skymut

Saw it late last night, and yes, the opening sequence was well worth the admission (not just because of the skydiving). I laughed and laughed. I appreciated the fact that it made fun of itself as a movie. I thought 'Scott Evil's' transformation was funny as all get out - 'are those frickin sharks with frickin lasers on their frickin heads?' I say, if you enjoyed the previous movies, don't miss this one. Now, anybody want to talk about next weeks release of Lord of the Rings? (SSSSWWWWWEEEEEEETTTTTTTTT)

How do you like OSX? I'm totally digging on OS X. Where I work, on the macs that will support it, we are loading OS X, and trying to 'persuade' the staff to ween themselves off of previous os versions. I really like (for backward compatibility with apps) the 'classic environment', but it does run a bit slower, and a little resource hungry - but it is worth it. As you mentioned, it's cross platform functionality is nice from what I've seen so far. I still have a bit to learn there. We are really trying to carve out some time to research, and test OS X authentication and security on our network, but you know how that goes with a 100 projects that need to get done before the start of the next school year (about 3 weeks away). Our split at work is about 35 to 40 percent apple, and 60 to 65 pc. With just over a 1000 desktops, that means there are quite a bit of macs. Unfortunately (I work for a public school) we have to 'recycle', so we have some really old macs out there as well, so we keep babing them along, and obviously can't upgrade the OS. But, as we replace them, we are making sure that OS X is installed on the new ones. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

If you replace all plants and shrubs with cactus, that's what I would call the perfect yard - LOW MAINTENANCE . Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

I would think that one more reason to go to the reserve might be because in an emergency situation where you are low, you don't have time to really scope/spot your landing area, so you probably want the most docile canopy above your head. In some instances, your landing area will not be as ideal as the landing area at the dz, it might be tight with lots of obstacles, possibly a plowed up field with lot's of deep trenches etc. etc. Of course, all this depends on how comfortable/how good of a canopy pilot you are. Personally, I would rather be under my larger, more docile reserve. On the other hand, you canopy jocks who fly sub-hundred sq ft mains probably don't have a much larger and docile reserve . Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

I have to agree with you on that. I have worked with OS 7.x up to the latest X release (not an expert), and in my experience, anyone who might have thought or said that the Mac OS was any more stable than Windows...barely. One of the things that I really like about OS X is FINALLY, you can dig in and kill a process. For that matter, I'm just happy to have a command console. *** And I can't think of anyone who can look at the Apple 23" flat panel and do anything less than drool :-) No doubt. I just set up a new G4 last week for an employee, with the 23" flat panel - that's not a monitor, that's a decent TV. ( Insert drooling smiling face here). Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

Congrats!!!

I think you have made a very good point. I think that this reporter has taken a further leap (pardon pun), than most people do who make the first jump. Myself included, most folks dwell on the 'rush/flirting with danger' feeling on their first jump. I could be way off on this, just because I've never taken a poll, but I'm not so sure that 'one time jumpers' ever get past this. I remember looking at the stills from my first jump (went straight to AFF), and being disappointed that I didn't take notice of all the beautiful surroundings etc. (but very glad that I got stills). The flip side of that is, when you are a student, you tend to focus on what you are supposed to accomplish, you don't have the liberty to 'soak in' the surroundings (or I suppose a tandem experience would just be that of 'sensory overload'). I think the passion that skydivers have for the sport come from a combination of different things, and the one 'thing' that is most attractive is different from jumper to jumper. Some like the rush, others love learning new skills, others love teaching new skills, some the feeling of accomplishment, some like jumping with new folks, or jumping/hanging out with old friends, some like the sense of community/comradarie in our sport...I think you get the idea, this list could go on forever. The reporter touched on something that appeals to me (and others I suspect), and that's the freedom thing. For 60 seconds (longer actually), you live completely in the moment - no worries of stock markets crashing, relationship problems, work that needs to get done etc. Most jumpers spend their 60 seconds trying to dock, build a formation, learning something new etc. I enjoy all those things as well, but the reason I still don't mind solos, even with as many jumps as I have, is because I love the dynamic scenery in skydiving. I love to jump when there are tall clouds, beautiful sunsets (especially both). I love the view on the climb to altitude, I love watching groups exit the plane, I love to watch the plane as I exit etc. I think this is the one 'most attractive thing' for me. It's really hard to explain in writing. Kinda got long-winded on this one, just trying to explain where I'm coming from. [size 3]Deep thoughts, by...[/size] Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

Good piece of press. I like the angle, most press always goes after the 'thrill-seeking, adrenaline rush' perspective. While that is part of skydiving, I really appreciate this reporters take - I feel that way a lot.

