DTOXX

LOL I saw a flyer in one of the casinos last week. It stated that in 20 minutes I could be flying in my first "Tandon". (just a typo I know but it was funny none the less.) ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

What in the world has Clay done to draw this much attention. Not that I'm saying he didn't have something to do with it. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

LOL No its not a prison.. Its funny you ask since there is a prison very close by. This is the fence at the edge of the airport... On my first AFF jump I choose a slight cross wind landing in order to avoid this fence. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

On an AFF1 jump at my local DZ Sunday the student was "caught" by the wind and hit the power lines. Power was knocked out to about 1500 and he was not injuryed beyond minor scraps and bruises. www.skiosk-esd.com/skydiver.jpg ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

Ironically I just spend some time in the tunnel (Las Vegas) last Saturday. The prices are: $50 (USD) gets you "about" 3 minutes. I say about because you enter the tunnel with 4 other people and the instructor. The instructor alternates between each participant in round robin fashion with the "session" lasting 15 minutes. The are discounts for multiple sessions however. $50 for one session $75 for two sessions $150 for five sessions (each session is again, roughly 3 minutes) I went with a friend (fellow skydiver) and our first session was shared with three other. We then sat out for 30 minutes while other sessions took place. Our second session was shared with 2 of the 3 in our first group. After another 15 minute break we went in with just the two of us. This session lasted 12 minutes and constituted a "double" as we both recieved roughly 6 minutes of air time. Thirty minutes out on break and back in for our last session. By the time it was all over I thought I would about the fall over. It was wickedly hot in the tunnel (Las Vegas, IN AUGUST) and it was a workout. One of the funniest parts was that I stood on the scales when I paid and then again at the end of the sessions. I had lost 2 1/2 pounds in sweat. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

LOL The bridge scene is off the Auburn foresthill bridge. Its about 15 miles from my rental house. (house is in Colfax, CA.) I, unfortunately, don't base jump. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

LOL "run local run" too funny. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

I am scheduled to complete my AFF tomorrow (stink'in work in the way) and must admit that the AFF approach is NOT CHEAP. If you fail a lesson (hanging head down) then its even less cheap... My advice on the AFF is to listen to everything your instructor says. Ask every question even if you think it is stupid to ask such a trivial thing. Mentally go over everything in your head both before a jump and after. The trick, if there is one, is to gather as much information/data/feeling as you can on each jump. You will need the knowledge of previous jumps for the next lesson and its that feeling of airflow that was key for me. I am NOT an expert by any means on this subject and am only trying to provide my experiences while they are fresh. As I said. Graduation jump tomorrow and fun jump (maybe more) with a friend friday. (love that 9/80 work schedule) ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

I say Clay owes us a story and at least one photo. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

Van Halen (Jump) for the ground and ride up. Van Halen (Eruption) for the ride down. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

I wish I had something more original to say but Great Story. Thanks ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

Plug Yes but nice set of videos. I thought the second video was great. Thanks. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

LOL at level 4 I started to take "long lunches" from work. The DZ is about 10 minutes away from my office. Just remember, it is most likely that JOB that make jumping possible... ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

The best advice I can give is to listen and ASK QUESTIONS. If you don't understand something ask for that information again. Do not hesitate to ask to practice something more than once if you are not sure about it. If the instructor uses an expression or phrase that you don't know then ask him/her to rephrase it another way. In the end it is YOUR safety you are looking our for. The instructors have been doing this for a while and know there stuff. The will do there best to make sure you know everything you need to know and will be more than happy to explain something more than once. Anytime I teach someone, and I do not mean skydiving here, I am never happy with an answer of "Oh I know that already." If you know an answer then state the answer. You never know... You could be wrong. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

My favorite "gene pool removal sans death" Darwin is the one where two guys wrecked their truck when the drive was shot in the groin. Coming back from a night of drinking, funny how alcohol is involved in most of these, the dashboard lights fuse blew. They did not have a replacement but did discover that a .22 shell fit the slot nicely. A short time later enough heat had built up to set off the cap thus firing the round out of the fuse box which ironically is located under the dash and facing the driver. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

LOL Did my level 6 today. I shudder to count up the expense todate. Dive out the door, (a first), backflip (another first) tracking and pull at 4500. Actually 4200 because I spent a second or so checking a slight, very slight, turning motion. Next jump is graduation dive. I again thank everyone here at Dropzone.com. Even if I have not posted in a thread I have learned by reading them. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

DANGER, DANGER Will Robinson!!! ummm, I have read (yeah read) that this could get you in some very deep trouble. By the way, small dents in your car door are expensive to repair. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

LOL I hug a laywer every day... (my wife is a lawyer) Hey Adam, you can kiss just about EVERYTHING you do for fun goodbye for the next 3 years. I remember when my wife was in school. The only thing I saw of her was the top of her head, (oh behave you guys..., poking out of the top of some thick book) You read A FRIK'ING TON of case law and must be prepared to brief each one. Good luck man. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

I would again like to thank everyone for their input. I was able to sneak away at lunch today for my level 5 jump (second attempt). With everyones comments here I was able to communicate more intelligently with my JM. I am now lead to believe that the whole secret is in the butt. (for some reason Clay comes to mind, sorry bud...) Any now with great fanfair I am cleared for level 6. Thanks everyone... ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

Something tells me that you still have a brown belt.. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

hmmm, lets see here. Martial arts. (shameless plug coming) www.easthillskungfu.com Alpine skiing Mountain bikes Past or part time sport: Rock climbing BMX bikes Road bikes (still have my Bianci) Rollerblade Skateboarding (nice Vans park here) Surfing ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

Oh yeah, the old "base 13" mathmatics again.

Happy SkyB-Day Anne. First AFF jump 6-8-02 in Taft California. (Yeah I know I'm a newbie...) ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

My WinAmp playlist - www.skiosk-esd.com/DTplaylist.htm. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy

LOL Too funny. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy