Gato

Yeah, I thought I remembered dubya being in office that day. T.I.N.S.

I'll fix that. Sorry - I didn't think before I posted it, I was so pissed. Clicky gone. My apologies. T.I.N.S.

(URL deleted by Gato, so these fuckers won't get it all over the country for free. Sorry about that.) I did a search, and didn't find anyone talking about this. That anyone would use the image of that awful day for political purposes is appalling to me. I wonder if images of Pearl Harbor were ever used to influence a subsequent presidential election. I think it's a fucking lowlife move, and Republican Song should be a-fucking-shamed of themselves. T.I.N.S.

I know you're having a frustrating time trying to find a job, and believe me, I sympathize. Please take what I tell you as advice for improving your odds in an interview, not as a criticism of you personally. Your reply, although well meaning, could be construed as you assuring him that you will get bored, because that's what he's expecting you to do. Does that make sense? I'm not sure I'd know how to take what you said if I was interviewing someone, but I can give you a more appropriate response: INTERVIEWER: "Well, you're a bit overqualified for this job, and I'm concerned you may get bored after a while." APPLICANT: "I understand, but I believe any job can have meaning, and I apply myself to every job as if it's the most important one. Being a part of a successful team is what I'm after." This is just what I'd say, but it makes the company seem more important than your personal aims (in the eyes of the interviewer). Just my .02, but I have interviewed LOTS of people. T.I.N.S.

Check this out. I know it's small, but hey - it's a start. http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/prototype-engine/electric-motor-for-sonex-sports-aircraft-cleared-for-take+off-282815.php Maybe we'll see a C-182 retrofit sometime in the near future. T.I.N.S.

Keep this under your hat - but Art at the Skydive Store quoted me about 18 weeks for a Vector III. I don't know if that's realistic or not, but I thought you might wanna know. Still, that's better than 26 weeks for a new Javelin, yes? There's always Dolphin. No, really - just kidding! T.I.N.S.

I'm new to the sport as well, and I agree with this. Static line progression, although considered out dated by some, is a much less expensive way to go - in the beginning of the progression. At a certain point, most methods are about $70 per jump with an instructor, however, EVERY jump in the S/L method is a "solo" jump - you're never going out the door with someone holding on. Just to give you an idea of what you might spend in the S/L progression, here's what I've spent to-date: First jump course, including jump: $170 2 Regular S/L jumps @ $55 each: $110 3 Practice Ripcord pulls @ $55 each: $165 Hop & Pop: $55 2 Five second delays: $110 2 Ten second delays @ $70 each: $140 (Instructor jumps with you from this point on.) 20-second delay: $70 Retrains, repeated jumps: Approximately $250 (Due to weather, vehicle issues, etc.) With all of this, I have spent about $850 - but I have 18 jumps. Compare that with how far you'd be in the AFF program, and you'll see a huge difference in jump numbers. The phrases used by some folks, "off student status" or "cleared for solo status" are somewhat confusing, and you'll hear this in reference to some DZs progressions. Be aware that this is not the same thing as having an A license. I'm likely to get flamed for this, but as I understand it, you are a student until you're licensed, period. Again, this is how I've come to understand it, and your DZ may handle things differently. Of course, the debate over whether it's better to go AFF or Static Line will go on for as long as they both exist. It kind-of depends on what's more important to you: Getting your A license, or just jumping. I say this because, in the beginning, I had "A license tunnel vision". That is to say, I was so focused on the idea of being able to jump when and how I want, that I forgot to just have fun on the jumps I made. This is just my perspective - I'm having a friggin' blast, now, and I'm glad I chose the method I did. Your mileage may vary. Stay safe and have fun! T.I.N.S.

Ok, I got something this afternoon, as well: a Digitude PRO on a pillow!! I bought it for canopy navigation and to determine how much altitude is lost in a given turn. Can't wait to try it out! T.I.N.S.

Mirochristie, I have EXACTLY the same laptop (typing on it as we speak), and I can personally attest to the quality and cool factor of the external iSight. That is the one you want. I bought one on eBay about 3 months ago for $90 US. Apple discontinued it awhile back, and some folks are selling them for way more than they ever sold for new. Wait it out, and you'll find one for a good price. Check newly listed, ending soonest, and try using other forms of the term "iSight" - I did a search on eBay for "i-sight" and found mine - most people looking for one will only use the normal spelling/letter arrangement. Almost no one else bid on the camera, and I got a SMOKIN' deal on mine. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about it. Good luck on your search.

I was merely referring to currency as a student - I know not all DZs are USPA affiliated. He's a student, and I was assuming he's at a USPA DZ. Most are, yes? A thousand pardons, milord. T.I.N.S.

In the US, you need to make at least one jump every 30 days to stay current, though it's generally not considered current enough to stay safe. This is while you're a student. Currency requirements are different for all license levels. Go visit the USPA's website, and download a copy of the SIM. It will have all the answers pertaining to currency. Good luck, and congrats on your progression! Gato T.I.N.S.

I have quite a bit of experience on bikes, though I'm nowhere near current. I've advised a few friends on their first bikes, so I'll tell you what I told them. The best thing you can do for yourself (as others have already said) is to go get into a safety course. (Here's where I start sounding parental, by the way.): Next, buy a full face helmet. Get a new one that fits you just right. I know most cruiser guys will prefer an open face lid - but I've had THOUSANDS of dollars in dental work, and if I fall, in addition to protecting my gray matter, I want to be able to eat. This is provided that I'm able to feed myself in the first place. Of course, a good protective jacket, boots, gloves. I never wore protective pants in the olden times, but they have a lot to choose from now. Good starting bikes are in the 350-450 range, depending on your weight. The reason I say this is because a 250 doesn't have enough power (still will kill you), and it will absolutely beat the shit out of you on the highway - you WILL be too tired to jump for awhile if you drive a 250 for a long time. Whatever you do, under no circumstances should you buy a "crotch rocket" for your first ride. I have too many friends who fucked themselves up on the first-generation Honda 500 Interceptors. The problem is that they give you a false sense of confidence - they are very nimble, very quick, and you can get out of a tight spot pretty easily, but they will fuck you up faster than any other vehicle on the road. Just my opinion. Also, there are some older bikes out there whose brakes are insufficient given the size and power of the motor. Be warned. Just like the first Ford Taurus SHO cars, they are very, very dangerous. Imagine blazing around a long curve, and you come to a 90 degree turn you didn't know was there, and your brakes aren't strong enough to slow you down enough to keep you from going through a barbed wire fence. Not fuckin' cool at all. My first bike (that I owned), my father gave me when I graduated high school: a 1976 Honda 750 Four with a red tank and charcoal covers on the sides. I was already experienced on other bikes belonging to family members. They included a Honda QA50, XL125, XL175, and a Yamaha XT250. I had taken them all on the street (not the QA!) and on the dirt, so it was really no big deal to get the 750. Remember, we're talking about 1985. Thankfully, I've never had a real accident on any bike, though I did lay the 750 down at a stop sign at low speed - ran over the tiniest patch of black ice, and the thing came out from under me and spun 180 deg. in the opposite direction, where a school bus was headed for me. Scared the absolute crap out of me. But just like skydiving, it's risky, but a hell of a lot of fun! So I'm done being your dad, now. Just be careful - assume NO ONE can see you, and everyone wants to take you out, and you'll be fine. Just kidding - have fun, be safe. T.I.N.S.

You know what's funny as fuck? Last week, my lead singer calls me up and says she wants to sing that new Amy Winehouse song, "Rehab"!!! Here are a few lyrics: "They try to make me go to rehab, I say no, no, no. Yes I been black, but when I come back You wont know, know, know. I ain’t got the time And if my daddy thinks im fine He’s tried to make me go to rehab I wont go, go, go." Seems a bit poignant, yes. I mean, holy shit - can you say "self fulfilling prophesy?" She's been black? I have to assume she's talking about an accounting error. T.I.N.S.

Really glad you're ok. Knife fights are FUCKIN' scary - a cop told me once that you're more likely to die from a knife wound than a gunshot wound. I'm inclined to believe it. That said, I'm sure you can probably handle yourself, being a bouncer and all. One of my old bosses in the restaurant biz now owns a strip club, and from the stories I've heard about that place (the bouncers AND THE OWNER like to beat people up) there's no way in hell I'm ever going in there unless I have a bodyguard. T.I.N.S.

EVERY skydive counts. Take it for what it is, and as others have said, have fun! Don't worry about having to repeat a jump (I KNOW they're expensive!) - before I ever started jumping, I was sure I'd take to it right away, I'd be the perfect student who just "gets it", and I'd have perfect marks in my logbook. My actual experience has been light years away from those expectations of myself. Stay humble, admit your mistakes, learn from them, don't make any mistake twice, and above all, again, HAVE FUN!!!!! You'll get there. T.I.N.S.

