psuCory

Add to your list: When jumping at a DZ with unfamiliar conditions (and the humidity of the gulf coast is probably not normal to most), find a local camera flyer and ask them how they deal with XYZ issue. Between the staff vid guys (quite a few) and the team vid flyers (half a dozen at least), we've come up with different ways to keep different cameras/lenses happy. A note on two-element lenses in the humidity - if the fogging occurs inside the lens, get a new lens, it's not worth the effort. On cameras and the humidity - unless it's completely unavoidable (dubbing), don't turn cameras on under 4K (or some similar altitude where the humidity is much lower). And try to turn your cameras off under canopy - the higher the better. It helps avoid the vapor lock message and subsequent hassle.

More photos of the non-competition jumps: http://kossanrandom.shutterfly.com/97 Great job on the even SDSL, Dave and crew!

grumble short answer: http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/CKossan/Skydive I pulled down the "nearly complete" pictures, to prevent anyone from buying a "nearly complete" 150 way . As for the home computer; I am still working on getting everything running back at home. Having just moved, I find myself having to dig through countless boxes located in multiple closets, just to find the drivers I need to make certian things work. However, I do have a work computer.. and I finally finished posting up shots of the record 150, and follow up 150. Two versions of each exist, one has the event, date, and location noted on it, the other is "pure". -- Cory

I have proof of the non-suckage.... http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/CKossan/Skydive/NEWTSR074x6size Ok, I just looked at the pictures and saw that the posted ones above are not the correct shots (grips missing)... It's late and I have to get up early, so keep looking. I know I have shots of the completed formations, we looked!! I'll post the completed ones tomorrow. If we get the 2nd point tomorow though.. I may be too thoroughly celebrated to post though :) Congrats ya'll!!!

Pictures of the jump... http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/CKossan/Skydive/NEWKramerGlitter

I shot a couple jumps , and had a great time doing it. You might see this one again.. but I won't say where (see attachment) . It's my favorite pic taken that weekend. It looks good shrunken down to post here... the big copy is... well... I got a "lucky" shot that turned out amazing.

Lots of pictures... SCR & Firedancing http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/CKossan/Skydive/NEWSkyfestFriday Pinkpatch dives http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/CKossan/Skydive/NEWSkyfestPinkPat

Hey there, I don't think that image is posted anywhere yet. But if you ask Eric nicely (eric@skydivespaceland.com) I bet he could arrange it. Cory

Ok, Now there were four video guys filming this attempt... and I'm only one of them :) But... seeing as Tequilagirl already gave out the link... My "favorite" shots: http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/CKossan/Skydive/NEWPOPSTX06 And the rest of my shots that weren't deleted upon viewing: http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/CKossan/Skydive/NEWPopsother On a side note, the event DVD is in production. Running time will be approximately an hour. For those of you who pre-purchased it, you won't be waiting long :) Anybody else that would like a copy contact me (psucory@dropzone.com) or Eric (eric@skydivespaceland.com) and we will add you to the distribution list.

Well... here in Texas it is a crime to kill things without a hunting license... we're just waiting for the state to offer "NewOrlinean" stamp. In the same vein, keep an eye out for the "Runnin'-Border-Crosser" special permit. Watch this url http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/stamps/ for details on upcoming special stamps... Keep in mind though that, "SPECIAL NOTE: No STATE stamp endorsement is required for anyone under 17 years of age (resident or non-resident), holders of Lifetime Resident Combination, or Lifetime Resident Hunting licenses." (quoted from the Texas Fishing and Hunting Regulations Summary).. so if you qualify... load up your spare clips and get ready for some fun!

Umm... I paid See yall at Spaceland

Heh, just stay away from cruisers... If you're going to break them in under 200 miles . (don't worry, it's fixed now) Let me know when you're ready to ride bro... though don't expect me to pull any of that trick shit.. aside from making it safely to the next bar

Heh, I also received a "No Score" for one of the zone accuacy runs for blowing out the end of the course . I never got wet, but the landing on that "no score" round more than made up for it... those in attendance are probably still lauging about it (I know I am ).

Ehem.. 13 of the closest friends... yall always leave the camera guy out hehehehe . I'll post the pics later today... I'm sure Shari is in at least one of them

LOL... that sounds much worse that it is I'll not spoil it for ya though hehehehe...

Yeah, but you will be hauling meat the entire time

LOL... I had damn near the same thing typed out... but didn't post it.. nice one Wendy. (all in good fun Amanda ) Oh, and while I'm at it, tack me on that list... can't very well miss "THE" boogie at the home DZ...

For some reason... being in the wrong place for the video (planned or unplanned), results in a great placement for still shots.. the originals are visable at: http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/ckossan/skydive

-- the management generally frowns upon sleeping on the tables there... so yeah.. you pretty much "must"

Looks like it's you and me then chica! Of course this time you and I both have to drive home

[bump] and count me in I just can't let someone drink alone in this town!

Until that happens... until we can get the "weekend beerline swoopers" into the event... it will lack legitimacy (in perception). Give them a reason to care, and skin in the game, and critical mass occurs. More competitors = more money = better prizes = increased participation = more competitors.. its one of those circular things . Hats off to the organizers... may your work... well... work .

Hey, there are many beerline swoopers (I'll admit I'm one of them) that know that they are not ready for competition (in the sense of winning). The trick is, getting them to compete for fun or to watch and evaluate. We've all known people that (at the least) watch a lot and give valuable feedback. More eyes = more potential for learning. These competitions, as I understand them, are geared towards those "not ready for pro level competition". The jobs of the organizers (sort of) and promoters (largely) are to convince these people to compete! A local competition can bring in a lot of the "sideline swoopers" for a DZ. But they won't travel. Case in point the D-1 Accuracy meet (at my DZ). The only competitors were staff (first year, they didnt advertise... safety reasons I think). Of those competitors only 1 traveled to the first CPC meet. Was he more dedicated to the sport than the othes? maybe. Was his schedule more flexible than the others.. again maybe. Solution: Creating a handicaping system (talk to TSL organizer Ryan for details as it is pretty compex) for competitions could have a very positive impact. Attending more meets allows for better handicappign... and give a prize for 1st place handicap (2 days with coaches?). It's not that the system in place is "bad" is that there are opportunites to improve, so why not take them! I've entered a few competitions locally knowning that I had no chance to win... but I could learn. (that's where you were going with that statement right?) But the majority of the people out there will not do that. Is it wrong to try to coax them into competing? Perhaps. But it just might result in better competions (thats a good thing)! So let's do what we can to increase the number of (safe) competitors. Prizes for winning a single local meet (increased sponsorship for year 2 might bring this). Larger prizes for CPC nationals (places 1 through 3) would help. However, by making "win 1 and I'm qualified for nationals" (done for ego points alone) could stand to increase participation significantly. Which is why I'm a proponent of compete in at least 1 competition to qualify, not 3 of 4. Make it like the poker tour, winning one regional, qualifies you for the national. If you completely flub your first, but feel you've learned a lot, you can go to another and still qualify! i.e. increased participation at multiple levels! That's a good thing. --cory

Me too

Was meant in the bad way. It can serve to keep some talented people away. While the regional setup is an interesting system, the old point based system seemed more flexible. Can't make a few local meets? Need a few more points to qualify? Well then travel to another meet. With the 3 of 4 rule, there is no opportunity to do that. Yes you can go to another region... but it has no bearing on your qualifying. Yes but they can miss their superbowl chance by losing 1 game. [opinion] While it does make sense to rank the competition through a series of events, the level of restriciton imposed by a "3 of 4 or else" rule is a bit excessive. [/opinion]