skybytch

It's mighty hard to let go of resentment when what it springs from is the institutionalization of whichever -ism is under discussion (racism, sexism, classism...). In an ideal world, every person would have the same opportunities regardless of their race, gender or class status. In the US today, those who aren't white males start at least a half step behind - due to cultural expectations, lower quality of education and lower quality or lack of medical care, amongst other things. How do we know that racism/sexism is institutionalized in the US? Because it's such a big deal that one candidate for president is a woman (she's not the first one, after all) and another is black. It's still a big deal when a non-white male achieves great (non-Hollywood/music industry) success. The race or gender of a white male is never specifically mentioned when he achieves greatness. We'll know the playing field has been leveled when a person's gender, race or class are not specifically mentioned when they make it big. Until then, expect that those who have to work harder to remain a half step behind will harbor at least some resentment against those who have it comparatively easy. And ya better watch out, cuz that resentment can translate into political action. Which, strangely enough, may have the effect of someday creating said level playing field.

You're right, Mr. Bush. The war in Iraq MUST GO ON. 4000+ dead and tens of thousands of wounded US soldiers and the country in a recession aren't enough of a legacy to leave behind when you finally leave office. 1/20/09. Can't come soon enough. I'll be joining the protests in Sacramento today.

So people would stop asking WTF RW is? IIRC, it was done with an eye toward skydiving being in the Olympics. The term "formation skydiving" is more descriptive and easier for whuffos to understand than is the term "relative work."

4+ years ago and the FAI. At the same time CRW became CF. No. Although VRW should really be VFS to fit in with the rest...

In addition to many of the ones already mentioned - Isaac Asimov's Foundation series. David Feintuch's Seafort Saga. Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld series. Arthur Clarke's Rama series. Larry Niven's Ringworld trilogy and Man-Kzin Wars series.

Start here. Talk to your instructors, local riggers, and local jumpers, and read what people here have to say. But, always remember that whatever I jump is the best possible gear out there. For me. That may or may not make it the best gear for you. The same goes for any other person who answers the question "what gear is best." Also remember that because someone has a license or even a rating does not mean they know anything at all about what gear might be right for someone of your size, weight, ability, personal risk assessment and experience level. Opinions are great but nothing beats jumping what you are thinking about buying. Demo, demo, demo...

LMAO! That "whatever" one? Yeah, I think that one got me fired once.

Thorlo hiking socks. As many pair as $27 will buy. And on this trip I'll drool over sleeping bags and base layers and boots and rain gear... so that when the next financial aid check arrives I'll know exactly what to buy for this summer's adventure. Headlamp recommendation - the Petzl Zipka. About 3 ounces total, super bright, fits in a pocket.

Dirt bag Instructor/college student. Financial aid buys lotsa ramen, leaving more money for other things.

It's not raining in Davis.

Yo. Call your mother. HBD!

Climb Mt. San Jacinto. From the west side you can hike out of Idyllwild (free - less than 2 hours from Perris), from the east side you can ride the tram up from Palm Springs (which costs $$ but the view is worth it).

Some people already have all the skydiving gear that they need.

9.12 miles today. And three of them were continuous less than 16 minute miles.

Oh no. See, it's your JetBoil coffee press. I wouldn't want to make you nervous by using it.

I dream of waking up miles from a road, toasty warm in a sub-2 pound down sleeping bag, super comfy on a sub-1 pound air mattress, and then having my hiking partner unzip the sub-5 pound tent to give me a steaming cup of coffee. I used to be obsessed with skydiving equipment. That obsession seems to have transferred itself to backpacking equipment. It's only a lack of money that keeps the obsession from turning into a compulsion.

REI. Because out is in. Speaking of which, I have a dividend from them just sitting here waiting to be spent...

What part of the first amendment gives us the right to express our opinion anonymously?

I find it extremely interesting that those who insist that personal responsibility is vitally important in this sport are routinely characterized in these forums as old fogeys who are out of touch with reality. Does nobody else think that it might be better to contact the manufacturer with a gear related concern, if not instead of, at least prior to posting about it on the internet? Sorry, there I go being an old fogey again...

In a court of law, the plaintiff could use your posts in this thread to show that a recognized expert - as a rigger, that'd be you - found a problem with the links made by Aerodyne. Would you still say you've done the right thing morally and ethically if Aerodyne was the defendant?

Added two sets of stairs to my walking class last week. 50 steps per set at a jog, one set after each of the first two miles of walking. Phew. Quads didn't hurt the next day so this week I'm upping it to three sets. Took the dog for a three mile walk by the creek yesterday. Well, we got in three miles... I think she got in 8 or 9.

It would be nice if every piece of skydiving gear could be idiot proof. Chest straps that at a quick glance look fine can easily have been misrouted, instruments that fail, AAD's that require you to do specific things for them to operate correctly (turning on at the dz not at home, offsetting ground altitudes, etc); people have died because they didn't read an AAD manual! I can improperly install any connector link and I bet you can too. The responsibility for ensuring correct installation and function of all components prior to use ultimately belongs to the gear user. Not to the manufacturers.

My neighbor has between three and six kids (not sure how many actually live there). They're always out in the street, unless it's dark or raining. And they never shut up. Thankfully, our stereo goes to 11.

And this is different from, say, people/companies in the technology industry? It's not a skydiver thing. It's a human thing.

To do it right, three days. Leave the city mid-day and stay north of Monterey the first night for a leisurely few hours drive. Plan to stay the second night in in San Luis Obispo, which will leave a 4-5 hour drive to LA the next day. There is soooo much to see between Monterey and SLO (Monterey Aquarium, Carmel, Big Sur, Hearst Castle...) that although it's only about a three hour drive you can easily stretch it to all day. For online directions, ask it how to get from SF to Big Sur and then from Big Sur to LA.