NoShitThereIWas

Absolutely NOT! Go to Hottie thread immediately . Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.

Hi Vinners, I don't have too much to add to what most people have said. I know someone who was really sick from alchoholism and alcoholism is truly a sickness. His whole family got together and did an intervention. They sought professional advice/help. Part of the intervention had to do with his friends and family confronting him with how they felt when he drank. Apparently it was a powerful enough approach to convince the person he had a problem and got him into recovery and rehab. Unfortunately, he still died at a young age due to the damage that had already been done. I have also had good friends who were alcoholics: helped check one into rehab when she hit rock bottom. We don't hang out anymore and last I heard she is back to drinking. Addiction is a tough nut to crack. Good luck to you Vinnie. Your friend is lucky to have you care so much about him and I hope you are able to help him. Just remember like others have said ... they have to want to help themselves.

WTF??? That is just wrong. No animal cruelty my ass! or the sheep's ass Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Don't know cause I haven't read the Badger thread. Can someone tell me what the hell a Badger is? I just keep getting more and more behind on that thread and now I'll never catch up! Someone must give me the rundown/plain wrap version of this whole Badger thing ... Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Well, I used to think the same thing. However, I was married to the biggest Parrothead on the planet. No seriously, the guy listened to nothing but Buffett 24/7. You learn to like it when that is the case. I always wanted to go to his concerts in Florida when everyone is on a big raft or inner tube out in the bay getting shitfaced. Buffett isn't that bad ... Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Oh yeah, sure, it's all about Chop CHop. Enough about Chop Chop, lets watch some Chop Chop on video, or better yet, lets talk more about Chop Chop. Hehehe. I've got lots of Chop Chop stories Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Yeah, I am with you on this one ... I know how I got here and I'm not goin home yet. I have been in this industry for 8 years and it hasn't always been easy ... but after packing everything in sight, manifesting/office managing, video/dubbing, AFF and now trying for senior rigger, my overall opinion is if you have respect for the sport and enjoy working with the team of individuals at your DZ and vice versa, there is no job out there more fun. Skydiving will likely be my side job a year or two down the line when I finish school and get a real job, but I always saw it as the perfect job if you are in school because it is something you can do strictly on the weekends, get enjoyment out of your hobby and teaching it to others and earning decent $$$ for a student for sure. It is also a great career for someone who is single and likes to travel since some DZs are closed in the winter and few areas in comparison to the whole have a year round skydiving climate. (I won't speak for some Missouians I know who jump in negative double digit temps ) I personally would not make skydiving my only career though as an instructor. Besides the weather being an issue in most places, there are too many things that can change rather quickly. Like if you got injured. It's not like you are an NFL player who if you get injured you will still get paid big $$$ and it is possible you may not even have health insurance through your DZ. In my opinion, the way to go is to have a "real" job with a somewhat flexible schedule and then an instructor/skydiving job on the side. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

#1: Dire Straits at the LA Forum #2: Jimmy Buffett's Millenium Concert at MGM Vegas Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

This being the interesting thread that it is ... With all curiosity, I am not sure that a DZ would be liable or that the person suing them would get very far if the person knowingly and/or blatantly lied on their waiver, brought a fake logbook, etc. That would be misrepresentation and fraud. However, from a DZs standpoint, even defense in a law suit can add up to big bucks real fast and if that person who lied to the DZ goes out and kills or injures another skydiver, then that person or their family may try and sue the DZ for negligence or allowing someone to jump who was not current. Has anything like this ever happened? Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I'll plead the fifth on this one of my own personal experience but I will say that I did find a tube of KY in the otter one morning ... and, I always thought a long ride at Disneyland the happiest place on Earth would be the best naughty place ever. Maybe that is why they removed the gondolas from the park Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

In response to Quade and in support of Kallend, just to clarify ... I specifically remember getting frustrated with the person checking me in when I showed her my AFF-I rating card and she still needed my last jump to be signed. Paul is right as far as signatures required for ratings and licenses but like others have said, once someone has achieved a D license or jump #s enough to get their instructional ratings, there is no real need to get jumps signed other than wanting someone's autograph in your logbook. My opinion is since I had already been through that process by the governing organization (USPA), I have already demonstrated to USPA jump numbers with signatures. IMHO, that should be enough for a USPA DZ. On the flip side if Perris wanted to make sure I was current for safety reasons by checking the date of my last jump dated in my logbook, fine and totally reasonable. But giving me a hard time or questioning my credibility as a jumper because it was not signed when I have an AFF rating is a little overboard and I would change that part of the check in process. And again, as someone else posted somewhere in this thread, the solution to this problem is to just make sure you have your logbook with you if you plan to jump at Perris and make sure your last jump is signed. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

and also Mike, you and Lynn are too cool and too nice for all that stuff. You should give up hauling meat, get your AFF rating and come with me to Missouri! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Mike I can definitely feel your pain. Sometimes taking a break and just changing pace is all a person needs. I took a break from jumping twice. Once was when I had to (pregnant) and once when I decided to go back to school full time and remove myself from the same things you are talking about. I have worked at 2 of the same DZs you have and sometimes just the BS associated with the rivalries, attitudes, etc. is enough to burn anyone out. I have considered quitting myself as I saw my love for the sport deteriorate. In fact how you feel is sort of how I feel about N. California in general. My answer to myself is to go somewhere else. A place where I think the DZ is different, people are more down to earth (don't have the CA attitude or mentality) and has its shit together. I assume for safety sake, when I am done with school and get a real job I will probably cut back to just fun jumping/team jumping and maybe rigging after I get my ticket. I love doing AFF and don't really see myself burning out on it if I am happy with my DZ and the people I work with and for. I have had some of my greatest days working at SMB if for no other reason than the people who I was working with. I think the attitudes of the people at a DZ are what make it enjoyable vs. a nightmare. And with all the other stuff you mentioned i.e. money, losing friends, etc., you sort of need that other good stuff to at least balance it out a little. If DZOs get greedy or treat me like shit it is no longer fun. When S&TAs are lazy that is frustrating, when friends die that is scary and sad and when attitudes are bad ... Sorry Mike, hang in there buddy

Is this thread supposed to follow that other thread because that other thread said some nights I am a sophisticated giggler, some nights I am a high maintenence person who is refined and knows exactly what she wants and other nights I am a pain in the ass .... Well, I like to drink wine, blended fufu drinks (Margaritas, daquiris, coladas with whipped cream yummy) and mixed drinks too. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

You've all got me laughing to tears Those pics were hilarious Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

#2 Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Thanks CrazyIvan!!! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

OK maybe this should be an easy one to figure out but I keep seeing it places and I feel like I am in the dark here ... Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Quote: "But other than all of that, the reserve will do you just fine." LOL, this reminds me of those commercials for like Flonase or whatever. It's like you can take this drug and it will help you with your post nasal drip but in the meantime, the side effects are severe diahrrea (spelling?), nausea, night sweats, headache, fatigue, breaking out in hives, etc. Well, I guess this isn't really a laughing matter, after reading most of the posts in that thread and also being a camera flyer, I am definitely now even more worried about my Reserve. After reading up about PD Reserves on their website, it looks like the best canopy for me would be a PD 126 reserve. Thanks Linestretch, that was a very helpful thread to read. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Thanks Iwan, I really would have liked to have been there. I was totally debating on getting my lazy drugged up butt in the car and heading up just to see and hang with you all. I would have been fine to drive and everything but man this Codeine stuff is affecting me pretty well. Jumping was out of the question and I was bummed for me just looking out the window cause there was blue skies and just like your weather report said ... breaking clouds at about 6K feet. (But I was happy for you guys cause I knew you all would be jumping) I called Bon Bon to see if she had her little cutie out with her, I was thinking of bringing mine out and they could play (they are the same age) but she said they were only going to be there for a little while longer. So ... there's always next weekend I guess. But besides the only halfway decent buns ... At least Playthings buns were there ... Sorry she didn't jump and I didn't show but did you guys have a blast? How many jumps did you all get in? How was the BBQ? Man I was bummed to have missed it Oh and BTW Iwan, that is a pretty funny name (NoShitThereIWasn't). Very cute and creative Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

So I have a question for all the riggers (or anyone else with experience with this topic) out there ... this one has sort of been lingering in the back of my mind for a while now. My Reserve canopy is the Micro Raven Dash-M2. Its DOM was October 1999. It is 135 sq. feet, the same as my main. My body weight is about 125 and my exit weight is about 145 (without wearing any additional weight) I have never used my Reserve (knocking on wood) but I have overheard some horror stories about these canopies and have heard people say things like, those Raven Dash-M Reserves "blow up on people" are unreliable, collapse, etc. I am not in any way bashing Raven Reserves because I don't know so I hope no one takes offense to me posting this but ... I would like my concerns either put to rest for good by getting some "You're good" feedback or people to just tell me, get rid of the thing. I had my rigger a while back check mine out. He told me he was checking for a certain type of reinforcement stitch or something (???) and said that if my canopy has this stitching I am okay. He said that some canopies were being recalled due to the stitch failure or something which caused the canopies to tear? Also, please excuse me if I don't have the terminology right, I am not a rigger (at least not yet). I am not sure if OK is good enough when it comes to my Reserve. I want to hear, Yeah that thing will save your life if you ever need it to without a doubt. So I started to relax a bit over it all when I found out that my canopy was not manufactured during the recall period, but I have since heard other skydivers say things like I would get rid of that thing and get a PD Reserve, PD makes the best. So my questions I guess are: 1) What determines the "best" Reserve canopy or is it just a matter of personal preference/experience like a main 2) Do you think PD makes a better Reserve canopy than the Precision MicroRaven I want to feel comfortable in jumping gear that is airworthy and safe, especially my Reserve and I have been sort of uncomfortable with that lingering question like, I haven't used it yet, is it going to work? It's not something I consider to be worth the risk. If you prefer to PM me your thoughts rather than posting openly in the forums that is okay too. Thanks and blue skies

Okay sorry guys to flake but last night was a late one and after going to the Doc, he put me on some pretty strong meds. This codeine cough syrup sure makes me feel good but I was sort of spacey and feeling kinda not like driving all day. I called Bon-Bon and asked if you guys needed me to bring the buns and cheese (I was thinking about you) cuz I felt bad about not showing and she told me that there is a Safeway down the street and the only thing that would be missed is me. (That was so sweet and made me feel good, thanks Bonnie) SO the good news is, this cough syrup and antibiotics is kickin the crap out of whatever I have had for so long and I think I am just about over it. Trust me, my cough could get pretty annoying to listen to, even I was annoying myself. But it is almost totally gone now. The bad news is I didn't get to hang out witcha all . I hope you guys are Bammin it up and havin a blast. Looks like I'll have to rain check out for next time. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I'd have to agree with ACMESKYDIVER. One of the reasons Washington was #3 on my list of places to live eventhough it has a lot of positive trade-offs is the weather. I am someone who likes good weather. A little bit of snow is no biggie, storms don't bother me, etc. But constant rain and fog I think would depress me so that is one reason why I chose to ditch the Washington idea. California is a great state but I am ready to get out. The Bay Area is very overpopulated, the traffic sucks, the crime is pretty high (my house was robbed and my bike was stolen from the BART station all in a matter of a couple months) and on the whole in comparison to other places, IMHO I think people in Cali are more clicky and impersonal. I have found in less populated cities people are generally friendlier and more personable. I guess it just depends on what it is you are looking for and what is important to you and like I said earlier, if I was solo and could earn a living there, I think the best place to live on American soil is Hawaii. A beautiful place to live and jump, the people who live there are warm and friendly, the lifestyle is layback, the weather is always great and if you are poor, you can always just go to the beach, blend a margarita and watch the sunset. Life is never bad in the islands.

And none of the Wiggles are even cute . The least they could have done is made the Wiggles all hotties so at least it would be fun for the Moms to watch! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Alrighty then! See you soon! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."