dterrick

Broken fingers don't count??? I cut my forehead open on the mega-mockup ... before I had ever jumped!!! Coles' notes version: WE have a Cessna fuselage atop an 8 ft high platform with a 'slide' off the strut (quite realistic except for the wind and the noise). Entering the mockup is done from what would otherwise be the rear bulkhead - sharp and jagged on a wrecked plane so DZO covered the sharp bits with that 'plastic cardboard' stuff. Over time it too became jagged and, as I RAN up the stairs, I wacked my head into the plastic (not the plane) leaving a temple-to-temple welt/paper cut-like gash in my forehead . They sent me to see "Andrea" (whoever she was, I thought at the time ... wife of DZO I now well know) and a quick cleaning and I was ready for the real thing. My parents asked me, later that weekend, what I had done to my forehead and I replied "skydiving accident" (they had no idea I'd been) *** Bruised my ribs on a hard opening that destroyed my slider once... didn;t skip a weekend but man did those jumps hurt. Bruised my elbow stalling a rear riser flare once...went on to do night jumps tht same evening Bruised my brain drinkin' too much at DZ several times.... Altitude is far better than black coffee or another shot Any of those count? -Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

foodTV rocks. Who needs culinary school now? Never seen that ad but it sure seems target maketed. Dave I'd pay big money to see Emeril battle the Swedish Chef !! Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

Eee-yuppp... You being the 'fool' and all, started the downsizing charge at Gimli last fall. So far so good but methinks we'll likely not follow on the pierced muscles just yet... Will you be clear to party at your year end party James? Dave PS: I still obey the no shooter rule, speaking of drunk Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

B 5079 = 21. (D's gotta wait to #500) Yup, works for me. A 10062 = 9? Naaah... too young, but I bet I'd be more successful at some of my experiments involving a kite, my parents' porch roof and a snowbank Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

Same problems, and I found this thread. First I turned off the Google 'popup blocker' and that gave me about 1/2 the images. Then I turned Norton Personal Firewall off and got them all. I turned the popup blocker back on and allowed 'full' access thru the firewall and voila - problem solved. Furstrated me for a long while Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

The selectively perpetual Beer fridge We have one on DZ. There is always cold beer in the same place and it is always fresh and tasty. No matter how late we drink, there is always more beer. Food is another issue. That which remains in the fridge appears always to be inedible or otherwise spoiled - except the ketchup. "New" food placed in the fridge can evaporate in a mater of hours.

0:3:0 Weather looks pretty dismal and I've got ONE day's spare time available. Formula 1 is on Sunday afternoon so I guess Sat will be it. Clouds at 7k lay some ice onto the Cessna's strut , that's all we'll get this morning. Bundled in 'winter' gear not only do I feel physically constrained but this looming cold (that I now have) leaves me feeling short of breath. The 2 way goes OK despite my slipping on the strut as I set up the crotch exit. The spot is long and offline. I'm in the alternate and need to front riser to combat flying backwards! Wait for the clouds and wind to ease and I'm into a freefly friendly rig with a Sabre 170 to demo. (it's certainly not a Sabre 2 ). Practise belly-to-sit transition and dump high. The PUD could use a thicker pillow . Literally came straight down under a 170. Dr. Mike ( He's looking to complete his B and needs the manouver series in under 16) is backing up under HIS 220. Still not student weather so I go up again. Sit exit straightened into a stable stand (yaaaayyy

Well said. Sadly, methinks Bernie's 'end' is their 'means'. $,s, $,s, $'s. Only now available from large large entities as constructors, and with drivers carrying major personal sponsorships. Ditch the carbon brakes and braking zones will by necessity be hugely increased. Straight line speeds will be down since the effective straights will be shorter. High speed aerodynamics will therefore be less important and top speeds will be less divergent between the front runners and the also rans. That would never do, though. We've had CHAMP car racing for eeons and when they take to non-ovals I feel it is a far better show. Of course, the present auto-manufacturer-as-constructor model would never allow this in F1. Maybe if we gave them all a Lola chassis and said 'here, now stuff your lump in the back and go race' we'd have closer competition - but it would only be driver/engine at that point. The sad fact is that F1 is just a big business now. While I'm sure there's trickle-down in terms of technology it just isn't the same. I was watching a reply of the German GP 1973 from the Nurburgring (...the REAL one) andto watch the boyz squiggle and snake around on the edge of control, flying over crests - THAT was real racing. (...sorta like freeflying with no electronic aides) *** This nice thing about skydiving is that we are bound by a LAW, not a formula. Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

Ice on the wing strut of out Cessna at 8,000 ft this weekend...at 9k we were at 20 fht. Welcome to "fall" in Canada. We also do winter jumps. Those are just insane but trust me, one or 2 hop n pops in that temperature fixes you for a while Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

As much as the Red dudes bribed the officials to pull JPM in for the, ah ummm, racing incident' Not that THAT particular penalty wound up costing him the race but WOW would it have been a great race if there had been at least consistent weather. That woul;d likely have been 1-2-3 and Kimi would have taken it. MS seemed to be nowhere until his tires helped him out during the wet stint when Michelin had to go to wets... *** I'm still wondering if MS will get tangled with somebody at Suzuka if Kimi is on the way to a win... Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

so the student becomes the teacher, eh...?

We're not alcoholics, we're drunks. Alcoholics go to meetings (sorry, I couldn't resist). I'm guessing it goes back to (and remains) the social aspect of sharing a case o beer and talking about one's milestone experiences with more senior people. I'm sure other substances have been used (particularily in the 60's and early 70's) but how can one publically proclaim the (insert drug of choice here) rule? you'll notice that non-drinkers are allowed and encouraged to substitute flats of non-alky bevvies thus underlying the communicative aspect of the ritual. Personally, I find the stories more entertaining after inebriateion has set in (Einstein's Relativity concept applies, though ... be less drunk than the others for maximum effect ...and drive not!)

Ye Gods.... a softeare upgrade on a 'motor vehicle'? Will Mr. Gates influence never cease??? Gives new meaning to the phrase ' have a nice trip'

There's Lots and Lots of ways I can spend money when I'm not jumping. In fact, a more accurate description might be 'there's lots of things I DON'T spend money on when I jump'. Further, you've not considered the nasty consequences of Seasonal Affective Disorder in climates like mine where jumping from November to mid-April means 1) snow and 2) either 2 hours of daylight, mostly obscured by cloud or 8 hours of sun and minus farkin 43!! It makes us do silly things like winter jump and para-ski I'm not scared to hop n pop ... I actually quite like it ... gives me lots of practise at high performance landing an 11 year old Raven at 1:1 ...God help me when I have money for a REAL canopy -Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

well THAT just wasted about 1/2 hour of my oh-so-valuable time Thanks Rebecca, I don;t remember it the first time 'round but it did solve some mysteries for me. Trade ya... http://www.straightdope.com/ Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

Damn there's some inspiration to get into photography semi-seriously. I'm impressedwith the lighting and the depth of field issues you played around with. How long did it take you to kill that roll? Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

I study hard, as the clouds prepare for battle might jump by sunday

Hey Kris! I started jumping alone.... Now all the skydivers are my friends. They'll be yours soon, too and you'll find yourself pulled toward the DZ more and more often. Whuffo friends will grow weary of your skydiving escapades but when you see them you will still tell the stories. Those who stick by you will evenetually accept the 'new' you and might even show up some weekend to watch. A couple of my whuffo friends are now threatening to take an FJC ... it can happen y'know. Nike! (just do it)

7 foot tsunami??? Bah! I got sent ashore by the coast guard once in waves almost that big ... I was 15 (and immortal, btw) and in my wee 12 foot fishing boat on lake Winnipeg. The lake is shallow and 40 miles wide (actually classified as an inland ocean) and can whip up a storm in about 12 minutes flat. It did. These are the same winds that can play hell with jumpers (the other side of the lake from our cottage). All kidding aaside, best wishes to all affeced and here's hoping California doesn't fall off the edge of the world ... (I'd miss visiting y'all ) Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

EXTREMELY low jumprun??? -Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

Anytime I do something whacko! Tube dives (wagon wheel, ferris wheel, call it whatever) - spinning liker a gyroscope hanging on for dear life knowing Neither of you have the slightest idea of altitude ... except that it's "enough" Properly trashing my main ... I mean end cells touching-pilot chute inflated in front of me - falling down an elevator shaft kinda scared trashing (WARNING!! do not try this at home - I fly a big boxy 7 cell reserve design that, despite this abuse, re-opens but only with 4 or 5 cells at first ) Low pull. Welllll, not THAT low. Cyprii would not have been scared. Following a kick ass hybrid 2 way ...stretching to reach that last point... low breakoff ... normal track.... Enter the pattern right after you pop your brakes... carve a 180 (same big 7 cell) and land 5m from the cookie! *** Yes, it is a high. No, I don't care to die. That would ruin the high. Remember kid's swing sets? Used to get stoked getting weightless

That's an insane opening time.... Where was it 'stuck'? In the bag? Slider up? P/c in tow? SOMETHING ate a grand out of your life and that's not good. Suggestions: 1. If kill line p/c, was it properly cocked? If bungee, is it worn out? You'll know if this was the problem as the snatch force would have been minimal (did you get 'stood up' in the harness?) 2. Lines out, canopy in the bag. Again consider a collapsed (or otherwie weak) p/c. How are your line stows? Small elastics or double wrapped bigger ones? 3. Stuck on 'snivel'. Burrs on the slider grommets? Doing something funky with the packjob? Next time, give a yank on the rear risers atthis stage and you should get some immediate action. Consult your rigger now. If you don;t ask about your main, you'll soon be talking to him/her about a reserve repack. It's a good thing to know how much time a normal and a 'slow' opening take under different conditions. I, for example, don't generally pull till 2200 but my Raven opens in 'about' 400 ft. I can make it open faster butthat just hurts. My point is that I have about exactly 3 seconds to get jolted upright or I'm seriously planning option 'B' NOW!! If the Raven was not a 7 cell reserve TSO's design that I knew very well I'd be pulling higher to compensate. Sounds like you should for a while too. -Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

hmmmmm. doubt Sebazz is going to aprove of that one... -Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)

woohoo! That's like almost a hundred jumps saved!! Just cause you have an obsessive-compulsive disorder about paperwork! (just kidding, I wish I could be so organized as to find stuff like that in 2 minutes!) Now this might seem silly coming from a batchelor guy (...like we ever clean??) I ran into a product called "Kleano" - it's marketed as a PVC/vinyl patio furniiture cleaner and it makes vinyl and PVC stuff that has been stained/discolored white like new. Who invented WHITE patio furniture anyway????? . I've also used it on my vinyl kitchen floor to remove tomato stains from between the dishwasher and stove that had set in for, um, a while (...nuff said?) and other nifty plastic related tasks. No ideas what's in it but it works. Wander down to your Lowes / Home Depot, etc and look for a similar product. Bet it works. Failing that, you could always leave the rug -Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney)