This looks like a facebook spinoff. But I find it strange the guy not only knew about our DZ but had direct access to my personal email. Anybody know this Alexander Alexandrov character? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Ah, right.. you're used to 9-cells. Reason i was asking is because I was jumping a Spectre 190 which I could land reasonably accurate before switching to the Storm 190. I now have a tendency to overshoot my target by not a small amount. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

What do you mean by being intimidated by the glide angle? Too steep, to shallow or something else entirely? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

You're welcome Sometimes part of the solution is knowing you're not the only one who's struggling. @ether: How about taking somebody into your confidence? They can show you around at the DZ and introduce you to coaches after the beer light is on. Once you get to know them, it maybe less 'scary' to ask for their help. Also, force yourself to hang with the large group of skydivers that will stay after jumping is over for the day. No need to say anything yet if you feel uncomfortable, just hang with them. Buy the occasional round of drinks - it will get you noticed and help you become part of the group. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

There is nothing wrong with the French name Jean-Marie. Yet that name becomes wrong somehow if the father's name is John and the mother's name is Mary. An acquaintance of mine gave birth a few eeks ago. When looking for names she first decided that "Rymmin" sounded nice. Until we told her to google "Rimming", which is when she decided to change the name to "Bliss", which as far as names go is only marginally better for a Dutch country girl. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Personal one(s) "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Like I said elsewhere, everyone has some bottleneck or other that 'hinders' their progression toward their licence. For me it was the accuracy trick coupled with flying a consistent pattern - and on new (to me) canopies it still is to some degree. As a consequence, I have "unnecessarily" made tippety toe perfect landings (as well as some slidings) in any type of field you can imagine, including corn taller than I am, wheat, grass, McNasty's actual front lawn, grass fields with or without different types of livestock, dirt, potatoes, a freshly manured field etc. At some point I had 1 in 3 out landings... then i suddenly saw the Light. So what was your 'handicap'? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Everyone has bottlenecks in their progression, be it landing, tracking, flying a pattern - it's nothing to be ashamed about. This guy at my DZ had similar problems to your own and finally did jump with radio assistance. None of us laughed at him, *obviously*. At first we were too relieved that he could actually keep jumping, and later everyone was too busy sitting on the tip of their chair when the student came in on final, hoping that he'd solve his problem this time. When he finally did and made an unassisted jump with perfect flare/landing, everyone actually cheered! Later he told me that half the stress he felt was alleviated by the presence of the radio - he knew the instructor was on standby if needed. And once he (the student) had proven to himself[i/] he could do it...

What you're really asking is how you can play both sides against the middle. Well, it doesn't seem to be that serious after all between you and the blonde if there is "no real expectation on either our part's that this is going to be a long term thing". So go on the date and see whether you and the redhead like each other. Then choose between both girls and 'fess up' to the other. There. All that's left to do now is for me to post the usual "Posting on DZ.com disclaimer": Never seen you hump (thankfully)...not an instructor...advice over the internet...talk to your own instructors. "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

And during those later jumps your coaches/instructors will become more demanding as your skill improves, or so I've found. As a new student you have to deal with a whole lot of things unlike anything you experienced before - cut yourself some slack! "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

Sentence him to life without parole, and quietly put out the word among his 'collegues' that Duncan is a child molester. I agree with the father - what utter PERV would WANT to remain in the courtroom to watch these poor children get abused? I hope all the spectator-cattle will have nightmares for the rest of their lives for watching that vid. The judge, jury and lawyers, yes - They have little choice. But the General Public? WTF happened to privacy? "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom

what can I say... When she's done packing, she says "That formation-stuff in freefall is just fun and games but with an open parachute it's starting to sound like, you know, an extreme sport." ~mom