dbattman

OK- so I've been looking around for a car for a week or two. After weighing options and desire for a good long term purchase and reliability, I came up with: Nissna Sentra Nissan Altima Nissan Maxima Honda Accord Toyota Camry After looking around, I discounted the Accord since they were more than I wanted to spend and the Camry since they weren't as good value for the money (I wanted to buy 1-3 years old and stick the original owner with most of the depreciation). I test drove a few and eventually decided on an '01 Maxima from the Hertz lot up the street. On sale for $16,200 with ABS, Alarms/anti-theft, CD, power seat. Good condition, only a few scratches and a scrape on the front side fender- touched up and only noticeable up close). Nice power, good handling, quiet and smooth ride. I gave him a $200 hold check and said I wanted to test drive a few more- I'd get back to him tomorrow. So I'm on the way home and missed my exit- no problem I'll go down an exit and cut over to the next main road. So, this is a fairly busy street and the exit ramp ADDS (not merges) as a third lane. I exit slowly behing a Montero and we're both crawling around the corner (this is an ADD lane, mind you) and I take a look left to see if anyone has their turn signals on and BANG- the woman stopped!!! Frick! In the rental car, even! Why couldn't it have been my POS ragtop that I was going to junk out! So now I'm back to the Carmax listing. A 2-3 year Altima or Sentra for 10-12K sound a lot more attractive now. Still has a good reputation but not as much power- and I'll pocket the extra $4k. Let me reiterate- F#$K!!!

I have no home- I am a stray. The places where I get asked to jump (after doing a few 'initiation jumps' so they know I'm marginally safe), I go back to. The places where I do eight jumps by myself get passed over regardless of how big or fast their plane is.

Nah- too much $. I thought I had it narrowed down, then I had to read about the Subaru Imprezza. Dang it!

Carshopping sucks. I mean it really, really sucks. Just thought I'd mention that. BTW- who wants a raggedy ragtop? I think I'd make a great DZ fire (if you can get it there).

Go to uspa.org and use the mapquest feature. Graphical printout of all the DZs.

That's the same attitude I've had since college (but without the jumping). Don't mind the dings, someone bumped into me, no prob. Slid on some ice in Erie one winter and clobbered a road marker with my rear quarter and smashed in my oilpan. Junkyard oilpan, dip tube, drive another 20k. Problem is now I need the reliability and low maintenance aspect. I still don't care about the aestetics, though.

Well, the raggedy-top ragtop is acting strange. Tranny keeps shifting to second (limp mode on a Chrysler) and giving me problems. Dropped a new shift computer in it tonight, but I've about reached my limit on trying to prolong the life of a dying animal. So, it's time to start scanning the classified and the internet for a replacement. I have a history of hammering cars into the ground before I buy another one, but I can't wait much longer since I travel a lot for my job. So, who's a road warrior out there that has a couple of recommendations. My preference is for sedans over SUVs (less maintenance). Something along the lines of a LeSabre, Taurus, Grand Am. Maintenance and longevity experiences are appreciated as well.

So, what are you going to tell her when she calls in a month or two and wants to "get together?"

Just testing my new time offset.

[replyThe weekend isn't anywhere near over yet, but here's mine so far - 5:3:1 These numbers subject to change by Monday evening Jeez Lisa- how do you have any energy left for jumping after the 5: ?

Get a notebook and log everything. Have a neighbor or other CREDIBLE person witness and sign each entry (trying to be casual about it with the kid, of course- don't want to get accused of leading him). Start building a case now- you might need it.

Jude- I think we've been over the avitar subject numerous times. Come up with something a little more 'work safe.' Please.

I agree with Tami and Co. Muscle memory. I did SL about 1.5 years ago, and when I was at the DZ during that time I was wearing a training harness all the time. I went through FJC and had to come back the next weekend, but I probably had 50 practice EPs before I even got in the plane. Inside the mockup, focus, climb out, hang, release, EPs. Hard arch everytime. Then I got the PRCP. Again- on the ground, arch, pull. repeat. Then back to the mockup- climb out, release, arch, pull, EPs. I was off the rope in five. Plus, I relaxed and didn't rush. My zero sec looked more like a three to five second on video. I even paused for a second with my hand on the hackey- 'yup- that's the right thingy' Don't give up. Practice. And better than that- practice perfect.

But, those less fortunate people in Canada can actually get some health care without going bankrupt, or maybe even being refused. Health care is great in the US for those who can afford it, it is downright terrible for those whoc annot. Health care in Canada maybe a notch below that level, but at least it is available for everybody....even those who only think about themselves.............. Contrary to world popular belief, no one in the US goes without health care. BUT- you must go to the hospital ER and wait your turn. Will you get a heart transplant? OK- maybe not. But you will get stiched up, patched up, casted up and medicated appropriately. Whatever you can pay, you pay. Whatever you can't pay is taken care of by surcharges to insurance companies that are passed on to the policy holders. So, the ones who can pay do end up paying. As far as national health care, I cannot throw my support in that direction. No, I'm not for killing kids, old people, or the homeless. Government (and ours in particular) just cannot do anything efficiently. National health care would become another Social Security sucking up another huge chunk of your paycheck- getting bigger and more bloated every year.

It's another long, holiday weekend. The end of the season is approaching and there are plenty of boogies to get your freak on before the temperatures drop and Fall arrives. /me gets down on his knees and clasps hands in front Please, please, please- let's not have a repeat of Memorial Day weekend. Check your gear. Check your buddies gear. Pay attention to your altitude. Watch your swoops and check for traffic in the landing area. Keep the whuffos out of harms way with their cameras. And if you see something out-of-place, SPEAK UP! If everyone makes it home, it was a great holiday. Have fun, its a fantastic holiday. Get in a few good skydives on top of that, and it was awesome.

Hmmm. Decisions, decisions. Car came back clean from the mechanic (couldn't find anything). Site can probably do without me over the holiday. I'm bench-testing the ragtop lift motor tomorrow before I slap it back in. Ready for a little road trip. So, the big question is, where should I go to jump? I figure about 300 miles from NE Tennesee is about my limit for a three-day trip. Thinking about, but not limited to, Orange, VA Chester, SC Raeford, NC Atlanta, GA (three to choose from) Richmond, IN (a bit far) Xenia, OH (also a bit far) Of course, can't leave out the Cessnas at Smoky Mtns and Adrenaline So many dropzones, so little time and jump money.

Check into the local Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I had it for awhile after I got out of grad school. Accident/hospitalization was about $55, full medical coverage was about $85. At the time I was taking flight training and I was concerned about coverage if I nosed it in. His response was "As long as your not running from the cops or in the plane dropping bombs we don't care."

I'm afraid i can't answer that. I am not normal.

1987 LeBaron sedan. Paid $1500 for it with 108k miles. Drove it through college adding a quart of oil every 150 miles (bad ring). My sister took it over when I graduated and it finally went to the Volunteers with about 145k. Tore the engine apart a few times with my Father putting in pistons and rings and stuff. Then I bought another 87 LeBaron and drove it through my job and graduate school till I gave it to a coworker with 125K in 2000- I couldn't even sell it for $500. He dropped in a tranny and its still going- it even pulls a small trailer now! Then #3 was, you guessed it, a LeBaron! Got a ragtop this time, emphasis on rag. I can buy a new top for $150 on the internet, put I'm only on my third roll of duct tape at $3 each. But I'll tell ya, I'd never go back and choose another one for that first time. The time I spent with my Dad in the garage was, as they say, priceless.

Two words git nekid!

Two things weren't exactly clear from the article. #1 Did this take place on any of the real estate owned or under the University's jurisdiction? My college actually owned the entire town of Oxford, OH and had a perpetual lease with all the homeowners. #2 Were any local, state, or federal regulations broken where the video footage was shot? If the answer is no, then they all need to fight it. It is pure politics on the part of the University. You could literaly have an orgy in the dorms with people lined up in the hall waiting their turn, but bring in a camera and watch out.

Here's one Animal, vegetable, or mineral?

How about this? "voluntary procreative racial deconstruction" Name that movie.

yup The only way to skydive. Just make sure there aren't any kids around.

Why, why, why do they have to do this to us? Every time I hit the channel guide on my remote, it pops up two hours ahead! Who sits down, picks up the remote, and says "I don't care what's on right now, even though I just sat down in front of the idiot box. I wonder what's on in two hours." Aaargh!