dove

Today is the first day of the rest of your life (first=beer!) Actually, today is the first day of the start of your REAL life! It only gets better! Have fun and be safe - and welcome!!! Elisa

Hey! That's not fair! All of these other screwball stories and you've gotta pick on me! I have to admit though - it is pretty funny in retrospect. But at the time I was thinking - "Crap! I paid for an expensive skydive U jump and my damn alti doesn't even work!" Pretty sad! It was also before I got my audible so I didn't know what to do until I saw it start to climb some more. What a dope!

Sounds like you need to convert more local whuffos into skydivers so you have more rides to choose from!

Yeah, baby! Feels good to pass the century mark, doesn't it?!?!?!?! Congratulations! And I agree, head down is some serious fun! Cheers! Elisa

Hey Kell. My first jump off student status (jump #8) I had a pilot chute in tow. It was completely inflated behind me and I tried to knock the bag out of the container, but nothing. So I cutaway and pulled my reserve. The reserve knocked the main out so I am glad I cutaway. When I think back now though, depending on altitude, I might reach around and try to pull the bridle - then proceed with emergency procedures. I think the more jumps you have the more you have your wits about you. On all of my student jumps, I had no idea where the dz was until under canopy. Don't even remember if there were clouds. I was so preoccupied with the skydive. And just falling is enough to keep you totally preoccupied at first. But now I notice my whereabouts, other skydivers (a safe distance away, of course - but fun to watch!) the plane, even the taste, feel and smell of the air. As it all becomes more natural, it frees up your mind to comprehend the situation and make a decision based on what you are experiencing. As a student - you can only go by what you were taught. That's my opinion anyhow. Sounds like you are comfortable enough up there to make your own decision. Good job! Elisa

Michele - You are awesome girl!!!! It is so wonderful to read your posts! Have you gone back to read your first posts? My gosh, but you have come a LONG way, baby! You almost didn't come back to the dz - could barely get yourself out the door of your home and now you are graduating! Wow. Sounds like you are having the time of your life too. I know I am certainly happier, freer and more easy going than I ever was before skydiving. And can you believe each and every jump is more fun than the last?!?!?! We will all be with you on your graduation dive. The first double-digit big way graduation dive in the history of skydiving!!!! Cheers! Elisa

Funny you should ask... I was thinking about that lately. (ever watch the Seinfeld episode where George wants to eat and have sex at the same time for a truly heightened (pun!!!) orgasmic experience?) The chick could mount on top while seated and both sort of rock out together. I am assuming insertion would be nearly impossible at terminal! Not to mention the loss of lube in 120 mph winds if you're not already in there!! So now you know where my mind is!!!! The great gutter in the sky!

OK, as long as we are on the subject... how often should I do this? I have heard from one rigger to do it once per month and another rigger says they do it on every repack and that is enough (unless you live in Arizona or a very dusty place.) So, which is it? I was gonna do it cause better safe than sorry. But I am still sort of uncomfortable taking the thing apart. (I trust myself - but still... there are threads on here about backwards canopies, etc.) Thanks again! Elisa

Personally I would never give up either for the other. Whichever I am currently doing is the more fun choice!! But I brought it up because she is trying to convince a man - easiest way to convince him to try it no matter what his warden - er, I mean girlfriend, says!! Elisa

Oh, I think I can top this one!!!! When I was taking some skydive U lessons, I was at 12,000 feet when I suddenly "realized" that my altimeter wasn't working!!! *@#$%@$@%!!! It was still at ZERO!!!! Oh, never mind, it is always at zero at 12,000!!!! LOL!!!!! Elisa

Hey Lazerq3, I just discovered freeflying recently too. And you thought you were a junkie before!!!!!!! Have fun, but be safe. Solos are an awesome way to play and learn without fearing a collision with another person. When you feel more stable, take an experienced freeflyer out with you and they can tell you if you are sliding and give you tips. Then go back out on your own again. I started freeflying cause I go to the dz on weekdays a lot when I am the only jumper. I found it is a great way to have fun if you have to jump alone. More fun with other, of course - but I still come down from solos shouting and bubbling over. Cheers! Elisa

Thank you so much, Rob! I would have greased those puppies up real good. And I already have WD-40 at home! Thanks again! Elisa

