ZigZagMarquis

Well, if she gets a new paint job (she needs it) I hope someone posts a picture soon.

Wow, Normiss, sorry to hear this, that's harsh... ... you're own SO dime-ing you out that you owe beer! PS: I think if y'all read the fine print to the "Beer Rules", it doesn't count if someone else buys the beer for you and puts it in their trailer fridge and not the DZ fridge... just sayin'

11 April 2012: N121PM departed Decatur County Arpt (KBGE) at 10:45 EDT enroute to KRSN (Ruston Rgnl) for an estimated arrival at 13:06 CDT N121PM is expected to arrive at Ruston Rgnl (KRSN) in 45 minutes at 12:47 CDT N121PM arrived at Ruston Rgnl (KRSN) at 12:30 CDT from KBGE (Decatur County Arpt) N121PM has just filed a flight plan. It is scheduled to depart from Ruston Rgnl (KRSN) at 14:00 CDT heading for Mena Intermountain Muni (KMEZ) for an estimated arrival at 15:12 CDT. N121PM (DHC6) departed Ruston Rgnl (KRSN) at 13:47 CDT enroute to KMEZ (Mena Intermountain Muni) for an estimated arrival at 15:12 CDT N121PM is expected to arrive at Mena Intermountain Muni (KMEZ) in 45 minutes at 14:44 CDT N121PM arrived at Mena Intermountain Muni (KMEZ) at 14:41 CDT from KRSN (Ruston Rgnl)

Anyone... The rumor-mill has it that "Jump Operations Commencing in 2 Min over California City Airport" and "Jumpers Away Over California City Airport" calls have been heard recently over Joshua?!!? Think this is for real or just some old trons still floating around the verse getting bounced back via sun-spots or something? Air Force test jumpers using the ol' landing area?

Geeze mama, being a booze ha... I mean... connoisseur of fine wines, I thought you'd be able to rattle of several suggestions of wines to serve with Hamburger Helper!!??!

I'm sorry to hear of Howard's passing. Blue Skies Howard, I'll miss reading your posts here.

Hopefully, it was de-clawed...

I've already been to 5 different dz's this year! How many have you been to? That hurt.

So when does the skymama DZ Tour take place... so we can all meet and greet her?

http://www.winecellarinnovations.com/

You mean night time Kevin as opposed to day time Kevin the pilot? Sparky Well... AVS already had a Cue Ball, but "night time" Kevin wouldn't let us call him Eight Ball.

I've seen where they make wine mixed (infused ?) with chocolate! I'll bet mama has a cellar full of the stuff!

You mean I shouldn't be eating Thin Mints for breakfast!!??!

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/29/5-reasons-to-toast-your-health/?intcmp=features 5 reasons to toast your health Published March 31, 2012 Kicking back with a glass of vino is a well-deserved treat at the end of a busy day. Even our founding father Benjamin Franklin agreed: "Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance," he wrote. But wine brings more than pleasure to the table. Since ancient times, physicians have proclaimed wine's health benefits, and now a slew of recent studies show it's good for your brain, heart, and more. Naturally, moderation is key. The USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends no more than one glass a day for a woman and two glasses a day for a man, and none at all for pregnant women, individuals susceptible to alcoholism, and those on medication or with medical conditions that can interact with alcohol. But if you're one of the 55 percent of Americans who likes to raise a glass now and then, here are five reasons to toast your health with the fruit of the vine. 1. Wine is good for your heart. Remember the "French Paradox"? In 1992, researchers discovered that the French had a 36 percent lower mortality rate from heart disease, despite all the croissants and foie gras. Now scientists believe the powerful antioxidants in red wine and wine's ability to boost omega-3 fatty acids are factors. In another study, wine drinkers had a 34 percent lower chance of stroke. 2. Wine keeps your brain cells healthy. Two recent studies in Denmark and Sweden showed that moderate consumption of wine helped reduce the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. 3. Wine can protect against a host of age-related diseases. You've probably heard about that magical compound in red wine, resveratrol. Studies have shown that resveratrol can protect against diabetes, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases. 4. Wine can help prevent cancer. A glass of red wine each day can cut a man's risk for prostate cancer in half, and lowers the risk of Barrett's Esophagus, the precursor to esophageal cancer, by 56 percent. Plus, resveratrol in red wine has been shown to zap pancreatic cancer cells. 5. Wine drinkers tend to eat healthier foods and have healthier lifestyles. It sounds like a stereotype – beer drinkers gorge on fried foods and chips while wine drinkers favor salads and lean protein – but studies show that wine drinkers tend to eat the most heart-healthy diets. In one survey, wine drinkers ate more olives, fruit and vegetables, poultry, olive oil, and low-fat cheese, milk, and meat, while beer drinkers chose ready-cooked meals, refined sugar, cold cuts, chips, pork, sausages, and soft drinks. Even better? Contrary to popular belief, researchers found no evidence that a glass or two of wine makes you gain weight. Wine sounds like a miracle tonic, but it's not a cure-all for every disease. The jury is still out on many of its health benefits: while drinking moderate amounts wine can help prevent some types of cancer, alcohol consumption can activate cellular changes that help some cancer cells spread, and three or more alcoholic drinks a day significantly increases the risk of breast cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about wine and your health.

Back in the Apple Valley Skydive days, we used to sing the them song to the T.V. show The Monkees during the ride to altitude. Black Kevin started that one.

Oooohhhhh... "Dennis Huff"!!??!!... isn't that "the name" y'all don't mention around Van Sr?

Jim, 88 at Cal City was about 5 years before my time jumping there, but I'll take a stab at a few folks in that photo (besides Celaya) that I meet after I happend that way in 93... how about... Dave Deis Jay Schumacher (sp?)... flipin' the downward bird Gary Koleghey (I'm sure that's spelled way wrong) Carol Bell Lida Weisenhunt (again... sure I messed up the spelling) ... did I guess any correct? I'm surprised Philly isn't in that photo. No beers... he must have been off raidin' the fridge while it was unguarded during the photo op.

Two Beers Two Titties!

AAAAAACCCCCCKKKKK!!!! PPPPPHHHHTTTTHHHHPPPPPPP!!!! ** taking a stuble down memory lane... as sCary puts it **

Well, most dropzones are a ghost town by the time Sunday evening rolls around, boogie or not, but I experienced pretty early on in my skydiving career that a "boogie" pretty much means "not much jumping" Sunday morning because most folks are still poluted or too hung-over from Saturday night's boogie antics. Not that I'm saying Saturday Night Boogie Antics are a bad thing... just saying. But I realized early on how to set my expectations when it came to skydiving boogies... ... or maybe it had more to do with having a rig stolen at a boogie...

Hell! These days we wouldn't be allowed to name it the COCKPIT!

Wow! That almost sounds like a line out of Point Break!!

Sort of was...

Two Hands. Two Boobies. Strange...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/10/worlds-first-nuclear-powered-aircraft-carrier-big-e-makes-final-voyage/?test=latestnews?test=latestnews World's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, 'the Big E' makes final voyage Published March 10, 2012 | Associated Press When the makers of "Top Gun" were filming on board the USS Enterprise, they donated a set of black fuzzy dice to liven up the ship's otherwise drab interior. A quarter-century later, the dice will still be dangling inside the tower of "the Big E" as the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier sets sail on its final voyage Sunday. The trinket is a reminder of the ship's storied 50-year history that includes action in several wars, a prominent role in the Cuban missile crisis and serving as a spotter ship for John Glenn's historic orbit of the earth. "To serve on this ship, certainly in this capacity, you certainly have to be a student of the ship's history," said Rear Adm. Walter Carter, commander of the Enterprise strike group. "Fifty years of service, in our nation's history, we've never had a warship in service that long." The Enterprise is the longest aircraft carrier in the U.S. fleet. It is also the oldest, a distinction that brings pride as well as plenty of headaches for the ship's more than 4,000 crew members. The ship is effectively a small city that frequently needs repairs because of its age. It was originally designed to last 25 years, but a major overhaul in 1979 and other improvements have extended its life. The ship largely looks like any other carrier on the inside and has modern amenities like gyms, a coffee shop and a television station with dozens of channels. It even produces its own daily newspaper while at sea. But even the best-maintained ship faces challenges as it ages. "It's kind of like when you get older and you know it's harder to get out of the bed in the morning. It takes you a couple hours to kind of really get up and then you're fine. Well, it's the same sort of thing here with Enterprise," Capt. William Hamilton, the ship's commanding officer, said days before the ship was set to deploy from Naval Station Norfolk. Hamilton acknowledged all aircraft carriers have problems they're supposed to anticipate, but he said the Enterprise is more likely to have "unknown unknowns" than newer ships. Machinists in charge of fixing unexpected problems say the things that can break down range from critical air conditioner units to elevators that lift fighter jets from the hangar bay to the flight deck not working. Moreover, the Enterprise has eight nuclear reactors to maintain -- six more than any other U.S. carrier. The problems are so notorious that sailors reporting to work aboard the Enterprise are often given joking condolences by their colleagues on shore and on other ships. The ship regularly has to make its own parts from scratch when something breaks down. Spare parts for much of the ship, which is the only one of its class, simply don't exist. "Life is hard on Enterprise," Hamilton said. "But when they leave here, they leave knowing if they can do this, they can do anything." The challenges aboard the ship and the need to keep spirits up were highlighted last year, when former commanding officer Capt. Owen Honors was fired for airing raunchy videos that he said were intended to boost morale. During a hearing in which Honors was trying to avoid being kicked out of the Navy, he and his lawyers frequently referenced the difficult conditions on board. Honors was found to have committed misconduct, but ultimately allowed to stay in the service. He is retiring in April. Hamilton acknowledged that maintaining morale on the ship -- which has unofficial mottos like "There's tough, and then there's Enterprise tough" and "We eat pain like candy" -- is still vital. "As much as anything, it's just telling them face to face that you appreciate, the Navy appreciates, the nation appreciates what they're doing and then that goes a long, long way," he said. There's also the added bonus of the ship's crew members feeling particularly proud to serve on a ship whose name has a distinguished place in naval history and pop culture. Crew members who weren't even alive when "Top Gun" was in theaters in 1986 use the film to explain what it is they do on the ship, as well as exactly where it is they do it. For Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Dennis, there's also pride in his ship having the same name as the ship featured in the "Star Trek" series. He's from Cairo, Ga., the same home town as "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry. "In a way I wanted to be part of this ship, to be on the last deployment, to be a part of that. Being from Cairo, that's real huge," he said. "I always wanted to be a part of history, so being on this last deployment it'll be something I can definitely tell my children and grandchildren." The Enterprise is heading to the Middle East on its seven-month deployment, where it will be on standby in case of conflict with Iran or piracy threats off Somalia, among other things. The ship has experience with both scenarios, participating in a retaliatory strike against Iran for mining the Arabian Gulf in 1988 and responding last year to the hijacking of a sailing vessel by Somali pirates, during which all four Americans on board were shot and killed. The deployment will be the ship's 22nd. Following its return to Virginia in the fall, tens of thousands are expected to be on hand for a deactivation ceremony Dec. 1 that President Barack Obama has been invited to attend. But if "Top Gun" producer Jerry Bruckheimer wants to film a sequel, he'll have to find another ship. The following summer, Enterprise will be towed to the shipyard where it was built in nearby Newport News so its nuclear fuel can be removed, a process that will take until 2015. What remains of the ship after that will then be taken to Washington state so it can be scrapped. The ship, among the first to respond after the Sept. 11 attacks, won't be turned into a museum like some other carriers. Crews have to cut large holes in the vessel to remove the nuclear fuel, and it would be too expensive to repair, said Lt. Cmdr. Sarah Self-Kyler, the Enterprise's public affairs officer. Instead, many of the ship's alumni want another carrier to be named Enterprise in the future, which is not uncommon, she said. This is the eighth ship to bear the name Enterprise, and there's a room on board dedicated as a museum to past incarnations. The preceding USS Enterprise was the most decorated ship in World War II, while the first Enterprise joined the U.S. fleet after it was captured from the British in 1775. If a future carrier is renamed Enterprise, it's unclear if the fuzzy dice will make journeys on board that ship, too, or remain in a Navy museum.