steve1

You won't be sorry. I love mine. Cool color pattern! Steve1

Freebird, We'll miss you on here. I quit jumping for 25 years once and I'll bet you return to jumping again. I hope you get your daughter back soon. If you get lonely or need someone to talk too we'll be glad to visit with you again. You don't have to be current to be considered part of the gang. Once a jumper, always a jumper is the way I see it. Steve1

As long as I'm telling "booger" stories I may as well tell one more. Don't read any further unless you have a strong stomach. Many years ago I went to the gym to work out. I did a pretty fair job of blowing my nose before I started lifting weights. After about 20 minutes I stopped to admire my manly physique in the mirror. And there was this huge green thing on my black shirt. I'd wondered why everyone had been frowning every time they talked to me. Booger Steve1

I have a habit of forgetting to turn off my cypress. I've heard that it's no big deal, it will shut off by itself, right? Recently a friend said it's always good to shut it off and that it can be harmful to your cypress, to leave it on and then drive to other elevations. Is there any truth to this. My friend is a rigger and has thousands of jumps so I'm just wondering. Steve1

I've jumped a couple times when I really should have blown my nose first. My goggles were kind of like looking out of a stained glass window after a couple thousand feet. Thank god for full face helmets. Steve1

Last Oct. Montana sucks this time of year. I'll be in Eloy at the end of Feb. and plan to catch up on jump numbers. Steve1

My first was in Army Jump School. It was static line out of a c-141 jet. Scared shitless is what I wrote in my log book, but actually it was great once I was out the door. What a beautiful sight with green chutes coming down everywhere! Then I hit the ground and sprained my ankle. Steve1

Unless you have suffered from depression youself, you have absolutely no concept of what that person is going through. Do you know what it's like feel like there is no hope for the future? Do you know what it's like to not be able to sleep, or eat, for weeks on end? Do you know what it's like to feel completely, totally worthless? Do you know what it's like to want to die just to make the pain go away? I mean really want to die? I wish more people could read what Michelle and Zennie have written in their posts concerning anti-depressants and suicide. I agree unless you have been their you don't have a clue what depression is like. I recall a time when I felt so worthless that I wanted to die. Things just seemed to be getting worse and worse. I ended up with a gun in my hand and had every intention of offing myself. I don't think I would have survived, but my wife figured out what was happening and intervened. And this wasn't the only time I had come close. Being raised by an abusive alcoholic father really did a big number on my head. I tried therapy after that, and it helped some, but I needed more. I went on zo-loft and it made a big difference. I still take it and it helps. I never thought I'd be posting all this, but if it helps someone, what the hell. I've also heard that unless you are in need of an anti-depressant such as zo-loft it won't have much affect. In other words you won't feel any different. Don't quote me, because I don't know if this is true. All I know it has helped me. I'm much calmer, have loads more patience, am more out going, and my wife can stand to be around me, (which wasn't always the case). Steve1

I was hoping you could teach me how to freefly. Last time I tried a sit, it wasn't very pretty. I looked just like a helicopter blade. It's hard for an old dog to learn new tricks. Steve1

I bought tickets yesterday to go to Eloy for a week at the end of February. We originally planned to go to Florida, but got a better deal on tickets to Arizona. I was just wondering if any other dot comers will be there then. Also thanks for all the great ideas for the believable excuses for missing work. I think I'm going to go with the sick relative one. It's going to be hard to act sad (for a sick kin folk) after a week in Eloy. Coming back to Montana with a nice sun tan may not be too believable either, but what the hell. Steve1

I really don't know much about these myself, but I've talked to some people who said you really can't fly them in very much wind. One of the people owned one and the other guy was an ultralight pilot. Don't quote me though, because I don't know this for sure. Steve1

I've known some other jumpers who have done the same thing under round canopies. One of them even went between two of the power lines under his round reserve. Luckily he only touched one of them with his body and then things shorted out burning up his reserve. I've also heard of spray planes flying under powerlines. I talked to one spray pilot who said his spray plane cut a power line in two. Does this sound right to you or is this another tall tale. I would think his plane would come apart first. I can't recall all the details. I think he did crash land his plane, but there was minimal damage from the power line. Steve1

I've visited Texas a few times and have known a fair number of Texans. I like their attitude, if that makes sense. I may move to Texas some day. I think the winters would be great for jumping. It's been down to 30 below, much of last week, here on the hi-line of Montana. Yuck! ....... Steve1

The book "Toxic Parents" is one of the better books that I've ever read. It gave me a lot of insight into my own life. You should read it "Free Bird". Steve1

If I were you I'd do whatever it took to get your child back. What kind of parents would try to keep you away from your own child? It sounds to me like they are being very selfish and care little about your needs. I know it takes a pile of money to take this to court, but I think they would take your side. I don't think your parents have the right to do what they have done. I know this issue may cause a split in your family, but maybe it's for the best. Steve1

I haven't made a jump in months due to cold weather, but I've been having trouble adjusting my toggles to work well with my dive loops. I've got them let out now as far as they will go and am still experiencing bucking problems when I use my front risers. I think the problem may be that my dive loops are too low. I presently have at least five inches of slack in my toggle lines. I was thinking maybe I should have some dive blocks sewn above where the dive loops are at now. And maybe having the dive loops removed. Does any of this make sense? I need to make some more jumps on this set up though, before I make any changes, such as looking up and see what's happening when I make a front riser turn. I'd sure appreciate any imput. Thanks, Steve1

Take a good look at where you place the bridle when you push it under the side flap. A reflex has a very square corner on the bottom flap of the rig. It's easy to push the bridle past that corner and have it hang up on it, causing a pilot chute in tow. [/reply My Talon is also this way. I have to be very careful not to stuff the bridal too far up or this will happen. I think the newer Talons are different. Steve1

Exactly. I always dreamed of living there, but I know the winters would be awful, especially way up North. I've heard the sun goes down and doesn't come up for months at a time. The summers are wonderful though. It's daylight all the time. Now that I'm back into jumping Arizona looks a lot better than Alaska in the winter. I once thought of imigrating to Canada just because they have some wild areas left. Alaska is about the only truly Wild place the U.S. has left. Montana isn't the same place that it was when I was a kid. There's getting to be way too many people and the hunting and fishing is getting way too competitive for me. There are some cool places left, but they are going down the tube fast. I still enjoy packing back into some wilderness areas in the summer and fishing with my kids. Steve1

Married almost 23 years. I'm lucky I found the right one. So far skydiving hasn't been too much of a problem. If I lived in a place where I could make more jumps, it might be. Steve1

Skiing will come right back to you. I quit once for around twenty years. My daughter was starting up a few years ago so I went with her down one of the most challenging runs they had, and it came right back to me. I ended up getting hooked all over again. Steve1

DEFINITION (from Cambridge International Dictionary of English) debauched adjective weakened or destroyed by bad sexual behaviour, drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs, etc. His family were distressed by his increasingly debauched lifestyle. reply] Well that doesn't sound bad to me. I figured it must be something really bad. Kind of like those mortal sins they used to talk about in catholic school. I know in the ten commandments they didn't mention debauchery once, so maybe it's okay. I think it would be kind of fun to go out and get debauched once in a while. What do you think? Steve1

They quoted $750 for a 170, but I think the dollar has weakened against the rand. I'm somewhat inclined to just buy it from Rigs and Things, though, just because the idea of international bank transfers seems a little scary to me. If I don't find something suitable used in the next couple of days, I'm going to order one. The price has gone up considerably. A year ago, I bought a Hornet from Manny in S.A. for around $500. I just sent him my credit card number, told him the colors, and I had it a month later. Even $750. would be a bargain. Steve1

To get certified to pack back reserves I need to pack at least 20 reserves under another riggers supervision prior to going to a master rigger for a practical type exam where you repack another reserve. It would be nice to practice on an old beater of a reserve that is ready for the trash bin. I would imagine reserve repacks by an unskilled person are even tougher on fabric etc. I'd hate to wear out my new reserve just in practice. Have you ever watched an experienced rigger wrestle around with a reserve? Imagine how tough this is for a beginner. If they're only good for 40 repacks or so, this may not be good. Steve1

Can someone tell me what debauchary is? Whatever it is, I think I'd like it...... Steve1

[replyshould I only wear tiny black laced knickers? I think that would be very appropriate. Can I be a male counterpart too? I still remember a few prayers from back in the days when I went to Catholic school. The Virgin Islands sound fun also. Steve1