skyhive

For the record, even though I know Paraman's honesty has not been questioned... I sold him an old Diablo 120 a couple months ago without any problem at all. He was polite and patient, with no complaints about the canopy... Then again, I sent him what I promised I would send (Diablo 120). Sorry to hear about this Pavel. I'm not a rigger, but it's clear to me, judging by the photo, that it is not a cut in the canopy. As someone else said here, the loose and frayed fibers prove it's from a puncture or tear of some sort. If there's any material around it that looks melted, I would think it could be line burns since it's on the tail, but who knows. Really though, who cares how it got a hole... it's not the canopy he promised you, it's a completely different size, and the seller is avoiding discussions of that topic... As far as I'm concerned, the damage on the canopy is not the issue, he sent you the wrong product. Good luck

Wow, I was thinking of my trip to the Chicago Nationals on a 16way team with Mariann as a memory; however, I totally forgot about her rapping Eminem on a 10way speed load! I was on that load, NICE, thanks! January, 2002, I came to visit my father in Oklahoma, and we cruised down to SDD to make some jumps. Dad was already on Dallas Confusion 16way team, and was trying to get me on it knowing that I was interested. Unfortunately, I had appx. 300 jumps, and didn't know anyone. So my dad talked to the team captains (Mariann and Rick) and got them to do a 4way--Dad, the two of them, and me... Previously, I would guess I had only done about 10 point 4ways (randoms), but I will never forget my first jump with Mariann, it was a block move and two randoms, we did over 20 points, it was by far the best jump I had ever had! From there on, I thought Mariann was this super-hot skygod! So that jump earned me a slot on the team, we had a great time as a team, Mariann always acting as a mentor to me. It always seemed as if she went the extra step to help my flying on a personal level. As I was learning to swoop on my super-fast Spectre 150, she was coaching me, telling me pointers, etc.! The most important part... Mariann was my FIRST kiss-pass! It was on a 16way team jump that went to shit, she looked over at me and gave me my first.. When we watched the video as a team, she said she couldn't help it because I was in my slot, doing my job! And goddam she was tough, remember when she hurt her knee in AZ, and continued team training all weekend... She would just swoop in, and slide on her ass... She came back to Dallas, and continued to fun jump like that... She had her special shorts she would put over her leg-straps, so she wouldn't tear them up!! I've attached an old picture of Mariann wearing her first rig/favorite rig, I believe she named it Cream Puff? hehe, a few of us did a high pull with Mariann on sunset load a week and a half ago, and I asked her about her glittered rig. She said it was still sitting in her closet, she just couldn't sell it! The other picture is a Texas State Record, which still stands, she is on the bottom left of the formation, on a whacker, on the outside of the whacker. Your enthusiasm will be missed Mariann! My best wishes to everyone that had Mariann in their lives.