steve1

Columbine could not have happened in Canada, because the kids could not have stollen their parents assault rifles. Their parents don't have assault rifles. ................................................................... You know there are a lot of weapons out there that are dangerous. I think they could have just as easily stormed into that school with other weapons. They didn't have to be armed with assault rifles. I for one don't think that an assault rifle is all that more dangerous than many other weapons. I fired lot's of fully automatic weapons in the service and wasn't all that impressed. In Vietnam something like 40,000 rounds were fired for one confirmed kill. That was partly because people were firing on full automatic when semi-automatic might have been more effective. Your first shot usually goes where you want it to and the rest are all over the place, usually above your target. Most Canadians have access to a shotgun. It's easy to saw the barrel off and a sawed off shotgun would probably be more effective at close quarters than an assault rifle. But then again it might not be much good at longer ranges or penetrating a bullet proof vest (like a high powered rifle can.) But then again Canadians have access to any number of high powered rifles. I just think it's easy to mistakingly feel that just because a weapon is full automatic that it is terribly more dangerous than other weapons. Steve1

It's too bad we aren't doing more to deal with violence in America. But then again it's not going to be an easy problem to fix. The most violent kids that I work with each day in school are the ones who are being treated like crap at home. They come to school each day totally screwed up....hurting and above all angry. They spend most of their free time watching violent television shows and then playing very real and violent video games. And then they see their parents smacking each other around or are being nocked around themselves by parents, relatives, and other kids. Is it any wonder we have a violence problem. I know teachers and counselors try to help, but it is pretty supperficial. I'm not sure what the answer is. My daughter thinks we should spend more time in High School teaching kids how to be better parents. Maybe the cycle of abuse can be broken that way. Most schools are turning out kids who don't have a clue on how to be a good parent. When they have children the cycle starts all over again. I've never been a big fan of government regulation, but maybe the government should do more to curb violent TV and video games. But then again this is infringing on our freedoms. I would like to hear some other ideas on this. Steve1

It's finally sinking in that I'm getting old. Have tried to get more serious about working out. I've been to the gym about 4 days a week since Fall. I spend about 45 minutes on weights and about 20 on the treadmill. Cutting back on calories. Have lost about eight pounds since New Years. All I need to do now is stick with it. I hate dieting, but I also hate being fat. Exercise alone wasn't enough. Steve1

I got you all beat so far. 52 going on 18. I read a neat saying the other day....... "You don't quit playing because you get old. You get old because you quit playing. Don't be the first to get old." (I think that's how it went. My memory is shot.) Steve1

QuoteWhy don't they just buy one of Chromeboy's space ships? Oh, sorry to screw up a legit post. Bye now... .................................................... I was just wondering what happened to Chromeboy. You don't suppose he was captured by Aliens??? Steve1

QuoteMabe I'm wrong, but does seem that skydivers are more likely to have addictive personalities than the rest of the population. However, I've met a few skydivers who know they have that problem, and skydiving in a sense has taken the place of other addictions. ..................................................... I think this is very true. I've never had an addiction to drugs or alcohol, but I have developed an obsession of sorts with some sports. Presently it's skydiving. I've read some psychological explanations for this. Interesting stuff. Steve1

skr, Hod and Tina own a DZ here in Montana (at Stevensville). If you get a chance you ought to come up. I know he'd love jumping with you again. Hod and I started jumping the same winter in Missoula, and B.J. was one of our instructors. Hod named his son B.J. and he jumps with us also. It will probably be a few months before I see Hod again, since I'm now in Eastern Montana, but I'll ask him who was on the original Mirror Image team and try to post it here. Steve1

SkR, I used to jump with B.J. and his sister Sam here in Montana when they were going to college. I met his parents once. I think they were from Oklahoma. I thought B.J. went to Casa Grande in about 75 and I haven't seen him since. I know his daughter made her first tandem with Hod a few years back. B.J. doesn't jump much in Montana anymore. I think he plans on organizing some 100 way sequentials this winter in Florida and has some type of boogie scheduled in Thailand also. I know Hod plans to attend both. It would be fun to talk to him again. I haven't seen him in over 25 years. Steve1

Pengy, This may be a troll, but maybe not. Maybe it is a cry for help. Private Mail me if you like. I'll talk to you. I've known a lot of people who have offed themselves. If they even had one person in their life to talk to or had even one person who cared they might not have done it. Depression is a scary thing. It kills thousands. I also understand that many here don't want our sport tarnished by another suicide. Steve1

QuoteHeavy drinking and moderate drug use was big part of the skydiving scene back when I started in the 1970s. ................................................................... Drug use seemed to be much more prevalent during the 70's. I remember going to some jump parties where very little alcohol was seen and almost everyone was smoking dope. Being your basic red neck I didn't fit in well, but these were my jump buddies and I went to some of the parties anyway. Steve1

It sounds to me like they're trying to make scapegoats out of these guys. I doubt if the drugs in their system were strong enough to hurt their judgment significantly. This is the type of sensationalism that sells newspapers though. I can imagine the headlines they could dream up condemning these pilots. A terrible mistake was made, but I doubt if punishing these pilots is going to change anything or even help. Having them work as instructors would be a good idea. Maybe their insight could prevent this type of accident from happening again. I think these pilots have been persecuted enough. Steve1

QuoteI'm virtually certain that neither O'Connor, Morgon, nor Ponce were on Mirror Image that early. I remember Mike Gennis, Hod Sanders, Steve Mayes, Jim Captain, Gary Carter (original Flite Suite owner I think), BJ, Bird... ...................................................................... I don't think Harry Oconnor was on Mirror Image, but he jumped with Harry and B.J. a lot later on. Hod was on the Navy four way team after Mirror Image and he used to jump with Harry a lot there. I know he was really bummed out by his death. Steve1

I was wondering who was on the "Mirror Image" team. I can recall B.J. Worth, Jerry Bird, Hod (Gary) Sanders. I know Harry O'connor used to jump with them sometimes. I still jump with Hod and he fills me in on what it was really like in the old days. Hod mentioned jumping into the Olympics with B.J. and Harry O'connor to form some rings along with some other Mirror Image team-mates. I'm sure there are others on here who know more about this stuff than I do. Steve1

Ah,........ but don't forget the jumping!! I love California for that reason alone. Not to mention it's below zero right now where I live.....anyplace looks good to me at the moment, (including overpopulation, smog, and crime.) Steve1

Sebazz, It's a small world. I'll definitely mention your name to him. I think he had a DZ in California for a while. Steve1

QuoteSteve, You're going to Skydive Space Center??? I love that place. Say hello to Mary, Patti, Greg, Brian and all the others. ....................................................................... I used to jump with Greg and his brother Steve, back in the olden days. They both are from Montana. On one load we sucked it down to about 500 ft. At least I was in the saddle at 500ft. and Greg was about 800. I'll say hello to Greg and Patti for you. Steve1

I thought I'd save the "Elephant Trunk Walk" for the end of my routine. I was just wondering if you planned on doing any gymnastic type stuff. I mean I'm kind of an old duffer and not as spry as I used to be. I thought I might try a couple summer-saults maybe. I can't do the splits anymore, so that's out. Hell, I have trouble just putting my rig on. Maybe I'll just do my best Michael Jackson impersonation, and then rip off my cowboy outfit real fast, and then end with the "Elephant Trunk Walk". This would all be choreographed to music, of course. What do you think?

That sounds great! I know Michael Jackson has a routine kind of like that, and it works for him. That reminds me I need to start practicing my "moon walking". Steve1

QuoteWhatever the excuse make sure you don't hurt yourself. wow, how did you get a double compound at your dear old Aunt Betty's funeral. ............................................................ I could always tell another big whopper, like I was in a car wreck or something. I've never been a very convincing liar, but maybe if I took some acting lessons maybe that would help. Maybe I could stay an extra week that way. Steve1

A few friends are planning to go down to Titusville, Florida to jump for a week. I have the opportunity to go with them if I can figure up a good enough excuse to take a week off work. Any ideas? I was thinking of saying there was a death in the family or something like that. I know it's not very professional but what the hell. I mean what's more important working or jumping? What should I do??? Steve1

I think a squirrel costume would be very appropriate for such an occaision. You might want to put some velcro on it so you can rip it off real quick for a more dramatic affect. I'm just wondering how to choreograph my routine. I'm kind of a country western kind of guy so I definitely thought I'd wear a cowboy hat while dancing around to some kind of music. I may even wear a pair a chaps. (I like to dress up in leather!) I'm anxious to start practicing my routine so I'd appreciate any ideas for music. I kind of like "Home on the Range". I've never done this kind of thing before. What do you think?..... Steve1

I may be in Florida at the end of February. If you can hold off on the party until then I'd be glad to perform for you. I can't sing or dance, but I always wanted to be a Chip in Dale kind of a guy. Don't let my age scare you. I am reasonably physically fit and I've heard that some people like elderly bald headed men. I'm not very good looking any more, but maybe I could wear a sack over my head. I still have my posing trunks, when I was a body builder twenty years ago. Do you think that rolls of fat and white skin might scare anyone?......... I'm anxiously waiting your reply! Steve1

When I was falling timber, I always used the small foam ones that you crush up and then cram in your ear. I still use them sometimes for shooting. I'd think they'd work fine for skydiving. I need to remember mine next time. Noone wore them in the old days when jumping. That's partly the reason why I say "what", every few words, when having a conversation. Steve1

I quit packing reserves in about 1975. I don't think they had diapers until after that date. At least I never heard of them. Out of about 300 para-commander jumps, I had two malfunctions. I think both were caused by having too short of a retainer line which caused my chute to deploy with the sleeve tangled in some modification holes. I also made about 50 army static-line jumps on rounds. I did see a few May-West type malfunctions, by other jumpers, but had good openings on every military jump I made. I have no doubt rounds do malfunction more often than today's square canopies. It's amazing to hear of people with thousands of jumps who have never had a mally. I know very little about the anti-inversion netting they use today in the military. It might help a lot. When I first started jumping in the army, most reserves didn't have pilot chutes. You were trained, in the event of a spinning malfunction to throw your reserve out in the direction of the spin. A friend of mine was jumping with the Canadian Army, on a training exercise, when he had a line over malfunction. He did as he was trained and threw his reserve out in the direction of the spin. The only trouble was, it started up inside his main. So he had to pull it back in and try to throw it out again. About this time he hit the ground. Luckily he was a tough old bird and it didn't hurt him much. At least he was able to party down with everyone that night, and after a few beers felt great. Aren't you glad you didn't jump back then? Steve1

AkaGQ, Hang in there. It sounds like you're going through a really tough time. Have faith that things will get better and life has a way of working out for the best. What really helped me enjoy life more than anything, was my wife and kids. There's nothing else that means more to me or brings me more joy. Not even skydiving. Sometimes it takes a lot of time to find the right one to settle down with. Another thing that I've done recently (something I should have done a long time ago) is to cut away a toxic father and an evil step-mother. What a refreshing feeling. I almost don't know how to act now, without their constant guilt trips for not being good enough. I mean it feels great! Why didn't I do that 20 years ago? Steve1