riddler

Here's the link. And considering how I always crash the F-18 simulator at Dave & Buster's, I don't think it would be safe for me to fly. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Very cool. I have often wondered why manufacturers choose odd-number cells. Is it because their is a difference of load at the center of the canopy? If that's the case, I can see how the seams of the center cell might not be as strong as having cell fabric there. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I agree that rolling the nose increases snivel time, but I'm not convinced it makes for softer openings. I think pockets on the slider are the best way to get a softer opening without sacrificing extra time because of a long snivel. But I know I'm not going to convince a lot of jumpers that still swear by rolling the nose Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

My opinion is the closer you get the two sizes, the better, but some people believe in having slightly larger reserves in case you have to land injured or unconscious. The advantage of having two canopies the same size is that they will fly at closer to the same speed if you have two canopies out. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Yes, it increases your chance of an off-heading opening. After experimenting with rolling the nose, rolling the tail, positioning the slider just so and standing on one foot, I have come to the opinion that a longer snivel doesn't mean a softer opening. These days, I don't roll the nose, barely roll the tail, make sure the sliders is all the way against the stops, and I have pockets sewn on the sliders of both my rigs. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Geez - just show them some freefly video - there's plenty of sinking out in those. It's hard to keep the same fallrate when freeflying. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I can see it now. Press report: The 2040 presidential candidate is under serious scrutiny for some statements she made on a public forum back in 'aught 3. Her campaign manager has stated that she was a young and foolish skydiver at the time and that her current lifestyle no longer reflects those earlier years. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Sounds like fun! I promise if I'm ever in that situation, I'll let go. I doubt I could hold on anyway

Is it valid based on flight hours to compare commercial aircraft to skydiving planes? After all, jump planes spend most of their life just taking off and landing, which is the most dangerous part, and probably the hardest on the mechanics. Seems that they are always going to have one of the highest percentage of incidents. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Question - do normal IAD and SL jumps use AADs? Or is that usually deactivated? Never mind - question answered.

A six day civil trial?? Do tell. I think most judges wouldn't let a civil go on that long unless it's high profile. Costs the court too much money. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Finding some interesting rules in Colorado for Jury Duty. 1. You employer is expected to pay your salary for the first three days. If you are unemployed, you may ask the Court for "reasonable" expenses. No mention of people that own their own business - I get screwed. 2. If the trial lasts more than three days, I get $50/day. 3. You can exempt yourself once per year from duty, for vacation, business, health reasons, or because you're a student. I know for a fact that when you get an exemption, they recall your name as soon as they can. With my luck, I would get another summons in May when we're on vacation. Best to go now. Someone told me there have been a few murders in Denver this month - one was a little girl. I don't know the details since I don't watch TV. Hopefully, I just get a domestic dispute. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

That what you get for being on time. I plan to show up 15 minutes late with a fresh shade of blue hair. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I should point out that I'm probably due since I was summoned three times in college. The dean always wrote a letter to the court for me, so I always got off. Then, after college, they sent the summons to my mom's address, but I had already bought a house elsewhere, so I got out of that one too. Douglas Adams!

Afternoon mail - yawn, bill, advert, advert, bill, summons, bill, advert - whoa! Back up there! First thought - "I wonder if there will be any cute girls on the jury?" Second thought - "This is gonna be just like skybytch out for 6 weeks on a capital case" Third thought - "And I *just* send those ungrateful government bastards $150 to renew my license plates" Needless to say that I don't want to go on moral reasons - being around criminals gives me the willies. But if I have to go, I plan to take advantage of EVERY service they offer. Free bus pass, free day care - I don't have kids, but I'll just borrow my niece and nephew. I see they also provided several phone numbers for drunk dialing. Let's see, other than being terribly predjudiced against every race and religion: 1. I don't believe in the death penalty. 2. Except for kids or misdemeanors - kill 'em before they become serious criminals, I always say. 3. My strict Islam faith demands that I stop everything and perform Salat five times a day. Expect on Friday noon, when I must attend Mosque for three hours. 4. My doctor has declared my chronic and acute flatulence to be a public health hazard. Anyone want to help a brotha out and add to the list?? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Tru dat. Despite how much we hated Jar Jar, he was the second most popular character in Phantom Menace. One good thing out of the new movies. When I was a kid, I loved the trilogy, but I remember all the critics said they were terrible movies. I finally understand why - the critics were adults, and I was not. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

No official name yet. TheForce.net has theorized "The Circle is Complete", from a Darth Vader line in the original trilogy. Personally, it doesn't sound to me like a name Lucas would use. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

If you get a chance to rent "Bruce Almighty" on DVD, watch the outtakes. There's a scene where he skydives and can't pull anything, and bounces, but lands on bigfoot, which breaks his fall. Seriously - for the last three years, most of my dreams have been about skydiving. Get used to it.

I can't say I think you have the best screen name, but if there's ever a thread about best skydiving helmet that matches your screen name, you've got my vote Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Why do you think wireless home networks are so popular? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

And freely available on-line for all to read. http://www.online-literature.com/shelley_mary/frankenstein/ Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Attack of the Clones. Even the name sucked. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Sorry then. I misunderstood what he meant. *** And when they (Texas) were adopted into the Union, they insisted that they retain the right to secede if they ever wished to do so in the future. As far as I know, no other state has that clause in their Constitution. That is why the Civil War was fought a few decades later on. *** Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Like I said - no English classes in my college Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Plays nicely on mplayer for Linux, with the standard Windoze codecs, as well. I like the footage, but ya need some catchy tune to tie it all together. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD