Snowbird

Thank You! I needed that this morning. Nothing like a dose of great video to beat the it's-cold-and-icky-and-I-have-to-work-anyway blues. And the itch to try a birdman suit gets stronger with each bit of video I see. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

From take off to landing, the only time I take it off is to adjust my goggles on jump run. In addition to being safe and less hassle to keep it on my head, it makes a great earmuff against the noise. I do undo the chin strap though after 1000 feet. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Damn. Serious ///VIBES\\\ to everyone affected. In August we had fires here on the same scale; it was horrific, compared to a war zone by many. There is no quick recovery from this kind of devastation, just be there for each other, and treat your fire crews like gold. They deserve it. And any arsonist they might catch should get an up-close view of the leading edge of the fire... Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

The Canadian system is more gradual, from student to solo then to 'A'. From the bits of info I've heard, our solo is nearly the same in requirements as the US 'A'. That could be my own misconception, though, so don't quote me. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

((((////VIBES\\\\)))) Chris, Stop Getting Hurt! Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Thanks Karen!

A passport would help make things quicker and more convenient, but I haven't heard of it being required. Make sure you have your ID and you should be fine. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

My mom ROCKED for making awesome costumes. I was Tweety Bird, Wonder Woman, Grandpa Smurf, a bear, a witch... lots of great stuff. As an adult, I've been a cat, Little Red Riding Hood, a mummy and a jester. I usually help at the local haunted house, so it's usually scary costumes. Even Riding Hood - she'd been caught by the wolf. Very gory and fun. This year I planned on being a butterfly, but I don't have a reason to dress up, so I'll shelve that idea for next year. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Way to go! You too Sean! Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Oh yeah. My first - and so far only - helipcopter jump in May. Dropping off the chopper, watching it get smaller and smaller, the deep blue sky above it with a few fluffy clouds, feeling like a tiny speck in the universe but also feeling bigger than the world. And before that, my first jump off of student status, I did my hop'n'pop, and I was trying out gear that I wanted to buy. I was seriously thinking about not continuing, feeling guilty for the time and money I was spending. But I decided to go - I was in the way! and went out poised, pulled, opened, did everything I'd been told to do, and then did a nice 180o turn. There were God's rays streaming through the clouds, the clouds were golden with the sunset, the lakes were glistening with diamond reflections. The air was crisp and clean, the world was silent. It was a perfect moment. And I decided right there that I couldn't NOT keep skydiving. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

For all the aforementioned reasons, and Because it makes me happier than anything else ever has. Every part of my life is better because of skydiving. It has spilled into everything, making my world brighter and more vibrant, making me eager to be in my life. I like the 'yin and yang' concept. Very nice. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Hey Michele, (((((HUGS))))) Be well. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

I was at home, and watched the airbus coming in from my window. He was LOW! There was no question about whether or not he intended to land on that approach. He gave everyone in the circuit a nasty scare. As I've heard it, everyone was telling him he was in the wrong place, and he ignored them until the last minute. I know what airline I don't want to be on... Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

You go girl! Woohoo! Onwards and upwards... then downwards! Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Very purty! Have fun Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

8000:4:1 Sweet weekend! Did an 8000ft hop'n'pop today, much fun! Saturday did my first kiss pass. Finally got to jump with my hubby Very cool to be there with him. Also did my first real 4-way, sorta. First time I've been left in the door! Talk about a mis-cued exit, I hadn't even taken grips yet! Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Thanks. The rumor I heard was that it was here in BC. There couldn't possibly be two such accidents in one day. I hope. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

I'm posting this here so it gets seen, and since it's just a rumor. Just heard of a possible glider/skdiving plane collision, somewhere in BC. Anyone know anything about it? I can't find any reliable reports. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

I've decided that, for now, this IS normal life. Like Aggie, my closet is home to snorkeling gear, hiking/camping gear, martial arts gear, and climbing gear. The canoe hasn't seen water in 2 years. The only things that get any use are the kites and my bicycle. And for the first time in 13 years, I don't have any kind of garden at all. I imagine that eventually I'll get back into those passtimes, but these days I'd rather be at the dz. And that's how I like it! Working, eating, sleeping, skydiving... sounds like a good balance to me! Don't sweat it. If you love what you're doing, don't beat yourself up for not doing the things you don't love as much. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Got mine at the local fabric store, in the sports fabrics section. Not much for colour selection, but they had it. Or, if you have a local outerwear manufacturer, see if they sell cloth reminents. That's where I got my lycra and cordura. Good luck. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

48:3:1 3 completely awesome jumps! Well okay, the first one was my typical attempt at sitflying, but this time I had a coach and video. Finally got a look at myself, and the coaching to fix what I was doing wrong. So the 2nd and 3rd jumps rocked! I finally HELD a sitfly! I was grinning like a fool all the way! The first number? That's how many hours it took to wipe the giddy grin off my face! Actually, it still comes back pretty quick. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Last Thursday one of our pilots did his first tandem. For 2 years he's avoided having to do a jump, declaring us all crazy. Until he's told 'today you are doing a tandem'. So he goes up, not enthusiastically, but he knows he can't get out of it. On jumprun, the door opens and the tm spots. On video, our pilot/student carefully looks out just a bit, pulls back in, and says, 'This is fucked up!' When he reaches the ground, he's completely pumped, and can't wait for a chance to do PFF. We've corrupted another pilot! Woohoo! Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Yes you do! Congrats! Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

When I got back from Eloy in January, I was a nasty bitch to be around for a solid week. Don't talk to me, don't even look at me, I'd take a head off! And then I'd want to bawl. I was a wreck. So yeah, other people get it too! Even a good weekend of a few jumps is enough to get me down on Monday. My Monday morning 'vitamin' is St. John's Wort. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

I'm not runnin I'm not hiding I'm not reaching, I'm just resting in the arms of the great wide open Gonna pull my soul in And I'm almost home. Mary Chapin-Carpenter *** Or these days, the song that pops into my head is 'Believe it or not I'm walking on air I never thought I could feel so free. High in the sky Oh who could it be? Believe it or not It's just me!' Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein