cgross

i have to agree with that one. I grew up in New ENgland, have fun driving your 500lb hybrid P.O.S. matchbox car in the snow!!!! Tell me who invented 4x4, and I will kiss them. I couldn't live with out it. Although, my truck gets an amazing 19/14 highway/backroad milage. We like everything bigger. You euro's buy gas by the Liter. Fuck that- we buy it by the gallon. Chris

i too am doing what i wanted to do as a kid. It is just not as fun as I had envisioned it would be. It is actually work, can you believe that? Chris

Again u won't have to worry, but do not speed in R.I. They are a small state that needs the revenue, so they ticket everyone.

seen it, but have no clue who?

DO you know what you're lacking Mr. Philosopher? Origionality. This whole non conformist, I am crazy thing has been done before. The difference between you and actual crazy people. Truely crazy people think they are normal, they have no self belief of being crazy. That is why this is sad. If you really wanted to die, and really wanted for the rest of the world to think you were a nut, you would have done it already. This is one big fasade. (chanting) "Tear Down the Wall" Tear down the wall Tear down the wall tear down the wall"

i loved my job.. right up until I started jumping, now it bores me. I think I am going into Air traffic control. It will put a little stress in my life, and cause me to pay attention at work. Chris

i know... This wasn't an attack. I have given him the PM option, but he refuses to take it. . I have gone back and read all of his 120 something posts, and it seriously apprears he is suicidal and needs help. This isn't an insult, this is the truth. If there are people here that know him personally, they should probably keep an eye on him. My .02 Chris I ain't no shrink, but I think it is obviously a help cry.

What the fuck is going on with Jraf and Crazy... They need to lay off the LSD and chill the fuck out. I can see they are agree people trying (hard mind you) to attention. I see that. And by responding i am giving that attention, but please. Crazy, will you please stop playing the childish games. Though it may entertain you, it cost people money, and we are getting tired of the "Feel bad for me I am mentally ill" shit. For real, I was a lot like you once when I was 15 too. Please grow up and just obey the rules. Chris

I can't quite agree with all that. Supporting the underprivledged holier than thou Crap is BS. You know what, at one time or another we were all underprivledged, and we had to fight to get where we are today. Stop giving hand out to "underprivledged" people. It breeds laziness, and does nothing for the better good. Instead make the underprivledged proud, and give them something to fight for.

BS in meteorology. No pun intended with the BS.

Tom, In no way can I know what is truely going on here, but you seem very angry. Truthfully you sound desperate, and you seem to be crying for attention. This is not an attack this is concern from 1 skydiver to the next. Hey, I've got friends that have put guns in their mouth, and they sounded a lot like you do now. Thoughts of suicide and jumping aren't a cool thing to mix. If you want to talk PM me. Chris

Laying out in $$$ terms looks very bad to my girlfriend. She doesn't think it is worth it, but of course I do.

If you could... Explain what digital 8 and Mini DV is: If you could give examples of each camera, it would help. I am Planning on getting a digital video camera for personal use. I would also in the future like to use it for skydiving. I mean why buy 2? If you guys coud give current models and brands I could do some research. Thanks. Chris

Now I know where the name "Crazy Tom" comes from. This is not a personal attack

In the USA, the FAA/USPA rules require that the reserve be repacked every 120 day. Also, a complete inspection of the whole rig should be done at this time. You do not have to do it every120 days, but 120 days pass you can not jump it. If you left the sport for a year it would have to be redone before it was jumpable.

You are definately not alone!!! I have not has a MAL, but i have had an injury. My "beer" jump was my least scariest. Maybe it was cuz i had no expectations. My second was THE SCARIEST. And for several jumps after that i said on the way to the plane. " Why the fuck am I doing this" repeatedly to myself. On the way to alti i questioned myself and my "poor" decisions for doing this. I thought i was alone, because I was in a program with a friend of mine, and he never talked about his fears. So i didn't talk either. On the way to the DZ one day he asked if i ever thought about stopping. I said " Every Jump!" Me Too he responded. But there was something there, something keeps drawing me back. I am a wreck inside up until the moment i let go of the plane. Once i let go, all my fears are gone and it is complete bliss. Then I broke a bone. I have been grounded since september, but I have gone to 3 DZ's 5 times since then just to be there. Am I scared to jump again. Yes a Bit. Will I jump again? Yes. This is my choice though. It is not pressure from a friend or family (though my family hates that i jump), and this is not my pride. This is my thought out decision to do one of the greatest things in the world. It is always your choice. I think though that you are posting this because you want to come back. If you do, then be happy with your decision. If you don't come back, be happy with your decision. The facts don't lie. You will probably get hurt someday, and You will probably know someone who is killed given enough time in this sport. Those things happen in skydiving, and those are the things you need to consider. It is not irresponsible of you to do this if you want, but you need to honest with the people in your life about your decision. Again, it is your choice, and I hope you choose the one that is right for you. Good Luck, Chris

Thanks Wendy, I have been doing a lot of reading, and a lot of listening lately. One thing I have noticed is that people feel there is a need to downsize. My question is: Why? Why not ride what you have to its fullest before moving on. I understand people want more speed and more reaction from their canopy. I understand that, but I get this sense that in this sport people seem to over estimate their ability. I don't think it is a coincidence that many people are killed or injured having between 150 and 200 jumps.

When you bought your first rig, How many jumps did you put on your main before your first Downsize?

canadian sports = log rolling

Let's be realistic. They are telling the Press and the US people exactly what they got from this guy? If you wouldn't do that and any other citizen would do it, i don't think the FBI made up of US citizens would do it either. It is being leaked to make us feel all good like we are making headway, and it is used to throw off the enemy!

thanks... Hopefully no more this year,or ever for that matter, but it seems we are right on average.

All the fatal stat I have seen have not included this years stats. Does anyone know the current death toll in the U.S. in 2002 including the 2 possible fatalities today?

she is in college and u want her to get a rig? I make over 50K and I can't afford a fuckin' rig. If she has one when you see her next, I am changing careers and getting into swimming.

I am uncurrent, and heading w/ a friend to cross keys on Sunday. Anyone from there know what recurrencey cost, if it is avail. right now, and do they have an IAF program? Chris

Why isn't "FUCK BUDDY" on the list?