freakydiver

I guess I'm a poor parent, I have never done a 1:1. I guess I should give my pets and dogs away. I actually am going to go home and re-organize my bottle drawer to take your suggestion into account - it really is a good idea, but shit, there are a MILLION things that can happend to a dog and kid to get them killed that every parent cannot simply remember or check on. Its like looking at every sticth on a canopy before every jump - things just become infeasible after a certain point. Incidentally - I just had to put my dog to sleep last thursday because he got lupus. That was caused by three issues that I could have easily prevented, but most folks want to take their dogs on walks in the sun - are you saying I should have kept him out of the sun his whole life?? Come on. Your language HOW THE F is imho rather harsh. I consider myself a very caring parent of two children and five pets - but come on, shit happens. Edited to add - what do you mean by "none - living"? I don't want to get into a diatribe with someone about how difficult raising children is if they've already had some. Raising children is THE most difficult thing I have ever done or I'm imaginging will ever do. I've given up everything for them - all that I love to do, no more jumping, barely any backcountry, etc etc etc. Friends stop being good friends because I can't "go out" like I used to. Having kids is THE most humiliating thing I've ever experienced but quite frankly, and I've thought about this a great deal, shit will happen to them preventable or not - the real deal is helping people cope with loss, not thrashing them to bits when it happens. Have you not made a stupid mistake in your life?? I know I've made many and will make many many more. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

If you have to ask - repack it. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

"HOW THE FUCK can a parent not know how many baby bottle nipples they have? The poor dog suffered while the nipple tried to pass and ended up blowing out it's bowel." How many kids do you have? -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Twelve wonderful years in the sport. Too many wonderful people to count. As much as I wish to continue, I'd have to sell my ass to do it. Just wanted to give a huge thanks out to the East Troy crew who became my family in the darkest of hours. That was a helluva wedding jump - I was greener than green hahah. Props to Lost Prarie - the best boogie around. Stay safe everyone - blue skies, big dives, large hangovers. Anyone ever in CO and want some huge backcountry pow pow - pm me. Perhaps we will fly again someday. Peace. Drew Kennett D26421, missed 420 by one. DAMN IT. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Leave it to the internet, or maybe even just the human race in general. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Yah I was busy havin kid number two in 05. Not many jumps made. I hear you about depth perception at new DZs - good point... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Advice - fuk the alti - use your eyes as your alti. Edited to add: "(I'm just as guilty of this as the next person)... arguing on the net" Canuck - never got to know you very well at mile-hi as I was at the tail end (bwahahaha) of my jumping career, but you have been a gentlemen and a scholar both there and here online. Folks could take a lesson from you in humility on the net. Listen to what Canuck says. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

I think the word "perspective" is truly necessary to understand ware, and yes, I do mean whair, magot is coming from... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Not to mention alot of us SabreI fliers still get a swoop comprable to alot of the smaller canopies at our local DZs whether or not those other folks want to admit it (-: -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Do you have a web site for Dive Alert Network - having difficulties locating... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

My buddy is Sheck - he has a couple of buddies with him... -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Anyone out in Elsinore? Say hi to my friends from Denver, CO - they are out going through AFF! Show em a gooooooood time (-: (-: -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

It is funny that these things are even issues when shit like Pennsylvania and Bailey are going on. I guess now that I am unable to jump anymore, perspective has a way of changing. For me, this forum is still a nice way to feel like a small part of a community that I miss dearly and regardless of all of the moaning and groaning, I can still pick through the bullshit and get useful info from the board. I also think that it is hilarious that anyone could say Tom brings his agenda to the table, imho that couldn't be further from the truth. I wish my primary sport of backcountry snow skiing had an individual with such a level head - go read some of those forums. You wanna talk about politics. It is high fucking time that you people who CAN basejump stfu and do it and realize there are alot of folks in this world that can no longer participate in the sport. Its high fucking time the bickering be put to rest and for you all to realize what an amazing thing you are all a part of. There aren't many groups of folks out there with the bond that you knowingly or unknowingly have. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Its part of the byproduct of working through the internet as a discussion medium I guess. Regardless - if it were me and somone gave me that reply, I wouldn't just discount it any less than I'd discount anything someone might recommend for a jump of a given type. I take all opinions into account. Also - if it were his 10th building as you suggest, again, shouldn't this individaul have a good base of knowledge to work from for B jumps? One would hope so, but again, maybe that is just my opinion. Anyhow - off track back on, you need to experiment with your brake settings in an environment where you don't have a solid object behind you to really answer the question as every canopy driver combined with a canopy is a different ball of wax that should be handled carefully. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

I have to admit, I thought the same thing. I certainly wouldn't bust out a B if I didn't know for myself. And if two people thought it, maybe its a valid thought. I mean no disrespect either. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Touching. My prayers are with you. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

That was another joke. I'm out of this thread - sorry for the hijack. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Strangely enough - on the internet. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Thus the wink - as, trust me, I really really really couldn't care much less about the internet. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

WHAT? -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

I don't buy it. Pics.

I've been jumping for 12 years, never packed a malfunctioning parachute for me or others. I've packed some really dodgy pack jobs too here and there. Truth be told (at least for me) - it isn't the parachute that will get you, it is the other person in the air under parachute or losing altitude awareness that will get you (if anything "gets you" that is). -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

U need an alti from 2 grand? -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

anyone know the name of that tune? -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

Condolencses Matt, I live right up by there and there has been an eeire silence in the hills the past couple of nights. I know you have been trudging through a boatload of life right now and wish you and yours the best. The brightside, and unfortunately ;-) there always is one, is that we all realize the importance of each other a bit more when we lose our companions. Fly free Heather and Dave, fly free indeed. -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --