Shark

Congrats! ...and you can send a case of Shiner to 'Snore. Stand by for the Reaper as he's enroute.

Just flew in from Vegas a few hours ago. Yeah, we left the DZ around sunset as Rich made all the girls cry. And as true to his reputation as an AFF-I, his last AFF jump was just as entertaining. A repeat Level 2, his student "passed" to Level 2.5. On sunset load he tried to swoop the Sigma and almost took out Lewmonst. (Incidentally, she took-out Hoser hours before during an impromptu soccer game with the British Paras.) Anyway, my memory is gone and I cannot recall events. I believe it took around 3.5 hours to get to Vegas. Once at the DoubleTree we got ready and took the shuttle to the strip, but the ride ended at the Mandalay. After that we did some early morning PT and double-timed it to Bellagio where I discovered how much fun the Craps table is! After a few losses the Shark played the field and started fire. As the shooter I was racking them up, but then they started exchanging my "red" chips for a couple of "green" chips. Since it was already 2 in the morning, I figured I'd have fun until 0300. Rich, in true Reaper fashion, says to bet it all on the Hard Six! I do, even though I had no idea what the hell was going on. All I new was the 7 & 11 were bad and if I throw a couple of red ones in this little area called the field sometimes the dealer gives me two more. Anyway, the Shark is no longer the shooter and my gains, if any, are entrusted to some wannabe high-roller with a limp wrist. It took several minutes, then he crapped out and the dealer swept away my chips. I look at Rich and say, "that's it?!" He's like, "Yep." And we're out of there after a losing a few bones and downing several Jack&Cokes. The cab ride back to the DblTree was uneventful. I hand Rich a twenty to pay the cabbie as I watch the meter tick away as he goes the long way. So, after a $12.50 fare, he hands the cabbie the 20 and asks for 15 back. Yeah, I'm a little tired, buzzed, and now broke, but even I could do the math. He recovers quickly, like all Marine officers, regroups and asks for 5 back and everyone is happy. My flight is at 0850 and want to experience the excellent Vegas cuisine called the breakfast buffet so the planned wake up is at 0600. I get a call at 0515 from Kathy who is on her way to her first day at Police Academy and mumble a few words, only to realize, shortly, that she had already hung up. I go back to sleep, I think, then look at my dive watch to see that it's almost 7! For some reason I thought my flight was at 8, not 850 and panicked. We still get on the road and head to Terrible's, recommended by our shuttle bus driver, Joe, a retired Gunny. (Actually, we thought he said Tarbell's and drove down Flamingo looking for such a place.) Then to McCarran for my 30 minute flight back to SoCal and overcast skies. I just got off the phone with Rich and he should be stopping in Denver to give a sitrep and trip report. Shark, out. ...uh, and Robyn? I did say Albertson's at least once.

Uh, they were full and Rich still misrouted his lines. Luckily, Tigger was around to do a continuity check, despite his 2 beers. Dude, the new containers are great, plus chicks dig them! They have the same effect as I did when walking the beach with a puppy. Lotsa chicks come by to pet it and say how cute and adorable it is. Some have even volunteered to do a naked jump in it! Thanks, dude!!!! ...and here's a pic of the "Staff Fridge" that Rich donated.... it came complete with 8.5 cases of beer. It's the least we could do as new Infinities require more than one case for a "First." Shark and the Elsinore Posse....

I have one in my "new" Infinity this past weekend. (I meant WE... Sorry, Goose.) About 9 work jumps and all is fine. The Power-Up is straight forward and simple. I've also had numerous jumpers inquire about the unit, but for more info go to their website where you can download a copy of the User's Manual. CB, my rigger is also planning to acquire a Vigil after his experience in installing mine. Say it's pretty cool. Absolutely. Shark AFF-I Skydive Elsinore

Here's the two rigs Kelly made for us. This pic is moments after we attached and packed the mains. The reserves and Vigils were installed earlier in the day. Aerial pics to follow...

Bring Kelly with you!!!!

Only for 12 hrs. Road Tripping to Vegas, after work on Sunday, then flying home Monday morning. Anyone else wanna join us?

Did I hear an echo???? Dude, count me IN!!!! Are we doing this before, or after we break the record?

I can see a really good arch, too! Wanna jump?!

As painful as it was, it was my gear.

Uh, sorry Jester... I mean Reaper. Check six

Ah, the Shark's Gunner, once again lost in the ether. Yep, that cool buckle failed in freefall....

Hi Gia, You and David are awesome and we are the ones indebted to you. Rumor has it that Marissa will be getting current this Saturday as well. Please stop by for a beer and a hug. xo, Shark

I'm finally getting mine assembled! We were waiting on the reserve and AAD. The main is still enroute, possibly tomorrow. The new one, just like the old one, but better.

Yeah! Me, too!

This week marks Rich's (rfj98) last week at Elsinore. All week special events will be taking place. We kicked off the farewell tour with Ed (Cajones) teaching a FJC with 9 Army ROTC kids from UCLA. 4 of them had already been to jump school. I was fortunate to have jumped with one of them which was challenging yet fun. For Rich's farewell tour he got 3 of them which kept calling him sir. I even caught one of them saluting him. I advised that the DZ is a "No Salute Zone" prior to our jump. It didn't help calm down my student when I mentioned that I was a former NROTC dude and we always kicked the shit out of the Army during Army-Navy week. All had fun though, despite Capt. Fisher's group debrief. Today, the BCPA should arrive with all the college girls. (Sorry Ginny.... I'll watch over your husband) Friday we'll welcome our new refridgerator donated by RJF98 & wife. The British PARAs are also hosting a BBQ that evening and have promised the attendance of dozens of birds. Saturday evening Rich is buying his own keg of Shiner, which he'll most likely consume the majority of it with moi. So, lotsa beer during the evenings this week all the way through Sunday! Come on out to toast/roast Rich!!!

Well, she is a survival instructor... To survive you need to consume dead cows and beer. Uh, what did Clay eat?

Uh, I guess that means no beer Sunday night... unless you plan on pulling over.

Since I have nothing better to do I will most likely be there, too. I think we'll have to stop by Eloy and do a jump with Airspeed Mikey, as well. BTW, will we be travelling Route 66?

Well, you were just the chatty catty with all the gang at the DZ. IIRC, you also snuck into the "School" picture. Should we reference your level 8 for clarity? Actually, I think you've set the standard for Skylord, and those that follow.

I've never found that to be the case at all and I've done dozens of diving exits at this point. I have never rolled over into a front flip. I get vertical with my head down for a couple seconds and then flatten out on my belly right away. Perhaps its a weight distribution thing. As an avid weight lifter I have a large percentage of my weight in chest, arms, shoulders. She is referring to the Level 8 (Cat. E) skydive we do at Elsinore. The dive exit and front loop are part of the dive flow.

Consider driving it to/at Burning Man.

Might as well put in the leaders themselves. Heck, put on Pay-per-view.

Ya know, the girls' shower is cleaner and has nice shampoo and fufu stuff in there. The water is warmer there, too.

Yeah, Flite Suits!!!! I received my new one a couple of weeks ago. That's my fifth. When I had placed rush orders on the others I was wearing them within 7 days. Unfortunately, those burned up. Also, I love the new grips on them.