Gato

Thanks, everybody! The wife gave me a $250 Apple Store gift card - so I'm going to need advice about which iPod to go after. (I'm waiting until next year to get an iPhone.) Jeremy, you may be 8 in human years, but you're getting to be a well-aged skydiver. Thanks again - stay warm! T.I.N.S.

My deepest condolances to Lee's family. I must confess I never met him personally, but on more than a few occaisions, his words had an impact on me, and not just as a skydiver. You could tell he was a guy with bags of integrity and generosity. His was one of the voices of reason here, and many a noob like me have been able to gain wisdom from his experience. It's wonderful to see so many people show so much love for another human being - it's one of the reasons I love being around you all. Blue Skies, Skinnyshrek - you will be sorely missed. T.I.N.S.

The midwest weather sucks, no DZ during the week, and I'm turning 41 tomorrow (thursday). Besides the SOP of sushi, sake, and hot wife, what should I do? Am I the only one who thinks you should be able to jump on your birthday, no matter what? T.I.N.S.

Hey, J-Man! My wife (the other Jen) and I made the switch a couple of years ago, and I've been very happy with the Mac experience. You're gonna love it! When we made the switch, we didn't have any problems with compatibility, just click and drag whatever files you want to move. We also got Microsoft Office for Mac, for all the Word, Power Point, and Excel stuff we had done on the PC. You can run into problems if you take a document made on a Mac and try to work with it on a PC, but you probably knew that. I'm pretty sure you can move whatever is on your iPod directly into iTunes on the new machine. From what I've understood, the only issue would be what you may put on the iPod, not what you take off of it. Congrats! C. T.I.N.S.

My first time through, I got 1996, which I'm sure is pretty lame...... The freefall part needs to be longer, and we need this on the Wii as soon as possible. T.I.N.S.

I have seen correspondence from the VP of operations at Skyventure; the KC tunnel will happen. But you may be right about the time frame, he says it will be more than one year away. I'm not going to hold my breath either, but I am going to get my hopes up. T.I.N.S.

Holding their noses up at you? Is that how you really see it? Only some of our fellow noobs have held their noses up - the experienced jumpers are not coming from a position of "We're better than you." I think they're coming from a position of, "I give a shit about what happens to my fellow skydivers, and to my beloved sport." Do you realize you are presenting an argument for why it's ok for ME to break safety rules? I don't mean to attack or criticize you, man - I don't know shit about this sport yet, but I do know what it means (and feels) to feel invincible. A zen lesson: Those who have been up the mountain know what it looks like below, but those who have not have no idea what the surrounding land looks like. (Or something like that) T.I.N.S.

I want to make sure I'm understanding the concepts the veterans keep referring to, and possibly bring a little more clarity to the table. If I am to understand what I've heard so far, somewhere around 150 square feet, the physics of the system become exponentially different, control inputs become greatly amplified, and mistakes are less forgiving regardless of the wingloading. Could someone explain why this is, if this is true? Is this why it's less of a big deal to see someone downsize from a 230 to a 190, or is that still too great of a leap? I'm headed for a Manta on my next jump, a 288, I think.

Thanks for saying that - in terms of my own safety, I'm really glad I'm going through the Static Line>AFP progression, as it's no big deal to get out low (3200'). As you said, I wouldn't have passed the H&P if I'd taken a delay. The idea that we're doing something fun, I think, sometimes overshadows the fact that we are also training to be experts in dealing with aircraft emergencies. I'm confident I won't freeze in the door. Just for comparison purposes, here's the progression we go through at MRVS: (3) Static Line (2) PRCP (1) Clear & Pull (2) 5 sec. Delay (2) 10 sec. Delay (2) 20 sec. Delay (2) 30 sec. Delay - Consul/Coached jumps to A License T.I.N.S.

Not where I jump - you have to do one clear & pull (off the strut, then arch and pull), then two 5 second delays, and they are not the same jump/delay. I'm sure every DZ is different, this is just the program where I go; I'm pretty sure it's a mostly traditional SL method. T.I.N.S.

As a skydiver, I'm not qualified to tell you a damn thing. As someone more than twice your age, I can tell you that your rapid downsizing is most likely linked to your having self esteem and self worth issues. A true Freudian would say that your trying to make your dick look/seem bigger by taking the risk you've chosen. I think you know many of the folks here probably consider you a DGIT. I hope not. I have a couple of questions for you: 1. What is your goal in downsizing so aggressively, besides going faster? 2. Why not move to a Cobalt 135 instead of the 105? Why did you skip a size? 3. If you've already made up your mind about what you're going to do, why ask for opinions on it, freak out over the result, and tell them they just don't understand the depth of your abilities? 4. If jump numbers are irrelevant, why do manufacturers not allow you to buy something beyond your skill level? (Why can't I fly a Katana through my student progression when all my landings have been great?) Do some research on risk assessment and the human brain. Very recently it was found that the average human doesn't fully develop the ability until their mid to late twenties. I'm not saying you're immature, I'm just saying you may be fooling yourself anytime you say, "I'll be fine." Or if you tend to use the words "maybe" or "might" very often, you may want to reevaluate your choices. Plus, dude, you're setting a bad example for me and other low timers - now I want a Samurai 170 for myself. Does Brian Germain sell those for Static Line rigs???? Seriously, man - a very wise skydiver told me recently, "Slow the fuck down." Cheers, and stay safe. T.I.N.S.

I'd have to agree, I did find it interesting to watch two other students go out on the rope, especially since I'm done with that part. I never thought I'd say I prefer being by the door, but I have a new appreciation for it now. T.I.N.S.

Yeah, but she's like...British now, isn't she? T.I.N.S.

Right, you are - sorry if my statement was too all-inclusive. I was referring mainly pre-mortem individuals like myself, who sometimes need an occasional wake up call or kick in the ass from someone with more experience. Then again, sometimes (or all the time) threads get started here that are direct references to OTHER threads, and I don't always take the time to research whether or not this is the case. Hope I'm not being a Butt-insky. T.I.N.S.

I used to think that about our DZO - but now I know he's one of the most truthful and trustworthy people on the planet, who's seen way too many people fuck up and wreck themselves for stupid reasons. I think he cares too much to soften the importance of the message. You're off the hook - the rules of tact don't apply when lives are at stake. Now, if it makes you sociopathic, you might want to have some counseling, or perhaps a bit of blowjob therapy from a caring companion...... T.I.N.S.

Because my wife said it was OK. T.I.N.S.

Classy. Geeeezus, I'm embarassed for my gender. I hope I'm not the only man who realizes his cock won't save the world. T.I.N.S.

So you're used to having perfect sex with perfectly groomed and sqeaky-clean women? Sounds to me like someone hasn't earned his "red wings" yet. Seriously, you're probably trying too hard, and putting too much pressure on yourself and her to have perfect pornstar quality sex. I have a few VERY specific pieces of advice for you: - Sex is something that can happen over a few hours, but not constantly. By that, I mean you should try and break it up a bit; take a shower with the lady after the first round, or have a drink and a snack in-between rounds. Think strawberries and champagne, instead of pizza and beer. I've heard it's relatively common in Japan to pause for tea and a rice cake. - Empty your bladder after you orgasm (in the bathroom, not in/on her). Your body puts urination "on-hold" while you're having sex, and relieving that pressure should help a little. - Don't forget you're not a machine, and that sex is mostly mental for women and men. Naming your dick, legitamizing it by giving it a personality of its own, is a method we use to disociate from what it does. Don't let your member rule - it's not as smart as you. Remember that the experiences of your penis are not the "measure" of how sex went for the two of you. - Old condoms smell bad/strong. DO NOT USE OLD CONDOMS!!! Trojans are notorious for this, in my experience. New girl = new box of helmets. - Here's a fun trick I sometimes use with my wife: After the first round, I get a bowl of hot water and a washcloth, soak it and wring it out well, and SLOOOWWLYYY run it over every inch of her, including the tender parts. She gets to relax and just enjoy the process as I warm her entire body. She loves it, and she feels less self-concious about my oral fixations afterward. Thus endeth the lesson - the doctor is out. Dr. Gato T.I.N.S.

Exactly which cheek are we talking about, here? T.I.N.S.

Thank you, sir.

I have read only a few threads regarding this stage of the Static Line progression, and maybe you all have some suggestions for me - bearing in mind that I can't get to a tunnel for a while, and I want to continue in the SL program. I had two more jumps yesterday, 5-second delays from 4000'. To say the least, it was an interesting day: I get geared up around 11:30am, and I'm issued my first freefall rig, a big-ass Javelin with a PD300, much more comfortable than the student Racers I used for SL. This is also the first time I rode in a position other than 1st out, right by the door. I think I prefer the door seat. I understand why most jumpers at C-182 DZs are not of the larger variety. Moving 230 pounds (exit weight) around in that little cabin is a neat trick. Anyway, I'm on a load with my instructor, an up-jumper with a vid helmet, and his little brother, who is going for his first jump. He goes out without incident, and we switch positions after the door closes, and I'm now in position to go, and my instructor is going to film my exit/deployment. At 4 grand, he opens the door and tells me to get out, which I do with no problem. When I let go of the strut, I started counting and noticed I was kicking my legs, searching for a floor that isn't anywhere near me. Just as I noticed this, I remembered, "Oh yeah, I need to PULL NOW!" I pull, and immediately snap into a hard arch, which felt great. Deployment went well, very stable and comfortable. The wierd thing is, even though I was kicking, I was stable. I know it's because I was in sluggish air, and if I keep doing that, it could cause major problems on longer delays. So a little later, I did another (you have to do 2) 5 second delay, and I did exactly the same thing, though I was more sensitive to the count and pull time. A bit of a stumble on the first landing, and a beautiful stand-up on the second. My instructors both praised me for altitude awareness and great pulls. It was agreed between the two of them that I could move on to 10 second delays if I want, but all three of us agreed that it would be better for me in the long run if I fix this problem before I move on. So next week, I'm going back to try another one, and I'll be practicing and visualizing in the mean time. Here's what I learned on these jumps: - Seeing yourself on video is invaluable, as well as completely surreal. - How I perform has little to do with who my Jumpmaster or Intructor is. I'm not on a ride anymore. - The mind must overcome the body's natural desire to stop the fall; there is no floor nearby, and I have plenty of altitude to work with. - I need a smaller harness; the chest strap up against my chin made it very difficult to read my altimeter, and almost impossible to lean forward in the harness for landing. I'll be on a Manta with a smaller Javelin next jump anyway, and hopefully this will feel better. - Skydivers tend to love Mexican food. I found this out later, after we were all done jumping. I also saw a cutaway, a static line student doing his 2nd PRCP. I had just gotten out my binoculars to watch the students' exits from the strut, and I heard the cut of the engine just as I had raised the binocs to my eyes. I watched the (50-ish) student climb onto the step and out onto the strut to hang. As he let go, I saw him draw both arms in to pull, his canopy came out of the bag, inflated partially, and then collapsed completely as it broke away from him. Then I saw the pretty light blue ROUND reserve inflate with his RSL. I thought, "How did he know his canopy was bad so soon?" Then I realized that he had pulled a Lutz on a static line jump, having pulled the red pillow instead of the orange handle. He landed hard, without doing a PLF. It was obvious he was hurt, though he did walk back to the hangar. He said he compressed his spine, and that he was done. He turned in his PRCP handle, got his 10 bucks back, and left with his wife and kid. I felt sorry for him, not just for the pain he endured, but from the embarassment and disappointment he must have felt, as well. He's an impatient guy, walking around for most of the day pissed off he wasn't able to jump yet, and sharing his feelings with everybody, including his fellow students. There were two other students on the load with him, who were shaken up after his cutaway, but they both did very well. The other things I learned that day: - Don't be impatient, take each jump as it comes, and don't be in a hurry to get anywhere in this sport. - Practice, practice, practice the damn PLF - it might keep me from having a hospital or chiropractor visit. Plus, you have to do it for your A license. - Leave the binoculars at home; every time I bring them, something bad happens at the DZ, and I'm the first one to see it (I was the first one to see a drogue separate from a tandem canopy a few weeks ago). Maybe it's superstitious, but I'm going with my gut on this. Thanks again for reading - stay safe, my peeps.

I had to vote Samantha - I saw an old episode of The Twilight Zone with Elizabeth Motgomery in it, and she was one of the most smokin' young women I've EVER seen. Just like the beginning of the Bewitched series, which was in B&W. Plus, Samantha could probably transform herself into Mary Ann (or Ellie Mae) if you asked nicely enough. T.I.N.S.

Correction - smoking is a disgusting addiction. T.I.N.S.

Thanks, Jewels! I've heard there is an added benefit to "improved circulation." T.I.N.S.

20 years for me, too, man. I'm glad to know I don't have to be a slave to those little fuckers anymore. T.I.N.S.