ianmdrennan

I think this thread has run it's course. Performance Designs Factory Team

Off topic, but you definitely want the upgrade.....I just don't think I'm going to give it to you j/k Performance Designs Factory Team

Oh man, I totally blame Paul (simplyputsi) for this Now Dave's in on it too.....nuts Least I have a good excuse this time (nationals)

You do realize you're in the BONFIRE on an Internet forum, right? Performance Designs Factory Team

Ah, thanks for the info there Jeff. I guess it makes sense on both counts. Since the government can't control who's at the beach I guess the 18 restriction makes sense - BUT since the naturist club can, it makes sense to allow it. That said, I understand why placed like Hedonism don't allow kids at all - but then again their intent isn't nudity and is sexually driven. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

off topic: I'll hit you up tomorrow for some UT3. Way better than HALO 3 IMO. till then Amanda. edit: Oh and good luck on the booty call Performance Designs Factory Team

How in heavens name did I miss this? Clearly I need to hang out in the bonfire more Not sure. I don't believe there are any restrictions at all. Since the areas are well known, and marked, I think the onus is placed on the parents whether or not they're allowed there. Now, whether they're allowed to be there naked (the kids) I have no idea, but I'd assume yes. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I saw that documentary "Who Killed The Electric Car" It was interesting, although pretty biased (I prefer my documentaries to be more in the middle and let the viewer draw their own conclusions). It is interesting how the company, market force, and social ideas combined to kill what, IMO, was a pretty good alternative. Something like that was perfect for my everyday commute. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Side note: I'm impressed at how people on both sides are expressing themselves. I find this unusual, and refreshing, in the Speakers Corner

What's not to understand about a naked picture without sexual context? It's not like we're born with clothes on - the idea that nudity = dirty is created by our social structure which, at present, equates nudity with 'dirty'. To me, that shows a problem with our society, not the picture. Maybe it's the European in me, but nudity doesnt phase me in the least, nor do I consider it sexual in the least. Example: some of my favorite sexual 'stimulia' has nothing at all to do with nudity, and actually relies on being clothed (and the naughty bits) covered. So, to me, a child dressed in that provocative manner is far more of a concern than a regular nude picture. I guess herein lies the problem - one persons art is another persons pornography. It's a very grey area, I recognize that. I will heartily admit, that since I haven't seen these pictures I have no idea on how graphic they may, or may not, be. Since the court found them non-pornographic I have to assume they're not graphic or sexual at all. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I think, unfortunately, that people are unable to disconnect nudity, and sexual context. The naked human form, no matter the age, does NOT (IMO) necessarily equal pornography. If the poses are obviously provocative (once again a subjective term), then you could make a strong case they were. In a country where the act of a mother simply feeding her child has become some sort of sexual thing, I don't find the 'OMG nude people' mentality all that surprising. Just sad. My honest opinion is that those who are so offended by innocent nudity, are projecting their own sexual reactions onto the majority and trying to regulate themselves into feeling better about what lies within them. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Mike is located at Skydive The Farm. I can vouch for his customer service, and his knowledge. I highly recommend using him. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Likewise. Of course, my family who are vacationing to the US during Nationals might not be too pleased about the sudden change of venue Performance Designs Factory Team

It's a little more complicated than that Dave. Think of all the people who've bought tickets. That's a lot of wasted money. In essence you can't really change the location at this point. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Let's not jump the gun there just yet Mike. But thanks for bringing this up, I had no idea it could be a potential issue. I'm sure USP will let us know ASAP. Performance Designs Factory Team

Well spoken. To the OP, plenty of jumpers here have posted good explanations on a technical and personal front so I won't repeat them. I will say, though, that your gear choices are poor to say the least. I strongly advise you reconsider. There is no reason, whatsoever, for you to intentionally load a reserve that high. Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