Emma - Didn't the FAA finally take tandems off of the "experimental" list? When I signed up for my tandem last year I had to sign a document saying I fully understood that I was taking part of a trial. So I guess the trial proved that it was safe enough to become a legitimate form of entertainment for the general public. Just a thought! Just tell him it is better than sex and he will HAVE to try it!!!!! (and she will too!) Elisa

Hi all. Last time I got a reserve repack the rigger showed me how to clean my cables. But I can't remember the name of the lubricant spray you need to put on after. I do remember he said you could get it at K-Mart. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Elisa

Better be careful. There is a HORRIBLE strain of flu that can be fatal if you don't rest up and I predict you will get it on Thursday! Elisa P.S. Let those other lazy whuffos get the phone - and if they are already on leave themselves, what the heck does your boss think voice mail is for?!?!?!?!? Cheers!

There are a couple of skydiving places in Hawaii that look pretty awesome! Check out the links on the USPA website. Have fun!

I am so sorry to hear that - seems you're not the only one from the threads I've read on here recently. One of us dz.comers needs to get filthy stinkin' rich and hire the rest of us, grossly over pay us and then we can all jump our hineys off together!

I would think your X and her new pig are punishment enough for each other. That is pure misery in the making. Let fate get back at them for you!!! Now get your ass in a plane and effing jump out!! Elisa

My whuffo husband has absolutely NO interest in jumping out of a plane. He doesn't even like to fly in small commuter planes (much less with the door open - lol!) And he does at times get jealous. But he also knows how happy skydiving makes me and for that it is worth it for him to let me go. I have never asked him to give up any of his passions (many of which don't include me!) and he knows that so he gives me the same freedom. Besides, skydiving makes me SO happy and giddy - ain't nothing like some Sunday night nookie with a frisky freefaller! If he ever asked me to give it up, I would take it as a sign that he no longer loves me as much. For to love me is to want me to be happy and I MUST have skydiving to be truly happy and complete. I hope you can patch things up, but if not, I hope you both find extreme happiness in your new lives. Elisa

Congrats Gman!!! Isn't that the best feeling in the world?!?!?! There's not a lot of people in this world that can jump out of an airplane all by themselves and land safely on sweet mother earth! But just for the record, no one HAS to have lessons with a Skydive U coach. Don't get me wrong - it's a fantastic way to learn new skills (or even perfect old ones). They helped me tremendously. But they are expensive and if you don't have your own gear yet, you have a lot of saving (and spending) to do - unless, of course you are independently wealthy! I know people with hundreds of jumps who have taken lessons from skydive U. That will always be there for you. Anyhow, congrats again and go out there and make some "serious" FUN jumps! Yee-hah! Elisa

Sis- That rocks! I want to jump a heli so bad it hurts! So tell us more about the fall - I assume you had no forward movement on exit. I have heard that jumping from a heli or balloon takes you straight down. Come on - give me more about what that was like! I am SO jealous! But congrats! Elisa

Definitely go to www.para-service.com. You won't be sorry! Especially if you want a package deal. Roy is the best! You can also call toll-free at 877-TOP-RIGS. Let him beat your best offer - I did! Cheers! Elisa

Taya- I just started freeflying recently too. Wish I could afford to buy a new freefly suit - but I just got my RW suit a few weeks before discovering how awesome freeflying is! Boo-hoo. In the meantime, I fly in leggings or just short-shorts for sitflying (the wind feels oh-so-tantalizing on your bare legs!!!) And for headdown, I wear sweats with relatively tight elastic on the ankles. Hope this helps! Have fun at Lost Prairie (you lucky duck!) Elisa

My name's Elisa Bell and I do television graphics for professional sporting events (NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB). I loved my job until I started skydiving and now I piss and moan when I have to work weekends (which during the NFL season is every weekend for 17 weeks).

Hey Andrea. I know this is easier said than done, but you shouldn't jump unless you feel comfortable with the spot/separation. You are looking out the door and it is your life. But I know it is rough when everyone is SCREAMING at you "Exit! Exit! Exit!" Still, better they be pissed at you than feeling sorry for you as the ambulance hauls you off! As for the hard pull - I am so paranoid about those I never jump before checking my hackey by giving it a "test" pull. I pull it out about 1/4 of an inch and if it the whole thing pulls as a unit (you can see the tail end move) it is cool and I push it back in. If it bunches up at the mouth, I pull the whole thing out redo it neater. I haven't had a hard pull since I started this check. The important thing is you made it through both situations ok (both mentally and physically). Cheers! Elisa