AndyMan

Actually, I found it a bit disturbing that it was so easy to walk in and jump. I don't generally get my logs signed, and even if I did it'd be incredibly easy to fake one. I like that USPA cards are realtively forge-proof. There really wasn't any kind of evalution of me when I showed up. The manifest woman just looked at the last page of my logbook (jump numbers, and date) said "excellent", and put me on the next load. What I did like (forgot to mention) was the COMPLETE lack of a waiver. When I asked if there was one I should sign, she told me no, their version of the waiver was printed on the back of the jump ticket. "Which ticket"? I asked.... They weren't using jump tickets today cause it was a slow day.... No waiver! _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

? - my crackhead is 2000 miles away, but I did pop in to see her on a chicago layover friday night. 2 - I'm in sacramento, and made it down to Lodi today after the monsoons cleared. Interesting place, to say the least. No gear check, no USPA licence check. Just a logbook check. Two jumps, flew camera for an 8 way, then hopped in on a six point six way. Someday I hope to make it back. 2 - first time at Lodi, first time jumping my new Suunto watch. It was an interesting day. Started off by driving up to Lake Tahoe for some skiing. I almost made it, too. Driving from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe involves driving OVER the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The road peaks at 7000 feet. What I didn't consider though, was that the monsoon that drenched me yesterday was pounding the mountains today. I made it up to 5000 feet before being turned back due to lack of tire chaines. Who knew? Drive back to hotel, ditch ski gear, pick up jumping gear, and drive 30 minutes south to jump in a t-shirt. I like this place! I'm also finding Sacramento an incredibly beautiful city. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Regarding curbside checkin, I used it today at Chicago's Midway Airport. Regarding the TSA, I vastly prefer them to the likes of Argenbright. However, the TSA missed a screwdriver I fogot was in my camera case when I went home for chrimstas, the Canadian private security firm at Toronto International spot it. The kid I was sitting beside on Southwest (chicago -> oakland) had 4 pairs of scisors with him... I did have to pull out the Cypres card going through security at Midway, but wasn't delayed more then 2 minutes. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Umm, yeah. That too. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

That's ok, I just flew 5 hours for some off-season summer jumping, and find California in the middle of a friggin monsoon. Seriously, floods are going on up here... _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

ObgeekComment: USB 2.0 is coming out very shortly, and is said to transfer at upwards of 1 gig/sec - faster then firewire. There are other reasons that firewire is better then USB - like the fact that USB needs a "computer", (ie, usb mouse plugs into computer, usb printer plugs into computer) while firewire does not need an actual "computer". This means you can firewire between two camcorders, but will never be able to USB between two without having a PC handy. Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

I have a fuji finepix 2800. 2.8 megapixel, and 6X zoom, all for under $350. Those specs make it an awesome deal. Now the downside - it's too big to fit in my pocket, and the viewfinder is a small LCD screen and the screen is WAY too dark in low light. Taking low light pictures involves pointing and guessing, then evaluating. The viewfinder is completely useless in low light. One thing I'd make sure of when I buy a new camera, is that the viewfinder is glass and lens, not LCD. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

From my favorite craichead: http://www.newsearching.com/flatware/Deluxe_Brandy_Pipes.html _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

You think I've bought it already.... so cute! _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

I was hoping for a Suunto watch, but my brother got me a Casio instead. Which is cool, this is one hell of a Casio. - The Casio Pathfinder: http://www.casio.com/watches/product.cfm?section=14&product=3673&display=. ALtitude accurate to +- 10 feet, but the bummer is that it updates only every 5 seconds. The Suunto ones update ever 1 second. To take back, or not to take back! _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Michele, I hope he drops off lots of goodies when he stops by your place, you deserv it! (thanks for the pm) _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

A guy can always dream, can't he? _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

You are SUCH a tease. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

I am one LUCKY skydiver. I love you, craichead. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Had you guys had your head in the sand? Do you not remember this exact same set of complaints EVERY FRIGGIN YEAR? Martini Shots ALWAYS ships around this time of year. Personally, I think they make a great product, and anyone who's done some video editing knows that its very work intensive. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Did I mention I'll be driving through Sonoma...? _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Hey babe! How YOU doin? Wanna go back to my place, and... watch some skydiving videos? _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

People are going to tell you to relax. This means a few things. First of all, chill out! This sport is fun. Even if you're spinning like a top, it's still fun! You just jumped out of a friggin airplane! SMILE, GODDAMIT! Second, let your whole body relax. Imageine yourself standing in a boxman position. Imagine a friend pushes against your hands. Do you fall over? Or is your arm muscles loose enough that your muscles contract and your arm moves but your body doesn't? Physically relax your muscles. Thirdly, the next time you're jumping and you start to spin, remember this sport is fun. Smile. Take a deep breath. Tap your toes, feel the air on your hands. Tap your knees. Feel the air on your feet. Allow your body to relax, let your mind relax as well as your muscles relax. You'll get it... One thing to remember is that no matter what happens on the skydive, as long as you land safely - it's a good jump. If ANYBODY at your dropzone is even remotely suggesting you give up skydiving, you need to find another dropzone. It's clear they're not good enough teachers, and you need to find a dropzone with good ones. It seems that this isn't the case though, it seems that you've got some good people helping you. Don't give up as long as you're having fun. This isn't a drug test or a school exam that you have to do. This is something that you do for fun. If you're having fun, jump on! _Am _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Sort of. The US loves exercising its laws in other countries. With drugs they do this through immigration. Anyone who they can show to have ever consumed marijuna - even in countries where it's legal, is denied entry. If a US imigration ever asks you if you've ever smoked a joint, you MUST answer 'no' - else be 'banned for life'. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Incidentally, the rig that fired at Aerohio had the metalic sleeve installed, If I recall correctly. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

I miss the polka porter.... _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Andy, you're a Rock Star! People are impossibly attracted to you wherever you go whether or not you know it or not. There's something about the confidence you emit through your actions, conscious and otherwise, that compels people to want to come in for a closer look. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Not sure, I couldn't see through all the steam. I do suspect that we'll find them circulating the DZ at some point... _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

So I'm only gone one day, and she's already whoring herself off to the masses that are dz.com. _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

Oh, no worries there Segnor Valente! There's ALWAYS pics... A certain hot-tub party comes to mind... _Am __ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.