Zennie

'Nuff said. Oh, and BTW, Linux and *NIX boxen don't have these problems. Just thought I'd point that out as a PSA of sorts. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

And it's probably the one time in the skydive when you can hear the passenger screaming.... "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Happy Skybirthday To Me! Happy Skybirthday... something... something.... Happy Skybirthday To Me! Yesterday I turned Sky-1. I celebrated with two freefly jumps and a hop-n-pop (thanks Santa for the altitude!). Thanks Slap for showing up to say "Hello" and ramon for doing a great sit jump with me!

I have a design that Emily is doing for me right now. Should be here in a couple of weeks. Emily is really great and everyone that has a Jumpbubble suit is very happy with it. I went with her for the same reason as most everyone else... I wanted a totally custom design and high quality. Folks who know me can probably guess the general concept of my suit, but as soon as I get it I'll post a pic. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Do you plan on doing any freeflying? If not, just about any rig in reasonable shape will do for a first container. If you plan to freefly, however, you will need to be a little more selective. You'll want something with good bridle & riser coverage and the less velcro the better -- so Javelin, Wings, Mirage, Vector will be a good bet. I personally like Vectors, but YMMV. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

One of the long term goals that I've set for myself is to get my AD. So obviously I have some work to do before even thinking about taking the test. Still I was kinda curious. Skyballs are verboten at both of the DZs I frequent, so how does one train for the "AD" without a skyball? I suppose one way would be to jump with someone else and use an empty plastic soda bottle as the "ball". Partner holds "ball", you grab it, swap hands, place "ball" back into partners' hand, do 360 (or whatever)... repeat. Other than that, how do people practice for the test? "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Huh? "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

That was a terrible accident that could have happened anywhere. There were a lot of factors that went into it and I don't think anybody really feels that it was the result of SDSM running an unsafe operation. I certainly wouldn't have a problem jumping there. In fact I've been wanting to go for quite some time and justhaven't had the chance to get away for a weekend. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

I remember reading that and forgot to congratualte you. So belated congrats!

My wife grumbles every now & then, but after a year or so of me in the sport she's sort of accepted it. It's taken a lot of talk and compromising (like only going out one day out of the week and not staying to party afterwards). If we have kids I'm sure there will be more... um... discussions. But she knows how much this sport means to me and we're committed to each other. So every now & then there is wailing & knashing of teeth, but once we settle down we work through it. Relationships are like that. You could just as easily date a skydiver, only to find that the only thing you have in common is skydiving. That can be every bit as problematic. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

I jumped with a headcold once... Once. Last thing you need to do is blow out an eardrum because you're congested. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Just sort of going along Lisa's point a bit... Dunno how many people frequent wreck, but if you've been there even a small amount of time you'll note Treetop has a real beef with the USPA. I've never really seen what the big deal is, other than some political BS with the BoD, but heck you have that everywhere. But if anyone really questions what purpose the USPA serves I think we only need to go back to the weeks following Sept. 11 to see that they do actually serve all of us. I for one am extremely grateful to all of the people at the USPA who spent countless hours working to educate people in DC and get us back in the air. Your money is well spent. Oh, and BTW, I routinely spend the extra $19 to get my number expedited. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

What city are you close to? There are two great DZs here in Houston with plenty of people willing to help you. Skydive Dallas and Skydive San Marcos also have some great freefliers. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

So that's how Santa funds his operations! Too bad he's busted. Looks like no presents for me next year! "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Hahaha! Whuffo: Is that a fighter jet? Zennie: Nah, that's just AggieDave doing a tracking dive. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

I'm gonna be at S-land on Sunday for my 1-year sky-birthday. Come on out!

Most people use SAS. TAS will read way high. My high is 219 in a head down (SAS). "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Ummmm.... doesn't Blockbuster have bar codes on all of their titles? Seems like it would be pretty trivial to go back and see if the serial numbers on the tapes you rented were scanned back in on or after the dates you returned them. Barring that, I would think for inventory purposes they would have listed the serial numbers of the tapes placed in the "previously viewed" rack. They might even record those numbers on the subsequent sale. Did anyone go with you when you returned them? Do you have the name of the "management team" member who agreed that you did indeed return the tapes? Do you still have the printout that they give you when you rent the tapes? They usually have the serial numbers on there I think. My first action would be to notify your credit card issuer that you are challenging the charge. Second, I'd get the names of everyone involved and then get the "general manager"'s supervisors contact information. Then I would write his supervisor, and maybe even headquarters (wherever that is) and copy our "general manager" on the letter. Let his higher ups know how mad you are, how corrupt you think they are being, how you will never do business with them again, your plans for legal action and also plans for taking this incident to the press (businesses *hate* bad press). Finally, if they don't back down, contact an attorney and see if he'll write Blockbuster a "friendly reminder" of your rights. Also contact any "consumer watchdog" types in the local press. It's hilarious to watch these types of people turn into quivering jell-o when a TV camera and a microphone are pushed in their face.

Oh we get our share of bickering in here. But it's more the exception rather than the rule like on wreck. Welcome! "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Speaking of originals, where the heck is FFF? "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

I've been working on a custom order with Jumpbubble. Just got off the phone with Emily and she's working on a new website. If any of you want to get in contact with her about a jumpsuit drop me a private message and I'll give you her home number. You can at least talk to her and make arrangements for a suit that way until she gets the new site up and rolling. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Woo hoo! Where ya been?

Once a Zennie, always a Zennie. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Has anyone ever had a student hurl in freefall? I've talked to tandem masters who have had it happen under canopy or on the ground, but not in freefall. Talk about messy. Ewwwwwwww.... "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Merry Christmas Levin! And don't be a stranger! Lemme know when you're going to be in town again! "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."