MrFreefall383

Of course they cost you, but as a skydiver aren't you used to being broke anyway? I say fuck it, keep the kid with you at the DZ at all times. Just make sure you don't let a rigger or a whuffo get their hands on the little meatwad, and spread your knowledge of the sport the moment the kid's old enough to jump off a swingset and twist an ankle. But that's only the opinion of another speck of dust on this great dirtpit we call Earth. Do what you wish. That's why I'm glad I may never have kids. Don't have to worry about shit like that. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Three trips come to mind. First was to India in 2000, which was really unbelievable. Really one hell of an experience, seeing a country that is part rich industry giants, and part shithole. That had to be my real introduction to world travel. I also visited Switzerland, France, and Italy in high school, but we didn't really get the full experience because the chaperoning teachers didn't have their shit together. The second was my first trip to Lake Powell for a week of houseboating. Now the lake's largely dried up because of the drought in the area that has lasted years, but it was absolutely incredible. The third is my recent trip to London to visit my brother while he was on his semester abroad. London's an awesome place to go, lots of things to do, really get a broad spectrum of culture outside the borders of the United States, but still in a very modern and upscale country. So between the three, I would have to say India was the most awe-inspiring, just really gave me a whole new perspective on the world that I didn't have before. London's a close second though, and Lake Powell a VERY close third. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Daddy Bauer needs to be tarred and feathered, and hung by his entrails from a lightpost outside CTU, then used as target practice for all the field teams. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Impressive man! Next time I'm at The Ranch, you'll have to tell me all about the guy. I'm a big fan of intelligence, and Jim Woolsey is one of those really impressive figures in my mind. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Favorite car? Besides my own Acura RSX Type-S? I don't think I'll love another car more than this one. But if I had one car I could buy right now, it would be an Aston Martin DB9, or the upcoming tuned version, the DB-S. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Me = natural freefaller. Never failed an IAF level, and completely missed the ripcord my first tandem. I guess I really wanted to get more time at terminal. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Yeah, it didn't wanna suffer the same fate. I have to say though, I've always wanted to jump on one of the spec ops issue MC-4s, see how those things handle. Probably real docile, able to touchdown on a dime. Wonder what it would take to jump one. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Old, but always good. I love that one with the runaway truck. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Yeah, telemarketers are fun to fuck with. They're so intent on getting their point across, screwing with them can't be helped. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

It was so warm too around here, something like 60 degrees. I had already run in shorts once, because I was too warm with long nylons on. And then it fucking snows??? Mother Nature needs a kick in the ass. She needs to get her act straight. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

There's a scene at the end of the final episode of Band of Brothers where Dick Winters is being interviewed and is talking about heroes. He says, "I cherish a question my grandson asked me recently. He asked, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in a war?' Grandpa said no, but I served in the company of heroes." If that doesn't make you all teary-eyed, there might be something wrong with you. Gets me everytime. And as a previous contributor noted, Saving Private Ryan. The last scene in that movie is unforgettable. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Yeah, I gotta start hill running. Always helpful. It's like heavy sprinting and agility drills, it beefs up your calves and makes all the connecting muscles between your ankles, calves, knees, and thighs stronger. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

For those who are interested, weight vests are good for conditioning. Very good. I did a control test last night to see how well it would actually work. I added 8 lbs of extra weight, not much really in the greater scheme, especially considering SWAT officers typically wear an extra 70 lbs of gear. So with 8 lbs extra added to my total weight, I ran the same 3 miles I've been running all this week, at roughly the same amount of effort, which without extra weight would've run me about 25 minutes or so. The extra weight made that just a scratch under 27 minutes, which means it would've taken me a little extra effort to stay at 25 minutes. Like I said, effective. So I'm going to keep training with the weight, because when I finally run without the weight again, in theory at least, I'll be using ___% less effort to run the same times, which means I'll be able to run that much faster. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Jeez man, that sucks. Not sure what can be said about this situation that wouldn't seem cliche, but I'll go for it anyway. The best way to honor your uncle is to grant him his dying wishes, and do the honorable job of saving people with everything you have. Saving others doesn't change the fact that everyone dies eventually, but the fact that you can save some from dying too soon will make things easier. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Hard to tell, but it's not frumpy, so it looks sexy enough for what limited amount we see of it. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Yeah, same here. If it works it works, but there are better ways. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

I found a grey on my left temple a couple months ago, and another in my beard about the same time. Worst part is I'm only turning 24 in a couple weeks and I'm already going grey. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Good link, works for me. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Haven't posted in a while, figured I'd find the most current runners thread and put in my progress. Started running again over a month ago, but had to stop due to a vacation and other small things. I was up to 2 miles in under 18 minutes, which was pretty good in my mind. Started up again Saturday after doing lower body work for a week to recondition. First run was a slow 3 miles, total time of 25 min flat. Then I did a bunch of agility drills to finish it off. Ran again 2 days later, this past Monday, slowed the 3 miles by some for a total of 25:21, and did double the agility drills and some leg power drills to finish it off. Running again Thursday evening after work, and will try to keep the same pace and run some more agility drills. And with any luck, I'll have my new weight vest, so I'll do the agility drills lightly loaded. Goal is to be at 6 miles well before the end of summer when I will hopefully be heading off to law enforcement training in order to get some use out of my body and mind. I would not recommend jumping from no running to 3 miles, but my body seems to be able to take it. To be clear, that's not exactly normal, and don't follow my example, always use a progressive climb to a greater distance or faster time. And that's all I have to say about that. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Work is overrated, DZ.com rules your life whether you believe it or not. Just kidding. Happy trails. Congrats on the new job. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

My weekly good news? I got my ass saved at the 11th hour by the temp agency I work through. Current job at the paper company was due to be cut from 5 to 2 days per week by Monday, and the temp agency plugged for me, and found me something with better pay to take up the other 3 days per week. I might actually be able to afford my rig now.... I feel like dancing. I won't because I suck at it, but I still feel like it. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

What an amazing aircraft. It just astounds me everytime I see that damn thing lift off the pad. I'll be quite disappointed when NASA finally retires the last orbiter for a new vehicle. I just hope the next one is even better, but it's going to be a hard act to follow. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Why couldn't Helen Keller drive a car? Because she was a woman. Why did Helen Keller's dog kill itself? You would too if your name was "Waaaahhwweeeuuuuhhhh" "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Better yet, people who just don't pay attention on the road AT ALL. Those self-contained morons who take about half an hour to merge even if you give them the right of way with a clear hand signal, the ones who blow through a red light without even flinching and stay motionless up to 30 seconds after the light turns green. Pay fucking attention, and don't be the cause of my next accident. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche

Ah yeah, good point. But that's why I keep the alien in a cage with a force field surrounding it to keep him from calling long-distance. "If at first you don't succeed... well, so much for skydiving." - aviation cliche