Sinkster

everyone has an 'N' so far! any infj's out there btw?! (the intj guy is interesting b/c that seems to almost be the last type of personality at least most people in general would assume to skydive, but i think that's awesome! i get along best with those 'nerdy' types on the dz!) i wonder if billvon is intj heh

I'll second that!

Ok, this post is about the intriguing subject of the personalities of skydivers in general! If you are interested, I have included a few links to a popular type of personality assessment called the MBTI. It costs money to take the 'real' thing, but there are some online rough equivalents to use. Now, I know that due to being online, the results are going to be swayed some, but maybe they can be compared with other online sites. However, in any case, it will prove interesting to see what yourself and your friends come up as! NOTE: I do realize that a lot of this stuff is almost like astrology and that descriptions can seem like a 'cold read'. Of course, when you take a test and give preferences then obviously they can give you a 'warm read'. Nonetheless, it is still an amusing and useful *tool* that is used by a lot of psychologists today to help people decide on careers, etc. (although it may be going out of style) But regardless, it is still insightful and can be used as a springboard to think about yourself in different ways at the least!!

Check out http://southarkskydivers.tripod.com/home.html They meet once a month usually, so hopefully you will be there on the weekend of the 19th and 20th. (for october)

You're not the first to take issue with the problem of pain and evil in the world. (or how could a good God let it happen) (and believe me, I too have seen innocents suffer greivously (in a personal way)) However, biblically, there is a reason for it as follows: 1. God created the fact of freedom--man performs the acts of freedom. 2. God made evil possible; but free will creatures make evil actual. 3. The ability to do something does not necessitate doing it. God is able to control everything, yet he allows free will. There are more carefully worded arguments along those lines as well, but at least take comfort in the fact that the bible teaches that God is in the process of restoring his creation and that evil and suffering will be eliminated in due time. Make no mistake, God will not be mocked and those who harm others will be punished. And just as well God will restore those who have wrongly suffered. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:3-5)

Yep. The bible also warns about something similar: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." (Isaiah 29:13)

I agree, and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that skydivers in general are both passionate people and people who follow their own compass (as opposed to being 'sheep' if u know what I mean). My theory is that because of this you won't find anyone who is religious just because their parents were or because someone respected said it or b/c it is socially acceptable. They just don't care about those factors. This is admirable and far better than the alternative and is one reason I love to hang around skydivers even though sometimes they get a 'little' too 'wild' for my comfort. Heck, at least what I see is what I get most the time and people are at least trying to be true to themselves and their own convictions. (even if a little misguided at times ) But the 'religious sheep' are far worse b/c "God spits out the lukewarm". They are more detestible than a full blown "hells angel" b/c at least the biker 'knows what he's about'. So what I am saying is that in reality many religious people are just being sheep and trying to ride into heaven on the coat-tails of their pastor or whoever, but since skydivers in general are not the sheep type you don't get many religious people unless they truly believe it themselves. (i would hope)

I pray a lot b/c it helps me stay close to God. I also pray if I or someone else is in need b/c God listens to his children and cares for them just like any good father does. (although like any good father he disciplines too if need be) I don't like to consider it a 'practice' b/c it shouldn't be drudgery or some rote recitation that only comes from your head and not your heart. God answers prayer, especially if you pester him a lot! (see below example

Glenmorangie 18 year old single malt scotch 'crafted by the 16 men of Tain'.

Don't thank me, thank Google!

Garden Party by Ricky Nelson.

Thomas Jefferson -- intolerant of King George George Washington -- intolerant of British Troops Frederick Douglas -- intolerant of Slavery Susan B. Anthony -- intolerant of Only Men Voting Amy Charmichael -- intolerant of Child Prostitution Dietrich Bonhoeffer -- intolerant of Anti-Semitism Winston Churchill -- intolerant of Hitler Abraham Lincoln -- intolerant of Slavery Lech Walesa -- intolerant of Communism Mother Teresa -- intolerant of Abortion INTOLERANCE IS A BEAUTIFUL THING !

oh boy, here we go again! I'm staying out of this one, but I just want to say that my relationship with God is not based on fear, but love. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us." --1 John 4:18-19

That's a joke right?

You hiring anytime soon?

I take it you are in computer science right? If this is the case you are supposed to be learning to be a computer scientist, and not a VB.net programmer or C++ code monkey. The renowned computer scientist Edsger Dijkstra put it best when he said "Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes." It's all about theory and abstract concepts that can be applied to ANY language or programming paradigm--be it functional, object oriented, logical, etc. You don't need a computer to make them work. Granted, most people take computer science to get a job programming, but programming is only one aspect of understanding computation. I can almost promise you that someone who went to a vo-tech style school knows at least much about the syntax of Java (for example) as me (if not much more). However, can the average vo-tech student write their *own* language and compiler and then write an operating system with that? Could they even assemble a hardware based calculator from scratch with its own memory? Do they understand how MS Access (heh) works on the lowest level with its data structures and how to write their own should the need arise? A good "vo-tech" style coder can do a lot of stuff and be very productive, and churn out what I call "Assembly Line Code". However, few could re-invent the assembly line itself. It is that sort of thing that computer science in its purest form is about. Don't just go to learn a language. Go to learn how to know them all. Even before you see them. The syntax and semantics will just be filling in details. I write this as a senior in computer science about to graduate this december although I am most likely going to go to grad school in philosophy (not a path I would ever advise unless you can't live without going to grad school in philosophy (e.g. the job prospects are slim and it is a long, 'poor' road, but worth it for those who love it enough to accept that.))

I have another quote to add from my first hop-n-pop. As most of you know, AFF students are notorious for being scared of getting out low (at least initially) since they always start at least above 10k. This fact is definately known at my dz as well, because when I went to do a casual hop-n-pop from our cessna the JM on the load for a static line student asked if I learned static line because not many newbies did casual hop-n-pops. (although I do get a huge rush from them!) In fact, I am sad to say that I know at least one guy at the dz who has over 100 jumps and has NEVER done a hop-n-pop. Anyways, that's besides the point, but it sets the stage for my first hop-n-pop quote. (first cessna jump too) There are only two people at my dz who have heard me cuss. The pilot flying on that load and the JM who went out after me. Right before I left the step I turned my head, looked directly at the pilot, (a non-jumper) and yelled "OH SH1T!" and then dove off. Later on the ground, the JM told me the pilot was laughing his a$$ off. I think it was especially poignant for him b/c as a non-jumping pilot he can relate to how he would probably feel if he had to do the same thing. In retrospect, it was pretty funny, but it's really one of those things that you would have had to witness to really appreciate. Now, I love hop-n-pops b/c they seem more extreme so I get real excited about them.

Said as I was moving toward the open door on my first jump (AFF): "And I thought kayakers were crazy!!!"

With the Jet in there it sounded like the WFFC. Is it really that wild at the WFFC?!

honda accord. they last forever. fine quality. zero to low maintenance. definately better than domestic unfortunately bro has one almost at 300k miles now and still going ok EDIT: i have a toyota camry right now and they are good too with nice resell value, but in my opinion honda is a little better from experience with an accord before the camry. (due to camry A/C problem (expansion valve) toyota knew about and didn't recall (cost me 600) plus bad plastic on the camry which is inexcusable (shears meaning the gas door and handle broke)) but in general ppl like them too, but my gut says accord over those 2.

w00t!

This is why it is probably good that skydiving is not in the olympics and is perceived as a "black death" sport. white water rafting used to be totally unregulated and blessed before technology and 'enterprising' individuals caught up and ruined it. Now, you have to wait months and even years just to put on some rivers as a private citizen. When I turned 18 I put in a permit to run the Grand Canyon by myself and with 'some' (20 or so) friends. (we do it like this so the odds of one of us getting a permit are higher it's like a club we share permits around. otherwise individually we would be on the river like once a year or something lame.) I am 23 now and still waiting for my permit. (lottery system where the commercial boating companies BUY up all the permits so private citizens can hardly get one) OF COURSE, I could always PAY thousands of dollars to float down the river with a bunch of "river whuffos" tommorow. But I never will since going commercial on rivers is like doing a tandem skydiving. (not totally, but I refuse to pay even if I get to bring my own kayak (if they even let u due to insurance) this is pathetic!) The government should never have let it go commercial! Greedy morons!! Btw, my dad used to raft on old military issue boats with homeade oars (they took dozens since they broke so much) on the grand canyon or any river for that matter and they could put in and go whenever and wherever they wanted. *sigh* the good ol' days are long gone though... (but it is safer for what it's worth) Although I am a newbie to skydiving and may be considered a yuppie or someone who might hurt the sport by the old timers I fear the same may happen to skydiving (b/c it is a haven away from the 'masses') although I wonder how much it already has that I just don't know about. In any case regulations and "advances" that let every tom, dick, and harry with a fat wallet come running (when before it was too 'dangerous' or 'crazy' but now is fashionable or something u get the idea) will ruin the sport. I am not in favor of keeping anyone out that wants to SKYDIVE. But, let's make sure it stays SKYDIVING and not some glorified amusement park ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What ever happened to personal accountability and responsibility? CAN I GET AN AMEN?!

I graduate in early december too! I will soooo glad to be done with school although I hope to never stop learning and to be frank work seems like it will be really boring (except for dealing with the always fun office politics! (am i jaded yet?) ) unless I can get a real challenging job. But, it's great to be getting out and able to get a decent job. My only problem now--after paying tuition and books--is coming up with the money to go skydiving this weekend. Oh well, I am gonna end up with a job soon anyways right? Why not charge it? heh heh heh... Heck, skydiving is one of the essentials! Of course it will be in the budget.

LOL! A "death plunge"! I love it! Let em' keep the image up though. Chicks dig it!

i have to agree. a good helmet will break on impact or have some method of absorbing the force of a blow instead of transferring it to your head. i used to white water kayak a lot and i used a Pro-tec (full face with metal grill ) and hit rocks upside down underwater a couple times with it pretty hard! It worked wonderful because of all the foam and the rubber bends a bit! I am almost totally certain that if I had been wearing a "bonehead" style 'indestructable' helmet all the force would have simply gone right into my skull possibly rendering me unconsicous resulting in a drowning fatality. The close fitting super stiff style helmets seem to offer no shock absorption. It disturbes me when I hear people say stuff like their helmet fell off in freefall and was unharmed on the ground so it must be awesome. (except for pro-tecs since they bend and have tons of foam) I use an oxygn a3 right now and wonder the same thing about it too... Will it absorb the shock properly? Do manufacturers test their products for safety AT ALL or just for looks and comfort, etc? Does anyone have any idea? EDIT: This is the exact same principle as to why those supposedly safe old "super tanker tons of steel" cars are not really safer at all. Admittedly, sometimes all that protection would be better (impact with semi or something massive), but the fact is, modern cars are now designed to crumple in a controlled manner on impact in order to distribute the force over a longer period of time. The old adage "it's not the fall that kills you, but the sudden stop at the end" hold so true here. Just a few more milli-seconds of decelleration time instead of stopping instantly can spell the difference between life and death in a car accident.(or falling, etc.) Same principle applies to shock absorption in helmets.