tbrown

Pirates are often blown ashore. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

There is no such thing as a safe hook turn. Just like there was never any such thing as a safe low pull I don't see the connection between low pulls and swooping. For one thing, watching a low pull doesn't fill me with a sense of awe or beauty. Watching the PD Factory Team hook and swoop in unison does. No doubt about it, swooping IS more dangerous. In fact, I choose not to do it, I'm of the old school that believes parachutes are meant to SLOW you down before landing. I'm not against forcing the swoopers to stick to a designated landing area either, especially the careless yahoos who only think they can swoop. But it can be done intelligently and with a reasonable degree of safety. And the best swoopers took thousands of very patient jumps to get as good as they are. But ANY form of skydiving can kill you and the jump's never really over until you're OFF the landing zone and out of your rig. But I don't want to ban swooping because of a few idiots any more than I'd want to ban freefall because of the woman who pulled below fifty feet last year. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

His band pioneered a new genre of music and wrote songs that will forever stand as pop cultural icons of their day. Those are contributions to culture and society, whether you appreciate them or not. If we were to remove all the art from the museums and silence all the music ever composed, or the drama ever performed, or the literature ever written by people with drug or alcohol problems, the museums would be empty, the concert halls and theaters silent, and the libraries empty. Not to condone unhealthy habits, but they're just not the ultimate criteria for judging anyone's life work. A world without Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Oscar Wilde, Van Gogh or Gaguin, or books like Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" would be a dull ugly world to live in. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

The great weed famine of 1969 (Nixon's Operation Intercept) was worse. BUT we had Orange Sunshine LSD ! As for seeing Dylan, the $50 price tag isn't bad by today's standards ($250+ for the Rolling Snots, $22 for a decent skydive...). There is only ONE Bob Dylan. And his band is absolutley fantastic, some of the best musicians I've ever seen. Dylan may be 63 (or somethin' like that), but you'd never know it. You'll be glad you went. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Example from this case... "... brought suit against the engine manufacturer, skydiving club and others claiming they are responsible ..." What the hell, he didn't sue the people who negigently had such a huge tree growing in their yard ?? A tree that prevented the plane from making a safe landing 30 ft. from their house ? I mean talk about negligent ! And what about the girl who lived ? Isn't she just rubbing it in ? She was a foreigner visiting the U.S. too, she should definitely pay ! Sounds like a really half-assed lawyer if you ask me.... Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I'm hoping they'll start with pot, 'shrooms & ecstacy. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Someone recently asked me what logical reason Israel has for targeting civilians. I don't think there _is_ a logical reason, but several people seem to be pushing just that lately. Bill, I simply don't believe that Israel is deliberately targeting civilians. Hezbollah is, when they go launching random rocket attacks into cities. Those damn rockets will land just about anywhere, they're not targeted at anything or anyone beyond Israeli cities and any Israelis unfortunate enough to be out in the open when the thing hits. Israel is pursuing a deliberate act of war against an armed enemy. The fact that that enemy has dug itself in among a civilian population to the point that it keeps rockets in people's homes, makes it a really nasty business. Plus Hezbollah's got the popular support of most of these people because of all the social programs they run, education, healthcare etc, and the believable fact that corruption is very scarce and not tolerated in their ranks (unlike most of the thieving Arab regimes). It makes Hezbollah real hometown heros to the locals. Anybody who wants to start a war needs to STOP and think really hard about the pain and suffering it can bring on your civilian population. Especially if you've surrouinded yourselves with those civilians. As it is, Israel still has an ABSOLUTE right to defend themselves, up to and including the use of its nuclear arsenal (do I have your attention now ?). Meanwhile, Hezbollah is merrily leading Al Jazeera cameras through the carnage and showing off all the dead women and howling little babies they can muster, while they continue to rain rockets down on Israeli cities. It's war, it sucks. It REALLY sucks. But it doesn't mean that Israel has "chosen to attack civilians". Hezbollah's chosen to do that. Let's not confuse the issue, Europe and the Arab states are already doing that for us. This is the price too many innocent people are paying because somebody else in their town decided to start a war, and is now pissing and moaning because the war came back on the end. It's pissing in the wind - never a good idea. And if these people ARE Hezbollah supporters ? Well then - fuck 'em, kill 'em all before they can sprout another generation. They've made theiir choice, they're a mortal enemy and you don't show mortal enemies ANY kindness because they'll just kill you anyway. Fuck 'em , kill 'em all. With nukes if necessary. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

No, he probably got a lot of that crap from his dad, who is a notorious Holocaust denier in Australia. It almost came to the surface when "Passion of the Christ" was released, but the reason so many Jews got so uptight with Mel is that he's never disavowed any of the garbage his old man spews out in public. Instead he says cute things, like how his dad has never lied to him... Most people I know, including myself, who spew out nasty stuff when they're shitfaced, unfortunately believe the shit they're spewing. It's just their normal sense of caution and discretion has abandoned them. So for what it's worth, it's safe to conclude Mel's a virulent anti-Semite and his secret is out now for anyone who chooses to pay attention. Because he's not going to repeat it for anyone who missed it this once. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Like almost everything else, it depends on whether it can be done responsibly. In heavy traffic, probably not. In lighter traffic, with a good look around at the traffic below, sure, why not ? Not ever into a "student" area, you're the last thing in the world they're expecting. I like the idea of designated swoop areas, but don't think swoopers have to be limited to them if they're careful. Problem with that is there's always some a-hole who doesn't look, doesn't care, and wants to open a can of whupass on anyone who "gets in his way" (I have yet to meet a woman who acts like this). It only takes one of them to make a new rule for all the rest. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Talk to your family as well, see what they think of you avoiding buying an insurance policy because you don't want to. Another way of putting it is this. I "depend" on my Cypres so that my wife will let me skydive. To her, it's a "magic box" that will save my ass every time. I understand how it works - and how it can be fooled (low cutaway from low speed mals, etc.). But last year when I sent it in for its 4 year service, "the boss" informed me that I was grounded until it was back inside my rig. End of story. Try it with your family and see what they think. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

It is therefore patently obvious that this kid has a car. There are plenty of things you can do for fun... Shrink wrapping the car is a sure thing. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Running together on the same ticket ? Never happen. Can't see either of them bowing to the other and accepting the No. 2 spot. Far too apart ideologically. Running against each other, now you're talking. Would make a clear choice for the country and a lively election campaign. Could be good for the USA. Besides, either one of 'em has more brains on their worst day than the entire Bush administration put together. Interestingly enough, at one time the Constitution provided that the LOSER of the Presidential election would be the Vice President. But that got changed sometime in the Jefferson years, after he and Adams couldn't get along, and then I think Aaron Burr fled the country to dodge charges of treason. By the way, saw in the papers today that McCain's 18 year old son just enlisted in the Marine Corps. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

I'd prefer to think this guy was just a lone nutcase. And I wouldn't want this to give an excuse to the white teenage meth addicts to accost veiled women in public places, which is already enough of a problem as it is (ever been to the Everett Mall ?). But if this dipshit doesn't like what's going on over there, then he should go to Lebanon and join Hezbollah, so he can vent at some real Israeli soldiers who shoot back. And not take it out on a bunch of local AMERICAN unarmed Jewish women. And holding a pistol to a little girl's head ? I can only hope the asshole is turned loose into general population at the King County Jail, where some real American justice will be meted out to him by a "jury of his peers". Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

This is really going to be a tough nut for Israel to crack. Historically they've always done well making short work of conventional enemy armies and nation states. This time they're up against a movement that answers to nobody but themselves, and as you've stated they are the toughest enemies Israel has ever fought. Time does not work in Israel's favor either. Their population is too small and a major military mobilzation drains their economy of the essential men and women it needs to keep things running in civilian life. World opinion has already done a 180 (oh...now there's a big surprise...) and even the Bush & Condi comedy team are starting to do a Michael Jacksonesque backwards moonwalk. Which still leaves Hezbollah in place, claiming victory, and showering rockets all over northern Israel. And made a folk hero of their bigshot bearded dude, the Ayatollah Hairball, or whatever his name is. Israel needs to WIN this one. As for the U.S., this is where the appalling lack of vision and just plain competence of the Bush administration is really hurting us. They haven't got a clue. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

That sounds like pure bad planning. Elsinore has three landing areas too, but the swoop zone is on the other side of the runway, off by itself. At Perris most of the weekend swoopers fly into the congested and way too small green zone, which is better avoided altogether, especially since they have roving pickup trucks with sofas driving around the larger plowed up student landing zone. A swooping zone should be treated like crossing Wilshire Blvd. Look both ways, and make sure you look UP. Listen for whooshing noises. And get your butt across the zone before the light changes. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Legally, nobody can make you get an AAD, unless your dropzone or national parachuting association requires one. But please do the smart thing and get one. Deaths caused from low pulls or no pull have been drastically cut since AADs became widely accepted in the nineties. Low/no pull used to be the leading cause of death in the sport. Nowadays it is considered more fashionable to kill oneself with a perfectly opened and functioning canopy, so you need to keep in step with the times (drumroll, cymbal crash...). No, but seriously folks. All talk of "depending" on AADs aside - and of course the only thing you should ever depend on is your hand pulling the reserve handle - AADs are simply too reliable and have saved too many lives. It's almost (?) criminal to suggest to a newbie that they don't need one. I set mine in the morning and forget all about it the rest of the day. I don't EVER want to have to depend on my reserve p/c popping off my back at 750 ft - look out the plane window at 750 ft on your next ride up - that's Cypres popping altitude and it's terrifying to even think about. But they save lives every year. There is NO GOOD reason not to have an AAD installed in your rig, especially if you're a newbie. Arguments to the contrary are pure macho bullshit - I mean you could also save bucks, weight and pack volume if you don't wear a reserve. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

A 1.3:1 wingloading under a 150 is typically reckless at 50 jumps, but maybe with a bit more information about your skill level and landing conditions, many people might understand the logic. Then again, maybe not. First of all, I'm NOT an Instructor. But from everything I've heard and read, a 150 is absolutely the smallest size a newbie should ever consider. It has more to do with just your wingloading too. It's simply a smaller wing, with shorter lines. And that means much faster and sharper response to any control inputs you give it. So all in all, any 150 canopy should only be considered if you've worked closely with your instructors, preferably had a canopy course, and done REALLY well with all of them. How well do you land in no wind ? On really hot days ? Have you tried an intentional downwinder ? Etc., etc. Because it's just a matter of time until you get into one of those 1 - 2 % hairy landing conditions where your ability to fly your landing will make the difference between a good laugh over a cold beer and a tour of the local ER. (And I've done the ER tour. The people are nice, but it's a real drag...). Your friend sounds like he wants to unload an old rig. If two of your instructors have a difference of opinion, go with the more conservative opinion. Your ass will thank you (your legs & ankles will too). Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Must be nice to have all the answers. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Maybe it's the root cause of gayness ? If you have sex during pregnancy, a baby boy might be born gay. On the other hand, if you DON'T have sex, a baby girl might also be.....this is getting complicated.... Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Naughty bits. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Hi Jerry, hell if I know, maybe it was. Thought it was worth a boot around the Bonfire once or twice, definitely not worth the outrage of Speakers' Corner (saints preserve us). Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Oh I bet you can, especially as in a culture like ours it's more of a design anyway. But as far as words go, try using a phrase like "Just Do It" and see how many minutes go by before somebody's knocking the door down to serve you papers. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Skydiving has nothing to do with it, the operative word here is "male". We have standards lower than Walmart prices. Why should we cheapen ourselves by lifting our standards out of the gutter for anyone ? Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Sanyo is now marketing a telephone called a Katana. It even has the same Japanese caligraphy Katana emblem as the beloved PD 9 cell THAT TOOK THE NAME FIRST (grrrrrrrrr.....). I hope PD sues the shit out of them for trademark infringement. Think of all the R&D a nice settlement could fund... Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

Would you like to hear my scary story about a first jump student who did a sissified, girly, limp-wristed, half-hearted pull on an SOS and then wondered why his reserve took so long to open? I'd love to - lay it on us my man !! How low did he open, did the experience make him "blow it out both ends" ? P.S. - Not at all offended with the "girly limp wristed" adjectives either, as the skydiving WOMEN I know take a real "no-shit" attitude to their EPs. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !