AndyMan

Actually, I saw my grandmothers Siamese cat take down a german shephard as a kid. It was really quite traumatic... The cat literally scrached open the dogs chest. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Actually, I'm saying you really wouldn't have to look far at all. You also wouldn't have to look far to see that these countries also cough up far more both in terms of dollars, AND soldiers lives. Either per capita as individual countries, or as a whole. The most recent example I can think of is Ruwanda(sp?), with Canadian sodiers on the ground begging for more UN staff, the US using it's veto on the security counsel to prevent any more forces being used and withdrawing their own from UN staff, meanwhile literally millions of tootsies are being slaughtered, rivaling the genocide of the jews in WWII, and making 9/11 look like a car accident at the side of the Interstate. True, real leaders don't do that. Going back to Bill's comment that the US leads through weapons and money, I'd agree. However, weapons and money are not going to end the Israeli / Palistinian conflict, just as Jimmy Carter didn't use it the first time. I have a lot of respect for Colin Powell. I think he's perhaps one of the most significant figures my generation has seen in US politics. Unfortunate, I also think US foreign policy since Carter has poisioned so many parts of the world to any goodwill Powell might have. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I think if you looked you would find that countries like Canada do take the lead. I even gave you a few keys in some of my previous posts as pointers as to where you might start looking. The only difference is that countries like Canada, Swiss, Japan, and a few others believe in a form of leadership that DOESN'T involve Bill's 300 pound Gorilla. It's not too dificult to look through history and see that self appointed leaders rarely survive long. I'm pretty sure that objections to this notion is actually one of the founding principles of the USA. _Am (wouldn't disagree about your comments regarding the French, though) ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Doesn't this in and of itself show that the US is not a world leader? Or more specificly "the leader of the free world"? A 300 pound gorilla sounds a lot more like a bully then a class president. Are there significant events in recent history beside the gulf war and 9/11 where the wold community actually followed the US lead? _Am (obviously, doesn't think powell will be succesful, but hopes he's wrong) ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Lisa's one of the few people that I rarely disagree with. I will tell my story, and it's a bit different. I was lucky enough to be at a DZ that had a full complement of rental gear in different sizes. When I showed up at this DZ I had maybe 18 jumps all on a Raven 4 - 280 sqrFt. Because this DZ had such a good collection of rental gear I was able to slowly downsize, 20 sqrtFt at a time. I eventually went from 280 down to 190, which was about a 1.1 wingloading at the time. This was the recomendation of the DZO, who's now a USPA board member. Sherry Butcher is also one of those people who I'll rarely disagree with. However, her advise was directed specifcally to me, not you. I would think though, that as long as you really do lots and lots of demo jumps, and really do move down one size at a time, and do at least a handful of jumps on each size, and get instruction throughout the process, you WILL be ready for the 1.1 wingloading by the time you get there. That said, I don't know you, I've never seen you fly, I have no idea what skills you have, and I generally trust the opinions of Lisa. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

As a Canadian, I'm humored every time I see the US claim to be world leaders. They seem to only lead when they want to. Leading implies that people follow you, which only seems to happen in a few recent military conflicts. By this standard alone, the US clearly is not a leader. The democracies of the world has been gleefully going along just fine without the US in terms of Land Mines, Global Warming, Political Reform, and abolishing the death penalty. The only reason I see the US as a world figure at all are those occaisions such as 9/11 when the us is forced onto the world stage. On all other occaisions the world sees the US as a country that would much rather hide within its walls. The classic example is that Jesse Helms who recently retired as that chairman of the Foreign Relations comitee has literally NEVER travelled abroad. There is only one true world "leader", and that's the UN. It seems however that the US seems to almost vandalise the political process (through using their veto) and the military power (by depriving funds and troops). The US has the ability to be world leaders when they want to only because they continue abrogate the ability of the UN to do that same thing. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

In APRIL? My home air conditioning is JUST NOW catching up. Wow. It's friggin gorgeous out. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I think you meant "oui" - the french word for "yes" that's pronounced "we". Somebody already got it.. Or, maybe you meant "we" as in "Weeeee!". _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I could so use that hot tub right now... My back is so stiff. That backrub train we were doing would feel pretty good now, too. In other news I got back from the doc and my eye is fine. I was getting worried, by last night I could barely see from my left eye. I can see once again but it's still iritated. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Bien Sur! _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

If SkyMama says they're nice boobies, and skymama HAS nice boobies, then Carrie must have REAL nice boobies... If A and B then C... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

There is no Skyvans around Chicago, sadly. The only other Skyvans I know are in Eloy (Skydive Arizona). _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I trust our favorite HH will be posting them in the pub? _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Two suggestions: 1) Pay for a packer, at least for a while. 2) Psycho pack. Instructions on how to psycho pack are here: http://precision.aerodynamics.com/psycho/psycho_pack.htm. I psycho pack my stiletto whenever I don't have a packer handy. Actually, the psycho packs have given me the best openings so far... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Damn. More advanced notice next time please!

AndyAnderson - Are you the Andy that flies around with Mullins? I think I met you at Frontier in upstate NY a while ago... _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Does this mean a triple kiss pass with me, sunshine, Canopy Cudler AND Val? I like your thinking! WooHoo! [grin] _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

School colors get boring about six monthes after graduation, if you ask me... Plus, how many students are gonna see it? _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Nooooooooooooo! Well, at least make sure ya'll come back now, ya'hear? _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

During the wind hold I had some dust blow up into my eyes. I wasn't able to get it all out, it still hurts like hell. I'm off to the doc to get it checked out.... Doh! _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Buahahaha! :P _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Just be happy your main didn't go into the river. That woulda been really expensive! _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

Personally I don't like rigs with white top or bottom skinns. They just get dirty too quickly, and it shows so badly. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

??/7/3 7 Jumps at the Skydive Illinois gathering. 3 firsts include Kiss Pass (Vallerina), First hitting the peas under the Stiletto, and other events that will go undescribed from the after jumping activities. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

I've just returned from the Skydive Illinois get togeather. Saturday consisted of myself, Sunshine, Vallierina, FallingMarc, and FallingIlWeenie. Highlights included Val's 200th jump - an 8 way tube that fell apart, a double kiss pass with sunshine and Val, and a 4 way that went to shit. Firsts: kiss pass (val) and landing the stiletto in no wind(Weeee! Thump!). Post-jumping activities include a chili night at the DZ, then the party moved to the hotel I springed for, specifically the hot-tub. Details will not be forthcomming, suffice it to say that I'm surprised we didn't get kicked out, or worse charged with public nudity. WooHoo! I'll also offer this opportunity to say that Val is WAY cute. Sunday we were joined by CanopyCudler, Jabeln79, Skymedic, and a brief appearance by DiverDriver, conveniently just as the Otter was experiencing minor electrical problems... My highlights include an attempted seven way, a four way with me, CanopyCudler, Jabeln79, and a stranger that went to hell, and get this - I did a tandem! My fifth tandem jump, the first in over three years. It was great, except the TI discovered that winds had picked up by about 15 knots since we took off, we actually landed off. I nailed the peas three times out of a declared 5. I'm really starting to like that canopy... Winds picked up on Sunday becoming unjumpable shortly after 1. Pictures will be posted as soon as available. Fortunately there was no freefall photography, a good thing because well, let's just say this group is still building "cohesion". I'm sure our next outting May 4/5 will be much better. _Am ICQ: 5578907 MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com AIM: andrewdmetcalfe Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999