jimmytavino

i learned long ago that if the subject comes up..... to take a low key and almost self-deprecating attitude about it... I try to let others ask the questions, then answer them the best i can, WITHOUT sounding like a condescending jerk.... Just yesterday at a LAbor DAy Picnic the subject came up about wingsuit terrain skimming, as seen on the various internet video sites.... I pointed out, that these are skilled jumpers, who have progressed along a specific and sometimes tedious path to get to that point,,,,,,, and NOT someone who "simply found a suit, and a mountain," and then jumped off it.. I equate it to a high performance race car driver,, who does not simply Get INTO an Indy car, and takes off... Non jumpers will appreciate a realistic explanation without all the "Rah RAh Rah,, I am a hero " sorta stuff...which can easily make some non jumpers feel..intimidated It reflects better on the sport in general, and it's participants if the jumper is a bit reserved ,, and not all " You gotta try it!!!"... or " i do it , so that makes me cooler than you".... comments.. Rather, i try to point out that jumpers,, ( most of them anyway) are smart, deliberate, and studious, about their chosen hobby,,, and not some type of crazy person,, just out there looking for "excitement"... Since the whuffos of the world really have no idea of what draws people to become part of such a hobby, better to leave them with a positive impression, than to blow smoke up their asses.. with tales of grandeur and heroics,,,, THOSE stories belong ON the DZ around the bonfire, while enjoying a cold beverage of choice!!!! with fellow skydivers.... jmy A 3914 D 12122

pretty good imagination... But WHY did he have to take off his PANTS???? to do that???? it tells me that the Man has A very good first hand Understanding of how the machine works...and then the confidence to pull off the stunt... jmy

... once... almost injured.... when this girls former BF showed up... knockin' on the door.. they wrote a song about it.. "Gimmee 3 steps gimmee 3 steps Mister. Gimmee 3 steps towards the DOOR!!!!!!! "gimmee 3 steps Gimme 3 steps Mister, and you'll never see ME no more!""... in my case THAT,,, was a true story... long ago...... jmy

are ya' sure it was a parachute???? seems like that location could be a tough place for "an impromptu demo" especially without a decent MAIN... could it have been one of those really LARGE balloons which are tethered to the ground ??? usually at Car dealerships,,, and tethered in such a way, that if it's at all windy,, they MOVE,,, could give the appearance of someone under a parachute,,, IF you're a good distance AWAY !!! and nearsighted>>> any OTHER ideas??? jmy

good thing that the Top jumper had gotten his feet OUT of the lower canopy,, when he did..... or it could have also been a nasty faceplant for him... wondering just what it took and how long!!!. to get that canopy off the flagpole, AFTER the Knight cut away from it.... ps.. top jumper basically controls that 2 stack, and could be,, there was a misjudgement or the flagpole was not noticed by the top jumper... glad to see a safe outcome..... jmy

todays morning newspaper said that they have successfully bored a 6 inch diameter drill hole to the safety chamber where the miners are located..... They can send 5 ft. long 5 inch diameter "capsules" down the bore. to the Miners... there seems to be a good understanding Upstairs,,, about what the men face, downstairs,,, and food, water Oxygen is being sent as needed.... I also read where a written questionaire has been sent, which the men are each to complete,,, so that they can be evaluated as to the stability of their mindset.... while the escape path is currently blocked, I think that they may have access to areas deeper into the mine,, which will help ( I would hope),, in allowing for some sort of mobility and "change of location".. I too was shocked to hear that it could be months !! before the rescue is completed... man,,,, tough TOUGH situation..... the world wishes them well.... jmy

well there is the financial aspect, the emotional aspect and yes,,,, the physical aspect.... costs are greater now, than they ever were.. we used to get a jump to 7,500 for 5 dollars.... then it seemed like 13,500 was 16 dollars,, for quite a while... then fuel prices went ballistic.... and we have what we have today... That can limit the number of jumps a person can enjoy,,, for certain... The fun factor, the people factor, the joy of sharing the skies with old pals,,, and also seeing new energy enter the DZ in the form of student and intermediate jumpers,,, helps to keep things fresh and fun..... But then,,, there is the physical aspects... and sure MAybe SOME things get better with age... but sometimes age can wear us out, as well... I move quite a bit slower than i used to, and 'cranking out the skydives' is simply not as easy as it once was... i started @ age 19,,, when we sometimes would hit the ground pretty damn HARD... but I did Ok cause i was in decent shape... VERY happy to see the gear improvements over the years, and proper gear selection and wing loading limits,, WILL allow a person to extend their jumping hobby, into the later years... Injuries can take it's toll on jumpers though.. Either injuries to themselves,, or injuries that they have witnessed.... sometimes as we age.. we get "less reckless" and what once would have been worth 'the risk' may no longer be... could be that we have things that are TOO important to us, to chance being in a serious or unsafe situation...( family, work, employment status ) when i was single i'd get to the DZ at least 3 full weekends, each month, and was always ready to make a few,,, (though i did learn quickly, not to necessarily be on load 1 ALLL the time...) when the kids came along, it took me 12 years to fill up a 150 jump log book... as it should be... i WAS having fun being a DAD and spending time with the kids, when they were young...but i DID make sure to stay current, and to attend a party or two , at the DZ each year... As time went by, the kids began to have their own activities and play dates and so instead of sitting at home when THEY went out,, i headed back to where i am always happy,, the dropzone... i'm into my late 50s' now and still an active jumper.. though i'll make 3 or 4, instead of 5 or 6 and things tend to "ache" a bit more after a day of jumping, than they used to.. so the pace changes, but Not the love for it... If skydiving fits into your life, without neglecting anything ELSe or Any ONE else.. with the right gear, and a sensible attitude toward safety.. one CAN skydive well into the twilight years.... leaving the 'envelope pushing' for others.... jimmytavino A 3914 D 12122

lol...you just gave it away! what EVER are you talking about??? skymama is..... mischievous,, jmy

hahaha you'd have to torture me first...!! Plus IF i told ya' then i'd have to spend the Rest of my LIFE!!!! looking over my shoulder for normiss....... cause then HE might wanna torture me too..!!! as well as the entire Assembly of those , to whom skymama is Dear !!....( in other words... just about EVERYbody who knows her!!!! ) p.s. it was innocent.. but it was bonding..

helpful and thoughtful and a person with a great smile and quick laugh ... and a great sense of humor and cameraderie... She's a fine skydiver , safe and competent, and one who absolutley realizes the Wonder and Joy which the sport can bring... above and beyond the freefalling part and the parachuting part... it's about the people,,, PEOPLE!!!!!

for clarification a Hop & Pop from 10,000 feet should more correctly be called a "cross-country" parachute jump... a person in the static line program would not yet have the savvy and experience under canopy to handle the subtleties of a descent from 10 grand... Fly downwind to fast ,, to far, and you're hosed... hang back to long and you flirt with not reaching the DZ.. Miscalculate the spot,, and exit to soon or too late, and (depending on wind condidtions) you could be in trouble as well.... when those of us who came up, through static line ( Aff and tandem had not yet been invented) were doing our early freefall jumps, all of them were basically Hop and Pops,,, Until we got up to terminal velocity,, back then a hop and pop was anything in the 5 to 7 second range... High altitude H& P's are a whole different thing, and require a real goooood understanding of canopy performance, the effects of the wind on YOUR main, @ Your wingloading And the availablity of safe and accesssible OUTS... should you be unable to reach the DZ... be patient... if you ARE in a static line program make the most of each canopy flight, and learn learn learn.. get yourself up and into terminal velocity jumps,, where SUDDENLY !! you'll find that previous body control issues can be resolved due to the faster speed of freefall. get the A license, then make as many H & P's as you like, and as the DZO allows... jmy A 3914 D 12122

he would be welcome to "serve his time" here at My house... we can do some gardening together... But seriously... with all the REAL issues,,, that need to be dealt with,,,,look at all the wasted time, personnel, money and energy.... that gets invested in such witch hunts.....by those who abuse their postions of "power" it's crazy.. jt

he was ONE of "The Good Guys" jt

used to be a time when the pure COST... for a skydive quality camcorder was such,, that all but the most serious, and dedicated, would never consider "making the leap" into freefall videography... and THAT was a good thing.. Sort of a "checks & Balances " kind of situation... cameras were Big and bulky and HEAVY,,, and that too,,, weeded out , those less suited to flying w ith a camera or 2 , or 3 on their heads... Now the small size and the ' chump-change ' price... has changed all that.. Each may do as he or she chooses,, but word to the wise.... It's not always as simple and easy as it seems... be careful not to get caught up in the wellspring of tiny format cameras...and as Bolas points out.. please DO remember that there are others in the air WITH you... and you should be considerite of their safety too... jmy

sangi ??? did you give give CSpenceFLY the bowling lecture???? Gimme a break !!! he makes a valid point about potential for problems with these mini cams and of course YOU have it ALL figured out.... and criticize his sensible words... that's rich!!! jmy

maybe you did not watch Cool Hand Luke completely through.... It DOES have a woman in it,,,, who plays a bit part,,, as a buxom blonde who is washing her car,, nearby to where the chain gang is working a road.... The soapsuds, and spray hose, and footage shot from Inside the car while she rubbed her water soaked blouse against the window.. is Classic erotica...Very precedent setting , for its time... That scene and those bosoms were so sweet , and well defined that the scene made ME cry.... hahahahahah Anyway. My suggestion for shotgun would be The Worlds Fastest Indian..... stars Anthony Hopkins and details the story of a man from New Zealand in the late 1950s or early 1960s. who is an "Indian Motorbike" enthusiast.. he forges his own piston heads,, for cryin' out loud !!.. he likes to go fast.... and has been striving to develop more power from his engine... he is perhaps eccentric but is loved by others in his community who all help him to make a trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats in utah... where he hopes to have a chance to "show his stuff".... it's a winner of a movie... and it WILL put a tear in your eye... order it !!!!! jimmytavino

a few more.... closing the slot, at the 3 o'clock position color photo of the Night POPS Way a quick smile and some eye contact..., before deployment,, at the dropzone with some friends group shot, of being awarded the POPS record certificate Christmas Party 2005 sharing some laughs @ the club... jmy

what it IS.... is the passing of a Man, a Brother a Son a Friend a Hardworking and Loyal Person an Archery and Hunting Enthusiast a Pro Rating Holder, a Skydiver who'd earned Diamond Wings. a Coach,,,,,,waaaay before the rating.. a Guy with a great sense of humor and an easy laugh,,, a Guy with a beer and a smoke, in hand , around the bonfire, after the sunset load... A Guy who always 'bucked up' for the video.. ( thanks Toma ) a Fine Skydiver a Super Reliable Front Floater..... and a Club member who added his own unique flavor to the wonderful Mix which is ... Our Skydiving Family.. Gone now,,, but always in our hearts!! jimmytavino p. s. ( i can hear His distinctive voice, calling out... "Jimmy" !!! as he did,,, whenever we'd meet.. and i will find peace in THAT... ) edited to add photos... Toma @ the Casa Boogie Toma and the guys, before a demo... POPS meet Front float and trusted spotter,, Toma Far right, back row. member of world record POPS nightway team Touchdown, @ Batavia Boogie Toma as "Cousin It" @ the halloween party!!!

Looks to me ,,, like he is ready to Downsize !!! very creative... jmy

There is NOT a Font Size large enough.... for the W......T......F.....? !!! that i would like to type right now.... Here..... i say "an eye for an eye" "a life for a life"... and do it TODAY!!!!! boxing gloves.... and an infant.... Judging by the mug shot, and the few comments i looked at, that dude is wired "Wrong"... he can be disposed of... somebody should have done that yesterday.... jt

key words in your post..... "Feel confident under this canopy".. That sounds like a nice place to be... It's tough to do Everything in this sport, especially since there are sooo many disciplines from which to choose... But it would be great.. to "feel confident" in as many of them as possible...

...however do NOT immediately dismiss those with decades of observation, study, practice and improvement,,, in the sport that most people think, came along JUST before THEY found it.... Many of the really good instructors, the ones who dealt with crummy gear, and who helped change everyone Over to new gear,,, and NEW emergency procedures... the Ones who CREATED the damn programs which are in use today... Lots of those types have passed on or have eased away from the sport, yet many jumpers remain from that vintage and their experiences and opinions CAN be helpful and may be substantial... Just about all the instructors i see today have all come up in the sport more recently, say the last 2 decades... I can easily remember many of them walking around in AFF student rigs... hell i have video of many them... as students.

never collected a DAY of unemployment benefits in my entire Life, let alone had "extensions" which ran out... ..and so yes , my pride would stand in the way.. I'd feel terrible to have to ask them for a loan... hell,, I'M the Parents now,,, and i'd be more likely to have my kids asking ME... ( though thankfully they are getting through their 20's now and have never approached us..) After a certain age and/ or status in life say 30 years of age.. Or with a spouse,,,the parental loan option comes off the table... wanna be a "grown-Up",,, then fend for yourself... Sell My rig??? hmmmm.. i'd hope that i'd never be down to my last dollars,,, whereby i had to Part with my rig... I suppose it also comes down to the level of active jumping that i'm doing, and whether the rig is being used.. or sitting in a closet... besides....NOBODY wants a J-5 Jav... with almost 450 square feet of parachutes in it and a nearly timed out cypres

like Andy9o8 says...... "POP a cap in his Ass..." hahahahahah jt

doesn't the body naturally regulate it's interior salt levels??? 10th grade Bio. Class was a lonnng time ago, but i seem to remember that the kidneys filter and eliminate as needed, any surplus salt levels. Skin Perspiration also aids in the task...of keeping things at proper levels. could be that their effectiveness lessens over time and so , sure,,, not a bad idea to be aware of extreme salt intake... Only thing>>> It sure does enhance the flavor of so many foods...