tbrown

We used to do hop & pops from a Cessna on cloudy days at 2 grand, if that was all we could get. That was in the old days, with older generation 5 cell and 7 cell canopies. I'd still do it nowadays, though I'd want to turn off my cypres first, just to be sure I don't get two canopies out for any reason. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I called Wingnut once, and I will call it again, doubling it with an unapolgetic personal attack. Barack Obama is an American citizen. the court challenges have been rejected, without comment by the United States Supreme Court. If you can't stomach losing an election, then FUCK YOU !!!!!!!!!!! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I'm really disappointed that this aministration is still so set against a single payer option. It is demonstrably the most efficient cost saving option. I've been following this mess since 1990, when Bush the Elder ruled the roost and healthcare was a big issue. The only thing that's got worse is health coverage, with all it's wonderful pre-existing conditions and so on. Given that I'm lucky enough to still be employed with a HMO plan in this day & age, I'm currently a bit concerned about something that seems to have been found deep inside my neck, among a bunch of nerves and critical arteries to the brain. If I get laid off, I'm really & truly fucked if it's serious. As it is, I'm going through a dance macabre to get my all-American HMO insurance plan to "pay for" seeing a specialist a second time, so he can tell me whether or not it's something to be alarmed about, or just something that needs watching over the next few/several years. I'd like to just be able to "get 'er done" and let the guvamint foot the bill, even if it means some more taxes (as I'm already footing $124.74 a week for the bullshit I'm being put through.....) Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I know I'm going to leave some names out, so please take no offence if I do. But over the years I'd have to include Tom Buchanan, Aggie Dave, Wendy Wilkinson, my friend Sparky, Diver Driver Chris, and Tonto, who's left a void that cannot be filled. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I had a USPA sticker on my toilet seat lid at the last place we lived. I'm not anti-USPA either, just a smartass. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I call Wingnut ! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Other than a little wigged out, you look just fine. Leaving an airplane head first is one of the stranger feelings you've ever had, especially the part about almost flipping over (but you didn't though). It just takes a little getting used to before you're completely comfortable with it. And you WILL get completely comfortable with it, believe me. Lots of other good advice here, especially about showing the pics to your instructor for a discussion of relative wind. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

You'll never kill them all, no matter how you try. So in the meantime, kill away and enjoy. I kill those bastards on site, they're everywhere around the outside of the house and in the garage. Makes me want to wear a can of Raid in a holster.... Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

First of all, Perris is NOT raising their prices again, not that we've heard anyway. This thread is SIX YEARS OLD and the title alone is raising a non-issue. And just what is the reason for exhuming this thread ? To launch a personal attack on someone who dared voice an opinion six years ago ? Seriously folks, time to lock this one down. Please. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Really, there is nothing like flippin' the bird at the Old Grim Reaper ! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

then my stomach sank. during the 4 hours i waited to get on a load, this overwhelming fear surfaced out of nowhere. I give you high marks for toughing out the four hour wait. That had to be about as much fun as waiting to be hanged in the morning. I can't believe that anyone would make you wait THAT long. Especially if your instructor was already there and more especially if they had ANY idea of what a bad time you'd had on your last jump, or the guts it took for you just to show up. But good for you, you stuck it out and you did just fine. It's natural enough to still be scared after just eight jumps anyway. Honestly, don't be surprised if you feel scared again, especially on your first jump in the morning. Lots of us still go through that feeling all the time, we've just learned to manage it. I'm even convinced it's part of the fun and one of the many reasons people have such big smiles after they land. Stick with it, you're going to go far with this sport ! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I used to jump in the base for hybrids, but I won't do it anymore. First reason is I got sick and tired of having the crap beat out of me by freeflyers who don't know how to dock gently. Second reason is when the base broke off, as planned, I'd turn to track away and find a bunch of people straight below going la-di-da on their backs with big silly grins, but who hadn't cleared the fuck out of the area. If they were belly flyers I'd have kicked some asses back on the ground. On the other hand, I do know some freeflyers who are simply amazing. Most of them are also amazing belly fliers when they want to be. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I think she's under a lot of emotional stress. That and the Republicans are engaged in a purge of the faithful that's blaming her for losing the election, even though they hate McCain just as much for his lack of Aryan purity. I did hear some of her rambling press conference, comparing herself to a basketball center who moves up the court with her eye on the basket and passing the ball to someone else for the score shot. She sounded incoherent to me. I think her cheese done slipped off the cracker and wish her a happier and more balanced life out of office - she sounds like she needs it. I will be equally relieved that this is probably the end of her career, nobody will ever take such an unpredictable candidate seriously. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Exactly. But if someone want to make a poll with no correct answer to try to make themselves feel superior, go for it. I think I see a date on this document at the top. The day we celebrate our independence, not the day we celebrate when people signed the document. After all, it is call Independence Day. There is a correct answer. July 4th is our country's "birthday" - in quotes. John Adams wrote to his wife that we would celebrate July 2nd, as that was the actual date of the vote for independence, but the Declaration itself was adopted on the 4th, with signatures added as late as the following year. What's to feel superior or pissed off about ? Everyone knows we're all a bunch of idiots anyway. Nobody makes anyone read OR respond to any of these forums. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

But it really, really epiphanized on my first freefall. What Wendy said. I'd always wanted to jump since I was 5 or 6 years old and finally started static line when I was 18. Jumping from a plane was still pretty scary, but I was liking it and doing my practice pulls. Then after making my 5th jump that morning I was cleared for freefall. That's also when I was told I'd be packing my own main for the first time, so the stress meter went a little crazy there, but an instructor stayed right there with me and walked me through packing a 28 ft cheapo into a sleeve and a 4 pin container. He supervised every step and told me not to worry. it was a good pack job and would open. So it was off to 3200 ft on an evening load in a C-182. 3200 ft was higher than I'd ever gone and the ground looked smaller. I was nervous, but excited. My JM Paul Campbell opened the door, spotted the jump run, told me to climb out and then to go. The air was the beautiful kind of sunset cool you get on a July evening. I stepped away and felt weightless. Instead of feeling the immediate tug of a S/L opening, I was "just there" for one beautiful moment, then I looked for my ripcord, reached and pulled on it. I still remember it came out about halfway, then stopped. It didn't freak me out either, I just gave it a second, harder tug and it came right out. I could feel the container breaking open on my back and a moment later the risers pulled me upright in time to see a nice round open canopy overhead. I'd been excited before, but this was the greatest! I'd actually pulled and opened my own canopy. I'd tasted a few seconds of freefall and it was true - you DON'T feel like you're falling. And my first packjob had opened perfectly. In those days we didn't buy cases of beer at Seneca Falls. They had a beer tap and for those special jumps you'd pay the DZO $5 for the beer fund, which I'd already done beforehand. The beer never tasted better and when Paul told me I was "a real skideever now", I knew it was true. I was hooked, line & sinker. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Does the fact that our President is a "darkey" bother you ? Even though he's educated and doesn't speak Ebonic ? Sounds to me like that's your bottom line. Oh, just fyi, their names are Pelosi and Reid. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Aside from simply voting "no", I have some questions about why this topic is suddenly being resurrected. I had to check the date of your original post, to make sure it was 2009 and not 1999, when there was rather a bit of debate over reparations. I think if anything, especially if you listen to black American teachers, clergy, and other civic leaders, the election of President Obama signals an end to the "age of excuses" and a clear call to young blacks to stay in school, do the work it takes, and tough out the hard stuff. You're the first person in years I've heard even mention reparations for slavery, what's on YOUR agenda ?? Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Is Colin differentiating himself from Barry for a possible presidential run himself? Doubt that very much. For one thing, Powell's past his prime. He was a hot topic who could have had the White House for the asking back in the nineties, or certainly in 2000. But I think he's used up on politics and enjoying whatever it is he's doing too much nowadays after the way he was gang raped in the Bush cabinet. Secondly, the main reason he didn't run all those years ago was because Mrs. Powell asked him not to. I doubt if that's changed at all. I think what General Powell has said here voice some valid concerns. Not sure if I agree with him altogether, but am impressed by the man's ability to state his case with a civil tongue. He hasn't resorted to the usual crap of demeaning the President's middle name, alleged religious affiliations, or birth certificate. Powell is a man of DIGNITY who can state an intelligent case without crawling in the shit with the the wingnut faction. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Waaaay back in our newlywed daze, my wife and I heard a knocking at the door after we'd been having a lovely evening of indoor body surfing. The two young and very naieve guys next door (both were seminarians) had called the cops because they thought I was beating the crap out of her. The cops asked to see my wife front & center to make sure she was okay. She came skipping out in a bathrobe with a big smile on her face and explained to the cops that "we were newlyweds". The cops laughed their asses off and bid us a good evening. The next day, the third rommate next door, a slightly older and divorced guy came over to apologize for what his roomies had done. Said if he'd been home at the time he'd have told them to knock it off and mind their own business.... Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

It's been a year now since Elsinore lost one of their best staff members to a no pull after a cutaway situation. As everyone now understands, it was a cascade of events and details that snowballed into his death. There was a jammed brake, no controllability check at a higher altitude, the brakes were only released later - and lower. Chest strap had already been loosened, camera wings unsnapped, a pillow reserve handle, no RSL or AAD. The net result was a loose harness that suddenly lost the tension of the main canopy, followed by loose camera wings and inability to find or pull the pillow handle, again with no RSL or AAD. The guy had over 4000 jumps. Had a young family too. So the last time I was up on a load, I looked back by the door and there sat a camera guy, who knew this guy, and he was sitting there with a pillow reserve handle and huge camera wings that were covering over his reserve handle as he sat. I know this guy and trust his judgement and ability to make his own decisions. I understand if camera guys don't use RSLs. But it still gave me chills to look at him and see that picture just a year later to the very day. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

He made a comment that he could see no problems that needed solving (about parachute systems). How about a solution for pilot chutes in tow (other than prevention) ? Really nice video, thanks for the link ! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I have some disappointments with Obama - but I knew I would before I voted for him. Nobody takes on that job without disappointing some of their supporters some of the time. I got what I voted for and am generally pleased with the results so far. Even John McCain admits that Obama has been an effective leader, getting all of his proposed legislation passed so far. That's the measufe of an effective President, regardless of party or agenda. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I think it's hilarious how the same GOPers who ridiculed the Floridians for not being able to vote - and who fought tooth and nail to end any recounts - are now weeping over the horrible injustices in Minnesota. But you're forgetting Bill, the Republic-holes think they OWN these elected offices, whether the Senate, or the White House, which they consider their private property. When they can't win an election, they'll sue and hope their daddy's appointed enough sympathetic and beholden judges to steal the election for them. They should open a consulting off ice in Teheran and show the Mullahs how to steal an election without having to kill people in the streets (I will at least give them THAT much credit...). Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I have a real problem with anyone but the state taking away a person's liberty and keeping them confined as a prisoner. That's not to say that the states don't do a lousy job of it either - they often do. But they are at least theoretically accountable for how they operate. Secondly, though I have nothing against a profit motive more most businesses, I am opposed to contracting out corrections to private for profit companies. Corrections is a necessary social function. It should not be run by a private outfit that's in the business of holding anyone captive - even convicted criminals - for profit. For starters, a prison for profit industry would want to lobby for longer sentences and more imprisonable offenses, to increase their labor force. We already have a problem with too many people in prison who don't belong there, privatization would only want more. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I heard way back in the 8th grade that a gentleman can make a good impression by nonchalantly licking his eyebrows when he is introduced to a lady...... Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !