mfrese

Don't they make you register with Emergency Services before you cross the border now? And don't forget the digital camera, none of that disposable action, dog! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

That wind sock probably started in Montana and blew down to Wyoming... And I hate to continue the thread hijack, but I remember about 5 years ago when we were out at Cal City. It's about 1:30, and Van has just announced that we're shutting down because "the wave" is almost here. Two CC newbies are begging for another load, looking at the windsock hanging limp and wondering what the hell is going on. They beg Van to send up the 206, and he finally says "OK, I'll take you up, but I won't charge you for the lift." They're both thinking "Cool!", until one asks why it's free. Van just said "Cuz I'll feel really bad when you die." That made them pause long enough to reconsider, and about ten minutes later we had steady 35-40 knot winds, and they stayed that way (with occasional gusts over 60) until about 5:00 the next morning. The lesson: at Cal City, plan to start drinking early, but go to bed early to catch the sunrise load! It's worth it! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Niners vs. Bengals, SB XXIII in '89 is my personal favorite. I still get chills every time I see that football land in JTs hands for the game-winner. One of the classic drives in the history of pro football. Raiders/Redskins would probably be #2, mainly for Marcus' incredible run. Not exactly a tight game, though... Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Well, I worked at SMB for most of 2003 and through March of 2004, and my ears are still stinging from the riser covers on their rigs! On the other side of the coin, I've got a great picture of me with my Dad on a tandem with a Sigma, we're at line stretch, about a 45 degree angle as we're getting pulled upright...and the riser covers are still closed.

I'm a Norcal peep, but nobody likes me either. Mainly Hollister, will probably be a Byron guy occasionally this year. If they'll let me, of course... For references on how much of a total asshole I am, please see Skydivexxl, Mcneill, or Vdschoor, they'll be happy to tell you. Welcome to Cali! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

I am sitting here with my laptop on the exact same table! You'll love them, but my only advice: watch your knees, the metal edges will tear the shit out of them! And sex on them is out of the question without a thick blanket, doesn't matter who's on top. Enjoy! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Oh god, I can feel the flames already... "Dodgeball" absolutely sucked. I was really thinking it was going to be cool, but what a waste of talent. "Collateral" was also pretty disappointing. "Harold and Kumar go to Whitecastle", however, should be on every critic's Ten Best list. Best movie I've seen in months. Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Great thread, Bonnie! There are too many stories to pick one, but I'll mention a bunch of people who made a big impact on me in this sport, and whose lessons I will continue to remember as long as I do it. 1) Janni and Marty - nothing scared the shit out of me more than seeing Marty giving that "C'mere!" gesture with that curling index finger. You knew you had done something stupid and were about to be corrected, firmly but gently. And Janni still has the best quote ever to a jumper at the Byron Boogie about 6 years ago: "What kind of idiot shows up at a boogie with an out-of-date reserve?!" 2) Jan Davis - We learned together, and she taught me a lot, especially back in the days when I had about 50 jumps and no one else to jump with at Hollister on a weekday. 3) Raff - If you know him, you know what I mean. 4) Brian Germain and Scott Miller - outstanding canopy pilots (and designer), who can teach as well as they fly. Scott spent a few hours on the phone once talking to me about a canopy course syllabus...on his dime, and at about 1:30 a.m. his time. The passion he had for what he was doing was obvious. As for Brian, his meditative, low-key style is great to watch, and his comments and analysis are dead on. Watching the video of a friend who did a VERY low 270 during a canopy course, Brian was supportive, positive, and very, very clear: at the point where he started the turn - "Here's where you decided to kill yourself" ...at the point where he carved hard out of the corner and landed - "And here's where you did a great job of not dying!". Priceless. 5) Just about every other skydiver I've ever talked to for more than a few minutes - because I either learn something good I didn't know that I can file away for later when I need it...or because I'll learn something bad I definitely want to avoid doing myself! Mike (almost 2000 jumps, and still smart enough to stay on the ground some days...) Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Hey, that's not too bad...here in California, just south of San Francisco, your $350,000 USD will buy you a 900 square foot, 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo...no garage, a 3x7 foot "deck", and a $233/month association fee in addition to your mortgage. Cable and utilities are extra. You also get 96 square feet of storage. My wife and I plan to move to Florida next year, as soon as we can afford to build our house. We plan to build about 4000 square feet with a pool for less than that 900 square foot condo. Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

I had two, both skydiving related: 1) Jumping out of the bomb bay of a B-17 (The Collings Foundation "Nine-O-Nine") down in Hollister with some good friends. When the P-51s came in to flank us on the way to the DZ, I literally got chills. 2) Jumping onto Seascape beach with my wife and a bunch of friends in June for our 15th wedding anniversary. Landing barefoot on the beach in California was a beer moment. Wishing y'all a great Christmas, Happy New Year, and a great and safe 2005! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

My take: Tipping after your first tandem jump would have been cool, but after you signed up for the course, you're a skydiver-in-training...save the money for your jumps, buy beer for appreciation. I'm always happy to accept tips from first-timers (well, almost always...I've had one or two people I was tempted to tell to take their tip, fold it into the most uncomfortable shape possible, and shove it up their ass), but once you're really starting to learn about the sport, you're part of the group, you shouldn't tip. Oh, and just for the record... Keep in mind that that's YOUR job, OK? Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Nah...Pablito is a jackass! Especially since both he and Egon were gone when we were visiting Florida last month. Pablo, Lynn and I wanna wish you Happy Holidays! Maybe we'll catch you when we're out there in March. Take care!

That's why I added the smiley...I have enough problems keeping my Vengeance 135 on the ground in a breeze, I can't even imagine trying to do that with a 330! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Sorry to hear about this, Andrea. Let's hope this is temporary as Gareth suggested. If not, there's a wide range of possible solutions out there depending on the cause. My niece recently underwent her 35th surgery (in 13 years) to implant a mount for a Bone Attached Hearing Aid (BAHA). The BAHA has allowed her to have near-normal hearing after having only about 30% for most of her life. (Eleven of her surgeries were on her ears, to attempt to fix problems with her stapies (?) with a prostethic; only after those failed did they try the BAHA.) Bottom line, there are a lot of options out there...and Mar's suggestion about ASL is great, too. My niece still remembers signs from when she was about 2 that we were learning with her, so it's definitely not too young to start. Anyway, tell him the weird California people say hi, and best of luck to him and your whole family. And hey, if he's out splitting his head open already, he's probably going to tough this out just fine. Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Can I vote more than once? Dude, you saw me on my first try...pretty pathetic if you ask me. I was actually much more comfortable with the sit than the backflying, since I've done so many more actual skydives in a sit. Definitely something to work on next time we get out there. Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Florida ROCKS! Skydive Deland (and everyone there) ROCKS! Jimmy T. ROCKS (thanks for teaching the old fat guy some new tricks, dude)! Skydive Space Center (and everyone there...heal fast, Mike) ROCKS! The Tunnel ROCKS! (Thanks, Derek!) Skymama ROCKS! (She can't spell for shit, though, even after you give her chocolate... ) The Anvil and Natacha ROCK! (Thanks for making the Germans pay up, Vinnie!) Egon and Pablito SUCK! (Cuz they're out of the country and I didn't get to catch up with them.) It was 75-80 degrees there all last week, and it was 34 F this morning in California. Florida ROCKS! That is all... Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

That's awesome news! Hang in there, and let's hope he's over the worst part.

I've got about 700 tandems, Vector and Eclipse ratings, 3 years experience at 4 different DZs. Here are a few tips based on what I've seen and done. 1) Wear a jumpsuit with a lot of surface area, and Cordura in the seat and knees. 2) As everyone else has said, fly the exit, not the student. Once the drogue is out, make some small effort to control the student if they're in a bad position; if it doesn't work, arch hard and fly them and you. 3) Always have an extra pair of goggles in a jumpsuit pocket.

I got a chance to ride one around the lobby of the Tech Museum here in San Jose, and it was pretty cool. Only had about 2 minutes on it, and we could only ride it around a 30 foot circle. I thought that was pretty weak until I watched two other people crash the damn thing into the wall after almost running down the demo guys. Maybe I can convince my boss I need one to go from building to building around here... Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

So, the idea of old people having noisy monkey sex in the next room doesn't make you cream your jeans, eh? Now you understand why Lynn and I always get a motel room during the H-town parties...we try to protect the delicate sensibilities of you youngsters. Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

That's great news, Andrea! Keep us informed on his progress, and we'll keep the good vibes coming. Mike Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

My wife and I will be in Deland from 11/13-11/20, most likely jumping at Deland on 11/14 (maybe 11/13 depending how jet-lagged I am

Great list of learning tasks...but let's not be too hard on the swoopers. You should see Brian swoop that Sensei 81! You are perfectly correct about low turns being killers for people who have not mastered their canopies. But I was surprised (and kind of depressed) by another reaction I got... I recently took one of Brian's courses, and was telling two friends (one a TI and AFF-I with over 9000 jumps and hundreds of BASE jumps, the other a AFF-I with over 4000 jumps) how great it was, and how much I learned. They both had nearly identical replies that just stopped me cold: "Well, that's great for you guys that like to swoop, but I'm not gonna do any of that stuff. I always use the same approach, and I think all that front-riser nonsense is just dangerous." I actually spent a few minutes trying to convince them that the idea Brian consistently tries to get across is that if you don't understand how your parachute handles in all flight modes, eventually you're going to NEED to fly it in a way you haven't explored...usually with painful or tragic consequences. I didn't get very far with them, but I usually try to convince newer jumpers that learning all you can about your wing will probably work better for you than deciding "that stuff's just too dangerous." As for favorite quotes, mine is: "The superior pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid situations that require superior skill." Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

I no longer teach the "lock on" for Cat A and Cat B tandem jumps due to some bizarre behavior I've seen from students lately. Had one guy who did a great job for the whole skydive, "locked on" at 7K, and stayed there with no wave off and no pull (despite pull signal right in his face). During the debrief, I asked him why he didn't pull at 6K per our dive flow. His response: "I couldn't remember which way the needle was turning." Since then, I've been using the same deep breath/pull sequence Dave mentioned, and it's been working a lot better (at leaast on the few Cat A and B jumps I've done). Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Best wishes and vibes coming from the West Coast... Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash