Jumpervint

I know you've heard it before, but these guys rock. My Pro-dytter died unexpectedly this summer. I thought it was batteries and replaced them. Still no go. I contacted L&B and Mads Larsen emailed me on 8/22 to send it to them. I mailed it after Labor Day some time, and today I got back a new Dytter to replace my dead one, plus an extra set of batteries. Customer service to the max fantastic. I'm a loyal fan from here on out. Thanks L& B Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Today I will teach These to my ESL kids One in each language . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

The article was horrible. It was a 182, not held together with duct tape, as the article states, and had more instruments working than just the air speed indicator and altimeter, as stated in the article. The pic showed Noe hanging from the strut before exit. Must have been the way he rode to altitude, too. The reporter was this really young guy who obviously was looking to spice up his writing. Those crazy skydivers, they'll risk thier life every time! Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

This happened a week ago, but I was busy and forgot to post it. the article is horrible. The cause was good. The picture (not included) was good If you have any questions, let me know. Vint Saturday, September 6, 2003 Spokane Parachutists jump for homeless Colin Mulvany On his 38th skydive of the day, Noe Cortez pauses before letting go of the wing strut. Cortez and colleague Mike Lyons set a regional record by jumping 50 times in one day. Benjamin Shors - Staff writer DAVENPORT, Wash. _ DAVENPORT, Wash. -- What makes two men jump from an airplane 50 times in one day? The homeless. ‘‘Because we never know," said Mike Lyons, climbing into a 1960 Cessna 182, ‘‘we might be homeless some day." Lyons, 43, and Noe Cortez, 50, raised more than $2,000 on Friday through pledges, all of which will go to local homeless shelters. In addition, the men believe their tandem jumping, which lasted more than seven hours, established a regional record. ‘‘If somebody did more jumps, there's no record of it," Lyons said, adding that he checked with the U.S. Parachute Association prior to the jumps. On the ground, David Wall of Union Gospel Mission watched excitedly. His mission will split the money with its sister organization, Anna Ogden Hall. While not the largest of donations, Wall said it may be the most creative. ‘‘It's an incredible thing going on today," he said. ‘‘Guys jumping for the homeless. It beats a carwash." The tiny one-seat crop-duster ferried Lyons and Cortez down the thin runway west of Davenport, past dried weeds and up into the air. It handled all 50 jumps. At 2,500 feet, the men leaped again and again from the plane. They fell for about five seconds before pulling their chutes and sweeping onto the dusty landing zone. Once on the ground, workers rushed to their side, with yet another packed parachute. Pancakes, cinnamon rolls and coffee sat in the back of a truck. The men ate turkey sandwiches for lunch, as the plane carried them up. In between, they sprayed Pledge on their goggles to clean off the sweat. Lyons' wife, Stephanie, helped pack parachutes in a makeshift shelter. She and Lyons were married on a skydive above Spangle, Wash., three years ago. The couple operate West Plains Skydiving School, and she is accustomed to his stunts. ‘‘You're always a little worried," she said. ‘‘But we are prepared." A half-dozen volunteers stuffed packs continuously. Only two chutes were removed, after workers discovered they'd been improperly packed -- a situation that could create a ‘‘major malfunction," in parachuter parlance. Several workers watched with a touch of envy, as Lyons and Cortez drifted in every seven-and-a-half minutes. The talk in the tent centered on jumping. Once strapped into new packs, the men rushed to the waiting Cessna. When asked if the plane was safe, the pilot, Dr. Angelo Ferraro, who is also a cardiologist, sidestepped the question. ‘‘It's legal," he said. However, he conceded, ‘‘None of the instruments work except for the speedometer and altimeter. Even the duct tape's peeling off." By jump 43, the men were showing signs of fatigue. ‘‘All the G-forces from spiraling down take it out of you," said Lyons, who's made more than 3,000 jumps. Both men, former instructors at the survival school at Fairchild Air Force Base, carried altimeter watches to track their height above the Earth. They also carried curved knives to cut away a chute in an emergency, so that an auxiliary chute could be deployed, if necessary. Both are `D' experts, an elite status requiring at least 500 jumps and giving them authority to do demonstration dives. Throughout, both men remained enthusiastic, highfiving and pumping their fists. ‘‘It's exhilarating every time," said Cortez, gulping an energy drink. Just after 2 p.m., two planes carried 10 jumpers to 12,000 feet. The ground crew watched for half an hour. At last, the planes' white bellies emerged from a cluster of clouds. The parachuters swept to the ground, with Lyons and Cortez in the lead. ‘‘Outstanding," Lyons pronounced upon his 50th arrival. With that, he tucked the chute under his arm, and walked bowleggedly back to the airplane hangar. . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

"I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." Goethe I'm a teacher, I have power. Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

I taught Russian on tv via satellite for three years, and then 7 years later ended up teaching business ESL via satellite and cable. I was standing in a Mexican fast food place in another city and the person next to me said, "Don't you teach Russian on tv?" Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

A kogda bydet forum po-russkii? I sam ne znayu Lisa, no naverno liubil bi yeyo poznakomilcsya bi c nyei. I hate transcribing Russian. It sucks. Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

1:10:1 9 jumps from said Caravan, and the beer for my first jumps from one. We had 55 jumpers register for our Stevensville Smoke Out boogie. One formation load with the Caravan and our turbine 207 on Saturday set a dz record 21 way. Big fun was had by all. Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Ohhh. the Hip, definitely. Gordon Downie was supposd to have been in town Wednseday night. don't know if he really made it. No promo at all on it. Oingo Boingo is one of my faves, too. Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

I got this great book called "Why Paint Cats" for Christmas. It makes me laugh everytime I see it. Makes me want to get an airbrush and try it out on my cats. Here's an example from the book. Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

The muffler man says New costs two hundred sixty That’s 13 jumps. I will wait until I get my paycheck again That may be a month. . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Postwhoring is done I have many errands now Before I can jump. Bye! . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

No rain in Spokane Quick! Fly to us and come play, We like cute students. . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Dytter is broken Must get to the post office Mail it to Denmark. . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

I will remember When climbing to altitude Fun Friday haiku . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Girlfalldown is fast Does Boyfalldown know this, hmmm? She has fast fingers. . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Chopchop’s many buds Help him win haiku contest But Friday's not done. . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Chopchop is vet’ran He writes haiku very fast. Tough to beat him now. . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

New muffler and beer I need before trip to dz Can’t keep postwhoring . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Chopchop says all fair Burn down your own house with fire. You play with matches? . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Must be like Chopchop Post one haiku at a time Then Clownburner wins. . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Summer is over Back to school and work for me No playing at work. New firewall this year Damned Websense will spoil my fun. Must use quota time. Last Friday haiku? I’ll have to play late Fridays By then all is done. It’s fun to read these Haiku written by jumpers. Beer and skydive thoughts. . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

The wind blows to us Smoky skies from Montana Will not stop jumping Kill the afternoon Waiting to go to the DZ Sunny days ahead Want to spend the night At the dz; my wife says “Have fun” and looks pissed. I’ll come home each night I will drive one hour each way Marriage harmony. Driving after hours I hope there are no police To catch my drunk ass. I will teach haiku To my ESL students We’ll write on Fridays Were I a PW I’d post each haiku alone Increase my numbers. Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

It's an interesting distribution. Very standardized bell curve. Could we suppose that the ends are low because 1.) new jumpers don't know about this website and the wealth of information here? and 2.) the 'old-timers' spend thier time other places, and/or there are fewer old-timers becasue they have left the sport. I know a fair number of jumpers who have hit the 500-1000 and a bit level who then say, well, I've done that, time to move on. Is there a master's thesis in here somewhere? Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

Caravan coming Yet I have never jumped one. First! I will bring beer. Vint . . . . . "Make it hard again." Doc Ed “A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis