DavidB

Round 1 today only left us with 1.25" of rain. Round 2 started about a half hour ago here in northern Burlco & I expect another 2" or so. We'll see... When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

You should see when we actually have to save someone. We joke about things the average person would go to hell for laughing at. Being a former skydiving former Coastie, I can believe it! Carry on! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Haven't heard of it, but fully expect to suffer from it in the next month or so, & it's only been 14 years since my last. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

You SAR guys have a sick sense of humor. SEMPER PARATUS! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

You forgot drunk beacon rides... When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

I'm with you! Turbines are great, but there was just so much more drama in the clanking, coughing, smoking chaos that was a DC-3 Pratt & Whitney starting up that was just so much more satisfying...

Wow, you're lucky she did it sooner than later! Dr Dave's prescription: Go to the DZ this weekend, make a couple jumps, then get stupidly drunk! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

It's just fine, enjoy! My brother is lamenting finishing the bottle of Four Roses my father opened something like 35 years ago. He says it was the smoothest whiskey he's ever had! BTW, I just noticed you're local. I'm literally 3 minutes from Fort Dix. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

My GF & I spent an evening with a well known writer. He played the part of the "dirty old man" to the hilt, hanging on her all evening. Not only did he sign one of her books, but also whipped out a couple limericks for her (see attached). When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

'Twardo, the purpose of going along as wing man is to help him get laid, not to gun him down yourself! True, so true. But DAMN that's funny!!! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

You realize Murray is 8 years older than AirTwardo? And (B. Murry is) only 4 years older than me. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Given your budget you're probably looking for something at or just above entry level. Given that, any one will be as reliable as any other. To get an better quality machine, you'll spend more. You can spend anywhere from almost $1000 to $4000+ for a riding mower. It all depends on features & (to a slightly lesser degree) quality. I have a little more than an acre to mow with lots of curves & triangles. My lawn mowing is done with a 2005 John Deere X304. The all wheel steering is a disadvantage only when I'm doing my few long straight runs (any little steering input means a wiggle so if you're looking for dead-straight "lines" in the lawn, forget about it), & around inside curves. Doing around trees, along the outside wall curves, & when in a triangle area, the 4 wheel steering makes the job faster & easier. The 17 HP Kawasaki engine is quiet (quieter than the Briggs & Straton equivalent) & powerful enough. My biggest problem with it is keeping the deck clean. I have to pull it off & scrape it after every 3rd or 4th use otherwise build-up makes the cut uneven (I'll probably strip it down this winter & have it powder coated). You may not like the price though, $3500. Here's a forum from a tractor board about lawn tractors: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/lawn-garden/ I suggest you look for the posts concerning "big box" mowers (there's much to read). Strange, all I can find is a pic of my big mower... When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Might I suggest you talk to a divorce lawyer BEFORE confronting your other half, especially if there is a child involved? No matter how bad she may be, her lawyer WILL make it worse if you don't proceed with due caution! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

No, haven't gained 50 lbs, only about 20 (I'm up to 205 or so). I figured if I wasn't loading the main much over 1lb per sq/ft I'd be just fine. One reason I balk at renting gear is the BOC deployment systems. I've only jumped either rip cords or leg straps. As far as AAD's are concerned, I know they have their place. I was never able to afford one when I was jumping & for me to make only a couple jumps it doesn't make economic sense to get one now. I'll watch this post for the next month or so before coming to a final conclusion. I need the time to mend a pulled muscle in my back anyway. Thanx! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

When I stopped jumping in 1994, I put my gear in the closet & there it sat. Now I'm getting the itch to make another jump or two. I've considered renting gear, but would obviously be more comfortable with my old gear: Swift container (unknown manufacture date but I suspect is around 86-89), Swift Plus 225 reserve (no jumps, repacked 3 or 4 times), PD210 main (around 25-30 jumps). Aside from the OBVIOUS "Have the whole rig checked before you even think about jumping it" is there anything I should be aware of (besides looking for obvious signs of damage)? Any of the manufacturers still doing jump tests on long-term packed reserves interested in a rig like this? Any "archaeological" riggers (the closer to NJ the better) interested in this job? Should I just sell it & keep my old butt on the ground? When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Now there's a name I remember from the old days. Matter of fact, I remember the incident pretty well (I was there that day). Novice female jumper cut away & HAMMERED the landing off the DZ. She never jumped again (I jumped with her BF for years after). Two questions: What ever happened to Danny Doyle? Your opinions of a Swift plus 225 reserve packed 14 years ago (or where I should ask about it)? When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Step 1: GET A FIREWALL!! ZoneAlarm works well. (Been using it for years & it won't let anything through unless YOU allow it.) Step 2: As stated above, download SPYBOT SEARCH & DESTROY and ADAWARE, then run them. Step 3: Download a free anti-virus program (I use www.avast.com). You got an infected computer, girl. It won't get better by itself! Edited to add: Step 4: Download FIREFOX & use that as your primary web browser! (in the last 2 years I've been forced to use Internet Exploder twice) When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

So, who wants to meet at Crosskeys & watch this old guy make his first jump in 14 years, maybe even make a jump with (if I don't hurt myself that is)? When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Pic 1: My "daily drivers" are the orange truck or gray Caddy, both of which get me 18-25MPG. Pic 2: My "toy" (68 Dodge Dart) gets 16-17MPG if I'm easy with it. Pic 3: The GAS HOG (69 Dodge Coronet 500 wagon) gets 10-11MPG if you drive it REALLY easy (feeding 550 ponies has it's costs... & rewards! ) When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Took a while, but I finally got this: When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Watched THE MALTESE FALCON last night. John Huston's first picture. "This is heavy. What is it?" "The stuff dreams are made of." When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

I did show up Saturday with the B'cuda. A few friends also showed, driving a yellow 71 Dart, red 68 Road Runner & a blue 69 AMX. They had fun watching the jumpers, I observed, explained some things, & answered most of their questions. As for the jump operations there, well, what can one say when it's your first visit to the DZ? Both the Otter & Sky Van were running back to back loads. Things seemed to operate smoothly. Looked like there were 5 or 6 tandems per load, maybe a couple students & the rest either teams training or fun jumpers. Couldn't stay to observe after-hours ops as I had commitments. I talked to one of the instructors for a minute or two also. Damn, they're making them young these days! So now I'm starting to get the bug. Should I drop off my gear for a LONG overdue repack & get myself aired out again? Should I throw my "older than 'twardo's" body through the air again? I'm beginning to think, "Yes!" When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

I've got a back hoe. It's been my favorite toy for the last 3 years.

And let's not forget a small skydiving footnote that happened this day 20 years ago in Quincy, Illinois (08/08/88). When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play (sorry )... I was on the ground, standing by the big top with my mouth open, watching. What an amazing sight it was. The whooping & hollering when everyone was open could be heard clearly on the ground! As the participants landed, emotions flowed freely, as did tears of joy, not only from the participants but the spectators as well. Many landed, ran up to the nearest person, hugged giggled & cried on their shoulders! I was lucky enough to receive one of these hugs! Sure wish I knew who it was that hugged me! Even now, 20 years later, I get a lump in my throat, feeling the emotion of the moment. So, who was in Quincy that day? Please, tell your story! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.