Greed and Loathing at Bridge Day . . .

[NickDG 23]

This was originally intended as a reply over in the trivia thread, concerning the musical scores of Carl Boenish's films, but it's probably more appropriate here . . .

http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/industry/archives/ararchiv/mlloyd.html (Interview)

http://bhhs.beverlyhills.k12.ca.us/alums/hall/famers/lloyd.htm (Photo and Bio)

Michael Lloyd originally filled a need to produce original music for small independent film makers (like Carl Boenish.) He also did the same for many early porno films, and true aficionados will recall his name in the credits of many such works. (Not me, of course.)

Carl was very careful about using music he didn't have the rights to, that's why some of his earlier films use stuff that's in the public domain like Beethoven.

What I'm about to say now is a conclusion I'm come to after knowing Jean Boenish for many years. (There's an old joke in BASE jumping that whenever you rag on Jean Boenish, you always end it by saying, "but, we love her.") She was an integral part of early BASE jumping, and she endeavored in those days to always admonish us (in a motherly way) to straighten up and fly right. And she took a lot of abuse for that.

However, in the years following Carl's death some kind of disconnect occurred between her and the sport of BASE jumping. I now believe her ways, especially in the terms of greed, is doing more harm to Carl's legacy than anything else.

After watching her run Bridge Day and administer the BASE numbers for many years I can say now (in hindsight) she was a lousy organizer. People waited, sometimes years, to receive a BASE number from her, and Bridge Day under her leadership was filled with political infighting, and bad relations with the locals. She started more fires than she put out.

It was really great to see her at Bridge Day 2004. However it became apparent her ways haven't changed. She invited me (and some other old timers) to a meeting at the Western Pancake House following Bridge Day to "discuss" the running of event. Politics as usual for Jean Boenish in the middle of the best run Bridge Day I've ever attended. I passed on the meeting.

Anybody who knows me knows I'm nothing but a Carl Boenish booster. I always try to educate new BASE jumpers, as best I can, in the history of the sport, and the large part Carl Boenish played in that history. On the BASE Fatality List that I keep I had a thumbnail photo of Carl next to his fatality report. Jean demanded I remove it because I didn't pay her for it. I was a bit dumbfounded. Prior to this I wrote and left her messages asking her permission to use the photo (like I do with all the photos) but of course, I never heard from her. Technically, she's right of course, but on a personal level it was a kick in the balls. I removed the photo.

Jean will get her due in BASE history, I will see to that, but it may not be as blemish free as she might have hoped. But, we love her . . .

NickD BASE 194

[skypuppy 1]

Comparing Bridge Days from when Jean organized them to the latest ones organized by Jason, I have to say that Jason's seem to run much more smoothly.

The biggest problem I had with Jean was when she decided to 'return' the permit to the NPS in '89(?) because she felt people couldn't jump safely. She did not however seem to want to return people's money for an event that never happened. It's one thing to be weathered out, it's another if weather conditions actually permit some jumping but the permit has been forfeited....

I also remember there was a distinct reluctance to provide information on where and how the registration money was spent. Sort of an 'I don't have to answer to you' attitude.

Still, the jumps were fun!

If some old guy can do it then obviously it can't be very extreme. Otherwise he'd already be dead.
Bruce McConkey 'I thought we were gonna die, and I couldn't think of anyone