ChasingBlueSky

If you have an otter the board usually has to go first just due to space restrictions. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

I believe I read somewhere that while there has been job growth, the level of pay is down across the board. Also, last I heard consumer spending has not increased due to lower paying jobs and the high cost of fuel. Also, those unemployment numbers are just new claims. It doesn't cover those who have been unemployed for so long that they no longer get benefits, or those that do not qualify for them _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

If you read my second post in this thread, you will see that is the conclusion I came to on my own. Moore used to have good things to say, and had a creditable name. Now he is just as bad as those he bitches about. Lies, spin, etc.... Sometimes the medium becomes the message and what you are trying to say will never be heard because of that. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

Hey, if I had known that it was his bday I would have said something to him when I called him earlier! Happy Bday JP! _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

Wow - I've never gotten one spam there! My Yahoo account gets about 100 a day, Hotmail about 100 a week. Before I dropped AOL I would get spam under accounts I created and never used, never told anyone about - about 500 a week. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

So you are headed to Perris, SGC, Skydive Chicago, or anywhere else for your first long weekend of the season?? All the boogies sound like a great time and you just can't be at all of them.... Well, even if you can't get to Skydive Chicago for the Memorial Day Boogie Weekend, you can still be a part of our weekend. We have set up a link on our web page that will allow you to help us raise money for the Make-A-Wish foundation to help grant the wish for a child. You can either donate or purchase a raffle ticket for one of the variety of prizes we have gathered! For those that don't want to read the rest, here is the link: Team Funnel Make A Wish Fundraiser Clicky or www.TeamFunnel.com for our homepage. A little history: Team Funnel is a loose organization of skydivers dedicated to the belief that no one should have to jump alone. We specialize in jumping with low-timers -- an informal free mentoring program with an emphasis on safety -- but go out of our way to make visitors feel at home as well. With an international membership spanning continents, whether visiting another drop zone or jumping at the DZ we call home, it is our mission to spread the joy and camaraderie that is skydiving. In the Fall of 2001, we lost three members to tragic accidents. In honor of these members, and in honor of all passed skydivers, Team Funnel holds the Team Funnel Memorial Boogie over Memorial Day weekend (last weekend of May) at Skydive Chicago, in Ottawa, Illinois. With an estimated 200 skydivers in attendance at each boogie the last two years, we have succeeded in raising over $5000 both times, making wishes come true for two children. Our fundraising will include a charity raffle, a silent auction, dunk tank, live music, bake sale and an evening cook-out. If you've been to the Team Funnel Memorial Boogie before, you know there's tons of stuff I haven't mentioned here. It's all happening again this year. Things like the Bonfires, Organizing by World Champions, Camping, Canoeing, Jello Shots, Fishing, Swimming, Skydiving. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

What about higher level RW coaching? Rarely do I charge, but I don't mind my lift being paid. The coaching that you and all the other "open 4-way" types do for individuals and teams that are looking to refine thier skills seems to be widely accepted, and I think that practice isn't something that takes advantage of anyone. In fact, it can help further the competitive nature of the sport. However, if any higher skill level jumper were to ask me for cash just for him/her being asked to join our skydive? Well, I would have some very impolite words for that skydiver. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

However, in a mass drop scenario a flock of drifting freebags could cause massive collision issues. Also, if you were going for silent insertion, the freebag system would most likely land first and away from the LZ which could draw unwanted attention. Good idea as far as flight and drag Phree, but from my civilian mindset it doesn't seem like it would be a good idea. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

Simple - tell them no or don't jump! There is always the next load...and in the meantime, explain to manifest why you felt unsafe to be on that load and they will take care of it for you. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

There are still DZs where the Coach rating means very little. At Skydive Chicago we have people with the rating, but there isn't one that I know of that charges the newbies. In fact, Team Funnel is out there always promoting jumping with the newbies for free - even if it just means going out and falling flat and stable for them (I love it when someone calls that boring....you do realize it is still a skydive??). I do realize that some smaller DZs that have shorter student programs need the Coach, but outside of taking the newbie up until their A license, I don't think someone should be charged. However, I am ok with freefly coaching for some reason. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

That actually makes it all worthwhile. They'd get pissed off...waste their time tracking it down....find out it's me....realize what an idiot they are. Cheaters are assholes and the person they are cheating on deserves to know. I really don't see a middle ground on this. It will hurt no matter what, they have had their trust broken by someone they trust...it wasn't you that hurt the victim...but the sooner they learn, the sooner they can start healing. But then again, that's my opinion because I've been cheated on before in the past. I'm gonna stop now before I get on a rant. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

You can learn Linux in a weekend, esp if you pick up "linux for dummies" However, it can take a while to really become a master at it. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

How close are those fires to Lake Elisnore DZ? _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

Funny thing about bags left alone in airports.... I recently had some issues with the TSA at Tampa Int Airport. On a Tuesday morning at 6am the line to get onto the transport was 25 minutes long, the line to get thru the TSA checkpoint was 60-90 minutes long. They wouldn't help anyone that was going to miss a flight due to how slow they were moving. In fact everyone from the TSA and the Airport were complete assholes about it. Over 10 people missed the flight I was on, inlcuding me. Looking down the terminal you could see over two or three dozen people trying to get on standby because of this line. Meanwhile, my bag is on the way to Chicago without me! I ended up missing a connecting flight in Nashville they put me on (damn slowpokes getting off the plane and gates too far apart) and I had to stay 4 hours in Nashville. Meanwhile my bag is back home at Midway airport without me. No big deal, I thought, I'm certain they have it in the luggage office just outside the claim area. When I get there, my bag is not there but they tell me to check out by the luggage claim. YUP! There is my bag all by itself just sitting in the airport unattended. So I was late due to security issues, but in the end they let my bag sit out on its own for 5 hours at Midway. Nice. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

wow - Norman Kent really has a winner with that pic, huh? I think that makes about a dozen places that are using that image. Gotta admit, it is a good one! _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

Seen a few tandems puke - all under canopy, and most under the old Vector rigs...don't think I've seen one since we moved to Sigma. One TM managed to have the student turn her head as he banked the canopy and missed him and the rig. Supposedly there is a video of Johnny Utah doing a tandem where he is geeking the camera with his mouth open...he looked over the shoulder of the student to see how she was doing just as she turns her head to the side and pukes in freefall....only to have some of the puke go right into his mouth! _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

[idiot with bad eyes] Apparently I didn't look close enough - they are platic bags. Guess I should wear my contacts when I am working out. [/idiot with bad eyes] _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

Heard about it - couldnt find the video till just now...thanks for posting it. Nothing like a building to get in the way of autorotation huh? _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

Don't forget, according to GWB it is no longer a priority to find this man. Bin Laden Said to Offer Gold for Killings By MAGGIE MICHAEL, Associated Press Writer CAIRO, Egypt - A statement attributed to Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) offered rewards in gold valued at nearly $136,000 Thursday for the killing of top U.S. and U.N. officials in Iraq (news - web sites). The transcript of an audio recording dated Thursday appeared on two Web sites known for militant Islamic messages. The Web sites gave links to hear the statement, but none were working. The authenticity of the statement could not immediately be verified. Bin Laden had never been known to offer rewards for missions he had described as followers' religious duty to carry out. "You know that America promised big rewards for those who kill mujahedeen (holy warriors)," the transcript read. "We in al-Qaida organization will guarantee, God willing, 10,000 grams of gold to whoever kills the occupier Bremer, or the American chief commander or his deputy in Iraq." It was referring to L. Paul Bremer, the chief U.S. administrator in Iraq, and top military officials. "For security reasons, the rewards will be given as soon as conditions permit, God willing," the transcript read. "As for those who die while killing an occupying solider, the great prize will be for us and for him when God grants him martyrdom, and the smaller prize (the gold) will be for his family." The statement also promised the same reward for the deaths of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) and his envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi. "The United Nations (news - web sites) is nothing but a Zionists' tool, even if it worked under the cover of providing humanitarian aid," the statement said. "... Whoever kills Kofi Annan or the head of his commission in Iraq or a representative like Lakhdar Brahimi, he will be awarded the same prize of 10,000 grams of gold." The statement promised a lesser prize — 1,000 grams of gold — to anyone killing a citizen of countries it called "the masters of the veto like Americans and Britons" — a reference to nations with veto power on the U.N. Security Council. And it offered 500 grams of gold to anyone killing citizens of countries it called "slaves of the Security Council who are in Iraq, like Japan and Italy." With gold selling Thursday on London exchanges for $387.60 an ounce, 10,000 grams of gold was valued at $135,660, 1,000 grams at $13,566, and 500 grams at $6,783. The statement appeared on two Web sites, the Ansar Islam Forum and the Islamic Research Center. Both are clearing-houses for statements by al-Qaida and other Islamic militant groups. The transcript also denounced U.S. plans to hand sovereignty to Iraqis on June 30, calling them a trick to end the resistance that has killed hundreds of U.S. soldiers. "The so-called handing sovereignty over to Iraqis is an overt trick, to anesthetize the people and abort the militant resistance, and (such a trick) will not deceive the true mujahedeen of the sons of Iraq," the statement said. "There is no sovereignty for Iraq as long as a crusader solider remains in its land, and no sovereignty for Iraq as long as it is not ruled by Islam." It urged Iraqis to fight a holy war against their U.S.-appointed Governing Council, which it called a "puppet" of the U.S.-led coalition and "a tool to pass their plans to the people and a way to show their hatred of religion." "Therefore, jihad (holy war) is obligatory for all Muslims in Iraq," the statement read. The statement was titled: "A Word from the emir of the Islamic armies, Osama, to the nation and especially to brotherly Muslims in Iraq." It used language similar to previous bin Laden statements, laden with Quranic verse. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

Jan, I almost see you and Bill saying the same thing. In just the 5+ years I have been in the sport I am amazed in the changes...I'm still a tourist....I can only imagine where we are headed (shudders). When I started there was no Velo, the FX was the hottest shit and if you were a lowtimer on a Sabre or a Safire you were going to die...the Stilletto had a worse reputation than the Sabre.....and putting students on BOC rigs was ridiculed. I've see too much in too short of time and lost friends and mentors, seen people between 50 jumps and 9000 jumps die. I've gotten lucky and done stupid things I am surprised I walked away from (1.9 WL at 200 jumps under a Safire anyone?). However it was all my doing, no one else. IMHO, if you are a jumper and the word "lawsuit" is in your vocab, quit now. No excuses, no reasons, etc...you don't need to jump. NO, don't bother trying to reason with me - and I will tell you this in person - quit now if you feel you will ever sue the DZ or another jumper. On top of that, I don't want to jump with you either. This sport is chaotic at best - and every skydive WILL try to kill you and just about any other part of the skydive as well (the plane ride, other jumpers, the pilot, other aircraft, the earth). No, this is not a safe sport - we just have some safe people. You are mistaken if you think otherwise, and, if you do, you haven't seen the real dark side of this sport. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

WoA! Had no idea it was your bday bud! Happy Bday! _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

I say we send his fat ass to Iraq and let him fight with the terrorists that he seems to love so much. That should get him some good publicity and give him a chance to really get back at Bush since he hates him so much. Um. That didn't make any sense to me. He loves the terrorists? Whatever. He thinks the Bush admin are a group of war criminals and he is against war so he should pick up a gun? huh? _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

Here is a thought that dawned on me - this may be how he wants to market the movie. Maybe Disney just had some issues about it, but if he makes a big stink then it will get more free press and end up on all the political talk shows. On the other hand, I don't doubt that Jeb would find a way to get back at Disney for allowing someone to slur the family name, esp in an election year. Hell, Mayor Daley has been known to do the same thing to people that are outspoken against him... _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

Perris ain't far. And only $39 will get you here on Southwest..... And after you spend all of your money in the tunnel, it is a 4 day walk home. BTW - Wonder what it would be like to be in the tunnel during a rolling blackout? That would have to hurt. _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....

By: PATRICK SAURIOL By: News Editor Source: The New York Times, Micahel Moore.com Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore (BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE) has been hit with an unexpected twist of fate: Walt Disney Pictures is refusing to allow its subsidary, Miramax Films, from distributing Moore's next picture, FAHRENHEIT 911, this summer. Moore's documentary examines the roles that President Bush and the bin Laden family played in the days following the terrorist attacks committed against America on September 11, 2001. The day after 9/11, the bin Laden family members were flown out of the country thanks to a special order allowing them air travel while the remainder of the country's airports were shut down. FAHRENHEIT 911 also examines the close business ties between the Bush and bin Ladens prior to 9/11 and is critical of Bush's role in stopping terrorist activity. Miramax is trying to work out an agreement with its parent company that would reverse Disney's decree but chances are slim to none of it being reversed. In a letter posted on his website today, Moore says that the reason he was told of Disney's cold feet for FAHRENHEIT 911 had to due with possible financial repercurssions arising from the loss of tax breaks from the state of Florida in the wake of the release of the film. Florida's governor is Jeb Bush, brother of President Bush. "There is much more to tell, but right now I am in the lab working on the print to take to the Cannes Film Festival next week (we have been chosen as one of the 18 films in competition)," writes Moore on his website. "I will tell you this: Some people may be afraid of this movie because of what it will show. But there's nothing they can do about it now because it's done, it's awesome, and if I have anything to say about it, you'll see it this summer -- because, after all, it is a free country." _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again.....