jfields

.... little Mouseketeers! I had totally screwed the spot and we'd landed in Disney World. But what the hell, I'm special ops, so I figured I might as well kick some ass and take some names anyway. Those goddamn Goofy and Mickey had pissed me off as a child, leaving me...... Justin My Homepage

I wouldn't think of it. Make 'em work! Probably that too. Justin My Homepage

It is a good thing he isn't working at Burger King, or he'd be offering you his "Whopper." Congrats Pyke! What is the new job? Justin My Homepage

Zennie, so you and Skreamer really were..... Justin My Homepage

Pyke, Don't you be makin' fun of the president! He is an edummakated man! [has a mental picture of soccer defenseman all standing next to each other covering their nuts on a penalty kick] Justin My Homepage

His clue was a trick. It is really Maori for "Board Slut". Justin My Homepage

If only it really worked like that. However, reality intrudes. To most people, the "DZ bum" lifestyle isn't even a fantasy. It is a joke. We have jobs, responsibilities, and families in some cases. They aren't always compatible with a lifestyle of "just sky". Sometimes we keep a hobby we love on a back burner to look beyond ourselves or to plan for the long term. Speed Racer, I understand where you are coming from. If you want to hang at DZs I can get to, you can get some jumps in on my rig if it fits you. Justin My Homepage

The most often you can donate is every eight weeks, according to the Red Cross. I'm not sure how long it lasts, but definitely not as long as a Twinkie. The surge of donations is great, but we have seen waves of volunteers like this before. I hope that people remember and continue giving regularly, but history has shown it to be unlikely. Justin My Homepage

Well, the article has some factual faults, but I certainly commend the sentiment. Justin My Homepage

Bubba doesn't need any vaseline, and whoever (bin Laden?) did this doesn't deserve it. Justin My Homepage

Speed, NIH is running a blood drive right near you. Justin My Homepage

Viking, I'm not interested in your vital statistics.

Yeah. There are some weird conical looking things. I haven't seen one in person, but have seen pictures. They look about halfway between a regular round and an inverted ice cream cone. Now those things are freaky. Justin My Homepage

Because you are a "veteran" and Pyke volunteered? How the shit are we supposed to know? It just happens. Since Zennie is a fellow veteran with you, maybe you two can just take turns like good boys. Freaksis is a vet too, but she'd tie me up and kick my ass if I messed with her.

Chuck and others, I don't have a fixed budget for the helmet. It is more accurate to say that I'll spend what I need to, but I'd prefer it to be less expensive. When I'm not doing RW, I may just continue using my trusty Pro-Tec. For RW and other times when I just want to wear a full-faced helmet, I'm not sure whether I would flip the visor up under canopy or not. Do you all do that or do you just wear it with the visor down all the way to landing? If I find myself doing that, then the Factory Diver seems like the best option because at least your not paying for the visor and it can't come off. I'll try to borrow helmets from people at the DZ and see what I like. Chuck, what kind of goggles do you use over the top of a helmet that stay on safely? Thanks everyone. Justin My Homepage PS The Pro-Tec in my photo is the one I used on AFF level 1. Now I have one in dark blue.

PTiger, That is a sweet idea. I'm looking at a full-face for RW, but I love my Pro-Tec for solo fun jumps. If I decide to paint mine too, relax, it won't be in tiger stripes.

Remi, Thanks for the input. I'm curious about what other people say. I was wondering how many posts would be put up before someone mentioned the Bassmaster thing. Not even one. I should have known.

Hi. I'm looking for advice on a good general-purpose full face helmet. Right now I'm using a Pro-Tec and googles. I don't have a big problem with it, other than that I have to hold the googles off my face in the plane from helmet-on to exit to keep them from fogging. But as I start doing some RW, I want to use a full-face helmet for improved safety. I'm not looking for anything fancy or expensive, just a good general-purpose helmet that will fit my need whether I end up doing a lot of RW, freeflying, or whatever. I don't want to go with anything really obscure that might be hard to find parts for (tinted or replacement lenses, etc.) What are people's thoughts about the common helmets like the Z-1, Oxygn, Factory Diver, etc. I'm not trying to start a "My helmet is great, yours sucks" debate. I'd just like to make some form of educated decision, based on people's experiences with their full face helmets. Other factors to take into account are that I wear contacts and would like to be able to use a Pro-Track in the helmet. I assume all the helmets would be fine, but I might not know some key facts. Thanks! Justin My Homepage PS Does anyone have a suggestion for my goggles in the meantime? I'm using the Kroops without vent holes, as suggested for contact wearers. I wear them under the helmet so they can't come loose in freefall. Are there any easier solutions that people have found? For example, a different style of goggles that can just be worn over the helmet and put on at the last minute?

Damn good question, Viking. I've never seen that going on at my home DZ.

That is just wrong! On the other hand, it must be a hell of a confidence-builder for all present.

Spectre, Military training isn't all it is cracked up to be. You're right about that. It sounds like you get to do all the fun stuff at your job. Of course, we don't know who it is or precisely what it is, so that makes it kinda hard to sign up.

Another $.02 on the Reserves... After being on active duty in the 82d, the Army Reserves were a walk in the park. Not hard at all. And the people were a lot smarter in the Reserves, but.... All the important character-building (crappy) experiences that really taught me anything were on active duty. The reserves were the worst of both worlds. Dumb-ass civilian mentality and lack of spirit, coupled with horrible military pay and an obligation to fight if called upon. If you are feeling patriotic and want to serve your country, then this is an option. Personally, I'd stay a civilian and volunteer some time helping in the inner city or with Habitat for Humanity or something. That way, you can lead a better life yourself and still help out others, on your terms. It is your call, but at least you're hearing what the recruiters won't tell you. It isn't all bad, but if you have a decent brain (which I bet you do), then you can do a whole lot better for yourself. Justin My Homepage

Lemme see.... Lesbian wedding with an open bar, held at the dropzone right as the beer light goes on, after a nudie sunset jump. Best of all worlds.

Sweet! Thanks for the info. I have no objection to spending less money. When the time comes, I'll definitely give a call. Justin My Homepage

I took a look at the website, and it looks pretty cool. It will probably be awhile before I get it, because I'll buy a bunch of things at one time: Full-face helmet Pro-Track Jump-Track Right now, none of them do me any good individually except the helmet. So I'm saving my cash for an expensive call to Para-Gear.