kimerson

1. I should jump from a piece of shit? 2. It beats the stairs 3. I know the pilot 4. Are you serious? 5. Asking that question answers one of mine: You'll never understand, will you? Years ago I was interviewd by a magazine and I was asked about our language, our jargon. I was asked what we call someone who doesn't skydive. "Whuffo". (I had to spell & explain the word). I was then asked what we call someone who goes up, gets to the door, then backs out. I thought for a second. "Always a whuffo?" was the best I could do right then. I think I meant it as an insult. Testy little bugger that I am. Some people will simply never understand the need, the drive, the basic, essential character that allows us to enjoy our lives the way we do. Some people simply don't have anything in their lives or imagination, or as part of their core make up that gives them any reference point from which to get a clue as to what compels us. As much as the question seems cheeky and amusing to them, it also seems completely logical to ask. To us, it's one of the dumbest things we've ever heard. And have you ever wondered how it is that they all come up with exactly the same wording of the question? As if it's taught somewhrere? "Whenever you met a skydiver, ask them this question in these exact words. Or they won't understand..." Evolutionarily speaking, I believe skydivers were created first, then we got bored. So back in the earliest sixties a shrewd "parachuter" created whuffos for amusement and entertainment purposes. (I think it was in California, a foreign land already rife with amusing people anyway). It hasn't always been a love match, but it certainly has made for interesting - if lower functioning - conversations.

"The Great Escape". One of the best movies period! Steve McQueen on the motorcycle doing his own stunts. Charles Bronson. James Garner. Donald Pleasance. Great movie. I've seen it dozens of times, at least six were in the theatre when it first came out. Now that's admitting to age!

http://www.ranchskydive.com/events/2003/index.htm

The Ranch Pond Swoop Meet for 2003 is slated for August 23 & 24. Please be warned that this is a different event than it has been in the past. Go to the Ranch web site for the 2003 Schedule http://www.ranchskydive.com/events/2003/index.htm Click on the “More Info” link. While there, read the “A further Explanation” link too. The rules are about to be posted soon. This is a new year and a new direction. So changes may be going on right up to the last day so keep checking back for updates. http://www.ranchskydive.com/events/2003/index.htm

The Ranch Pond Swoop Meet for 2003 is slated for August 23 & 24. Please be warned that this is a different event than it has been in the past. Go to the Ranch web site for the 2003 Schedule http://www.ranchskydive.com/events/2003/index.htm. Click on the “More Info” link. While there, read the “A further Explanation” link too. The rules are about to be posted soon. This is a new year and a new direction. So changes may be going on right up to the last day so keep checking back for updates.

The Ranch Pond Swoop Meet for 2003 is slated for August 23 & 24. Please be warned that this is a different event than it has been in the past. Go to the Ranch web site for the 2003 Schedule http://www.ranchskydive.com/events/2003/index.htm. Click on the “More Info” link. While there, read the “A further Explanation” link too. The rules are about to be posted soon. This is a new year and a new direction. So changes may be going on right up to the last day so keep checking back for updates.

The Ranch Pond Swoop Meet for 2003 is slated for August 23 & 24. Please be warned that this is a different event than it has been in the past. Go to the Ranch web site for the 2003 Schedule http://www.ranchskydive.com/events/2003/index.htm. Click on the “More Info” link. While there, read the “A further Explanation” link too. The rules are about to be posted soon. This is a new year and a new direction. So changes may be going on right up to the last day so keep checking back for updates.

According to rumor, Mike isn't coming to the Ranch this year but will be at Skydive New England in Lebanon, Me.

Skeet.

And I did video. Called it "Above the Law Video." Sure was a goofy jump. Wasn't Tom Fedele responsible for that one?

Oh I don't know about that. I've been around 14 years - and not just weekends - and I still think Guy Manos should be ashamed of himself. This movie sucked! It's chock full of holes. And not just assholes. Why did they have 8 way speed star as the big Nationals event? We already have 10-way. What happend to 8-way as it is? But the tracking mirror (complete with sound effect) made us rewind to see it again a couple of times. I liked the suicide cutaway and track at the end where he landed right dead center in the peas and was looking pretty good for all his troubles too. And yeah, I've seen a lot of friends 'cut away' when they decided to quit the real world and become full time skydivers and DZ denizens, trading in their S.U.V.'s for ramshackle caravans and tents. Goes on all the time. We have 'cut away' parties at least once a month as doctors, lawyers and real life people make the switch, 'take the plunge'.so to speak. This movie was real and factual. And the U.S. is going to give Hussein a pass, the tooth fairy will blow anybody for a quarter (ask her what she'll do for a dollar) and Olav Zipser is taking humility training.

The gate swoper is Kamuran "Sonic" Bayrasli, an organizer of the event. He also swooped manifest. I'd have to say that for the most part there were more brilliant & successful swoops than 'chows'. The biggest 'chows' were, of course, during the final rounds which were "canopy expression" and the raft accuracy round. In both rounds it was expected competitors would get wet. And so they did. In the past, back in the competition's earlier days, 'chowing' was much more common. In the last three years or so, serious competitors from all over the U.S. and other countries raised the bar a bit and made splashdowns less frequent.