A SAMPLING OF OUR POSTS - Continued
Steph - Skydive
Originally Posted by mcworster:
“Im an infrequent poster but have been reading this thread since part 6 last summer. I have 'belonged' to several websites forums over the years, depending on my obsesssion at that particular time, im almost embarrassed to say this happens to me periodically, though ive never experienced anything like jjj fever before! Some i have joined in with more than others but i rarely have become 'known' . THis allows me to observe though and i have witnessed that every forum goes through times of great strife and niggling. The longevity of this thread has matured and evolved it into more of a fan site and members get protective and fiercely defensive about it. It become so much more than a place to discuss and appreciate the object of attention.Posters do start to develop a sense of belonging and personal identity with the thread and so naturally get defensive when new people or irregular posters appear to be critisising their 'home'. Several posters have felt they may need to leave the thread , some may do so, but that would be a shame. THe longer the thread survives, the more attached the regular posters will get to it and to each other and so it will be difficult at times when posters who just see it as a place to write their thoughts or opinion seemingly just pop in. However the warmth and sense of camaraderie and increasing development of affection and respect between the regulars will hopefully make up. Im not critisising anyone , i think its just an inevitable consequence of the sucess of this thread.”
“Im an infrequent poster but have been reading this thread since part 6 last summer. I have 'belonged' to several websites forums over the years, depending on my obsesssion at that particular time, im almost embarrassed to say this happens to me periodically, though ive never experienced anything like jjj fever before! Some i have joined in with more than others but i rarely have become 'known' . THis allows me to observe though and i have witnessed that every forum goes through times of great strife and niggling. The longevity of this thread has matured and evolved it into more of a fan site and members get protective and fiercely defensive about it. It become so much more than a place to discuss and appreciate the object of attention.Posters do start to develop a sense of belonging and personal identity with the thread and so naturally get defensive when new people or irregular posters appear to be critisising their 'home'. Several posters have felt they may need to leave the thread , some may do so, but that would be a shame. THe longer the thread survives, the more attached the regular posters will get to it and to each other and so it will be difficult at times when posters who just see it as a place to write their thoughts or opinion seemingly just pop in. However the warmth and sense of camaraderie and increasing development of affection and respect between the regulars will hopefully make up. Im not critisising anyone , i think its just an inevitable consequence of the sucess of this thread.”
Originally Posted by abbieluvs22:
“That tweet from John was bittersweet wasn't it. Lovely of him to thank everyone and so great to her from him but its a reminder to me of how far away he is both physically in terms of distance but also emotionally - where has the banter gone John? I feel his tweets now I just what he feels is compulsory rather than giving us any insight into his personality - but maybe that is how it should be, he has removed himself from the limelight now so what right do we have to know about his life.
However, his tweet confirmed some things. He is definitely in Oz. One thing I that has always made me happy since John went back to Oz is the proof that he was only ever in the UK for Josie - it was all for her. I don't know whether he doesn't tweet anymore because he has simply lost interest or because there are other reasons but him staying away proves he was never interested in fans or fame it was all Josie and I think thats lovely.
Really for John twitter is still a link to Josie. Josie gets tweets about her projects, her appearance, places she has been because she is still working and still a focus point in the media. For John people's last memory of him is as Josie's boyfriend so even if he isn't tweeting Josie or following her, the fans are still those who once supported him and Josie together, some still have pictures of Josie and some even tweet about him and Josie together. So the reminder of her is still ever present so maybe that is his reason for staying away.
I still have a tiny hope that one day the ice will break and they will communicate once more but as each day goes by it seems less likely. The distance is so great between them. I really dislike myself for being so absorbed in their story as it feels like the two key characters have dropped out but all the chorus are still rallying round.
But onto a more positive note. Josie looked fab again last night albeit a little sad and disinterested but I think maybe that is because the show just isn't very strong. She thrives on OKTV and as viewer you get the sense of family amongst the presenters which I think Josie loves - that is seriously lacking on BBBOTS I think because the main presenter is so lacking in charisma and warmth. I'm sure when we see her on OKTV she will be happy again.
and John, unless we hear otherwise I will assume is still enjoying life in Oz playing footie and fifa and being his normal self.”
