kimgriffin

Hi Perry. Too long of a time, no see. I'll fix that soon. Yeah, I still can't believe he's really not out there somewhere. Well, he is, just not how we're used to. Rantoul was not the same with out him this year. Man, what a fucking pity that he's gone. One thing that sucks about getting older is the people who leave here early that you miss.

Tracking jumps can be a blast (and I agree about learing to fly your body) but I think it feels more like flying in a BirdMan suit. YOu can literally carve your wingtip through a cloud. I'd say when you have enough jumps, get instruction from a BMI and see for yourself.

Last out of the Hercules at a Herc Boogie in Sweden, instructing a first time BirdMan flight (a 2-way), clouds everywhere below, the student lost the line of flight and flight plan and took off over a large lake, I stayed w him for a while until I realized how far out I must be, dumped somewhat high but no way I was getting back, lots of tall trees beneath my feet, spotted a clear area with a couple of trucks driving around, ends up I landed at the the local trash dump. Got a ride back to the DZ in one of the trucks.

A cab ride with in the city of DeLand is usually less than $6 (yeah, it's a small city). I did it from Daytona to DeLand once years ago (about 25 miles) and it was $40 - a shitload less than a DUI and worth it a million times over having an accident or hurting someone. The cab system is not great here by any means but not sure why more people don't go that route over driving drunk or driving with a seeminly less drunk friend.

Thanks Broke, I like that website (intellicast). Saved it as a favorite - I live in DeLand, Fla, so sure it will come in handy. I'm with Arlo, a storm that is just big enough to keep us hunkered down at home f-ing off as we watch shit fly by the window is fun/exciting. But, as long as no one is hurt and there is little property damage. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for our west coast friends that Wilma slows down before smacking in to land. Damn, and I was going to go to the beach this weekend. Bummer.

If the SA women are half as gorgeous as the men then I don't doubt it.

For the Portia fan club members (of which I am a proud member)... here is the gorgeous Portia accompanied by Lara (her prior teammate) and Lena and a nice big South African sausage at a BBQ at my house (DeLand). This 2nd pic is from a wine tasting held in DeLand last Aug to raise $ for Arlo's JFTC donation. (Yeah, a fun way to raise money!) Juliana (Brazilian freefly coach, only girl on the back flying team "Black Magic" and Rosi (marketing mgr at RWS and all around awesome chick). They're captured in the middle of having a laugh together. Laughter is a beautiful thing. Speaking of beautiful, let me embarrass Arlo too while I'm at it. This is classic Arlo... on her cel phone. Arlo's an American/Korean DeLandite. (She hates attention like this and is going to kill me!! haa!) Yeah, DeLand has some really gorgeous women, I agree. Looking at the JFTC photos though, that wins the award for DZ with hottest chicks this year!

Huge congratulations to everyone involved on the 151-way record!!! It was fun to listen to my friend Arlo's POV all week and the best news when she called Friaday about getting the record. Great job! Thank you to those of you posting pictures!!!! Much appreciated! I love seeing all the crazy hats and boas. It is so great to be a girl!!!!!!

Hands down, where ever Scotty and the Carbon Zone are cooking! DeLand had some pretty good food while Cary (who now co-owns Sky Systems) was cooking. He's a professionally trained chef who has owned his own restaraunts. I had a feeling that having sushi and really nice meals on the DZ wouldn't last too long. Just too good to be true.

Ah shit, what terrible news! Adrian, we never did get to wingsuit fly together. At least you're up there flying with Patrick again, maybe with Gus filming you. Katarina & Adrian's family, this loss is heart breaking. My prayers are with you.

Happy Birthday Chuckie Blue! Sorry I'm a day late. In Cali right now is my excuse. I hope you had a really good one! I look forward to seeing you and Katie in October. Lots of love, Kim

Lucky for the Farm. Mike's a great guy, skilled and seems very nice and professional. Good luck to you guys!!!

I think my boyfriends toe is broken from the flaming footie on Sat. Very swolen and purple. Aparently the DZ's industrial sized TP roll was a lot harder than Charmin. The sound of the flaming roll wizzing by is so cool! I'm sure the guys and Krys were proud! The reason for the event still sucks but at least friends were together and a great time was had by all.

There's info about the Aug 20th memorial for Egon, Piers, Krystal and Bruno under Bonfire.

I'll be there for Vigil. Well, I'll also be cheering on some friends who are competing and enjoying my home state. I'll be there the 4, 8, 10 and 16 way week.

