steve1

I need to slow down and read more carefully. I should have known this was not serious. So much for speed reading. Steve1

I read his book. I think it was called "The Right Stuff". What a guy! I wish I had guts like that. Steve1

The longer Bush is in office the scarier he gets. This reminds me a lot of the book "Animal Farm" where the pigs kept changing things until it was no longer Animal Farm. I'm just wondering how our government is able to do this. Isn't that the purpose of the Supreme Court, to over-rule such changes to our Bill of Rights. Maybe someone out there can make sense of all this. It scares the hell out of me. Steve1

Clay, You've got a good point. I read in the paper yesterday that Montana has the lowest salaries in the Nation. Politicians here are always trying to dream up ways to improve that. I know the reason most of us have stayed here, or choose to live here, is because we appreciate the outdoors and all the recreational opportunities that go along with it. Can you imagine how crowded this state would be if there were also great job opportunities. I mean it's hard to have your cake and eat it too. I really appreciate the beauty that Montana has to offer, but it's changing quickly, especially western Montana. I'd like to move to Alaska someday, but now that I'm back into jumping I'm thinking Arizona in the winter and Montana in the summer. Now all I have to do is swing it financially. I retire in about five years, but am not really set money wise. I could sell my house and land in Western Montana for a mint, but I'd like to save most of that for my daughters. If I knew I was going to live this long I would have planned ahead...... Steve1

I spend most of the day in an office (working as a school counselor). Sometimes it get's old and I get to thinking about how nice it might be to have another job. But then I get to thinking about what it was like when I was a timber faller. Often times in the winter, you were up to your waist in snow and people were getting killed and crippled on a regular basis. And the money wasn't that great either. It took me ten years to get out of the woods. So on days like that, when I'm feeling a little down, I take a break. I pour myself another cup of coffee, in my nice warm office, click on Drop Zone . Com, and I feel wonderful. Steve1

25 years.......It's great to be back. Steve1

Most all of us were really scared on our first one. It's important to realize that there won't be any falling sensation. It's more like you're floating on a cushion of air. Probably the hardest time is climbing to altitude. Once the door opens and it's time to go you'll be ready even though you're scared. After a hundred jumps or so it won't be scary anymore. My daughter made her first tandem a couple years ago. She loved it. Steve1

I have tutored children, taught them to swim in my swim business I had for two years, volunteered at the Boys and Girl's Club, etc. but I'm VERY happy to give them back when I'm done. .......................................................................... This reminds me of an old cowboy I used to know. He once was talking about his Grandkids, which he loved a lot. He said, "Yes we pick the little darlings up on Friday, and then we send the little Sons-a-Bitches home on Monday." Steve1

I can think of a few, and have trouble narrowing it down to one. I have a lot of respect for Jerry Bird. I used to jump with B.J. Worth before he got famous. (I'd like to think he'd still talk to me now.) I also have tremendous respect for Dan Brodsky and what he has done in the sport, but I've never even seen him in real life. And then there is Bill Von, Lisa, Sebazz, Clay, Sanquiro, and several others. I have trouble making decisions. Steve1

Probably about 70. I need to move to a warmer local. I haven't jumped since October and it's driving me crazy. I'd love to get in the air again...sniff...sniff...(Steve1 The Winer)

There was a couple times in High School when I was thrown in for Illegal Possession of alcohol. One of those times, my two best friends and I had to take a shower, then put on a jail suit, and then we were put in a cage. And yes I did look good in uniform. We all thought this was great fun until our parents showed up, and everything suddenly got real serious. The sad thing about it was that both the other guys were killed drinking and driving in separate accidents later on in life. Steve1

When I got married, I was a timber faller and drove a beat up old Datsun pickup. My wife accepted me for who I was, but her family had huge misgivings. It's taken over 20 years to finally gain their acceptance. Such is life. Nobody said it was going to be fair. Steve1

I used some hot-glue and velcro tape. I can easily pull it out, if needed. The elastic may be a better choice though. I fiberglassed the holes in my protec, but had some cracking problems. Tape on the inside would probably be a better idea for sealing these holes. It will be quieter and warmer in cold weather. I still remember a couple jumps where we were climbing for altitude, next to the door, in winter, with the door off of our 206. The top of my head was freezing from the holes in my protec. Steve1

This story brings back memories of jumping rounds back in the old days. I can still recall a few times when I had to cut away one side with shot and a half capewells. Most of my rear PLF's were feet, ass, and head. I couldn't imagine jumping without a helmet back then. Steve1

Jumpervint, Do you think I could join up too. I like guns and boobies, (not necessarily in that order). Most branches of the service won't take me because I'm so old. Do we have to go to Bolivia? Maybe we could all train here in Montana for a while. Steve1

I'd like to lose about 20 lbs. I've made this resolution before, but I'm more serious this time. I've always ate whatever I wanted, but now that I'm getting to be an old duffer it's catching up with me. Steve1

Congratulations Rhino! Best of luck in the future. Steve1

There's nothing better than a good dog, but there sure are a lot of not so bright dogs out there. Many years ago, I was on my way home from work. I stopped at a small town on the reservation to get some gas. It must have been close to 25 below with the wind howling. And here was this cute puppy. He was obviously abandoned by someone and was freezing and hungry. So I took him home to my daughters. He was part German Shepard and we named him Bear. My daughters slept with him that night in their bed. The woke up the next morning with hundreds of flea bites. So we had to begin defleaing our entire house. Believe me, my wife was ticked off, and most of her anger was focused at me for bringing him home. As bear grew older we began to wonder if he might have some type of mental problems. I mean he just didn't seem to be all there. But since he was now part of the family we tried to accept his shortcomings. We made a fishing trip up to Northern Saskatchewan and naturally we took Bear along. We were camped way back in the boonies when nature called. I went about a hundred yards from our camper and took a big one. I guess I should have buried it. After returning to the camper, I heard Bear wining outside. The mosquitoes were kind of bad so I decided to let him in. The first thing we all noticed was this overpowering odor. All eyes suddenly turned to Bear who was sitting there grinning at us with crap all over him. It was even on his head. It only took about two seconds before Bear was thrown out on his ear, and he slept with the skeeters that night. Over the next several days Bear was thrown in the lake about 50 times by my loving daughters. All their love for this critter was gone until he started to smell better. I could tell many other misadventures about old Bear but these were a couple of the the better ones. Steve1

Tonto, We're all assholes at times. In fact it's something I'm really good at. I appreciate your apology. Steve1

I wish I was there. I've been there the past two years at Christmas, but couldn't make it this year. Does anyone reconize the old guy in the front row of Jack's picture. I'm sure I've jumped with him, but can't recall his name. Steve1

Oh, and don't forget Sabazz, for having the courage to jump with me when noone else would, and for publishing that cute picture of my little woman recently. Steve1

Tonto, I don't mean to be rude either, but I think your comments are way out there. The dogs I've owned over the years were well cared for, and loved, and thought of as members of our family (not as slaves). It makes since to me to put an animal out of it's misery when they are suffering and have no chance for recovery. I think you need to have some compassion for those who are suffering rather than throwing stones at them. Steve1

If you get the chance, come to Montana and ski Snowbowl at Missoula. It's not nearly as big a place as some areas, but it is very challenging, very steep, usually has great snow, not too many people, good powder, and is cheap (about $20. a day). I learned to ski there about 40 years ago. I'm now teaching my Daughters to go down the same runs. If you like steep, you'll like SnowBowl. Steve1

It's tough for me to pick just one. Bill Von and Lisa would have to be at the top of the list though. And don't forget Clay for his intertaining posts on about any subject. I enjoyed Chrome-boys posts (although I haven't read too many lately). I've also learned a lot from Rigger Rob and Hook & Swoop. Then their's Chuck Blue who is one of the most knowlegeable jumpers anywhere, and he's S.F. (which makes him all right in my book). And I like AggieDave because he is a "Red Neck" like myself and he wears a cowboy hat. Michelle seems like a nice person. And then there's a bunch of others who have had the patience to answer all my dumb questions without laughing.......How can you pick just one! Steve1

AkaGO, Sounds to me that your Dad is the one who needs the therapy. Steve1