Saturday, March 14, 2015

Safety Day 2015

Me and Christy this morning at Safety Day
I got up this morning with Smart Guy, and the two of us set out for the 75-mile-long journey down to Skydive Snohomish in the rain, so we could attend Safety Day. While we were there, before the seminars began, I asked Christy for a picture. I do think this will be my last Safety Day and my last season of skydiving. No, I mean it this time. She and I made a skydive a couple of weekends ago, and it was simply lovely. I'm looking forward to at least a few more weekends this summer where we get to play in the air.
The large crowd, along with the potluck breakfast treats
Skydive Snohomish hosts this well-attended event, which gets us all ready for the upcoming season after the winter layoff. The weather has been so fine that many people have already made some skydives this season (including me), but the five seminars cover aircraft safety, the skydive, equipment, canopy flight, and emergencies. The Drop Zone provides pizza for lunch and hosts a large dinner afterwards as well. I've never attended the dinner, since we have such a long drive home.
Fiddling with aperture settings
This morning I was reading on one of my favorite blogs, The Furry Gnome, about aperture settings and how to use them. I tried a dozen different ones as I gazed out the front window of the car at the windshield wipers as they swept back and forth in the rain. Of course, I wasn't driving, Smart Guy was, so I had plenty of time to ponder what happens when I changed the aperture setting. I noticed depth of field and the amount of light all change considerably. This is going to be fun! And finally, I'll leave you with one of the humorous cartoons that was shared today by Dieter, one of our pilots.
I laughed at this one
:-)

17 comments:

  1. Never say never.
    I hope you have a wonderful day - and more wonderful dives.
    Love the photo of you - and the cartoon.

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  2. I can't see this being your last season, you look far too young and fit to retire from it just yet. Have a good week.

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  3. hoping you will have a very safe season ahead of you - all of you! ducks included!

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  4. I admire you for skydiving! I'm too chicken to jump out of an airplane. Good luck with your photo experimentation. Put that camera on manual mode - it opens up a whole new world of photography!

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  5. Hope you enjoy playing with your camera, and in the sky!

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  6. Good you went to safety day as long as you continue to skydive...I think it is in your blood. Manual settings on the camera are my kind of adventure:)

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  7. You can never get too much safety drilled into you. Some things like aperture settings are simple but it's too easy to use automatic.

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  8. I don't think you can quit skydiving any more than I can quit writing. It's in your blood, DJan. You're going to break some glass ceilings!

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  9. I am in awe of your courage and daring, DJan. I'm also glad you are always mindful of safety.

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  10. Ewwwwwwwww, driving in the rain. It'd be okay if all the other drivers on the highway were heeding laws and slowing down. Such a vibrant smile you have DJ!! I know you say now that this is your last season, but wait....it may change after this summer.

    Either case, we look forward to your adventures.

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  11. So I wonder: can you ever take pictures while dropping to the ground?

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  12. Ooh, Tom has a good idea. How about some shots from up there if it is possible?

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  13. DJan, you are looking just so young and cute! Must be the good job you are doing taking care of yourself. I bet you didn't eat those donuts.

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  14. Skydiving has been such a part of you for so long. It will be hard for you to give it up. Safety first is good.

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  15. I think some day long in the future you will be arriving at Safety Day toting your cane and showing all those youngsters a thing or two. I think perhaps you should stay involved and help prepare the young ones for their experience with the sky. lol

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  16. Such a funny cartoon!
    I am glad you had such a good time at Safety Day.
    Since this will be your last season, you should have someone photograph your last drop from the sky.
    That would really be a touching picture.

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  17. Fun stuff. I hope your upcoming jumping season is fantastic (and hopefully not your last).

    I've always been hesitant to play with aperture settings.. relying mostly on shutter speed instead. I might just have to break out of that comfort zone.

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