RPC1117

I just got the makings for a Belgian Wit. I'll brew it this Friday night. Hopefully it will be good, I had to convert an all grain recipe to extract b/c I dont' have a mash tun yet. I'm trying to think about what I may call it....maybe.... "Hayabusa"

Yep, that would cut a week or two off the conditioning time...and is not as much work vs bottling.

If he is brewing beer at the event...you won't be drinking that batch at the event. The "beer" (technically it isn't beer at that point) will need to be put in a fermenter for at least a week to a week and a half. After that, it could either be put in a secondary fermenter or bottled. It will need to sit in the secondary and the bottles for at least a week or two each. So you are looking at around a 3 - 5 week timeframe from brewing to consumption. However, it is fun to learn how to brew your own and should be a good time. I just dont' want you to think that you will mix yourself up a batch on Thursday and then drink it on Saturday.

reply]never seen a jib rigged with the rigid wing (which is not a sail, but a wing) however I do wish that the regattas will be great. My preference would go to Alinghi, but if the BOR wins on the water, that will be great too. I think I understand what you are saying...but just in case...the jib they have isn't a rigid wing...only the main is. I think that both of these teams have gone too far with all of the stuff they are putting on their boats. Alinghi is using a movable balast system that is powered by hydraulics...they are using some kind of friction reduction system on the hulls that basically discharges some sort of liquid into the water to reduce the friction on the water. BOR is also using some sort of system as well. All in all they have gotten away from alot of skill sailing. I won't even start on the stupid legal battles. I really wish it would go to a system where two identical boats are built by a non interested 3rd party and the teams show up and race.

Makes sense. I would really really hate to be a grinder on something like that. Back when I was in high school and college, I worked on the 1983 trial horse, Spirit of America, which had been converted to a passenger boat. It was the ’83 syndicate’s light wind boat, while Liberty was the heavy wind boat. Too bad that wind in ’83 turned out to be light…many sailors at the time said that Spirit would have been a much better match up for Australia II. The boat was then renamed Stars & Stripes and used as one of the trial horses for the ’87 cup (Dennis Connor named all of his ’87 boats Stars & Stripes). After that, the boat was used in the movie “Wind” during the downwind scenes for the 12 meters. The company that I worked for bought it and did a complete retro-fit on it. Most of the racing rigging was removed; the wing keel was cut off and replaced with a retractable bulb keel; the mast was shortened, and an engine was installed. However, they left the grinders and winches. The grinders were an amazing workout. By the end of the summer I was in awesome shape. We had a few tourists almost pass out after using them. Technique was key as was knowing when to shift gears. I was very surprised though to see how many hydraulics were used in the boats during their racing days. Most of the sail trim was done via the grinders and winches, but there was a lot of hydraulics used to control rigging, mast bending, and traveler tracks. All in all it was a great job when the wind was up, but sucked when it was 100 degrees out and there was no wind.

I'm curious as to why you don't think it is a sloop. The definition that I found, dating back to 1629, makes me believe that BOR is a sloop. "a fore-and-aft rigged boat with one mast and a single jib" http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sloop Another referance I found stated that the most important factor in determining whether a boat is a sloop or not is the position of the mast. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloop And I agree with you...the wing is bad ass.

I think you are on the right track here. When the America (the boat) won the cup originally, they brought the cup back to the NY Yacht Club. It remained there until 1983 when Australia II won it. (I have a cool side story about the boat that Connor should have raced in 1983). The NY Yacht Club kind of set the rules on challenges and defenses when they originally won the cup. I believe this is why they defer to the NY courts b/c it may be in the original rules. I may be mistaken but over the years there have been some rules set in place over what kind of boat had to be used. But I think that they were more along the lines of a gentleman's agreement. This is why the 12 Meter and IACC boats were used. There is more history about why...but it would take a while. I'm kind of sorry to see the IACC boats go. They were very technical boats and relied on the skills of the sailors. These larger multi-hulls allow a larger margin of error. I'm also a little surprised to see the BOR boat go with the tri over a cat set up. However, they have a very cool main sail that is actually a 200' hard wing that allows for individual areas to be adjusted based on the wind at different hights.

Gotcha. Your earlier post had mentioned freeflying. You certainly may be able to find other belly fliers to fly with. Ask around when you get there. If this is your first time in the tunnel, make sure you talk to a tunnel rat about getting in and out of the chamber. You may also want to do a few flights solo to get the feel of the wind and make sure you can get stable and control yourself before others are in there with you. Good luck to ya.

I wasn't replying to the OP. I was replying to Chuck's post/jab about Kirk. While I am sorry that the OP didn't get as much flying time as he wanted, I have to kind of agree with what others are saying. Also, there was a poster on here that was new (45 jumps) and wanted to work on freeflying. That person needs to make sure that they understand the freefly progression in the tunnel. You aren't going to be able to just show up at the tunnel, meet a couple of people that are freefliers, and then jump in the tunnel and sit fly with them. You go through a progression, starting with back flying. You mentioned that you are hoping to get alot out of this event and b/c of whatever reason you won't be able to get back to the tunnel in the near future. My advice is to make sure you know what the tunnel will allow you to do. This event could be great for you...but if you don't get as much time as you wanted and don't get to jump in and sit fly, you may think you got short changed. Call the tunnel and let them know your situation...talk to a coach before you go so you have you expectations set.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that there are plenty of skydivers that go to XP because of Kirk's resume. I think many have found that due to his "insane amount of jumps", he kind of knows what he's talking about. Additionally, Kirk is a very nice guy and a great coach. If he is a bit modest, I for one, take it with a grain of salt and appreciate that one of the people that helped get Airspeed to where they are today, is lending his expertise to me. Also, I think that XP's advertisement for this event is pretty clear: 12 Hours for 30 (max) people. It isn't hard to do the math...if everyone does solo time, everyone will get 24 mins. If you want more time for the money, get in groups. A 4 way group could get 1hr, 36mins. By my calculation, that is a savings of $120 for the group if you were to buy that much time straight off the website. **Disclaimer - I'm not sponsored by XP, I don't work for them, and I'm pretty sure Kirk isn't my dad....but I have helped them pay the bills over that past few years - End Disclaimer**

Next weekend should be some amazing skiing in Lake Tahoe. Looks like they are getting quite a bit of snow early in the week. Weekend looks sunny and not too cold. Too bad I'm on the East Coast....

I read the book...I thought it was a good book, but a little weird. From the looks of the trailers that I've seen for the movie, it looks like they have changed some things significantly (what book to movie conversion doesn't though). I'd like to see the movie. I'm hoping Clooney's character is portrayed with the dry wit and humor that Clooney does in the Ocean's movies.

Couple of questions: 1 - How far do you live from the tunnel...is it easy for you to get to once per week? 2 - Do you have 2 or 3 other people that would want to do something similar? The reason I ask is that if you are going to travel a long way to the tunnel for only 15 mins of flying...I think your time could be better used. If you are only going to fly 1 hr per month/ I would do 30 mins, 2X/month. Just my personal opinion. Next, if you can find 3 other people that want to work on their FS skills, putting together a 4 way team to fly in the tunnel can greatly help you flying (and will be much easier financially). I'm not sure you want to fly solo for 1 hr per month. After a while, I think that would get old and boring. If you want to spend some solo time with a coach to break some habit, by all means, you should. After the solo coaching, get in there with other people and if possible, get some coaching there as well. Good luck

How's this for a start...he founded and built a company from the ground up that builds bulletproof jackets for the military and LE. He or his company holds at least one or two patents for a rapid "cutaway" system for the vests so that rapid medical attention can be provided without a compromise to protection. He grew his company to have annual revenues in excess of $15M before selling the company to MSA in 2006. Then he built and run a massive windtunnel that by all appearances is doing quite well. Sounds like he may know what it takes to be a business man and knows how to get the job done. I'll trust someone that has built up a small business, has managed a company/budget, workforce, etc sucessfully before I trust a community organizer that has never held a job in a company before, much less run one.

[Being facetious] Yeah, kind of like those fucked up people that live in a POS trailer on a DZ, but their skydiving gear costs more than the trailer. Their priorities are f'd [Being facetious]

My original post said "If it's not a Micron, why did you get Micron stiched on both sides? " After which there were a series of responses including "Because I wanted to, It looks better" From there I asked again why? And then, admittedly, made a smart ass comment that was a joke. If my rig had the name of another container on it, I would expect some questions and ribbing. Then the real fun began...his gear deal blows a gasket and starts in on a PA filled tirade. I guess I'm surprised with the reaction to my questions. Obviously, there is no joking around when it comes to sidewall stitching.

[reply it think he assumed your wife left you for you being an a$$hole. just sayin' Thanks...that's cool that is how people work around here. So is this how a hypothetical would playout? ME: "Hey, why did you get that stiched on your container?" Bigway: "FUCK YOU!!! You're an asshole!!! You're wife left you b/c your an asshole! Cock!" Me: "Do I know you?, did I ask you a question?" Bigway: "No, but FUCK YOU anyway. You're an asshole!!! You're wife left you b/c your an asshole! Cock!" I don'know what the deal is. Maybe it's flashbacks...I have no idea. I wasn't attacking the guy, just asking a question. He can put whatever the f he wants on his rig...I pointed out that I didn't understand why he wanted another container's name on his and asked about it. My comment about the Spectre and Velo label probably was a little bit of a pot shot, but it was in jest and I really wasn't being serious. If he's cool with it...fine, it's his rig. I just think that the tirade from the gear dealer is pathetic.

Wow...great behavior by a gear dealer. Makes me want to rush right out and place an order with you. I asked a simple question on why someone would put the name of another container on their container. You turned that in to saying I beat my wife. High class dude. So I guess now the question is...why are you pushing to put the names of other containers on the containers you sell? If I buy an Icon from you are you going to ask me if I want Infinity put on the side of it? That Icarus canopy of yours...why not put PD on it. Seems to be your MO. Can't wait for my Tony suit with the Bev patch on it. One thing you are right about...his rig does look good. It just has the wrong name on it. Thanks gear dealer! Can't wait for you next set of personal attacks. Can you try to include something about molesting collies in the next one? I think that would be fun...and you would continue to take the high road.

Because I wanted to, It looks better

If it's not a Micron, why did you get Micron stiched on both sides?

See...there's the catch. The Knights are "sponsored" by the US Army. Here's where I'm going with this. The Knights are a great marketing tool for the Army. What if someone has a question for them on how they can become a Knight? From how I read this, the Knights would not be allowed to hand out any promo literature about the Army and would also not be allowed to give anyone a t shirt that says Army on it. So is it ok so long as they aren't selling the t shirts? The policy says no. No freebies...nothing. I think that the policy is fine if it says no selling. But telling teams that they can't put a sponsor's name on a tent, blade, etc...is a little too much. Would a team that has a DZ name attached to it (i.e. - Deland Majik or Perris Fury) have to cover the DZ portion of the team name on a packing tent with the team name on the side? After all, the DZ is a sponsor of that team?

A simple, hypothetical question - If the Golden Knights show up and are in the process of putting up a packing tent that says "US Army" on it...you support and think that it is right for the dropzone telling them they have to take it down or cover the "US Army" logo b/c they haven't paid enough to be there? *disclaimer - I have no connection to the Knights...just using them as an example*

I got an email from Spaceland today about the problem: "The problem was from our processing company and not on our site, so we didn't catch on until the first few people started complaining. They have processed all refunds and they should take a day or two to post to your accounts. Please let us know if this is not resolved by next week. Registration is fine going forward as this only affected charges made from 9/9 to 9/14. We apologize for the inconvenience and have read our processing company the riot act about it." So, sounds like Spaceland got put in a shitty situation by the processing company and this really isn't thier fault.

Christy, I think that Spaceland is aware of the problem, but just in case I wanted to pass along that I noticed I and at least one other team mate had the charge for registration and jumps charged to my credit card multiple time (3 times in my case and 6 in my team mate's) I called Spaceland today, and to their credit, they were very nice in trying to help get the problem resolved. I'm sure that this is not something that they anticipated and seem to be apologetic for the mistake. I just wanted to put this out there for others to check their statements to see if they too might have experianced this problem. I would hate to see someone get in a bind b/c they didn't catch this soon enough.

A few years ago, I decided that it was a good day to golf instead of work. Emailed my boss, told her I wasn't feeling well and then headed out to the course with my cousin. Got to the course and were asked if a 12 yr old kid could play with us (I guess he was cutting school as well). Fifth hole, 186, 6 iron, I hit it perfect. I knew it was going to be close and then it disappeared. I didn't think that it could have gone in, but based on the 12 yr old's reaction (jumping up and down and yelling), I knew I had it. He was happier than I was. Spent the rest of the round trying to figure out how I was going to tell people at the office and my boss about it....considering I was sick and all ;)