“That tweet from John was bittersweet wasn't it. Lovely of him to thank everyone and so great to her from him but its a reminder to me of how far away he is both physically in terms of distance but also emotionally - where has the banter gone John? I feel his tweets now I just what he feels is compulsory rather than giving us any insight into his personality - but maybe that is how it should be, he has removed himself from the limelight now so what right do we have to know about his life.
However, his tweet confirmed some things. He is definitely in Oz. One thing I that has always made me happy since John went back to Oz is the proof that he was only ever in the UK for Josie - it was all for her. I don't know whether he doesn't tweet anymore because he has simply lost interest or because there are other reasons but him staying away proves he was never interested in fans or fame it was all Josie and I think thats lovely.
Really for John twitter is still a link to Josie. Josie gets tweets about her projects, her appearance, places she has been because she is still working and still a focus point in the media. For John people's last memory of him is as Josie's boyfriend so even if he isn't tweeting Josie or following her, the fans are still those who once supported him and Josie together, some still have pictures of Josie and some even tweet about him and Josie together. So the reminder of her is still ever present so maybe that is his reason for staying away.
I still have a tiny hope that one day the ice will break and they will communicate once more but as each day goes by it seems less likely. The distance is so great between them. I really dislike myself for being so absorbed in their story as it feels like the two key characters have dropped out but all the chorus are still rallying round.
But onto a more positive note. Josie looked fab again last night albeit a little sad and disinterested but I think maybe that is because the show just isn't very strong. She thrives on OKTV and as viewer you get the sense of family amongst the presenters which I think Josie loves - that is seriously lacking on BBBOTS I think because the main presenter is so lacking in charisma and warmth. I'm sure when we see her on OKTV she will be happy again.
and John, unless we hear otherwise I will assume is still enjoying life in Oz playing footie and fifa and being his normal self.”
Steph - Skydive
Originally Posted by Steph29:
“Steph's Fantastical Skydive
Late on Friday nite i got the first nerves about it all,thinkin what if i didnt enjoy it up there or what if i was too freaked out or scared to jump...but as i havnt a clue what to expect i just let these thoughts go.
So this morning i was up and out at 7.15am,didnt feel nervous at all nd was really calm,but as the journey went on i began to feel nauseous..i always have a subconscious nervous thing nd so i wasnt really surprised i was feeling like this,i was more concerned about the weather. But thankfully by the time we got there it was dry and the sun was starting to come out,tho i did think i was gonna be sick just before i went in,but once in i felt grand.
So into the hangar and did all the paperwork nd got talking to a woman who was there with a group of 27 doing it..she was quite amazed i was doing it on my own,but like i told her i wasnt really gonna be alone up there.
We went over to the visitors centre to wait nd a group of single jumpers were going up so everyone stood to watch..eventually they began to appear all over the place nd my god seeing that little person all the way up there..i was bloody freaked lol
So shortly after that all the tandem jumpers got called for the training.only lasted about 30mins as it was all about the position you've got to be in exiting the plane nd then in freefall.i was still quite calm now..we'd all go back to the centre n wait until a group was called..they called out 4 names nd said your the first group up..and wat do u know..i was in that group
Its kinda like ''oh my god im actually really doing this.i cant quite believe its happening'' so theres no time for real panic,you just get on with it.
So down to getting ready.nd had to retie my trainers tighter as i had images of them falling off up there getting all the straps of the harness on itsnt the most comfortable as they are sooo tight,but rather tight than loose right.
Getting the hat on it was too loose nd so had visions of it flying off but of course their totally professional making sure everything is tied and fitted properly.
Then i was told as i was getting filmed i would be going first ooooh my god jesus christ..but i thought thats probably better as you wont see anyone else jump out and be freaked.
We were then told to sit n relax until it was time to go up..haha easier said than done when u can barely move. But chatting away to the other 3.everyone kinda felt the same.
A girl came back from the previous jump nd she said she loved it nd that u dont have time to be scared,tho funnily enough she hadnt been nervous beforehand
I then met my tandem Instructor Peter nd no he wasnt a young hunk.more n his late 40's early 50's id say but really i didnt care as he was a lovely man who kept putting me at ease nd he had been up nd down a couple of times already id noticed. He introduced me to my cameraman nd yes now that i think on it he was v good looking..but really your mind is only on the one thing at that moment nd its def not good looking men
So all ready we made our way out to the plane..waved at my stepdad n brother whod come with me nd then climbed into the plane..think i might have glanced at the camerman before i got in..not exactly full of smiles at this stage lol.
On the way up the camerman (whos name i never caught) was in front of me..btwn my legs funnily enough
he took a few shots i think but by then i was kinda stunned..that i was actually up there ready to jump out of a plane.like ''holy f**k what the hell am i doing'' did go through my mind at that moment.
It was all very quiet no one sayin very much but then the noise of the engine was quite loud,my instructor chatted away to me,i could see the ground below us nd thought this isnt so bad,then he showed me his watch thingy nd we were only at 3,000ft..we still had to get all the way up to 13,000ft yet..i suppose u could say i was calm enough,not like there was any going back now lol.
But as we were nearly at our altitude i suddenly felt sick..silly me hadnt eaten anything since the day before..but my god dont think many people would be up to it..i knew i was gonna be sick nd sad to say i was but there was nothing there ul be pleased to know..just liquid..yuck!
Anyway instructor kept saying ''do u want to go'' nd i was like of course i do,i just dont want to be sick going out the door..at some point a solo jumper went out nd i seen him just plummet but it didnt really register as i was so caught up in going myself.
So to the door i went..nd the wind n cold just hit u..but that girl was right about one thing..it all happens sooo quickly you dont have time to panic or be nervous..i said ok and n the next second ur out nd u just drop..that immediate sensation is ''oooh my holy f**king crap'' it feels like ur just disconnected from yourself..from the rest of ur body,falling into nothingness..that drop is meant to last about 40 seconds but really it feels like so much less..its over so quickly..then he pulls the cord nd your just suspended in mid air..i quickly put my head back n looked all around me,its funny i never thought to close my eyes once that wind up there is strong but your just suspended in the air..he taps you on the arm to let your arms out nd then ur kinda flying like a bird..its freaky but at the same time its Amazing
Your heads back so u never look down..u dont even feel like ur up there nd the whole worlds below you..i kept thinking my hat was gonna come off as the wind was catching it,at this point i noticed my cameraman in front of me..i hadnt noticed him up till now nd to be honest now that i think about it i never even noticed him jump out before us either n he would have been close enough i coulda touched him so i smiled n gave him a thumbs up..or at least i think i did lol.
Id been worried beforehand that i wouldnt be aware of him tapping me on the arm n things like that..but its surprising how natural n normal it is up there.
Then he pulled the chute..nd u know in a film you see the person shoot back up into the sky..well that does not happen..you feel like a pull,a jerk,up every so slightly,but its more your body dropping into shape..as u were curved flying now ur vertical.
This part is just unbelievable,you dont have to remember to do anything,you are literally just hanging there above the clouds. The instructor said u could chat away up there nd i was sceptical as it would be so windy..but it wasnt,there wasnt a single sound to be heard..its the most peaceful iv ever been in my life..he tries to keep us out of the clouds nd just go around them..then we went lower nd that view was Amazing..for miles in every direction you look n see everything..all i could say was WOW
The straps on my leg werent the most comfortable at this point as they were very tight...he must have been aware of this as at some point he said that if its not so comfy it wasnt him as it was someone else had done them..normally its ur instructor does them but as mine was already up in the air it fell to someone other fella. Anyway it didnt bother me really..he pointed out the hangar we would be heading for nd for the life of me i couldnt make out any of the people down there..i did see some cows in a field tho lol.
But then i felt sick again nd again there was nothing there but it annoyed me that my dodgy stomach was infringing on my experience like this..when i was younger i went on a rollercoaster...i was the only one wanted to go on nd i was soo excited nd i loved it but the minute i came off my stomach was in knots nd i felt so sick n that was me for the rest of the day..i just dont have the stomach for them things..but i never thought it would apply to a skydive..but thankfully it never spoiled my enjoyment
So on our descent your told to bring your legs up nd out nd let your instructor take care of the landing..something id worried about doing right so i was thankful for that..easier said than done tho with the wind at you..even grabbing your legs from under you nd lift..but i did manage to lift them up out of the way nd before i knew it we were on the ground safely n smoothly
I think at this point i was still somewhere up in the clouds as i couldnt tell you what was going on around me..the cameraman appeared n front of me nd i think i smiled at him,there was a woman taking pics but i never even noticed her..then two fellas appeared n front of me to help me up nd i was on my feet.
So i think i was just going round n my own little bubble..still flying about up there,you have to help the instructor lift the chute nd that up nd bring it in n then i got my pic..its one of me coming down for landing..a weird expression on my face,god knows what i was thinking on
Once out of the suit my instructor handed me my certificate nd shook my hand nd we got it all on camera.
My cameraman said it was all good..it was a good skydive nd my instructor agreed..maybe they say that to everyone but it felt good it wasnt a disaster
So by now it was about 11am nd i was ready to go home already,but on the way home i was so sick..the motion of the car didnt help my dodgy stomach
So last night i said to myself as Amazing as it was id not be doing it again for the feeling of being sick afterwards..but today now that im fine again im like..never say never
It was most def worth it..hell breaking a toe woulda been worth it lol its an experience i will never forget.
Theres nothing about it that i wish had been different..i remembered all i had to do..i kept my head up and looked at the camera nd i took it all in...i was flying like a bird n the sky..i dont know how many times i can say Amazing but thats xactly what it was
Its strange how ur sittin eating ur dinner nd only a few hours before you jumped out of a plane..just all n a days work lol
I watched vids of it beforehand n they were kinda freaky nd watchin one afterwards was even freakier as im sittin there thinking ''ooooh my god thats what it was like for me'' i think watching my dvd when it comes will be Amazing but also really freaky to see me doing it
I look at the pic nd i see that i am actually attached to the parachute..they show u were ur gonna be attached to ur instructor n its two clips at the bottom nd two at the top..u think my god thats not much theyd need to be mighty strong..n then i thought he was carrying the chute so it would be behind him but no i suppose that wud have been silly really..course i was gonna be attached to it
Even now as im sittin here i hear the odd small plane overhead n it makes me smile..silly i know but the whole thing is stl so unbelievable
I was gonna email them to say thank you but remembered i briefly seen thank you cards n reception so im gonna send them one...not that they remember each individual nd a thank you isnt much really but you just want to let them know what an Amazing job they did..and they did..all of them are so professional nd dedicated to their job..at the same time they can have a laugh nd put u at ease..my instructor Peter was the lovliest man nd even tho i said sorry so many times for bein sick he was fine about it..told me about a man who passed out on him the minute they jumped out..he thought he was dead lol.
So sitting here today i honestly say id love to do it again nd maybe i will n maybe i wont ever again..but im thankful that ive done it once..that i actually fulfilled a lifelong dream
So ive raised £1200 for my charities..Friends of the Cancer Centre nd The Lions International Charity Shop in aid of Bosnia Housing Appeal..so thats £600 each..not much n the grand scheme of things but every little helps nd its all thanks to all you guys who sponsored me nd made this possible..so a BIG THANK YOU FROM ME xxxxxxxxx
So what can i say.........Dont ever give up....bcuz dreams really can come true xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”
“Steph's Fantastical Skydive
Late on Friday nite i got the first nerves about it all,thinkin what if i didnt enjoy it up there or what if i was too freaked out or scared to jump...but as i havnt a clue what to expect i just let these thoughts go.
So this morning i was up and out at 7.15am,didnt feel nervous at all nd was really calm,but as the journey went on i began to feel nauseous..i always have a subconscious nervous thing nd so i wasnt really surprised i was feeling like this,i was more concerned about the weather. But thankfully by the time we got there it was dry and the sun was starting to come out,tho i did think i was gonna be sick just before i went in,but once in i felt grand.
So into the hangar and did all the paperwork nd got talking to a woman who was there with a group of 27 doing it..she was quite amazed i was doing it on my own,but like i told her i wasnt really gonna be alone up there.
We went over to the visitors centre to wait nd a group of single jumpers were going up so everyone stood to watch..eventually they began to appear all over the place nd my god seeing that little person all the way up there..i was bloody freaked lol
So shortly after that all the tandem jumpers got called for the training.only lasted about 30mins as it was all about the position you've got to be in exiting the plane nd then in freefall.i was still quite calm now..we'd all go back to the centre n wait until a group was called..they called out 4 names nd said your the first group up..and wat do u know..i was in that group
Its kinda like ''oh my god im actually really doing this.i cant quite believe its happening'' so theres no time for real panic,you just get on with it.
