OlympiaStoica

Congratulations ... sounds like a fun day - I miss celebrating jump numbers ... soon enough I'll be back at it :) O

His name is Michael Elliott ... the Golden Knights just posted pictures from the jump on their Facebook page ... O

While walking around in crutches these days, those that know how I acquired my injury are asking me if I’m quitting, kind of expecting I’d answer “yes”. I haven’t considered doing so, not even for a second, but than again … my injury is minor, and I haven’t yet experienced the death of a friend. I know that if I stick around that day is coming and I guess I’m sort of trying to prepare myself (if that is at all possible). Thank you all for sharing your thoughts on a subject that is sensitive and at times taboo. Not many have been willing to engage in this kind of talk; than again, when I’m at the drop zone I don’t want to talk about death and injury either. O

Ten months ago, following a divorce, I decided it is time to live life for myself and through a friend, I booked my first jump – a tandem. It was love at first jump for me and a few days later I was a new student skydiver in the first jump course. I was terrified out of my mind through my first 25+ jumps, but completely hooked on my newfound passion – no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find the “strength” to quit. At the time, I read the statistics, I made peace with them … and I moved on. In my first few months, I heard of people breaking their legs and even a couple of them dying, but I didn’t personally know any of them; 10 months, 124 jumps and a couple of boogies later the situation has changed a bit. Based on my limited experience so far, it seems that deaths are relatively limited in numbers (I say “relatively” because even one death is one too many), but injuries are commonplace. Recovering from a minor ankle fracture myself as we speak, in the past few weeks, four people I know got injured, all of them seriously (requiring surgery and months of recovery). This, for me, gives a new meaning to those same statistics I read 10 months ago – all of the sudden they aren’t numbers on paper anymore … they’re names, they’re faces, they’re people … Reading the forums in the past few days, I came to realize I’m dealing with a “tough crowd” … I wouldn’t expect anything else from a group of people that defy death just for fun. However, I do hope to spark some serious conversation, beyond the inherent (and expected) smart ass remarks

Great story ... thank you for sharing ... O

He is angry because he got caught … and lashing out, like the coward that he is. I don’t care for the show either (waaaay too many kids), but their personal drama has spilled over all the media outlets so I can’t help but find myself “following” the drama. One more wrecked marriage by one of the partner’s inability to keep it in his/her pants – where’s the story? It happens every day … O

I was just thinking about that ... the guy gets major points for being upfront ... O

One of my friends got it and came clean to everyone about it ... it put a stop to her dating schedule really fast. The stigma is very real, I’m not sure my friend expected such extreme reaction. Outbreaks can be managed with medication and it’s not unheard of for someone to be positive for HSV-2, but never infect his/her partner. Perhaps you’ll get some good input here, but ultimately, this is all on you. Only you can decide if you’re comfortable with the risk. O

I haven't done any of those things mentioned (not that I remember), but I've been known to have tequila induced: - dancing on tables - loss of clothing - making out with strangers ... - ... of both sexes - a few other "moraly unacceptable" things Oh well ... I should mention that tequila is my poison of choice - I collect it ... and drink it often. O

Hey!!!!

And it works too ... for added efficacy, skip the margaritas and have the tequila straight up (which is what i usually do); you can go from sober to "happy" in 2 shots flat ... O

Good Morning!!! After a restless night with all sorts of crazy dreams (some of them uncomfortably erotic ) I'm having my coffee before heading to the office for a few hours. This afternoon I'm getting a new cast (broke my ankle almost 3 weeks ago) ... I'm thinking of going for orange this time

That's a problem ... you must be a local administrator on the system in order to be able to run the install. He must login with an account that has local admin privileges. O

Have him run a Windows XP install with the "repair" option - it is likely that's not the only .DLL he is missing. O

Yep ... she sounds more "Soviet" than Romanian, she's clearly not a native :) O

Just as I got off student status, my friend loned to me his spare container+reserve. It was in great condition, not a scratch on it -- few of my ass landings later, that wasn't the case anymore. As a result, I offered to buy it from him (which he accepted). If someone damages something of mine, I'd expect he/she to fix/replace it; I just simply don't see an alternative ... O

As a newbie on here, this thread is very useful ... and quickly learning that is scarily accurate too . O

Best wishes to the awesome birdman I met on a Otter load when I was a scared AFF student about to do my first unassisted exit ... So sorry to hear about your accident ... I wish you a speedy recovery. O

Speaking of foreign accents, here is something funny. In the interest of full disclosure, I am Romanian too (75%) ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sgJSedVXas O

Do you have a couple of days? (to discuss this). A lot of things are “wrong” with people … we are capable of doing really mean things to one another. As for that “love and protect” crap, it’s all a myth … it should read more like “love and protect … until I get bored, the newness wears out, … O

how YOU doin'!? OK ... maybe a tick Brooklyn accent is not that attractive, but still can't say anything against it ... or maybe I just did ... On further thought, I do have a soft spot for a British accent ... O

Good morning everyone … now who can I bribe into, bully into, sweet talk into or threaten into bringing a cup of coffee from the kitchen to my desk (at the office)? I haven’t yet figured out how to carry a cup of hot liquid while in crutches … O

I enjoy all accents, any accent ... even those that come from different parts of US. Being a transplant myself whom after 14 years still has a strong Eastern European accent, I might just be biased ... I'm accepting of others just as I hope others are accepting of me

I’m writing from my couch where I’m confined for another few weeks by the virtue of a broken ankle (acquired on a landing accident 16 days ago … yes, I am counting). Granted that my injuries are less severe than yours, but the thought of quitting has never crossed my mind, not even for a second. This is my personal decision and I don’t believe it makes yours wrong if you decide this is the end of it. I’ve read your reasoning … wanting to protect your child from potential, further suffering is selfless and understandable – I can see how would anyone argue with it. Sending you well wishes for a speedy recovery. O

I have 60 jumps on my PD Storm 190 ... I love the openings - gentle enough to not hurt, but it doesn't snivel forever (unlike the demo Safire 2 I jumped before it.) I'm still working on learning to fly it, but I'm very happy with my canopy choice.