steve1

For mine I did a demo into a University oval back in the early 70's. Of course I used the most up to date gear available then: a para-comander and 24' round reserve. You need a pro-rating to make that jump now. Steve1

Sorry, Beav. From the USMA site: ......................................................... We may have a tie. I did some checking, and the Silvertip Skydivers in Montana supposedly started in 1957 also. I thought it was 1958, but I was wrong. Our club did send some competitors to the nationals a few times, but I'm not sure how they did. I'll have to do some more checking. Our club sent a team to Star, Idaho in about 1974 that did build the first all collegiant 8-way. I remember it because it is about my only claim to fame. I was 4th in. B.J. Worth and his sister Chris (Sam) flew pin base. Ray Cottingham filmed it. The air force academy was also there competing. I scanned a picture of our team earlier and put it in the RW section. I think it was under Ray Cottingham. By the way, does anyone know how Ray is doing? I heard he underwent open heart surgery recently. Steve1

I emailed www.icarus.co.za to check into ordering a new jump suit. Apparently Hornet canopies are still offered but for twice the price they were a year ago. They are now about a $1,000. I bought mine a year ago for less than $500. The freight I was quoted yesterday was like $180. I wonder if this is a mistake. The air freight on my Hornet a year ago to the states was only $40. Ah, don't you yurn for the olden days (like last year) when you could get cheap gear. Steve1

Since I've been back jumping, I haven't been to many boogies yet. But from what I can gather boogies are a lot wilder now than during days of "Yore". (Whatever that means?) I'm trying to practice some new big words that I just learned. At any rate jump meets back in the 70's usually involved drinking a fair amount of alcohol and there was a lot of wacky tobaccy being smoked, and I heard tales of some folks doing the dance of the flaming ass hole during the wee hours of the night, but I don't recall ever seeing any racks. I feel kind of cheated. I went to Lost Prairie last summer and could hear all sorts of cheering and hollering going on down at the bar at night. This year I intend to investigate exactly what's going on down there. I'm not positive, but I've heard tell that there may be some real vile and luscidius stuff (whatever that means) going on down there. At any rate I don't intend to miss out on all the fun again this year! (Even if I am kind of an old Geezer.) Steve1

As a school counselor I work with a lot of kids that are really mixed up. Usually the reason is because their parents are pieces of crap. I had a kid yesterday tell me that he was afraid to go home because his dad was going to discipline him. This often involved getting punched in the face and even kicked when he is down. (He's only a 6th grader). Years ago when I was teaching 6th grade I had a student go home for Christmas vacation and he never came back. His Dad was having a bad day, so he ended up beating his son to death. I'd really enjoy seeing someone nock the bejesus out of some of these parents. Maybe I could even help. Sorry to add more depressing news. Maybe we should talk more about Eloy. I'll be there next weekend. I'm ready for a break. Steve1

You're a good person Chuck. Hope your pet recovers soon. Steve1

France does turn out some good skydivers though. The ones I met at Perris were a friendly bunch, (some were world 4-way champs at the time). I've heard it isn't much fun being a tourist in France, because Americans aren't well liked, and many other countries are starting to feel the same way, due to our recent military actions. As far as their military, I've heard that the French Foreign Legion is a hard core bunch. Steve1

There's been some really good imput on this one. I love to skydive, but as Lisa says it's hard to pay the bills doing just that. Your priorities may change also as you get older. I now have two kids in college and I feel lucky to have a decent job to pay the bills. When I was younger I figured I'd be happy if I could just hunt and fish all the time, (to hell with working). But my priorities changed when I got married off, and started having kids. When I was younger it was all or nothing to me. I'd devote all my time and energy into one pursuit at a time. But I finally figured out that I need balance in my life to be happy. I love to skydive, but I think I'd probably burn out at it, if I did nothing else. Right now my priorities are family, bringing home the bacon, and skydiving. I'm not really crazy about my job, yet there are times when it too is rewarding, and it pays the bills and buys me jumps. Steve1

Welcome Speer! I have a 19 and 21 year old. One has made a tandem and the other should this summer. Hopefully they'll choose to continue jumping. Best of luck! Steve1

Welcome Dan. We are honored to have you on here. Steve1

Thanks for the reminder. I am really good at forgetting all about such doings and then wonder why the wife is so disgruntled with me much of the time. I even forgot our 20th wedding anniversary. The day came and went and nothing happened. A few days later I remembered and had to go on a pilgrimmage to do something big to convince the little woman that I was still sweet on her. I ended up building her a big porch swing in the back yard with a big hand carved heart on it. (with Steve plus Pam in the middle of it). Pretty romantic huh? Actually it was my daughter's idea. But it pulled me up out of the shit real fast. Each year she tells me not to spend much on her for such doings as Valentines Day, but she's really disappointed if I don't come through with something. So anyway I've got to figure out something good. She's letting me fly out to Eloy next week, so I've to stay in good graces. It took several weeks of begging and whining to get this far, and I don't want to blow it now. Steve1

I think skydiving does take quite a bit of endurance, particularly if you do your own packing. At the end of a hot day, when I'm making one jump after another and packing in between, I end up being very tired. Part of that might be because I'm getting to be an old fart, but I've seen some younger jumpers who were just as drained. I think most types of cardio-vascular activity would help. Being over-weight also has few advantages in our sport. Sure you can get a bigger chute and baggier jump suit. It seems like many over-weight jumpers still have a hard time doing quality RW and are more likely to get hurt than someone who is physically fit. I've always liked weight training. I knew a marathon runner who also lifted weights because he said that it held his body together and kept him from getting hurt. This might also apply to sky diving. Steve1

Neither area has oxygen pumped into it, just extra air (from a compressor stage on an engine.) The cargo hold is pressurized as well for structural integrity. If a plane does lose pressure in its hold suddenly, the cabin floor can collapse from the pressure against it - almost 1000 pounds per square foot if the pressure loss happens at altitude. Some planes now have blowout panels in the floor so they go before the cabin floor does. That makes sense. I've seen baggage loaded into another compartment, and assumed it wasn't pressurized. Steve1

The U-2 surveillance planes may be a great way also to recon what else is in the area such as troop build ups and armorment. But then again maybe we have other sources of intelligence. I too fear the 15th. I hope Bush is making the right choice. It seems like the majority of the people in the World and in the U.S. are against jumping into war. (At the moment) Steve1

I wonder though if a bomb is placed in the cargo hold. It probably wouldn't have oxygen pumped into that area, as would the cabin area. Actually an altitude sensing bomb is fairly easy to make. I won't go into any more detail than this because the internet isn't a good place to discuss bomb building, but it's very similiar to a time bomb with a clock. Steve1

My guess would be that it's either a skunk of racoon. If you walk around the house there should be an entrance hole. That would be a good place to set a trap. If it's a skunk it might turn into a stinky affair. Racoon are powerful little critters and are hard to hold in a leg hold trap. They'll walk right into a catch-em-alive trap, and this might be a good option. If a cat get's into it you can release it unhurt. Sometimes rental places have them to rent. I don't know anything about possum. That is another possibility but I'd imagine they are easy to trap also. Steve1

Not since October. I'm going through severe withdrawal. Montana sucks in the winter. Will be in Eloy soon! Steve1

I think I have this figured out now (I've never written a Haiku). So I thought I'd write an ode to my lost girl friend! I like big women Very large and chunky Wearing something tight (How'd I do?)

I'm a poet But didn't know it. (Steve1) ...................................................... Sebazz, I was just wondering if you've seen my girlfriend lately? You know the one that was there in your office on "Casual Friday". (The one you took the cute snap shot of.) I haven't heard from her in some time.

Suz, That was me. It's kind of inspirational to be someones hero. Actually I've slimmed down some since then. Steve1

........................................................................ I'd love to be there. Actually on the 22nd I'll be flying down to Eloy. That's where all my friends wanted to go. Maybe next year I'll talk them into going to Raeford. It's kind of fun being a World traveler. When I was younger I was broke and had to stay home. Steve1

Raeford sounds like a really fun place. I haven't been in North Corolina in almost 30 years. I've got to make a trip there, sometime in the future. North Carolina is really a beautiful place, and has lot's of great people, but I know some places can be a little scary. One of the last times I was In Fayateville a couple of friends came back to our room all covered in blood. A couple guys started punching their lights out for almost no reason. Later in the week we saw these same guys in our chow line going into the army mess hall. Come to find out they were S.F. trainees, just like us. They were very apologetic though for beating up my friends. Then I had another friend who ended up at the wrong bar near Fort Bragg. He was all alone and ended up trying to make it with the wrong gal. Her boy friend caught him outside and was going to knife him. Being a S.F. soldier (and maybe not so bright) he decided to try fighting him off. He ended up with hundreds of stitches and finally escaped by running away. A few days later our company commander brought him out in his bath robe and proceeded to show us all his stitches and give us a lecture on what not to do in our free time. So when I do come to North Carolina again, I may be packing a six shooter with me. So

If I were to pick two skydivers that I really respect, it would be Dan Brodskey Chenfeld and Harry O'connor. I've never met either one, but have tremendous respect for both. I also tell my oldest daughter that she's my hero. She was valedictorian of her senior class (42 kids), and doesn't give up when things get tough. She's also a sky diver. (One tandem so far). Steve1

Born in Missoula, Montana about 15 years in Stevensville, Mont. about 20 years in Culbertson, Mont. (I hope to retire someplace warm in the winter and then back to Montana or Alaska in the summer.)

I'm just wondering if anyone has any good ideas on avoiding brain lock. I know there are lot's of tricks to memorization. (I'm wondering if any of these can be applied to skydiving.) This can be a real problem in four and five way RW. I know you are supposed to go over and over things in the dirt dive and I try to visualize things on the climb to altitude, but we still mess up on occaision. Or I should say, I mess up. And then we get on the ground and someone dreams up a whole new dive plan to relearn. There must be some helpful hints to remembering. (Sometimes I miss the old days where all you had to do was look for something round and get in.) Steve1