SpecialKaye

Hey Jason, According to the Chinese Zodiac...it is the Year of the Pig!!!! LOL!!!! See ya there, Kaye Mama Pig...Easterpig13

Since Tropical Storm Barry, I've been mowing every 5 days here on the west coast of sunny FL. Our 10 acres looks like a golf course most days. The push mowing and weedeating sucks, but what instant gratification looking at a nicely manicured yard!!

The cardinals were loving me today mowing, as well. Like you said, stirring up bugs. The dragon flies were pretty cool when I was done...getting the mosquitos...wooohoo! The wildlife is great, isn't it?

A lot of accuracy fliers get out low and are totally by themselves. I know that when we are shooting accuracy to prepare for Bridge Day or tune into our base canopies, we'll get out at 3K or 3500. Kaye

If you're not a rigger, then the liability is upon the rigger you are working under. I'm sure you are aware that you MUST work under direct supervision if you are not a certificated rigger. If a rig is brought to you to be packed that is wet, have the rigger you are working under make the call, not you. I'm not really sure how I would handle that one. I know at Bridge Day we pack up wet, usually try to dry out the canopy a bit, it's not sopping wet. I don't really know I would want to worry about a reserve being wet, sopping wet, when you're skydiving, especially since you don't know how wet the reserve is.

very cool...I'm sure he's your guardian angel, always watching everything you do. He's always with you so long as you keep him in your memories. My dad passed away this past December at his home, where he loved to be...in the mountains. Your dad is proud of the kind soul you have become. Take care, Kaye

I'm going to totally disagree with your attempt to discourage BD a a first jump. It's probably one of the safest places to get a first jump...for a bunch of reasons Kate, even if you just go and watch this year, you'll gain a huge amount of knowledge being around that atmosphere. If you're there, go to all the seminars you can. I sent you a PM, drop me a line. Kaye

I used to have golden retrievers and wire fox terriers and loved them dearly, but... I've actually gotten past the dog thing and have rabbits...we let them loose in the yard (they stay close to the house) so they can zip around, jump & flip...they're great in the house, they use a litter pan better than a cat. And, just like a dog, you have to make sure they have things to chew/gnaw on. Too bad we're on dial up, otherwise I'd show off how cute they are. The little man (he's a Netherland Dwarf) absolutely loves the big girl (she was the first). It's scary, I think if anything happened to her, the little man would be lost, he loves her that much. Just my two cents. BTW, they travel on vacation great...and, most places don't bother you about having a pet in the room. Kaye

What is the maker? If you know the manufacturer, you should be able to look it up. Also, have you tried to google it by even the generic name? Kaye

I'll make sure my rabbits are highly protected around you guys.

I don't know if you really want houndstooth. If you're going to be putting alot of wear on your rig, I would not recommend any of the houndstooth. It looks great but seems to pick quite easily... definitely not a smooth finish like traditional cordura. Built a rig last fall with the blue houndstooth.

awesome recipe...made it today...thanks!

Walmart has bags of key limes cheap...was there last night and didn't get any...this sucks! I, too, love key lime pie and this recipe sounds worth trying.

Since I have to spell out for you what exactly I agree with, here it is: Pop: Plus swooping isnt a right...its a privelege when you do it on someones elses property jumping out of someone elses plane. I am not anti swoop here...I think its a great discipline, but if you are not happy with a dz banning it, then go to another one, or start your own, and when death begins to affect your business, maybe you will have a different outlook yourself. Bhammond: I remember the days when you would get a 30 day grounding for a 180 hook turn and everyone pretty much abided by those rules and we still had fun..... I dont know if it was a coincidence or not but it was about the time free flying came into the sport when people( generally young guys) didnt really care so much for the rules. Both of them are referring to days gone by and I happen to agree that in the days gone by, we had basic rules that were complied with. Rarely did anyone have to be pulled aside for "busting the beer line", they paid their debt and sometimes were put in "time out" for continuing to violate the rules. In todays modern sport, the rules aren't the rules any more. I've visited 30+ different DZ's nationwide in my years in the sport. I've been to some that are really good about having rules and maintaining those rules, I've also been to DZ's that I've done one jump and won't go back because of the lack of safety and regulations. I'm not a swooper and never will be a swooper. I have no desire to fly that fast, however, I shouldn't have to worry about someone hooking right into me if I use my Sabre 120 and am in the early part of the landing pattern, either. Swoopers don't belong in the main landing area with the rest of the pattern if they are unwilling to abort a hook turn when it's necessary or appropriate.

No, I'm not saying that I'm lumping all swoopers into one category. But, I am saying that when you fly a conservative pattern, you're low in the pattern and you almost get taken out by someone that refuses to do anything but hook every time, it truly sucks. Respect is necessary for your fellow jumper in the landing pattern and knowing when to abort the option of a hook turn so that you're not invading someone elses personal space is vital. Over the past few years, it's become an epidemic of new jumpers that insist on making a hook turn, even if they're going through the pattern. Many of those individuals are under 25 yrs. old (and have been in the sport short term) and have the attitude that they have a right to do hook turns, no matter who the cut off.

Have you ever been low in the landing pattern and cut off by someone that HAS to hook EVERY time, every landing? Better yet, have you ever been hurt because of someone that has to hook every time? Swooping is a privilege, not a right, and there should be a level of respect for everyone else at the DZ and in the landing pattern.

Obviously we come from different generations. Diffferent generations in life and different generations in the sport. You may want to re-read the posts I was referring to before ATTACKING me.

I totally agree with Pop & I totally agree with you. Too bad the children today aren't taught respect for others or themselves. I remember when you got popped for not opening a door for your "elders"...it was all about respect.

$35, you must have a foreigner, living on the DZ for next to nothing packing for that price. That was a price I saw 11 years ago, not recently.

There were so many jokes of you thumbing your nose at the Grim Reaper...five years ago today, he got you. You are missed by so many of us. I'll never forget..your enthusiasm for life and everything...Meeting you at BD 97 with the braids and jester hat and how you made me feel so welcomed....Dancing around the pool at the hotel in TF in 2001 to music only you could hear...Tom Sanders telling the guys to take lessons from the girls and Lee on how to dress for the camera. I miss you my friend...I'm sure you're making some awesome jumps with no limitations. Blue skies, Kaye

Tuesday will be 6 weeks for me. Good luck to you!!! It's tough but worth it. Find things to help you through the urges when they hit...yard work, push ups, jumping jacks, bike riding, (all will improve your health and divert your attention) whatever gets your mind off the urge. For me, I decided to not use anything but will power...I've done a bunch of rigging projects, built risers for several friends (custom colors), it keeps my hands busy. Kaye

I'm with you on the no smoking in my home! Probably 13-14 years ago, I quit the smoking in the house thing and on a couple occasions allowed some friends smoke in the house...bad decision. It took a week to get the smell out. I always have a nice patio set up, chairs, plants, the whole nine yards and would smoke out there. We had a little rain shower last night and I could smell the old ash around the patio this morning...NASTY!

I've actually left the ashtray on the patio, uncleaned. It does smell nasty!

pretty funny...wierd beard...LOL! Vector is a good container, good customer service. Inifinity is also great on customer friendly services. I had a friend that needed his harness refitted, they were great and charged nothing. I'm also on the fence with foaming your main tray, especially if you like your rig and are comfortable with it. how much is it swimming? have your rigger look at it and tell you if it's too much to foam...he/she can also give you some guidance on a new rig. good luck, Kaye

It's funny how many of us had smoked for so many years (20+) and managed to quit cold turkey. It comes down to being ready to quit, for sure. I was finally quitting because I was ready and it was for me, not for this person or that person or someone being offended by my smoking. I just needed to do it and was ready to do it. Thanks for the supportive stories...I know I'll be the one returning the words of support in the near future. I'm finding ways to get around the urges and I think that's going to help me be successful this time.