Welles

First off that door is way too small . Chest strap grip may make it hard for blue jumpsuit guy to present to relative wind on exit.

Blue jumpsuit guy needs a tighter jumpsuit- especially in the arms.

Here is a link to a good article about flying Mantis. Good pictures too.
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=mypagesuite&pnum=46&refresh=Ej410Cw67f1A&EID=df2269d4-811d-486e-aab4-2e59793dfa8b&skip=/

Also- even though grips are important- it is very important to be stable before you take a grip so you don't unintentionally transfer movement to your teammate. Read the article and spend some time working on a stable strong body position. Then work on fall rate. Then work on grips. And smile. And laugh. Lots

Apples and peanut butter. Canned tuna with pepper and olive oil. Boost. All cheap no-cook options.

The Paraclete Tunnel is holding the Indoor Skydiving Championships on February 4th and 5th and we're looking for a 4th for our Intermediate Fourway belly team. Grab that bootie suit and join in!

Competition is 8 rounds and runs all day Saturday and finishes by noon on Sunday. Registration fee is $400 per team and includes dinner on Saturday. We also have some time booked for Friday training. Intermediate dive pool is all randoms and all blocks except for the slot switchers.

Paraclete is in Raeford, North Carolina and the closest airport is Fayetteville, 2nd is Raleigh/Durham. This is a Championship competition with prize money so there will be lots of Pro teams flying- this means we get to watch them compete and wonder how the F they go so fast

We have 3 committed and fun loving team members looking to compete, learn and have a great weekend. Our jump numbers range from about 200 to 800 and we are flexible as to slots.

Sure we would love to hear from a ringer who can rock us to the top of the competition but we'd also love to hear from an intermediate flyer who has a great attitude and wants to train and do their best!

You need not be great (I'm not) but your attitude must be!

If this sounds good to you, rsvp asap!

The Paraclete Tunnel in Raeford, North Carolina is holding the Indoor Skydiving Championships on February 4th and 5th and we're looking for a 4th for our Intermediate Fourway belly team. Grab that bootie suit and join in!

Competition is all day Saturday and finishes by noon on Sunday. Registration fee is $400 per team and includes dinner on Saturday. We also have some time booked for Friday training.

Closest airport is Fayetteville, 2nd is Raleigh/Durham. This is a Championship with prize money so there will be lots of Pro teams flying- this means we can watch them compete and wonder how the F they go so fast

We have 3 committed and fun loving team members looking to compete, learn and have a great weekend. Our jump numbers range from about 200 to 800 and we are flexible as to slots.

Intermediate dive pool is all the randoms and all the blocks except for the slot switchers.

Sure we would love to hear from a ringer who can rock us to the top of the competition but we'd also love to hear from an intermediate flyer who has a great attitude and wants to train and do their best!

You need not be great (I'm not) but your attitude must be!

If this sounds good to you, rsvp asap!

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[snip]
I'm intrigued as to what someone with turrets would look like? Are we talking fairy tale castle types or more gothic style towers? Is this a new synonym for boobies that I've missed?

This is someone with turrets. Both kinds. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=R7qxqvjTbu0#t=89s

hee hee. your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries...
Long f'in thread.

If you date out of the dz/nonjumper- ultimately, your skydiving will suffer. Make your choice.

Again and Again....face to face with the sky - RMR

I'm interested. I'm a newer jumper, but focused and athletic with a bit of tunnel time. I usually jump at STL, but can do Ranch or Cross Keys too.

Headed to NH tunnel this wknd- looking for ppl to fly 2 and 4 way with. Maybe get a few jumps in at Pepp. Any takers?

Have you tried Craigslist or eBay classifieds? I have sold and then bought back Thule ski boxes this way.

+1

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When somebody has proven they literally do NOT know what is being talked about when certain terms are being used, how can they possibly have any credibility in talking about the subject?

Easy. You don't need to know a derogatory slang term to have an informed opinion. That term is not central to the post- nor to the larger issues of border security, terrorism, and illegal immigration.

Nor is it necessary to have an intimate knowledge of Mexican culture to have an informed opinion on these issues. We have all had different experiences- but these issues effect us all.

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Without speaking in absolutes and leaving open a non-zero chance they may, in fact, come up with something exceptional, I'd generally say they don't have enough information to make even a positive contribution because they simply don't have the ability to see the issue as it actually is but rather only as they think it is from a completely outside perspective.

Perspective is an amazing thing. Its hard to tell who's outside and who's inside

Again and Again....face to face with the sky - RMR

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I'm not any kind of math expert, but here is some figuring that I did.

Considering your equation of:

Beautiful = Messed up

then

Crack whores = messed up

But seriously?

Crack whores = beautiful

This math just does not work out.

Prime example of why women will never have 50/50 representation in STEM fields.

Oh c'mon now...

Try using a Venn Diagram


1. Draw a large circle which represents Messed Up(MU).
2. Then, inside the MU circle, draw a smaller circle which represents Crack Whores(CW)- because ALL crack whores are messed up.
3. Now draw a circle that overlaps part of the MU circle but does NOT encompass or overlap the CW circle at all. This is the circle for Beautiful People(BP). The part that overlaps with MU-represents the BP that are MU. The part of the BP circle that is outside the MU circle represents the BP that are NOT messed up. (Overlap the BP circle into the MU circle as much as you see fit.)


As to why women aren't representin' in the STEM fields...hmmn... that's a topic for a whole other thread entirely

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Playing Beaner

Thanks for the bigoted reference to Mexicans. Attaboy for maintaining the standards in here.

Oh, I had no idea what "beaner" even meant - you learn something new all the time I guess

I thought it was a card game- and maybe it was against Sharia law to play.

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Tri - Thanks for the compliment, but I am pretty content with my average appearance. Never had a chance to get too much attention.

And that's probably why you don't seem (too ) messed up.

Everyone has issues- but if beautiful people have more or different issues- I think that most likely correlates with the amount of attention and praise their appearance was given at a socially-formative age.

So- if you weren't beautiful when you were young, or your looks just weren't focused upon- in your family, your school, etc- you might be no more messed up than average.

But- if you were a stunner, and it earned you a lot of praise and attention in your youth- you're probably messed up.

A way to prevent this in children- may be to focus more on what kids do than on how they look when they're doing it.

To recap- maybe the more accurate equation is
Too much positive attention on your appearance at a formative age = messed up.

Again and Again....face to face with the sky - RMR

Merlot. Cheapie- but yummy

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I just found this quiz on the USPA site. I scored a 45, high risk- and for me its sadly accurate

WHERE?

Here

I just found this quiz on the USPA site. I scored a 45, high risk- and for me its sadly accurate

My poor result is not really gear related - just shows I need more training and jumps on this canopy- a lot more.

I like the quiz- shows me what I need to focus on- high pulls, practice maneuvers, currency and maybe a canopy course in the spring.

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Anyone ski in Utah?

Hey neighbor...I'm from CT.

At this point, I'm leaning towards a 4-5 hour drive to a VT/NH resort for 4 or 5 days. May be cheaper in the long run. Maybe we can get a bunch of people together?

Sounds good. What dates are you thinking about? I know 4 or 5 people- mostly jumpers- who would be into it- as long as they can get off work and the costs can be kept fairly low.

I don't know as much about East Coast resorts- I've skied a lot of them- but when I was kid. I remember enjoying Whiteface, Killington, Stowe- would be cool to get a deal on a ski rental and just pack it with people for a week- its always more fun with friends

As long as this is sort of becoming a ski forum...does anyone in Colorado know about any lift ticket deals? I might try to do a day or so at the Summit County resorts next week.

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Anyone ski in Utah?

Yes!
Here are some good options:

Option 1: Go to Utah- stay at the Peruvian Lodge- ski Alta and Snowbird- meet like-minded skiers at hot tub- wander around lodge in your long underwear- don't die in an avalanche. (See also: Solitude and Powder Mountain)

Option 2: Fly to Gunnison, CO- ski Crested Butte- wish you had lungs like a Sherpa- eat at Izzy's and Teocalli Tamale- heck, eat everywhere- you get hungry skiing at 9,000 feet.

Option 3: Fly to Reno, Ski Heavenly- enjoy the sunshine and views on trails and trees that go on for days- ski Mott Canyon, ski Firebreak- avoid the tree wells. (See also: Kirkwood, Squaw)

All of these ski vacations can be carfree- CB & Heavenly have free ski shuttles- and the Peruvian includes meals and is walking distance to the lifts.

Btw- feel free to take me with you, I pack small

Whereabouts are you from? Sounds like I may just need to meet you there, not take you there.

I'm on the East Coast now- about an hour West of NYC. Love to do some Western (or Eastern) ski trips. Know a few other jumpers who are probably also interested.

I'm headed to Crested Butte next week- but RPC1117- I understand what you're saying about Colorado- can be a pain to get to the resorts- not always worth it for a short trip. Also, the Denver airport often has weather delays- while SLC and Reno stay relatively clear.

I've heard great things about Sun Valley, Jackson and Whistler- but I've never been skiing at those resorts and again, access for a short trip may be an issue.

On a related note- skis/boards fly free on Frontier classic and Southwest

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Anyone ski in Utah?

Yes!
Here are some good options:

Option 1: Go to Utah- stay at the Peruvian Lodge- ski Alta and Snowbird- meet like-minded skiers at hot tub- wander around lodge in your long underwear- don't die in an avalanche. (See also: Solitude and Powder Mountain)

Option 2: Fly to Gunnison, CO- ski Crested Butte- wish you had lungs like a Sherpa- eat at Izzy's and Teocalli Tamale- heck, eat everywhere- you get hungry skiing at 9,000 feet.

Option 3: Fly to Reno, Ski Heavenly- enjoy the sunshine and views on trails and trees that go on for days- ski Mott Canyon, ski Firebreak- avoid the tree wells. (See also: Kirkwood, Squaw)

All of these ski vacations can be carfree- CB & Heavenly have free ski shuttles- and the Peruvian includes meals and is walking distance to the lifts.

Btw- feel free to take me with you, I pack small

I like my brain and my eyes.

I had one about a year ago and fell asleep inside the machine. I wasn't on drugs- just a long day and nice to lie down. Schedule it during your natural nap time if you can.

The jack hammer noise is very loud, but rhythmic. Mine was for my right knee and nothing was required of me except to stay still- so no performance anxiety. Just relax and go with it- you won't win if you fight it.

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So. Prostitution. Is it ever ok?

Yes. Its ok- in fact I think its a needed profession. Sex is an important part of a happy life and not everyone is getting it through non-commercial means. Prostitution fills that gap.

The only objectionable aspect is when those who practice prostitution are not practicing it by choice- but by force, physical or economic. I don't like the idea of a woman becoming a prostitute because she has no other options for a living wage.

Again and Again....face to face with the sky - RMR

That totally looks like fun!

Yes ..and no.

Before adversity you are more innocent- and can experience ignorant bliss

After surviving adversity- you no longer believe in forever but get to live like there is no tomorrow. After-adversity happiness is freedom and lack of fear and also intense pride if you are the reason for your survival.

I do.

I have a U.S. atlas in my car-good for the big picture -and a GPS- which until recently had crapped out- I think because I spilled a drink on my dash and blew the fuse in the cigarette lighter/charger.

And I just picked up a map of bike trails yesterday.

Playful