parachutist

I agree. No need for modification! They're great as-is.

Motorcycles are loads of fun. You need your head on a swivel at all times, though, just like under canopy. The moment you let your guard down, some cage will get the better of you. Bikes have advantages to cars when it comes to avoiding collisions... as long as you're fully aware of everything around you. Bikes accelerate faster, stop faster, turn quicker. But maintaining awareness of your surroundings is draining on you and eventually you'll get lulled into a false sense of security and be at high risk.. whether out in the sticks or in a big city. That's my experience in a nutshell (5 bikes, 18 years riding). High risk if you don't watch all your p's and q's, but loads of fun. A higher percentage of my friends who ride have broken bones than those who jump. Chris

That was also my take on the Xaos-27 vs. VX openings. I preferred the VX's sharp on-heading openings to the Xaos-27 shifty, easy-to-spin openings. In the end I decided enough X-brace headaches for me (such as opening complications and negotiating canopy traffic). I sold my Xaos last year and picked up an Aeroyne Vision. It's been great fun to fly, but has predictable openings. I feel comfortable taking it up for freefall formation jumps (the x-braced canopies I only enjoyed for hop & pops). Chris

Eric, What app do you use to export edited DV-AVI video to DVD video format? I've been let down so far, using a couple different DVD creation programs (I can't remember what brands.. it's been a while). The end result has always been the same: fast-moving action tears across the screen. Colors are not so great either. Do you know of a fix for this, or what I might be doing that's causing this? Video camera is a PC101... the video looks great on the PC while editing.. it just gets choppy when I convert to DVD format. Chris

Because IE7 has built-in phishing filter, and has better defense against spyware than IE6 did. The simple setup has been working for me... I've been running it for the last year with no issues. If you'd like additional spyware protection, you can still get Windows Defender from MS for free... it's fairly unobtrusive: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx Chris

What I would do at this point is run a Windows repair. That'll restore original windows files and will take care of a lot of spyware corruption. (this saves a lot of time compared to screwing around trying to figure out the issue(s). Then install all Windows updates, enable the Windows firewall, and don't use anti-spyware apps (they're al pretty useless)... just use a good antivirus prog such as free avast.com. Maybe try Windows Defender... I've heard mixed reviews of it... I think it's free though. How to run windows repair: Insert Windows CD into your optical drive. Reboot. Boot from the CD. You'll be presented with an option: Repair or do a fresh install.... choose install (not Repair). Keep going and after a couple more steps, you'll see a message "A previous installation of Windows has been found.. would you like to repair it?" Choose Yes at this point .. repair. From this point on it's straightforward. The key here is to ignore the first repair option, then choose yes for the second one (silly Microsoft logic) Chris

And I know how to boil water too, so watch out! Maybe I could teach Emeril a thing or two about steamed veggies =p Gotta start somewhere

The fritters were fabulous. The ginger discussion came up because there were big hunks of it... it was overpowering when you bite into one. The recipe called for grated ginger, which would've worked well I think. So next time we'll try it grated maybe. Somebody else told her to make ME cook last night. We ended up both cooking and I remembered why I eat fast food so much when single =p Chris

There are several options when buying a new Lightning. If you want a canopy that would be accepted in one of the world record big-way camps, here are some things you should specify in your order form: - World record line trim (PD will know how to interpret this) - all ZP material - no cotton protection patch on top skin. It's an optional patch for protecting the zp fabric on top skin from burns caused by bridle as it retracts fast over the zp.... it was a good idea but it's way too big and causes too much drag - no extra reinforcing tape on the nose. It's an optional 2" (I think 2" wide) tape for reinforcing the nose... it causes a good bit of extra drag and really isn't needed... the nose is very strong with standard tape. Tail pocket is optional... it's not needed to match other canopies or for inclusion in a bigway camp. I recommend getting one though. If you decide you don't like it, you can add a D-bag at any time Just some things I thought you might want to consider before ordering Chris

That's some interesting info. I wasn't aware that an RSL couldn't be removed from a Javelin. I watched a DPRE remove one during assembly of a brand new Javelin Odyssey at owner's request a few months ago. Tonight I looked through a couple versions of the Javelin manual and couldn't locate text stating "RSL can not be removed", but I did find the text below, which could be construed as such - ASSEMBLING THE RSL There are two small rings mounted on the reserve top flap near the end of the reserve ripcord housing. After installing the reserve ripcord in the housing, the cable must be passed through the ring nearest the housing. It is then passed through the ring on the end of the Reserve Static Line, then through the ring nearest the grommet in the reserve top flap (FIG. 1). It is important to assemble the cable with the rings in this exact order, the ring nearest the grommet keeps the cable in line with the pin during activation and the ring nearest the housing prevents the ring of the RSL from being caught on the end of the housing. After the reserve container is closed and the rigger's seal is installed, the Reserve Static Line must be routed out from under the reserve pin cover at the upper left as shown in (FIG. 2). The velcro of the RSL should be mated to the velcro on the left reserve riser to bring the RSL over the shoulder. Then the snap-shackle can be connected to the small ring behind the inboard side of the left main riser (FIG. 3). There should be enough slack in the RSL so that the main riser can be pulled in any direction without putting any tension on the reserve riser. Any slack in the RSL near the reserve pin cover can be tucked under the reserve top flap. (This may vary with the size of the rig.) I've always construed this section to indicate that this is how an RSL must be assembled if one is used on the rig. In my skydiving career I've seen quite a few Javelins that have the RSL removed, and this has always appeared to be a valid option. Thanks for bringing this issue up. If you read "Sun Path Products Position On RSL Removal", you'll see this: >>the Javelin and Javelin Odyssey harness/container system incorporates the >>reserve static line as part of the complete system and permanent removal of this part is >>highly discouraged and NOT recommended. http://www.sunpath.com/downloads/bulletins/RSLpostion.pdf 'Not recommended' does not indicate to me that the RSL can't be removed. This still seems like a gray area. What caused the FAA to cite a rigger for removal of an RSL?

And who shaved his left eyebrow?

Somebody asked a similar question a couple years ago in this thread: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1401432;search_string=wings%20pack%20volume;#1401432 Apparently Wings changed the sizing at some point, so they didn't want confusing info published on their site, if I'm interpreting that correctly. Best idea is probably to call the manuf with the DOM, model#, and S/N for the rig in question.

That was a good clip. Thanks for posting!

I enjoyed watching the show with you. Those gymnasts are amazing.... it seemed like they were about to fly off into the audience if they missed a grip =o

Nope, not COBRA. BCBS Gap insurance. It's short-term and cheap, but it seems to be taking a while to get our applications reviewed. Brie Did you ever hear back from BCBS? I applied 1 week ago after reading your post (prices for their gap insurance were better than my other options) and I haven't heard a peep yet.

Alienware stuff is overpriced IMO. You can get similar performance for a better price out of a Toshiba. With Alienware you're paying a bit for the specialty chassis and the name. Aside from the inflated prices, they're good machines with quality components.

With lights off and blinds closed (standard translucent white blinds) it's fine. wht sort of life to you get from the globes? (in hours?) It's rated for 1000 hrs I think. We've put about 250 on it so far. Replacement cost is about $300 last I checked. So you don't use it as your primary source of TV viewing then? 1000hrs isn't very long? Lots of working, jumping, and rigging I guess. We watch movies and Tivo'd shows but not nearly as much TV as when we were kids.

With lights off and blinds closed (standard translucent white blinds) it's fine. wht sort of life to you get from the globes? (in hours?) It's rated for 1000 hrs I think. We've put about 250 on it so far. Replacement cost is about $300 last I checked.

With lights off and blinds closed (standard translucent white blinds) it's fine.

My roommate & I bought an InFocus ScreenPlay 5000 about a year ago: http://www.projectorcentral.com/InFocus_Home-ScreenPlay_5000.htm We chose it because it has a bright lamp, usable in our living room without need for special preparation to block out windows etc

720P LCD projector is what I'm using, with 100" screen. It rocks when you're playing Doom, cause the enemies are life size. Movies look great too. Projectors have several advantages over monitors, including portability (2 people aren't needed to lug it up a flight of stairs) and cost (no way to get a 100" monitor for anywhere near $1000 like this projector)

I'm sitting on my rear for the same reason, waiting for replies from insurance companies cause I just got a new job. good luck... I hope BCBS gets back to you soon!

Computer parts salespeople usually don't know much about the products they sell. They probably have no clue what a partition is either =p

No shit there I was... sitting next to my hot girlfriend Rky last night. So she looks over with concern in her eyes and says "Wow you're looking kindof puny tonight". I gave her an icy look and she couldn't figure out why. That's the whole cause of this poll here Chris

CReW canopies are bulkier than a typical freefall canopy, but the CReW canopies don't need to be completely inside the container when you're finished packing. If you're going out for freefall then it matters to have your rig nicely sealed to prevent accidental deployment. If you're deploying right out the door like we do for CReW though, you can have parts of canopy sticking out of corners and you can fit a 160 Lightning into your container by simply using a longer closing loop (I've seen some 6"+ long). You just need to make sure the container won't open in the plane (or outside the door) and make sure the bridle is tucked out of the way so it doesn't catch on things in the plane. In other words, you can use the same rig. Just have fun messing with the folks who ask "Are you going skydiving with that rig!?!?!"