grannyinthesky

Happy Birthday, Valinda. I hope it's an absolutely wonderful day. Pat "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

I was the only student in winter in Idaho at our dz (one C-182). By the time I was open and looking around, I generally didn't get more than a glimpse of my instructor landing, if that. It really wasn't until I went to a larger dz at about 30 jumps that I actually had a chance to be in the air with other canopies. That first jump there (Skydive Utah, thanks for the great time) was quite an eye-opener and there were probably only about 13 or so canopies in the air with me. I had been taught to fly a pattern, etc, and found that it was easier to follow a pattern when there were others to see flying in a pattern. The phrase I had heard but not had any use for until that time sure popped into my head in a hurry ----"head on a swivel". What had been an intellectual exercise sure took on meaning in a hurry. I'm very glad the information had been presented to me, even though I didn't have a chance to apply it until then. When it comes to landing crosswind or downwind, I learned to do that by chasing a windsock that seemed to change directions everytime I looked. But I was told enough times not to turn low, that by the time I realized I wasn't facing into the wind, I knew I had to deal with what I had chosen to do. Thanks to my choices, I've gotten pretty good at PLF's and know that I can land crosswind or downwind if I have to. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

0:6:0 Ten jumps for the week I'm trying to get to where I can do my 100th at Prairie. Tried a head down thing for the first time. It wasn't exactly successful, but it sure was fun. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Congratulations. You've worked really hard for this. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Cuz I had a fun weekend jumping. Even tried going on a head down formation with a couple of jumpers. I didn't do it very well, but it was sure fun.!!! "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Welcome to sjydiving. Perfection just doesn't happen. It's a very foreign environment and takes a fair amount of time to begin gettig used to it. Don't worry about not being perfect. You instructors will tell ou how you've done and they really aren't expecting you to do e ery wingle thing right Have fun with junping and enjoy the ride, but put your desire for perfection on the shelf. You jumped. You landed,. And you walked away to jump again. That's a good jump. Pat "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Congrats. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Correct "a open door" to "an open door" but otherwise nice work. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

0:3:0 Only 3 hop n'pops on Saturday. I had 6 jumps for the week, though, so I guess I can't complain. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Yeah, that's fair enough as long as you're brave enough to use the ticket jumping with me. Remember, I am pretty new at this so jumping with me can be an adventure. I'll be coming in sometime late Wednesday night, so I'll see you Thursday sometime. Have fun on that 400th jump. I was hoping to make my 100th there, but with 69 right now, I'm now sure if I'll make it or not. I'm thinking it might be at the Leap for Lupus instead. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

So sorry, Jim. It's so hard to lose such a loving and loyal friend like that. Pat "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

I flew with mine for the first time last month and checked it. Not too much later, I hear my name being called over the loud speaker. It turns out the person inspecting it didn't know it was a parachute and stared opening it. Fortunately, he started with the pin on the main and not the reserve. I wasn't a happy camper!!!!! "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

That's my preference. If I see 'em, they're done for.

Waaaaay cool!! Now I want one. ANd I do that how???? "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Hey Mina, That is great to hear. I am so glad you're finding a way to continue your oddessey in the sky. Pat "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

I've already tried the cutaway and reserve thing amd I don't feel any need to repeat that. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

That sounds like a damned good idea to me. I might as well anyway since my daughter told me earlier today that I seem to be getting younger everyday. edited to add: Was that a good thing or was she trying to tell me I'm on my way to becoming an irresponsible kid again??? "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Thanks. Skydiving has added so much to my life in so many ways, including getting the chance to get to know peiple, like you, from all over.

Oh, such an evil, evil drink. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Thanks everyone. I didn't get to jump today, but it was still a great day, especially with all the birthday wishes from so many people. This is way different from past birthdays. It almost makes it worthwhile getting a year older. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

People around me tell me I seem to be getting younger all the time. As someone from Idaho (who, like Bruce, started AFF in winter), I've had experience trying to get jumps in winter weather. It does take a lot of patience and time spent sitting at the dz waiting for skies to clear. I am serious looking at planning a few road trips this winter and AZ is on my list of places to go. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

45 isn't all that old. I started jumping last November and I'm 57. You are starting on a great adventure. Although I am from Idaho, I jumped last weekend at Kapowsin in Shelton, WA, and if the view at Snohomish is half as nice as Kapowsin's, you're in for some spectacular jumping. At least you knew you would be hooked. I had no clue. I did a tandem and my life was forever changed. (and I am soooooo glad it was!) Have fun. Enjoy the adventure. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Welll, between you and shropshire, I'm gonna have this song in my head for the rest of the day, at least. Thanks, "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

Made my plane reservatins today!! "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490

:10:0 I'm starting my weekend count with Friday. ( I also had 3 jumps Wednesday and 1 Thursday, too. I had a great time jumping at K-por this weekend )with NWFlyer, vskydiver, and John, and many others there. I really appreciated how willing people were to jump with me cause I've got a lot to learn. The "short bus" and the Grand Caravan were both fun, especially for someone from a 182 dz. I can't wait to make a return trip in August for the Leap for Lupus. (Consider yourselves warned ) Thanks everyone for a great time. "safety first... and What the hell..... safety second, Too!!! " ~~jmy POPS #10490