jimmytavino

....... Bachelor of Science ( anthropology) 1975. .......... plenty of knowledge in the school of hard knocks..... Still increasing my level of education in the art/sport of skydiving.

way back when .. I installed pre made cabinets and countertops both in kitchen and baths... If the counter is formica and the cabinet a standard wood framed "box".. it's possible that the cabinet is drive screwed to the wall.. up near the top of the back frame... maybe in a couple of places. ( usually where the studs are located,,, on 16 inch centers) We sometimes glued the counter to the Cabinet.. but not the counter to the wall....( a scribe fit against the wall would have made it tight,),,, There is a chance that there is a bead of caulking or sealant,,, at the top of the backsplash which may need to be cut with a drywall knife,,, ( silicone can be tough stuff)... The counter May have a screw or two coming UP from the front cabinet rail, or sometimes located in plastic corner brackets into the underside of the counter... You may need to really get in there and use your eyes... when you start the take apart...have a good droplight handy... Do the H2O supply lines have shutoffs on them ???? ... if so great... if not check behind or below, or go right to the main..... and shut down the water...Open a couple of other faucets in the house so the water can bleed out of the lines.. Try to avoid soldering pipes if you can... that's when you're using a torch and flux, and solder, and water is dripping,,, and the solder's not taking, and the fitting's aren't clean, and the water is dripping....!!!! hahahahahah... get my Point???? try to stick to compression fittings which can be tightend and loosened.... The floor SUB surface is what's important... You may select any type of floor,,, But it's good to make sure the plywood or Plank sub floor is solid. When the vanity comes out you may have a floor level difference,,, figure out if it is half an inch or 3/4 or whatever and get some plywood which is the same thickness and measure and install a filler piece so the whole floor is even.....Then install a smooth new surface of underlayment,,, ( you have to do alot of nail driving or screwing,,, so the floor doesn't flex at all...) to make a nice consistant surface for the covering Usually 1/4 inch thick "luan mahogany" 'underlayment' serves as a good surface for glued linoleum or "pergo" flooring... A ceramic tile floor might be best secured to a cement board, underlay... It's sometimes called "tilebacker" and can be used on walls or floors.. Thinset Mortar is then used to glue the tile... Tile is a whole other subject,,, BUT is isn't that hard,, makes sense if your budget allows for it,,, Is more of a craft than an Art.... and provides a durable waterproof floor. Select a good adhesive if you use a flooring that glues down. As for the water lines and drain lines... think simple, use the existing style.... pvc drain lines with washers and nuts are adjustable and pretty good to work with..,,,, Tighten, but go easy.... Sure you can tackle the project and at the same time add your own style and ideas...

..To an extent the subject here is not the moral behavior levels of the "guests" or the entertainment " at such events..... But of the Husband to be,,, or in the case of a Bachelorette,, the soon to be Bride.... Not sure where stripper concept became a requirement for a bachelor party....It may have come from the "single " guys who generally get all "fraternity-like" with excitement and encourage such things... The bachelor in question may or may not be "with" the idea however,,, and My guess is that a man with his priorities in order is most likely Not going to go for it... "when we were kids we behaved as Kids'... Now we are men.".. Sure the chronically single guys may find it to be fun.... and there is not really anything wrong with such clubs and those who work there..... However the Last Bash for a guy should never be a scenario where control is lost ( due to either alcohol. peer pressure, or stupidity ) and which then results in embarassing behavior, a HUGE headache ( literally AND figuratively) and some real fast talking to the S O . It just ain't necessary... many many years ago I did enjoy it when My friends, my future brothers-in-law, and my jumping buddies expressed the desire to have a bachelor Party for me..... I agreed but stipulated that it should occur at a nice Steak place which we frequented...from time to time A couple of dozen of us got together,,, had some laughs a couple of beers,,, and a fine fine Dinner... I finished the evening with a full stomach, a full heart( thanks to all the good wishes from my pals,) a clear conscience....Very goooood!!! and enough coin left in my wallet to take My Fiance' out for another splendid meal... later that same week. ..... To each his own..... But if you wouldn't usually engage in stripper/customer shennanigans Prior to a bachelor party..... It makes sense to me Not to "blow it"...( or else Let it get blown !!! ).... during the time immediately leading up to a marriage.... ...Maturity often goes unnoticed,,, but Stupidity can stand out like a Beacon.... for a long long time...]

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*** not that any one can do anything but I JUST fucking broke a brand new 650 videocamera.....FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ..... that's a shame....I know how it feels to break such a new toy..... BUT... 8 or 10 Years ago when we busted something it was on a crummier video camera ...that cost 1,500..!!!! .. dollars...... at least today the cost has dropped significantly... in fact.... Soon at a dealer near you..... DISPOSABLE Digital cameras.......!!!!

...... 1. Aragorn,,, Son of Arathorn 2. My Mom 3. Bernie Mac "It's like this.. America !!!! " ... VP... Eddie Murphy

jump # 525 ........ it was June 20 1976 .... cutaway a french papillon. using shot and a half capewells..... Chest mounted reserve w/ spring loaded pilot chute . 26 foot navy conical reserve Mini System container system standing landing

... thanks to all for the feedback...... and yes I guess i expected most of the replies which have been posted........While I agree that the idea may limit some of the opportunity to "sell" a video.... I am willing to stand down,,, if it means that the club will get another Tandem out of the idea,,,and with that the chance to earn the video.... I suppose that video and Tandem skydiving are made for each other,,,, and all those "one-Timers" are the proper clientele for it.... those who return will return and those who won't .... won't........ My fellow staff members most all shared the same attitude of those who have replied here.... so as far as "only shooting videos for T2's and T3's goes.........Never Mind !!!!!! and let's do it for people on their First Jump...........

the last few years, we have been working hard to increase the number of tandem students who "sign up for a jump" with us.... we spend a lot of cash on ads, ( print, radio, billboards etc. )..... and while the volume is near capacity on good days,,, we still feel like we need to generate either more first timers, or get better "return rate" from those who DO make a T 1.. .... It occured to me that by giving a student the opportunity to have their Very first ( and likely ONLY skydive EVER) videotaped....... that we lose the chance to have them return to make more tandems..... So....... I thought that it might be sensible NOT to offer video.... on T 1's... The idea would be to give the student the first jump experience, but as an "instructional" skydive only...... emphasizing technique, safety considerations, awareness in the plane the air and under canopy,,,, and thereby elevating that first jump to a point beyond,,,"just being the star of a video".........Then after the jump be sure that the student sees a first rate tandem video of someone Else, so that they realize what the video is like...... I feel that this approach would result in a Huge increase in the numbers of those who RETURN to make a T2...and On that T2 we certainly happily offer the video.... Now ( from the business point of view) we have doubled the number of jumps that this person makes......and that equates to higher revenue.... Yes yes YES!!!!!! i know that when First timers get a video they will (may) show it to friends and we get NEW students, that way.... BUT they will still show friends their # 2 jump, and so the same result will occur ( new jumpers).... HOWEVER,,, give a person a video of Jump # 1... and since our videos are so good and realistic and capture the skydive so vividly,,, I promise you that most people will defer to spend the time and $$$$$ to make a second or third jump..... since they can simple "re-Make" their First jump over and over again... by watching it on a big screen.... hell... i and I'm sure many of you, likely made hundreds if not thousands of jumps before ever seeing a video of ourselves skydiving... Why is it that today the first and only jump a person ever makes must be turned into cinematic history... Let's make the moment last a while.... let's make the person HAVE to return,,, IF they want a video...It's like giving away the "honeymoon festivities" .... on the first date.....capice'??? So folks.. How do you each feel about this??? Are we shooting ourselves in the foot in terms of student return rate,, by giving them a video on # 1 ???? or should we "encourage" returnees,, by offering the "cherry on top of the ice cream" ONLY if they are willing to pony up the effort and the dollars to do a T 2 ?????.. those who really wanna skydive are going to return anyway... but those who are only "in it for the video" should have to double up their financial commitment.....if our staff is going to go the extra mile for them... Comments???? Good Idea? Bad Idea?...thanx

........ Sony trv 20 side by side with a Sony VX-1000 one w/ .42 lens....After a jump i can then feed footage from the 1000 onto the trv 20 to utilize the 20's editing effects, (flash, stills, luminescence slo mo etc. )

... if the term 'world class' is self-given... it means little... and yes in this day and age of business marketing, it seems all titles are acceptable.. a truly world class person place or facility, is one which has earned that label,,, from Others... When folks who are knowledgable in the sport review a person or a team or a performance or a set of proceedures or the way a DZ is operated, and can rate it against many many others,, and determine that that entitly HAS reached a level far beyond its comtemporaries... then the term has substance. .... The key word here is 'Class'......and most who achieve that level of terminology have learned how to act with class, behave with class, and carry on their skydiving avocation with Class... It's about how one is perceived by others Not how one perceives himself or herself or themselves..

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... Impulsive behavior can be Ok in some situations.....But I like predictabilty, common sense and consideration for safety when I skydive.....I practice that myself and expect it from others... ....so NO... I would not be in a hurry to jump with such a "free spirit ".... I might enjoy watching his antics, from a distance, and ONLY on the ground.... but Jumping requires a certain degree of self control... doesn't it????... If it was my gear or the gear of a friend,,, I'd be damned steamed about it..... 90 jumps huh?????? well that's enough for him.... He should take up GOLF,, where that sort of thing ( diving into the water hazards) seems to be acceptable.......

How arrogant.... ................Take Somebody Elses rig.... .........fail to do what you intended and THEN... jump into the water???!!!!!! That's in very poor taste... did he think he was being amusing???? ... I am always one for "self-expression" but with respect for others and for their belongings...

. yes you are correct Phree...but I learned to defer to the pilot in most ALL cases regarding the plane.... My point is that you don't just " load up the tanks" in the first place..... Now the ball is in the pilots court and IF he says something then a dialouge should begin... If he asks if someone would like to bump... then fine.. let's discuss it....

.... Let's chill out a little here... Slyder's point regarding "unanticipated" extra weight is valid right after a refuel....BUT... If the plane's in good shape,,, it should handle it... At most places, manifesting is done on a first come first served basis... and if it's a Cesnna DZ we wait long enough as it is for our load to come up.... ...Are you saying that a load should scratch,, or else reconfigure it's personnel... simply because YOU are due for fuel????? If you are looking for communication from manifest... Do it yourself.... Are you not in radio contact with your manifest??? Can't they inform you of whether your next load is a 4 way at altitude or a SL load to 3 grand????...Perhaps the " load" load has been waiting for 2 hours or more, as it is..... and perhaps people on that load... ( Large And Small ) may NOT have the luxury of "giving up their slot" to wait for when the tanks are less full... Maybe they have other things to do, away from the DZ maybe they have to get to work, or have other responsibilities..... Simply because you have all day to be at the DZ in order "to build Hours" not all jumpers can devote the entire day.... You noticed a concern regarding "large Skydivers".. but then directed your criticism toward them instead of toward your DZO.... Work it out......and fuel accordingly but please don't ask ANYone to bump from a load beacuse you topped off the tanks.... I have made more than my share of Cessna jumps over the years,,, and if not for turbines and large cabin aircraft,, i would have " thrown in the towel " years ago......cessnas are fine,,, and the workhorse of DZ's... blah blah blah.... I've heard it all.. If you work at a place that only does between 80 and 100 total skydives a DAY....... be grateful for those fun jumpers who fill your plane the first thing in the morning,, ( before the students barge in and take over) and who also hang around late into the day ( after the students are gone) and make those last 3 or 4 loads as the sun is setting...Coodinate with the manifest and DZO,,, Yourself.... it isn't up to the jumpers... .... " I'd rather take an Otter,,, Freefall for 30 seconds and "find myself at 9,500 feet "..,,, " than take a Cessna, Sit in a plane for 30 Minutes !!.. .. and "find myself at 9,500 feet "

...Excellent !!!!! .........the sport of skydiving offers so much..... and with a bit of insight and thought you have made ( I would bet ) a great experience happen for these individuals...... ... If the only jump they ever make is the one made with you and your group,,,,,It will become a life long thrill which will carry with each jumper for the rest of their lives.....

...getting BACK to unemployment #'s..... gimme a break..... These numbers are based on people filing claims for unemployment benefits.... ..In truth the unemployment rate in this country is much much higher...... Please,,, I live in a moderate sized City's metropolitan area..... My work has me traveling all over this County and I pay attention.... The City is full of people whose main activity seems to be loitering.....They never HAD a job,, and some of them, simply Gave Up finding one a long time ago...they went through school,,, and then felt that they were DONE..... Factor in ALL the people,,, of ALL Races and Ethnic backgrounds...and AGES,, who do not WORK... (and by that I mean a Regular job of 30 hours a week to 50 hours a week)..... and i'll guess that More people are NOT employed,,,, than ARE......the spouses of prosperous businessmen or businesswomen who never HAD to work...or people who stopped working years ago to live off the prosperity of the generations before them....( can you say "inheritance"?? ) Politicians LOVE to give us 'statistics' but in this country either you are a "producer" ( you accomplish something at work each day AND you pay Taxes ) or you are a " utilizer " ( you take All you can get,,, be it from a government program, or from some insurance settlement or from a disability coverage..).( don't even get me started on the use Of Social Security Funds for such purposes).... We have too few people contributing and too many taking...... The land of the FREE ??..... well far too many people want to know.... "what can I get for Free???"........ So do an informal survey sometime..... ask EVERY one between ages 18 and say 55,,,,, "Do you have a permanent and regular JOB ???? and i bet more than half would say no.... hell there are many people in this countrry who have NEVER had to work...for a variety of reasons,,, most of them unacceptable to me........ anyway NOW I'm LATE for MY work....gotta go... signed..... "a guy who Never collected a Nickel,,, from Unemployment, Workers' Comp, Disability, Welfare, Insurance 'settlement', or any other entitlement program,,,,,in 35 years of working fulltime....."

....... Both these jumpers are still novices or at the best,,, "intermediates".... Tom is incorrect to be giving, coach or Instructor type information to Julie.... but since we try to be considerate and not intentionally demean anyone in front of others.... a minor warning to julie,,,,( and encouragment to "ask your Instructors' ) and an aside with Tom to teach him that he is being inappropriate in his "methods",,, seem to be in order.... 25 years ago,,,, people with these sorts of experience levels, often did jump together, with the person who had more jumps, acting as the "teacher" ,,, however today we have a well thought out and structured curriculum.. to insure that all novices get standardized instruction which varies little from DZ to DZ.....this did not happen by luck.... it happened when Rated Instructors saw the need and developed the programs like Skydive Univ. and the U S P A coach program.... we are no longer in the 'stone-age',,,What used to take a dozen or more jumps to learn can now be accomplished in 2 or 3 well designed well discussed and well de-briefed jumps....... Save that student,,, and rein in 'Tom'....He has plenty to do to simply take care of Himself......in today's fast paced Skydiving world.... Oh and also ask him if he would be so dedicated to "helping" ,,, if the novice was a 58 year old retired guy,,,, who just took up a new hobby..

be careful...damn careful.. .....Be considerate of EVERYone in the air with you, since most of them will NOT be looking at you,,, or watching out for you,,, since they should be concentrating on their skydive.. Secure , wear, or stow the camera helmet for every takeoff,...even if it is running. Make sure that your batteries and tape are good to go....and your camera to helmet connection is appropriate and intact. Keep your hands AWAY from the zoooom switch.. ..( and don't bump it against the ceiling of the plane either) .... and very important,,, be sure not to record over "that great video" you just shot,,,,because you failed to keep your tapes properly cued up..... ...Use an audible,,, and set it a bit high....use an altimeter too....( VERY helpful during the climb to altitude so that you are not caught by surprise with ...." Door!!! "...) Forego the possible "great shot" whenever you are under canopy,,,,,, IF it means that you'll be distracted from traffic or from the approaching 'terra firma'...things can happen real quickly in skydiving.... ...ask questions AND listen to the answers.. ..Have fun but be safe...... .... Fly a SONY... .............. o[:-) jmy