kschilk

Reminds me of the Lert. They'd nest in industrial areas mostly but now and then, one could be found at dzs and even military installations. There was once a "Be A Lert" campaign, to raise awareness and sympathy for the li'l critters. "T'was ever thus."

I never had complete faith in altimeters so I started using clouds early on, to help gauge my altitude and as a back-up altimeter. I note what kind of clouds are at what altitude, on the way up and test myself, on the way down. I never usually go up, on a clear day. "T'was ever thus."

One of the larger turbine dzs, with plenty of student gear and starting early in the season, would probably be your best bet. That way, you won't be so likely to be held-up waiting for a rig or a slot and most of the "candyasses", like myself (only jump when it's warm) won't be out yet...it won't be so busy. I too, recommend a slower pace...1 or 2 jumps per day with a few days between, to digest what you've learned and reflect on the previous jumps. Jumbling everything too tightly together, just seems too reminiscent of a "crash course" and generally, they're best avoided....hence the word "crash". "T'was ever thus."

No biggie, it's all in good fun. I concede that I'm guilty of thread-drift and realize my response may have seemed more harsh, than simply a "back atcha", as I'd intended. My apologies.

Life here, in the undisputed rectum of the nation, certainly has its downsides but sometimes....ya' just can't beat it, for entertainment. I got these stories out of yesterdays newspaper....woulda' posted this sooner but I couldn't stop laughing. This might be a "Ya' hadda' be there" kinda' thing, since this police dept. has a long history of making the "Keystone Cops", look like Seal Team 1. Still, once you visualize the scenario....I think you'll see the humor. Before reading this article, keep this in mind....I passed these cops, on my way to work and when driving to and from lunch, that same day. They were set-up there almost every day, all day...for a week or so. Where the cop was sitting, was about 100 ft. from the intersection of this small street and a short four-lane stretch of road (US 62). He was facing the instrument, which was placed in the middle of the four-lane. He had a field of "clear view", much like you'd have if you standing alone and in the middle of an empty football field! Empty shopping center parking lots on both sides and in front, beyond the four-lane....is about a 100 meter stretch of flat land and railroad tracks...then, the Allegheny River. And now, the rest of the story... OC speed-timing device stolen The ENRADD unit was taken from Route 62 at Imperial Street between 4:34 and 4:51 p.m. Thursday. Oil City police are investigating the theft of a speed-timing device between 4:34 and 4:51 p.m. Thursday from Route 62 at Imperial Street. Police said the ENRADD unit was being used on Route 62 in Oil City when a suspect removed half of the equipment. "Some might find (the theft) funny, but that instrument is used to protect people," chief Robert Wenner said. "We are not pleased." The stolen device sits on the road and transfers data back to another unit located in a police cruiser, Wenner said. "The device serves no purpose on its own," he said. "The costs (of the missing equipment) will be passed on to the tax payers. We all lose - in traffic safety and taxes." Wenner said that the device enables the department to do good things, such as increase the safety of area roads. He added that he is confident police will "get right back out there," using similar devices until the stolen unit can be located or new parts ordered. Meanwhile, Wenner said that he is considering offering a reward for information and that police will "prosecute the (suspect) to the fullest extent." The unit is marked with Oil City Police Department tags. Anyone with information can contact Oil City police. This next one is pretty much self-explanatory, once you see the attached photo. This was in the police and fire calls section. Seneca volunteer firefighters were tripped out to a car fire around 2 p.m. Thursday along Route 322 in Cranberry Township. Chief Mark Perry said the vehicle became stuck in mud and caught fire when its spinning wheels overheated. Perry said the car's owner caused the fire while attempting to free the vehicle. The car was destroyed. (Photo by Ted Rossino) "T'was ever thus."

Yeah...most couldn't do that, with a pistol. Heck of it is....nobody'd give a crap about it, had it been a rat. The PETA people would have still screamed about it! I am impressee with his skills and as well think what an ass to do such a thing. I was rasied not to kill what you are not going to eat. Disrespect to animals is just that and it really shows a person for what they are. I agree, mostly...just not sure PETA would care about the rat. Still, there can be situations where a balance needs to be maintained. We're already seeing a backfire effect to some conservation efforts....especially wildlife. Overpopulation of predators means big trouble....the PA Game Commission has proven that. Oddly enough, I don't see the same degree of interest in protecting domestic pets, that there seems to be in protecting food-source animals and wildlife. As far as I'm concerned....anyone who would harm a trusting, loving animal...would not hesitate and is also most likely, to do the same to a child. "T'was ever thus."

I was referring to spotting, in general....not specific to this incident. If you jump enough and especially, in different areas.....chances are that sooner or later, you'll find yourself in a less than optimal position. I'm simply suggesting that being responsible for ones self, you know....a little self-reliance, can be a good thing when events don't exactly unfold in a by-the-book fashion. My skydive doesn't end at pull-time ....I think it's wise to have a set of EPs, for under canopy too. "T'was ever thus."

{Quote:} "Maybe dense brush and airport runways look the same to you from 13,000 ft; I notice a difference between the two." {Quote} DITTO.......of course, the mods have final say but some of us like to think the pendulum swings both ways, on here. Words are like boomerangs....watch what ya' throw out there, it's likely to come right back at ya'. "T'was ever thus."

Yeah...most couldn't do that, with a pistol. Heck of it is....nobody'd give a crap about it, had it been a rat. "T'was ever thus."

