TomAiello

I ought to be kicking around somewhere here. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

No, but the executioner has a chance to _not_ take the job doing the injection. This is only partly about the rights of the accused. For me it's mostly about the right of the doctor to practice medicine as he sees fit. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Actually, I think that Zell Miller is one of the few modern politicians with the stature to transcend party lines. One of the things I like about American politics is how much more focused on the individual (rather than the party) it is, when compared to politics in most other places. I'm glad that American politicians can sometimes cross party lines--I wish it happened more often. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Zell Miller is one of my favorite politicians. Have a read through his National Party No More. It's also worth noting that he's probably the most popular public figure in a six state area, centered right about where you live. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm pretty sure that you misunderstand Kennedy's (and Libertarian's in general) position. Supporting personal freedom includes sexual choice, abortion rights, and yes, even the ACLU, should you wish to join their crusade for civil privileges, and turn your back on civil rights. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

People, please stop. I'm really interested in the actual subject matter (pun intended) of this thread. Can anyone add something useful, without degenerating to name calling? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

A wise man (who was wearing only black) once told me: "There are two kinds of BASE jumpers--those who have had serious accidents, and those who will have serious accidents." No matter who you are, I've seen better jumpers than you have accidents resulting in both serious injury and death. Denigrating people for their accidents really only proves that you've not been around this sport long enough to understand that they can, and will, happen to everyone. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm not sure if that's a nugget, but it's definitely wisdom. Giving a choice between hitting the ground and hitting the object, followed by the ground, I'll take just the ground every time. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Hmmm. If you were sure, why did you do it? Making fun of someone's screen name is about as useful as making fun of some kid's braces in elementary school. Please desist. Consider this your only warning. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I've no experience with the MTR2, but I do have several BASE flights on the SF3, as well as having done a pretty thorough going over on a SF4 prototype. For what it's worth, I'd definitely get the Phoenix Fly suit. If you're primarily doing BASE with it, it's going to serve you well. I'd rate it well above the SF3 for BASE. The MTR2 might have some advantages in the "get moving early" category, because of the larger wings (i.e. lower wingloading). For long flights, I'd prefer the PF, but if you're doing really edgy stuff (i.e. 4-5 second rock drops and such), you might want to have a good look at the MTR2. At any rate, my two cents: go with PF, or failing that MTR2. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Huh? I haven't seen Phelps say anything but "I came here just wanting one medal." Not even a gold medal--just a medal. I think he comes across as reasonably sincere, and fairly humble--definitely not full of himself. I think that anyone who thought that Phelps (an IMer) was going to seriously contend in the Free was being drawn into the media hype (which I don't think was created by Phelps). I mean, come on. Thorpe has swum a full second and a half faster than anyone else, ever in the 200 free. You expected him to lose? Personally, I was hoping to see someone smoke in from lane 8, but I'd still have preferred to see Hackett or van den Hoogenband win. On that note, and back to the original discussion, I wish the press had payed a little more attention to Klete Keller's anchor of the 4x200 free relay. Now _that_ was the swim of a lifetime. Holding off the reigning world record holder, despite losing virtually all of his lead in the first 50 meters. I was definitely pulling for Keller. Not because he was an American, but because he was the underdog. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I learned this joke when I was living in Europe a while back. It's always been a favorite of mine. Seriously, though, it's less and less true, especially in the southwestern parts of the country. I think I read somewhere that nearly 50% of the population of california is functionally bilingual, with nearly 20% totally fluent in both languages (Spanish and English). -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I gave up one particular AM tower after having a "jump and retch" experience a few years ago. I literally got to the top of the tower, feeling very nauseous, jumped immediately, hit the ground, flared, and vomited. It took me several minutes to pull myself together enough to get back to the car. I think it depends a lot on the individual tower, but that one experience convinced me that they can be unpleasant enough that I'll stay off some towers entirely. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Is this the A up on the hill by your home? If so, you ought to just wait for a less windy day. They happen there... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I am officially tired of this thread. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I'm having trouble visualizing that, but... Wouldn't that give some chance (especially if done poorly) to let slack into the system after extraction? -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Nope. That's what I meant. If someone is going to go jump no matter what you do, I think it's better to help them out. I didn't think that was what John was expressing, but apparently I misinterpreted what he had said, and this was the case. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I don't know any of the circumstances surrounding this, but I just wanted to comment: In my opinion, 100 BASE jumps is inadequate experience to be teaching new jumpers. Just comparing what I knew that I knew when I had 100 jumps, and what I now (1000 jumps later) know that neither I nor anyone else actually knows (did you follow all that?), I'm frightened at how ignorant (and overconfident) I was then. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

I have just posted some photos of a PC damaged during a PCA style jump. We are guessing that the damage resulted from overtight grip (I was the PC holder). Note, however, that the freefall prior to PC extraction was very long (approximately 100 feet) which would have greatly increased the force on the PC. Also note, please don't use a PC repaired in this fashion for any jump where heading is important. The top of the PC is obviously assymetric after the repairs. Photos of the PC can be found here. Unfortunately, TM repaired it before I had a chance to take pictures of the damage. I'll have to try to damage it again so we can get some more photos. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Clicky: http://www.pressurized.at -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

clicky: www.phoenix-fly.com -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Does anyone know the Pressurized folks? I think I'll be going with Phoenix Fly, personally. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Jason, Can you comment on the technique explained in this thread, and described: It seems like this experienced instructor is saying exactly the opposite of what you are--that he believes you ought to hold the PC has tightly as possible. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Actually, I think this thread is extremely relevant to the purpose of this forum. Look what it's about: New jumpers and skydivers who want to get into BASE, and how they do it. Personally, I think this is a discussion that really ought to be held with skydivers, as _they_ are the target audience. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com

Visions of Andre the dog... A few years ago, DW took a Chihuaha for a chest strap tandem. I'll try to tell the whole story when I have time... -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com