ROK

I've never met anyone who wanted to be seriously injured... I believe that not living our lives is a kind of paralysis or death anyway. Routine...get up, shower, go to work at the same time, talk to the same people, listen to the same talk show on the way home, pet the dog, eat, watch your favorite mindless show, go to bed and do it all again the next day. To me, this is already being dead. I did it for years and the things that I look back with fondness on are the times when I stepped out of the routine and did something different. Life rushes into me right before I jump out that door, or lean my head back on a warm day riding down a country road, on my Harley. I yell as loud as I can "THANK YOU GOD"!!! I am truly alive. If I end up in a bad way, at least I'll know what it felt like to live. I know a lot of people, and so very few carry the aura of "being alive" like those I jump with. Edited to add: I wonder if it would be possible to "sit-fly" and land in a backless wheelchair?

Me too! Dad use to send me in to get him a beer and I'd have to wipe the top off with a rag, and open it before making the delivery. I snuck a few sips of the schlitz and set the stage for becoming a vodka drinker...The stuff is foul...not quite as bad as Chesterfield Kings though!

Come to Z-Hills tomorrow and I'll teach you the rules... Currency can be converted, and customized to the individual too

I live right outside of Z-Hills (yes, I'm blessed). I've seen a few different rituals before going out the door, but the most common is the hand slide, bump, and finger point. I don't know which would be worse, touching ass, or kissing. Neither would surprise me with the crazy asses I have the pleasure to jump with.

I'm shocked! I never knew that there were rules. Wanna jump together?

We always pat each other on the ass, followed by a quick peck on the cheek. It concerned me in the beginning, but I've never had door fear...

I believe that it really depends on what type of person you are. I watched people landing for about an hour and went straight for AFF. I've never regreted a second of it. In fact when I'm going to altitude with tandems now, I think, "man, I don't know if I could jump without a rig on my back"! Maybe it's safer to do a tandem first, which means that common sense would dictate doing so, but if we had common sense, would we be hurtling our bodies towards the rock to begin with? I think we're all a little crazy, which makes for some of the best company I've ever had.

I went through most of my life holding everything inside, and dealing with the problems like a "man". I became friends with someone wonderful over the past two years and we share the good, the bad. and the ugly. A friendship without expectation or reward. Having someone you can be completely 100% honest with is worth more than all the money in the world. I'll never go back...

Hi Melissa, I started jumping at Z-Hills last August. I went up to get my best friend some info to do a tandem, and I instantly was drawn to the culture and people. She loved it to, but had to move away. I signed up for my A license and haven't looked back since. My life has changed and the forties are a heck of a lot more exciting than I ever thought they could be! I've made some good friends and look forward to meeting you if you get to stop by. Robert Edited to add...My Harley's name is Melissa too!

Wait! I have an answer for that!!!! NOW we're ready!

It would be a nice change having a woman looking, instead of the damn guy next to you!

Yes, your comparisons were good points for me to analyze my thoughts and feelings, but is there something deeper, something almost Darwinian (sp) in our belief structure? Are we being driven to improve our species in a subconscious way? I beleive that many of our thoughts, actions, and feelings are driven by natures ingrained quest for survival. Have you ever come to a place where you feel a certain way, and can't come up with a good explanation why?

You have very valid points and you are correct to a large degree. The problem is that in order for people to do the things that you've spoken of, they didn't need your approval. In order for Gay people to marry, it may indeed need the approval of the majority. To approve of something we need to understand it, and accept it (usually). I really feel for those who are fighting to change anti-gay views. If I were told to vote, for the first time in my life I'd have a very difficult time making a decision.

I've read through and thought alot about the gay marriage debate. I've also spent a lot of time reading posts that Narcimund has been a part of. I set my beliefs aside and attempted to take a totally unbiased view, looking at both sides. The only other subject I've seen that people display as much passion for/against is in the Christians VS all non believers threads. Gay people wanting to marry those whom they love, is as natural as my marrying the one whom I love. I don't see a difference when wanting to share your life and love with another. The problem is that as much as I try and understand, I feel on a very basic human level that the marriage would be wrong. If I set my religion to the side and look at it, I still feel the same. Perhaps it's because the institution has been man/woman for a very long time. To me the family unit has always been displayed in one specific manner. I'm not sure discrimination is the correct term. A person or group being discriminated against is one which is denied the same things that other groups have. Other groups do not have the right (at this time) to marry same sex partners. Attacking me for my beliefs won't help change my mind, but I am willing to continue, listen, and learn. Perhaps something will come about that helps me understand why I have the feeling that it is wrong. What I do know from experience, is that if both sides display hatred in the debate, there will be no equitable solution for a very long time...

SSG Ray SFC Slurnitzauer SSG Ray was the meanest man I've ever met in my life. He was in his 50's and hated life when there wasn't a war going on.

I waited until I was 34 to get married. No specific reason that I waited, I've just lived an adventurous life and never stood still very long. Would I do it again? Maybe. Anyone who thinks that they can predict their future is wrong. I do know that it's really important to marry someone who has the same passions in life that you do. If not, the relationship will be one-sided, or extremely turbulent at best...

Welcome Steve! I'm new to this wonderful sport myself. I too started buying gear right away. The alti, the helmet, the jump suit, and when I hit my 25 jumps, I bought a complete used rig from Dave at the Sunshine Factory in Z-Hills. Dave gave me some excellent advice and helped me pick out a rig and canopy. Before deciding on a canopy type and size, we went through and reviewed what I had been jumping and how my landings were. I got a 190 which was a little bigger than I anticipated, but I'm glad that I did. Even though I'm now ready for a down size, I needed the extra time to learn on a size that I was comfortable (able to land consistantly without killing myself) with. Talk with your instructors, and Dave if you get a chance. Listen to the experts... Owning your own gear kicks ass!

I went in, in 81'. I was a smart ass know it all teenager who was intelligent enough to get my way and did just about anything I wanted, before boot camp. Life was all about "me". The DI's worked on me real good until the crap was removed. The "me" mentality was replaced with training and caring for the team. For the first time in my life I knew that I was a part of something. If they would have held my hand, and taken it easy on me, I never would have changed. In order to convert one's attitude in a few short months, it takes more than smiles and education classes...

Very astute observation. Be very careful. You're actually stating that the way children were raised in the past, was much better than the way they are being raised now. It goes against the general consensus that today's world is a better place without that antiquated mumbo jumbo. Someone may be watching.

I'm 42, 5'10", blonde, and blue, detest fake people, love an adrenaline rush, and have excelled at the use of a riding crop. I like horses

I have two Ridgebacks and have raised them both from puppies. They are without a doubt the most unique dogs I have ever had the pleasure of living with. Very very intelligent quick learners, and they are great with all the kids in the neighborhood. I raised them with love and kindness as family members. My advise is to not leave them alone the first few weeks when you get one. Puppy day care is great, but check the place out first to make sure that they aren't just kept in a cage all day. Keep in mind that they will pick up the bad habits of other dogs that are around them, like barking. You'll find that they crave you more than anything else. I have five acres and a good size house. I'd be hesitant to keep mine in an apartment!

Take a bunch of 18 to 22 year olds and try and convert them from their civilian way of thinking and acting, to a regimented military way without the psychological "brain washing" and it's going to be very interesting. Will it work? My first instinct is to say no. If recruiting is down, it's because of the war, and a different view of our country by our youth.

This is a sticky subject. When is someone young enough to commit a capital crime, and be shown mercy? We say that they shouldn't be held "as" responsible for their actions, but under what circumstances? Are children being incarcerated for life that do not have a history of criminal behavior? I find the 2000/12 stats to be pretty interesting. Is it because foreign youths commit lesser crimes only, or is it that they are handled differently when they do?

I knew that there was a reason you show so much deep thought and intelligence in your posts! I bet you have the ability to read minds too.... Why do I sense sarcasm in this post? I was projecting! I was born on the 5th, so I'm a Gemini too. Which happens to be the most intelligent, well rounded, good looking sign you can be... We also tend to be full of shit at times too No sarcasm!

How many jumpers who have been saved by AADs as a result of loss of altitude awareness were wearing functioning audible altimeters. I'm guessing here, but I wouldn't be surprised if the number is quite low. Walt I've thought a lot about the audibles. I have one and wear a wrist mount alti also. Since I've been using the audible, I look at my wrist a whole lot less. Thinking about this scares me a little. Perhaps we need the combination of technology to improve our odds, as long as we never take any one piece of the combo for granted. As in a failed battery. Training is always the best preventative medicine, but the brain can take a break once in a while too.