skyflower_bloom

I don't think it's odd to choose not to have kiddos. If you don't want them, why have 'em? Plus if you have a stepson you can play a parent-type role without actually choosing to have kids from baby to adulthood. Of my dad and his two siblings, he was the only one of the three who chose to procreate (planned kids, in a loving marriage of over 25 years) His siblings have gotten to travel to just about every country in the world, partake in ski and snowboard competitions, professional cycling races, triathlons, etc. plus borrow nieces, nephews, and neighbors when they want kid time. Financially they are set. OTOH, my college educated, middle class, stable employed parents are struggling financially and in debt to put us through college and other various expenses, rarely get to do leisure activities, and have a ton of stress. I don't know that they regret having kids, and they love having a grandchild, but in many ways life is WAY easier without. As for my vote, my pregnancy was totally unexpected, but I chose to parent- I always knew I wanted kids, just assumed it would be a bit later in life (i.e. post-college and/or in a solid relationship) That said, my son is a joy and a blessing. Finances are hard, extracurriculars, sports, and travel are difficult, sleep is less than ideal, but he's worth it. I do have some environmental concerns about procreating, but I have always known I wanted a family, and while it's not all roses, it's worth it. That said, while I have a kid (single mom), I would also like to have one more child in the contact of marriage or partnership with someone I care about and make the choice to have a family with them, when the person and timing is right. So I guess I could answer the poll two different ways... I have one now, unexpected but welcomed, and I want another in the future, when the timing is right and I have a partner to share in the experience. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Eh!? I'm naughty, but not that naughty!! lol I can be a little slow... got it. Well, if it's there, and unclothed, it's only convenient, right? And Amazon, I'm with you... who needs boys when we have TOYS! "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

I think this sums it up-- the rigger did not cause the fatality. That said, we do not know if the student was injured, unconscious, or otherwise able to pull or not, which does impact how I see this. That said, I do believe that students, being more vulnerable and having additional safety requirements, for good reason (i.e. it is foreseeable that a student could freeze, fail to pull, etc.), we "should" be able to count on things being done right when newbies are concerned (in a perfect, idealistic world, that is, which I acknowledge this is not)... Personally, if this were me (yeah I would be dead, but for the sake of argument) I would be pissed that a chance to save me failed due to a human error, but I certainly would not want anyone sued, nor would I hold it against the rigger. People are human. Humans make mistakes. No rigger I know would intentionally do this. So, while I can see and agree that the rigger is at fault in some ways, I also believe in personal responsibility, and the fact that I chose to chuck myself out of a plane at 14k negates any mishap that may result. I guess I have conflicted feelings and can see multiple perspectives, but Jim's quote sums it up (that said, just cause it did not cause the death, doesn't mean the rigger doesn't bear responsibility. The problem is, riggers are human and we can't prevent all errors-- if we want to jump we HAVE to accept that these things will happen, and while we can try to reduce the risk, skydiving will never be "safe" or risk-free. I just struggle with the idea that students "don't know what they don't know" and may underestimate the risks..) ----------------------- P.S. Jim-- Oshkosh AirVenture?? I missed you last year, I know you were busy and we crossed wires- PM me if the invite is still open, I would love to see the show, and meet you and buy you a beer... ...and try to talk you into letting me pack your canopy "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Update your DPH calendar mister!!! I gotta get planning! "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

LOL, why thank you Bolas, you may all grovel at my feet now I do indeed have a corset, one black with pink, and a red one too... am I thus eligible for my pirate hooker badge of honor? I'll definitely be hitting up Chicks Rock, Elsinore is my home away from home! We need to cross paths sometime, you seem like a fun kinda dude to hang with! And I'll probably reaching around my hundredth at Chicks Rock too... you know what that means... I wasn't lying, but I really just wanted to make Shah jealous cause he hates on all the hot sky-mamas I even tried to post a pic as proof but it said file size too large (file size, not body size, SHAH lol) That said, Bolas, your corset pics will surely beat out mine... Epic, absolutely epic! And the toucan... oh my... "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Haha, how about if he spent less time talking about the undesirables he *doesn't* want to date, and the unattainables he *does* want to date but cannot, and more time talking about, idk, boobies? War and peace? Skydiving? Anything but the date list!! But, to answer your Q, yes, if he gave equal screen time to moms and dads, I would feel slightly less perturbed "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

/thread drift Moms? Categorically unacceptable? I'll have you know that I consider myself one hot mama, but alas, your priorities (i.e. no kids) would exclude you from my size 4-6, no stretch marks, H/W proportionate frame with a closet full of Victoria's Secret lingerie and a bag full of rockin' skydive gear... not to brag or anything, but self esteem is good, right and I consider myself a catch. But, a man without kids and/or who doesn't want them in the immediate present (i.e. you) is not on my radar, so I guess we're in agreement there... that said, "no moms," while understandable if you don't want kids, kinda comes off the wrong way. Plus, I happen to know another sexy sky mama modding this very thread- and you don't wanna piss her off, do ya? Do ya?? And btw, I happen to recall you recently ranting on about how wonderful all the dads are who have raised their kids to successful adulthood... yet you are constantly dissing on the moms (oh, and the soccer moms, they deserve their own special category, right?) Not to be sexist or anything, but in the majority of those M/F parent couples, who do you think woke up every two or three hours all night to nurse, who do you think researched baby care and development and daycare and schools, who took the kiddo to the doc appts, etc? There are exceptions, and I know some (many) awesome dads and egalitarian couples (and personally, I am happy to do most of the child-rearing tasks, single or otherwise, and think that well-defined gender roles can work pretty darn well for the right folks-- may not be the feminist viewpoint, but if I choose and enjoy childcare, then I'd much rather take care of kids and house than work a career-type job out of the house... but I digress...) That said, I do find it ironic that you give your accolades to proud papas in the other thread, and yet include the broad category of any woman who has ever been a parent in your "don't go there" list, as though being a mom were a bad thing. Hmm... //end rant, back to your regularly scheduled thread, though I haven't yet figured out exactly what this thread is about yet... so I figure it's all fair game, and I do so like ranting at Shah... blue ones, R "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Yes indeed I am. I'm jealous that I don't live closer to you so that I can partake in drugging you and locking you in a supply closet... wait, were you referring to something else? "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Cheach and I broke up a few weeks ago. I am not sure whether that was serious or not, but since this is the give ski shit thread (and since I doubt the seriousness of much of what you say) anything is fair game, no? I mean, a relationship started on facebook and the dz.com "who do you wanna fuck" thread isn't likely to make it 'til "I do..." But, all the best to you "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

How about the stinky cleaning supply one at the dz? You can babysit him for seven minutes till his roofie kicks in (a promise is a promise, after all) and we can both take turns standing guard outside the door until he semi-wakes up and then shove JohnnyMarko in there with him and run? We skychicas have to stick together ya know And it could even boost his weekend numbers! (well, not the jump ones, or the beer ones, but ya know...) Killing two birds with one stone and all... "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

I like this... our own personal thread to mess with Ski's head. So in the spirit of not ruining egg-head's photo-op thread, and not getting my booty kicked by skymama, I'll proceed here. You do acknowledged my boobies are nicer than yours, though you claim they aren't "that" much nicer... so, in the spirit of fairness, I think we need a pic from you and some impartial (ha ha) judges to determine their respective rankings. And you never commented on the rig... presumably because you know mine is cooler and any argument would fall flat on its face. I thought you and cheach were an "item" ...now it's eeneR? You really are a manwhore! ...in a nice way And yes I will give it to you that many of your posts are informative (although many are not... 50/50 ratio? ) "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Yeah but your replies are to short for anyone to confuse you True, true. But if you add up my infrequent long posts, and his short but constant post-whoring, I'll bet you get the exact same amount of content... Plus my boobies are better than his (and so is my rig, cause it's purple!)... matter resolved "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

THIS GIRL stole my idea for rig, reserve and avatar picture. I blame her. 1) You're just jealous buddy. 2) Flattery is the highest form of compliment, and I did forewarn you I was stealing your avatar. 3) My rig happens to be PURPLE- so nope, no go there. 4) I don't go around hitting on all the hot sky-chicas (well... at least not as blatantly as you do!!) //back to your regularly scheduled programming: Shah, if you come to my dropzone, I will offer up my sleek, smooth, sexy... rig... for a photo op with your sleek, smooth, and sexy... bald head (umm yeah that came out wrong..) To get me myself or any such body parts into the pic, however, make an offer I can't refuse and it will be taken into consideration. All other props and attire or lack thereof are subject to discussion and level of drunkenness. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Wow! Skyflower Bloom and "concisely" being put together in one thought!!??? Carry your biggest umbrella, folks, 'cause it's gonna be raining pig shit!! Did ya miss the "rather" in that sentence?? It's all relative... On a serious note, when severe errors resulting in a fatality are involved, there may be more important discussions that analyzing my posts... but after hanging around this place long enough, I can take it.... "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Re: sacex250-- I don't know if you are trying to get at something specific, and perhaps I am naive, but I do appreciate you sharing a less popular perspective. You haven't shared whether you AGREE with it, you have simply pointed out, perhaps devil's advocate, your knowledge of how a whuffo jury, or the legal system could construe it, and it's true-- while skydivers may disagree, and I do disagree that Airtec should be helf responsible, it's important to discuss all possible outcomes and perspectives, even if one disagrees. It makes for a learning opportunity, and I am all for learning, even if I dislike the way the system works and puts aside the long history of the sport and the knowledge gained by the community. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and I am interested in hearing about different perspectives.. As for your question about the video tape, I personally at around 70 jumps and entering my 2nd season, would not know whether there was a problem reviewing a video of my reserve. But I plan to observe my next repack to get more familiar with it and comfortable with my gear. That said, it is very very rare that a re-pack is photographed or videotaped. There is a human aspect to this, and the reason we train and trust riggers is because someone has to have the specialized knowledge to pack the reserve, the one TSO'ed component as far as my limited knowledge as a newer jumper... Personally, I cannot fathom Airtec being accountable, though I do see your point and that a court could take it that way... it did however make clear that it is NOT a guarantee, and it DID activate as promised. The reason it failed was not in my mind related to the Cypres, but related to the rigging error. I am sure the rigger feels awful and don't think he should be sued, since this is devastating for everyone and court action will not make things better for anyone involved, in my opinion. Cypress, the AAD, "Activated" as it should have. It had no further way of involving itself with the simple step that was missed by an FAA certified rigger. To me, the rigger neglected part of their (important) job, and the student also neglected their job to pull a canopy before impact-- but I would put more faith in the rigger, FAA certified, to do their job correctly, than a low-time student to perform flawlessly. Overall, both student and rigger/dzo made errors that contributed IMO... "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Yes, I can see that point, and did vote that student and rigger each are part responsible because I saw it as being mutually exclusive, as you point out. That said, reading your posts and others, I rather agree that the rigger and student both failed completely in their respective jobs so could have also put that both failed completely. (and I voted no to Airtec, as I don't think Airtec should be responsible though I can see how others could see things differently, mostly legally/non-jumpers..) I feel awful for everyone involved and don't think that any party *tried* to screw up, and clearly the student's family and the dropzone and Airtec and the rigger are all in a bad situation, one that court *won't* fix, so I don't condone battling it out as a way to right the situation in our sport, but I have to acknowledge that while there is personal responsibility, we do indeed expect students to f*** up sometimes and that is why we require *properly installed* AADs, appropriate conservative wingloadings, RSLs, specific FJC and instuctor/coach jumps and training, etc. I think it's a copout to say that the student was completely at fault without acknowledging the rigger role, since in my limited time in the sport (this is my second season), reading incident threads, we have seen everything from 100% preventable mistakes to something no one could have ever foreseen, from newbies to the best of the best injured and killed. No one in this sport is invincible and I do think that we have to acknowledge that students do need more protection. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Well, I tried from a gmail email account linked to blogger like three times, and from an old wordpress account.. anything I am missing here? Sorry, let me know if anyone knows something I don't, I'm tryin' for you guys!

Congratulations!!

Aww, Derrick, I didn't know you proposed like that... that is so freakin' sweet! I'll never look at you the same way again, even when you are grumpy and hung over at 8 am (wait... I'm not even there that early...) Haha... congrats again you two and I'll put in a vote

You say you don't drink *much* (not *never*) So, there has to be something floating about there? Or what about other various states of inebriation?? "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

*jealous* edit: you too popsjumper. lol. "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

I do indeed oppose this as "required" BUT think it is a good idea- at that level, a coach really accelerated my learning. I did all my jumps, hop 'n pops excepted, w/ a coach. Yes it adds cost but I feel it was worth it. My home dz has an A license program with AFF, the two hop n pops, packing, the proficiency card briefings, and the coach jumps outlined as levels with specific TLOs for each just like AFF (well, you know what I mean, similar format)- I think it is similar to ISP style or incorporates ISP? (Those more knowledgable came chime in) BUT, should a student off of AFF and onto student status/coach jumps/cleared for solo/whatever, say that they really WANT to do some solos, they are not exactly encouraged, but certainly allowed from what I was told my dz staff. Myself, I'd paid for the coach (another nice thing, they allow you to break it down month to month and pay the full A package over time, so the coach cost on each pre-A jump wasn't as big a deal) but since those jumps included coach slots already, I think it would have been a loss to do solos, and missed opportunities to get things checked off the A card. Since the one thing holding me back from my A was canopy control- accuracy, I did solo hop n pops from like jump 26-31 till I got that down (somewhat lol) and got my A, but did not do a full-altitude solo until post-A license, and I was really happy with the way the program is/was structured. I do believe students should be able to pick coaches and vice versa- it shouldn't just be assigned like that IMO, but I don't know the logistics or size of the dz and running it... I know that with my earlier fall rate issues sometimes coaches (in my perception) did not want to jump with me, and there were a few I stuck with because they were constructive and could help me progress- just kind of a learning style thing.. so maybe assigning avoids "problem" students or really large or smalls students from having trouble getting their coach jumps or feeling like no one wants to jump with them, but it worked out at my dz with a more informal system (with some help from manifest, I am not saying coaches are never assigned, just less likely to be IME) I am sure the money involved was an incentive too, but yeah- I was always able to get my coach jumps in, and usually with one of two coaches who did most of my pre-A coach jumps for consistency. Anyways, this type of program worked well for me, though I think students should have a choice to do a solo or two if they want, and to choose their coach/vice versa... Another local dz does a program that alternates coach and solo, and that seems to work well for them. Any other thoughts? Newbie here, so take my opinion w/a grain of salt, just that I did a coach-only program pre-A and wanted to chime in w' my experience. blue ones, R "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

lol, it's not MY house, blame my messy girlfriend who got me all messed up and took pictures of me when i couldn't move!! and yes, i admit, if i could re-do the occasion i would shed some layers, but i seem to be lacking a time machine at the moment... oh and kasch, you're allowed to say that, but mr. ski, i've forewarned your facebook girlfriend, so there'll be none of your shenanigans today oh, and kasch, in november when at elsinore, a drunken susie tried to convince me to go streaking, but i (soberly and politely) declined, knowing there would be footage of said event. my belated apologies for lack of such footage for this thread lol... maybe next time :) see, i like to think i'm smart enough to ensure that when i do the really embarrassing and nekkid stuff, the cameras are gone but if someone can prove me wrong... "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

Best: Dark Side of the Moon at Summerfest- Roger Waters/Pink Floyd 2007. Or, Ani DiFranco at WI Union Theater 2008. BB King was pretty freaking awesome too, that had to be in like 2002, ages ago.. Locally, Natty Nation (reggae) is always awesome.. I might get flamed for this, but I have seen Atmosphere three or four times live and they are definitely near the top of my list though rap and hip hop are not huge for me... they are pretty unique and amazing live. Worst: The BoDeans in December 2008 'cause everyone there was falling over drunk and I just wanted to smack them all, and there was no sense of personal space. I wound up hunching my pregnant self on the floor, and had a beer spilled on me to top off the night. Ugh. And, hmm.. Bob Dylan probably like 2005ish- in between or some of each? He was a little out of it and didn't seem in tip top shape, but just seeing Bob Dylan live, I am not gonna complain! Dave Matthews Band was good but I wish I'd imbibed a bit less and recalled a bit more- so that's entirely my own fault! Same goes for 311. Not reflecting on the concert so much as my own shenanigans at the time... "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

ok ok i am a good girl these days (sometimes, depends how you define that) but this particular pic i was about 18 and for some reason couldn't stop laughing, nor could i overcome the force of gravity to get up off my friend's bedroom floor... lol. good times... blue ones... "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi