GARYC24

I will be there. however I'm not sure if it will be the WHOLE weekend. Also, I plan on mostly hopNpops practicing accuracy with a parafoil 252..so this will be a case o beer jump..these will be early in the day most likely..so I hope no one minds someone getting out at 4500' on some loads..it shouldn't slow ya down getting to altitude..as a matter of fact..it might be a good time to "fart" har har har..when I open the door! har har.. ALSO, I would be willing to cover a slot for video/stills to be taken of my very first jump on a jalbert parafoil..including the opening and the landing! Gary Calhoun

Happy Birthday.

I was just google searching, came across this and thought it would be a good thing to share. No other purpose than to inspire saftety. (don't know how old the news is) Families of dead skydivers want sport regulated By JUDY MONCHUK CALGARY (CP) - As a young girl, Nadia Kanji dreamed of flying like a bird and floating to the ground in a parachute. But the dream became a nightmare when the bubbly McGill University student plunged to her death during her first jump July 31, 1998, at the Skydive Ranch near Beiseker in southern Alberta. Almost six years later, her parents are trying to get the federal government to take charge of the self-regulated industry, which operates mostly on the personal honour of whoever is running the drop zone. In a Calgary courtroom this month, a fatality inquiry into Kanji's death has heard shocking evidence: novice jumpers packing parachutes, identifying marks stripped off chutes; and evidence Kanji's gear was tampered with before it was turned over to RCMP. "When it happened I felt her go," whispered her mother, Nury Kanji, whose calls to the skydiving facility that tragic afternoon were put off by staff. "I felt that something was wrong." For years, there have been calls for Ottawa to regulate the sport. Fatality inquiries across the country, with no power to assess blame, have repeatedly concluded that the industry cannot police itself and have urged the federal government to step in. The most recent call came earlier this month, when an Ontario coroner's jury called for all beginner skydiving programs to be grounded until Ottawa adopts strict safety rules. But even the jury appeared to recognize that earlier appeals have fallen on deaf ears. "There is a complete lack of urgency exhibited by the federal government to implement formal recommendations from many previous inquests," according to the findings released April 8 into the death of Gareth Rodgers, a 38-year-old Ontario man. Kanji's parents are hoping her case will sway Transport Canada. "We are truly hoping that they will do something this way around," said Nury Kanji. "We're willing fly to Ottawa, sit down with them if they'll give us the time of day, and plead with them." The Kanji fatality inquiry has been adjourned until it can hear from Jim Mercier, the former owner of Skydive Ranch, and other officials. It is not expected to resume until the fall or even early 2005. There are no national standards for the industry. About 55 of the drop zones in Canada are part of the Canadian Sport Parachuting Association, which has developed rules that are considered among the best in the world. The Beiseker facility wasn't a member of the association and there is no way to reprimand operators who don't follow the rules. There are an estimated 16,000 skydivers in Canada, who complete about 230,000 jumps a year - the vast majority landing safely. But since 1994, there have been 22 fatal dives: seven of those students on their first jump. At the Skydive Ranch, five have died since 1989. Nadia Kanji died about a month before a fatality inquiry into a 1993 death by a first-time jumper at the Skydive Ranch. Following a lengthy inquiry, a judge recommended that national standards be set for skydiving. Since then, two other skydivers have died at Beiseker - another first-time jumper and a British soldier. "We're just frustrated more than anything," said Pat Schaffner, whose son Darren died in 2001 on his first jump at the Skydive Ranch, three years after Kanji's death. "All we can say is, 'Let's change this, let's regulate this,' " said Schaffner, who attended part of the Kanji hearing to show support. "How else are they going to have any control? Sometimes I think there's more protection, more guidelines, at a carnival than there is jumping out of crazy airplanes." Transport Canada spokeswoman M.J. Dubois said regulations for the skydiving industry are in the works, but did not know when a draft proposal would be released to the industry for input. Parachute expert Allan MacDonald says it may be time for industry to accept that it needs to be regulated. "There's always been a feeling in our association that the less we do with Transport Canada the better," said MacDonald, president of Flying High Manufacturing, near Claresholm, Alta. "However, we are not able to police ourselves because we are a volunteer organization. "Whatever is necessary to prevent student fatalities has to happen." Industry officials believe that most operators are following the rules. The Skydive Ranch has trained 63,000 jumpers since opening in 1980. The lawyer who represents the ranch, Robert Burgener, says the facility's training procedures are superior to others in Canada. One ranch official has told the inquiry that all parachute packing was done under the rigorous supervision of instructors. "There's a statistic out of the U.S that one out of every 15,000 first-jump students manages to kill themselves," said Burgener. "The Skydive Ranch was at 25,000 before they had their first fatality."

Trainers are worth the money if you have the money for some people. Having a live person there motivates you, spending the money makes you. If you have a appt. don't show-up..ya still pay. Also, there is so many books that has workout plans, internet sites,etc. Personally I use combination of Body for Life, Adkins and I look in a mirror to/fro the showers!hahaha Now that motivates me!

Okay, one last pitch, here..har har! Any takers? Before, I go back to my dug out. Will need to know by May 23 if any tickets are desired. I think they might win this one..considering their playing some team from ARIZONA! (that should get a response) hahah

I saw it a theatre in town ,here. I had no idea what it was about. This theatre I frequent has all sorts of movie titile I don't see on tv,ads,etc. It seems to be my thing now, when I'm in the mood to just show-up see what's playing and go watch it. Whalerider, was great!.. Did you cry, at her scene in the play?

I have access to tickets. (free to you,tho!) It's a night game 7:00 pm Dodger Stadium Playing Diamondbacks(Arizona) If anyone interested pm me. It's at the same time Mem. Day dz.com is at Perris I'll be there during the day. So, if anyone is visiting and would like to go see a Dodger game then back to DZ, let me know. However, the tickets are in the Family section(outfield, bleachers) No beer, you can upgrade tix to get to beer Could be alot of driving & time to-fro.(I'll drive)

iI must be out of it..I was going to see it this weekend.I drive by theatre to see what's playing and see whatever is start close to what time it is..I have never heard of this movie or seen commercials..I haven't watch tv for awhile past weeks. BUT. I buy some bargain VHS tapes: 1. SouthPaw 2. Nick Scallion (or something Scallion) I think you would like that one! 3. Barbarian Invasion one other strange one I saw at theatre" Dogville" i liked it!

It been 6 months for me! over 1 month no alcohol either! I say hard part was over after 24-48 hrs. It hard to say if it will be easy, tho. It all depends on how much you don't want to smoke. I know that I will not smoke again ever!

Sort of. It was my way of not fasting for 3 days..relates to an past post I made.. lost little over 10 lbs as of this very day.

10 carrots, 4 hardboiled eggs, and washed down with tap water! ANd that was for the whole day!

I was thinking about changing my name, or aquiring an AKA second name..legally of course.. Anyone here have an alias name?

This is how I feel about money: The world is built around money. It takes money to have children, support a wife, family,girlfriend whatever! without it you would live on the streets! it takes money to skydive!

I saw it when it first came out.. Good movie compared to other stuff out at the time. Lateley I have seen some foreign stuff.. Can't remenber the whole title??Barbarian Invasion about .a french guy in Canada dying.. Also..the last movie I saw was "Dogville" a 9act play.. I had no idea what this movie was..(Nicolle Kidman..a few other big names as weel.)VERY different!

Now that's what I'd love to attend. BUT, I myself, have almost completed my 2nd rig..just for an accuracy canopy! It will be new to me as well.. If I don't break anything. I would love to go next year! PS could you send some pics od Classic accuracy canopies, in the air, being pack, etc. Have fun!

One scoop chocolate, one scoop vanilla.

You can call it " The Spring Swing Thing".

I made some post in the past regarding my quest for accuracy gear. I now have acquired the container and reserve. And plan on getting a Parafoil 252! I have a few questions. The canopy will need risers (of course) Is there anything I should know? (regarding risers?) The canopy needs Pilot chute. Anything I should know? Also, it has a spider slider (i don't know what it is) Basically, I seek info regarding pilot chute, risers, and slider. Thanks.. Gary Calhoun

Thought I'd do a follow-up. I have lost little over 5 pounds! Today..I had 2 HB eggs, 2 big carrots and a slim-fast. And lots of water. I exercise every night. I did a 1 hour Turbo Kick Boxing class, I was the only guy with 5 girls in the class

I would try a few HopNpops, maybe? Only if it wasn't that bad of injury or pain.

My pet peeve is when they go to the bathroom under the table..while I'm eating!

I bought this video, had no idea what it would be like. Loved it! educational, beautiful scenery and amazing camera work. I would pay to see it in a cinema! Anyone seen it ?

Thanks! I was surprised to see this post again! haha What I did was get some Slim-fast, and some very small skinless boneless chicken breast,,baked em. And some celery..just pieced around on them and 2 slim fast aday.. LOTS of water & 1 vitamin aday PLUS, really did a more intense work-out at gym! I know I will see a major difference now! I was 194 as of this minute 192.00!

John Kerry walks into a bar. Bartender say: Hey, what's with the long face?

Got up to a Green Belt TKD around 1991-92 School was Tae Ryong Tae Kwon Do Master Yong Shin..(maybe familiar W/name? he had something to do with Olympic team around that time) Nowadays (or nights) I do Cardio Kick Boxing class at 24Hr Fitness..fun class! Sometimes I am the only guy in the class!