jumpergirl

Love him or hate him, Bill Gates sure hits the nail on the head with this! To anyone with kids of any age, here's some advice. Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world. Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it! Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself. Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both. Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity. Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault; so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them. Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes, and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room. Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life. Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You won't get summers off and very few employers are interestedin helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time. Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs. Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Cora, It was WONDERFUL seeing you again! I didn't realize how much I miss you until I got to see you. I'm so sorry I didn't get to say goodbye. I was so disappointed. I'll post our pics tonight!! I can't wait to see you again!! Love ya!!

It's definitely clearing up... the weather is moving out... we might get some loads up today but it looks like it will be much better tomorrow!! We can't wait to see everyone out here jumping their tails off!!!!! YIPPEE!!!!

Thanks Larry. I'm looking forward to meeting you tomorrow.

After I landed and calmed down I talked to someone about it. He asked what I would have done if it had come off at 800' in a turn. I said, "You mean after I shit myself?" It made me think and I learned something, which makes it alright. I am VERY thankful that it was a minor low-speed malfunction. I have been dreading my first cutaway for almost 400 jumps now. My confidence is up now and I think I can better handle another one.

I'm at a new dz and the air is different here than at home. I had only made 1 jump prior to the cutaway. I had NO idea how the canopy would fly in it's condition on top of being in different air. I'm happy with my decision. No one has said I "should have" done anything. They have asked why I didn't. My reply is that I didn't think about it, really.

Based on the other toggle, I was told it looks like it was finger trapped but not tacked down or knotted. The end result was good, and that's what makes me happy.

My first cutaway on the first load yesterday. DAMN! Everything opened great, just like normal. I reached up, unstowed the toggles, made a small turn, and the right toggle came right off the line!! I looked up and saw my stearling line slip up and through the grommet and fly along behind the canopy. FU&%!! All I could say and think was FU&% FU&% FU&% FU&%!! I was around 2500', chopped, got a nice pretty reserve, and landed with a nice little surf!

Why would you even think to consider NOT skipping work to come hang with your friends???? Just get out here Thursday!!

Uhhh... you have a balloon jump for Friday morning. Is that good enough???

Can you ship them?? I still haven't made it to Wal-Mart yet, so I have no idea if I can show them my RX and get just one set.

I made a hop-n-pop without contacts yesterday and did fine. I think I can do it, but I'd much rather have my contacts... especially with the traffic that will be here this weekend. I'll run to Wal-Mart and see what they say.

Does anyone wear -1.0 contacts? I need another set and I have no idea if Wal-Mart down here will allow me to buy just one pair. If you have an extra set, please CALL ME!! (PM Amanduh for the number.) I'll send you a replacement sent when I get home or I'll just buy them from you. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE someone help me!!!!

I am replying to the list because I need HELP!!! Does anyone wear -1.0 contacts? I need another set and I have no idea if Wal-Mart down here will allow me to buy just one pair. If you have an extra set, please CALL ME!! (PM Amanduh for the number.) I'll send you a replacement sent when I get home or I'll just buy them from you. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE someone help me!!!!

We'll hook you up with someone, or a few someones... you won't be left alone.

It's a 4 person helicopter. That's all I can tell you right now. As soon as we find out for sure, one of us will post it.

Hey everyone!! We're at the dz setting up for SkyFest!! We can't wait to see all of you here in just a few more days!!

The list is SOOOOOOO long now... who did you add???

No offense Bob... you're a great guy, but I just can't imagine you in a tootoo and tights and pink alti!

Oh great... And I'm the only one who offered to do this... DAMMIT!!

I seem to recall J having a camera helmet.

That's not exactly what I was thinking... but... well... I'm in. I think.

But, but, but... can we still "break out the plastic and baby oil and "wrassle" for it???"

You're gonna have to fight me for it!

Justi... are you saying you want the pink alti?! You replied to J's post about the free jumps... I'm confused. But... you can't have the pink alti. IT'S MINE!!!! YIPPEE!! It's almost here!! WOOHOO!!