tigra

Narci, For the record, my ethical concern about cloning humans is the idea that an entire race of people can be created for the sole purpose of being used for medical research or harvesting "spare parts". It really is a completely separate issue from invitro fertilization. As a general rule, I do not consider myself to be guilty of overblown emotional knee-jerk reactionism. And yes, there are a lot of other bad things going on in the world right now that merit attention. And yes, the cloning issue concerns me. maura

Mike McGowan isn't the only one to nearly die from that scenario. A good friend of mine experienced the same thing. He's lucky ot be alive, but wasn't as lucky as Mike mCgowan. He broke his back, both his legs and completely shattered one ankle. If he had it to do over, he would have gone for the reserve first! I'm completely with you on this one. maura

Quick, somebody call a WAAAAAMBULANCE!!!!!!!

I don't know, I thinks its purty darn close to "van down by the river....." Is it a "double wide"?? Seriously though, I have a friend who lived in a mobile home/ trailer that sounded way nicer than my apartment! And some of the trailers at my dz fit that category too! (I'm only weekend trailer trash!) Bobby Sue ttk #27

I'm so glad someone is keeping track!

Bingo! Still, why not just say that?

From way downnnn under.........

Jack in The Box tacos. And since you can't get them here in Chicago, my newest substitue is Burger King Crispy Tacos.

My guy is MUCH better at it than me. (must be his military background or something!) Its funny, because the stuff I wrap is always a mess, but everyone assumes HE did it, and I get credit for the neat pretty packages! maura

Leave out # 2. By having that clause in there, you are effectivly stating that you DO condone it as long as it is done discreetly.

I had 2 pretty funny "hesitations" as a student. My 3rd tandem, they had us do a student style "poised exit" out of the otter. I climbed out just fine, did my "check in" with the tm, turned back to the prop and just froze! He had to peel us off the side of the plane! Once I was in freefall, I was fine. Just something about standing outside an airplane at 13K staring at a spinning prop, I guess! I got a pretty good lecture on the ground for that one, but was still cleared for AFP training. And on one of my AFP jumps, level 6 or 7 I think, it was my first diving exit. I did a "ready set go" and stayed in the plane! I don't know exactly what I was afraid of, maybe hitting the door or something? Then I tried it again and actually left that time! I think my JM might have left ahead of me on that one, but another jm got it on video and they showed at the weekly staff meeting where all the jms got together and reviewed the student jumps! I had an instructor I didn't even know walk up to me and give me shit about it! (In a good natured way!) Its totally normal for a student to hesitate, when you think about it, its kind of ABNORMAL not to! There is nothing normal about jumping out of an airplane at 13,000 feet! A jumpmaster really needs to be able to read the student to see whether he/she just needs a "push" or some encouragement, or if "no" really means no! Sometimes its a pretty fine line! maura

I know one tandem master whose passenger tried to say "no, I don't want to go" while he was on the plane. Guess he was already hooked up and the TM took him anyway. The passenger punched him out when they landed! Well deserved, and I told the TM as much when he came around looking for sympathy! The correct answer is, if they have second thoughts on the plane, they ride the plane down. But, if its a static line and he's already out on the step, its a little too dangerous to have the guy climb back in. In that instance you have to get him to jump or let go. I'm sure some static line jumpmasters have some good stories!

Rob, I just have to say, you paint the most realistic portrait of a full time "professional" skydiver yet! Living in a trailer and scrubbing toilets. Its not all chicks and glory! (Just ask Rook Nelson!) maura

If its that bad, go to the ER. You aren't being a wimp. No one should have to deal with that kind of pain. Your doctor's office should have told you the same thing when they were unable to see you. And you shouldn't drive, either. Can you get your roomie to come home and help you? Anyone else you can call?? I'm in Chicago, so I can't help! Hope it gets better! maura

Thank you Travis, You are right about keeping things in perspective though. Watching what my mom has gone through the past 2 months has made me rethink some priorities. I still have my health, my mom, my brother and sisters and their wonderful kids, good friends, a roof over my head, plus maybe a little too much job security. But every year, and this year especially, it doesn't feel like Christmas if I don't get to see my sisters and their kids. We used to always make the effort, but the past 3 years or so, it hasn't happened. Now we are all scattered across the country and all the kids are getting older, and there are "exes" and custody and visitation issues to consider! Wow! This thread has helped me realize the main cause of my holiday funk, and if nothing else, it gives me a goal for next year!! So thanks everyone! Happy holidays!! I think I'm gonna call my sister!

Yup! Over worked, over tired, and trying to juggle too much at once. Plus I lost an uncle and an aunt in the past 2 months. I am not at all in the holiday spirit. Christmas shopping for my nieces and nephews usually puts me in the mood, but this year, I haven't really had the time or the money. (I'm trying to buy a house and become a responsible adult!) But this too shall pass! I'm sure of it! maura

Brother, I figured it was "DaBase" himself holding out on the data! I'll grumble at him next time I see him, but who knows when that might be?? It took him long enough to give me the number! Bad bad freak brother!! Thanks for the site! maura

Hey Freak Brother! How current is that list? Cuz I'm not there, and I got my number about 2 years ago. Do I need to go kick some DaBase Bootie?? maura, FB 4100 (at least I think that's the number he gave me.....)

Jess, I have a Spectre 150 in my Wings W8, which is really designed for a 135. When the canopy was still pretty new and slippery, it was a real pain, so I can totally relate.

Michele, I hear ya!

OK, I probably shouldn't say this but...... Does anyone else find it kind of ironic that in another thread, Crazy Thomas talks about how he's reformed and changed his post whoring, trolling ways, and THEN he turns around and posts this garbage?? (Which seems to fit the definition of "troll" pretty well.) I know I do! maura

Dave, I think the idea is they want the record dives to be "safe" as in not taking it too low or taking extraordinary risks just to get the record. So, yeah, kind of morbid, but there is a reason behind it. I know that was the rule 4 years ago when they got the 246 way at SDC, and I know it was the rule 2 years ago as well. maura

My understanding is that as long as the dive is complete, held for at least 3 seconds, and is essentially the same "picture" that was presented before takeoff, then its all good. (I worked ground crew and had a little contact with the judges during the 2000 attempts at SDC) The judges should not be too fussy about inside/outside grips, or even whether it is exactly slot perfect. (like if for some reason divers 297 and 298 experience traffic problems and end up in each others slot) Congrats to all who participated. Finally, the elusive 300 way! Wow! It might take a little while for the FAI to make it "official" but they would never have made the announcement unless they had reviewed the videos and were certain it was complete! By the way, there is another rule. All of the participants have to stay alive for at least another 24 hours in order for the record to be "official." Kind of morbid, but still true as far as I know...... maura

Hard to pull that off if you're airlifted off the dz, though..................

Gotta love a severence package!! Guess you can make some jumps after all!