TaeKwonDoDo

Dude - this is CALIFORNIA! NO RISK YOU SAY???? Our bonds are at Junk status right now! I'd take the cash NOW! The way this state is run who knows if they're going to be filing bankrupcy and tell all the lotto winners to go pound sand . - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

Dude - I'm right there, right now, too... I have been jumping a rental PD230 for the last several weeks. Always landing at 100'MSL and into a 10 knot wind. This last weekend I was jumping my own, new to me, Sabre 190 - couple that with the fact that I was not at my home dropzone and at +1600 MSL in NO WIND - I was Haulin ASS! Talk about practicing your PLF (and belly flops) - I came in from the desert on one jump COVERED in dust... It was humorous for a while, and everyone got a kick out of it (but me). So Sunday I took a canopy control course and had the video taken - it helped but still didn't slow me down: Just need to learn (I guess) to run it out. The video showed me doing a three stage landing - easy flare to almost 90o's, second stage almost a swoop, and it was third stage I was screwing up - I should have gone to full flare but as I was higher on the "swoop" than I should have been (~6'). Instead of completing the flare by toggling all of the way down I let them up and would drop like a rock. I'm looking forward to doing the three stage flare this weekend at my home DZ, with the 100'MSL and the slight headwind - Cause I'm tired of the PLF . I'm just hoping I can get someone to video me this weekend so I can watch it on the TV and continue to work on it. I'll take any tips I can get here too... - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

As I am fairly new and still have a few (or more than) "spectacular" landings (perfecting the PLF) I would like to find an inexpensive suit that I won't feel bad about putting a hole or grass stain in the knee or ass of it. Looking in the classifieds and on e-bay I can't find one that fits - or comes even close (I'm 5'11, 190 lbs with a fairly, but not perfect, athletic body). If I have to buy one new, where can I find something relatively inexpensive that will take the new-jumper beating for about the next 100 jumps? TIA, - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

I'm fairly new (~35 jumps) and took a canopy control course this weekend - 4 hop-n-pops. Loved-em. Get a few seconds of free-fall then pull - softer opening but not much different jump than falling from 13K. What I liked best? I got the sky all to myself. Awesome. You'll do fine. - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

~10+: New friends I met at SD-AZ. Slotperfect, skykttykat, chomeboy, bbarnhouse, dusty, Tom, stephan, ron, al, and many more...And lots of PLF practice on that new (to me) Sabre 190 landings - Almost had the hang of it by the time it was to go home. 10 Jumps. 3: New rig, First (second and third) 6-way, first jump at SD AZ/1400 MSL. - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

I think the real point is being missed: One of the highest taxed states in the nation...(in the top 5 of ALL states). Schools, Roads AND Infrastructure (i.e., power) is among the worst bottom 5 of ALL states. I don't mind paying taxes - everyone (yes, everyone) should pay their equal percentage. But like I want to give these phuckers MORE of MY money to mismanage. Yeah, sounds like a good idea to me. Don't forget - our deficit is LARGER than ALL remaining 49 states combined. Again, where do I sign? - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

I dunno - my wife has referred to me as "hey dummy" in the past - does that make me qualified "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

I think testing it is worth the $60. But if I test it as I zoom through 12-1300 feet to have it fire between 750 and 800', doesn't this imply that, in order to prevent two canopies out that I HAVE to RELY on it... I mean, I'm not going to fall through to 500' and THEN pull...(oh yeah... go for the reserve in either case...) But wait - If I rely on it, then people won't jump with me as I'll be viewed as some newbie who NEEDs one and will be identified as part of the "Cypress Generation". On a smarter note - If the Vigel (or Astra) people were smart at their marketing, they'd pony up $60 (or even more) to capture a large portion of that installed base of Cypress'!!! Hmmmm.... wonder if they need someone new in there marketing department... - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

ROTFLMAO&PMP. - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

Dude - you are MY FRIEND! Well said, the whole post. - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

Boy - I try not to get into the political threads (never mix friends with politics and/or religion) but this one really gets me. I pay STATE taxes - a shitload of them. And now they didn't DOUBLE the license TAX (it's not a FEE) on the cars, they TRIPLED IT. Specific example, I have a 1993 Ford Ranger with ~180K miles on it. It's not worth more than $1000. My "Vehicle tax" went from about $45 last year to over $120 - for a piece of shit vehicle (that's a tax of about 10% of the vehicle's value, taxed on a yearly basis). I'm OK with a $30 car tax - but this is ridiculous. And, as far as Taxes go, we ALREADY pay taxes in the top 10% of ALL States. Sales Tax = ~8.5% Property Tax is higher than I've paid anywhere (Double per home-size that I paid in Illinois) State Income Tax is almost 10% So - Let's see: I'm in one of the HIGHEST taxed states in the US that... a) Has a deficit larger than all other 49 states COMBINED b) Has schools that rank in the LAST 10% nationwide, and c) the WORST roads I've ever driven on. Socialism isn't working in this state - Its leading to a huge state government that misspends like crazy and is intent on driving businesses and jobs out and leaving the poor behind (once the guy that buys the dinner decides to no longer show up... how do we pay for the meal for the people who can't?) If they can't spend MY money* well - WHY IN THE HELL would I support giving these fucking idiots even more of MY MONEY to mismanage?!?!?! *(yes, it is MY money, not the state's. I'm the one who works the 40 to sometimes 60hrs + a week away from time I could be spending with my wife and kids... or skydiving) Why don't I get out and leave the idiocy to continue without me? Well, I love my home, my friends and the beauty of my state... But I do ask myself this every single day - why do I stay? Where do I sign? Getting down off the soapbox now... Ducking, and putting on the asbestos suit . - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

Bub, I know what you mean - I've packed about 15-20 pack-jobs now so hopefully my recent experience can help you somewhat. I was having problems (still do, sometimes) packing the student PD230, trying to figure out where the lines go, and which are which. I just recently got a Sabre 190 and flaking it is a breeze (stuffing ZP into the bag, well... that's another story). I asked our head packer why the Sabre is so easy and he said that the less material there is the easier the lines "automatically" group together when you grab the nose and shake it out. After packing this chute 4-5 times it sure made packing the PD230 a lot easier to pick out which lines were which. Recommendation 1 - try flaking a lot smaller chute to get familiar with which lines go where. Also, another trick I use on the larger chute (which I no longer have to pack, thank god) is that I use the slider to help group lines. Each line-set per-side is: 5 A lines and 5 B lines on the rear-right slider grommet, 5 C lines, 5 D lines and the steering lines in the right-front slider grommet. Recommendation #2: Use the slider to your advantage to help you flake out the canopy. Recommendation #3: Checkout sidsrigging - there is a drawing showing hoe the lines lay-out. Once you get/understand the drawing, you go "ah-ha!". And the funny thing is once you get it you realize how simple the drawing really is. And lastly, as others have said... practice, practice, practice.... Good luck, - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

A Little kid is staying the week at his grandparents house. The night before it had been raining all night long but in the morning the sun was shining and the little boy was playing in the back yard. While the boy was hunched down in the mud, his grandfather walked up and asked him what he was doing. The boy replied, "trying to get this worm back in this small hole it just came out of..." The grandfather then said to the boy, "If you can get that worm back in the hole, I'll give you $5." The boy sat and thought for a moment, then ran into the house. A moment later the boy comes running back out with a can of hairspray. He sprays the worm all over, and then puts the worm back into the ground. True to his word, the grandfather hands his grandson $5. The next morning, the little boy is sitting in the kitchen eating breakfast when his grandfather comes down the stairs and hands him another $5. The boy looks at the grandfather and says, "But gramps... you already paid me." The grandfather replies, "I know. This is from your Grandmother." "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

Agree, I love AZ and may make that my final stomping grounds someday - maybe near Flag or Sedona (any dropzones near there? ). Great fishing an hunting up there, semi moderate weather, land is still affordable - and the views from the Mogillon rim are amazing. Just need some PNW/Puget Sound (summer) Green and Blue every now and then... - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

"You betchya". - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

Tom, Thanks for helping me knock out some of my goals on the yellow card. It was truely a blast. And I'm excited now that I can jump my own rig (still haven't, as the AAD is still out for service and I couldn't till I got my license # from USPA, and they weren't handing 'em out on Saturday). That $20/pop for gear rental was really sucking the wallet dry. First jump in it should be Friday afternoon at SD-AZ (Beer - hear that BB and Slotperfect?). I'll tell Destiny you (and everyone else from SMB) said hello - I think the gang at SMB likes her more than they like me - when I told them I was meeting up with her this weekend at SD-AZ... well lets just say, I found out where exactly it is I sit in the pecking order! - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

I lived in Phoenix from 84-88 (and Prescott till '90), and cleaned pools to put myself through college my last year in PHX. Sound sweet? Well, when it's 110o outside and yur looking into that blue water thinking ahhhhh - and then jump in and its warmer in the pool than out of the pool - yech & gross! I still loved every minute of the heat - but being a Pacific Northwesterner, I just hated the tan and olive drab! God give me some GREEN. - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

Beer... =============== This email confirms that Jeffrey L, USPA member number xxxxxx is a current member through September 2004 and has been issued an A license number A-43739 on September 15, 2003. Congratulations Jeff! If you have any additional questions, please contact me at USPA Headquarters. USPA Assistant Director of Safety & Training ============================= Kewl. - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

I think I got the terminology right... yes? 5:4:5 I did 4 - is it possible to owe more beer than what you jumped? - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

I triple checked for hanging and/or dimpled chads... I knew better (this time ). To think that anyone could phuck one of those up after what happened in Florida... Well, if they are capable of phucking up their chads, then they shouldn't be voting . - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

To strengthen your point - I live in Santa Clara County and used one of those punch-card machines in the election in which Davis was re-elected. I think I want a re-count of THAT vote. - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

5:4:5 Catagory 1 (5) - - Hop and Pop - DW Landing on Tailbone (still hurts!) - Hardest opening to date (baseball size purple bruises on inside of thighs) - Got signed off for my "A" - "Industrial Fog" moved in on the last load Catagory 2 (4) - H&P - Funjump 15K (slammer opening) - Funjump 18K (dude - that's a long one) - Funjump 15K through "industrial haze" Category 3 (5) - First Slammer - First H&P - First 18K - First "A" jump - First manuver through/around "industrial haze". Time to go buy stock in a beer maker. - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

Just wait until you get to do your first docking dives... Funjumps alone are cool - I did my first (BEER) 18K jump this weekend, but jumping with someone else really rocks. (Dive 12) When my coach went out the door and I followed 1/2 second later he was 20-30 yards away. I aimed, pulled my arms back, and "flew" (yes, you CAN fly) down to him, slowed down and docked right on him - flew around to his side, and docked again. Flew back in front of him and docked again - went to his other side and docked again - then back to the front and docked again. I NEVER thought I would enjoy relative work, but when you learn you can WILL your way to fly to someone else it really lets you know (more than alone) that you CAN fly. Enjoy - I just got my "A" this weekend (BEER again) and I'm having the time of my life - and SHIT its all I think about now too... - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

One word: BEER! - Jeff p.s., OK, more than one word: Extra special thanks to the gang at SMB: Raf, Terry, Jess, Tom G., Tom B., Sunset, Mike, Anthony, Jackie, Dail and all the others there that make SMB feel like a great place. "That's not flying, it's falling with style."

AARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHOOOOOOWWWWWWEEEEE... Roll the nose! I have to remember to REALLY roll the nose. Another hard opening on the first pack-job of the day today (about pack #5) - Some really good phonetic explecitives today given at 4K at very loud levels - glad there was no-one to hear me. Man, I now KNOW what a wishbone feels like. I feel like I was split from between the legs half-way up. I just looked and on the inside of my thighs I have baseball size bruises!!! rollrollrollyurnose.... - Jeff "That's not flying, it's falling with style."