AtrusBatleth

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Gear

  • Main Canopy Size
    249
  • Reserve Canopy Size
    253
  • AAD
    Cypres 2

Jump Profile

  • Home DZ
    Skydive Twin Cities, or anywhere in Wisconsin
  • License
    B
  • License Number
    48817
  • Licensing Organization
    USPA
  • Number of Jumps
    88
  • Years in Sport
    3
  • First Choice Discipline
    Freestyle
  • Second Choice Discipline
    Freeflying

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  1. HU has been ingrained in my mind as Human Performance. The thought of safety guys at work using this band in their training material gives me a chuckle.
  2. I work under federal jurisdiction and have random drug tests (truly random, must go in right then). My company has not specifically emphasized it, but I have heard of others in the same industry where pot was legalized reminding their employees strongly that just because it is legal now, it is still grounds for termination. Pre-employment testing same deal. You can even fail before doing the actual test. I heard one story of a bright young college student, family of someone in the industry, and got a great internship/co-op. Passed the interview, they loved him, the job was his. Then he filled out the new hire paperwork, formality, and one of the questions asks if you have smoked pot. He answered yes. Didn't occur to him that it was a problem, it was legal and I think it was just to try it anyway, in the past. Being honest on that form cost him the job. They had to reject him. Shame. Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  3. In a similar vein, when it was reported that Trump had told some 7 year old on the NORAD Santa line that her belief in Santa at 7 was "marginal" (which got twisted and blown way out of proportion), it was also reported that Trump canceled his Florida Christmas plans and was staying at the white house due to the shutdown but he had continued the tradition of wishing military a merry Christmas, via video call. People were calling him a grinch and saying he should do one better and visit troops in person. Lo and behold, it was later revealed that he DID secretly visit troops in Iraq. Of course there was no retraction or acknowledgement of this by those who had hours earlier criticized his holiday plans. I dont exactly like or agree with the man, but that was one moment I was proud of our president for doing the right thing. Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  4. If the canopy part is so concerning to you, there's no shame in doing another tandem. After you go through the AFF first jump course and learn all about canopy checks, navigation, landing pattern, etc. One more tandem would give you a chance for more practice while still having a professional right there with you. At some point you'll have to make the leap and pilot your canopy solo, but you can transition to that goal if needed. Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  5. I'll echo the other suggestions to work with your DZ instructors and try some tunnel time. Specific to your scoliosis, I have a minor case (angle of curvature is not severe enough to be officially diagnosed as scoliosis but I've had back issues since childhood). However, there are things that can improve your flexibility, you just start out with a disadvantage so you'll have to work more on it than most. Some things that work for me: chiropractor, massage (especially if you can find a place that does both, get adjusted right after an hour massage), windsor pilates 20 minute workout (it's on youtube now; if my back has flared up I can hardly do it and it's an intense workout, but it strengthens my back fast; normally it's a quick easy workout to maintain my back), strength training (I use free weights and several lifts that incorporate balancing), anything that exercises your "core", etc. Find what works for you and consider hiring a physical therapist. They are trained to find the right stretches/exercises that will meet your specific needs. You can usually find ones cheaper, like $60/hr or so if you look outside of hospitals/clinics (try chiropractic centers or just word of mouth/internet search). Good luck and welcome to skydiving. I hope you can work it out. Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  6. AtrusBatleth

    2019

    It comes up in conversation occasionally that I have no plans to downsize, wingsuit, do high performance landings or big ways, etc. As I like to say, I am content merely jumping out of an airplane. Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  7. Re: Quick answer from another old fart When I started in early '64 => $5.25 Times, they are a'changin' Jerry Baumchen $5.25 in 1964 is equivalent to over $40 in 2018 dollars. I guess jump tickets have come down in price quite a bit. Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  8. Dropzone.com published an article earlier this year on this very subject. Previously I had seen estimates that 100 jumps per year increased your carbon footprint about 10%, but based on the numbers in this article it would be closer to 6% (based on an average carbon footprint of 21.5 metric tons, which may not be that accurate). http://www.dropzone.com/safety/General_Safety/How_Green_Is_My_Skydive_1360.html I dont think you were that far off, big picture. Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  9. I gotta disagree with you there. Even if someone thought they were going to love skydiving I would advise them to do a tandem first. Or at least some wind tunnel. Maybe you might be a natural, but for most people that first jump is very disorienting. There's something to be said for enjoying the experience as a spectator once before you clutter your head with dive flows, EPs, altitude checks, canopy checks, aerial navigation, landing patterns, etc. There are valid safety reasons why some programs start with a tandem or wind tunnel, it's not a scam to get more money. Sure you can start with AFF on jump 1, or static line, but it's a personal choice, equally valid. Besides, in a sport where you'll spend ~$2500 to get licensed, probably double that for a rig, and who knows how much every year on jumps, why sweat the small stuff like ~$200 for a tandem? Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  10. Except when you're filling out DZ waivers, every year at every freaking location. Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  11. Mid 30s at the time. Thought it was a fun bucket list thing someday but never got serious about it until a friend at a July 4th party (he's British btw) was talking about jumping, he loved it and had done like 5+ tandems by that point. Whole group of us were all going to jump. We live a days drive away from this group so we kept pinging him when this group was going to go, because we had to coordinate with other travel plans and such. Finally he gives us a date, a few from the group were already backing out. My wife and I make plans and then a week before we find out our frequent flyer friend is the only one left in the group and now he wants to reschedule so he can take his mom jumping. My wife and I said screw it, we're jumping even if it's just the two of us, which it was. Glad it was our first vacation we had saved up a lot of money for, otherwise I'm sure we would have pushed it off due to cost. In fact my first thought after landing was "that was amazing... once. I'm not paying that much to go again, I have a family to support." Then I heard about AFF...
  12. Pastor calls the kids up before sending them off to kids church and has some analogy he wants to tell them. He asks them what has a big furry tail, gathers nuts in the fall, climbs trees, etc. A kid finally raises his hand with a confused look on his face and says "well I know the answer is Jesus but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me." Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  13. Welcome. I love your quote. Your name makes more sense now.
  14. How were they allowed to disrupt inside for 20 minutes? I would be requesting the owner to throw them out. What a pain in the ass. "However, there is currently no research on whether disrupting meat eaters' meals is an effective way to encourage them take up a plant-based diet." I seriously doubt it. I dont even eat a lot of meat, but I certainly dont want jerks ruining a nice meal out and dictating what I should or shouldn't eat. I'll listen to reasonable civil discourse on the subject, but pulling an idiotic stunt like this will just result in most completely ignoring anything you have to say. Reminds me of some anti-nuclear stunt some students did throwing bars of soap at some prominent speaker. The speaker just quietly stepped back until security escorted the protesters out (with applause from the audience). I happened to step out for the bathroom or something and witnessed the students getting chewed out by what appeared to be their mentor/colleague who was telling them their stupid stunt only set back their cause, as no one in there would take them seriously after that. You catch more flies with honey. You want people to eat less meat? Start offering better choices that fulfill the taste/nutrition/convenience/cost that motivate people to choose meat in the first place. Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?
  15. Who are you referring to, the CNN host? Or is Lieu transgender or something? Max Peck What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?