miked10270

Yeah NacMac... But remember that Maggie also was the source of some great quotes: "When Mrs thatcher met the US President she'd do 2 things, first she told him what she thought, then she told him what he thought!" She was the right leader in an era when Britain needed a Mad Bat with a high velocity handbag! It was just a shame that her medication seemed to lose it's effectiveness by about 1987. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Morning NacMac, So who will you vote for? I'm still a bit p!ssed off that John Harrison wasn't there, but who is the man who "single-handedly solved the greatest scientific problem of his time" compared to Diana, the woman whose sole academic qualification was 'O' Level Art (failed)? The young "Miss Nice-but-dim" who was invited onto the Royal Yacht as a "playmate" for Prince Andrew (you can all make your own connotations up here) and ended up as the greatest publicity seeker of the 20th century. Her one claim to greatness could be that she did more damage to the German car industry than a whole squadron of Lancaster bombers! Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

For all you furriners & colonials, the BBC set up a website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/greatbritons You can even vote (but please, please PLEASE.... not for Diana Spencer). My one personal favourite in the "top 100" ws Johnny Rotten, the punk singer, whose reply to being included was something like "What the feck am I doing there, I'm just a singer" and then went on to argue that ALL the "pop-culture" nominees were undeserving. Personally I voted for Darwin... The others were all great by being in the right place at the right time but Darwin was the only one in the top ten whose contribution transcended time and place. Of course Diana wasn't great, popular maybe... But not great. Mike D01270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi MacFeegle, Sorry about that, I assumed you'd old them about the whole "skirt / no knickers" thing. You seemed so proud of it at the time.... I guess that you haven't mentioned the "sheep / wellies / edge of the cliff" thing either... Don't worry, I won't tell. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

"Can you go to war because you think someone is 'bad', and who do you replace this person with? If we are going to invade Iraq, we had better get our objectives clear before we commence." Personally I think that this is the vital point. None of our esteemed leaders have told us what their intended final situation will be. "Getting rid of Saddam" IS NOT a final situation. There was good reason for the tanks to stop after the Kuwait police action (and it had nothing to do with them running out of petrol). For over 30 years the Ba'ath party has enjoyed the ruthless exercise of power in Iraq, supported and encouraged throughout by various western powers including the US and the UK. In that time, any possible political opposition has been wiped out, many on the basis of potential competence rather that any suspicion of disloyalty. As such Saddam Hussein has made himself irreplacable(?) as the leader of Iraq. If Saddam is removed, then who will replace him. I believe that Tariq Aziz was entirely accurate when he stated that the Iraqi opposition was non-existent. Iraq is in effect the rump 3 disparate countries; in the north is the Iraqi part of Kurdistan, which in itself is presently split betweenIraq, Iran, and Turkey (itself a NATO member with all that entails). In the south, the "Marsh Arabs" are Shi'ite moslems with a lot more in common with Iraq than with their present country (or did everyone think that Saddam had them gassed for fun in the Iran/Iraq war!?). In effect, the only thing holding Iraq together as a country in the ruthless exercise of power by Saddam and as such the likely consequences of his removal are: 1. In the North, Kurdistan will secede forming an independent state, moreover it'll be a state which doesn't accept it's present borders - expect a war between Iran, Turkey and Kurdistan - remember that Turkey is a NATO member so the US and UK ARE bound to support them - we'll probably end up fighting and attempting to oppress the people we've just liberated from oppression!!! 2. In the South, the people will join with Iran, giving this country total control over the former Iraqi oil production! Now while it's true that Iran has recently dropped the words "DEATH TO AMERICA!" from their morning prayers I personally doubt that control of such a large proportion of a strategic asset will be acceptable to "The West". 3. Incidentally the central / western part if Iraq is nice country for growing olives, unfortunately they're not a strategic asset just now...! In short, the removal of Saddam Hussein will leave any coalition force with what could be described as "Full Employment" for the next 20 years or so... I prophesise (if that's the right word) the US and UK left flailing around the middle east first removing Saddam and restoring democracy to Iraq, then joining turkey and Iran in fighting the resurgent Kurds WHILE simultaneously fighting Iran in southern Iraq while trying to keep a coalition together with the saudis, keepint the Israeli's out of it to keep the Moslem nations with them....... Rest assured, I am no supporter of Saddam Hussein and his regime in Iraq, but I'm certain that he is the lesser of the available evils. Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

This from the man who.... Last time I saw him he was wearing a very fetching knee length check skirt (allegedly without knickers), frilly white blouse with a lovely little black bolero jacket! The only reason no-one dared laugh at him was 'cos he had a dagger tucked down one of his stockings and held in place by a garter! Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hey Amber, There's always the possibility that he's now outgrown the rig he bought with YOUR money and he wants to upgrade to something newer and smaller so he needs your credit card number again...!! Look on the bright side, maybe he just needs you to pay for a reserve repack. Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Of course their bots can spell... Remember that they're not just looking for the smart "enemy of society", they've gotta catch the thick ones as well, the ones who're thick enough to send stuff like this without encrypting it forst are unlikely to spell d' wurds all that gud... like. Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi there, You all missed out allah, assasinate, George Bush, faschist, white supremacy, osama is in ... Islam, black seperatist power...... That little lot should give the NSA, CIA, FBI etc... search engines a good workout Mike D01270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi Dave, how are you? What are you doing with yourself just now? Where are you jumping? What's the goss on the fire at Errol? Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi Dave, Getting on well . Allow me to recommend Perth Royal's Orthopaedic Department - the ankle is as good as new . Work is being a bit intrusive just now, I should never have joined a workplace with the motto "Arbeit Macht Frei", but there's only 3,187 more shifts 'til I retire (not that I'm counting...). Not jumping out of 'planes just now, however me & Iona Have 2 more kids - looks like all that practise is finally paying off. Regards, Mike & Iona Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

GET ON WITH SOME WORK McKELVIE!!!!!!! Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi there, I'm curious about the ambivalence on this thread about gear checks prior to emplaning I think that I'm experienced enough to put my kit on properly... I also think that I can type, but I still use a spell check. My point is that while I think that I've got it right, it doesn't hurt to get a fresh pair of eyes on my gear. All the gear checks I've had over the last 200 or so jumps have been fine, then again a gear check on me did once show the need for some "adjustment" to stop me falling out of my rig on deployment!!!!!! I "thought" I was ready to jump! Personally I want a gear check before emplaning, this is not because of insecurity or inferiority on my part - it's just a small bit of safety that costs nothing. Similarly I'm more than happy to give a gear check, this is not a feeling of superiority on my part - it's just a small bit of safety that costs nothing. It's not the responsibility of individuals to give gear checks, it's the responsibility of individuals to ASK for them (and to offer them in return). If you are doing a gear check then do look for what could be wrong. I've known rigers stand at a flight line with an unairworthy rig on just to get a gear check - assume that you're checking one of these twisted gits and LOOK for what could be wrong. Regards, Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Work-Life../...(BIG BARBED WIRE FENCE)(Machine-Gun-Towers)(Ex-East-German-Border-Guards)(Minefield).../...Private-Life. Personally I'd suggest getting the lucky (?) lady (or boy) out of the work environment before asking, maybe a group social drink at the end of the working week. Let her (him? - I'm still not clear on this) get a couple of drinks in them, then talk to the person. find out if she/he has a boyfriend/girlfriend/small furry animal that they are romantically involved with? If they are attached, then continue to chat to them about their significant other (small tip - if it's a small animal then forget it. Remember the wise words of Clay: "Sheep are really hard to dump, it's not just the melting eyes - it's the fecking herd instinct... They just keep following you!"). It's possible that "all is not well in the state of denmark". If, after careful consideration (NOT quart of Bulleit Bourbon consideration) you think you're in with a chance then suggest lunch Saturday or Sunday. Keep it casual but suggest somewhere a bit up-market. If she can't make it that weekend then thaat's OK. If she's "washing her hair" for the next 4 months then take the hint. (Bloke to Bloke, the "lunch date is a particularly cunning ploy. first off it's NOT DINNER [with all the evening/night connotations], it lacks the intimacy. Also it's interesting to see how much "care" your date takes with her appearance for lunch - That's a good guide as to how interested she is. Plus if it goes wel then you've the afternoon to suggest an activity or accompany her shopping - THIS LEADS TO DINNER!!!! ) Finally, remember an old Russian saying: "ANY man can bed ANY woman. He must feed her 3 times and stay up until 4am listening to her comlain" Regards, (& good luck) Mike D01270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi there, My own belief is to GO BIG REGARDLESS!! Even with Microlines. The reason for this is twofold: 1. I don't want a canopy collision to become a wrap - there's more chance of finding yourself free with a spread position 'cos there's more chance of bouncing / sliding off. 2. No matter how small you try to make yourself, if your body is going to hit lines, then you're likely to hit at least one or two lines... Now consider those guys who lie on beds of nails - one nail would go through them, but because they're lying in hundreds then the pressure from each individual nail isn't enough to penetrate their skin! If you spread the collision pressure then you'll reduce the seriousness of the damage in each area? While one microline may well act like a cheese wire, absorbing the pressure of five or six hit simultaneously should make for far less serious injuries - do you want a half dozen minor injuries or one really serious injury? Regards, Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Personally I'd like to be dressed in shorts, T shirt and Tevas, the quick-frozen sitting cross legged. Then place my body about 50' from the summit of Everest! Finally set up a video camera to record the expressions of the oxygen carryig, thermofibre clad mountaineers who come across me Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi There, Just my $0.02: Hypoxia is simply put as a shortage of oxygen. By about 15,000' (MSL) there's a reduction of about 40% in available oxygen. This is something that the body CAN handle and experienced skydivers used to going to altitude are probably not even aware of, at least not for the few minutes we're at these altitudes. Go past this - over about 17,000' and you'll almost certainly notice being short of breath - we're heading into supplementary oxygen needs, but it can be done as long as the (unpressurised) plane isn't climbing too fast. "Climbing too fast" brings us neatly onto our next subject - Nitrogen Narcosis and ultimately the bends. This is a function of reducing pressure too quickly for the body to compensate. The air we breathe is (largely) a mixture of Oxygen & Niotrogen. That goes in and the nitrogen goes out with CO2 (OK that's a gross oversimplification... but). Any excess nitrogen is stored in the tissues - I think it's actually stored in Cancellous Bone (commonly found near to joints). If you reduce the pressure the body is subject to, then the nitrogen is released from the tissues into the blood for exhalation. If the pressure is reduced too fast then there is an excess of nitrogen in the bloodstream with an effect similar to "Laughing Gas" (Notrous Oxide - geddit?). If the pressure reduction is faster then the nitrogen will form bubbles. It's the bubbles which cause The Bends. Anyway, the point is that Nitrogen Narcosis and The Bends are caused by rapid pressure reduction whether is's by an air breathing scuba diver surfacing too fast or by a skydiver going up in a plane too high too fast. To avoid this the SCUBA Diver adheres to decompression tables, and strangely enough the skydiver and jump pilot also adhere to similar tables for high altitude jumps. If you're going high - say 25,000'+, then as a skydiver you'll do 2 things to avoid nitrogen Narcosis and The Bends: 1. You'll "Pre-Breathe" Aviation Oxygen for 20 minutes or more prior to emplaning. This helps your body to purge itself of Nitrogen. 2. The pilot will make his ascent within the limits of your body and doesn't slam the plane up as fast as he can. This is why commercial high altitude jumps are disproportionately expensive. Incidentally, for anyone thnking of starting to scuba as well as skydive (and since no-one seems to have mentioned this as yet)... You CAN skydive then scuba. YOU CANNOT SCUBA THEN SKYDIVE!!!!!!! You should leave a clear day at ground level after scuba diving before going up in an unpressurised aircraft. The decompression tables give safe limits for divers returning to the surface air pressure and your body is still saturated with nitrogen after you surface. These tables take no account of you then buggering off into a plane afterwards and it takes your body over 24 hours to purge the excess nitrogen naturally. Regards, Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Confucion say: "The man who laughs last... Didn't get the joke" Mike D01270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi Sis, Sorry to hear about the bump, but it does strike me that you may be to blame in some way. As a native you should know that living in Texas largely consists of making strongly indicated moves to the right! It's quite possible that "Redneck Sam" mistook your traffic manoeuvre for some political statement and decided to sort it there and then. Heal quick, Regards, Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi there, watch the VR-6. Over here (UK) they have a reputation for eating front tyres and front suspension bushes if you use the power. For performance and reliability I'd say go for the Subaru. The Japanese market does a WRX 280 and there's a $hitload of tuning stuff for it (500bhp is easily within reach if engine life & maintenance isn't mush of a priority). This is the homologation (street) version of the works rally car and is probably unbeatable on twisty dirt roads. If you're REALLY into off-road, then can you get the Landrover Defender in your area? OK, it's a bit of a truck, slow & noisy, but once you're off road it's almost unstoppable. Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi Val, You have a friend who travels to Arizona to buy a boat!? Is he Texan? Anyway, Eloy is about an hour East of Phoenix. I-10 East to Junction 198, off at the outlet mall and Left at the lights. Head into Eloy & folow the signs to the Municipal Airport. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi there, Forgive me for butting in, but I remember the 1980's, I was there. the term "Yuppie" meant Young, Upwardly Mobile Professional"... Now, no offence, but how can a skydiver be upwardly mobile? Surely that is against the whole ethos of our sport, not to mention the laws of gravity!? Just my $0.02, Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi there, First car was a 1970 Ford Escort Twin-Cam! I would have probably killed myself in it if I'd ever got it to run properly. It cost me £200 back in 1977 and I sold it on a year later for £100. Funny thing - I fancied one again a couple of years ago but they've gone up in price a bit (£14,000!!). My other "memorable" car was an Audi Quattro I ran for a few years without killing myself or blowing it up . More than could be said for my old Lancia Intregale. Now I'm running a landrover 110 CSW Diesel. I keep telling myself that it's still a turbocharged 4WD but it's just not the same. Mike D10270. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.