aphid

Is this what you mean by "boy shorts"? I hate you John Dont. Its all photoshoped... Dream on, gentlemen! :)

Is this what you mean by "boy shorts"?

Thanks everybody for the ideas and things to consider. W7 it is. John

Okay. A serious question. Why on a skydiving forum? Probably because I inherently trust "most" of you. I'm not particularly OS smart, but not a complete blubbering push-here-dummy moron either. I've been an MS user since DOS 2.0. Prior to that was working with Basic. Currently running XP Pro and very happy with it on my PC editing stations as well as my laptop. Going to upgrade my laptop very soon. I've decided on the hardware. (Lenovo Thinkpad W700 fully dressed, not that it should matter for my question). Of course they want to shove W7 down my throat. I've been considering paying my geek to reformat the entire system prior to delivery, installing XP Pro and ghosting all my current software and drivers across. Thoughts from experienced geeks? While I appreciate the impressions of users & Mac drivers... I'm sorry, I'd like to stay on topic. Thanks John

It always seems to get back to boobs on these threads. J

What were the 2 chase-planes? John

This is all I have to say about it.

Heck, he told me he was an ex-Vegas law officer, a former Navy Seal, and used to fly corporate jets. So, what was the name of the movie? :) John

My first submission for consideration is not loud, but is certainly proud. The backstory: (WW2) More than 130,000 Allied aircrew received their initial flight training in Canada under the Commonwealth Air Training Program. This represents more than 50% of all the allied aircrew of all the forces in all the theatres of the conflict. Putting this in perspective, the US trained about 18,000 foreign aircrew. These young men and women*, (a disproportionate number the sons and daughters of farmers and factory workers), were initially trained on this; the DeHavilland Tiger Moth: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Tiger_Moth After initial flight-training, pilot candidates were progressed to this (loud radial engines are way cool); the Canadian Car & Foundry Harvard, or in the US, the North American T6 Texan: http://www.airplane-pictures.net/search.php?p=Harvard&Submit=Search While these aircraft individually may not be considered "great" in the annals of speed, armament, or design sexiness, they live on unparalleled in the hearts and history of so many men and women* when they first "touched the face of God" in flight. *Women were indeed trained under the program and they served an invaluable role as WAC ferry-pilots from North America to Europe, and later as pilot-instructors in the program. Anyway, now I'll let you guys get back to the fast-movers... before I get started talking about the Canadian DeHavilland twin and single Otter's, or the Beaver, or the Buffalo, or the..... :) John

Also shares the downside of dramatically increasing the odds of complete rejection.

Speaking only for myself, my approach was to assist the juniors, not criticize. I took my operational safety-related issues and advice privately to the DZO or the offending instructor or pilot. The same method I recommend to others. Won't prevent having to pay the price if you run up against an ego that cannot abide what they perceive as less than blind-loyalty to their leadership.

Grow balls. Make a stand. Pay the price. Been there - done that. Not a pleasant experience. But I still recommend it to anybody with a conscience and would repeat it myself in a heartbeat. John

1) 4600 2) 17, and at least 2 more I should have 3) blown top-skin, broken lines, 2 candy-wrap inversions, a few spinners

Suddenly I feel unbelievably old :( Google "Saturday Night Live - Mr. Bill", then wait for the punch-line. It was a childish (opinion only) recurring bit on the precursor to so many equally juvenile programs today. It's likely there are some segments on YouTube or the like. John

Looking to consult with a US tax attorney specializing in personal federal United States tax law for a specific case. I'm quite willing (and able) to pay you your rate for your research. (Before somebody complains, I require a legal opinion or research related to a specific skydiving situation - hence my interest in finding the appropriate professional within the skydiving community who won't first require a basic education in what it is skydivers do). If you are such an attorney, please contact me privately at either of my direct email addresses: aphid at skydyv dot com, or, a1a23396 at telus dot net If you know of a qualified professional who may not have seen this post, please pass it along on my behalf. Thank you for your time and attention. John

Burke, Responded to you via CSPA forum. John

Many years ago, I had a LO bite the back of my hand (he had the grip) so hard in freefall that he drew blood, through my glove... seriously. He later explained he was pissed at somebody on the other side of the formation. He lost his job about 3 days later (unrelated incident). One of the last jumps I ever did as an active participant, He now organizes in Florida. And I just shoot video.

Hey Rich, Interesting following this thread, and enjoying the reasoned and courteous discourse. A pleasant departure from sometimes otherwise-behaviour here. (Disclaimer - Canada is certainly no better!) From the outside-looking-in, I do believe that America's greatest problems (perhaps I wouldn't use the word "threat") all seem to be generated from within. Here are a few of my thoughts: - A lowering of standards and a lack of quality education for many of America's youth. - A seeming inability to effectively re-connect with the poor, homeless, ill, youth and others in your nation who are becoming more and more disenfranchised. - The polarization of the media that now rarely offers a view of the big-picture of all the issues affecting America, instead splintering off into competing and highly partisan perspectives. - That government and their agencies (on all levels) seem to have grown legs of their own, growing exponentially and maintaining the singular-goal of protecting their own turf and budgets, regardless of the legitimacy of their mandate. - That there seems to be a general malaise towards considering fellow citizens with compassion. Even though Americans consider themselves to be very generous with donations of time and money (and they are), for example I have immediate family (wealthy Americans, related to one of your "name" breweries) that contribute an absolute pittance, and only to charitable causes that mesh with their own political or religious agendas. - I understand the pariah that social-consciousness is regarded as in America. But even so, it's sad that the militarily and economically strongest nation in the world is convulsing while it ponders what to do with your health-care system in order to assist and protect the disadvantaged. Getting back to education. I believe that an educated and well-informed population will not only heal and nurture itself, the population as a whole will activate positive change of government policy through the power of the polling booth. Whew, said my piece. And that was way too serious. Time methinks for a glass of single-malt! Thanks for the poll, and interesting debate. John

May I offer my $0.02? I don't care what 2 wheels (or 3) you're on, I'll ride with you. I don't care if it's stock or custom, I'll ride with you. I don't care how you want to dress, I'll ride with you. I don't care about the country-of-origin, I'll ride with you. I don't care how loud or quiet your pipes are, I'll ride with you. I don't care if you don't have the money for gas, I'll cover it, and I'll ride with you. Air cooled or liquid, V-Twin or V-8 doesn't matter, I'll ride with you. I don't care if it's rat or new, I'll ride with you. I don't care if you want to bar-hop or go iron-butt, I'll ride with you. I don't care how old 'n fat or hot 'n hard your lady is, I'll ride with you. Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or Jew - black, white, yellow, or red doesn't matter, I'll ride with you. Man, woman, or anything in between, I'll ride with you. If yours is broken, I'll throw you the keys to one of mine, and I'll ride with you. If you promise to try not to kill me, I'll ride with you. If I see you at the side of the road, I'll stop for you. If you ride, really ride... I'll do my best for you. Kind of the way I feel about skydiving. John

Oh hell yeah. RUB's, (related to yuppie pond-scum), Rich Urban Bikers. Best one I ever saw? In Eloy too, ironically... a guy on a Kawasaki, with all the ident's removed and dressed like a Harley, wearing full-on HD apparel. Pissed myself at that. Thanks for asking Kev. The ban still stands - 5 years. Still waiting for confirmation from the lawyers they'll take my case. It's pretty damned difficult (and expensive) to fight your bureaucrats in CBP & DHS. After visiting and team-training at SkydiveAZ for 15 years straight, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the best. BTW: personal note - your Halloween costume was the BOMB! :)

Hey Kevin... I usually ride my Harleys wearing sneakers, jeans, and a skydive tanktop. I really don't care what people think, and besides, it's my head and my skin. The leathers I use in the rain or snow is all custom-made for me. The only HD "gear" I own are tee shirts, and they've all been gifts from others. I refuse to buy any of their stuff for me. Although I have spent a small fortune on HD bitch-wear for my lady-friends...

(Remi: I'm a little sensitive to that comment) :) For Calgary, you have 4 to choose from; Beisecker/Alberta Skydivers (182 & 205) not operational in the winter. Large UK military presence & influence. Approx 1 hour drive. Innisfail/Skydive BigSky (182) not operational in the winter. Newest of the 4, but I hear it's a friendly place. Approx 2 hour drive. Stony Plain/Eden North (Caravan/206/182) not operational in the winter. Largest of the group and best established with plenty of amenities and large core-group of jumpers with strong skills. Approx 3.5 hour drive. Westlock/Edmonton Skydive (206/182) operates in the winter as weather allows. Approx 4.5 hour drive. Been a friendly group anytime I've been there. British Columbia? It's a very large province with DZ's quite scattered. Be more specific about location, and I'll respond with some info. John

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On the five points of fellowship... "Is there no help... for the w****s son?" Moderators, this is skydiving related. It won't make sense to most all. But to those that it does... "Is there no help... for the w****s son?" I would appreciate private contact from American skydivers only at "aphid@skydyv.com". Please don't use this forum or DZ.com mail. I don't check them that often, and as you've surmised, this is very private. Thank you. John (PM) (If you know of what I speak, please bump the thread to the top if possible so I can reach as many as possible) J

I take it you practice law? Any interest in INS, DHS & CBP cases? I'm not sure of your American system, are you registered to practice in AZ or federally? Reply privately please. John