sinker

Those are just awesome! Reminds me of seeing Orly King climb up on the T-tail of that king air a long time ago. -the artist formerly known as sinker

Lordy sakes alive. That's just nasty. Thanks. -the artist formerly known as sinker

alright, WTF?? Lemme try this attachment stuff again... -the artist formerly known as sinker

If I succeed at attaching this pic, you'll see an Elvis that should NEVER be allowed on a jump plane. He's the only man I've ever seen with camel toes! GROSS (you've been warned peeps!) -the artist formerly known as sinker

Well weenie, sorry. Have never freeflown. But I am willing to learn as long as you don't charge me more than a case of beer. Hey-- wife and I are going to be looking at some houses in that area in the next month or so. Would like to hook up and meet some of you Archway folks. Interested? -sink -the artist formerly known as sinker

Weenie: A TOOL fan and jumping from Archway? You my friend are someone I will get along with. -m -the artist formerly known as sinker

Any skydivers out there who are TOOL fans? -the artist formerly known as sinker

skydiver bob and riggerbob: thanks for the advice. Credit card #1 is almost history, and in it's place will be a spanking new Spectre 190 (which will be quite conservatively loaded, thank you!) I can't WAIT!! --michael -the artist formerly known as sinker

Can anyone out there explain PD's soft links to me? I'm having a hard time understanding how these could be more advantageous to have than stainless links. I'm talking specifically about strength rather than the advantages provided to slider grommets. thx y'all -the artist formerly known as sinker

I bet the sound was incredible as you left those tri-jets! Deafening! -the artist formerly known as sinker

don't know ya, but saying a prayer for ya. peace man. m -the artist formerly known as sinker

thanks y'all, I appreciate the help. sinker -the artist formerly known as sinker

Anyone know the rough dimensions of a man that a Javelin C20 would fit? I think it might fit me, 6', 200 lbs. -the artist formerly known as sinker

LOL! Good one -the artist formerly known as sinker

Moralistic hogwash?? What about those who "choose" to abuse drugs and are addicted? What about compulsive gamblers or sex addicts? Are these also merely lifestyle choices? Is it wrong to conclude that such conditions or "lifestyle choices" are called disorders due to political agendas? What about the schizophrenic who "chooses" to not take his medications, which is certainly his right, and as a result, decompensates, becomes paranoid, and lives as a reclusive homeless man? Is it political, moralistic hogwash to say that such "choices" are dysfunctional? Don't get me wrong... many gays are VERY functional, many times even very wealthy and socially graced. I'm not saying that they can't do what they wish... I am all for personal freedom and responsibility. And I certainly respect Keith's honest post. He echoes the sentiments of many of my gay friends. It is a difficult thing and many have chosen to take their lives by suicide b/c of all the difficulties and intolerances that have come their way. One last thing... I firmly believe that one can hold beliefs, opinions, etc., such as "homosexuality is not right" or "it is a disorder" that may be contrary to the way another lives their lives, yet still respect them and treat them as persons who are worthy of dignity. As Keith himself said, gay is not the totality of his being, it is just a part of who he is. -the artist formerly known as sinker

I am a psychologist by education and a pharmaceutical researcher by trade and I've studies this issue extensively. The studies that came out in the past decade or so that touted the so-called "gay gene" were fundamentally flawed. Well, perhaps that is too strong. The interpretations of the data/results that were made by the media -which is largely pro-homosexual- were too far reaching. The research in question was started with a gay physician who autopsied the brains of several sets of deceased male twins, one of whom in each set was gay. The research found that in some of the cases, there were neurological abnormalities found in the gay twin that were not found in the straight twin and surmised that PERHAPS genetics played some role in sexual orientation. HOWEVER, this researcher CLEARLY stated that his sample size was TOO SMALL to conclude anything from the study. Also, as with all research, the results needed to replicated, that is, confirmed in other studies by others. This has not really been done yet. To be frank, the pro-homosexual movement first declared that sexual orientation was hormonally regulated, siting evidence that the pituitary gland in some gays was different structurally and chemically from straights. However, when that theory was disproved, they latched onto the "gay gene" theory, which in my opinion will also be disproved. It is easy to say that one is gay due to genetics simply because it is an easy out. If it is biologically determined, then the stigma of "immorality" disappears. But, studies have shown that there is some sort of genetic predisposition to alcoholism. Does that make alcoholism licit? Don't think so. One last thing, sorry for the long post, but in 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from their official list of psychiatric disorders. However, they did so only due to militant pro-homosexual lobbying, not as a result sound research, but due to lobbying. Sorry folks, what is and is not a disorder is not something open for the democratic process. It is a matter of imperical research. I do agree, however, that attempting to change one's orientation, while not impossible (I've seen it done but you won't see that talked about in the mainstream media)it is exceedingly difficult, especially when we are talking about deep seated desires and habitual behaviors. -the artist formerly known as sinker

Vhat does your signatuah line mean? -the artist formerly known as sinker

thx aggie and wendy -the artist formerly known as sinker

Hey folks... I've heard it or read it somewhere (Dany Poynter's book I think) that you should avoid buying a rig piecemeal, i.e. main, reserve, container, AAD all seperate, if you can. I assume this is due to potential incompatability b/t components. But is this the only reason? Out of necessity I will need to do this, buy a rig piece by piece. I know to be particularly careful about container sizes and making sure that both reserve and main fit in their respective homes as well as harness sizes for body size and all. I'm also paying attention to canopy sizes for my skill level and weight. Anything else I should be concerned with? Are there any brands of canopies that are known to not fly well w/ any particular brand of container? mycole -the artist formerly known as sinker

I appreciated your post, slap! For me, I chose to stop jumping in 96 when my wife got pregnant w/ our first child and she wanted to buy a house. I couldn't justify the expense at the time as well as the fact that I had only 30 jumps at the time, was still learning and couldn't afford a cypres. I told myself and my wife I'd return to the sport when we could afford ALL the gear that would make it as safe as possible. Wife completely supports me, which is awesome. She's done a tandem herself and, although she says jumping ain't her thing, she understands how important it is to me. So now, we have plan that for every credit card we pay off, I get to buy a new rig component. The first, a main, will be bought shortly. I was at Eloy spectating over Christmas and it totally reignited my love for this sport! I can't wait to get back N2D-SKY! -the artist formerly known as sinker

Let's get some unique definitions of nig noggery going for newbies like myself. -the artist formerly known as sinker

whoops... gues I should tell you all that mddudek and sinker are both me. -the artist formerly known as sinker

Thanks to Skymedic and Sunshine for the posts on Archway. The place does seem cool and laid back. All the reviews I've read of the place are very positive. That's very important to me b/c the owner of the DZ I started jumping at could be such an asshole -- he sure didn't treat me and some other newbies as important to his business. I look forward to meeting y'all! Michael -the artist formerly known as sinker

Thanks for the post DdOg. More for me to chew on. My thing is though, drop zones do this all the time and more than a few actually are very successful financially. But, I'm with you on the legal shit. The justice system in the US, while being second to none as it was originally intended, has turned into a circus. -the artist formerly known as sinker

I'd like to talk to you via email if you'd entertain it. Let me know... sinker -the artist formerly known as sinker