So down to getting ready.nd had to retie my trainers tighter as i had images of them falling off up there
getting all the straps of the harness on itsnt the most comfortable as they are sooo tight,but rather tight than loose right.Getting the hat on it was too loose nd so had visions of it flying off but of course their totally professional making sure everything is tied and fitted properly.
Then i was told as i was getting filmed i would be going first
ooooh my god jesus christ..but i thought thats probably better as you wont see anyone else jump out and be freaked.We were then told to sit n relax until it was time to go up..haha easier said than done when u can barely move. But chatting away to the other 3.everyone kinda felt the same.
A girl came back from the previous jump nd she said she loved it nd that u dont have time to be scared,tho funnily enough she hadnt been nervous beforehand
I then met my tandem Instructor Peter nd no he wasnt a young hunk.more n his late 40's early 50's id say but really i didnt care as he was a lovely man who kept putting me at ease nd he had been up nd down a couple of times already id noticed. He introduced me to my cameraman nd yes now that i think on it he was v good looking..but really your mind is only on the one thing at that moment nd its def not good looking men
So all ready we made our way out to the plane..waved at my stepdad n brother whod come with me nd then climbed into the plane..think i might have glanced at the camerman before i got in..not exactly full of smiles at this stage lol.
On the way up the camerman (whos name i never caught) was in front of me..btwn my legs funnily enough
he took a few shots i think but by then i was kinda stunned..that i was actually up there ready to jump out of a plane.like ''holy f**k what the hell am i doing'' did go through my mind at that moment.It was all very quiet no one sayin very much but then the noise of the engine was quite loud,my instructor chatted away to me,i could see the ground below us nd thought this isnt so bad,then he showed me his watch thingy nd we were only at 3,000ft..we still had to get all the way up to 13,000ft yet..i suppose u could say i was calm enough,not like there was any going back now lol.
But as we were nearly at our altitude i suddenly felt sick..silly me hadnt eaten anything since the day before..but my god dont think many people would be up to it..i knew i was gonna be sick nd sad to say i was
but there was nothing there ul be pleased to know..just liquid..yuck!Anyway instructor kept saying ''do u want to go'' nd i was like of course i do,i just dont want to be sick going out the door..at some point a solo jumper went out nd i seen him just plummet but it didnt really register as i was so caught up in going myself.
So to the door i went..nd the wind n cold just hit u..but that girl was right about one thing..it all happens sooo quickly you dont have time to panic or be nervous..i said ok and n the next second ur out nd u just drop..that immediate sensation is ''oooh my holy f**king crap'' it feels like ur just disconnected from yourself..from the rest of ur body,falling into nothingness..that drop is meant to last about 40 seconds but really it feels like so much less..its over so quickly..then he pulls the cord nd your just suspended in mid air..i quickly put my head back n looked all around me,its funny i never thought to close my eyes once
that wind up there is strong but your just suspended in the air..he taps you on the arm to let your arms out nd then ur kinda flying like a bird..its freaky but at the same time its Amazing Your heads back so u never look down..u dont even feel like ur up there nd the whole worlds below you..i kept thinking my hat was gonna come off as the wind was catching it,at this point i noticed my cameraman in front of me..i hadnt noticed him up till now nd to be honest now that i think about it i never even noticed him jump out before us either n he would have been close enough i coulda touched him
so i smiled n gave him a thumbs up..or at least i think i did lol.Id been worried beforehand that i wouldnt be aware of him tapping me on the arm n things like that..but its surprising how natural n normal it is up there.
Then he pulled the chute..nd u know in a film you see the person shoot back up into the sky..well that does not happen..you feel like a pull,a jerk,up every so slightly,but its more your body dropping into shape..as u were curved flying now ur vertical.
This part is just unbelievable,you dont have to remember to do anything,you are literally just hanging there above the clouds. The instructor said u could chat away up there nd i was sceptical as it would be so windy..but it wasnt,there wasnt a single sound to be heard..its the most peaceful iv ever been in my life..he tries to keep us out of the clouds nd just go around them..then we went lower nd that view was Amazing..for miles in every direction you look n see everything..all i could say was WOW
The straps on my leg werent the most comfortable at this point as they were very tight...he must have been aware of this as at some point he said that if its not so comfy it wasnt him as it was someone else had done them..normally its ur instructor does them but as mine was already up in the air it fell to someone other fella. Anyway it didnt bother me really..he pointed out the hangar we would be heading for nd for the life of me i couldnt make out any of the people down there..i did see some cows in a field tho lol.
But then i felt sick again nd again there was nothing there but it annoyed me that my dodgy stomach was infringing on my experience like this..when i was younger i went on a rollercoaster...i was the only one wanted to go on nd i was soo excited nd i loved it but the minute i came off my stomach was in knots nd i felt so sick n that was me for the rest of the day..i just dont have the stomach for them things..but i never thought it would apply to a skydive..but thankfully it never spoiled my enjoyment
So on our descent your told to bring your legs up nd out nd let your instructor take care of the landing..something id worried about doing right so i was thankful for that..easier said than done tho with the wind at you..even grabbing your legs from under you nd lift..but i did manage to lift them up out of the way nd before i knew it we were on the ground safely n smoothly
I think at this point i was still somewhere up in the clouds as i couldnt tell you what was going on around me..the cameraman appeared n front of me nd i think i smiled at him,there was a woman taking pics but i never even noticed her..then two fellas appeared n front of me to help me up nd i was on my feet.
So i think i was just going round n my own little bubble..still flying about up there,you have to help the instructor lift the chute nd that up nd bring it in n then i got my pic..its one of me coming down for landing..a weird expression on my face,god knows what i was thinking on
Once out of the suit my instructor handed me my certificate nd shook my hand nd we got it all on camera.
My cameraman said it was all good..it was a good skydive nd my instructor agreed..maybe they say that to everyone but it felt good it wasnt a disaster
So by now it was about 11am nd i was ready to go home already,but on the way home i was so sick..the motion of the car didnt help my dodgy stomach
So last night i said to myself as Amazing as it was id not be doing it again for the feeling of being sick afterwards..but today now that im fine again im like..never say never
It was most def worth it..hell breaking a toe woulda been worth it lol its an experience i will never forget.
Theres nothing about it that i wish had been different..i remembered all i had to do..i kept my head up and looked at the camera nd i took it all in...i was flying like a bird n the sky..i dont know how many times i can say Amazing but thats xactly what it was
Its strange how ur sittin eating ur dinner nd only a few hours before you jumped out of a plane..just all n a days work lol
I watched vids of it beforehand n they were kinda freaky nd watchin one afterwards was even freakier as im sittin there thinking ''ooooh my god thats what it was like for me'' i think watching my dvd when it comes will be Amazing but also really freaky to see me doing it
I look at the pic nd i see that i am actually attached to the parachute..they show u were ur gonna be attached to ur instructor n its two clips at the bottom nd two at the top..u think my god thats not much theyd need to be mighty strong..n then i thought he was carrying the chute so it would be behind him but no i suppose that wud have been silly really..course i was gonna be attached to it
Even now as im sittin here i hear the odd small plane overhead n it makes me smile..silly i know but the whole thing is stl so unbelievable
I was gonna email them to say thank you but remembered i briefly seen thank you cards n reception so im gonna send them one...not that they remember each individual nd a thank you isnt much really but you just want to let them know what an Amazing job they did..and they did..all of them are so professional nd dedicated to their job..at the same time they can have a laugh nd put u at ease..my instructor Peter was the lovliest man nd even tho i said sorry so many times for bein sick he was fine about it..told me about a man who passed out on him the minute they jumped out..he thought he was dead lol.
So sitting here today i honestly say id love to do it again nd maybe i will n maybe i wont ever again..but im thankful that ive done it once..that i actually fulfilled a lifelong dream
So ive raised £1200 for my charities..Friends of the Cancer Centre nd The Lions International Charity Shop in aid of Bosnia Housing Appeal..so thats £600 each..not much n the grand scheme of things but every little helps nd its all thanks to all you guys who sponsored me nd made this possible..so a BIG THANK YOU FROM ME
xxxxxxxxxSo what can i say.........Dont ever give up....bcuz dreams really can come true
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”
but then when the shopping's done and the bags are heavy it's a hell of a trek back to the station.
”
:-p”