Happy Anniversary of the day you came in to the world, Beezy! Bummer you won't be in Rantoul. It won't be the same this year w out Chris and Egon and now you're not coming? (Has the guilt gotten to you yet?) Just giving you shit... 12 or 13 yrs in a row is a lot. You take care of yourself and your family. Big bday hug, Kim

The surgeon who did mine is also a longtime skydiver (Dr Joel). He recommended that I stay on the ground for 2 weeks, I waited a month just in case. He also said to use a full face shield helmet (shit, I can't remember for how long). He said a new jumper used goggles on his come back jump, they popped up and the rim sat on his eyeballs, he didn't move them, just let them sit on his newly lasered eyeballs (new jumper - maybe he didn't realize he could), and he had to have work done to fix his eyes again. Your first jump back will be outstanding, very clear at least. I see better now than I did with contacts. No more contacts blowing out or sand in the eye on the DZ. It's the some of the best money I've ever spent. The surgery was pretty easy and short, eyes a little scratchy for a few days. It's pretty important to not let anything rub or touch your eyes for a couple weeks, that and the eye drops you have to put in every few hours were the only real hassles. But, it was worth every hassle and penny a million times over. Congrats ahead of time!

Hi. I just wanted to pipe in that there will likely be a memorial at the DeLand DZ for our four friends once everyone is back from Rantoul. So many people who want to be here this Sat won't be able to make it. Nothing is planned yet, though.

Hi. I just wanted to pipe in that there will likely be a memorial at the DeLand DZ for our four friends once everyone is back from Rantoul. So many people who want to be here this Sat won't be able to make it. Nothing is planned yet, though.

They showed Egon's and Piers' pictures on the tv this morning and quoted the RW website. They also said that the Coast Guard has called off the search. Unsure *** Yeah, they called me at Vigil yesterday looking for information or for leads. I don't trust the mass media enough to have wanted to give an interview and definitely was not going to give out anyone's phone number. I also didn't have it in me emtionally to talk to the guy. Then I saw that they just pulled everything off the RWS website and wondered if I should have said something so the story would have had more meaning. Damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. Oh well, the people who really care know how great these 4 people were.

It will never be the same to step foot in to RWS and not see the smiling faces of Egon and Piers. I can't believe this has happened. It still seems unreal. Egon, Bruno, Krystal and Piers are already being terribly missed here in DeLand. I miss them, this f'ing sucks. Even though I'm selfishly sad, my heart goes out to thier families and very close loved ones. Please say a prayer or give a positive, loving thought thier way.

THE List '05 World Free Fall Convention Rantoul, IL August 5-14 2005 BE THERE! Official Website, click here (attempting to keep the dz.commers screen names accurate) Gotta be there Free Load Organizers AND staff get top billing! WFFC STAFF RevJim Snowwhite (Beth) Streaker Load Organizers GARY PEEK Flyangel2 LouDiamond - Wingsuit Vendors LouDiamond - BirdMan carbonezone (a.k.a. scotty and tami) - Carbonezone Cut-Away Cafe / Flare-Wear GravityGirl - Gravity Gear KimGriffin - Vigil USA Gonna be there 2Fat2Fly Adrenalinejunki AirTwardo akurtom Alanab anothergoodin Anthony antifnsocial Anvilbrother atsaubrey bch7773 Bgill BIGUN bigorangemd BMCD308 bobsled92 Brenster brothermuff65 bseriesboosted Buried ChangoLanzao ChileRelleno CieloDiosa cocheese Cookie cornholio cvfd1399 DaMan Dano Drew droquette EmLo Fast flyinrob Freeflyin Nicki frenchy gemini hisgoofyness Icon134 jsaxton Kai2k1 kelel01 Kris lewy LilZilla Mathias markharju maxmadmax Meloo09 MrJones mwbad1 mx757 nate_1979 ojbwe PrairieDoug P-nut-n-Lucky PsychoBob rhino RoadRash scottbre soulshine streaker TallGuy tfelber tink717 tweak Vallerina windcatcher wingnut weegegirl Zeemax Gonna try to be there (A.K.A.: If I win the lottery, if I get money back on my taxes, if..., if..., if... By the way, if you see me, it's a miracle) Balls eeneR kansasskydiver ladyskydiver N2SKDVN Peej Piisfish skysprite wrongway

In my opinion, the benefit of having an AAD when you really need one greatly outweighs any possible risk. Countless people have been saved by an AAD, not many have been hurt by them.

I only met Sara and Ron briefly - Sara last year in Perris and Ron when he was visiting DeLand. Both seemed to be genuinely kind people. Funny how you can remember people's smiles over everything else. What a terrible and tragic loss! I know they will be missed by so many people. My heart goes out to those of you who are hurting right now.

Hmmmm... which US Team? It's going to be so exciting. Airspeed I'm sure will rock but there is so much talent on Fire. They averaged a 20.7 at the Shamrock Showdown and that wasn't a fast draw. Gary, Shannon and Ian seasoned competitors who love skydiving and love going fast. Natasha isn't having to try to keep up. She is such a naturally talented skydiver. I can't wait to see the outcome. You really never do know who's day it's going to be. My vote is on Fire. -Kimberly Griffin