Snowbird

Like SkySlut, I was in class watching the live broadcast when Challenger exploded. I heard about Columbia from the CNN Breaking News e-mail. Before I opened that e-mail, I was reading the most recent mission update that was sent last night, about their science research and preparations for landing. I usually follow these missions pretty closely, and although they never downplay the risk involved, it still seems impossible that something like this will happen.

Iffy clouds, but we'll hold out for hop-n-pops! First day of our local dz being open, under new owners. Can you say BEER! So I have no excuse. It's not even that cold. Although it will feel odd to be there, instead of watching the news. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Another horribly sad morning. My prayers to their families, and to everyone involved. If I'm feeling this numb and shocked, I can't imagine what people closer to it are feeling.

Expressing jealousy... 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

Hey, January was an awesome month! Spent 2 weeks at the Invasion in Eloy, sold our house, and the local dz reopens tomorrow! February, on the other hand, will probably whiz by. Packing, packing, packing. Oh, and more paking. 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 said it already, but she's a doll! But, how can she be so big already? She was just a wee one the other day! They grow too fast! Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

That's so sad. Animals get into our hearts so quickly. It was good of you to look after the kitty, ease him out of his suffering. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Michele, that's priceless! You go girl! I can so imagine his expression... oh yeah. Hoist on his own petard... Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

For the next month, if I look to the east I can almost see the airport, and jumprun. To the west is Silver Star Ski resort and a jumbling spill of city in the valley. The first pic is two autumns ago, the second is spring. I will miss this view when we move in March. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

1 house SOLD!:0:0 After 7 months, our house finally sold. Yipee! And the local dz reopens this coming weekend, so weather permitting I can improve that number. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Aaaaawhhh! What a sweetie! Congratulations. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

So the virus got you too? It was so kind of the Alaskan's to share that bug with everyone. I think I'll stop whining about our -8*C. -47*C is just wrong! If we don't cross paths before then, I'll see you there 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

By this time next year I'll have my 'B' and be able to do more stuff with more people, not just 4-way coach jumps. And I don't plan on being a belly-flier forever Yes it's fun, and freeflying looks awesome, but freestyle is calling to me... Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

I have plans for next year to drive down and try to do both. But if I have to choose only one, it'll be the Invasion. 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 already making plans for next year

The last two weeks are one long blur, so these are my invasion numbers instead... :39:cases? try kegs First... Otter DC3 time jumping in Eloy 3-ways 4-ways skydiving holiday time meeting other dz.commers horny gorilla (kinda worked) really bad line twists. time getting videoed under canopy hit-n-chug. I came in second last out of 45. and then a million other little firsts. I wanna do it again! Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

[begin sarcasm] And here I was just saying to friends how awesome all you yanks were. It's nice to feel the love... Got home last night. 39 jumps in 11 days, and I'm pooped! Eloy is a sweet piece of heaven. I miss it already, and I will be back! Met Lippy, 174fps, Canuck and Betsy. If I'd known Keith or Wingnut were there, I'd have found them too. As soon as we got there, just after we climbed out of the van, we heard miniature thunder and looked up to see 23 lovely canopies opening above us against a perfect blue sky. I was instantly in love. That much traffic was intimidating at first, coming from a Cessna 182 dz, but after a few days it was just magical. Very cool to watch the teams training, to be on loads with Endeavour and Airspeed! and to be completely surrounded by skydiving. And what a riot to watch the spectators. Finally got to see the 300-way video in the pub. Sweet. Listened and learned more in 2 weeks than I have in the last 8 months. Took a canopy course and I'm finally starting to glimpse how much there really is to learn about flying my canopy. Michele you were right it was a great investment of my time. Didn't get to do a balloon jump! Arg! A dust storm yesterday morning wiped out that jump. I'd strategically left it until last, to be my 100th jump, and the weather didn't hold out. Not impressed. My hubby did his PFF training and is already working on his 'A' requirements. Very cool to be in the plane with him, and he's as hooked as I am. Now I need to rest and warm up. It's stupid cold here at home! Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Yup yup yup! I'll be there from the 7th until the 20th. 57 hours until takeoff... damn I'm getting excited! Who else? Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

Woohoo! Congrats Viking! It feels grand, don't it? Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

At the last place I worked, the staff of six got a box of mandarine oranges, (Vitamin C so we wouldn't get sick) and chocolates (for energy). To share. Last week at my current job, I was shocked to receive a bonus! First time ever, and happily put towards more jumps during the Invasion . Also, we went out for lunch on the company. I think I'll stick with this job, the people are great. Bonuses are nice, but it's the way a company treats you everyday that tells the truth about them. I feel appreciated every day at my job, and that's a very nice feeling that means more to me than a Christmas bonus. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

What he said

2002, what a year! Lost my job when the company I worked for closed down That's bad... Which gave me lots of time to try and start my own business That's good! Couldn't get financing to start my own business That's bad... Started skydiving for real That's good! Wasn't working, so I had to steal from Peter AND Paul to pay for my student progression That's bad... Became obsessed by skydiving, and discovered a whole different me who was waiting to come out That's good... Got an actual decent job, with weekends off That's good too! Decided to sell our house, but no one has bought it yet That's just sad... Did 55 jumps, from student to 'A', bought my own gear, made all sorts of great new friends, got my husband addicted too, and we've got tickets to Arizona That rocks! Best jump; can't choose between my third ten second delay, and #55, which was my last coach dive for my 'A' licence. Actually, they all rocked, even the levels I failed. Great moment in my limited skydiving history - doing the last pack job for my packing endorsement, and clearing the nasty entanglement the guys gave me in 15 minutes. They actually wrote down what they did to tangle it, so that they could clear it when I failed. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

All I can say is I understand the confusion. When I started looking for gear this summer, I was told by a source I consider very reliable that I could go as small as a 150. I did my due diligence and read everything I could here and elsewhere, and that sounded too small, but I trust that person's advice. It really confounded me; why was he saying that? In the end, it came down to this: I would rather fly for many many years under something bigger, than fly for a little while under something small and faster. Eventually I will downsize, but I have all the time in the world so long as I keep myself safe in the meantime. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

What an awesome feeling it is to be off student status and have your own rig! The first time this summer that I arrived at the dz with my own gear was an amazing day. Congrats, and enjoy Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

I love Calvin & Hobbes, and I didn't catch that. Now I have to go read the books again.