Cari

Don't knock Hammerfall.

For me, what always gets me is seeing the people ahead of me jump. One second they're there...then they're gone and it almost seems surreal. I mean, I know that the purpose of being up there is to do just that, but it always just seems crazy to me. I'm a noob too though.

Also, I'm not buying anything right now. I'm just trying to figure out what I want well in advance (or at least get a general idea), so I can make sure to stash away money for it. I've already converted my "new boob fund" (in preparation for the inevitable force of gravity) to a "first rig fund."

I'm actually at jump 10 now (woo...big difference, right lol). The biggest I've ever jumped is a 200. The only other I've jumped is 190 and that was on my first solo. I did well on it, but the second instructor I was with said he would be more comfortable with me on a 200, so that's what I've used since.

I was actually talking about this with my dad today. We weren't talking specifically about these forums, but about how nasty people are becoming to one another about the election in general. It's pretty disturbing. It's one thing to express your views. It's another thing altogether to attack people for having different ones.

Oh...I'm not in a rush to downsize. It just seems that the more comfortable people become, the more downsizing they do, so I'm guessing that I won't stick with whatever size I get now (I'm actually leaning towards 170 now) forever. I've got all winter to figure it out. Now...who wants a couch surfer in a warm locale so I can get my A license before next season starts? lol Kidding.

Good point.

Just a hunch since it seems to be the norm...

Being pretty new to the sport, I haven't really tried a wide variety of gear out myself. I would like to get my own rig before next season (the dreaded midwest winters give me time to save a few bucks). The instructor that I was working with on figuring out what gear would work best for me migrated south for the winter and I really don't know how to get in touch with him right now. He said that next season, I would probably be best with a 150 considering my noob-ness, but we didn't really get much beyond that. Is there anything that I should be specifically looking for in my skydiving infancy? I will be asking other instructors at the DZ as well, but I'm just trying to get ideas from as many sources as possible. I'm 5'4" and my weight wanders around in the 125-130 range. I know that I will end up downsizing from whatever I get in the near future, but I'm just trying to get ideas right now.

I'd imagine that I would be able to discuss my size situation with whatever DZ I was at and let them know that I would prefer people under a certain size...at least until I was more comfortable in my abilities. I don't think they would want to send me up with someone twice my size if anyone was unsure of my ability to land safely. It wouldn't be beneficial to them, the student (their customer), or myself. I still have a long way to go, so I have a while to get everything all sorted out :)

I'm in Plano, IL...not Plano, TX :P

My husband and I had a rough patch where he said he wanted a divorce. I really didn't want it. Then, 6 months after being separated, he decided that he wanted to get things back on track or whatever. Now I'm not so sure that's what I want anymore. I just can't seem to get past the fact that it seemed so easy for him to walk away and barely see our daughter or me. I might be joining the divorce boat soon. I really don't know yet, but things seem to be leaning that way.

I worked in retail for a long time. Most of the people I've worked with don't deserve any more money than they make.

I have a long way to go. I just really would like to be able to do it eventually. I never even considered the possibility that I wouldn't be able to reach the drogue. I work out a lot and am pretty strong for my size, so I think I'd be ok on the strength end of things. Who knows? I'll find out eventually and I'll make sure to post my findings here!

I guess I'll figure it out when my time comes! Thanks a bunch :)

Is it wrong that every time I hear the title of that movie, I get the song "Fernando" stuck in my head for a couple days?

I think both have their advantages and disadvantages, but I use reusable bags. www.baggubag.com They're awesome. I can fit into one bag what I could fit into 3-4 plastic grocery bags and the handle is big enough (and strong enough) for me to throw it over my shoulder, so I have my hands free for my keys, to open the door, etc. Every now and then, I get more groceries than will fit in my bags and I do opt for plastic for the extra stuff...but they all get reused to pick up dog poop when I take my dog on walks. I don't think paper bags would be very effective for that....

I would love to be a TI eventually, but I'm afraid that my small size might hinder me. I'm only 5'4" and about 125 lbs. How much would that factor in to my ability to land with someone potentially quite a bit taller and heavier than myself strapped to me?

Would you consider cheesecake to be a cake or a pie?

...but does he have a car on cinder blocks to create a visual balance to the landscaping?

1. Whats your name? Cari 2. How old are you? 30 3. Why did you decide to start jumping out of airplanes? Always wanted to try it. When I did, I knew I should have sooner. 4. Are you single or taken? Married? Married 5. Do you have kids? Yes 6. What do you drive? 2009 Pontiac Vibe 7. Have you ever done a kisspass? What is that? 8. Where do you live? IL 9. Do you have any pets? Dog and 2 cats 10. How many jumps do you have? 7 11. What color eyes do you have? Brown 12. What is your nationality? Greek and English 13. Have you ever dated someone you met off the internet? No 14. Favorite Movie? Can't think of any right now. Not a big movie buff. 15. What do you do when you arent skydiving? I'm a domestic engineer/student. 16. Have you ever BASE jumped? No 17. If not... do you want to? No 18. Do you have siblings? 1 brother 19. Where do you want to travel to the most? Hmmm...somewhere warm. 20. What's your favorite color? It changes regularly, but right now, it's red. 21. Where was the last place you flew to ( not skydiving )? IL...from HI

Anyway...I still have to figure out what I'm going to do this winter. I need to move somewhere warmer.

That post is worthless without a picture to put things in perspective. Well, if I ever try I'll make sure to splurge and get a video...or at least some pics. I'd imagine I could convince someone to do it for free considering there would be a naked girl involved.

The Farrakhan thing is pretty disturbing, but I couldn't care less about what someone's parents did. My dad was in prison. Does that make me a criminal by association?

...or is that just me?