Here 's the link: http://people.aol.com/people/magazine/coverstoryexcerpt/0,11369,329787,00.html Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

That is SSSWWWWEEEEEETTTTTT! Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

Trend Micro has a good free online virus scan at: http://housecall.antivirus.com You don't even have to register. Generally though, I only recommend it if you have high speed connectivity. Dial-up can take a bit of time. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

I definitely think skydivers are a little more 'inclined' to get piercings and tats. I think it is combination of aesthetics (view from above) and expressing individuality - I believe that these are part of what draws the personalities to skydiving. I myself have a tat that looks a lot like this . I have my art work done for 2 more: an ankle wrap that looks like thorns, with designs in the thorn weaves, and (I don't know the name), but the celtic symbol for the holy trinity (the band P.O.D. used it on the cover of their first major label release). Have considered piercings, but haven't really felt the need to follow through on that one. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

I think that the bottom line is, whether you skydive or not, that you cannot make your 'signifcant other' feel second best. I know this is a generalization, and not true of every situation, but this is what I have seen: Most skydivers I have met have an attitude of, 'if it came down to skydiving or my wife, I would tell my wife 'see ya.' While I truly believe that even if your 'other' is the biggest whuffo in the world, if they deeply love you, they will want you to be happy - even if they don't understand the sport that makes you happy. I KNOW that this is the situation in my marriage. On the other hand, a lot of skydivers DEMAND that their 'other' accept the sport, instead of asking them to understand it. Skydivers also tend to be very passionate about their sport, and tend to make the 'other' feel less important, and worse, LESS LOVED than the sport. Most folks will bust their butts to get educated/trained to excel in their careers, train hard for an event, spend all their time and money at the dz to go to nationals - but then be the laziest person in the world in regards to 'working' on their marriage. You have to WORK to maintain a marriage. Another .02 cents worth, maybe just .01. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

Sorta one of those, "I spent/spend all my time and money on this website, and all I got was this lousy tee shirt" deals. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

VERY SOLID ADVICE ABOVE!!! I'm one of those people who learned it the hard way...pay for your skydiving, and every other expense for that matter, with cold hard cash. If you are itching at the credit card for something you just gotta have, or do - FORCE yourself to wait at least a week (two is better). Try to get through your student stuff as quickly as you can afford. When you get to solo status, there is less pressure, and less expense. Sit down and catagorize all your expenditures (rent, groceries, utilities, etc) and see where ALL your money goes every month. First time I did that, I was almost sick at how much money I felt I literally threw away. Then, prioritize the things that are 'optional'. I find, for budgeting sake, that when I get paid (which is only once a month), I go ahead and pull out my jump money (cash) - and TRY to pace myself through the month. I also do contract work on the side for several small companies, as their needs arise - and of course, any money made off of that is used for either more JTs or gear. Welcome to skydiving, keep us up to date on your AFF progression Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

What are the specs on this bird anyway? Time to alti, exit speed, number of jumpers etc? I've been curious about C-130's for a while. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

YEA ! Don't forget Robert Earl Keen and Radney Foster. Saw Pat Green (along with CCR and Radney Foster and others) in Dallas at Smirnoff (his first headline there) back in June, and man what a show - absolutely incredible. "Well after 12 years of the copenhagen I finally found out that I was mistaken, it's not gonna be something to add the years to my life..." Ol' Pat just got a way with words. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

Marriage is difficult, even if you don't have any 'other passions' in your life. I was skydiving before I got married (been married 3 + years), and I married a complete whuffo. Our first year of marriage was rough, especially when it came to skydiving. I had to learn to understand my wife's concerns and fears, and guess what...I had to meet her in the middle (that's part of marriage, right?). I have found that the more I work at understanding her and her needs, the more she does the same for me. I go skydiving now a LOT more now than I did that first year I was married, that I fought with her about letting me go. I don't go quite as often as I like, but I go more than I need ($$$). But, I love my wife, and it's worth it. Doesn't really answer your question, but I think there is some insight. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

For those who know/remember the TV show "Hee-Haw": Ahem, testing one-two...is this thing on?..can you hear me okay?.... Gloom, despair and agony on me....WHOA! I got no money, so NO WFFC....WHOA! If I had more cash I be there with bells on... Gloom, despair and agony on me. (That second line would have worked better with 'Quincy'). Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

Bummer, sorry about the car . Did it mess up anything too bad? Actually, as long as no person was harmed, then nothing major was harmed. At least she has insurance, hopefully that will make things a little less painful. Think about WFFC, jets, helis and balloons, OH MY! Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

Calvin and Hobbes are the bomb! I still have the very last Calvin and Hobbes comic strip laminated and hanging on the wall. Bill Watterson (their cartoonist) was awesome, I was sad to see him retire. BTW, your dancing Hobbes is very cool, love it, love it, love it. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

I agree with you, I tell my wife it is the best, worst movie ever made. One day, when the weather got poopy at the dz, we threw in Point Break and timed the first freefall sequence, at a whopping 4:35. Funny, I didn't know a King Air (as I recall), had a max ceiling that high? Never timed the final sequence ('pull now or we're gonna be meat waffles'-great team name now that I think about it-"Meat Waffles"), but am certain it is as bad. As I recall, he tells the pilot to 'take it up to 5 thousand on this heading', then they proceed to freefall for around 3 minutes. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

That'swhat I was thinking too. 'Mini me' wants to add 'sharks with frickin' lasers on their heads' to the defense budget. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

That is cool!! . Become president, get slammed and criticized by the free world, but hey, you get to see new movies before anyone else.

Thanks for the info. I will email you for getting started after I have time to soak in the site you posted. Thanks for the 911, and to Shark as well. Matt A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.