McDuck

Dude, funny AND intelligent...and scary with it's social implications. Are we that easily led, as a whole, that Christmas can keep starting earlier and earlier each year? 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.

Thanks man. If it happens, you'll see it 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.

Karma. It's not just for Michael Jackson any more. 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.

Thank goodness it isn't just me. But it isn't just stores. Even the cities I've been passing through, as well as the one I'm currently staying in, have begun the city-revamp deal with decorations for Christmas! I had to look at a calendar to make sure I hadn't missed Thanksgiving! 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.

NICE! Thanks for sharing. With any luck, I'll have great pics to share from my 100th jump...in Thailand. Again, with any luck. Great pics, dude. 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.

Holy CARP (the fish)! Dude, anyone ever thinks they've got it tough, I'll show them your high-speed enema (that pic). Nobody else gets to whine about landings ever again. 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.

We're fond of the concept that we don't need a ceremony, piece of "legal" documentation and some material posessions to show that we love each other. We aren't totally opposed to marriage, but we just think we have a great life together already.

My first "date" with my sweetheart was actually the weekend canoe trip to the Shackleford Banks where we met. Long story abbreviated for sanity's sake, I took a walk with her around the island and found the wild horses for her and even got them to come up to us. I'd say "the rest is history", but that would cheapen all the hard work and effort we've put into making this the best relationship either of us has ever had.

I'll let Andy give the skinny on the actual mal that led to his cut-away, but as for retrieval... Can I just start by saying that nothing freaks me out more than seeing a canopy (especially one belonging to someone I'm friends with), in a snivel about 1000ft below me when I'm at 2000ft. It only took a split second to see the free bag falling about 150 feet away from the main, but that initial shock sucks sweaty attack-billygoat satchel. One particularly daring individual made a few passes at the main as it dropped, something I question the safety in doing, but was unable to grab it. Several people spotted where it landed, and when Andy got down, he and I went to go look for it. After one missed attempt, and subsequent return to the DZ to get the directions again, we determined that the main and free bag were occupying separate locations in a big field with four residences and a crapload of stacked pallets, cut wood and other associated debris. We got permission to search the land from one of the residents, and after about 30 paces into the field, we saw someone waving Andy's main like a trophy. I was off like a shot, hearing the cry of the short-legged behind me: "You're going to get there BEFORE me!" We leaped over a small ditch, where I was immediately confronted by a slavering pitbull and some friendly pet-owners. Once I coo'ed at the momma-dog and let her know I was "okay", and with some repeated commands from the owners, we were allowed to pass this single-headed Cerebrus with no further difficulty. Okay, as much as we find whuffos to be a near-insufferable lot, especially when it comes to retrieving cut-aways, I have to say that this man hoofed it across the big, debris littered field to retrieve not only the canopy, but the free bag as well. Being that they are just the other side of the tree line from our DZ, he said that they watch us all the time. He was just being kind to his "neighbors". I won't speculate on what may or may not have happened if we had been an hour later in our search, as that would be unkind. All I know is that this man went out and gathered up the lost gear and gave it to us upon our arrival. Once it was "safe" momma-dog's horde of puppies swarmed over us, licking, and nipping as only puppies can do. They found Andy, in his struggle to get his neon-colored canopy untangled and inspected, to be FAR more fascinating than the bald man (uh, me) sitting on the ground attempting to draw their attention away long enough for him to finish his inspection. Those puppies were darn cute, I must say, but while Andy was worried about urine-related issues, as well as being concerned the puppies would pee on his canopy (), I worried that they would make little claw holes in it. Thankfully, neither happened, and we recovered the equipment safely. We thanked the man profusely for his help and told him he was more than welcome to come out to the DZ for beer anytime. I mean, he watches us jump all the time, I figured he might want to see it close up and personal-like...perhaps a tandem. We left feeling better about our whuffo neighbors, and after finding a store not in a "dry county" I perpetrated a crime in Andy's under-age name: bought his beer for him. I figured I'd be drinking most of it 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 sorry, Andrea, but if you'll notice, we are TRYING to steer the thread in that direction for you...that's my story, 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.

Well, she would have been SORELY disappointed, that's for certain...wait! I just slammed MYSELF, didn't I? Hmm, the truth didn't hurt as much as they say it does. 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 was actually more afraid of their little claws making neat little peek-holes in your canopy. Pee washes off; holes have to be patched. I have to admit that I nearly crapped myself when momma-dog bum rushed me barking her head off. Nothing I like seeing more than a pitbull with it's ribs showing making a beeline for my crotch. 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 was just being silly. It's what I do. I'll call that guy right now. Maybe I'll catch him at his desk. 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.

We have been batting around the idea of taking a weekend and going somewhere outsie of NC and SC. Atlanta has entered our discussions several times. I'm not sure we'll make it before the end of the year, since we're saving for the Thailand Boogie, but I'll let you know when we plan on heading over your way. Maybe by then I'll have a better handle on sitflying, and we can jump together. 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.

Good on ya! I can only hold mine for about 8 seconds before I tense up due to my sudden awareness of how freaking FAST I'm going, and the corking begins. I'm going to seek expert help the next 5-10 jumps...since it worked for you, that is. 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.

By the way, I'm still waiting for a call back from the guy about gear rental there. I may just call him again today and see if I can get farther than his voicemail. We have to make sure that we let the load organisers there know that we want to be on the same loads...unless you decide to ditch us for a while. I suppose I would be able to manage 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.

HOORAY for KERRY!!

...about getting andy2's freebag and canopy back after his FIRST CUT-AWAY was the puppies. I was going to let him bring this up, but since I'm up early and feeling mischievious, I thought I'd get the ball rolling now. Besides, if he's a conscientious DZ.COM'er, he'll post it in incidents anyway. Go ahead, ask him about the puppies. 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.

Scorpio There is more than one right answer, so keep an open mind when making your decisions. You can benefit from listening to someone else talk about their own experience, because even though the circumstances they found themselves in may not be identical to yours, there are enough similarities to help you out. People within your own age group and younger may have limited knowledge about what you're going through, so it's best to ask someone of an older generation for their advice. ESPECIALLY true as it pertains to skydiving. 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.

All of the beautiful avatars are here tonight...except for Andy and I, of course. We're for contrast. "It's evil. It's worse than crack. It's....Skydiving Related Songs" "HEY ASSHOLE!!!! Whats your Name and what do you do for a living?" 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, Andy...time for a laxative. Or maybe masturbation or something. 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.

Jealousy will get you everywhere...wait, I mean FLATTERY! Jeez, I get all those ending-in-y words all mixed up. "ATTN: Seattle Jumpers, Paragear...shitty business ethics. Anybody else also suffer from A.I.D.S.?" 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.

"Hey ASSHOLE, cloudy this weekend or not?" Andy, you're killing me here, dude. 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.

Jason Mewes, "Dogma" "I am not a number, I am a FREE MAN!" 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.

Indeed it does. Come on! I know there are people here that posess more creativity in their little finger than I do in all of my personalities. 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.