meltdown

No hurry. I love the 170. Was just wondering when might be a good time to try the 150 (since it's sitting here and all), and if there we some kind of accepted guidelines to help determine that. Believe me, I'm not in a hurry to go break something.

*** What are the noticeable difference between a 7 cell and 9? As a newbie, is that something to take into consideration on a 1st canopy? What I've heard is that a 7 cell descends at a steeper angle than a 9 cell, with less forward glide. They are supposedly easier to land in tight spots.

I recently bought a used Spectre 170 and it's awesome. I'm loading it at .97:1 and it's very easy to fly and land. I highly recommend the Spectre. I was also considering a Sabre, Triathlon and Hornet as a 1st canopy, but the Spectre came along so I got it and glad I did.

I did my whole AFF from a 182, but haven't jumped one since. I kinda like our nice new Otter.

I was just curious what is an appropriate wingloading for a jumper with 28 jumps. I weigh 160 out the door. I've been jumping a Spectre 170 recently with pretty accurate stand up landings, and I am comfortable running out landings when necessary. I was thinking about trying my wife's Sabre 150 after another 10-20 jumps on the 170. Is this too much for someone with my experience? Thanks in advance.

netzero.com (home by default) drudgereport.com (frequent)

I LOVE my boss. I got a $400 bonus (a lot less with taxes taken out). That definitely helps soften the blow of the $5000 I spent on gear last week.

The Wiggles are WORSE than Barney any day. There's something about grown men acting like idiotic children that is just not right. I highly recommend you crank up some heavy metal music up to 11 to displace the noise currently in your head. And do so immediately with beer in hand.

Welcome. Your situation sounds kinda like my wife's did in August. She did a tandem, and decided to take up the sport. I, of course, was mortified. Then one day I went and did a tandem, and then I understood her obsession. Now we're both equally obssessed and lovin' it. I've always been somewhat of a tightwad, but this is definitely something I don't mind shelling out the bucks for. In fact, we both bought rigs this past week! Good luck and enjoy.

Maybe it was a bubble boy, like on that Seinfeld episode. Only with a mobile bubble.

Relax, especially at pull time. On my AFF 4 jump, I was so tense at pull time I rolled over and my hand slipped off the hackey. Scared the shit out of me! Just relax and breathe and you'll be fine. Enjoy! Rick

Quote ----------------------------------------------- We are a nation of great strength, but with that strength comes the responsibility to use it in constructive ways for the betterment of all people, everywhere. ------------------------------------------------------- This is the read world, Quade, not Never Never Land. - Jim ------------------------------------------------------- You mean Michael Jackson's ranch?

Hell yes you owe beer. Between me (26 jumps) and my wife (16 jumps), we can barely go to the DZ without owing beer for something. We have learned never to use the "F" word.

I just got done losing 30 lb over the course of 6 months. I eat all the same stuff, but about half of what I used to eat, plus I've been riding my bike appx. 8 miles 3-4 times a week. It just seems so unnatural to deprive your body of particular foods - I don't think I would do the Atkins or anything like that unless I was totally desperate. That said, I've seen many people successfully lose weight on Atkins; whether they can keep it off remains to be seen. Good luck.

We have a Spectre 190 at our DZ (rental gear) which I've jumped many times, and it opens just right (not too fast nor too slow). I test jumped a Safire 2 169 a couple weeks ago (packed by the same DZ packer), and it opened REALLY slow. I just sat there looking at it wondering if it would ever open. It did, of course. If what I've read is true, Safires and Triathlons are slow openers, but I'd never heard that about Spectres until now.

If yours goes anything like mine did: expect to be scared shitless when the door is opened; expect to feel awesome after you've left the plane! The type of plane also makes a difference. I did my AFF out of a Cessna 182 - the whole standing on the step and holding the strut with the prop blast in your face is an experience in itself. Good luck - you'll LOVE it! Rick

Awesome. Maybe I'll get there someday.

Liberty or security. Hmmm. Well, the feds take withholding out of my paycheck to fund social experiments before I am ever allowed to see it - is this liberty? I am required to comform to laws which I don't agree with - is this liberty? Let's face it - there is no such thing as absolute liberty in a civilized society. The question is how much liberty you're willing to give up for the sake of security, and how secure the trade-off really makes us. These are tough questions to answer. And how can we be secure with "leaders" of all political persuasions unwilling to protect our borders from foreign infiltrators? I wish Ben Franklin could shed his wisdom on our current state of affairs, with nuclear and other destructive weapons available on the black market, and an enemy whose stated goal is to destroy the West.

All right, an Ann Coulter fan who is also a Rush fan.

Ann Coulter kicks ass! Someone is selling an Ann Coulter talking doll - I think it's on Newsmax.com or one of the other right of center websites. Love or hate her, she's very entertaining.

3 area DZ's - all 1 hour from my house.

You got that right. It makes me sick to see the out of control vote grab going on in the Republican congress. The GOP has squandered a golden opportunity to show that they are the party of fiscal discipline; in fact they have demonstrated that they are every bit that which they claim to detest. Anyone for starting a new conservative party?

I'd definitely go with 26" wheels, especially if you plan on doing any street riding. As for trails in Austin, there are many, but a couple stand out from the rest: 1. Barton Creek Greenbelt you can get there either from Zilker park, or from several other entrances in southwest Austin. This is the grandaddy of Austin bike trails. There is something here for all levels, and the scenery is awesome. If there's water in the creek, it's also a pretty cool place to swim in the spring and summer. There are several excellent swimming holes on the creek. This is also a pedestrian trail, so you need to watch out for hikers constantly. There's also a spot along a cliff where people repel. 2. Emma Long (city) Park this is off of 2222, in west austin. This place is more geared to experienced mountain bikers; it is quite technical throughout. It is also far more remote than the greenbelt - even on weekends there aren't many people out here. Don't come here alone! There is a book on Austin bike trails available at the major bike shops, which contain maps to the trails as well. Happy biking!

Skydiving is a door. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It takes a special person to walk through it. That's right. Someone willing to sign their paycheck over to the DZ

I just throw my shit over the neighbor's fence. He chips wood like there's no tomorrow. Just be glad you have a chainsaw. I trim my trees with a fucking saw on a stick and it blows.