THEM TOADSUCKERS @ Moss Point MS

[krkeenan 0]

Well, for some of us old folks, it just takes a little while to recover enough
to make the fingers work on a keyboard. In my case, one of those fingers is
still pointing a little off-heading, due to trying to grip a canopy a little
too long. (Gotta know when to hold 'em...know when to fold 'em.) I know I'm not the only one with a few bumps and bruises. At least I came home with both shoes.

I thought the MP bogie was great. It was the dysfunctional family reunion that
it always has been. The weather was great and the dives were relaxed and
high-quality. I was very glad to see the good mix of newbie suckwads and old,
experienced suckwads. The newcomers were able to observe time-honored
techniques and styles made famous by some of CRW's most dignified and serious
professionals (see Steve Petto photo.)

Seriously, it was gratifying to see large progress steps made by folks who were
trying new things and working under new conditions. Some newbies write a lot
on this and other forums, but I have a lot of respect for those who will commit
to traveling a long way to meet strangers with the chance of improving their
techniques.

Jimbo continued his research into CRW-related physics. The debut of the
"CRWBall" was interesting, and I'm sure more research will lead to great
advances for all of society. We had a lot of bubbles in our airplanes. While
the video photographers aren't too fond of them, I think CRWDogs love them too
much for them to ever fade away. One thing we learned about Jimbo, was his
long-enduring affair with Barbie. While many of us have shared this affection
over the years, who knew that Jim owned so many of them ? Someone remarked
that Jimbo should surely run out of tricks soon. As with other great forces of
Nature, that may happen, but I think it will not occur in our lifetime.

On the subject of Barbie, several of our female CRWDogs (let's not get into the
name argument again) tried out for membership in the prestigious organization
known as the Pink Mafia. Membership involves (along with world peace, love,
and understanding) making a jump with a Barbie doll. Several of our heroic
CRWDogesses completed the death-defying jump with the deadly Barbie. Don't
scoff at this feat, because apparently the deadly doll has powers that can make
your mind go blank, cause dropped grips, and steer your parachute into the
woods. Luckily, our teammates overcame these effects and survived the Barbie
jump to become Pink Mafia divas. I'm not sure if this membership carries over
to Cass and Steve Petto, who became "honorary CRW Chicks" this weekend. I'm
sure that's what caused Steve's victory dance; or maybe it was just that Spring
was in the air...

Everyone was overjoyed to see Paul Bliss. It's been a long road since his
accident last November, and Paul's progress is amazing. He's getting better
and stronger every day, and I'm convinced that it is purely on the power of his
strong will and his great attitude. I hope that the visit did as much for him
as it did for me and the others at Moss Pt. His presence gave a big boost to
the happiness and togetherness that went on all weekend.

This was the first time I had been to Moss Pt. since the New Year's accident
that took Scotty Agent. He was a Moss Pt. local known by a lot of Gulf Coast
and Florida jumpers, and he will be missed.

The Crawdads & Jambalaya, the pig roast, the CRW cake (Happy Birthday, Chuck),
the pool party, the parking lot party, etc., etc. It was all the stuff that
Makes Moss Pt. such a great stop on the CRW Pro Tour every year. Mike Igo and
his DZ staff were great to work with, as were all the CRW organizers who have
become so skilled at cat-herding over the years. Paul Ferrell and Chuck
Blackwell put in all the behind-the-scenes work over the past few months to
make it all possible. Chuck didn't show up till noon on Sunday. When he
arrived, he was bleary-eyed, and walking bowlegged. Some people said that this
was due to the continuation of his birthday party on Saturday night. This was
actually caused by flying his canopy toward the sun with his leg straps extra
tight for precision control. That's just the kind of CRWDog that Chuck is.

Thanks, everyone for making this weekend another fine CRW gathering.

kevin k.
TS-46

======================
Seasons don't fear the Reaper,
nor do the Wind, the Sun, or the Rain...

[Laurel 0]

I had a blast watching you guys. Come back soon.

.....................................................................
PMS#28, Pelogrande Rodriguez#1074
My Pink M