Shit. I had no idea he had passed. One of my heroes is gone - he made me think, he made me laugh, and he made me not take myself too seriously. I really loved that guy. One of my favorite lines from GC: To Jay & Silent Bob: "Hey, if it'll get me halfway across the country, I'll take a shot in the mouth." I'm going to raise a glass in his honor tonight. "Him, Him, Fuck Him!!!!" T.I.N.S.

No - this thread is for the discussion of a terrible day at Elsinore. The Blue Skies forum is for condolences. T.I.N.S.

So you, along with 600,000 other graduates thought it would be a GREAT idea to get your BA in Marketing (What an original idea), and now you're just not sure????? Not slamming you - just kidding! I've known 40, 50, and 60 year old people who still don't know what they want to do with their lives. Relax!! Do the thing that will make you happy - as I've told many people, "The degree can get you in the door, but your EDUCATION will help you find what you want." Don't automatically assume you have to be a "marketer" - If I recall, both Garth Brooks and Reba McIntyre have marketing degrees. Think about that. T.I.N.S.

I think 10 or 11 states, not 100% sure about one of them: Missouri Texas Washington Oregon Iowa Nebraska Colorado Kansas Oklahoma California Nevada Idaho This is what such a list looks like if you're a touring musician in the Pacific Northwest! We love them Perkin's waitresses. Loads (*COUGH*) more fun than the ones that work at Denny's. Note: This does NOT necessarily reflect a different woman in each state. Without a doubt, the best sex I ever had was in Missouri (My wife!) T.I.N.S.

The main thing I'm seeing is that you don't appear to be confident in exactly where you're going to touch down, or where to begin final approach. You also appear to be looking straight down during final - the horizon works better, and you can see obstacles more clearly if you're not looking straight down. If it were me on that video, I'd tell me to look out at the horizon, keep your hands up at full flight until the flare (so you don't bleed off landing speed), and lean forward in the harness before the flare. IF it was me. I'm a noob, as well, so take everything with 200 grains of salt. T.I.N.S.

I need gear wisdom from ye olde gear gurus. Canopy: Silhouette 230, DOM 2000, 600 jumps (in Hawaii?), relined 10 jumps ago. How much would you shell out for such a chute, provided a rigger says it's airworthy? T.I.N.S.

I think what you are feeling is completely natural - exposure to the sport last year got you a little bit used to the idea, and the feelings of freefall and canopy flight were very fresh in your mind. Don't be too hard on yourself. EVERYBODY who's ever done this has gotten scared at one time or another. Even my instructors talk about being nervous at the beginning of the season if they haven't jumped in a while. I think too much, too. Learn how to think about relaxing and being happy, and give yourself credit for having jumped at all - there are millions of people who will never go even that far. It's gonna be ok. T.I.N.S.

I won't give you any suggestions, but I'll tell you how I handle it. When I first started, there was at least one jump where I had to get out before takeoff - I felt completely nauseous, and KNEW I was going to lose my breakfast. Turns out I was dehydrated more than anything, and I ended up having two great jumps that day afterward. Preparing to jump, for me, begins when I wake up the day I'm going to the DZ. I can experience anxiety at any point from then until I get ready to leave the plane, so I repeatedly ask myself, "What's going on right now - is there anything dangerous or scary happening in this moment?" Ninety-nine percent of the time the answer is, "No, nothing at all." By the time it's time to call the door, I'm not scared at all - I'm excited that I get to test myself - I know I'm going to pull, and I have faith in my abilities. I can trust myself to breathe into the moment and just fly, baby. Seriously, deep breathing helps me a lot, along with watching out the window, checking my handles, watching my altimeter, and I try to smile the whole time - it's supposed to be fun. T.I.N.S.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who's had this idea. The ONLY pair of Nike running shoe I ever found to fit me are these: http://www.famousfootwear.com/product.asp?product_id=1010834&variant_id=33907?CMP=KNC-Adwords&partnerid=Adwords&cpc=Adwords&campaign=FF-Nike&hbx_ou=50&cpckw=Nike%20Xccelerator&hbx_pk=Nike%20Xccelerator So when the time comes (in a year or so) those are my custom gear colors - I didn't even know I liked the combination. I will be using neon yellow instead of gold, though. By the way, Skymama - I'm buying up as many pairs as I can afford! T.I.N.S.

One of my students is a flight instructor, and we've had a few conversations about the differences between flying a prop vs. flying a jet, the immediate problems being how much faster things happen and how much more room you need to turn the thing. It reminded me of some of the posts I've seen here, with similar language being used. Is it not true that most, if not all, general aviation principles apply to us as skydivers/canopy pilots? (Not asking you specifically, Canuck, just a rhetorical question.) T.I.N.S.