skybytch

And some of us do know what goes into putting on an event. What some of you aren't getting is the fact that this isn't Spaceland's event. It's USPA's event. If this were a boogie, or a competition solely put on by the dropzone, or a competition put on by a private organization in conjunction with a dropzone (think PST or NSL) - I doubt that anybody would have an issue with it. My event, my rules; your event, your rules. But it's not the Spaceland Nationals. It's the USPA Nationals. And as I posted before - according to USPA, the USPA Nationals are an opportunity for the entire skydiving industry to see and be seen. Limiting who can be seen to those who have paid extra money goes directly against the stated mission of the event. An event that is put on with the help of your and my USPA dues. Knowing skydivers though, I'm sure at least some of the competitors that aren't sponsored by the proper manufacturers will come up with some fun way to express their dissatisfaction. After all, the press release doesn't say anything about what the offensive logos can or can't be covered with.

The student Vector will have things on it that sport jumpers don't want or need - like a way for the reserve side AFF instructor to deploy the main and an adjustable MLW. You want the sport version.

From the USPA website - The entire skydiving industry? Or only those who've paid the money? So have Perris, Eloy, Chicago, etc. Those dz's get plenty of use out of the facilities they built "for Nationals". They also get lots of business from teams and individual skydivers because they made those improvements. Telling Joe Competitor that he can't have a packing tent that says "Bob's Parachutes" because Bob didn't pay the money to help build those pretty facilities is, imho, messed up. This is the USPA Nationals. USPA spends money to put them on (at least it did in the past. Hopefully somebody out there can find a copy of the USPA budget on the website to prove or disprove this statement; I must be stupid because I sure can't find that info anywhere). That money comes from the dues paid by USPA members. It's not right or fair to those who pay to put on the competition, or to the jumpers who are paying to compete, to tell them they can't have a logo on their packing tent or give out pull up cords. You're right. Making money is far more important than any other consideration. I rest my case.

Yup. But this isn't the Spaceland Nationals. It's the USPA Nationals. And therein lies the rub...

Read. Discuss?

There are two bad things about all computer RPG's - MMO or solo. First off, I don't need another reason to spend hours and hours in front of the puter. And second, part of the fun of D&D is the social thing. Yeah we game, but we also talk, laugh, and give each other shit while we play. Plus, I can't role play the NPC's strange personality quirks nearly as well on the puter as I can IRL.

I wanna know why the gay guy had to get so many pics taken with hot chicks crawling all over him. Was good to meet you there, although I'm not sure you knew who I was. Congrats on the 122 way!

That's just the way Fred is. Now you know why so many of us insist on never missing his boogie.

I've been playing with AD&D version 2 for a couple years now, as a player and now as DM for a world that I get to create (well, okay, that I'm creating in response to what the PC's do or don't do). I really enjoy DMing, even more than playing - from designing the geography, culture and politics of the world to orchestrating the battles to roleplaying the NPCs to watching the PC's develop individual personalities... I think it's the perfect game for smart, creative people. But I was told yesterday that playing old school pencil and paper role playing games, like Dungeons and Dragons, is stupid. Now I don't know what to think. Do you "get" D&D? Or are you boring and unimaginative like flyangel2?

Wow. Here I thought you'd forgotten how to use the interwebs.

Us too. Doing so requires both parties to respect the other person's experience(s), regardless of who has more jumps/time in sport/ratings/etc. You've always been the expert on skydiving in your relationship, but there will be things that she will experience that you haven't. Listen to and learn from her as much or more than you explain things to her. And have fun. imho, you just can't beat getting to do a no-pressure fun jump with your best friend.

181:0:0 Watched the ladies of JFTC set a new world record on Saturday. No jumps as I was busy taking care of the camera crew. I got to spend the week with Norm Kent, Willy Boenkens, Karen Lewis, Craig OBrien, Henny Wiggers, Clem Major, Andrey Veselov, George Katsoulis and Steve Huboda. Oh, and Mallory Lewis and Lamb Chop too.

They may have got it. One of the real camera guys pictures looked really, really good. Cross your fingers as the judges check it out!!!!

Jump 2 just landed. Looked amazing from the ground. Rumor I hear is there was only one out.

Of course they did. It's not going to be their butt hanging underneath it. Conservative canopy pilots can screw up and die too. More square footage of fabric over your head when you do screw up is not a bad thing. Take a basic canopy skills course ASAP regardless of what size canopies you decide on. The life you save could be your own...

Dan just announced that the donation total for JFTC is now over $900,000. About 20-30 minutes to exit.

Day 6 jump 1. Sorry about the poor focus.

They're reloading the planes now for load 1.

181 way for load one. They were loaded and ready to go but are apparently having some sort of technical difficulty.

Here are my pics so far. Trying to get a shot up asap after each jump.

Two or three of the whackers weren't complete but they are really, really, really close!!

Linda, jump 3 for the women will be going soon; they're creeping right now.

Day 5 jump 2.

If I could update dorkzone from my phone it might be different. But I can't and I expect the video guys will be running me ragged after the record happens so.... Twitter and maybe Facebook is all you're likely to get from me.

Load 1 is getting ready to load the planes now. They are expecting a record today. Follow me on Twitter, I'll update it as soon as they get it. Also will be updating my facebook as each load lands; if you're already on my friend list, check there too (sorry, I have no time to add people there today, it's going to be way too busy in here).