AndyMan

I know what you're going through. I was out drinking tonight and didn't have a single one. Third time in row, too. Ditching smoking is definatley the hardest thing I've ever done, it makes loosing 80 lbs look easy! Drinking has always been the hardest part for me... Now I just gotta work on time spent at the DZ. Getting there... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Bill, I'm about do to a few things for the first time here. First, I'm gonna disagree with you. Secondly, I'm gonna admit that I understand the shoe thing. Yeah, I know. I'll give up a few Guy Cards. Think of it like a Red Card in a game of Soccer, or football for the Europeans. A guy that loves women must understand the lengthes they go to make themselves as beautiful as they do. A long boot that looks great with a mini-skirt just doesn't work with a pant suit. They're just not so lucky that they can just match color, like us. It's a fact of life, deal with it. They need every style in every color. Fortunately womens shoes cost about a third as mens do. Lastly, I'd just like to say that I didn't understand a thing you just posted, WRT the protection circuits, and I'm a software engineer. Yes, I have patents too. You're SUCH a geek. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Not me either, but way to go Lisa! _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

What kind of music you like? I've been getting into a Jazz house fusion thing lately.... but I doubt that's what you're looking for. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

yup, I stepped up too. Sent a big check to lisa, bought the shirt. Of course I woulda bought the shirt anyways... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Altimaster is the only one I can think of with a lifetime waranty. They've got truely excellent service. They'll have reps at boogies replacing lenses and velcro for free. My friend dropped his on concrete, broke it. They fixed it. Free. He was even honest about how it broke... There is an Altimaster 5 out there. Avoid it, they suck. Altimaster III is the way to go. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Other then love for ones country, I'm not sure what it is. I do know what it is not. Patriotism is not blindly supporting your nations leader. Patriotism is not blindly supporting your nations army. Patriotism is not blindly supporting your nations laws. Patriotism is not blindly supporting your nations policies. Patriotism is not blindly supporting your nations culture. Patriotism is not necesarly loving the way things were, or the way things are. It could just as easily be loving the way things will be, or the way things SHOULD be. To me, patriotism is loving the founding principles of my countries, both the one I was born in and the one I live in. I love what these countries ARE SUPOSED to stand for. I'm frustrated because the country I live in seems to wander farther and farther from those principles daily. The country I was born in seems to blindly follow. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

*everything* costs more. If jumpsuits were cars, they'd charge extra for doors. I have personal experience with all the jumpsuits I mentioned, except for "Freedom Means Choice". I only mentioned them because they seem to have a lot of fans around here. All of the manufacturers I mentioned make good, quality suits that won't blow up on you. Get them done custom, and you'll have a suit that is perfect for your fall rate. Get the booties, if you're not ready for them (I forget what your experience level is) then just tuck them up inside your suit-legs _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Altimeter: Only one real choice here.... Altimaster III. You get what you pay for. Roughly $150, I think. Goggles: Pretty much any will do. Don't pay more then $20. Find ones you like the look of. The funky ones will last a year or two of heavy use, the cheap ones will last longer. Spend any more then $20, you'll look better, but you'll be pissed when you lose them. Helmet: Can't go wrong with a Pro-Tec, but you'll lose points for style. I fly a Z1 which I hate. Some people have better luck with the Z1 then me, but if you do get a bad one you're hosed because their customer service sucks. If you want a full face go for the Oxygen. My freefly helmet is a Velocity, was a good helmet at a great price. Roughly $150 for the Velocity, $300 for the Oxygen. Jumpsuits: The following companies make good suits. Pick the one where the syle intersects the price you're willing to pay for. All the comapnies listed below make good quality suits, but the price difference reflects the options available. Pay anywhere between $150 and $350 depending on options. Tony Suit Michigan Suit AirWear by Wendy (_Am ownes one, loves it) Bev Suit Merlin (_Am ownes one, loves it) Jump Bubble (out of business?) Freedom Means Choice (least expensive) Dakine Rags (most expensive) plus a few others I've forgotten.... I'm sure other people will chime in. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Textbooks written for high school kids are suposed to be low on opinion. That's why I specifically mentioned them. When I was doing my degree in Canadian History, I can assure you I read quite a few more then 4 or 5 books...

Damn, that looks cold! _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Mel? I'm depressed too. Tell me more about your boobies. Please? _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Didn't you hear? Ducks are only $2.99! Where's Tina been, by the way? _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I think you should read some more modern history books. In my ever so humble opinion, the support you speak of was just an example of how a winning nation will write the history they want to. More recently, the history I studied in college was a whole lot more questioning about exactly what role Hiroshima and Nagasaki played. Remember that Japan had offered the white flag after Hiroshima - before Nagasaki. The second was bomb completely unjustified, in my humble opinion. I even have a quote here from one of the bomber pilots, but I can't find it. Short story is that even he was questioning the second bomb. The authors that I knew who were writing todays high school texts were a whole lot more cynical then those who wrote the books I had in high school. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Flat mode, 50 posts per page. Threaded mode is just way too much clicking, and I find 50 posts a nice balance between posts/page and page load times. Ideally, I would have flat mode with some sort of an indentation like on threaded mode. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Just remember that it will pass. We all get hit by depression, it's just a fact of life. Sometimes it's nice to talk to friends, sometimes it's nice to just live through it. I do both. Every six monthes or so I write a big long email to my old friends, they're my friends so they put up with it. Sometimes I just rest in the knowledge that things will get better. Remember that we're all friends here, if you wanna spill we'll listen. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Sweet Lisa! Was that the deal you negotiated with the boss, or did ya go straight to Kirlin? Lucky Lisa, meter maid... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I should qualify this... There's the cutest little DZ an 8 minute drive from my dads cottage on the St Lawrence river. Probably a good 12 hour drive from Chicago, but an 1.5 hour drive from Ottawa - I usually fly in. Cottage/skydiving weekend, BABY! _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

What part of Canada you have in mind? I might be due for a road trip then... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I will most likely be there for the full event, just as last year. I will definately have my tent, I'm considering an RV if anyone wants to share. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Like I said, I've had PPO insurance from Aetna and currently have PPO from Blue-Cross Blue-Shield of Illinois. They do not exclude skydiving. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Their website states they use Gelvenor fabric, which is the same fabric used by Aerodyne and Pisa. It is not the same as PD or Precision, which use duPont fabric with a coating from Performance Textiles. Anecdotal evidence says that Gelvenor fabric does not last as long as duPont fabric does, but this is always a fun debate. Anecdotal evidence shows both fabrics lasting into the "thousands of jumps" range, with the duPont having slightly bigger numbers in the first or second column. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Bill, I still do plan on taking that beer you promised... It's not like I offered to hop on a plane tonight or anything, she's gonna have to wait until Eloy! _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I've always had excellent work insurance, and have specifically phoned and asked about skydiving injuries. I've reviewed all the documention, including the "exclusions". Wether I was with Aetna, or Blue Cross, or whoever, I've alway had coverage. The only time I jumped without insurance was when I was between jobs. This wasn't a major problem because you can opt-in to COBRA for work plans retro-actively, up to three monthes from the time of termination, I think. Even when I was living in Canada and jumping in the US, I bought travel medical insurance - extreemely cheaply. It was something like $13 bucks a year covered me for as many 5 day trips I could possibly do. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Especially when you start walking around. Feels good! _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999