Zennie

Ted “Zennie” Biggs Age: 39 Height and weight: 5'8", 175 lbs Birthplace: Wabash, IN Marital status: divorced from a no-good-evil-bit... er... single Occupation: Software Developer Hobbies: I have a 7th Degree Black Belt in Procrastination Harness and container: Vertigo Warlock (2) Parachute: Ace 220, Rock Dragon 266 Home dropzone: Everywhere Records or awards: Nope Pet peeves: People who let fear control their lives. What is your favorite quote? "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson... or Desiderata, take your pick. What is your philosophy on life? Life's too short to be living by someone else's standards. What is something most people don’t know about you? I can't do that funky curly thing with my tongue. Who has inspired you in BASE jumping? My mentor, 460. Tom Aiello. Dwain Weston. Jeb Corliss. Everyone, really. What is your most memorable BASE jumping moment? So many memorable moments... probably my solo B jump which qualified me for BASE. Describe Ted Biggs in five words or less: Always learning. I BASE jump because… it gives me a feeling of freedom from boundaries. And the people are some of the wackiest, most wonderful folks I've ever come across. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

I'm sorry Jenn, but I about fell out of my chair laughing at that one. "Hello, kettle? This is pot...." - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

Funny you mention this. Just the other night Ramon and I proved that in the end, we are all just poo and will eventually return back to the poo.... - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

Heh, ya know I could turn that around quite easily. Most people I've met that consider themselves "atheists", are just agnostics without the balls to admit that they truly don't know... - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

Actually, I'm agnostic. My point was that I hate to see a lot of religious bickering, but I think each of us has owr own special spiritual experience when we step to the edge. And that experience, regardless of what we call it or attribute it to, we all share in common. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

*sigh* Let's all just try to remember that we all find God as we see him/her/it at the exit point. Peace my friends.... - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

I usually bring along a long stick and roast weenies in front of the transmitters as I climb up. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

I don't think the negativity is directed toweard her so much as this is a backlash against all that Hollywood currently stands for... image over substance, fashion over art... is this really any big surprise? The more things change, the more they remain the same.... - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

Looks like the band were all smirking after she slithered off the stage. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

As much as it pains you, as well as all of us, to see a new name added to the list, I honestly believe that you've kept many more off the list by virtue of the information you provide. Remember, it's not about how we die, but how we live. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

Damn! - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

For the life of me I can't figure out the name of the song that plays in scene 12, the GoFast Games segment. I looked at the scene listing and for some reason, that's the only one where the song title & artist are missing. Anyone? - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

BSBD - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

I agree. Again, these are totally different events with different classes (difficulty-wise) of objects and different classes (experience-wise) of jumpers. The GoFast event was ONLY open to experienced BASE jumpers. With that experience came a certain assumption of knowledge and personal responsibility. Bridge Day is a mix of both experienced jumpers and first-timers. So more rigorous gear-checking in that environment makes more sense. This really is apples & oranges. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

I've got about 10 jumps on it so far. What I see I like but I want to put a few more jumps on it before I write down a formal review. It's a very, very stable canopy. Heading performance is good, and it is VERY easy to sink. I'll keep everyone posted. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

Just to branch off a bit. Rick told me on Saturday that Russell is officially pBASE #1. Congratulations & keep up the good work! You're an inspiration to us all! - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

This is true. The problem I think is that many people don't realize that they really ARE pushing the envelope. With all the video out there people start thinking it's no big deal... they get a false sense of security. The other problem is whether people really understand WHY they are being drawn to it. There is no one right reason, but I sometimes wonder how many people really know themselves well enough to understand why they are doing it. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

For me the concerns are primarily safety and site preservation. I was taught by an old-schooler, and I am friends with many other old-schoolers. So for me, BASE is as much about community & friendship (if not moreso) than the jumps themselves. I've only been in the sport for two years, but at least what I see is an element of "dig me and my radness" types who don't seem to be concerned about much except getting good video of themselves. It's a shame really. But I like to think those types are still in the minority. As gear refines and as our sport becomes more socially accepted (*shudder*) I think this sort of thing is inevitable. The same thing happened with skydiving. But, the upside is the possibility of more legal sites opening, and in my mind that's a good thing. As far as people screwing up sites. Man, I hope it doesn't happen, but if it does I can always go off and find my own little neck of the woods that no one else knows about.

Yes I know... again, spell out the acronym. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

A few random thoughts.... As a BASE jumper, I really want to do the bungy jump in front of Circu Circus again. besides Bridge Day for my very first BASE jump, it's the only time my knees literally turned to jello. Wonder if they'd let me do a McConkey off the thing.... The fountains at the Bellagio are a must-see. I haven't seen Penn & Teller, though I most definitely will next time, they do a double bullet catch that's supposed to be amazing. Cirque du Soleil is always good, though I hear Mystere is better than "O". The mall at the Venetian is very cool, as is the mall at Ceasars. I personally enjoy blackjack, but learn your tables before you go. The Space Shot at the Stratosphere is also a hoot. As a BASE jumper, I have other things I'd like to do, but I gotta keep that hush hush. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

**MILD SPOILERS BELOW** For those that don't know... Alec, for all of his politics that I disagree with, at least has a sense of self-deprecating humor. He voiced himself in the movie. That takes cajones. Especially when you're representing the Film Actors Guild (you figure out the acronym). Maybe that's what you were referring to in the credits. Haven't seen it yet but REALLY looking forward to it. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

Hey Oli, this is in NO means meant as a criticism of Rusty, but would a helmet have helped in this? We cannot change the past, only learn from it. I know when we were all climbing in Moab we didn't wear helmets. I'm just wondering if more folks should adopt the practice of wearing helmets during climbing to avoid this in the future. Heal quick Rusty! - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

I'm sure there are great things to come. I'm looking forward to it! - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

Understand Thomas. And to a certain degree I agree with you. Pushing personal limits is what BASE is all about. The difference here is that this was an organized public event. One in which the object was EXTREMELY challenging and one in which we already had a tragedy last year. I'd argue that it wasn't the place, but it most definitely was not the time to be trying something along those lines. You're entitled to disagree, but that's just my personal feeling. The "chop it" video is actually part of Lemmings Extremes... and most folks I think agree that that sort of thing would be inappropriate at a public event such as BD as well. I would at least. Color me a fuddy duddy, but there is a time & place for everything. Taking a Tri 135 with a sail slider out at Royal Gorge during the Games wasn't it. Peace to all and AGAIN wishes for a speedy recovery to Robin. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

Thanks for clearing that up Tim. By gear check I meant the formal kind where you check straps, 3 rings, making sure the bridle is wrapped around your legstrap .... That was not done 100% of the time, but it was on the first day and as you note, there was ALWAYS someone at the exit point looking things over even if they didn't touch the rig. And flyangel2, no worries, I just couldn't tell where you were going and I can honestly say that the Games were handled in an extremely professional manner by Troy, Jimmy & Marta. Safety was the mantra and I think overall, it went very very well. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon