rhys

Ha, I love these type of comments. Tandem skyding is, for the most part a carnival ride. At my current DZ we will do more than 150 tandems a day on the weekends, only a very small proportion of them are interested in taking up skydiving as a sport. It is each individual that decides whether or not they wish to be a skydiver, not the instructor. Almost all of my 'customers' get to fly the parachute, the only ones that do not are the people that 'do not want to' I usually try to pursuade them but if they insist, who am I to say that they have to do so? My 'breifing' is a one minute discussion in the aircraft, immediately prior to exit, The students are all briefed generically on the ground by our GCO's before the instcutors even meet them. I focus on giving the 'customers' a great time and making them more 'relaxed'. I have found that too much unecessary information (overlearning) can make them less comfortable and not have as much fun. If they decide to take up skydiving they will have all the opportunity to learn the required actions in the classroom in thier AFF or static line training, The first tandem jump should be purely fun! They do not pay that money to have some self proclaimed guru, spew out so much information that they simply 'turn off' to what is being said. If a customer asks to pull the ripcord they can, I will train them, sometimes I ask them (always on their second jump!), but for the most part I give them what they came for... ... a 'good time' jumping from an airplane. Second time jumpers are a different story, I always make it more interesting for them, and explain the canopy control and set up to them. Some don't care and just want a back flip, so i give it to them (if they are relaxed)! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Are you sure someone didn't slip [url"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_mushrooms"]majic mushrooms[/url] in your tea? Seriously, when I was about 20 years old I did experiment with some drugs, Majic mushrooms were everywhere and I tried some, I took 'too many' on my first time and potentially almost killed myself, at least that is what it felt like at the time. But having said that, I could see the aura of the people and animals around me, the plants seemed to react to my being near them and I could see 'maori' faces with 'Moko' peering over me. in a room the i 'knew' a maori person had died in not long before the time. I was communicating with people that were not there, I was imagining things we do not usually imagine, and I felt more intouch with nature than I have ever felt before. Was this all actually happening? or a figment of my 'imagination'? It took me some time (about 6 months) to feel somewhat normal again after that, and have since blacklisted any hallucinagens, but still remeber reasonably vividly the begining and end of the trip, the middle was intense and i cannot quite remember what happened there, but it definately changed my view on life 'Forever'! The 6 month recovery period was not anything physical, but was more my 'discovery' of the 'evil' things in life that I had only just become aware of. We human beings are very selfish most of the time and we would rather not even consider the consequences of our actions, especially if it makes it more difficult for us in the short term, doing so. I was more in touch with nature after that and have much more compassion for anything that is subject to suffering, be it our environment, our fellow animals or human beings. Ergot was commonly ground into the wheat flour over history. Magic mushrroms are also well documented over history, They both have 'most likely' been around longer than human beings. The 'type' of 'visions' that I had may have shaped history more than you would be willing to acknowledge. In history no one would have been aware of what was happening to them, 'witchcraft' or similar, would have been blamed many times and the very people that were aware of 'some' of the healing potentials of plants and other products were blamed and burned on the stake. Christaianity and many other religons 'may' have been shaped by the use 'intentionally' and 'unintentonally' over the lat few Millenia. Still, 'nobody' has the knowledge to prove beyond reasonable doubt what the origin of life is, yet so many are willing the bet thier life on it! Sad really! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

that should say; So in conclusion, I don't necessarily believe in a god But I cannot dismiss the possibility of there being one. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Awesome, I had to spend some time shaving my 'regular' old blow switch down to fit comfortably 'inside' my helmet. It is good to see a product that is specific to skydiving used, rather than a swimming pool switch! Are these things available now? "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Here are a few, I wish I had a better archive... "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

You know it, it is easier to 'unleash' on an internet forum than it is in person. As much as I disagree with many aspects of Christmas, I have always enjoyed the time to appreciate life, family and friends. Happy holidays to everyone and lets hope for a healthy and prosperous new decade for all.

