FallnAngel

Michelle, if you end up going, please hunt me down 'cause I have a jump tickey with your name on it! It's for the wonderful entertainment you've provided me throughout the past year or so, reading all your adventures online...

Landmissle & I will both be there!! We're driving down from central Cali on the 10th...what is that, about 8 to 9 hours? We'll be there until the 20th. Looking forward to meeting everyone

I only give gifts to my immediate family (including my skydiving family

Steve (landmissle) and I are still happily married after 18 years. We both started jumping together 2-1/2 years ago, and plan on continuing for a long time to come. I don't think it can get much better than sharing your life, with all it's ups & downs, with your best friend.

ok, now I don't feel so bad after all! I'm an Ozzie & Harriet gal, too!

Nooooo...don't do that!!! I hate it when men's boobies are bigger than mine!!!

I don't quite see how the FF's comments make him an asshole...it doesn't sound like he was criticizing you for chopping, he said (according to you) that you might want to review your packing process. I would personally take that to mean he cares about you and your survival. As far as whether or not 3 chops are too many...well, it's more than average. I'm not saying you shouldn't have chopped! You kept a clear head, and did what you needed to, so good for you!! However, one of your cutaways was due to the complications introduced by a board, and I would rethink whether or not I am really ready for the potential additional problems associated with that. Blue skies! Karen

You did great, girl! You were poised, and articulate. You represented our sport well. Good job, Michelle!

That same thing happened to me around jump #14...when I deployed, next thing I knew, my cheststrap was strangling me and my head was pinned between it & the rig (rental gear) I could just barely reach the toggles...not fun, especially for someone with such low # of jumps!! On the ground, we think we figured out what happened: the pads for the leg straps were too big and when I cinched the straps down, I let the bottom pad rest over top of the top pad. This resulted in the hardware being lifted just slightly. 2 gear checks didn't catch the problem, but when I deployed, it was enough to loosen them all the way to the turn backs. I don't know if your leg pads overlap at all, but if they do, maybe the same thing happened? Hope you get it figured out! Blue skies, light winds, Karen

Absolutely true! Freebird, sit your hubby down and tell him what you need! It's too hard to guess what somewhat else wants, sometimes you just gotta spell it out. 'Course, if that doesn't work, just tie his ass to the bed and have your way with him Hope everything works out for you, Karen

3:7:0 What a great weekend!

This statement caught my eye...just a thought, but once the canopy is open and I've done controllability checks, I turn towards the DZ. That way you don't end up further & further away from home while you work on an end cell problem. Blues, Karen

Wow! Thanks for the responses! It's really nice to have some opinions on this

Hi, All - My workplace is offering us "alternative work schedules"...Just wanted to get opinions from others on which you would choose, especially from those who have tried this sort of thing in the past. Here are the choices: 1. work 10 hours per day, 4 days per week, every Friday off 2. work 9 hours per day, with every other Friday off 3. keep doing the 9 to 5 thing Just FYI, I have a 45-min commute on either side of my workday and we have to commit to 6 months on whatever schedule we select. So, what do y'all think? blue skies, Karen

I believe honesty is the best way to go here. It's ok to say no! But also, instead of just turning the person away, how about hooking them up with other jumpers around their same skill level? We do this *all* the time at my DZ...single jumpers, low-timers, jumpers that want to work on particular skills...we get matched up, and have a fabulous day of jumping! Colorful canopies, Karen

Clay is absolutely right on with this statement! I waited waaayy too long to get some expert coaching with my landings. At 140 jumps I was on the edge of quitting the sport out of frustration over constant plf's and my lack of understanding about what I was doing wrong. Finally, I took a few days off work, arranged ahead of time to have someone work with me, video the landings, etc. Others kept telling me I was flaring too high or too low. My coach identified the problem on the first landing...the minute I was within a few feet of the ground, my eyes would shift from the horizon to the ground, I would reach out with my foot. That would steer the canopy right into the ground because of my shift in the harness, and simultaneously I stopped flying the canopy (some wierd connection between my feet and my hands) Seeing it on video and having an expert work with me made all the difference in the world! So, 35 jumps later, I am doing much better...I keep my eyes forward at flare-time, keep my knees bent & feet up (so that my hands will keep the flare going...seems strange but it's true!), and I feel the response from the canopy as I apply brakes and I can tell just when to put my feet down. My point is 2 things: first, it may not be the timing of your flare at all, but a combination of actions that are putting you in the ground on landing. And secondly, patient, experienced coaches are worth their weight in gold! (btw, mine didn't charge me anything for his time...he works at the dz and just coordinated with me to come out on a typically slow day

Sure ya can jump from 30k! I dont' know all the details, 'cause I haven't done it yet, but check out the SkyDance Skydiving website...they have halo jumps several times per year. Not sure what the url is, but you can get there from www.1800skydive.com, and then click on the northern california dot. The next one they have scheduled is in early June. Hope that helps! Blue skies, Karen

Mine is positioned right at my ear. Can you hear yours ok? If you can, I personally wouldn't worry about it. Landmissle has the same setup that I do..Z1 with Pro-track. The only problem he had is that it kept falling out of the pocket when he pulled the helmet off. Mine stays put, though. Blues, Karen

A big hug to you, Richard. I know firsthand how hard it is to have to let your dog go. We lost our 14-year old Sheltie 2 months ago, and our 10-yr old German Shepherd 2 years ago to cancer...it's truly devastating and we still miss them. Let me just say, though, that I'm sure he knew you loved him as much as he loved you & your family...that's why he took care of you all those years, protecting you, comforting you, making you laugh. And it was your turn to do the best you could for him, and you did. You did the right thing! Blue skies to you, Karen

Cool car, Kevin! And with a spotlight, too...fun! I'm going to do my pre-second night jump next month, btw. I'm guessing that you do alot of them, though!

You got another ticket!!!?? And you forced me out of my lurking too...You are such a bad boy!! That does it, from now on I'm keeping you under lock 'n chain (hehehe) Unless any of y'all have any better ideas about what I can do with him?!

LOL! Well, the little bastard doesn't pee on my front porch anymore, but if he ever comes back...are you easily bribed??!!

oh, that is nasty...cat piss is the absolute worst! I really feel sorry for you!! Ok, so there was a neighborhood cat that decided my front door was his property (absolutely disgusting!!)...the only thing that seemed to cut the odor & clean the stain he left on my door was white vinegar mixed 50/50 with water. Also, that stopped the cat from peeing there too...so that was a bonus. Hope that helps ya some! Blue skies, Karen

Hiya Gary! I *have* been hiding, haven't I? work..work..work..work.. I did get 3 jumps in last Sat, and I was going to go out this past Sat for the freefly coaching, but my allergies have gone insane and are taking me with them. Claritin no workie anymore?!!?? I decided not to go jumping until I get them under control lest I get a new, very unattractive nickname...or I end up bursting an eardrum. Steve did buy a car! A 66 Mustang, GT fastback...flew out to Minnesota and drove it back...must be a guy thing He's due back in Modesto this afternoon, after being on the road since Friday afternoon. We will most definitely be jumping this weekend..maybe both days if we get caught up around the house. Are you going out? Wanna do some sits or some rw with us?? (who's turn is it to f*ck up the jump, btw? hahaha) See you soon! Blue skies, sweet rides, Karen