pyke

PZ - I got one on my new suit...pretty much for the reason that kevin922 gave. all it takes is that first time you wish you had it...to know! "better safe...." Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Well - I won't suggest to even be able to cover what LouDiamond will probably have in his article, but I'm a newbie too - and came back to a dz where I was the only "active" BM'er. I've gone as far as 2 miles past EXIT and still made it back with plenty of time. In a tail wind - I've been told 5 miles is no problem, but haven't tried it. I have also exited directly after the last tandem and done large S turns over the dz. Gives tandem passengers good visuals under canopy!! The key is not where you get out, so much, as communicating with your pilots, IMHO! Making sure they don't fly over/on/through you is most IMPORTANT!!

In my limited experience with WS, I have hypothesized this at great length....and here are some of my thoughts on it: a) it is, and one day WILL be possible to land a WS - question is how! one possibility is using a summer training ramp for ski jumping...with hundreds of little rolling balls and a ramp at the end. question is...how do you transition from a head first, angled descent to a feet first landing to either run it out...or land in a cushion?? another possibility is to have a pond at the bottom, like the summer aerialists/freestylists use to train...so every descent involves getting wet (see swooping/chowing events now - happens already) my only problem with trying to land a WS is that your head is the leading edge. If I could somehow control my arms to the point of getting them in front of me to dive-roll, or even just grab something...it could work. Of course - these hypotheses move you further from the simple dz...plane, runway, windsock, student training gear. This all equals a greater investment by the owner, and causes some to not bother - thus limiting where you can do it. For the moment - I'm quite happy to land my canopy, but I'm excited by the possibility!!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

First of all, Narcimund - I commend your courage. I respect that this forum is an open, comfortable environment to "air" these kinds of viewpoints, but given what I have seen in the past with talking about homosexuality and skydiving...very couragous of you!! Second, I was raised in the Bay Area and was there at the height of the "gay cancer" and all the ensuing education/knowledge that came out of understanding the "gay lifestyle". This is a VERY, VERY ignorant way of viewing what has happened with the AIDS epidemic. It is true that for a period of 5 years in the late 80's early 90's there was more a prolific spread of AIDS in the gay community, but it has NEVER been "their attitude" that has caused it...it was being uneducated. AIDS continues to spread faster than any other disease in the minority, HETEROSEXUAL communities than anywhere sociological group in the world. Your licence number gives me insight to your age and I do not fault you for your "old school" thoughts, but your facts are wrong, and your perception is deficient. Lastly, Narcimund..."marriage" is and ALWAYS has been about commitment. It is a commitment that one makes to another. It is not for society to ever judge what that commitment means to those in it. It is also not AT ALL up to the "state" to decide what makes that commitment REAL. We have long sought to remove "church and state" from our greater society. [see recent issues surrounding "ten commandments memorial in courthouse"] Our own President has even attempted to go on "record" as defining what a marriage IS. That not only infuriated me, but made me laugh. The man himself can't even give a coherent, off the cuff speech - and he's trying to define greater society!! (my own political views, but the point is made) It is not within his scope of power...nor is it IN THE CONSTITUTION that "marriage is between man & woman". The fact that the President even went on "record" with that reiterates ties to "christian idiology" that started this country, but has always been something we, as a UNION tried to document staying away from. It is in the Bible that a man and woman can be married. But let's look at that fact...it is in the King James "Christian" Bible that "marriage" is a "union between man and woman". So, given we are a country that recognizes different religions openly, and different viewpoints (see First Amendment), that we HAVE to accept different lifestyles - whether that be monogamous or not, GAY or not. And, that doesn't mean you have to believe in the Bible to see yourself as normal, or vice-versa. Let the so-called "christians" believe what they will, and respect them for it - and move on. Myself, I think the Bible is simply just a "book". It's a nice read...tells a good story...and has some nice insights. One thing it IS NOT is complete. My sister is in a same-sex monogamous relationship and is incredibly happy. Through her eyes, and with my own, I have seen many "couples" that live a lifestyle of love, happiness, romance, and comfort. With straight eyes that would be seen as "normal". Because they are gay it is seen as "QUEER". It is that fact, alone, that mystifies me. Who are we to judge what happiness, love, family, and comfort OUGHT to be. [gets off soapbox] Okay - that's probably more than enough on the topic....moving right along...I can't imagine anything more wonderful that a girl-girl "marriage"...that means 4 BOOBIES are always in the same bed!!! I call that a party!!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Hey, I'm 1/2 Texan!....and the person who sent it to me is FULL TEXAN!!! Which explains the A&M poke! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

AggieDave isn't going to like me....BUT Hold on to your Texas quarters!!! They may become collector's items. The United States Treasury has announced they are recalling the new Texas quarters. "We are recalling all of the new Texas quarters that were recently issued," Treasury Undersecretary Russell Shackelford said in a press conference Monday. "This comes in the wake of numerous reports to this agency that the quarters will not work in parking meters, toll booths, vending machines, pay phones, or other coin-operated devices. We believe the problem lies in a design flaw," said Shackelford. The winning design for the Texas quarter was submitted by Texas A&M student William Doutrieux. Apparently, the duct tape holding the two dimes and a nickel together keeps jamming the coin operated devices." Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Shit...I totally know that one!! Can't remember it though.... Adam Sandler movie....possibly - Oh wait...just got it... "Happy Gilmore"!! I own it...and LOVE IT!! "The Price is Wrong...BITCH!!" Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

"Ye best start believin' in ghost stories, Ms. Turner.... you're in one!!" Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

just thought of this one... Hide me Eddie....plplplplplplEASE!!!

That all depends.... depends on your "hobbies"...! PM me if you're interested in a description/explanation Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Yup...I'm a child of the 80's - here's another "not so popular" but funny at times movie.... "I'm not having some girlie running around here flashing her titties all over the place" "'s been years since I've seen a good pair of titties!" "'s there such a thing as a bad tittie?" Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

"He don't even have his licence, Lisa!" "K, forgeddit....gimme da keys, I'll drive. Gimme da keys" Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Very good! And... "I hate the bloody Judean Peoples Front...they're such wankers" Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

I made the drug reference too, but for me... Chasing the dragon = heroin/opium Slaying the dragon = spotting up the knives! [most Kiwi's "should" know what that means, but I'm not sure how many 'herb'alists still practice this form of smoking] Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

"you empty headed english kaniggits....I blow ma nose at chew...I fahrt in general direction....now go away or I shall taunt you a second timah" "I told hime we alrready got won" "Fetch me la vache" "eh?" "Fetch me la vache"...[moooo!] Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

That's AWESOME!! And, if GO FAST is smart...they'll take your idea and run. At the very least - they should give you their first shirt off the line...and then keep all other profits from it. That way - you've been compensated for your IP...and they don't have to bother suing anyone for anything. Plus - they should make the WHOLE family line....mom, dad, aunt, uncle, cousin, g-ma, g-pa...etc I'd love to get one for my nephew and little cuzzies! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

That would be NOICE....'cept that nobody has seen pics of this jump. It was covered by Dave Wherley, but the author tried many times to get pics sent to her for the spread...apparently nobody turned them into Skykat or something - but there are none to speak of. And, it wasn't as glamourous as the article made it out to be, unfortunately! Just as they hit the second point in the hybrid (going into the stand) - s. lee's dytter went off and the ff's bailed...so I doubt there were any good pics other than a 10 way BFR. Sorry chopchop! Now, what's this I hear about you possibly coming out here in Oct. That would rock!! I know that celljumper would LOVE IT!! Can't wait to party with you all! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Perhaps you didn't read this carefully enough!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

What would you recommend as an exit time for swooping canopies?? I left almost directly after a tandem this weekend and it was all I could do to catch up to them before deployment..and I was still 1000' yard out when I did. Should I leave later, earlier, before them?? I would like to start swooping tandems and other canopy flyers, so any advice would help a great deal!! Thanks y'all! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Well, I guess I wasn't nearly as cool as I thought I was during the '80's, but that's all I got!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

You definately don't suck, Jessicakes!!!

[Monty Burns' voice]EXCELLENT!![/Monty Burns' voice] Welcome to the Home for Wayward Crack Addicts Col Brodie!!!

don't know if she "knows" about Smith College, but she went to a school that has been absorbed by another here in GA. Pretty much the last place I'd expect something like this to happen, but I guess that is why people join the convent!! I mean - it's not like this is a new idea, or anything! I guess it's all in how you look at it! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

DOH!!!! Busted!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

225 and counting.... Wait....what's this threat about again?? DAMN....I knew I should have spent more time in 2nd grade reading!!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic