NoShitThereIWas

Okay Deuce, My copy is waiting for me at the Disney Store, you just reminded me Thanks!!! I'll have to take Dakota to pick it up tomorrow. She'll be so excited!!! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I check my handles before I board the aircraft and I get a pin check, I recheck all of my handles again before I leave the airplane and I touch my handles in order (Emergency Procedures) before every jump. Because as Poly used to say, "When it gets ugly, it gets ugly quick." Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Hey Squeak, Hell Yeah, I got my A, B, C, D Coach and AFF rating in 1 month. It may sound scary and I only had 400 jumps when I got my rating. But I also had 6 years in the sport as a packer, manifestor, flew camera, competed on 2 teams at Nationals and was trained by a highly skilled professional who I thought was one of the best skydivers around. Skill is in the eye of the beholder. If you got your rating in the first place, you had to be able to meet the standard. If you question the ability of the individual based on experience, it is probably better than to look at the standard. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Jimbo, thanks for the laugh, I needed that and Crapflinger too. All I can say to the Amazon Lady is Chill Out! I happen to be a female liberal like yourself and Vinnie (who happens to be a very good friend of mine) even though a Republican clearly is trying to be non-partisan here. Not only that but he has always shown the utmost respect for women and their independence as far as I can see and does not judge others based on sex or race so why don't you just leave all of that out of it? Merely stating his opinions in a political sense does not constitute him being a snot or whatever it is what you called him and in my feminist, liberal democratic opinion (and hey I liked President Clinton and went to his Inauguration) he happens to be right on! These Forums are a good place to discuss different views but must you do so with such anger, hatred and vehemence? Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

If you go to San Antonio, check out downtown and the RiverWalk. There is good shopping and great restaurants. Speaking of restaurants, if you are in Dallas, there is a fabulous Cajun Restaurant called Papados. Visit the Stockyards if you go to Ft. Worth, they also have a cattle drive there. Deep Ellum is one of my favorite places to hangout in Dallas, there is a neat restaurant that is great for breakfast called Cafe Brazil, they serve Brazilian food and over 100 different blends of coffee and it is all you can drink!!! Yeah, talk about a caffeine buzz... There are some good clubs to check out, Club DaDa is one of the many and some neat art and antique galleries if you are into that sort of thing. Dallas has some decent nightlife and a beautiful skyline, there is this one building I remember going to as a kid. You can see it from anywhere and it looks like a ball in the sky. There is an elevator that goes to the top and it has a restaurant/bar/disco with a great view of the city that is pretty cool. Another interesting historical spot to visit is the street that President Kennedy was shot. If you have ever read or seen movies that depict Kennedy's assassination it is sort of weird just being there. I have heard Austin is a great city, I haven't made it there yet but I have heard Hill Country is beautiful and to check out 6th Street. That is supposed to be the place. Texas is a great state. Hope you have a blast!!! Oh and I forgot to write: Don't forget to go to the Alamo! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Clam Chowder, Good Seafood, Good Chinese Food, Marine Life Abundance, Lighthouses, Surfing, lots of Hippies Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

All of them are cute and unique. Was that one costume a glass of beer? If it was I vote for that one! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Ooops, actually the 22 of November, that's right (I am in big trouble now ... I hope not) That's what I get for trying to remember dates at Rantoul Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Kick Ass, Listen to your instructors, Do what they tell you, RELAX, use common sense and HAVE FUN!!! Let us know how it went. Blue skies. Oh and I forgot to add, if you get bit by the bug like me and most of my skydiving friends, be ready to set up a direct deposit account from you to your local DZ. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

NoShitThereIWas, looking under "skydiving" on EBay. Someone in Iowa is selling a Wind Tunnel. I think the starting bid was $50K and it has a reserve price. Hmmmm. Just thought that was interesting. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Well, you know, after reading everyone else's posts to this thread maybe I would sway more towards thinking twice about doing a solo JM L-1. I thought it was funny this thread popped up because I was just thinking the other day about taking my Dad skydiving and if I trained him and took him out solo what would that be like? Don't know, don't know if its a good idea or a bad one. Definitely not a solo on his L-1 but for some reason I have the confidence in him that if I trained him he would do just fine. So I just want to clear up any possible misconceptions from my earlier post. I'm really not some crazy JM that would take anyone on a L-1 solo. But I would have to say that there have been quite a few jumps AFF L-1 when I have been on the reserve side or not and the Reserve JM was literally dead weight and just along for the ride. I can say with confidence that I certainly would not take a person who is a lot heavier than me. My Dad is like 5'11", 170 pounds. I think he and I would be alright, but I guess you just never know. Jumpmastering with a first time student is like pulling the slot machine handle in Vegas. You just never know what you are gonna get! It is nice to know that you're Reserve partner is there to help stabilize an unruly student when you do need them. Blue skies Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Take a road trip and go South. You will feel so much better Anyway, that's what I would do. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I've never actually done an AFF L-1 solo but I can tell you that it is pretty standard that if an AFF exit goes unstable and ballistic, at some point one jump master will release and the other one usually the main side instructor will stabilize the student. Since AFF L-1s are harness hold exits and skydives until the pilot chute is deployed I think I would feel comfortable on the main side as a single JM with most people. However, the down side to that is that if the L-1 has never had the experience of freefall and jumping out of a plane, you do not necessarily have ANY idea of what you are in for with the student. We usually go to single JMs after L-3 when a student can demonstrate the abiliy to fall stable and controlled. Hope that helps. Also edited to add: Also, as a L-1 JM, I know that there is no way I am letting go of that student. From the main side if I don't let go and things ever get too hairy, I know I can always just dump a student out if the student was getting uncontrollable. I've had students attempt to take me on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Evaluators too as a single JM and been able to recover fine but I have heard stories and seen things that I have also NOT experienced in AFF. You aren't allowed to dump your evaluators out too soon, but in real life, I give a student lots of chances and time to redeem themselves and if it turns out they are trying to kill me or them intentionally or not, I have no quams with saying its been nice jumping with you, see you on the ground DUMP. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Okay, that makes sense now but I think I heard it was actually the 21st of Nov? I could be wrong though. At the time of reading this post I was confused was it his Birthday or Anniversary. Duh, it wouldn't have been his birthday because then he would be way too young, but I had this discussion with someone in Rantoul with the same B-Day and heard the DB Cooper story for the first time after 7 years in the sport with all kinds of "characters". Anyhoo, you have got to love it anyway. Blue skies. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

What is the exact Anniversary of his jump? Anyone know? Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

1st Skydive. AFF L-1. Cal City, CA, March 26, 1996 with the Flying Elvi. Best jump. Most incredible jump experience of my life. Will never forget it and was bit by the bug for what I think is a lifetime Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Nice looking dog Rod, cool name too. (Named my daughter Dakota) just like the DC-3 Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Okay so whats the deal with the questions: Have you ever walked in on your parents having sex followed by did you join in? Eeeeew!!!! Test says I am Pure ... hmmmm, berry berry interesting. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Happy Birthday Hookitt, don't Scorpios just rule? I turn 30 on the 10th. Whatya know, big milestones for us, 30 & 40 whew hoo!!! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I agree with 90% of these posts. I think some drugs should be legalized and taxed. But I think others should definitely be "controlled substances" only accessible with a doctor's prescription. I don't see marijuana as a huge deal and think it is no worse or more harmful or dangerous than cigarettes, alcohol or tobacco. As a side note, how many lives are lost or ruined and how much damage is done in a comparison of marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes and other hard core drugs? I do have a bit of a problem with highly addictive hard core drugs becoming legalized and commonplace. In a place like America where lots of citizens have stress in their normal lives, I can see going to the local pharmacy to pick up one's daily heroin fix a problem. And I absolutely agree that no one should ever drive or endanger anyone else when they are impaired period. Impairment means different thing to different people and I think we all know when we are impaired and shouldn't be behind the wheel, leaving airplanes or other potentially dangerous activities whether it is impairment from drinking, drugs, or any other physical, emotional or mental impairment. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

OMG That looks soooo awesome!!! I can't wait to try that. Hopefully I'll make it to Bridge Day next year! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Did you hear about this??? Man survives jump from Niagra Falls? Check out this website: http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20031021003109990001 Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Okay, Okay, so you got me there ... You and all of those Alaskans. Trust me if I could stand the rain I would be there in a heartbeat. Or Oregon. But I NEED SUNSHINE. I envy you up there with the orcas though (sigh) I have never been as far North as Washington but I know it is beautiful country. I'll make it up there one of these days.

No one should have to make that choice ! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

You're doomed for life. When you're like 90 years old you'll just be sitting there ... looking at your wrists. Actually that is not such a bad thing, you'll be able to recall and remember all of your BEST memories!!! And ... you kind of have that Yin Yang thing going ... Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."