mfrese

The God of Thunder, Thor, decides that he needs a vacation from Valhalla, so he goes to (where else?) Vegas. Shortly after his arrival, he meets a showgirl in a casino, who is so taken with the huge, blond, muscular god that she immediately takes him back to her place, and they proceed to have a night of exquisite passion, with Thor exhibiting the size and sexual prowess one would expect from a god. The next morning, he decides to let her know that she has been privileged to enjoy an encounter with a god, so as she's washing up in the bathroom, he calls out to her "I'm Thor!" She replies "You're Thor? I'm tho thor I can hardly pith!" And just for the record, you did say "anything"... Hope your day gets better, Kari, see ya this weekend! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Excellent post, and I agree with every point. By the time you've been in the sport for three or four years, you're absolutely certain you can get seriously hurt or die, because you've probably seen it happen. You've also seen plenty of first-timers, and have a better handle on how people react to freefall for the first time. You've also probably had a chance to jump a lot of different canopies, which means you'll have a better skill set for most tandem operations, where you will be flying several different canopies every day. Basically, the pretty exterior has been stripped away...you're not shiny and new any more, but what's left is usually well-seasoned and highly skilled. IMHO, that's what a TM needs to be. edited to add: You're also usually smart enough to realize that no matter how "well-seasoned and highly skilled" you may be, you're still learning something new on every skydive... Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Of course, if you want to join and live in Norcal, you could always go here and check out the "Mile High" link. Makes for some funny reading, at least... Who in their right mind would trust skydivers not to have video somewhere on that plane? Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

First. I have to agree with FRT. you need more than 5 days. Hawaii should not be experienced as a tour bus thing, you need to take a few days to get on island time and relax. If they only have 5 days, pick one island...and my choice is Maui. I lived there back in 1979 for a year, and it still has a special place in my heart. Here is a list of things to do that will probably keep them busy but relaxed for 5 days if they choose: - Checking out the sunrise at Haleakala volcano - Driving the road to Hana, and checking out the Seven Pools (O'heo Gulch just doesn't have the same ring to it ). - The Iao Valley - Hookipa beach (not as impressive as the North Shore, but still pretty awesome witha good swell) - Take a day sail over to Lanai (kinda too commercial now) or Molokai (Less commercial, still a "small town" kinda place) - Drive "upcountry" to Kula and go wine tasting (maybe even try the pineapple wine...kind of a novelty, but stil pretty tasty!) Seriously, you need more than 5 days if you're going to do more than one island, so they should either focus on one or add some time. Either way, they'll have a blast (after about 10 hours in the air from Florida - Yuck!) Hope they have a great trip! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Lynn and I just celebrated our 15th anniversary, and our 21st year together. Still happy, still in love, and still having tons of fun, as any of the people at our anniversary jump can attest. Takes work, kids, but it is SOOOO worth it. Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Happy Birthday, Seb! Down a few at the Nut tomorrow, I'll buy you a beer next time I see ya, brother! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Nice job, Matt! Isn't that little "ping" as the three rings let go the sweetest sound you've ever heard?

Hey, quit complaining...it was only 35 F at 18K on Saturday...I almost had to put on a longsleeve shirt. And Monterey was covered in fog...we could see it VERY clearly from H-town. Looked like there were some nasty thunderheads over the Sierras, too. Sorry Vinnie, couldn't resist...hope the ass-beating helps.

Well, obviously you guys are all WAY more stupid than I ever imagined... Seriously, have a good time with it, keep remembering that you're taking a total stranger and introducing them to an experience that changed your life, and be careful. As for the rest, one story and one quote: Last year at Monterey, I was preparing to take a very lovely young woman on a tandem. Someone (if I recall, it was our very own Anvil

I'm doubting you were really old enough to remember these, Jen... but my favs: Van Halen Pat Travers Johnny Winter AC/DC UFO Genesis Jackson Browne Bruce Cockburn Jimmy Buffett Geez, I'm sitting here thinking I could start a "Favorite 60s Music" thread, too... but that would be too depressing.... Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Yo, Cabana Boy...hope you had a great one! Come on out to H-town for the Chickways this weekend, we got some other special stuff going on too! Happy Birthday, Mike! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

I have over 500 jumps on Icarus mains, 330 and 365. They fly great, and generally flare great, but we've had a few issues that seem to be related to line trim that seem to impact the flare, particularly on the 365s. We had one canopy that flew and flared great, went in for first reline, and lost about half the flare. According to our rigger, the line trim didn't change, but suddenly no one wanted to fly the thing. After the second reline, it seems to be fine. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong with these mains, they are rugged, fly great, and feel more like flying a Sabre2 or a Stiletto rather than a tandem main. Nick Bosco from Aerodyne was at our DZ over the weekend, and had an A2 demo with him...a few of our TIs jumped it and seemed to like it, but I didn't get a chance to jump it myself. Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

NFW is Shannon that old...she looks about 18, fer crissake! Well, either way, have a great birthday...you still jumpin' Pablo's canopy, girl? Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

I've gotta admit, I like "Katana". Sounds cool, skydiving related...what more could you ask? And think of all the pleasant, alliterative fun you could have when you call him... And if you like the name, I don't need a prize...just a weekend at Byron to catch up with all my buds I never see any more. Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Just last Saturday, in fact, I had one of the best tandem students ever. She was totally alert, asked a lot of great questions, was totally excited during the ride to altitude. Went to do a backloop on exit (which she asked me to do), and she pushed off hard enough that I barely had to give any input. We rotated right to the relative wind, I threw the drogue after a few seconds, she was totally loving the entire experience. Great freefall, great under canopy, and I let her fly it down to land with me (that makes exactly twice in over 500 tandems). She was so dialed in, I had to make a hard correction at about 15 feet due to a wind change, and she was actually anticipating the control input I made and helped in perfect sync with me. Freakin' AWESOME! Thanks Andrea...you make this TM stuff worthwhile! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Well, it's the Caribbean...it may look like crap, but it hardly ever rains for days on end down there unless a full-blown tropical storm is moving through, so you'll probably get some sun and some showers. Here's the other good things (I can't think of any bad ones...I LOVE rain in the tropics!): 1) You'll have pretty green foliage to look at rather than brown scrubby stuff. 2) Snorkeling or diving in the rain can be pretty cool; the lighting is so different, the fish behave differently, it's a great experience. 3) Cruz Bay has a ton of great little bars that are perfect places to watch the rain. Coral Bay also has a couple great places right on the water. 4) Hell, what's more romantic than a rainy day in the tropics? You may never leave the room. Anyway, we'll think positive and slightly jealous thoughts for you...have a great time! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

I've taken a guy 6'7" and 250 once, and it was not a problem. My current limit is 220, as I'm about that weight myself and would like to keep the total suspended weight on ANY system below the reserve max. When I lose a few pounds, I'll start taking bigger people. Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Had to reply "other" because I use them all, depending on the conditions, the canopy, and the student. I've been trying not to use the stall/surge approach as often lately, as we've had a lot of wind and turbulence in Northern California for the last few weeks, and I don't like what the canopy does in those conditions (i.e. looking like it's gonna roll up and drop out of the sky). I'll replace that with about a 75-90 degree turn to keep the speed up. Hey, Brian Germain...how about an airlocked tandem main? Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Actually, the coolest part of the whole thing was when they open the bomb bay doors. Very cool just watching these doors open under your feet with nothing there but pure clear fun between you and the ground...

The lucky fuckers would be: Rob Wooldridge Me Laura Yusko Wendy Nimmo Kath Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Well, the really cool folks from the Collings Foundation took pity on us, and (due to the fact that there were riders who weren't jumping, we got to go... IT WAS FUCKING AWESOME!!! Six of us got to exit through the bomb bay doors, after a flight that included a great view of a P-51 dogfight, which turned into a P-51 escort to the LZ. Flymysky and Skyshark6 have some awesome video, so I'm sure we'll see some stills appearing here eventually... For those of you who don't get it...you just ain't gonna get it. For those who have done it, I now know exactly what you're talking about! Worth every freakin' penny, and I'd have done it again if I had the chance (and may yet!). Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

First, this is tax-deductible. Second, you ain't my son, but if you're gonna call me daddy, maybe we can work something out... Sorry Roy, now that it's gonna happen, I'm freaking about the money too. Seriously, it's a piece of history, and I can't really explain why I want to do this. Muust have been watching all the "12 O'clock High" reruns when I was a kid. We're golden with 6 right now, if anyone is interested, you can still call Kath, I think they'll take up to 9 people. See ya! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

We've been trying to make a B-17 load go for the last few weeks, but couldn't get enough people (they wanted a minimum of 9). The pilot has now agreed to go with 6 people, and we have 5 confirmed! Here are the particulars, for extra detail call Kath at Adventure Center Skydiving at 1-800-386-5867 (1-800-FUN-JUMP). - Jump from the bomb bay of a B-17 from 7500 feet. - Cost is $400 - Plan is to take off at 5:00 TODAY, 5/12 from Hollister Municipal airport. Anyone with a little extra disposable income ready to do this?! I've been wanting to do this forever, so let's try to make this happen! Sorry about the last-minute notice, Kath just called me to let me know the pilot changed his mind on the minimum. Come on, let's go jump a piece of history! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Congrats, Roy! Nice milestone...hope the appropriate dairy products have been dispatched. Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

I do flips, but only from certain aircraft. I'm mainly jumping at a King Air DZ, and I've found that doing a backloop on exit probably results in a perfect presentation to the relative wind and a perpendicular drogue toss about 90-95% of the time. The other 5-10%, the student is generally just too damn big to get out the door, so I'll go for a straight exit, present, and throw the drogue. I've never tried a front flip, because every one of them I've seen looks like a side-spin going out the door! Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash