gemini

33 Beer is available here in Houston. Isn't quite the same though. Doesn't smell like fomaldehyde when you first open it. I like to leave a bottle at the VN wall when it passes through.

Way to go everyone! Congrats to all including Tom, Fred, Peanut, Mike, Forteson, Raider, Laura, elChester, Mach, Antonio, Betty, Kate, Dan and Tony, Larry, Rob and BJ. You all rock! blues,

got a six pack under the kitchen sink! Blue skies, Jim

No, I think I had the honor of flying Flying Tiger Airlines with several hundred other sweaty GI's. Blue skies, Jim

Sorry, forgot how big Australia was! Was there in 1968 for R&R. The stretch from Darwin to Sidney seemed to take forever. Blue skies, Jim

Interesting incident in Dallas in January. We were there to do 30-ways. On Sunday morning, the pilots said they would not fly. After the event was called, we found out there was wind shear at 800 ft. Good call by the pilots! Blue skies, Jim

As he was singing, my wife said "Well, at least he won't have a wardrobe malfunction!" I looked at her, then the tv, and back to her and said "Damn, I sure hope not!" ...and the image I had wasn't his dentures falling out! Blue skies, Jim

Say what? 12 hours? Then he says hi and immediately turns around for a 12 hour return? That seems to eat up the day... Blue skies, Jim

We were jumping today at Spaceland until the dzo called a "weather" wind hold. Winds had been increasing and suddenly started gusting with about a 10-15 mph swing. Good call although he had to issue a butt-load of rain checks for tandems. Blue skies, Jim

Pack your rig separately with nothing else in the bag except maybe clothes or jumpsuit. If you have weights, wear them and put them through the x-ray in their own bin. Helmet with altimeter and protrack/dytter should be in your carry-on. Everything else in another bag. Make sure to bring license/jump organization docs, logbook, Cypres card. If they ask about the Cypres, it is an "automatic reserve deployment computer" and does not contain a CO2 cartridge. You should sail right on through. Sometimes they swab the container to make sure there is no explosive residue. Blue skies, Jim

Wendy, I still can't beieve we have not found it. In the past we have found almost everything someone has lost. We'll keep looking! Blue skies, Jim

Thanks Brian. Glad to see I was following similar guidelines with guidance from Steve Boyd, Chris Miller and Derrick V. Although my first canopy was the minimum for my jumps and weight, I put 600 jumps on it before making the first downsize. This is a step in the right direction. Arguments against mandated downsizing are very similar to the arguments when licensed jumper requirement was implemented at dzs. Blue skies, Jim

Since most professionals in the sport are independent contractors, an individual filer should complete the schedule C and list as deductions all legitimate expenses incurred to earn the reported form 1099 income. The IRS uses a matching program to match all payor reported 1099 earnings to tax returns. If it is not specifically listed, it could cause a tax bill to be generated for the "unreported" income. In additions, since the contractor is self-employed social security taxes will have to be calculated and included on form SE. For most professionals the social security tax is the largest portion of the tax liability. Even if a taxpayer is not required to file, I recommend that a return be filed for every year showing no taxes due. This starts the statute of limitations and prevents the IRS from coming back later, except when fraud is alleged, and assessing taxes for non-filed years. If you don't file a return the IRS can send a bill for almost any amount and you have to prove to them that they are incorrect. Pretty hard to do 2 or 3 years later when you don't have any records to support your position. And if they get any idea that you may have received cash payments or tips that you didn't report you are hosed. Blue skies, Jim

So who's going to be on the big guy 4-way scrambles team this year? Last year's team was ballistic! But they seemed to have the best time. That's what I really like about this event. Everyone regardless of skill can participate and learn from world class RW jumpers. Heard a rumor that Anomaly may pick up a belly 4th and compete. Love to see those vids. So much to learn, so little time... Blue skies, Jim

What size main are you jumping now and how many jumps do you have on it? Blue skies, Jim

Attached is my resume'. I'm at approximately 3 o'clock (red helmet) lined up behind BJ Worth. Blue skies, Jim

I wouldn't throw the summons away or not show up. Since it is to late to call to reschedule, I would go and tell the judge you want to reschedule. He doesn't have to let you off, but usually he will. In some counties, a warrant can be issued for a non-appearance especially if they have a heavy case load and run short of jurors. In Houston one year, they didn't have enough show up and the deputies went down on the street and grabbed whoever they could find. That would really suck! Blue skies, Jim

1. Pad one of my mom's rattan chairs with pillows and couch cushions, stuff one of my younger brothers in the chair, belt him in so can't move, and chunk him off the roof. He was fine, but chair was destroyed. 2. Bigger is better right? Who wanted black cats when you could make a real big firecracker. Paper towel tube full of black powder wasn't good enough although it was very loud. How about a 3 inch foot long metal pipe with threads on both ends, end caps. All I had to do was drill a hole in one cap, fill the pipe with black powder, and insert dynamite fuse. Went to a field behind a shopping center and lite that sucker! Cops were looking for us for the rest of the day. 3. Talking a friend into pissing on an electric fence! I don't think he has spoken to me since the early 1960's. 4. Sliding down the street holding on to a pickup truck tailgate. Quick way to wear out shoes. Was a lot of fun till you fell. 5. Assuming that because I was a fairly small guy at 90-100 lbs, I could get away with picking on bigger guys! That was really dumb. 6. Trying all the open bottles in a friends dad's bar! 7. Losing my car in Austin after a party at UT. Found it the next day after I woke up in a strange apartment, full of strange people, in a strange part of town. Car was parked on a one-way street the wrong way, keys in the ignition, all the windows down. It was a 1968 396 Chevelle SS that was 2 years old! Blue skies, Jim

Had another toggle tied in a knot at Spaceland today! Thanks to all of you and the discussion that included things I should have done, I was able to stabilize the canopy using one hand, wrapped the brake line around my free hand to release the tension, and cleared the knot all above my cutaway altitude. I had tested the uneven flare technique again and knew I could land it, but there was no wind on the ground and I didn't want to fast land a plf if it could be avoided. Got to find a better way to stow those suckers. Thanks everyone! Blue skies, Jim

What is your name and your nickname? Jim Alkek, Jimy, Gemini When is your birthday? Jan 10th What is your eye color and hair color? Blue/What's left is brown! Do you drink? Socially Smoke? No What city do you live in? Houston What is your occupation, and do you enjoy your job? Consultant. Not really, but it pays the bills. How often do you travel? All the time. Weekly. How many languages do you speak? Barely 1. Smattering of Spanish, Vietnamese and Russian. What kind of music do you enjoy? Traditional rock & roll. What is your favorite food? Mexican Do you have a favorite color? Red Do you have any unusual habits or quirks? Old guy so I've got to many to list. What is a talent that you have that most people don't expect from you? Most people outside skydiving, skydiver of course. Inside skydiving, that I'm a CPA. Name something that you are proud of in your life. Number one son, Trent! Blue skies, Jim

If it has a colored pattern which side is it on? Do you think the pattern should show or not when it hangs? Blue skies, Jim

I'm coming, but the Otter is staying home! Blue skies, Jim

Sorry about your friend. Remember the good times! Blues Blue skies, Jim

Years ago a Dr who was a scuba diver told me when I complained of sinus squeeze that he took a Sudafed and Afrin everytime he dove regardless. I was in Palau in the Eastern Pacific and it worked great for me. Now that I'm skydiving, I take at least the Sudafed at the slightest hint of congestion (like severe popping in my ears all the way to altitude). Only use the Afrin if I have a cold since it seems to be addictive after 2-4 days of use. Blue skies, Jim

The best fast food place period! Wish we had them in TX. Blue skies, Jim