gale

"Those people with the swing don't have any kind of monopoly on stupidity" I in no way meant they had a monopoly on stupidity. One look at some of the stories on here proves otherwise. I'm still amazed at the "follow the leader" phenomenon even if there are many examples of it. "Don't get too cocky - we used to do just that, with gutter gear, low pull contests and cruddy aircraft. Most of what we learned, we learned because people died." And yes, you're right, the childhood of skydiving was full of people acting like test dummies for equiptment. And your point about what goes on now is true too. My perspective as a newbie though, is that a lot of research went into the training I now recieve and the equipment I now use, I didn't duct tape it together in my garage. Oh, and I could be wrong about this (I'm sure you'll correct me if I am) but I would think that even the smallest most dangerous chute still has the ability to save your life, while the physics of the rope swing thing didn't even have a chance. Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Yup I agree. Also, if it doesn't effect your direct working enviornment you have some time to decide what to do, if anything. By the way, if he's chronically getting drunk at work he has a problem bigger then his job. Confronting him probably would solve nothing and inflame the situation. That's assuming it is chronic... Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

K, um, I like my risks calculated, and my shoulders attached so I don't think that's for me. (Or anyone I care about) Gale. Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Not bad. Nice to see another British Columbian online. And you even have a banner for the Ultimate High Skydiving DZ. We don't even have a website! Just curious, do you know who the skydiver is in the picture in that ad? Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Yes. I would just like to say those people were STUPID! I mean if you want to do that kind of swing thing fine - whatever. But geeze, maybe you should investigate the BARE MINIMUM of physics necessary to preform such a thing. I mean, people don't jump out of plane with bedsheets above their heads hoping they will save them. I'm amazed that the people that jumped with the leader had enough confidence in him to do so blindly. I guess this is a good lesson that we're all responsible for our own safety and if you're going to do something risky you should check it out yourself. Physics, it's a beautiful thing. Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Well, I'm hoping to find someone to work for that lets me look like I want but I'm just coming out of university and I owe like a billion dollars in student loans so I can't afford to be picky. Good to know that some people get to express their individuality! Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Nice. Not terribly "freaky" though if you ask me. Of course, I have purple hair, so I may be no judge. On a personal note, what do you do for a living? I personally find that unusual hair colourings can get employers all worked up. It's right up there with piercings. Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Thanks for the good information. Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

ummm, I think you mean that Jim Carry was quoting Sally Field when she won an acadamy award. So you would be quoting her. Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Here's a newbie question: why would you WANT it disconnected? Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Yup. Now that I know the instructor out there I know who to pick. Besides, there were lots of people at the hanger when we got back who understood our sides of things. One of the other jumpers told me not to give up on a wonderful sport - and I didn't! Now I don't think I would stop learning for anything. It just sucks that a first experience like that could put people off of this sport. Actually, I would like to become an instructor (in the distant future) so that I can help other newbies have a good time! Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Hate you, hate you, hate you. I'm not jumping because there is nothing but big, black, scary looking clouds. Hate you. Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

I'm really glad you're OK. Sounds like you really learned something, and by sharing it with all of us you've given us a reminder that it's easy to forget some of the most important things we've learned, like altitude awareness and decision altitude. I hope your next dive goes well, and yes, like was said "I bet you'll never do that again". Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Oooo, with this post I've become an "enthusiast"!!! And it would have to be when posting about breats and sex. Apparently I've become "one of the guys". Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Ah yes, men. I do recall that particular species. They have fascinating rituals of fornication. But seriously, I have met men who would not want to just watch, it would make them too jelous (I think that's the reason). Seems like that might be one thing where the fantasy is better then the reality. But I'm not a man. Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

So you're telling me that all of you would enjoy that even if you WEREN'T involved????? (Just watching I mean) Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

I totally agree. When I did my first jump (an IAD) and the first girl out of the plane didn't land on the field, neither did the second guy, then there was me (I did land on the field, by the way) and then the girl after me didn't either. We were all first jump students. We don't have radios here so we use the arrow. The guy doing ground control then wouldn't let the fifth jumper jump. And then he preceeded to yell at all of us. He screemed at the guys face "as just where did you think you were going, what the f*ck were you thinking". Etc. He was screaming at the them while doing their ground control. Obviously students landing off field is bad but we were all trying and fear is a large part of the equation. Either way, it's not like any of them meant to do it and screaming obsenities at them isn't going to help. Plus, he wouldn't talk to us on the ride back to the hanger and so he wouldn't answer questions regarding ground control. After one girl asked a question he replied "you're a university student, you figure it out." Not a good way to invite questions and help with improvement. It almost ruined the whole experience. He made me feel really scared of going out to the drop zone and seeing him there, plus what other instructors might be like. Since then, I've seen him quite a few time at the DZ and he's never been like that again, I guess he's tempermental. But I think if you can't get more control then that over your emotions dealing with students probably isn't the place for you to be. Student mess up. They're in a high anxiety situation, it's only natural. (Lord knows I mess up sometimes.) In my lowley opinion, it's the instructors juob to help you improve, not to beat you up for making a mistake. (This obviously does not apply to anyone who is intentially doing dangerous things, that might warrent a stronger responce.) Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

I do the same thing almost every spring. On the first nice day I go out and burn the oh-so-delicate-skin. I must say glowing red breasts isn't really a good look. Oh, by the way, putting milk on them helps

This post makes me want to ask this question: is it normal to get bruises on your biceps and inner thighs each time you jump? I'm a student and thus jump a Manta. Someone suggested that maybe my leg straps are too tight. Could this be the problem? (For the legs anyway.) Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Congradulations! I love to hear from other newbies. I just did jump #11, it's taken for ever because of the weather but it's getting better. I'm a university student (like someone said they were) and know that sometimes people can't understand why I spend money on this "sport" but I have to say that I've never felt this way about anything before. I know the instant addiction you've felt. It only gets better. Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Well, that may be, but I'm not judging a contest either! Gale PS I agree that a lot of the spelling and grammar on this forum is really bad but I think some of that is people for whom english is not their first language. Of course, reading through the post before you submit it would help everyone. Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Just to fill you in, he was the vice president of the US. He did lots of dumb stuff including incorrectly judging a spelling bee! Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

In my lowley opinion, I think you need to stand up for yourself and say that it's not OK for her to hold you emotionally hostage like this. I've been in this situation before with someone saying they are going to commit suicide and it's just plain wrong. That being said, if you care about this person and want to help her, then I think you should talk to her and try to help as much as you feel comfortable with. While it's not OK for her to put this kind of threat at your feet it is OK for her to be asking for help. Hopefully that's what this is, and she just doesn't know how to go about getting help some other way. By the way, any threats of suicide should be taken very seriously and if you think she may at all act on them CALL SOMEONE. Don't stand by and let things happen. If the situation is serious it can get out of control in a hurry. Even if you don't feel equipped to handle the situation yourself (and that's OK) you can make sure she knows that there are other sources of help out there for her. (A crisis line, counselling, other friends, family, etc.) Good Luck. Take Care. Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Oh, and just under the heading that misery loves company (well, maybe waiting loves company) I didn't get to jump my PFF today as many, nasty, evil clouds came in! And the weekend isn't looking really good weather-wise either! Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive

Congrats! I'm doing the second of four levels today. (In Canada the levels are a little different and we only have four, it's called PFF) so I'm learning turns! I know the excitment you must feel and I can't beleive you have to wait three weeks; I can't wait until this afternoon! Here's hoping you pass everything with "flying" colours. Gale Life's not worth living if you can't feel alive