Hi daddy'o'! Touche, I stand corrected. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I don't really likeusing the term God as it implies that I am referring to something already well know such as the christian sense of the word. I don't necessarily belive in a god (potentially athiest) and potentially do. The evidence of a progressive evolution of life is obvious, and 'May' have strated at one point or may have always existed. i am not at liberty to decide what is the case as there is not enough evidence, for 'anyone' to make such a judgement. doing so would be 'out of faith' entirely and based on assumtion. I would rather wait for the truth to present itself, that willmost likely never happen. i'm cool with that! So in conclusion, I suggest that I necessarily believe in a god But I cannot dismiss the possibility of there being one. Don't confuse that with me believing in a GOD but not understanding what it is! Have a nice day! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Hmm. I don't know which countries you have been to? but I have been to several different third world countries. I don't consider the people that 'didn't get an Ipod or bicycle for Christmas', as less fortunate. More those that were born with Aids, in a slum, with poison drinking water, a dying mother, no father and 'NO HOPE'! More than half of the earths human inhabitants are not subject to Christianity and many have no other choice than to abide by what thier peers impose on them (this is the case for christian alot of the time too!). If your God is so great then why is he a cunt to such a high proportion of the earths inhabitants and so nice to such a small proportion? Bullshit! I don't see christians giving much energy at all to the environment, maybe once the damage is already done and it seems like a 'nice thing to do' or ethical. it is too late once species are extinct. We shouldnt need to let a problem happen, before we decide to act, we should acknowlwdge 'through education' what supports our lives and prevent these problems from happening. Correct but I would say 'relative harmony' as I'm sure the atelope being eaten alive by a pride of lions feels no harmony. I would be more inclined to use the term, balanced! Of course my upbringing has had an effect on my veiwpoint, to say anything else for 'anyone' would be nieve. I sound like jesus christ in many ways similarly to the way the 'horescopes' seem to fit the bill most of the time. Jesus' message has been 'fabricated' by addressing skepticism for many centuries. It is 'designed' to make sense (in a vague way). Agreed entirely! Have a nice holiday!

Nah, I don't beleive you are even close! I don't necessarily believe in a god or not, we are unable to fathom at this point what the origin of existence let alone life 'is'. It is not a Guy with a cloak and big beard and a son name Jeevis, thats for sure. And he didn't etch the rules of life on stone, and he didn't make men out of dirt and women of the rib of a man. I still think agnostic fits the bill but what you or i call it does not effect what i believe. If anything is to change my actions it is learning that i was incorrect before. We should 'know' what is right and wrong, the 'compassion' energy that we get when we do wrong is a natuarl thing, elation from doing good is also natural. We need to more in touch with ourselves, then we can find balance. Humans for the most part, are so entrapped in social structure and commitments that they have in many respects, lost touch with their own selves, let alone their surroundings. I am glad tha i grew up in a place where relatively untouched wilderness was easily accessable, it allowed me to understand more about wher we came from, the cities, laws, and commitments that are imposed upon us that we call 'Life' are irrelevant in comarison to the real 'Life' that surrounds us, it is this that we have lost touch with and this that supports us, it is this the we need to repect and if educated enough all human beings should fathom the importance of doing so. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

ah the 10 % that lie! just pulling your leg. Its all good, I am just easily amused this afternoon. happy holidays! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

...To those that are born in a more fortunate facet of society and a real CUNT to those that are not... "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

"i only like reading the articles" Wanker! te he he. Interesting article though, I strictly kept to the articles and didn't even consider clicking the 'girls' button and then the 'free nude pics' button and seeing some lovely young ladies. thanks for the link. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Not really, the way I see it, I wen't from "I don't beleive there is a God becasue this 'these quaint moral stories' are nice ' but go no way in expaining how we come to be. I was about 14 years old at the time when I thought this to myself. So dismissed Christianity, but was inquisitive about the origins of life and peoples different beliefs. For years I just wondered, but thought I must be athiest, I eventually wondered while I had google at my side and through a bit of reserch found a 'vague' description of my beliefs. I also considered the use of Deist. I have underlined in italics what i agree with and have put in bold ehat I disagree with. Who are we to say what is natural. We are simply 'working it out' ourselves, and making a description of what we know while being oblivious to what we don't. I cannot dismiss what 'can be refered to' as 'supernatural' or 'out of the ordanary', as I am not at liberty to do so. I consider 'any' religon that has human beings at it's 'centre' and 'focus' as instantly dismissed as credible. These examples are mere examples of humans' instinctive greed and desire to empower one another and be greater than one another. If you don't think I'm agnostic then what do you suppose I am? 'I' find it hard to fathom that there was ever a 'time' where 'absolutely nothing' 'existed', because 'previous' to that, there wouldn't have been have been 'anything' or 'anyone' to create our existence to begin with whether it was by or reaction or construction. One thing is for sure, we should not be killing each other and disrepecting our environment. We need to understand our environment and respect the support it gives us, without which we would not have the 'ability to exist at all', thorugh a 'natural' reletiveley balanced distribution of taking and giving. We need to move our 'focus' from selfishness to co-existence. All humans have an element of compassion and also of selfishness, it is just the side we 'wish' to be in contact with most, that shapes who we are and what we do. Propoganda and bullshit is rife, and we have to really all consider 'any' possibility because often what we are told is simply not true. Sometimes a new discovery will Change your reason of belief, and many will be too scared or too apathetic, to 'go against the grain' and change thier ways. Most would rather just be accepted by their peers and live in relative harmony. This is our nature, not our origin! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Bullshit! Saying that is also saying that 'all' agnostics believe that the Universe has always been here and never had a beginning. Agnostics, such as myself, belive that the origins of existence cannot be fathomed with our current understanding. I all I know is what we are told by the self proclaimed illuminati, is a load of old codswollop. If you choose to believe in Christianity (not to say you do, but figuratively speaking) that is up to you and your choice, it is also up to me and my choice to consider you an idiot for doing so. I don't feel the need to know what the origin of life was just to appreciate it. What definitition do you use? "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

QuoteI think if you read the discussion here you would see that there is an agreemnet between two very experienced welders that the column in the picture was cut with a torch, albeit sloppily. Of course, you are welcome to dispute that based on your own knowledge. Quote \ actually 'he' said it is 'possible' for it to have been cut but not likely. And from his experience it dod not look as though it was cut. and as i said, this particular topic can be debated for ever more, and if it was cut by hand, Post collapse, it does not go anywhere in rendering the controlled demolition hypothesis. It was one simple observation. Try moving on and agreeing to disagree. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Nope. Atheism is "absence of belief in the existence of deities". It is irrelevant to the origins of life. I will correct you, i used to claim to be an athiest, due to my upbringing. My mother is christian(kind of), and my father is 'non Christian'. I went to a christian high school and attended bible studies and religious studies and Chapel numerous times each week. i also gained a general excellence award during the time as Icould 'understand' what we were being taught but didn't necesserily believe what was being said. The more shit that was fed to me the less I believed, I was told that athiests were people that do not believe in GOD, so i signed up (figuratively speaking). It was some years later as I dismossed religon altogether, that i discovered the possibility of being Agnostic, it made much more sence than being athiest as I relly 'love' nature and find it an essential part of what we are and how we came to be. Existence, including the entire universe, be it whole or growing exponentially, is something 'NONE' of us can fathom, 'EVER' so being agnostic makes more sense than any other religon, or all of them put together. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Funny, I've presumed the converse: that many people who are actually atheists refer to themselves as "agnostics" due to social pressure. how can you make such a comment? the definition is simple; There is some sort of 'majic' to life, agnostics do not dismiss the fact that life was created for and by something other than human beings/in a human form. Humans are selfish pig headed idiots at the best of times. Especially Christians. Anybody that claims they are a Christian is essentially telling us all they are a gullable idiot! Same goes for many other religons. We are not the centre of the universe, and we will not be here for eternity as we have not 'been'. Pretty simple stuff to get your head around and sensible. christians? fucking idiots! athiests? on the right track but havn't done their research. As I said earlier, I believe athiests are mostly agnostic, but base thier statement on what they 'DONT' beleive rather than what they think is the origin of life. look at Nature, you know that thing that is dismissed everyday in our 'christian' society, that thing that according to christians was 'put here for us to use' (and abuse). There are life forms we didn't even know existed that we have made extinct due to being idiotic selfish assholes, based on christian ideals (as well as other religons). How about we start respecting the earth we live on and the energy that supports us rather than some human form idol? for fuck sake, the human race (as a whole) is for the most part so stupid we will never come to understand reason. We are intellegent enogh to make things easier for ourselve but not so intellegent to make things even easier for future generations -Selfish! this selfishness is responsable for most of the worlds problems, may well be quite naural, but is not very intellegent at all. Anyway, how about those holy wars! that oil is still sitting there... "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I did a 21000' jump once, our pilot was put on hold for for the drop and kept on climbing, we didn't expect the jump but had oxygen standard in the aircraft. It was cool to have done a 20k jump but from memory, once I 'got down to' about 10k my internal alarm bells were ringing and spent the rest of the jump looking at the ground and my alti. we were freeflying for abou 90 seconds. How fast does one fall (say neutral on the belly) above 20k? "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

It being omitted from the 9/11 commission report altogether is also fishy. How was that building ever... 'insignificant'. Building 7 is still the 'smoking gun' of 9/11, we could be assured the truth if private investigators woud be allowed acces to 'any' of the evidence. I'm not holding my breath for that happening, though I wish everyday for it to happen. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Exactly, they're designed to attach the student to the instuctor/parachute system during freefall, after which their existence is a mere hinderence. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Interesting, has the productivity reduced with the new owner due to disgruntled staff? Loss of productivity due to disgruntled and apathetic staff can cost $1000's, I have seen it cost hundreds of thousands. I would be interested to know what happened at your DZ in he respect since the 'takeover'. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Sure he was professional and prompt about publishing his mistake. He did however gain the false information from American Airlines themselves. They were the ones that origionally stated that there were not 'airphones' in that particular aircraft. This makes the Olsen phone call 'possible' now but the fact that the FBI say the call was never connected still raises suspicion. Olsen has lost his wife and as much as I am fishy about that aspect of the story it is not beyond reasonable doubt that his particular convesation, and I have compasson for him. The matter will continue to be scrutinised and something else will come of it. And once again as with the column, if the phone call did take place it still does not prove the official stroy to be correct. The NIST and Government departments hold the vital evidence that can prove beyond reasonable doubt that their stroy is correct or not. The footage of the pentagon, the remanents of the buildings and even the dust that was collected would go a long way in ending these unecessary debates. We should know beyond reasonable doubt what was seen and recorded, the witnesses comments should be taken into consideration and a criminal investigation should have taken palce before it was 'determined' who was responsable. An unscathed passport is recovered while a high proportion of the concrete was pulverised to dust. This passport is supposed to have been inside the same aircraft that produced a fire responsable for the collapsing these immense stuctures. What is to hide, why is the evidence just sitting there and the authorities avoiding contact and not acknowledgeing the questions asked of them. If they are so right, as you would like to think, why don't they shut us all up once and for all by releasing images of a Commercial aircraft flying into the pentagon? Why would they not let scientists test the dust samples thay have? Why would you surround Iran? Why would you spend more than the entire world combined on military spending? Why kill innocent civilians and soldiers? why suck you country down the toilet. Becase thay are assholes and couldn't give a flying fuck about you, me, or anyone other than themselves or their 'elite' friends and peers. 9/11 was far too convienient, and the bullshit stories that flow out from the cunts that fabricate them, are in many cases idiotic. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

You see I am not one that need to come up with solutions to know that there is a problem, jusat as AE911truth do not use speculation. That is your forte. That beam as pointed out by hcsvader and pondered by me does not look like it was cut by hand the slag is on the outside of the column and the inside in the sme proportion, you showed a lengthy report debunking the 'theory' that the beam was cut by thermite 'somehow'. This column and its suspected implications are only a stich in the story. I beleive it was unlikely the column was cut by hand as it simply does not look that way, and this was also pointed out by a very experienced welder. But not to detract from the collapses as a whole and the multitude of other unlikely scenarios that happened that day. I'll (for arguments sake) say the colum was cut with a torch and move on. We will never know for sure until somebody explains how slag can drip in both directions both towards and away from the cutteing tool in equal proportions, in significant quantities. The photos have not shwm that but this particlaur, singular topic is one that can be debated indefinately. I will move to more defnitive topics. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

It is quite clear that you are a half empty kind of guy, I like to look at the glass as half full. I already have a plug in electric vehicle and have had 3 different types over the past 2 years. Better design and more performence each time. They are not cars they are skateboards. I don't have a car. I don't need one. The batteries on my skateboard used to run out as they only offered lead acid 9AH batteries, the next had 12AH these last just less than and just more than One hour at top speed. Now we can get Litium ion batteries that fit with 15AH and give better discharge with battery management systems... I have been told of dry cell batteries with 36AH at the same size (but yet to go see the guy) It is 'Much' faster for me to use an electric skateboard to go to, work, town, hardware store... Than it would be for me to drive. it is also more fun. I am looked at as a weirdo, by 'half empty' type people for having the audacity to use anything other than what is considered conventional. People are so freaked out by seeing something different that they change the way they react in a traffic situation when they see me there,THEY make the road less safe by not abiding the rulse and expect that I am gong to hit them even whan I am stationary. I am using the road the same way as a bicycle or small motorbike. I can go up steep hills at 25kmph and on the flat I can go 35KMPH I have brakes and have great control, what is so freak deaky? Change! Not to drift the thread but to use my point, it is not the technology that is not ready for 90% of the population, it is that attitude of 90% of the polulation that is holding back the technology. You don't need an escalade to take the kids to school, but 'half empties' can't fathom anything else being safe enough. Once Electric vehicles are 'mainstream' the amount of money that will be pumped into the technology will imporve the performance and capabilities. As Quade says, there will come a time when IC will be a quaint piece of history. Good fucking riddance I say! It could/should have happened decades ago. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix