SARLDO

Follow up here: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/01/24/brazil.amputee.model/index.html that is so sad... RIP Mariana Bridi da Costa. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Should have stayed in Florida. A bit cold over the last couple of days but Sunny and warm this weekend. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Yes. Your ex is trying to feel better due to his situation by trying to rekindle a relationship with you. According to you, he left you (probably the grass greener on the other side syndrome). Do yourself a favor and cut ALL ties and get over him. You'll only get hurt again when he runs away on you once more. Hope your dad is better. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

See Ya Squeak. Safe travels and blue sky's. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Glad to hear your healed. If you want to stay that way, go to the DZ and speak to an instructor. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

What if I "fell out"? "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

+1 - Z-Hills "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Going to get some jumps in (see ya at Z-hills) before I start my 6 week romp back and forth across the country. I sure hope I didn't throw away all my cold wx gear, Binghamton, NY next week. Brrrrrr! "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

I was on my bike headed down I-95 near Titusville, Fl a few days ago, wearing a Speed Limit 120 shirt and a guy goes past me honking, waving, and flashing what I thought were gang signs. After I spotted the USPA sticker on his back window, I figured out he was just telling me to arch, check my alti and pull. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Yet another reason I like living in Orlando - I don't have to go to the airport "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

An excellent answer to my earlier question. Thank you Jim. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Please please please, never do that again! Yikes I got the message, thanks. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

[replySeriously - that you thought it was appropriate to stop and start turning around in the middle of a pretty big breakoff shows a very, very scary lack of knowledge. My stopping my track initially was with the intention to deploy. As I checked my altitude and saw that I was at 4K, I decided to go a little farther and a little lower, thus the 2nd 180 and mini-track. I get it... I have no business getting on any more large formation jumps until I get some training. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Thank you for a meaningful response. To clarify, any tracking done was away from center (I know I was in position because the gentlemen I saw near me was the person I was supposed to dock on, hence I was on the right radial). I have heard differing opinions on what to do if low from experienced organizers. Stay all the way to assigned breakoff; go early and forever, get away and pull high... I believe I did right by staying and breaking a tad early but probably should have simply rolled over to check above and behind vice stopping my track and doing the 2 180's. Won't do it again. to another responder: Despite my low numbers, I can track. I have been on a number of tracking dives and can keep up with some very experienced folks. I know I can fly flat and can outdistance most (probably due to experience in aerodynamics). Not really sure what was meant by tunnel time helping in tracking. Last time I looked, it would be pretty hard to track in a tunnel. Guess it's best to just learn to stay with a floaty big way. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Thanks for the post, good info there. What about this? Yeasterday at the DZ, I went low on a 20 way and couldn't for the life of me recover. I stayed close to the group so they knew where I was and then I turned and tracked off at 6K (they were breaking off at 5.5). I'm a pretty good tracker and I held it for about 10 seconds, looked left and right, saw some folks above and behind me so I did a 180 and scanned. I was at just under 4K, saw nobody close, did another 180, tracked for another 4 seconds, stopped, waved and pulled at ~3K. Just as I released my pilot chute, I spotted another jumper close & waving himself. I don't know how I missed seeing him but he spotted me and delayed his deployment to get some vert separation. My question is this. Should I have stayed near the group like I did or should I have tracked off earlier, later, pulled higher, what? I did what I was taught to do, stay near the formation, but was still unseen by at least one other (who I too missed somehow). Trying to be safe... "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

I'm hanging out in Orlando for the winter... Oh wait, I live here now! Pfffffffftththththth.... "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

I find myself fortunate this year that I am home with my wife vice deployed. As I count my blessings and good fortune, I want to pause and thank all of my Brothers and Sisters in uniform who find yourself deployed this holiday season and wish each and every one of you a heart-felt Merry Christmas and a safe and speedy return to those you left behind. Blue Skies my friends, we'll see you soon. Sincerely, Ron B "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Not jumping it but, lost tail rotor drive in a Huey while searching for some lost folks in the mountains near lake Tahoe. That wasn't a fun day "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Looks great on her!

(golf clapping sound) Bravo! Well done. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

I thought you were passing pictures of yourself and was hoping to beat the rush "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

All I got right now. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Tom Tom One XL. Cheap and easy to use and see while driving. Great customer service also. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

My secret? I sit in my cube, pretending to be working, while surfing the internet and posting on Dizzy Dot Com, all the while being paid by your hard earned taxes. Shhhhh, don't tell anyone. "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68

Touche' "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68