JohnMitchell

Interesting take on it. Yes, things happen quickly on the bottom end of the skydive, and I don't like sending the one-time jumper away feeling like they "failed".

I was teaching the FJC back then. I got $10 a head for teaching. Never did pack-for-pay.

That was my biggest motivator in learning to pack. Actually, paid packers, AFAIK, were a rarity in the 70's. My friends and I all packed our own, rounds and squares.

It ain't the skydivers people are hate. It's human rights violations and theocracy. Yep.

I'm gonna remember that one.. Thanks. When in doubt, sit it out.

Maybe we should just stop using that expression and simply say "pull down both toggles until the canopy levels off." That's what I do but I'm not a canopy coach, just an average AFF-I.

Yes, a guarantee of a series of the fastest, tightest loops ever performed by a manned flying machine. Woohoo, think RedBull will sponsor that one?

Always make your words sweet. You never know when you'll have to eat them. Never pass up a chance to treat somebody well. You never know when the tables will be turned.

Yep, looks like a pair of "single point failure modes".

Quite the trip. . .

Come to Kapowsin, WA. Gear rental is $30 a jump, lots of nice gear.

Silly thing, but I miss having my own kitchen with all its stuff, from a bread maker to beer supplies, all the utensils and a well-stocked pantry. We love to cook and entertain friends, and it's much harder to do on the road.

Even that queen bed in the guest bedroom at our place? That's one comfy mattress.

'64 Mustang - engine died, sold as a project car to someone with more money than a broke teenager. '72 Triumph Spitfire - super fun car, still running strong when I sold it before a big move '79 Toyota PU truck - First of many "practical" vehicles '80 Toyota Tercel - another practical car. '89 Plymouth Voyager - 2 kids now. Need a good, slightly used minivan. '96 Ford Escort - First new car I ever bought. It would be my faithful commuter car for the next 18 years. Air conditioning, 5 speed. A car only an accountant could love. '99 Plymouth Voyager - Brand new minivan for all the kids. 2012 Fiat 500 Pop - Most the kids are gone, and Vskydiver wants a "fun" car. She picked it out and we wrote a check. 2015 Dodge Caravan - Sheesh, the '99 Voyager died of transmission failure, so I needed a new vehicle that does a little of everything. Bought a year-old minivan off the lot. Once again, boring but handy as hell.

Ha, I've tried telling a few people it's a great source. We have a great local butcher just minutes from our home. I love a nice rare porterhouse.

I gotta say this guy looks a decade or two younger than he is. It does depend on the mental and physical condition of the person. I've seen 50-somethings in poor shape, with poor attitudes, that shouldn't have been jumping and didn't last long.

I used to handle rejection by going skydiving. Filled up quite a few logbooks that way..

I've had way too many run ins with idiots at gun ranges, most of them considering themselves quite expert. If you're flagging me with your muzzle or handling a firearm on a cold range, you're going to get an earful from me.

Sorry to be so slow answering. I was out of town a bit. The bungee merely keeps the leg straps in place, up high instead of sliding down the thigh. My wife and I both prefer a non-elastic strap (about the strength of a heavy pull up cord) as a more secure, partly load bearing addition. I like the idea of a true saddle strap even more.

Some may call you paranoid, but I had a friend that survived a canopy collision (he was the low man) and was sued by the family of the other jumper, who unfortunately did not survive. I use lawyers when necessary, but I usually don't go looking for one in advance.

I had to google that, but yep. When I do prime rib, it's 200F until the internal temp hits 130F (usually 3-4 hours), then out to rest for up to an hour, then a 5 minute sear at 450F and another 10 minute rest. Perfect prime rib, every time. And an easy way to time your dinner perfectly.

I've never cooked sous vide, but am passingly familiar with the process. For meats, much of the flavor is in the sear of heat and the smoke of flame. Would it be that sous vide lacks those ingredients?

Darn if I wasn't across the street at my house retrieving some snack food.. Missed that moment but I heard it was amazing. He is a great guy.