McDuck

That's the best part about visiting and babysitting: you get to see what it's like to deal with kids, amp them up on sugar and caffeine, and then you get to leave. Oh, and be sure to buy the loudest noise-making toys for kids of friends and relatives you want to get back at ONLY if you know you can safely and swiftly disarm those toys when the kids are dropped in your lap for a future visit. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Okay, I didn't want to have to do this but... Do I have to take my sweater off shave too? Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Is THAT how it works. Huh...I'm just sayin', who couldn't go for some focused attention in conjunction with some good old fashioned leg-humping? Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Even if you weren't addressing me, I'll field this one. Of COURSE you are loved, Sunshine. I can't think of one person, including my whiny-assed self, who doesn't send you all the love.

Thanks. I never know what to say in times like these, and if you could see how red my face REALLY is right now, you'd think I was about to fain... Edited to add: It really IS all about the love...and I'm glad. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Not to continue flogging this rotting horse carcass here, but it might help to relate what happened to me and my old "should be okay" maybe-kinda-sorta FF rig. I ignored the warnings, subtle though they were (like you've been getting), and wound up nearly getting myself and another jumper hurt badly. I had a preemie in a sit, and I'm a big guy. The two seconds from the time my D bag slapped me in the ear the first time until the second time it hit me and I turned to look, my FF partner had to haul ass away from me in head down and very narrowly escaped being engulfed by my rapidly deploying canopy. The opening was so hard that I saw nothing but "stars" for about 5-10 seconds. People on the ground heard the opening and thought it was thunder. I'm lucky I only had two tiny holes in my brand-new canopy and some stressing of the attach points on the tail, instead of a blown canopy. As I tried to set up for the approach, I was hurting so bad that all I could do was flare just enough to not to kill myself on impact. Looking back, I should have waited until I had something that was FF friendly. There was certainly more at stake than just my life. Just something to ponder. Edited for spelling. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Yeah, but dorky is what I do best. If *I* tried to be sexy, there'd be quite a bit of upset stomachs. Sometimes dorky IS sexy...just not with me. Edited to add: But thanks for the love, Sunshine. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Bought those LONG before I started jumping. Back when I happened to be in a situation where I wasn't ALLOWED to have pursuits like skydiving. But I'm MUUUUUUUUUUCH better now, thanks. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I don't remember exactly how much they were, but it couldn't have been more than about $90.00. Contacts Clicky! Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Step one would be removing those contacts..... What contacts? My eyes were permanently altered in a freak baby powder and milk accident. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

After chatting online with a good friend of mine stationed overseas, it occurred to me that there are some things I take for granted, not the least of which being easy cameraderie found at most dropzones. Never have I felt more at ease in large groups of people, more able to relax and not be "on" all the time, than with my fellow skydivers. And it isn't just at my home dz, though I love them all greatly. The few times my sweetheart and I have traveled to other dzs, whether to jump or just visit, it doesn't take much for people to open up to you and accept you as if you have always belonged. It's certainly a "get what you give" environment, but most of the dz folks I've met are about enjoying life and sharing that feeling with the people around them. That says alot about dropzone people. There are few other places where so many diverse people gather and enjoy each other's company with such ease. As sappy as it may sound, I feel privileged to be a part of my home dz's regular group, and just as proud to fit in the larger picture that skydivers as a whole seem to create. So yeah, thank you. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

See the thing is, you have to earn your way into a dz.com crush, and that takes time, effort and beer and jump ticket money...for bribes. The only other way is to be almost unbearably hot...and I would know nothing about that. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I think turtlespeed wasn't included in that list. I'll send him your way. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Is that a cross-cultural feline homicide???? Michael Uh, not that you're aware of. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Well, if it was YOU providing the jump tickets (notice the plural), then perhaps you could pocket the good karma and hope for the best. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Dude, I can completely identify with that feeling. I uprooted my entire life, moved from one coast to the other, based on what job placement agencies were telling me: "We can get you a job TODAY, but you have to be here to do interviews." Six months after moving, and selling nearly everyything I owned, and I had to take a call center job just to be able to afford soap. I guess what I'm trying to say is, hang in there...and rub the lucky Chinese dragon. Worked for me. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I'm guessing just about anyone here. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Yeah, but how many times have you padded a working resume? And when we get asked that question about what our least admirable quality is, how often do we dig into cheese-central for the "My tendency to work too hard" type answers. If people were more honest all around, it would certainly help...but that would preclude the NEED for that dating resume anyway. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I'm not attractive enough to do the kinds of dancing that would entertain you...plus, the Sasquatch sightings every time I take my shirt off. If you're REALLY bored, go to Stickfight and sign up for a free account. It's essentially rock-paper-scissors with a karate theme and live chat. Look for me there, if I can stand to be there more than five minutes while they talk about merkins. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Sounds like we have the makings of a few new inductees. "Get your ass to Mars" or Skydive Parkton (BEEF BASE ALPHA) and bring a suitcase full of sunshine (not our beloved DZ.COM sunshine...although on second thought...) and beer and we'll hop-drop-and-flare into good times. Or we can just jump and then do some drinking, you know, what ever works. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Interestingly enough, I have rough draft of a screenplay (short film) for skydiving that could lead into ideas for several more shorts. Also, you might want to let them know about Kevin Smith's new monthly short film contest and see if they are interested in entering. It would be a great experience for them and some good exposure. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Hmm, let's see: spend time with my lovely girlfriend or hop on the Internet and chat with les chats. I'll take option A. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Another interesting item is that Stewart was trying to make a valid point about how serious news shows (which he pointed out several times his is NOT) have an obligation to the public to help them understand and not foster partisan angst, but they kept trying to hammer at him as if he is a competing news show that is too soft on political guests. I think my favorite line from that show was "The show that leads into mine is puppets making crank phone calls." Stewart knows his obligations in hosting his show: making people laugh regardless of partisan politics. Nietzsche was right, politics tends to be for the lesser minds...no offense meant to those who dabble here in speaker's corner. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

Hugs and vibes. Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

I almost called the repost police, but I remembered I saw that at my last job after showing a co-worker the badgers. That co-worker went on to search for further persistent insanity. "Cellular, modular, interactive-odular." Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28 "I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.