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I have not packed a lot of Mirages, but the ones I have came out looking like Grega's picture. I concentrated on putting most of the bulk in the bottom (mouth) of the freebag as it states in the manual. Worked well for me. Arrive Safely John

It is an interesting paradox that I willingly volunteer to defend the freedom that allows those who have opposing views to my own to voice them with out fear of reprisal. I have learned to respect the opinions of others without feeling compelled to agree with them or tolerate their sometimes ill-chosen delivery. I was deployed in the Spring/Summer of 2003 to Baghdad. I spent time answering "Dear Soldier" letters from high school and junior high students from America at large. Sitting there in my own selected quiet space, I got to personally thank a young girl for caring about my safety, honoring my service, and answer a few questions in the hope that we would both grow a little as a result. When thank yous like the ones in this thread get hard to hear because of the noise, I can close my eyes and remember her big loopy handwriting and smiley faces adorning her homemade drawing of the Stars and Stripes A simple thank you can go a long way - especially when one is far from home. Arrive Safely John

So are you going to renew it and set your sights elsewhere? Arrive Safely John

Time to touch up that butterfly you have in the small of your back? Arrive Safely John

I'm with you there . . . though my history is that a lack of planning has limited me at times in accomplishing the goals I have set for myself. This plan simply sets me up to have the largest number of options. Arrive Safely John

I get a lot of people with the same kind of list as Tandem and AFF Students. They are a lot of fun. I get to find out what other things they have already done, what topped their list, and (afterward) how the skydive ranked. I also get to find out what's next for them - fun to learn about people that way. I have never had such a list, but I have done a lot of things that I have set out to do. Some of them were critical to who I am today. Reading your reply I have decided I will do just that. It will be much more fun to create that than my 5-year plan. Arrive Safely John

This concept was introduced to me when I was a young Staff Sergeant. My Commander, then a Lieutenant Colonel, ordered us all to come up with a 5-year plan for our careers. I didn't understand the concept fully, so mine wasn't very good. I did actually achieve a couple of things it contained, so maybe it was an OK start. BTW - that Commander is now a Major General so it must be working for him! I know people that have very serious, well though out 5 year plans for everything - family, career, finances, skydiving, etc. Those people seem to do well at long-term planning too - kids' college funds, IRAs, education, etc. Being eligible for military retirement (but not ready to go yet), I am in the middle of working on mine so my family and I can be well-prepared for my eventual transition to "civilian" life in 4-6 more years. The more homework I do on the elements of it, the more I realize how important it is in my life at the moment. My plan is not "carved in stone" by any means, but NOT having a plan clearly affects my focus on the important preparations (some of which take time). I am interested in hearing about others who have successfully used this concept (or variants) and what motivated you all to create such a plan to begin with. What worked for you? What did not work? Share via PM if you're not comfortable airing it here. Arrive Safely John

Here I go speculating, but . . . the guy may have bought it at a flea market. From his "eBay Stores" listing: I hope this means my email will be successful. Arrive Safely John

I sent the following email to the seller: Arrive Safely John

Does anyone know Darrin De Reus? His logbook (with about 100 jumps in it) is being auctioned off on eBay. Not sure if he lost it somewhere or what, but I know if it were mine I'd want it back. I have his USPA info and have emailed them to see if I can get in touch with him. Arrive Safely John

Now HERE is something you don't see every day! (Check out the main canopy featured in this eBay listing). Arrive Safely John

I let Sangiro know about this a few minutes ago. There is also another thread in the Errors & Bug Reports Forum. HH has no mercy when it comes to spammers and scammers - he will handle it quickly. Arrive Safely John

I let Sangiro know about it this morning after getting the same PM. He has zero tolerance for spammers and scammers. Arrive Safely John

24 year old white rabbit. Arrive Safely John

You always remember, if not exactly. I guess that's the point. It's XXL/L for those waiting for Alex Trebec to call. Arrive Safely John

It's a Flux Capacitor. Maximum output is 300 jigawatts. Arrive Safely John

I didn't ask . . . Arrive Safely John

Oops! Yeah, I meant 340. I fixed it! Arrive Safely John

I'm not sure what the cost is - maybe one of our DZOs will pipe up with that answer? Arrive Safely John

Thunderball Arrive Safely John

I plan to replace both my Pro-Dytters with the new Solo from L&B, due for release in 4 - 6 months. I like the under canopy alarms, and the tones are much louder. I own two altimeters - an Altimaster III wrist mount and a Galaxy hand mount. I plan to get rid of the Altimaster III, put the Galaxy on a wrist mount, and buy L&B's new hand-mounted "Altitrack." I like the analog face, and the different graduations for higher and lower altitudes. The digital data logger will be a new one for me - I have never owned a Pro-Track. The Altitrack is also due for release in 4 - 6 months. When PD's new reserve comes out, I will make plans to reconfigure my gear. I own an Odyssey J4K with a PD176R and Stiletto 170 in it. The lightweight reserve would result in my being able to go up one reserve size to a 193 and down one container size to a J3. Unfortunately, I believe their plans are to release tham as they did the Katana, smaller sizes first. Behemoths like me will have to wait. I was also happy with RWS's improvements to the Sigma Tandem: "Micro Sigma." Tapered at the top with a thicker reserve container so it doesn't fit so wide on the shoulders of smaller TIs; pulley system MLW adjustment, adjustable out or in with the rig on your back; improved riser covers; improved main pin protector flap; improved window in the reserve pin protector flap; possible new RSL lanyard design; Sigma 340 main (neither the rig nor the canopy were completely done). Arrive Safely John

I'm probably going with the "slocks" or "riser barbs" or "slider locks" on the risers. I found a picture of some I think will work well: http://www.paratec.de/index_start.html Of course, being me, I plan to bounce the idea off Sun Path tomorrow. I'm sure they have seen it before and will have some sage advice for me. Arrive Safely John

Perfect. Thanks. Arrive Safely John

I see the most common sizes are 9" and 6" - which one do Javelin/Odyssey users prefer? Arrive Safely John

I Googled "slider keeper" and "slider stow" to no avail. "Ball bungee" did not occur to me. I should have got my GED Arrive Safely John