FYI, Andy (popsjumper) jumps at Skydive The Farm - a dz where dogs are welcome There are other alternatives in the area, but he stays here (and I'm glad) so it can't be that bad for him. Grumpy old bastard Performance Designs Factory Team

This is something I've been thinking about quite a bit, and recently Stu Schoenfield sent me a message suggesting the same. What we have is a list of the different regions AND coaches available in that region. The purpose of this list is for upcoming jumpers to know where a local resource is, and introduce themselves as looking for a mentor or coach. Some of these people have a 'home' base DZ, some travel a lot - all are qualified. If you're a responsible coach/mentor, and you want on - just PM me Now, since I can't vouch for everything's authenticity, if you don't know me in some way, you're going to have to provide a reference of someone who can vouch for you. edit: PM me if you want to add your contact info too Arizona Jeffro DC Area Maryland/Pennsylvania/Virginia Brian Germain California Jonathan Tagle Bundy Tayler Duane Hall Colorado Stuart Schoenfeld Jimmy Trantor Florida Scott Roberts Kaz Sheekey Brian McNenney Isaiah McCauliffe Jay Moledski Ian Bobo Shannon Pilcher Mike Olivella Chuck 'Skymonkey One' Blue Al Berchtold Rob Laidlaw Georgia Ian Drennan Hawaii JC Clint Clawson Jake Killfoil Louisiana Brian Buechler Craig Saucier Minnesota Karl Eakins New York Sonic Mike Shatalov John Kieran North Carolina Greg Windmiller Rob Wardell North California Peter Galli South California JP Funari Texas Kevin Love Aggie Dave Utah Chris Warnock INTERNATIONAL SECTION The Netherlands Erwin Baatenburg de Jong Performance Designs Factory Team

PD did restructure their pricing to their dealers a couple years ago. I remember reading the article in Skydiving back in 2006. I guess that’s why you don’t see everyone offering huge discounts on their products anymore. I think its good, I don’t fly a PD because I got a big discount, I fly it because it’s a great company with a great product. Now I can actually look at the retail price and know where the value of my canopy begins when it’s new. If I can get a few bucks off great, if not, I know my PD will hold its value when I go to resell it. The Optimum is the premier reserve on the market today, why would your dealer devalue YOUR canopy by lowering the price. If you want a lower price, try a regular PD reserve, they’re lower in price, and before the optimum came out, that was considered the best thing around. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Heh - Iwas thinking that when I came in here. Whoops. Now, that said, we're still talking canopy control and swooping - you guys are talking Gear and Rigging.....if you want to be technical that is Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'm not, in alot of cases they are worthless pieces of shit, all they care about is themselves and thier brand new Toyota landcruizers. They would not have thier brand new landcruizers if they weren't being paid off by foreign corporations. If you have spent any amount of time in Africa? as i have, you will come to realise there is not much of an option for the leaders there, than to continue the corruption. if they do not they will most likely be thrown out on the street and set alight with parafin oil. Yes I have - I grew up there and lived there for 22 years. And, yes I agree with the corruption statements. Performance Designs Factory Team

+1. Also increase female literacy. Positive correlations have been observed between increase in female literacy and decrease in birth rates, and between increase in female literacy and *increase* in GDP (the latter is not just applicable to the developing world, e.g., late 19th/early 20th C Germany). VR/Marg It's not quite that simple. It's a foreign concept to grasp (for those who haven't lived there) but the cultural and tribal aspects are to blame here. There's also, or at least was, a belief amongst the populace that birth control was the 'white mans' way of controlling them (special thanks to apartheid for that mindset) Anyway, my point is that I agree with you both BUT I don't believe it will work for generations to come - there's a LOT of history to overcome. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Here you go - diagram compliments of the USPA sim Performance Designs Factory Team

That's not quite what I was driving at (close though)

About your lines: Spectra should be replaced anywhere from 400-500 jumps. Yes, I know you CAN go longer, but if you're serious about performance you shouldn't. Also see my post above about the most likely cause of your 'flare' problems. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team