MajorDad

Have a great Boogie. Izzy and I may be down you way at Christmas... Blue Skies Major Dad CSPA D-579

Putting the "fun" in "dysfunctional"... This is another self-inflicted wound that is not needed. Some band-aids will get put on and both sides will blame the other. The root cause of the problems will remain unresolved. If the US goes into recession in 2013, the politician's who are putting ideology before their own country should be voted out at the next opportunity... Merry Christmas - Hope Congress enjoys their lump of coal. Major Dad CSPA D-579

Same thing for the ones saying they will move to Canada. Lots of room on Baffin Island for the Tea Party.

Americans will get the goverment they deserve.... Skydivers are not the only dysfunctional family around PS - Obama --> 300-305 with a Republican Congress and a Democratic Senate. Major Dad CSPA D-579

Stephen Colbert is my hero... http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/25/stephen-colbert-makes-donald-trump-a-tasty-offer Stephen Colbert has lobbed the ball back to Donald Trump – literally. Following the mogul’s, er, bombshell announcement yesterday – that he will donate $5-million to a charity of Barack Obama’s choosing if the U.S. president reveals his college transcript and passport application – Colbert has announced he will donate $1-million to a charity of Trump’s choice if he allows the funnyman to "dip my balls in your mouth." That’s right, balls, as in testicles. “Nothing would make America happier than to have something going into your mouth instead of coming out of it,” Colbert said. “Let’s do this for the kids.” There’s only one rule for this tasty challenge: “this dipping” has to take place by Halloween. “One caveat,” he said on Wednesday’s Colbert Report. “My balls must be in your mouth no later than 5 p.m., Oct. 31.” And, it has to be to his AND his balls’ “satisfaction.” Major Dad CSPA D-579

You have instructor ratings and you think this is a brilliant idea? Sad..... real sad.... Major Dad CSPA D-579

There will be challenges in getting pipelines built to the BC Coast. However the recession over the last few years has highlighted how much of an economic driver the oil industry is in Canada and we weathered the storm far better than other global economies. There are a number of routes that can get developed in a responsible manner and the Keystone Cop fiasco may galvanize the political leadership into action. It will take a lot of effort and time and money to address the political, environmental and economic issues. I'd expect that it will take 10 to 20 years to get more meaningful pipeline capacity out to the BC coast. Major Dad CSPA D-579

A lot of blame to go around. In all fairness, though, Obama kicked the ball down the field to 2013 because it catered to the people he needed to vote for him. It seems to have made them very happy. Big Oil / Big Corporation Bashing is all the rage nowadays. However, both Canadian Companies and US companies are out a lot of money in the meantime and the industry newsletters figure that there is still a 50/50 chance this project will die. In the meantime a lot of jobs that would have been really useful on both sides of the border are also punted downrange. Despite the rhetoric, it wont matter a fiddlers damn to the overall climate change picture. Most of the CO2 emissions are from the end users using the product (i.e. vehicles/plants/factories), not from the exploration/exploitation. But this is not a fact based issue. Even if it goes ahead with a new route, that route will add $500/million to the cost, add 18-24 months to the construction phase, and use a route that has already been determined that has a higher environmental impact. It does drive home the point that one should never have one customer. Canada, as a nation, needs to develop other markets for the oil along with the capacity to get it there. Especially when the only customer is basing its business decisions on political and emotional criteria. Or is more interested in Rick Perry's brain fart or Cain's Character... Major Dad CSPA D-579

Obama must have missed the fact that the Chinese have been investing in the Alberta Oil Patch and in a pipeline to pump the product out to the Pacific. If the US doesnt want the oil, the Chinese will gladly pay for it. They also take the long veiw on things. Stupid election year politics indeed. Major Dad CSPA D-579

Thanks for posting the link. Major Dad CSPA D-579

There are a few from the Great-Soon-to-be-White North who are following the exploits. Great job on Level 5 and looking forward to the next one!! Blue Ones, Major Dad CSPA D-579

A Canadian Search and Rescue Technician died after jumping in with a team up north yesterday in marginal conditions. I had the pleasure to run a Canadian Coach 1 Course for the Sartechs last year. True professionals. They have to go out.... they sometimes don't come back.. Link to story.. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/cfb-trenton-soldier-dies-in-nunavut-rescue-mission/article2217324/?from=sec431 CFB Trenton soldier dies in Nunavut rescue mission A soldier has died after jumping into icy, stormy waters in an attempt to save a pair of stranded boaters in Nunavut. Sgt. Janick Gilbert was a search and rescue technician based at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario. Capt. Pierre Bolduc said Sgt. Gilbert and two other rescue technicians jumped into the Hecla Strait from a military aircraft Thursday. The C-130 Hercules had flown north to Nunavut after two men in an open boat ran into trouble about 25 kilometres east of Igloolik. The men were in the boat, battling strong winds and high waves. Community residents in two other boats tried to rescue the men, but couldn't reach them. Mr. Bolduc said after the three soldiers jumped in, all five waited three hours for a Cormorant helicopter to arrive from CFB Gander in Newfoundland and pick them up. Sgt. Gilbert died before the chopper arrived, but how he died has not been released. “Janick will always be remembered as a respected family member of 8 Wing who was committed to helping people in need,” said Trenton's base commander, Col. Sean Friday. “At this most sorrowful time, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his many friends.” Lt.-Gen. Andre Deschamps, commander of the Royal Canadian Air force, also said his sympathies are with Sgt. Gilbert's family and comrades. “He lost his life in the service of his country while unselfishly answering the call for help,” said Lt.-Gen. Deschamps. The two other rescue technicians and the two men rescued from the boat were taken to Igloolik. The rescue mission was co-ordinated by the base in Trenton, but also included rescue crews from bases in Gander, Nfld. and Greenwood, NS and Winnipeg. A Canadian Coast Guard ship from Iqaluit was also dispatched. Major Dad CSPA D-579

To the OP, You want to jump an elliptical at 100 jumps, you deserve what you get. You poor choice in canopy selection was probably one of the links in the chain that contributed to the cutaway. Wouldnt be the least bit surprised if you had a GoPro on as well... Treat the sport with the respect it deserves before you pound in. Dial it back a notch or three... My 2 cents. Major Dad CSPA D-579

Damn few like him and too few left.... BSBD Major Dad CSPA D-579

Congrats on Passing Level 4!! And the landings will come. Looking forward to your Level 5 Blue Ones, Major Dad CSPA D-579

Thanks for posting these! Totally enjoyed them

True dat. There are people out there you couldnt pay me enough to work for. Have you met both of the people you will work for? Which is the one that you think will be the better fit for your style? Robert Sutton wrote a couple of books that cover workplace culture and toxic bosses/co-workers nicely (The No Asshole Rule and Good Boss/Bad Boss). Gave copies to my boss (he is a great one, but his boss, on the other hand....) Good luck! Major Dad CSPA D-579

Canadian POPS Record Attempt at Eden North (37 Way Plus Video) Dates: 7 July through 9 July (Thursday through Saturday) with 10 July as the Weather Day Aircraft: Twin Otter and Caravan Size: 37 Plus Video The Plan: 18 Jumps (6 jumps per day). Plan on Sequential after the 37 way has been done. Registration: $70 (covers off LO Plus Video) Contact for information – Phil Perry ([email protected]) Major Dad CSPA D-579

Good luck with the Boogie, Rich. Had a grand time in Belize and look forward to someday making the trip to Nicaragua. Blue Ones, Major Dad CSPA D-579

How do you know this is the same guy? Mercier is a pretty common name in this area.... Last I heard, Mercier was selling real estate in Calgary (4 hours away from this ranch). Major Dad CSPA D-579

Eternal Blue Skies, Ian Major Dad CSPA D-579

Pull High..... Think Happy Thoughts!! Blue Ones, Major Dad CSPA D-579

Actually, John, I'm not. I just teach enough FB-addicted students to know that it would be a logical thing for them to do..... Major Dad CSPA D-579

Next will be the FB Poll for the naming of the future skydiver/packer...... Major Dad CSPA D-579

Congrats, Rich I'll be in your neck of the woods in March for the Canucklehead 100 way. See you then Blue ones Major Dad CSPA D-579