moodyskydiver

I wish LOL! The last time I got drunk (WFFC) I dont remember anything after someone handed me my 3rd drink.I had to get the details second hand from other people who were around that night.Apparently I drank ALOT and became really silly but still managed to drive myself back to my own tent (which I couldnt find by myself on a previous night lol).I woke up fully clothed and 1/2 under my air mattress w/no recollection of any of it.Proof that Redbull and Vodka and evil! "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Unfortunately in my situation being "too small" to fit big student gear wasnt the issue.It was quite the reverse.Those who have met me know I'm not petite in any sense of the word. This weekend's adventures have proven to me just how out of shape and over weight I've become and its something I'm going to have to deal with.I've talked to Todd about my options to continue jumping the student gear.We can make a few gear adjustments and see how that goes or I can lose weight...thats about it. The Aggies have been more than accommodating for me and I appreciate it immensely.I can stand to be uncomfortable in a rig if it gets me into the air,but I'm not going to have issues w/gear that are bad enough to cause safety problems.I'll work with them and test our current options, but if it comes down to it, that I need to buy something custom, then I will. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

:1:1+1 -self explanatory 1 recurrency jump ending in a cutaway 1 case for 1st cutaway + 1 bottle for the rigger Heh, I had a pretty expensive weekend.But it was worth it and I cant wait to get back out there next weekend. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

I thinks its perfectly normal. I've been in a similar situation.I went through my first 11 jumps fine and then had a few personal non-skydiving related issues come up in my life as well as some skydiving related issues to top it off.At that point in my life I just didnt think jumping was a good choice for me.I left the sport and didn't jump for close to 2 yrs.But since then things have changed and I've gotten my life together as well as resolving alot of old issues.I just did my recurrency jump 2 days ago and had a cutaway.I dont want to walk away from this sport again at this point in my life. I'm still planning on jumping again next weekend. I truly believe there is a time and place for everything. Take a break if you feel its right for you.The sky and this sport will still be here to welcome you back when and if you decide to return. Best of luck in all of your endeavors. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Nope the toggles on the reserve were perfect.I got bruised b/c the radio that was secured to the chest strap hit me in the chin/mouth.The rest of the bruising was the typical bruising around the legstrap area and upper shoulders.I expected that after being so out of shape and not used to all the mobility and muscle activity of skydiving after such a long layoff. But then again, almost every student rig I've ever jumped has bruised like that so its nothing new.Besides, guys dig bruises right? Mary, I'm sorry this whole thing has caused someone to attack you like this.Some people just like to think they know whats best for everyone in every situation even when they're fucking clueless and have no true information on whats going on.You're a sweetie and were perfectly justified in saying everything you've said.I cant wait to see you at AOT.

Yes, I like Mirage. Matter of fact when this happened last time I decided to buy a custom Mirage to avoid this from happening again.I ended up buying a rig that I wasnt comfortable jumping b/c I felt it was too small for me even though my coach and the gear dealer told me it was fine.(put it this way, I've never been on a canopy small enough to fit in that container and w/my exit weight I dont care to be).I was stupid for listening to them when they assured me I'd be downsized to that size by the time it came in and disuaded me from getting anything bigger b/c "the resale interest for 'big rigs' just isnt there."Ofcourse then I quit and, since at the time I had no plans of jumping again, I sold it (brand new...never jumped or taken out of the box) so I could pay my tuition. Maybe one day I'll have my own custom gear again. My goal right now is to keep myself in the air whether its on student gear,rented gear,new,used,custom...whatever! I just want to stay current. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Wingnut beat you to it earlier in AggieDave's thread.I'll refer you to the answer I gave him. Congrats to Moody thread "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Yes! It was great meeting you too! I dont even remember you leaving because I was so pumped up and wired when I got down lol.Well, that and I had to make an emergency liquor run for Todd's "save" bottle. Yeah I'm almost wishing I had video of the whole thing just to actually see what happened.(yes ok I'm a dork.so sue me.) I'm glad everything ended up as a positive experience.

Exactly correct. We knew before we ever got in the plane that the rig wasnt exactly a dream fit for my body size, but thats just how it goes.I've had the same thing happen at another DZ on their student gear. I was just lucky enough to have been able to reach the toggles that time.Student gear is "one size fits no one." This DZ,staff and gear is safe and I have confidence in that.If I weren't, I wouldn't have chosen Aggieland as the DZ to do my recurrency training after a 2 yr layoff (trust me, there are atleast 2 other DZs in my area other than Aggieland.I had options.) Moral of this story:shit happens. Before I left the DZ last night Todd and I discussed what we could do to adjust the rig and avoid this situation again.The next time I go to the DZ I'll be getting back in that same rig and I'm confident things will be just fine.

Ok since AggieDave got to be the first to spill the beans on my getting current yesterday, I promised those who were asking that I'd give the details on my cutaway.Its not very interesting as it was a relatively minor incident which was more annoying than anything else.But here ya go. After deploying, the chest strap smacked me in the face (chipping one tooth I might add ). So that was annoying but its happened before and I discussed this w/the instructors when we put the gear on. We adjusted my rig as best as possible but lets face it,I'm just a short pudge lil chick and gear just isnt going to fit me well. So my canopy looks great but I cant reach my toggles! My arms are so short I can barely get a fingertip into them. After I thought I had a grip on them I tried to unstow them but the right one slipped out of my hand just as I released the left. Ok now I'm slowly turning/spinning and the right toggle is still stowed but has moved a few inches further away b/c its only stowed by the top inch of velcro.Definitely out of reach now. Shit. I let the left back up and go for risers. I stabled out the turn long enough to try one last ditch effort at the right toggle with no luck. Its just not happening for me today. So I see how my stearability is with the risers..no luck there either. Not only is my left toggle still making me turn but I have next to no upper body strength to stear with the risers. I check and theres no way I can correct the turning all the way down and flare this enough to land without getting hurt. Ok its 2.8K I give up. I went smoothly through my emergency procedures and the whole time thinking “well shit. what if I cant reach these toggles either?” But they were right there waiting under my pretty reserve. So I reorient myself, get into my pattern and land without incident. My instructors walk over to where I’m sitting in the grass and there in my lap are BOTH my handles! woohoo! I kept them both without even thinking about it. I kept my cool, never got nervous (I was annoyed more than anything lol) and I’m very pleased with my decisions and my actions. After talking to my instructors, they seem pleased with my actions and assure me that in this situation and at my skill level etc. I did the right thing. Thats all I can ask for. I’ll be back at the DZ as soon as possible to get back up and do it again. I’m a little sore and bruised up, but being able to walk away from a cutaway with nothing but a few bruises and a chipped tooth is a small price to pay. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Not a very interesting story I'm afraid lol.It was relatively minor. I'll post details in a separate thread.

No, I showed up at the DZ for my recurrency training w/a case in hand. I figured I prob owed it for something and if not, well it'll help my beer karma. By the end of the day it turns out I did owe beer (and a bottle) After 2yrs of being out of the sport, I come back and have my first cutaway on my recurrency jump. The training went well, the jump went great(yes I'm actually saying something positive about my own jump for once. I couldnt be happier w/myself or my instructors.the jump rocked!) "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Thats ok, one of my classes this semester is Professionalism and Ethics in the Criminal Justice System. Atleast its better than the damn history class! On the whole, my classes this semester are ok (excluding history).My CJ and Eng profs are cool so the classes arent bad and my science class is taught by a really hot grad student working on his master's so thats becoming very interesting to me aswell. If I can just refrain from smothering my roomate in her sleep or choking the crap out of her I'll be ok. (PS,Hey Sarah..if youre going to be out at Aggieland Fri or Sat I'll get to meet you! Thats right, I'm getting current this weekend!) "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Thats ok, I still have a/c vents and light fixtures to count next time. I swear I'm going to start bringing a novel to class...or a pillow. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Yes, I actually counted each one of the fuckers today.Thats how mind-numbingly boring and sleep-inducing this professor is. He has spent the last 4 classes (1.5hrs each) telling us how he likes to question himself on where (in history) to start the class.Then after spending these past 4 hour and a half long classes telling us where he could start, he then wraps up todays class by saying "but I dont want to start there because those things have no great significance.So forget all that b/c we're not going to be talking about those." WTF?!?! So anyway, if anyone out there is on the drunk dial list please feel free to text message me between 2-3:30pm Mondays and Weds so that I survive this stupid class with a few brain cells still alive and quivering in my skull. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Yup.The one-stop shop of college kids everywhere.I swear I feel like I live there since I moved to the new school. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Well fine! you suck! I just found the Ron White DVD this week. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Ron White's comedy DVD "They call me Tater Salad". Some of the same material from the Blue Collar Tour but its still hilarious! "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Anything has got to be better than the friggin wake up song from Rantoul...which STILL gets stuck in my head at random times since I got back from WFFC. I dont remember it being this annoying last yr.Then again I dont think I ever heard the song last yr b/c I was never conscious by 8am. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

*psssttt* Theres a very strong possibility that a certain someone prone to mood swings will be CURRENT and attending AOT.But sshhh! its still just a rumor. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Aug 12th. Yup thats me. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Hey! Seeing an ice cold Corona in my hand and only being able to see the top of a guys head definitely qualifies as a beautiful thing in my book. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Cool thanks for sharing.

Do you ever have a need for something "nice" ? Sometimes I just need beauty and inspirational things in my life.Whether its looking at a beautiful painting/photo or listening to music or just reading a nice little inspirational quote or something.It helps put things in perspective or gets me back on track. I've never understood how some people can go through life without music or without enjoying other artistic expression. With that said, I thought I'd share something my mom passed on to me this week after she found out I'm trying to get current and back in the air very soon.I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Yeah, I'd date a lurker.Atleast they'd already know that I never shut up. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."