skygypsie

Sadly, you are so right. We have tried to intervene with my youngest sister, who is barely 40 & has had a severe drinking problem for years. It became worse when her husband was killed in a car accident 1 mile from their home, a few years ago. He was determined to be DOA / DUI She now suffers from alcoholic seizures & has early stages of cirrhosis. She has been a gorgeous, intelligent & kind hearted girl. Her 3 minor children were taken from her 2 years ago. 2 are now adults. 4 of her 5 children will have nothing to do with her. Her youngest just turned 11 He is being raised by another sister, who has permanent legal custody. In a few days she goes for her sentencing hearing for her 4th OWI in less than 5 years with her BAC .38 . She is looking at 3-6 years in prison. Though she is out on absolute sobriety bond since her arrest, she continues to drink. It appears realistically, her only salvation will be a lengthy incarceration, though she has already stated she just wants to be able to drink "socially" when she gets out

As a kid in high school...I would fill an ice cream cone with grated Parmesan cheese & cover that with chocolate syrup - then cover THAT with crushed walnuts! It's a wonder I grew to 6'4" & 230 pounds with ONLY a 33" waist! So John are we talking apple pie a' la mode ? And Twardo, how in the world did you come up with that combo ? I love parmesan & especially walnuts, maybe even together in a salad or casserole topping... How did you eat it ? I'd think if like an ice cream cone, it all fall in your face. Well at least you kept it dairy I have a fairly electic appetite but nope, neither would appeal to me

That reminds me of Thanksgiving Day 1965. I went out to the dz to get some jumps in, the weather was fairly bad, and there was about 4 of us there, just sitting around talking jumping, bs'ing, etc. I went over to the snack machine, bought a Coke & a bag of peanuts. I drank the Coke down to about 3/4's & poured the peanuts in the bottle. Then I had peanuts with my Coke. Pretty soon all of the 3 other guys went and did the same thing. It was just one of those strange moments that you never forget. JerryBaumchen PS) Peanuts in my Coke, I guess that is a random fact about me. Yup, it sure is crazy how / why we stumble across an action some find peculiar... for some it was a fluke, some it became a habit

Actually, it kind of was Normiss. One of my favorite snacks was diet pepsi & peanut m&ms ! This ritual all started when I worked 3rd shift, with a 90 minute commute 1-way. I needed something to keep me occupied while the long drive in the a.m., plus the need for 'awake' nibbles. I found this to keep me entertained for the drive home on just a small snack size bag...lasting me nearly the entire trip. The habit stuck. Better then taking up smoking * No need to comment about any added value to the ability........

For years the only way I can & still do, eat Peanut M&Ms is almost a ritualistic process ! 1st, I suck the candy coating, down to the chocolate covering. Now, with only teeth & tongue slide the peanut 'skin' off. Next (again with only teeth & tongue) carefully split the peanut's natural center & break the little nubbin off with my tongue. Then & only then, do I eat the peanut !

If you haven't found what you are looking for yet, my husband custom makes them. If you are on facebook, check out our page: I Guana Skydive

I'm Cherokee & Black Foot to a mostly Welch heritage. * Sir Pretty Boy Tomlin (direct descendant of, my maiden name is Tomlin) was Wm Penn's "private tutor". (Pennsylvania was named after Wm. Penn) I'm a former women's wrist wrestling champion (righty). I'm also a fairly accomplished boxer. * Which came in especially handy one time when a 6'4" pervert grabbed me from behind * My dad was Air Force Golden Gloves who once fought Ollie North (& won... got the picture somewhere). He taught me at a young age ! I've been told by some seasoned MC riders, I can ride a Harley like a man & they'd be proud to ride along next to me anytime !

Of course not..my husband is both TI rated Strong & UPT. Of course his membership with USPA doesn't give him his abilities nor experience. I'm referring to those who are neither manufacturer qualified, nor USPA rated. I'm only voicing my opinion as to why a USPA member Staffed at a USPA DZ, makes a decision to procedurally jeopardize the operations, or other Staffer's ratings, or would chose not to qualify, wait for approved issuance, renew...that's all ! Evidently, some dzs feel advertising as a USPA drop zone or skydiving center has its perks drawing students in...check out most of their websites, advertising this. So what's the point, if complying with USPA instructor ratings / regs is meaningless, but only useful when it comes to soliciting their dzs & students ? Scenario: Remember the day of that 1st jump. It was at a USPA dz. You had no clue what you were about to do, but put your entire trust into that charismatic instructor, you were about to turn your LIFE over to. Rather then hearing the instructor you are training & rigging up with, is a licensed & rated instructor, you are told: "he/she has practiced jumping the parachute gear & should be ok with the manufacturer that made the gear, but because we are members of an organization we must comply with their rules & regulations. Even though he/she has not received their rating from that organization yet, to do this jump with you, he/she should be all good to go...still want to go with this 'instructor', or would you rather go with someone here who's complied & qualified ?" What would most decide to do & why ?... just saying

Wow, after 7 years as a Staffer in this biz, never realized how naïve I still really am, about it all...

Sorry, no vindictive nor personal agenda... professional concern, hellya..I'll admit it ! Just curious as to feedback / politics & as to the whys/ why nots...& future decision regarding whether to refer students there, DZ-S&TA liabilities, PIC, etc., if there was a ramp check or; God forbid, an incident ! What's the point having &/or following any regs, training, licenses, ratings, gear criteria, waivers, insurance, manifest, load organizers, safety-safety meetings, log books, riggers, packers, forums, updates, weather reports, holds, wind limits.....just a 'freefall for all', because they can ??? Where do you suppose skydiving [tandems, anyway] would be, if this was a condoned ongoing happenstance at dzs throughout ? Maybe some of these smaller 'off the grid' dzs are exempt & adhere to the good ol boy standards of turn the procedural cheek, until that God forbid incident. However, since the biz has, & is a mainstay of our lifestyle & income, I'd just as soon know no safety stone is left unturned...that includes jumping through the rating reqs hoops if need be, regardless whether some feel it is just a card to pay a fee for & hold. Otherwise, go club... but guaranteed the tandem influx that keeps these same small USPA dzs afloat, will dwindle ! Btw: going TI rate/ jump @ $50..same as rating fee. If you can't pass the course, really...take a student ?

Point taken...just thought to get insight from those of you who would have justifiable feedback- experience Concerns were more as USPA dz & members, PIC, student-vs-waivers, liability... Thanks

My understanding is FAA does require TI to have a Class III medical! Why ? They carry passengers !!!

TI in question has his individual USPA membership, DZ has a USPA group membership. Supposedly, the TE & in this case, the UPT evaluator are one in the same ! Explanation from USPA TI app gfilled out incorrectly, evaluator was not valid, application 'rejected''. TI & DZ state: " he is valid UPT rated..USPA advises requirements & standards, but is not law...so he is good to do tandems ".

Not interested in drama...too old for that crap ! Safety, liability,, proper procedures, etc., as I (we) refer potential students to the DZ .

Yes & yes !

He holds no other tandem rating- foreign, nor otherwise !

UPT rated, but USPA app rejected due to inaccurate app & evaluator qualifications- membership requirements were outdated...has been doing tandems w/ handicam, regardless & USPA DZ management has allowed..calling it "just a paperwork formality" Understanding there is a dz operations 'gray' area for circumstances at times, but as a 1st time student jumper, way back whenever, would you prefer to have had an informed decision based on formality whether to decline the TI &/ or jump? What about possible circumstances to PIC, other instructors/ students, & licensed jumpers on a load per USPA/ FARS, if there was an unfortunate incident ?

Just curious as to feedback on a non USPA tandem rated jumper taking out tandems students, at a USPA dz ? Would you report it ?

"He" sure makes his DZ rounds...he's here, in Wisconsin, too ! You don't even want to know how he recently got his Instructor's rating...same way his girl got her A, then B License & now going for Coach...scary

Hey, me too... & often, along with a coo like a baby

We sadly lost a close personal friend & the skydiving community lost an extremely remarkable man & multi rated instructor on Tues. July 09, 2013. Tandem Instructor Paul Olsen was able to save his student after a strong sudden thunderstorm blew up while they were under canopy. The winds blew them off course, causing a lake (water) landing many feet off shore. Paul was able to free the student from the harness & cutaway the main. The student swam to shore & search & rescue attempts began immediately. Paul's shoe & articles of clothing along with the main canopy were found. Though he was a certified scuba diver, he did not survive. His body was recovered several hours later. Paul & his wife were close personal friends of my our's. He shot video of almost all of my 1st 30 skydives. He was my AFFI, (along with my husband). He will be deeply missed. ~ Soar High On The Wings Of Our Holy Spirit & Peaceful Eternal Flights Paul ~ BSBD

Agreed... I had no knowledge of Facebook prior to early '09. A DZO we joined as Staff for the upcoming season, suggested we join to 'meet' & stay in communication with a number of national / international collegues, co-Staff. Since, we have the the ability to share with some very good people we've had the good fortune to have met along the way in skydiving...{ e.g. Jim & Faith

On my 1st Skydive Anniversary jump, my husband took me on a head down tandem. It was also my 60th jump, his 2800th; 1500 which were tandems, we own the gear... We were drogueless & clocked at 200 mph, for 7 seconds before we went to neutral freefall. My favorite jump ever He does not do these at any other time nor with students. It's our SPECIAL thing, just like the 6-1/2 back flips out the door

oops typo ... meant to say: " now that's a Twardo bike "

Woo Hoo...my dream bike The car ain't bad either