evilivan

From the FT website: "Police reported at least two deaths and large numbers of casualties. The first of the explosions was reported at 8.49am at Aldgate tube station. Five other incidents were reported at Edgware Road station, King’s Cross, Old Street, Moorgate and Russell Square. The Metropolitan Police also confirmed there had been explosions on three buses, one of which happened in Tavistock Square minutes after the blasts on the Underground. " http://news.ft.com/cms/s/811a3330-eec3-11d9-8b10-00000e2511c8.html "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Thanks caz, good of you to offer.... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

....and the mobile networks are totally clogged, so don't be surprised if you can't get hold of people. Vodaphone say they are giving network priority to emergency services. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Current situation: 7 explosions, 2 confirmed on buses, 3 reported on buses. Casualties: only very vague info Good website for Sky News screen grab updates: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/asylumdesigns/temp/ Dunno how or if I'm going to get home.... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

So I got my slot Sounds like it will be a veritable history fest. Any advice on where to fly to? The website lists these as the closest major towns: Charleston, WV 1 hr Charlotte 4 hrs Cincinnati 4 hrs Columbus 4 hrs Morgantown 2.5 hrs Pittsburgh 4 hrs Raleigh 5 hrs Richmond 5 hrs Washington DC 5 hrs Where do you normally fly to? Also planning be in the States for a few days round the 15th; recommend any DZ's nearby (within a few hours drive)? Thanks for any help... Ivan "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Damn...... I am going to HAVE to sign up for this. Time to work on the angle to the boss. Something not to miss.

Reading through this thread, I was thinking "how can I connect you to the jump we did this weekend...?" 621 and 813 have done it already, but I'll add my piece. That moment on top of the object in the pre-dawn light, the air very still and a ground mist hiding all but the tops of the trees, would not have been possible but for you and the rest of the poineers. I hope it can be of some comfort that your legacy is giving hundreds (possible thousands?) pleasure each and every jump. Ivan "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Most definitely not vintage, but the alcohol induced this posting....... This is the jump that broke bits of me (as they say, its between those who have and those who will...) ************************ The Jump: It was very dark. Approaching the object I was thinking how dark it was and trying to judge how it would look under canopy; I consciously made the decision that there was enough light to see for landing. Winds were OK at ground level, but my jump buddy (an experienced jumper, and experienced with this object) warned that the winds would be pretty tasty at opening height due to the nature of the conditions in relation to object. I decided that, considering the wind conditions at ground level, I would be happy to jump providing the wind was between the wires. As we climbed the winds really did pick up, but the WDI pause at opening height was favourable and we continued. After some pin-popping/shoe-lace fixing shanannigens at the launch point (not my rig), my mate exited and shortly after opening I lost sight of him – last view was him making some VERY good distance away from the object. I waited till I heard him land, thinking “hmmm…. a down-winder would be an unpopular choice tonight…” I climbed the rail, and after the normal “why am I doing this again? Oh yeah cos its fun” moment, I had a good exit, took about a 1”, and pitched. Nice on heading opening, freed the breaks, and started bringing it round for landing. At this point I realised exactly how dark it was; I could not see the ground, or any other hints of where it might be (horizon/trees etc). I prepared for a PLF and then thought I could see where the ground was, so started a very slow flare; I was about ¾ breaks when I passed the point where the ground should have been (I had strong words with the planet later) and realised that from here sinking it in was the only option. The point of impact I’m not entirely sure about; it wasn’t that hard – I’ve hit the ground much harder many time in my 6 years skydiving (without injury!) – and I was still prepared for a PLF, but I *think* my left foot hit a tussock, although it is entirely possible that I just got caught up in “where the fu(k is the ground???” mode and wasn’t ready for the hit. Either way, my left foot twisted round with a nasty noise and I knew that all was not good with the world, and even less good with my foot. The conversation from there: Buddy (from distance): “You OK mate?” Me: “No……….. I don’t think so……. I think I’ve broken my ankle.” Buddy: “Yeah, right mate, stop pissing around.” Me: “Um. I’m not. I really think I have done something here.” Buddy: “Tit.” Perhaps not verbatim, but the general gist is there. The extraction: Looking down at my foot, I could see - based on previous experience - that it wasn’t pointing the right way. I rolled myself to straighten it out as my mate came over, and we proceeded to remove my rig. My car was approx 500m away, so my mate took the rigs and went off to the car and try and get it a little closer. While he was away I used my knee pads to make a very primitive splint. On his return, he was happy to inform me that he HAD managed to get the car closer; I was very pleasantly surprised by this news as the area is surrounded by fencing and I didn’t have much hope of that. So I started hopping. This is something I don’t recommend to anyone…. It’s really grim with a broken leg. I was leaning heavily on my mate and hyper ventilating (anyone hyper ventilated?? Very weird…. You know its going on but have no control over it). There was much: “how breathbreathbreath much breathbreathbreath further breathbreathbreath?” followed by: “just over there mate – see that fence? Nearly there” and I eventually realised that “brought the car closer” roughly equated to “brought the car 50m closer”.... ….and at this point I raise a glass to 621 for his very economical use of the truth, never failing humour, and (short) but strong shoulder….. Reaching the car was one of the happiest moments of my life. I almost managed to smoke myself to death during the 45 min drive to the hospital. Which would have been ironic. Injury: Dislocated ankle; broken tib; broken fib. Strongly recommend avoiding dislocation resets on broken bones. It is a most unpleasant experience. Surgery the next day; pins for the tib x3, plate for the fib. ************************** As I said, not vintage. But the lesson learned - never jump if you are not happy with the conditions - may be an early warning for another newbie reading this. It hurts. A lot. If you are lucky. Sleep beckons. G'night. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Dude! So THAT'S what you were calling about....... Nice one bro. Now give me your sisters phone number. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

I want one, but I have to make a moral stand against those 32 words or less goddam "tie breakers"; I would be the proud owner of 3 cottages in Brittany, 2 Lamborghini's and a personal walk-o-meter if some spotty little intern at Arse Wipe Promotions had bothered to read my entry more carefully.... So although I would love one, I really can't get involved. (Count 'em ) "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Amen to that "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

...and if you involve the locals and jump with them, and it still gets burned, they will share the responsibility with you and you won't reviled as a site-burning arsewipe for the rest of your BASEing days. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Is he a Brit? Does he want to come and burn some more of our sites....? I'm sure there's a few left to do..... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Damn "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

If your profile info is correct - 50 jumps - you may want to think a little about going to one of the big events; WFFC (and I imagine SDC) will be very busy with a lot of canopy traffic etc. Not doubting your skills/abilities dude, just something to think about...... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Don't remember giving you permission to post one of my shots on a public forum, moffy.... (In fact, don't remember giving you permission to live in my country; note to self: must follow that up and get you deported) "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Very nice dude - the kid and the spinning camera is priceless

The grammatically challenged Dane hits 200. Nice work

Once so far (last night in fact); purely based on my assessment of the conditions, not a mental game. Load of five, four climbed down; the jumper was fine, although landed on a fence - although that was a result of the delay as opposed to the conditions. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

I'm with Nick on this; I'll celebrate those I knew as appropriate. Not sure I like the idea of a) lumping them all together and b) making it a generic "morbid" day... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

I did it the other way round - skydiving and then bikes. Not much in it, except the gratification is shorter but better with skydiving. Welcome

Damn.... My team trained at DeLand 2003/2004; Gus always had time to talk to anyone, in this case me; he didn't need to know who you were. Listening to his stories of early skysurf camera and Grand Canyon jumps and you soon realise the history he has personnally added to the sport. BSBD Ivan "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

....another good old saying (not verbatim): To ask a question is a moments shame, to not ask and remain ignorant is a lifelong shame. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Your Faber service is currently unavailable; he is thumbing through his English/Weird dictionary and his services will return shortly. "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent

Probably been said loads of times in this thread already (9 pages; couldn't read them all....), but I think it quite funny that skydivers are cussing this guy for his mistake.......... I ride a bike (Fireblade - yes, sports, but I'm one of those rare people who likes all kinds of bikes) and my biking mates, who all regularly go past 150mph, think I'm nuts for skydiving. The only question is whether you are putting other people at risk - bikes or skydiving - and as far as we know that road could have been completely clear; OK, don't have anything to back that but when we go out for a ride we usually get up crack of dawn in the summer and know the roads backwards... "If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation." David Brent