Miami

Brought up the same thing in this thread...drives me nuts, too. Miami

I think it depends on who does your surgery. I had mine done on a Monday and kept frozen peas on it that day, but was up and about the next day...and made a half dozen jumps or so that weekend. I was a little sore the couple days following the surgery but nothing that was keeping me from doing anything. I can't remember how long it was till I put it to work again, but the small amount of blood in my jizz the first time or two was a little unnerving. Miami

Ya know . . . there's a reason it's made out of aluminum; radiation. No, not the kinda radiation that requires you to wear lead over your nutsack while the dentist gives you an x-ray, but HEAT radiation. Aluminum is extremely effective at soaking it up from one side and radiating it out the other. Covering the device with any sort of plastic shield, especially on the bottom of it, just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. As for just how much heat . . . yeah, I've actually cooked my legs a bit. First degree burns, maybe not quite as intense as a sunburn, but you learn very, VERY, quickly to put something between it and you if it's going to be on your actual lap for very long. Make certain that whatever that is still allows for ventilation; a couch cushion, for instance, isn't a great idea. Download fan control to deal with the heat...kicks up the fans rpms a touch and keeps the heat WAY down. Miami

Get Apple care. I'm posting right now from the new MBP I just picked up last night as a replacement for my old one. I preordered a MBP when the were first announced and after two years it died on me (last week). Took it in the the apple store, they couldn't get it to work and gave me a brand new one, just like that. If I hadn't had Applecare I would have been SOL. Miami

Nice...me, you, and our father in law should start a club. When are we going to see you guys again, I miss my nephews! Miami

I never liked the bigger cards...don't like putting all my eggs in one basket... I got 3 of the 2gb extreme 3 cards for $48.85, and 2 of the 4gb sd cards for $29.90 (all after rebate of course)...not bad for anyone who got a new XSi. Besides, I don't have a membership to Sams or Costco. Miami

Check here for some good deals on sandisk CF and SD memory. Rebate comes back as a Visa gift card that you can use anywhere. Only good through the end of March so act quick if you want to use it! Miami

My personal rigs, one as listed in my profile, the other is similar. Miami

Do any of the gear stores out there offer a service to sell gear for an individual and take a cut of the sale price? For example, I need to sell both of my rigs, but I deploy in less than a week and don't have the time to deal with the logistics of listing/selling them. Thanks for any info anyone can provide! Miami

I've had a little difficulty getting some of the FTP's I've worked with to cutaway...but none as bad as you're describing. It was discussed in this thread a while back. Miami

Really? Tell that to the three dead pc towers and dead pc laptop I still have in my attic. I've had my macbook pro for 18 months now and my wife has had her macbook for a little over a year. Both still run strong, like they did out of the box...the pc's lasted maybe a year before they died, despite being "protected" with anti-virus/spyware. I'll take the hype, thanks. Miami

To my gear, yes. I know what conditions it has seen between each repack. If something warrants repacking it the day after a repack, then a new I&R it gets. Otherwise... Miami

Exactly why I got my ticket. Miami

I'll second that comment for the sigma 340...just jumped one this past weekend and loved it. If I were going to buy a tandem main for myself (and I couldn't try out the firebolt beforehand) I would get the sigma 340. I've never jumped a HOP though, so I cannot provide a comparison. My experience with tandem canopies are Sigma 370/395, Cobalt 350/390, Set 400, Icarus 365, Rage ~360, EZ 384/425, and the pd 500. Miami

This silly goverment computer won't let me open any of the videos...I agree with you though, much different animal on two wheels. Miami

From an article on the tweel: Miami

Retreads. The tread of the tire and the flexible spokes are fused together, only the tread has to be replaced, not the entire tweel. Miami

Was passing through Ohio with work and only got to spend one day at Start Skydiving, now I wish I could stay longer! Very professional dropzone and great people...I look forward to visiting again!

Due to a hole in my muffler on my 97 GTI I just got a new (cheap) one about a month ago. Paid $96 after tax for parts and labor at a local chain brakes/muffler shop. Miami

Gross dude, you put it in your mouth? I put it under my chin, no way I'm putting that nasty thing in my mouth! Miami

There should also be a small rubber band where the ball is...after opening and once the slider is collapsed you wrap the rubber band around the slider and over the ball (the ball is what holds the band in place around the slider). I think it's clunky as well...I've always collapsed my slider and stuck it under my chin. Miami

It's a keeper for the slider. Miami

Tonto, are you my South African twin? I could not have described better how I feel about jumping tandems...only difference is I still do them because I need the paycheck. Ditto on the AFF's as well...there is nothing like seeing the light click on for a student...and then see that student progress on to accomplish wonderful things of their own. AFF's, especially "problem students" are one of my favorite jumps to do. I believe video (specifically still photography) is what I enjoy most right now...which is not surprising as I am currently a photo major. I love the challenges of flying with any person or group and making the product come out looking effortless. It is very rewarding! PRO I also don't really do much of anymore, but performed for crowds as large as 400K...it was fun but it got old. Rigging I can't stand really...I only got my ticket so I could keep myself and maybe a friend or two in date. I'd really rather not stay on the ground and pack if I don't have to. When I do pack a reserve, however, I strive to do the best job I possibly can on it! Miami

Exactly. Miami

Very cool! That's my next goal for my helmet, adding a 580ex. The blow switch does seem to hold up really well...so far no problems with it. Miami