Zennie

Speaking of which, Dave, I never did ask you what your tartan looked like.

Godspeed 'bro. I'll miss ya. Hopefully I'll make it to Scotland in the not-too-distant future.

According to PA, the maximum weight specs for a Xaos-21 135 is 259 lbs. So assuming your guesstimate is correct he was right at the limits of the canopy (which PA says are absolute limits on their website). Not saying that's what caused it, but that was the first question that popped into my mind. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Sort of like being an American first, Texan second. Though I think a real Texan would probably reverse that order. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Just for the record, I wasn't calling Clay an asshole. Though if he admits it... "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Heh. Yeah, like there's a shortage of stuffy, snooty, judgmental, close-minded, xenophobic Americans. Like ramon said in a previous thread, assholes are assholes. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

What's really scary is that he didn't seem to recognize who Mick Jagger was. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Dontcha just love pushing uptight people's buttons? You ought to see what I wear to some restaurants. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Yepper. I don't even have to sneak. I got permission from my boss to bail at about noon to go help out, so I'll C-ya in a couple hours.

DOH! You're right. Labelling, categorization bad! Bad Zennie! Bad! Back to the zafu for you two hours! "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

We have a couple folks from our big way team, Deguello, that dabble in freefly a bit too. I also hear that the Airspeed jumpers freefly when they're just out "fun" jumping. I guess it's that freefly ADHD thing that offers a nice break from RW-strress. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

We do NOT G@#$#it! "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

120-way freefly has got to be one of the scariest thoughts I've had in a while. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Ditto what Slappie said. Thanks Pip for hosting the party and nacmac for buying me way too many margaritas. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

And when you're there make sure Dave feeds ya some haggis. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Make that two for Shiner Bock. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Dude, are you nuts? Hamlet f@%$# rocks! It's so wonderfully dark. Lust for power, insanity, suicide, political intrigue. It's my favorite Shakespeare play by far. I really liked the Kenneth Branagh take. He does a perfect job of making you think he's totally bonkers one second and then perfectly sane the next. I haven't seen the Mel Gibson version, but I heard he did an absolutely fantastic job as well. Sort of up his alley character-wise as well (after all, isn't that sort of what Riggs' issue was)? "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Too easy... (2B || !2B) == true "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

No no no. He's talking about my wife's Cousin Rudy. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

OK I'll just note the two problems I have with him that I don't have with the other top-notch freefliers mentioned. Now granted, I'm going off hearsay, since I've never met the man, but my sources are pretty reliable and they are pretty consistent themes, which makes me give them some credence. If someone would care to dispel either (or both) of these I would be glad to hear it. 1. Referencing the above. It is my understanding that the only way you can jump with Olav is if you are taking the AD test or have passed it. This just strikes me as a little SkyGod-ish. This sport is all about helping each other and passing on knowledge. Even if he does it for money, which I have no conceptual problem with, why is a newbie's money any less good than an AD hopeful? 2. His statements that he "invented" freefly. He didn't invent it. The Freak Brothers were doing sit/back/head down flying long before Olav was on the scene. Did he elevate it? Turn it into it's own discipline? Innovate the hell out of it? Absolutely. And I give him full credit for it. But invent it? Nope. Can't take it that far. Like I said, I could be totally wrong on the first one. And I really hope I am, but it seems to be the case from all the reports I've gotten. As far as the second goes, he's on tape saying it, so it's hard to refute that. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Very good points Dan. I do think that part of it is the fact that information spreads so much more quickly on the internet. Plus a couple of these have been local incidents, so it hits a bit closer to home. But this does seem to be a "hook in" year for some reason. Last year was just plain bizzarre stuff. Part of the problem, I think, is even knowing when you have "graduated" from newbie to someone qualified to offer your $0.02 to a jumper. I have my "D". I have over 300 jumps. I like to do swoop landings. But I wouldn't even dream of calling myself qualified to offer anything except the most rudimentary advice to someone (i.e. "How to begin learning sitflying", etc.). And I do actively seek out advice, particularly on canopy flight issues, from people I trust and respect. So I guess as sort of a follow-up question. When should one "step-up" to fill a more active role in mentoring beginners? When should one no longer be shy about actively walking up to newer jumpers and flagging a problem? For that matter, when does one stop being a "newbie" and start being "experienced". I know my "D" says I'm a "Master" skydiver, but I still feel like a newbie. Maybe it's because I know what I don't know. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

I've got video (no, not me) of a hand-held tube doing it's darndest to try and eat a deploying canopy. Canopy opened fine but it's one of those videos that makes you go "AAAAAAaaaaaaa!!!" "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

Shweeet!

Yep. Brit's a sweetie. She needs to get her butt back here so I can freefly with her! "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."

If you know Flemmish, I'll defer, but the Xerox language guesser guessed Dutch FWIW. "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense."