lifewithoutanet

I'd thought about the CC route, unfortunately that's not too feasible with my schedule. I'm really kind of limited to the self-study route to get started. I agree with you on how our brain absorbs the language, though. Conversation and interaction go worlds beyond book [or computer] learning. However, the 'Instant Immersion' programs claim to have speech recognition features to help with pronunciation and intonation. I'm skeptical as to how well they'll really work. I might just have to find out for myself and let you all know. -C.

You're neglecting the probable statistic that the posters here represent 6% of the worldwide skydiving community. -C.

Hey, all. I've been thinking of picking up another language for a while now. I still speak a little German, a decade after living in Frankfurt, so that might just be something I'll brush up on over time. One might think I'd learn something a little more practical and pick up Spanish, being that I live in SoCal, but I'm thinking about French, instead, maybe even Russian. Regardless of what I choose, have any of you used any of the commercially available software packages? I've seen "Instant Immersion", "Learn to Speak 'XYZ'", but don't know what to expect from them. I don't spend enough time in my car to warrant tapes/CDs and I'm unlikely to load up my iPod to learn a language at the gym. So I think something more interactive like software might be the way to go. Any opinions on or experience with language software out there? -C.

Well, I do what I can. -C.

Were you referring to this thread? http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1130100#1130100 ltdiver Editted to add: This wouldn't really show us as "all nuts", though...just 6% of us. -C.

I have a Sabre 150 and you and I are relatively close on our wingloading (which only shows that we're not polar opposites on the scale). I pro-pack and like others have said here, roll the nose. I'm not sure what difference flat vs. pro will make on openings, but maybe someone else could shed some light on that. I do get the occasional spanking, but they're few and far between and when they happen, I typically know why. Does your DZ employ packers? Or do you have someone who can pro-pack for you? Give that a go and see what kind of opening you have. If it softens up (and I have no experience or info that says that it will have an effect), well, you'll have learned something... That it's time to learn how to pro-pack. This thread might be of some info to you, as well. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1083862#1083862 In skimming it, I found at least one person who said a pro-pack seemed to tame their openings. If you've taken some classes on pro packing and are comfortable that you're doing it right, but don't want to fumble through it on the DZ, my recommendation is to camp out in your living room for an evening or two and pack, unpack, repeat... You'll have it down in no time. Just be sure to have someone watch you pro-pack at the DZ before you jump it. Good luck! -C.

Yeah, but I doubt I really would have done it. Even if I had, the phone is almost always on vibrate, anyway. -C.

I wanted to record my girlfriend's ringtone (which would ring when she called) as "Booty call!" She found it somewhat funny, but didn't appreciate the humor quite as much as I thought she would. When we broke up, I thought of a choice few other ringtones, but just deleted her number instead. -C.

My favorite one has got to be the episode where they remove (and subsequently replace) the crayon up his nose, poking his brain. Removed, speaking to Flanders (example of mad skillz): Homer: "I was working on a flat tax proposal and I accidentally proved there was no God." Flanders: "We'll just see about tha.. oh.. maybe he made a mistake? Nope... it's airtight." Crayon replaced (not so mad skillz): Homer: "Extended warranty? How can I lose?" -C.

The man is stronger than ever and this Tour will be his 6th (edit for clarity:) victory. Go Lance! -C.

I'd have to agree with you, there. It will depend on what you're going for. If you hold instructional ratings, I could see putting those on there, without question. If you're listing it as a hobby, I don't know... The personal touch depends on who's reviewing it and probably won't do much for you on the first-glance, but might when the resume ends up in front of the hiring manager, or YOU end up in front of the hiring manager. After taking a new role w/ my company my new VP found out that I skydive. Since then, I can barely hold a conversation about business with him. If I'd interviewed w/ him and it came up, it certainly wouldn't have hurt me. The hiring manager who first interviewed me couldn't have cared less and to some extent, still thinks I--and all of you, for that matter--are crazy. You never know what type of personalities you're going to encounter when you're introducing yourself on paper. Just my $.02. -C.

Monster.com has some excellent resume writing tips. The best tip I can offer in that regard, though, is that a resume is NO place for modesty. Most get just a cursory glance to determine if they make it into the short pile or the 'round file' (trash). If you've got it, flaunt it. Make it stand out. Put every related accomplishment on there. With respect to 'related accomplishments', if your friend isn't sure what s/he is looking to do, there's nothing wrong w/ drafting up a couple of different resumes for different positions. Also, *any* management or leadership experience should go on there, almost regardless of the context. Hope some of this helps. Good luck to your friend! -C.

My understanding--or interpretation, rather--of his actions in shooting at US/UK aircraft in the no-fly zones was to project defiance against the UN. Edit: This being necessary to maintain his stranglehold on his people, as well as a general part of his megalomania. Shooting at our planes was 'just enough'. Any more and he'd risk serious consequences. The man knew this. He found a balance--shaky, but a balance--that he was able to maintain for over a decade. Any further direct action could have resulted in a 'less unilateral' approach by the US, further provocation being a motivating factor behind the UN-backing that we (the US/UK) never got. Responding to others' posts on whether we were right to invade... Right, wrong or indifferent is subjective to whatever your position is in the first place. I am not surprised at the outrage people have in any administration's (in this case Bush/Blair) capitalization on the situation to further it's political goals; in this case, using the groundwork of the war on terror as a motivator for political support of the invasion of Iraq. I am surprised, however, that people are surprised. For years it's been, "You should have finished the job the first time." In the 12 years and two presidents that followed, our politicians lacked the political opportunity to go in and finish that job that others criticized us for not finishing in the first place. The political opportunity presented by world events (and I am referring to 9/11 as well as other terrorist attacks worldwide) was siezed by this administration--as someone else on here put it--in sort of a panic. "If we wait that long (30, 60 or 90 days), we might not get our war." A hasty decision? If you compartmentalize the view and think that we could take another 3 months to garner more support, yes. Step back and take a broader look at the picture and that political opportunity might have slipped away. Were they (the Bush administration) looking for connections? Yes. Did they find some? Depends on who you talk to. There is enough circumstantial evidence connecting Saddam's Regime to terrorism, but not enough to present to the public as was done. Is that, then, their error? Should they have hired some better PR folks? What our government acted on was an opportunity that presented itself, and an opportunity that they'd been looking for for far longer than one administration. I'm not apologizing for, nor defending the actions of our government (and that includes the legislative branch, not just the executive), I am merely trying to explain them. As for my more specific views on whether or not invasion was justified, I'd rather discuss that over a beer (or many), spoken conversation providing for the context and tone that is lost in a written medium. I'll get the first round. -C.

Thanks for the clarification and additional info on HMA. -C.

Did a search on this already, but came up w/ some conflicting information, or at least information I'd like clarified. Could someone weigh in on the following and provide more info or corrections? Dacron lines will stretch, but return to their original state and rarely go out of trim. As such, they're well-suited for BASE canopies in shock absorbtion, and in keeping their trim, help to prevent gear-influenced off-heading openings. Spectra lines wear well, will not stretch, and to the contrary, will actually shrink over time. Vectran lines will hold their trim, but don't wear as well as Spectra and tend to 'fuzz out' more rapidly. Even with the differences, the 'lifespan' of Spectra and Vectran between relines is roughly equivalent. How much of what I wrote above is accurate? What is a typical 'lifespan' (# of jumps) for each type of line? I'm sure many factors play into this, but the more qualifying info, the better. What other line types have I overlooked? Much appreciated. -C.

No (wo)man ever said on his/her deathbed, "I wish I had spent more time at the office." Happy jumping. -C.

What!?!?! And no one noticed this before!?!? No one should have LET you on the plane, let alone ALLOWED you to climb out before checking that! (It's called sarcasm.) Good post, Ron...goes to show that even you guys w/ 1000s of jumps were once newbies. -C.

I couldn't make out what the pavement-kisser said, but Sugar Ray Leonard said something along the lines of "Do you have a problem? Move on." -C.

Are your brake lines too short? In flight w/ toggles all the way up, is there a smooth arc between the ring on your rear risers and the tail of the canopy? Or are your brake lines straight, indicating that they might be too taught and may already have the canopy flying at partial brake? -C.

Hot shit, too, Dom. Congrats to you, Tony, Steve and Justin. -C.

0:13:0 Highlights: CReW pass to watch Conundrum's Mr. Bill (click here) A few RW dives, a few FFs and a number of hop and pops. -C.

Ah, but 'Chelle, you failed to mention the backflip exit at 5000 feet! That kicked ass! Really wish I flew a camera. Congrats to you. Well done! -C.

Shit, Dom... Is this *another* person w/ the same survival strategy? -C.

Happy B-day, Rosa! Heal fast! -C.

Okay, so it looks like I jumped the gun and should have done a little more research. Article from Dec 16, 2001 http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/20011216homefrontp5.asp Looks to be Time has just printed old news. Has anyone seen Time's article? -C.