NWFlyer

DeLand, for one. There's at least one poster on here that's been pushing boundaries in this sport for longer than most of us have been alive. There are a lot more, but that's the first name that springs to mind. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Huh? What were they? The shirt is blue with the same pattern that's shown on one of the blog entries: http://bp0.blogger.com/_NayTLp-aKEA/SCrhtFFsejI/AAAAAAAAABo/Co2XMPiIDFc/s1600-h/blogword_puzzle.jpg One one of the blocks, they put a sticker that has number on it. I don't know if everyone's number is different or not. And I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with the number! "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I got mine, and it had a sticker with a number on it... but I haven't figured out wtf I'm supposed to do with the number. I did wear the shirt to the gym on Thursday, though. I think it showed up last Wednesday. Via FedEx. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I think pushing boundaries in the sport is fantastic and I'm really glad there are people out there who have the experience and skill to do it, and have taken the time and put in the hours of research to figure out how to push those boundaries in the right way. But I'll leave that to the people who have far more jumps than me. You'll notice I have twice as many jumps as you. I'm still a total un-extreme noob, though. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Re: cost - remember, you don't necessarily have to buy a brand-new AAD; if you can find a Cypres 1 with a few years left before it expires, it'll only cost a few hundred dollars (figure about $100/year that it has left). Vigils have also been on the market a few years and used ones are sometimes available as well. So buying an AAD doesn't have to cost $1200-$1500, which is what the new ones are costing now with the Euro/$$ exchange rate. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

They are required for you as a student until you have your A license. Some dropzones in the U.S. require them for all jumpers or jumpers up till a certain license level - that is the DZO's decision, nothing to do with USPA at all. Other countries' parachuting associations do require AADs up to a certain license level as well (Australia is one, for example). However, at most dropzones in the US, once you get your A license, it is your choice whether to jump with one or not. I have jumped without mine for a few jumps, and I turn mine on in the morning and jump like it's not there, but I have made the choice to use one as part of my overall risk management strategy. I hope it never actually needs to do its job. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I used to think that pure democracy was a good thing ... then I moved to the west coast of the U.S. where the initiative system was alive and well and I saw how megalomaniacs with a nifty-sounding message can get stuff onto the ballot that the masses think is a great idea, but in reality has far-ranging consequences that end up making their lives miserable in the long run. In Washington state, that megalomaniac's name is Tim Eyman, and a few years ago, his pet project was reducing the cost of registering your car. Now, that sounds wonderful - who wouldn't want it to cost less? Problem is, in a state with no personal income tax, the state has to be fairly creative in coming up with ways to get its citizens to help pay for things that they use every day (like, say, ROADS!), and the registration fees were a big source of that income. So, when this initiative passed, the transportation budget was gutted. Hmm... power to the people? Maybe not such a great idea at times. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Sounds like the situation I have. My first rig (the one I still jump) I bought used with only 10 jumps on it... and the previous owner's name on the mudflap. I've just dealt with it as I heard similar recommendations about hand-picking the stitching and the likely results. In the grand scheme of things it's not a huge deal as I got an almost-new rig in neutral colors that fit me fairly well and took exactly the canopy sizes I wanted for much less than I would have paid for brand new gear. The modifications that I did pay for were ones that I needed to make the rig fit me better and therefore worth it to me to spend the money on (replaced the chest strap with a longer one as the previous owner lacked breasts and I needed a bit more breathing room up top, and replaced the B-12 snaps on the leg straps as I preferred not to have them.) So, when anyone says anything, I joke about how it's not me that is named Erik, it's the rig. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I think you forgot first jump at Kapowsin! Only five for me this weekend, and no beerable offenses, but it was definitely a fun weekend getting to watch you go through all that tandem stuff. Great to see ya, Jason. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Hah! See what happens when you hang out watching high winds with a bunch of DZ.com postwhores? We get you to make your post! Careful. It's all downhill from here. (L-R vskydiver, DangerRoo, JasonRose, and propslop). "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

well, at least he didn't get arrested and go to trial! Yeah, they just skipped the trial and threw him straight into lockup. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

This has turned out to be fun! After a disappointment last week when I found out my usual source stopped carrying it, I got a great tip at the DZ today (thanks, Wayne!) that there was a relatively new specialty beer store on the way home that carried Lang beers. So I stopped by 99 Bottles and not only did I find Lang, I think I have a new favorite beer store. These people rock. Totally friendly, cool place, and they really know their beer. John from Lang has already stopped by the store (which has only been open 16 months) and met the owners, so they are (understandably) big fans of Lang, too, and we had a great chat today about my demo jump into the brewery (complete with "oh, no, I could never skydive" reassurances). So... I have in my possession for transport to Southern California 24 Skydiver Blonde 12 Huck & Honey 12 Tri-Motor Amber I think this will weigh about 50 lbs, I may have to pull a few bottles out once I get it all packaged up in a box for the plane. I'm going to let you guys discuss amongst yourselves who wants how much of each of those... I'm bringing it all down, and the good news is that because they changed the policy on charging for the second bag AFTER I bought my ticket, I don't have to pay for my second bag. Current plan is to be at Elsinore on 5/24 and Perris on 5/25. Oh yeah, and I also picked up a six-pack of the brand-new Cherry Porter for myself. Just popped open a cold bottle on a hot night. Holy yummy beer, batman. I think I might have a new favorite Lang. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

He's a natural. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

There was no fun had at Kapowsin today. And definitely not after hours. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

... for being Skydive Kapowsin's newest AFF graduate on this beyootiful HOT spring day. Don't forget to pick up your tonight. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Hey, all dolled up in that red paint job ... you know she WANTED it. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Isn't Dr. Bordson in KC? You two could talk shop. Didn't you do an OB rotation recently? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Unless I'm at the gym or DZ or somewhere else with communal drainage (i.e., "evidence"), let it flow. What happens in the shower is between me and the shower. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Sure... especially when he cleans up nice. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Shaved heads are hot, mkay? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Must be an older car - I thought pretty much every automatic nowadays had to be put in park to get the keys out, at least that's what I've found with rental cars. Since all my cars have been manual, I'm always forgetting to put rental cars in park, but when I try to shut them off and take the keys out, I'm reminded to put them in park. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

So you've now proven you know more about American history and government than the average public school graduate. Congrats. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Three minutes late. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Public school lunch in the 70s. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke