Vallerina

I'm getting there early and staying late! I'll be there the WHOLE time (except for a few hours on Saturday the 3rd, since my parents are making me go to commencement.) There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

No, I don't have proof that I didn't speed on my way to class this morning. I also don't have thousands of people breathing down my neck saying that I am an unsafe driver. You're right in that a dz doesn't have to prove themselves innocent in a court of law. However, with many individuals claiming to have evidence of unsafe practices, I'm not sure why a dz that receives much publicity doesn't keep detailed records of their own. If safe practices are going on, this wouldn't take but one or two minutes extra for every jump. If people truly believe that this is going to change dzs everywhere, why not do something extra to prove that they don't need additional regulation. The point of my original post was not to say that dzs should keep records, because most don't need to and it won't happen. But, it seems many complaints are overlooked and given the attitude of "that doesn't happen" instead of further looked into. Unless they have evidence to the contrary, people may be ignoring an area in which measures of safety can be increased. And handing info over to the FAA? Wow! That would take guts! People receive so much criticism already for compaining, giving quotes, telling stories etc etc....I would hate to see what would happen if they talked to the FAA! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Although skydivers are quick to deny allegations of what goes on at a dz, none are so quick at providing proof to discredit it or trying to understand why these claims were made. Obviously sdc gets scrutinized and watched over more. No surprise there. I just can't understand why they don't have more proof to back up statements such as "we don't jump through clouds", "we don't put tandems up in unsafe conditions" blah blah blah. When you know that occurrences at the dz will get higher publicity, why not go out of the way to keep detailed records of student jumps (record winds, time, take pictures prior to exiting to show clouds weren't an issue, etc etc). It won't solve all problems, and sure records can be changed, but it's better than nothing. Also, if a person questions their safety at a dz, it seems many look the other way and say "Well, I feel safe there" instead of saying, "What happened to make you feel unsafe, and what can we do to change it?" Not sure why people get so defensive and are quick to claim their dz (not just sdc) is perfect. There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

If I remember correctly, he was. But not nearly as drunk as Val was. I could be wrong of course. I was really drunk at the time. You heard the lady! HE'S the one that looks drunk! Crawling around on floors is part of my daily routine, anyways. And Andy.....after hearing about your weekend.....think I need to take some lessons. I haven't had jailbait hit on me in MONTHS! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

But of course... Even better, all those good looking men are going to be handing me large quantities of their money! And I don't even have to show my boobies to get it!! Oooh! That's another good piece of advice! Find the good looking men with large quantities of money I'm just kidding! (But if you find some....let me know!) There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Ummm....I'll be at the DZ.com tent... But ya gotta go buy tickets at some point...right???? There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Just don't jump with that "billvon" guy. Right Val? No, you can jump with him...just don't try to tie his shoelaces together! Nobody wants to see that angry bill dammit von novak face! Glad you're in ticket sales, Bytch! You'll be easy to find and harass! (You're also in prime location for picking out the good looking men....) There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Cool! Glad to hear you're goin! Expect to have much much fun, to meet wonderful people, and to jump from some groovy aircraft. My advice: hook up with the organizers for low-timers (I think it's tent 3 this year?????) They kick major booty over there! I learned a bunch, and they helped make the convention not so scary. My other piece of advice is to be careful round those golf carts! (Can you get a DUI for that??????????) I can't wait for the JET!!!!!!! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Well.....if it was a liver you needed...I'm sure I could've lended you mine for awhile. It seems to be in top condition! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

0:6:0 My excuses for the crappy numbers: Friday: spent the day with my brother, sister-in-law and ADORABLE nephew (I swear he's trying to say Auntie Val.....that or Duke). Saturday: Silly me forgot my d-bag ALL the way back home (I forgot to put it back on when I sent my demo canopy back.) So, that took over 3 hours away from a beautiful day. Sunday: So so so so so so hot! I kept getting dizzy and stuff. I think the heat went to my head and caused me to power dock. I'm not used to funnelling formations upon docking! But, it was hilarious. By the way.....is the jet here yet? There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Is this the first time you called in sick to go jumpin??? Gimme a big ol' CASE O BEER! Hmm...I unfortunately have to wait till tomorrow to go jumpin jumpin. Stupid school....stupid bowling class....stupid me for having to take summer school Just get the Greene County jumpers warmed up for me, for I shall return someday! You thought we caused trouble last time? That was NOTHIN! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

I have nothing of value to add.......just that that was funny! You boys crack me up! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

"4) roger nelson in fact committed some crimes YEARS ago, he paid his debt to society, he's done his part. how long is he to be held accountable? " Why should Roger be the only one in the world to not be held accountable for his actions years down the road? Sure, not everyone elses actions are mentioned in a small blurb in the Trib, but to say that people should ignore what went on in the past is foolish. He did not "pay his debt to society". He ratted someone else out and was punished. Paying your debt to society is a whole other matter. "3) why did they bring it up? answer: for monetary gain(s) to sell newspapers. " You can't honestly think that mentioning Roger's past made people rush to purchase subscriptions, do you? "let's face it, roger is "high profile" he's a target, would it not be in our best interests to not stand up for him? " I would stand up for him if the paper had lied about him in some form or another. "in my opinion, and in my heart, it is wrong, " That's fine......but my opinion backs the first amendment (which also gives you the opportunity to publicly complain about the "unfairness" of the article and allows you to voice your opinions back to the editor). Whether it is a fine piece of writing or not, there is nothing wrong with it. There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

As stated before, an outsider sees that a skydiver was using drugs. The owner of the facility happened to be involved with drugs in his past. Skydivers know that drugs aren't passed out like candy before loading the aircraft, but an outsider has no idea of what to think. They see a direct correlation between a person using the facility and the owner of the facility. Many people here stated that they see these occurrences as odd, but have no idea of why. How are outside reporters, especially reporters who are not getting input from skydivers, expect to have any better knowledge of what is going on. All they did was make two factual statements that have one thing in common: illegal drugs. The only thing this article may have lacked was further research (not into the drug area, but into the incidents overall.) There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

A jet is coming and all you can think about is a naked load?? Well, the rumor is if a girl jumps nekkid, her jump is for free! Any truth to that (not that I'm curious for myself....) Either way..........I CAN'T WAIT TO JUMP THE JET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Hey, Bill! What time on Friday???? I can possibly help you out! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Before reading the rest of the replies (I have to get to class, so sorry if i repeat anything anyone else says, but feel the need to reply) "by the way, just since it was brought up, the only way they could be held accountable for liable, or slander, is if what they reported wasn't true." Exactly my point. If you found something that wasn't true in the article, then by all means point out the reporters who did perform their journalistic integrity. "a man's past shouldn't be thrown in his face like that, thats just plain wrong. " Not really. From an outsider looking in, relating a skydiver who had drugs in their bloodstream with an owner who has had history with illegal drugs seems pretty relevant. "if it happened to roger, it can happen to any of us." Good luck in finding dirt on me. (Beside a couple of speeding tickets and a car wreck.) "i am doing something, first by posting it here, for all of the dz.comers to see what the tribune is up to," Not really sure what the Trib is up to, and I'm also not sure what exactly you are DOING. You have not articulated what is wrong with this article, hence most likely not encouraging others to take action. You don't like that they brought up someone's past. But if it's true and relevant, how do you expect to encourage others to see your point. You complained that you didn't like it, which you have every right to do thanks to the 1st ammendment. The reporters also have every right to publish what is true. There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

If you don't like what the reporter has to say, take action. While newspapers keep things in check, it's their subscribers and readers duty to keep them in check. No sense in complaining about the article here, unless you try to rally up people to either write letters to the editor, explain the side which you feel was uncovered, or accuse the reporters of libel (although I'm not sure if they're guilty or not.) If you really think that this is an attempt at trying to limit skydiver's rights, then do something! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

8 friends unexpectedly showed up to my new home:13:1 One case for the first time doing a "scrambles" thing (much fun, plus I got $25!!!!) Other highlights: finally seeing the Denny's video, sunset loads, atomic sit ups, and drunk harness hanging! Overall, an awesome weekend. Only a few more days till I get to do it all over again. There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Hey, Erk! I just got back from Kankakee and was checking out Farmer's parachute jackets! (Thinking of getting one myself.) I guess Strong just sent him a bunch of material for them, as well. They look groovy! So, just another reason you guys will have to come here to visit sometime. There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

I like the idea of this thread....bout time people concentrate on the uspide of life! What's good? What isn't???????? I get to skydive (and now, at an established "home".) I have an ADORABLE baby nephew who changes on a daily basis and never ceases to amaze me. GRADUATION IS ONLY 22 DAYS AWAY!!!!!! (Go Purdue! They actually think I deserve a degree.) "I Want Candy" is playing on the jukebox. The WFFC will soon be here..... And, just to make all of you jealous, I get to go to my bowling class now! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Great pictures, Andy! It seems like you guys had tons o fun! Gold Coast is awesome! And, by the way, how did you get the firework picture to come out all blurry....just like I remember 'em? There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Layers of grime from different dropzone's around the midwest blanket my car and dull my once waxy shine. Traveling so much this spring/summer has started to wear out my car and myself. However, I've enjoyed skydiving and partying with new people every week while searching for a new home. Now, I finally get to relax from my old dz hopping ways and settle down at Millennium Skydiving in Kankakee, IL. I arrived early on the 4th expecting to jump there just Thurs and Fri, since I smelled cheap jumps in the air elsewhere for Sat and Sun. Bob, the dzo, greeted me with a huge smile and took me through the usual waiver signin/money takin/tour showin dealy. He also filled me in on a few of the fun dz traditions. The first load goes up-a 9-way to celebrate Tommy's 300th. At 6 or 7 grand, Bob's booming voice gives some safety tips, congratulates Tommy, and welcomes me in their special way. These people are cool! Over the next two days, I noticed many qualities of Kankakee that inspired me to stick around. They don't just say "safety is our main concern", they actually mean it! Also, Farmer is a wonderful rigger/packer who strives to share his knowledge with others. Plus, I clicked with the genuinely nice people there. Young and old, everyone there had the same laid-back, fun personality that I can mesh well with (a little sarcasm can go a long way!) What created a wonderful atmosphere as well, was that everyone jumped with everyone. No politics, no drama, no egos, just fun skydives. I'm glad I had the opportunity to tour so much but am much happier to know I have a place I can go and settle down at. So, watch out Kato33! I will be invading Kankakee again (most likely this weekend!) Just, don't be so afraid of me this time! There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

3 new "words" my baby nephew can say:22:3 First time docking on a tandem (it was my mom!) First time breaking the 200 mph barrier (210 to be exact!) First time being rodeoed An amazing weekend! The people at Millennium Skydiving in Kankakee made it a very easy decision for me (and the rest of Purdue, I think) to choose their dropzone as my new home. There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

Unfortunately, I have to miss out on the festivities at Raeford as well. I don't trust myself to drive that long of a distance alone (other cars tend not to like my swerving action when I get sleepy at the wheel.) There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning