ccowden

Yup, shit happens. But why don't we walk in the innocent man's shoes too then. Let's see...tense situation...post bombings...police yelling, flashing guns...subway was recent target...crowded area! I only critisized them because American police were critisized first. No police force is perfect, and I respect any who put their lives on the line to protect and serve, EVEN the "Dunkin Donut munching 300 lb. monsters."

Happy Birthday!!! If your day brings you half as many smiles as you bring to others, than I am sure it will be a beautifully happy day indeed!

Yeah, except for when they gun down the wrong guys.

Dude, you in the Zone yet?

You lucky, lucky man!

We should have got a copy of that crw wrap video fron Xkeys to show Liz.

Well, shoot! That is my home dz when I am not travellin! Small dz with a great vibe and family atmosphere. Very welcoming. Beautiful views! Cessna 182 and Turbo 207. Most of the time they go to 10,000 or 11,000 feet, but go to 13,000 when no tandems on board. If you are looking to make a few jumps at a really nice dz with great people and kick back and hang out after hours, then this is the place! If you are looking for big planes, lotsa jumps and big facilities, then it's not what you are looking for. Let me know when you will be there. I will be happy to give you the grand tour!

Well, DUH! Swoomas, of course!

You better hope you never meet Kate then! Otherwise, she will have a serious stalker on her hands! I agree about the photo though. That is why I posted it. It drew me in from the second I saw it!

Yes, I agree. Hindsight is 20/20.

It was not at my DZ. Believe me, if it was, they would not do another tandem there. I saw the video in passing and left without saying anything because this was a common practice apparently and was being witnessed by dozens at that dz. I didn't feel that it was my place to talk to the TI or video guy. I did think it was beneficial to post on here so others may consider what they are doing and to think about what our role is as professionals. I am not trying to "preach to the choir," but simply put the thought of what we do in the readers head. I did not single out individuals on here. If I was going to use names, I would then do it directly to them and not through a forum.

Checking out Skydive Chicago's website, I came across this shot by Eric Shaden. Check it out: http://skydivechicago.com/gallery/july05_2/kate_3 I think it is pretty sweet! Eric takes some great shots, and Kate is such a hottie and amazing flyer. Not to mention, both great people. Nice shot guys!

I have never liked to see tandem instructors hamming it up on a video to the point where THEY become the show, nor when I see a videographer on a tandem getting too creative to the point where they are showcasing their flying talent over getting good shots of the passenger. This weekend I saw some tandem video that just about made me sick. The TI would straddle the passenger with his legs straight down toward the ground while the student was belly to earth. The video guy then flew up and grabbed the TI's hand and began spinning with them. All the while this is going on, the tandem is extremely unstable, the passenger is thoroughly confused, and you don't see much at all of the student on the video. Then the TI pulls back to belly and swings both legs down on one side of the student so he is standing next to the student while they are belly to earth. This gets extremely wobbly and unstable and the video guy again is concentrating more on getting the TI than the student because they are acting like it is a game for them and just a way to amuse themselves. At one point, the tandem pair is spinning and the TI and the video guy are slapping hands on every rotation, getting no footage of the student at all. Once they go back to the normal body positions, you can see that the side latterals are stressed to more than a foot of slack between the TI and the student. I absolutely could not believe what I was seeing! No regard for the safety of the tandem. No regard for giving the student a nice ride. No regard for giving the student a greeat video of themselves. No regard at all for what their job was or what they were getting paid to provide, which is a safe and fun experience for the student and a nice video of THEM. Tandems are NOT for your entertainment and amusement! They are NOT for you to goof around with! You are supposed to be a professional and provide the customer with what they are paying for. That is why you are getting paid! DO YOUR JOB! If tandems or tandem videos are so boring for you that you feel the need to entertain yourself and screw around, then find another line of work. I do both tandems and tandem video, and I know that it can be a bit "boring" in the sense that you do the same thing over and over, but you are there to provide a service as a professional and are getting paid to do so. Remember what you are doing. You are giving someone a thrill of a lifetime. If you don't find that exciting enough without having to make it a show or compromise safety, then you need to move on. What I saw this weekend was just plain disgusting!

Although, I am not really happy with the fact that some franchise players have to be cut loose, namely John LeClair, I DO feel that this is a good thing for hockey. It will be a bit crazy for the first year, but in the end it will make it a much more competitive league and also give many teams, who were close to going under, a rebirth. As far as the rule changes, I like most. Speeding up the game flow is the main objective with the elimination of the two line pass, the new tag up rule for offsides, not allowing the goaltender to play the puck in the corners, and the linesmen's ability to wave off icing in more situations. I like all of these rule changes. I am not, however, a fan of the shootout. I like the overtime and ties the way they were. I am so glad hockey is back, and I am really excited to see the "new" NHL. Go Flyers!

Ok, now you're making me blush! Thank you so much. You are too kind.

Now come on, you know I would never hate you! Sure, I am disappointed that you couldn't make it, but I certainly don't hate you.

Yes, actually I have. Impossible? Probably not. But in some cases, pretty close to it. The simple fact is that they CAN move to America and give themselves and their family a better life BEFORE they learn the language. It is part of what makes America great. It is much easier for them to move first, then learn the language than someone from America to learn a language and then move.

You sure are. The fact that YOU have the ability to learn a new language becuase of being in America and having access to learning tools and teachers. Many who come from poor countries in search of a better quality of life in America do not have access to such things. They must first come to America, gain employment, then work on learning a new language and lifestyle.

Nope, totally accurate. I am very surprised that you, being from Texas, have trouble with a mental picture of a large workplace where a large percentage of the employees don't speak english very well. Is that too "Speaker's Corner?"

Well, THAT certainly tops the list of ignorant statements! Last I checked, we ALL originated from other countries and ALL had to learn to speak this language. Some of us were blessed to be born here, many come as young people and adults for a better opportunity. I applaud PD and their AMERICAN employees for continually trying to better themselves and for being a company that strives for quality on every level.

Thank you, Addie! You are sweet.

http://www.skunk.com/shortbus/

I love Slightly Stoopid! Well, I love pretty much any band Skunk has backed. Have you checked out the tribute to Sublime, "Look at all the Love We Found?" Freaking awesome stuff! Some really great covers!

As far as knowing where the dz is, whenever you do a tracking dive you need to really think about where to get out and the heading to take, so you should have a good idea where you are in the sky. For me, it doesn't take much of a glance to the side or down to know where we are at my home dz, simply because of the number of jumps I have done there. Again, it all comes with time and experience.

I can feel if I am holding a heading, turning, or drifting. It pretty much just comes down to experience and time in the air. You eventually get to the point where you know what your body is doing without thinking so much or needing to pick something out to keep a heading.