mfrese

I appreciate all the input from everyone, even the ones that personally bothered me. Let me append a little bit more to this thread, then I'll make like skybytch and get out of here before I start turning into "man angry"

I'm glad you had a DZ filled with people who looked out for you, and that you were smart enough to listen to them. The problem is, sometimes it only takes one "Nah, you'll be bored with that in 50 jumps, you should get THIS ONE" to convince people to do the wrong thing. BTW, I noticed that skybytch has opened a similar thread over in General Skydiving Discussions, that's probably a more appropriate forum for this discussion...unless you're like me and are pissed off and need to vent, in which case feel free to use this one. Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

This letter in this month's Parachutist is hitting me pretty hard at the moment. In it, a DZ owner proposes putting the name of the person or company who sold the canopy to the person listed in incidents, as a way of "blacklisting" the dealer or person responsible for the sale. I'm curious what DZ.commers think about this particular issue. I'll tell you what I think...I'm normally all about freedom of choice, personal responsibility, etc. But I've now known three people who died under perfectly good parachutes that they didn't have the experience to fly, and I'm getting pretty fucking tired of it. The blacklist idea sounds pretty good to me, except that in all likelihood it will serve as an advertisement for the kind of people who are progressing quickly and want to downsize and start swooping with 30 jumps. I'm not sure what to do...blacklists, better training, the ever-popular wing-loading BSR, smarter instructors, canopy control schools at every dropzone, whatever. It's time to take some action, and I'm just curious what y'all think. OK, opinions, flame away, whatever. And say a prayer for Paul Cousins while you're at it. Thanks, Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Well, fuck. Fly free forever Paul, and all of Lynn's and my love to your family for their loss. Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

I've got a few jumps on both (~600 on a Stiletto 150, almost 300 on the Vengenace 135), and I too really love the Vengeance. I've noticed that it seems to take about 100 jumps or so to set the canopy opening characteristics, and I've had absolutely great openings since then...the first 100 WERE a little unpredictable, and I'd have to agree with AggieDave's assessment that it tends to be ground hungry. The main reasons I love the Vengeance are the floatiness in brakes and the swoops. I can ride the brakes and/or rears and come back from ridiculously long spots, and the swoops are as nice as I need...it's not a real monster swooper, but is does tend to float along really well at the bottom end of the toggle range, helping you get the last bits of distance at a really slow speed. Oh, and the airlocks handle turbulence very well, almost as well as a X-braced; you see very little spanwise movement when you hit bumps. Overall, I love it, and it makes a nice transition canopy for those moving towards cross-braced canopies. Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Hey Lizzie...forget about thinkin' of the look on his face...go elbow him again, that oughta cheer you up bigtime! Hope it gets better, chickie...just imagine Roy groaning in pain and think about jumping, it's bound to help... Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Do what I did with my niece...start calling them Blink 41 or Sum 182, and tell her they all sound the same to you...they hate that! Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Just to expand on the advice you've already gotten, I'd try to discuss it before your review, and before you send the letter. A personal approach can be very effective, particularly if you have a decent working relationship with your manager(s). They're busy people, they may even realize you're due for a promo or additional compensation, and sending the letter is going to tend to make them a little defensive. As stated by someone else, make sure you've done your research on what you should be making, have the talk, and then if they don't agree to look into it (or explain why they think it isn't going to happen), take steps from there. Documenting that you're not happy with your salary is generally not going to make a difference when it comes to handing out raises and/or promos...the HR folks will appreciate the explanation if you end up quitting, but it's not going to make them loosen up the purse strings if they don't think you merit the money. Just for the record, I had this same discussion last week with one of the folks I manage, and they weren't very happy with the fact that the 3.5% raise they got last year is all they're going to get until at least next year, even though it puts them in the upper 30% of our organization that actually GOT raises in the last two years. So be prepared, there may be other reasons you've been overlooked so far. Good luck, hope it works out! Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk Enuff Znuff - