JohnMitchell

I knew that.

You're really into those fingernails, eh? Yep, that's money well spent and she's got the good legs to boot.

Very true hero, and an amazing life of service. Thank you, Sir.

South of France? Mais oui! Seattle is awesome in the summer. It's the payback for all those winter rains. That's why I'll take my summer right here, almost every year.

I spent 29+ years as an ATCS at Seattle Center and loved every minute of it. I also made a steady 200+ jumps a year on weekends, holidays and vacations. Could have made many more but we also had 4 kids and those commensurate responsibilities. You'll make fewer jumps and have crappier gear if you do quit a lucrative career and get a gas-money type job with low pay, little vacation and probably no benefits. In the past I've gone to many exotic boogies riding in the cockpit with the flight crews as a paid day of work. How cool is that? Get your min. wage job and you'll be left behind as all your better paid friends take off to Costa Rica in the middle of the winter while you shiver in the snow. Professional skydiver? Get a couple of hundred jumps before you even think of doing that. It can be done but it's a long road before it pays off. I've seen some make a career, but I've seen many burn out in 5 years or so. It looks all glamorous but it's hard work. Remember, as an ATC you can retire after 25 years with a nice pension. I'm 56, still in good shape, and get that monthly pension check. I made 15 jumps last weekend, about half working AFF and tandem, the others just for fun. Next week I'll be on the North Shore of Oahu jumping. Not bad, eh? I actually miss ATC. I wish I could have worked another year or two, but the age limit kicked me out the door. I know being a trainee sucks, but stick it out. Once you get checked out, life is pretty good.

Damn, that's a compact lifestyle. In a sense I envy that, having spent the last year downsizing, or at least trying to. OTOH, I like room for all my hobbies.

Everything I hate.

Clint was the guy I was a big fan of. In high school we all wanted to be that cool.

Yeah, their damn tinctures are only supposed to contain the molecular memory of medicine, or some kind of crap like that. Homeopathy is medicine for people who flunked science class.

Steve was cool. He did a lot of racing and I heard he went to the director of Bullitt with the whole car chase idea.

We didn't have Zero-P material back then either. New gear wasn't that hard to pack.

We didn't pie on 100's when I made mine. And I sure didn't get a hug or pack job. Only students had packers back then.

Well then, I'm good, 'cause I've had a couple dozen pies already.

Thanks for turning sideways to the jumprun. Yep, just go up and relax and keep track of altitude. Enjoy that first solo. You worked hard for it.

Depends on the kid. One of our kids, 16, nope, didn't have the desire to do a good job. The other one, 11 years old, became an outstanding packer who took pride in his work. *** packing close to 40 tandems/ day Pretty impressive. I don't know if I could do that. Well, you just stumped an instructor with that term too. Maybe Mgt. getting a cut? Sounds like a good business and those folks will not be packing anyone's parachute without further instruction. But in the meantime they can brag about how they are "certified" to pack "shoots and stuff."

'You call THAT a finger painting! MAGGOT! Give me 20!"

Yeah, I think the one Pie rule is "don't f-up someone's gear." I also got a pie while carrying one of my toddlers. I stopped, set down the kid, moved away and just stood there. I guess I'll just really, really keep my mouth shut next time.

The last two were burned too. Oh - you mean like all used up! Owwww! Too soon still? Turtle, turtle, turtle. . .

Hah, I'll be on the North Shore next week. Try driving to there.

Jeez, what's his wingloading? All joking aside, I hope he's healing okay. You and Patrick are great parents. This stuff just happens. . .

Note to self: Cancel Eloy trip.

Damn, now the site's been burned!

So if someone makes a pie type jump but keeps their mouth shut about it all day, does that mean they got away with it? Or is there no statute of limitations on getting whip cream smashed up my sinuses? I really need to know 'cause Vskydiver says I'm gonna get it.

30 years ago the town of Thistle, Utah was flooded by a mudslide downstream. There's now a big mud dam and a new lake. The Earth is constantly changing on the geologic scale. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thistle,_Utah This Oso thing is tragic. Thanks for posting it.

Ya gotta like that the girl will put something in her mouth she knows she shouldn't.