JohnMitchell

3 weeks ago buying V a new Fiat. Called a dealer up north and ask for their best price, They only beat the local guy by $20, so we start the paperwork with the local dealer. Then the up north guys call back 20 minutes later, $500 lower. Then they texted me. I showed it to the manager and he said he couldn't match it. I said screw it, the guys up north should have been up front with me. They kept calling me for days.

Patience, Remy. Here's the updated list: Leap for Lupus Raffle Prize List 2012 Velocity Sports Equipment - 50% off a custom INFINITY Container System Sunrise Manufacturing - 2 chances to win discount coupons on a new WINGS container. United Parachute Technologies - 30% off base price & 15% off options custom VECTOR 3 Micron The Jump Shack - 30% off a custom Racer 2K3 or Classic Parachute Labs Inc. - 20% off custom or stock FireBolt Elliptical Canopy Parachute Labs Inc. - 20% off a new AngelFire Reserve iFLY Seattle - 4 chances to win 15 minutes tunnel time Skyventure Colorado - 2 chances to win 10 minutes tunnel time Skyventure Colorado - First Class First Time Flyer package iFly SF Bay - 15 minutes tunnel time Alti-2 - 2 chances to win 50% off Altimaster N3 altimeter Vigil USA - 30% off gift certificate for a Vigil AAD Firebird - 3 chances to win 30% off any stock Firebird canopy Body Sports U.S.A - 50% off Free Fly Pants Body Sports U.S.A. - 50% off a Crater Suit jumpsuit Body Sports U.S.A. - 50% off a Competition Suit jumpsuit Tsunami Skydivers - 4 jumps tickets for their new DZ in Oceanside, CA AeroSports USA - Custom cutaway handle AeroSports USA - Custom reserve handle AeroSports USA - Custom NoStoBag Paragear - 2 chances to win $25 gift certificates Raffle Tickets $5 each or 5 for $20 Drawing will be held at Kapowsin Air Sports on August 25th. You need not be present to win. Message JohnMitchell at DZ.com for tickets and information or visit LeapforLupus.org http://leapforlupus.org/...;id=69&Itemid=79

Awesome! Thanks, Rich. I'll get those posted tonight. We also have a First Time Flyer package from Skyventure Colorado and some discount coupons for Wings containers. And for those of you that can make it to the boogie at Kapowsin Air Sports, we have a ton of local prizes too.

Thanks a million. And for all of you going to Lost Prairie this weekend, look V and me up and say "Hi". We'll have tickets for sale there if you'd like some. John

You're right. You have to read every student and adjust your approach. It could have been the perfect thing to say to a hot $hit skydiver like you. I'm glad you're liking our sport. Stay cool, stay alive and learn all you can. I'm in my 4th decade of jumping and it just gets better and better. Welcome aboard.

I wouldn't tell that to a student. I've had students who needed an attitude adjustment, but I feel there are better ways to do it. BTW, I've thrown the pilot chute out from the reserve side. Easy to to if you have long arms and can get out of the way fast.

A big "Thanks" to all the folks picking up tickets on our website. If you haven't had a chance, give it a look. Just hit the link in my sig line.

and a bad one goes straight to the crash site. That is a nice piece of grim humor. Thanks.

The crash of the Colgan Air Dash 8 in Buffalo several years ago was the essence of poor airmanship. A very marginal captain being watched by a very rookie copilot and neither one were doing their jobs worth a damn. Same thing though, bad pilot stalls plane because of incorrect flying technique. I think all commercial pilots should be required to have at least a few hours of aerobatic instruction. We make our students do backloops and barrel rolls just to know they can lose control and recover. Many airline pilots have never recovered from a real stall.

Fly the plane as long as possible.

I got your joke.

Exactly. Sodium is so reactive you would never find metallic sodium in that environment.

Because he can curl what I bench press.

Thanks John. Any chance you'll be at LP this weekend?

So many of those diseases and some types of diabetes are all autoimmune disorders, cousins to lupus. In fact, the lab doing lupus research that we support is the University of Washington Division of Rheumatology. Research into one yields benefits for many.

Looking for one? Heck, I married one. But I can always use some world class shotgun coaching.

U of Utah, my alma mater, used to field a national championship team too.

Pretty damn obvious, eh? Kim Rhode, our shotgun medalists is no cover girl, but I'd love to hang out with her and get some wing shooting tips. I admire the heck out of her ability. And NO, you f-ers can't have my man card.

No $hit? Nice job, esp. the handles.

Helluva day there, John. And on a brand new repack, damn. Good thing us old farts are good at that stuff. BTW, I'm right with you, 10 cutaways in 5700. Knock on wood.

How about "hey, check my handles, would you?"

Oh yeah, pool-and-rum therapy, if I remember correctly. That was fun. You got it. That barbecue would be great for your new DZ. Sorry you won't make it to LP this year, but I figured you'd be busy. We just might make it down to the Tsunami this fall.

Nice plane for big passengers.

Hi Rachel. That jump was great. I loved helping you flip back over and you stuck the rest of the jump. You better keep going and become a skydiver 'cause your smile looks GREAT in freefall. John

True Believers by the Boucing Souls. I've loved this band for years. We just caught another one of their shows in Seattle last week. They rocked the house down.