Yeah, if you get around much...sh*t does happen. Maybe you should read my response again...you're going waaaay outta' your way to miss the obvious point. When the spot is over a farmhouse, a group of fields, a country crossroads or an Interstate exit...yeah, some do look amazingly similar. I never encouraged jumping without seeing the ground, since obviously....things can't "look the same", if you can't see 'em. Also...."seeing the ground" does not necessarily imply "horizon to horizon". I'll put it this way....I think it's wiser to be prepared to respond to a bad spot, than to only have the competence to land at the dz's plush, well-lit and spectator abundant landing area. Sorry, I can't dumb it down, any more than that. "T'was ever thus."

So your saying you'd exit a plane thinking, "It's got to be down there somewhere".......? Actually, I know it's got to be down there somewhere. Clouds move, winds change and spots can be off but on every jump....the dz was right where I'd left it. "T'was ever thus."

If the spot's over the dz, it's easy but when the spot is a few miles away....well, I've found that there are a lot of places on Earth that look identical, from 13,000 feet. Sometimes, even with the best of efforts....sh*t happens. The real key, isn't to always get a perfect spot....but to be prepared and able to deal with the worst of 'em. "T'was ever thus."

This is my favorite.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LENKIbKCZ_U&feature=related "T'was ever thus."

Dodge formerly had serious issues with their transmissions for a few years but I think they finally got it straightened out. Dodge is probably the most popular for snowplowing, right now...ya' can't do that with a weak tranny. Most Toyota problems I see are well above 20,000 miles and they're not driveability (engine/electrical) issues, usually chassis stuff. Bear in mind, my customers are farmers, oilfield workers, contractors, etc. and their equipment takes a beating....though it's fairly well maintained. The early "Yodas" held up better and were much easier to work on....too early to judge the '08s, though. Honestly, I'm seeing some frequent tranny problems with the heavier GM 2500/3500 series. Several have had to be replaced but most of these are contractors, that pull heavy trailers in a hilly region. Most of them are waaaay overweight, for the tow vehicle employed. Automatics are a poor choice for that kind of towing, anyway. Most people don't consider their potential future maintenence costs, it was never such an issue but things are changing. Many metropolitan shops are already approaching, if not exceeding $100.00/hr. Sure, there'll be competition but you're not gonna' be seein' any deals. The rising gas costs are going to seriously undermine garage businesses...folks driving less to save money on fuel and to make their old cars last....because with what they're paying for fuel, fewer will be able to afford new cars. Garage prices don't follow the supply/demand rules, less demand will only bring higher prices. "T'was ever thus."

Stay away from diesels, they're all junk. All of them are overpriced, overweight, severely underpowered and about as reliable, as a BIC in a hurricane. If you're looking for a lawn ornament or a counterweight for a towtruck, ya' can't beat 'em! The "Come-ons", "Dump & Craps", "Power Jokes", and even smaller "Scatterpillars" are nothing like their larger displacement relatives...which are nothing to brag about either. As for pickups, in general....nothing made today is really worth a crap, either. They all have their glitches but....well, lemme' put it this way.... I've been a mechanic for at least 35 years, mostly trucks and from S-10s to big rigs. I don't like to work on my own stuff and frankly, I just don't have the time. I own and drive GMs exclusively and except for consumables (brake pads, rotors, lamps, etc.), I never have to mess with 'em. At my garage business, I see Fords constantly, Dodges regularly, Toyotas, with increasing frequency and GMs...usually for the consumables mentioned above and annual state inspections. From my experience.... FORD - often difficult to identify and locate parts, what's supposed to be on it...rarely is. Parts are also usually the most expensive of all, including imports and they are extremely labor-intensive. DODGE - probably the easiest to work on, the least labor-intensive and parts are reasonably priced, though higher than GM and availability is good. Ball joints and wheel bearing assemblies are most prone to failure, especially in frequent off-road applications. CHEVY/GMC - GMC is top of the line but Chevy is comparable and a bit less expensive. GM parts availability is better than the others and the prices are usually much, much lower....quality is equivalent or higher. Probably the only mfgr. whose parts are interchangeable between models and brands...hence the lower prices. I'd say for the most part, they're in the middle of the labor scale but closer to Dodge. TOYOTA - Not your father's Toyota, believe me. Parts availability is spotty and they're priced like platinum. Formerly reliable, I'm seeing more of them and the newer models will beat you up, on labor costs....just below or equal to Ford. I most strongly recommend that you avoid rear disc brakes, on pickups and SUVs. "T'was ever thus."

Yeah, as if anyone who drinks it could tell the difference between ANY brand of beer.....and a frosty mug of boiled weasel piss. Figure the odds. "T'was ever thus."

Weed's a natural herb, created by God for the benefit of the good and righteous...it's not a drug. "T'was ever thus."

Squatters, plain and simple....I wonder if another old law, the one that made it legal to shoot squatters, is still on the books?

Whuddya' need a trigger for? Everybody knows that guns fire radomly and by their own will. Just wait and see, one of those li'l things is gonna' get loose and then....there'll be dead ants and cockraoches (if their armor isn't too thick) everywhere! "T'was ever thus."

It kinda' ruined it for me, my first concert bein' Kiss. I've seen a lot of great bands since and plenty of them had awesome shows....but nothing that compared to Kiss. After them, I was just going to concerts for the music. ....an' I just now realized how rediculous that sounds. "T'was ever thus."

There are some breakfast foods that I don't care for, in the morning but I like to have later on...like Eggs Benedict. I'm a pancake junkie, especially banana pancakes...24/7.

Awww yeah...and Salisbury, Look At Yourself, Magician's Birthday and LIVE! I kinda' lost interest in 'em, after Gary Thain died (I think Sweet Freedom was his last) but when I started pickin' up guitar, The Wizard was the first song I learned.

Well, yeah.....since all mine are "moonglasses". "T'was ever thus."

Whenever Al "the attention whore" Gore gets involved, ya' know it's a con. "T'was ever thus."