TomAiello

Ok, yahoo seems to agree with me. But I guess it was just pre-revolution, rather than just post. See here: -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

People frequently cite authorities to support their point in arguments. For some, the Bible is the ultimate authority. It makes good sense to quote from what you believe to be the ultimate authority. Would you feel the same if someone quoted the Supreme Court? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Sides of the aisle in the governing body after the french revolution? I seem to recall something about that... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

If you want, I can take a picture of a man pushing a stroller the next time I'm in Montana, and we can send it to them. I live just a few hours from Montana. Men pushing strollers is not surprising, here or there. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

So invading continental Europe to try to shut down the death camps was a bad idea? Or a good one? Can you elaborate on your philosophy a little? I'm particularly interested in how you would respond in a situation where some person or group of people would have to be killed to prevent their killing of some other person or group of people. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I support Marijuana legalization because I don't think prohibition worked (or was a good idea) the first time, either. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

GEICO provides the liability policy. As long as what I'm doing is not for profit, I'm covered, even if I intentionally damage something. I specifically asked if it would cover me breaking a window to parachute off a building, and they (after referring it up, and having to call me back a week later) said that it would be covered. I think the coverage is actually provided by Traveller's, but I bought it through GEICO, as a bundle with my car insurance. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Not in BASE, as far as I know. There are lots of interesting ideas in Knack's Parachute Systems Design Manual, but I haven't had a chance to play with any of them yet. I'm particularly intrigued by the idea of an annular (donut shaped) PC, and the idea of a PC built to spin, and mounted on a swivel. One day, perhaps, I'll have some time to play with it... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

As KMonster said, I have wide feet, and the Crispi's fit me well. I'd think the Hanwags might be a better bet for narrow feet, but I have neither Hanwags nor narrow feet, so that's pure speculation on my part. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've seen a camera ripped off the side of a helmet by riser strike. The camera cratered about a days hike up the side of a mountain. As far as I know, no one was willing to hike up there and search for it. Two thoughts: 1) You can reduce the risk of riser strike by loosening your chest strap a litle. This allows more space between your risers as they deploy. 2) Deployment stability is even more important (if such a thing is possible) with a camera, and even more more important with a side mount. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

My health insurance does cover it. Plus, I've got another insurance policy that will cover damage I may cause to other people or their property on illegal (or legal jumps). It's not terribly expensive. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

DZ.com is a continuously evolving, almost organic, system. There are numerous minor tweaks being made all the time, and all of the moderators "evolve" in their moderations styles as well. Discussions in the moderators forum, threads like this one, suggestions made via PM, comments over beer, etc--they all have some impact on everything that happens here. It's not that there is or isn't a problem. Things just keep changing, and getting a little bit better (we hope) at a time. The system grows, and experiences growing pains, then adjusts and tries to rebalance. This isn't a science. Heck, it probably isn't even an art. It's more of an ongoing growth process, or a community building experiment. Sure there are problems--and good things. And they are talked over, addressed, worked on, and changed almost constantly. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

In his defense, Ron did suggest that we create some kind of ban (or other moderator action) log, which would be useful to all of us (greenies) in keeping track of people's action across the whole set of forums (even those we don't visit). That suggestion has been passed up the line for discussion (or down the line to the dungeon, if you prefer). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've made jumps on PC's as large as 60". At one time, larger PC's were pretty standard. I think the main problems are what sullyflyer explained. Bigger PC's take longer to open, because there is more fabric there. They are also more prone to hesitation. There is some point of diminishing returns where the extra extraction force can't make that up, and you end up with a slower overall opening. There is much healthy debate on where this point occurs, but I've heard knowledgable jumpers putting it anywhere between 38 and 60 inches. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

If you want to track, one that isn't built for the aerodynamics is going to hurt your track significantly. Since that's the case, I'd recommend contacting Kevin and getting him to build one for you. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I believe the line is "no, we've got all the gear we need. Don't worry about us." -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I know I am. It's very humorous. In truth, it's quite educational, too. But back to the things that made me laugh: That's got to be the funniest part of the cupcake theorem. At least for me... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Yes. It does work. They provide great support even without it, actually. The inserts are kind of awkward to carry, not that I ever have. If I want the inserts in, I put them in before leaving home. They've never been a problem for hiking, climbing, etc. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Ok, folks, enough with the threats of physical violence. That kind of thing is rarely useful, and it's never useful in an internet discussion. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

For the real legal angles, have a look at Quade's explanation in this thread which is also a spinoff of a BASE accident video (in that case a fatality). As far as the ethics of the situation? If you don't want it floating around, I think he ought to erase it on your request. I know I've done this with several videos I shot of various accidents. I had one particularly gnarly bit of footage (from a two way gone wrong, where I was the guy who was ok, and first to provide aid, all still wearing my camera) that I taped over in the ambulance. As far as video of me? If it's been shot, I'd like to see it, to try to analyze it. As far as showing it to others? Sure. Hopefully there will be some educational value, and if not that, at least entertainment value. We all make mistakes. Anyone who thinks they could do better every time either doesn't remember their entire BASE career or is fooling themself. While we're on the topic, I'll repeat my wishes for any footage that might be shot of me going in: Please don't tell my family that it exists, or show it to them, but otherwise feel free to use and show it however. Oh, and don't give Yuri a copy, because I think that would be a good joke. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Do you need to track, or is this a slider down kind of thing? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I believe that's the current version of mine (which are a few years old and can't be found on their web site now). I love them. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Might be a good bridge-mending opportunity, at any rate. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm with you on pretty much everything you said. The exception might be the long hike thing, which is obviously going to depend on the shape of your (and each persons) calves. Ankle support is great--and I often land on broken ground, plus I have 13 screws and about a foot of stainless steel plate in my right ankle. On another note, has anyone tried these boots from Oakley? Apparently some military guys are quite pleased with them. My only concern is waterproofness (well, that and I doubt they'd have the ankle support of the Crispis, but I don't think anything else would). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I generally agree. But I think USC may have engaged in running the score up a bit (something I usually think shows a lack of class) because of the (in my view) travesty last year. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com