Ragnarok

I wear my Wiley X goggles. They are prescription and have an elastic band - and they do stay in place. I have a Bonehead Havoc coming in this weekend - and I will be able to wear my glasses with it. I am hoping that I can remove the face shield from time to time - and I will wear the goggles when I do. It is a good idea to protect your eyes and invest in something that will do just that. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Congratulations and Welcome! Even though I have just 18 jumps (22 or more by the weekend....!) I still remember my first jump fondly. You have an amazing and thrilling life ahead of you coming into the greatest sport ever. Try not to be too hard on yourself, it really does take a few jumps to get things. Arch, relax, it's all good! _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

I have 18 jumps, so this situation may not surprise too many of the experienced ones here. I found myself awfully far away from the LZ under canopy, and I had no idea why (at the time) so I tried to get back. I had picked out an alternate landing area, but as my forward speed increased, I tried to 'milk' it back. I ended up following the runway (big no-no) instead of running a good pattern a little farther from the runway. As I got closer to the LZ, I did a slow turn at about 50 feet and continued to turn until I was in the wind for a landing. I landed on the taxiway (really big no-no), though I sttod it up, I really souped the whole thing up right from the point I tried to milk it back instead of picking the field I FIRST saw as a good alternate to landing at the LZ, since I was NOT GOING TO MAKE IT. I landed in front of a tandem on the other side of the taxiway. I got a nice "talking to" by the SO. It bothers me that I had to screw up so bad like that and to "learn the hard way", - but I feel that it needed to happen, to get my head into the game. Though I graduated AFF, I still am a student and have alot to learn. I had a real bad of "get-back-itis". Well, after the shake up, I was able to see exactly where I messed up, and how to prevent it happening the next time. I did follow the arrow, but the 'winds aloft' were different from the ground winds. Learned alot that day, and I hope that I am smarter for it - and if I do mess it up, I won't mess up so much to do something stupid and dangerous like that again. I am sharing this hoping that it will help someone else, and for the feedback that will eventually come. I am glad that a bad situation did not end up harmful or fatal. Turning below 200' was the WORST thing I could have done - and I was not thinking about the dangers of turning so low. All I wanted to do was "get back". Next time I will know better. Thanks _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

I already bought my first rig, a Triathalon 190. I will load it to 1:1, give or take .001 or so. I have not yet have anyone tell me I should have bought another canopy - and before I bought it, everyone I asked (instructors, mind you) said it was a good choice. Look up Triathalon (Areodyne makes them, along with the Pilot). I am impressed by your discipline to take downsizing seriously. I have just 18 jumps - not even an A license yet - so take what I say with a grain or two. DenRen , that is an awesome canopy and an even cooler pic! I need to get something like that of me for my desktop pic! _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

It is all in the wording, right? It is a good idea to get a used rig for your first one, but if it is next to impossible, than new may be the way to go. Just about everyone I talked to recommended buying a used rig over a new one. I would have an Areodyne Icon container, Triathalon 190 main and reserve, SS hardware, and a Vigi right now instead of the used rig I have now. Turns out that I also have an extra 3k left over too...... _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Your first rig should be a used rig. Just take the time to look for one. I did all my homework and got mine off eBay - and the rig is in fine shape. A rigger checked it out and all I am waiting for is to earn my A license to jump it. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

I had to repeat level D1 FIVE times until I got a good box position felt out. I still struggle with it, but I have only 13 skydives. Some progress faster than others. Take the time to feel it out and get into the 'groove'. After it clicks, it is cake from there. I think it is awesome that you are continuing to skydive. Keep it up and you will get it. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Looks like that hurt a little. Take a case of beer so you have something to celebrate with, or to help numb the pain if you re-fracture it (J/K!) - you will be just fine. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Thanks! Now I just need to start floating my exits instead of funneling them.... _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

I was told I need to watch more porn.......... _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Well, I finally nailed it on jump 13. I found out I am quite proficent at getting stable after being very unstable. I rotated/spun/rolled three times after coming off the hill on my last aff dive - but got stable again without difficulty. Tagged the backflip, and actually moved forward on the tracking part. Well, there was one more load going up and everyone said I should do my forst solo dive. I figured, why not? So, I got on the manifest and was on my way to my dfirst solo. I left the plane LAST. I can say that being by myself, jumping on my own was AWESOME!!! Messed around with 90 deg. turns and a short tracking manuver, pulled at 6k' - landed nice and soft, life was very good. Next weekend is not going to come fast enough............ _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Don't feel bad, it took me 5 jumps to get through D......... _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

.wait about a month....you will be thinking about another one. I have 4 - and will be getting others done..... _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Uh, ok Mr. been there, done that - I guess you have all the answers, huh? Well, unless you have been in Iraq and seen things first hand, you really don't know what YOU are talking about. No one need to kiss someone's ass and sing songs of praise - but a little less bitching about what OUR troops are trying to do over there and maybe see that in spite of it all are trying to make a difference. I would listen to you, pal - I think you need to re-read my post. When I hear someone moan about all the problems our troops are creating and making Iraq a worse place in stead of a better place - it bothers me. Alot of the hostility that comes from people who have no idea what it is like is unfounded and biased by what they hear on TV. What is on TV does not even come close to what is going on in Iraq. Yea, I would like to see Iraq get it together so our troops could come home - the sooner the better. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

I talked to alot of Iraqi's while I was 'over there'. Many do not like US presence - I cannot blame them. I did not make the decision to go to war, the government did. I am in the Army, so I am a government employee. It is sad, these people just need their country back, together and with a functioning government. I do not know why we are over there, I asked - but all I got was smoke blown up my ass. A Warrior prays for peace, but trains for war. When he returns from war, he still prays for peace. It hurts me very deeply that people go spouting off at the mount when they really have no idea what the hell they are talking about. Thing is, it takes a hell of alot less 'intestinal fortitude' to run the mouth than it does to have to walk in someone elses shoes. Next time anyone wants to spout off at the mouth, I invite them inside my head and a mile in MY shoes. We will see how much your mouth runs after that. Freedom is taken for granted by those who have never had to stand up for it. Freedom is that much sweeter for those who have defended it. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

I am glad I have a motorcycle. Costs about 12.00 to fill up. Still outrageous, but tolerable. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

I use a K&N air filter. From a standard paper filter you can gain up to 2 mpg by switching to a K&N filter. If you get the FIPK, you can get even more. I have the FIPK on my Durango (also a Gibson cat-back exhaust) I got about 20 more hp along with 2-4 more mpg over stock. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

The Army is mobilizing a Field Hospital to go to Louisiana. I volunteered to go, but I think enough people are already on board. We will see. I hope they get that place back up and running again and everyone taken care of. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

what album is the music from? _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Missed the part about 1.5 times the normal dose. Still not enough to be a problem. Short term use is one thing - every day is another. Without examining the child and getting a history, there is really no way to give advice. Hope she feel better. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

While Ibuprophen can reduce clotting times - I do not think this is a danger or even a concern. It is interesting to see non-medical people give medical advice. Advil is quite safe as a fever-reducer and anti inflamitory. The low doses that a 7 y/o would take OTC would not cause any clotting problems. My first concern would be to keep the temp under control. Children with temps above 105.f can have what is called "febrile seizures" - that is not so good. I have given patients 400mg Motrin, then 2 hours later 650 tylenol, then 2 hours later 400mg motrin - and so on. Each drug is given every 4 hours. The patient gets a anti fever every 2 hours. Not to be done without medical supervision and monitoring, mind you. AND not to be done for more than 24 hours. In any event, seeing a Doctor is the best thing for advice on this matter. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Dudes, that was a cool vid. Great choice of music, BTW. I know what I want to do as my MAIN thing in skydiving. Well, besides being really, really, really good looking. (Zoolander quote, for those who don't get it right away...) _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

You should always have an odd number of olives in a martini, more than two - and it is a meal, not a drink. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Grey Goose, chilled, straight up with an olive. Maybe a drop or two of Bombay Sapphire in the glass before adding the Grey Goose. Bombay Sapphire, chilled, straight up with an olive. If I am in the mood for a dirty marty, I will add a dash of bitters or a dash of vermouth. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever

Surviving Iraq and getting divorced from an unfaithful wife led up to me going skydiving. I just wish I would have started earlier in life. _________________________________________ Twin Otter N203-Echo,29 July 2006 Cessna P206 N2537X, 19 April 2008 Blue Skies Forever