freethefly

I just set up a 645 medium format on my bonehead. Haven't yet jumped it. I will today. I have close to 400 camera jumps with various size cameras - video, 35mm. The camera is a bit heavy and being that is on top and centered it tends to shift the helmet so I am not so sure about flying it headdown. Sit or belly I feel confident. I spent over an hour last night with all my gear on going over emergency procedures. Being that it is a 645 and not a 645N it employs a manual release so a bite switch is not an option. I still need to make a release for it. I think I can devise an apperatus that can be placed in the mouth to trigger the shutter. Does anyone know of a devise that is readily available on the market? Has anyone here ever flown a medium format? My specialty is black and white. I control my images from beginning to end. I do all my own developing and printing. I can never get exactly what I want from a photolab. There is much more satisfaction when I watch my image rise in the developing tray and it is exactly what I saw in my mind before I tripped the trigger. I really think the 645 will take my freefall stills to a whole new level. I love 35mm but the image quality of medium format is of a level yet to be surpassed by anything other than large format. Digital is alright but you just cannot beat the consistant flow of silver halide and for this darkroom enlargements tend to look much better than a digital print which will pixilate upon enlarging even with a run through photoshop six. What is the thoughts of others when questioned with film vs digital. Being that I am a traditional photographer having learned that the photo is not yet finished untill it is in the frame and on the wall, I will always prefer film and a real darkroom over photoshop on the computer. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Early this morning a mainstream news show aired about a minute of snipets from the Nationals. A little Freefly, a bit of RW and some Freestyle. Small but good to see something that highlights the sport. Too ofton it is the bad things that happen that the media will focus on. Hmmmm, maybe this is a start of some good media. They should check out the Pro Swooping Tour. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

How many Freeflyers does it take to change a light bulb? At least 2. One to change the bulb and one to take video "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Two blondes were taking a walk one day when one stopped and looked down. "Look, tracks. I wonder what kind of tracks they are?" the first blonde said. The second blonde took a look and stated that they were deer tracks. Blonde #1 disagreed and proclaimed that they were bear tracks. They were still arguing when they were hit by the train 30 minutes later. For you blondes, they were railroad tracks. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

This is an interesting thread and one that is of interest to me. Anyone who is familiar of me, personally or by a past post, know that I am HIV+. I myself would not sleep with a woman who is not HIV+. Before I knew of my status I was under the impression that I would not get it as I am not gay nor would I ever share a needle if I were to bang dope. I did sleep with alot of women. When I found out of my status, the worst thing I ever had to do was to make alot of phone calls to women whom I really cared about (I really loved them all). To tell someone that they may possiably have AIDS becuase of yourself is so surreal that I doubt anyone here can imagine how I felt. It is an emotional overload like know other. There is guilt, depression, a fear and loathing of ones self. That is a hard trip to handle. Then there is the loneliness that follows. I am in a grey area when it comes HIV. There are no support groups that deals with my issues concerning relationship. If you are a white heterosexual male, you are on your own. In the last nine years, I have only met 3 women with HIV. Not alot happening in the midwest. Then there is the concern in how people will accept you when you tell them of your status. Considering what I do, skydive, there is always the possiability of an accident that can pass blood. A major concern of mine therefore those who jump with me know and accept this. Safety is always my number one concern. And it should be everyone elses just the same. You wouldn't jump from a plane without a rig on. Think of a condom as your rig in bed. Put it on before you jump. Let us not forget the cost financially that AIDS will cost you. I cleaned close to $20,000.00 out of a bank account, then sold my stock and closed a mutal fund. After all that I filed for bankruptcy. My job went to Mexico in 2001. I lost my insurance. The VA put me on a low priority, once a year visit, no meds. At one time I was eating 30 some pills a day. That is another issue you will deal with if you go in with nothing on. AIDS meds are no picnic. There is nothing fun about them. The side effects are at times dibilatating. It is akin to eating cement if you catch the meaning. At other times it seems to never stop. Nerve damage to the hands and feet from the toxic build up. I am now on disability. Some may ask " why are you on SSDI and you can skydive?". Most of my mornings are spent in the bathroom due to HIV. I have an extremely hard time in the heat as I ofton run fevers. My lymphnoids ofton swell which will put me out for the day. Skydiving brings me back and takes my everyday reality out of the picture for awhile. It is my anti-depressant. When I was on anti-depressants, I had several suicide attempts. Also there is what it does for you body. How about severe weight lose. I went from over 230 pounds down to under 150 pounds when I first got sick. Though it does work very good for Freeflying. Because I have no insurance I am not able to recieve medication as the state is relunctant to pay. So much for the high taxes I paid over the years. I have a low Tcell count and a high viral load. With out proper medical care I fully expect to die due to AIDS. The truth is that in America unless you are wealthy or have good insurance you will not recieve the proper care. I can go on and on about this but I will not. What I will say is what I say to everyone before they leave the plane "be carefull". OH, and if by some chance there is a lady skydiver who is also HIV+ whom by chance is reading this, PLEASE email me I would love to talk to you. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I once read of some guy who went in for the samething and came out as a woman!!!!! A breakdown in doctor/patient communication I presume or maybe just a slip of the scaple. "YIKES, sorry about that, Mr. Johnson, uhmm I mean Ms. Johnson.", the doctor was qouted of saying after the botched operation. Hey good luck on your operation tomorrow. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Down about 5 cans of red bull. Make the drive. There is always time to sleep on the climb to altitude. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

My fat cat Bodie ofton has to PLF his landing when he jumps from things. It's just sad, but funny! "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I very rarely drink anymore but..... Anyone who has ever done a Wespac ( Navy term for western pacific deployment ) and was lucky enough to go to the Phillippine Islands ( I was there in 1981 ) would most surely remember a drink called "MOJO". Looks like cherry koolaid. Taste like koolaid. You can sit and drink glass after glass and not get drunk. As soon as you stand up, it hits you. Shit will make you do strange things. Not sure what is in it. Not sure I really want to know. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Steven 2117. Just my luck, I live on a farm road. Where's them sheep and my camera helmet and belly mount!!!!! "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

EGADS!!!!This place has been over ran by galactic geeks.NERDS, NERDS, NERDS. I think I'll go put on my Spock ears and go watch "The Wrath of Khan.". You "Star Wars" people are just too out of touch with reality. Really now, "May the force be with you.". What the hell is that. GET REAL PEOPLE or get assimilated by the BORG. Don't say that I didn't warn you. Any attempt to resist is futile. Oh... and live long and prosper. STAR TREK, STILL THE BEST "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Life is better with a joint than a drink, I think. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Thank you for pointing out my error "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Have you recently had a frontal lobotomy? Your condition sound similar to a condition that I myself was inflicted with. Uhh wait, no that was a bottle in front of me and it was my dick that was twitching. On the advise of my attorney I will no longer be giving out medical advise as I am not a real doctor though I do play one in distant taverns to get laid. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

LENO IS NOT FUNNY. That dick chin hack has to explain his lame ass jokes to his audience and even then no one really gets them. If you think Leno is funny then maybe you should talk to your doctor about lowering your prescription medication dosage or just flat out quit smoking too much weed. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Looks like a patch holder of the infamous Chinese motorcycle club "Hell's Panda". "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Hey, how about the HRD VINCENT BLACK SHADOW 1000. Early 1970's the Black Shadow was probally the meanest bike ever built. Anyone remember Sonny Angel? He had a shop in National City, Ca. (San Diego). He rode several Vincents at Bonneville to speeds over 200mph. He had his Black Shadow up on a pedestal in the shop. Sonny was in his mid sixties when I first met him. He did alot of work on my Norton back in 83 when I first bought it for $100.00 as a wrecked basket case. This old timer would tell some hair raising stories about chasing speed records and 200mph slides on the salt. Old guy was fucking tough! "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Hate to say it, but that's her thong. Are you sure it's not her G-string.....EGADS!!!!!!!!! "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Back in 1982 I had a 1980 Sportster that spent most of it's time in the shop. Freaking AMF crap. Anyways my bike was down so I was on a friends Suzuki 1100 and we went to Otay to run hard on those kickass bank turns. Leaning into a turn at 70 to 80 mph I hit a squirrel. The front end turned right and threw me nearly 100'. Totaled out the bike as one fork went through the engine. I was ambulanced to Balboa hospital as I was Navy. Major face abrassions, ripped lip, concussion, back damage and a hell of a lot of road rash. Spent a month in a wheel chair and two months rehab in the hospital. Inspite of all of that I still loved running Otay. Also due to this the Navy base began requiring that all military personnel take a rider safety course. Side note on the squirrel: he did not survive. I got a 142mph ticket on my 91 Fatboy in 1994. This bike was anything but stock. I blew away a GS1100 at Sturgis in 1993. We hit over 160mph. I have a suicide shift on my bike and apehangers. My 1972 Norton 750 (bored to 1000, big cam, milled crank, oversize intake valves, two Amal MK 5s, belt primary, andrew shaved race gears) on a low slung rigid will do 150mph. This bike also has apehangers and a suicide shift. Top speed in skydiving: 198mph-pro-track Live Fast or Die Slow "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Scuba dived the Phillipine Islands, Australia, Japan, Africa and Mexico all in six months time "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

My first rig in 97 was a Vector II with velcro riser covers. I learned to Freefly with this rig. A few times while H/D I would have a riser or two going up my arms. Flew this rig for two years. Bought a VectorIII in 1999. Brand new paid $800.00 for it. Kick ass rig. Fits like a glove. Has complete bridle protection and tuck flaps that never open untill deployment. Look around for a good deal before you buy and take look at the Vectors. In the past I have seen used Vectors for sale at Norman Kents web site. The rigs would have maybe 5 jumps on them. They were used for a photo shoot. Priced under $1000.00. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

it is amazing how many times you see someone just "gear up" and get on the plane without first checking their gear themself and then getting a second gear check from someone else. hell, it is your LIFE, check it out. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I was taught by Tamara Koyn back in 98 about being aware of the relative wind on all parts of the body and relating it to balance. If the relative wind is applied evenly you find balance and movement and transitions will be smoother. Over time you tend to not think of these "little things" as your flying technique becomes second nature. Do some drills and focus on just one part of the body and explore what that foot, hand, ankle, hips..... can do. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

A phat spiff of da'kine and gravity warping Freefly, yeaaaah baby, puff puff it's all in the mind!!!!!!! "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

"He didn't like that (Busch) and consumed, as near as we can tell, about 36 cans of Rainier." It is obvious that this bear is of a lower class of bear. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young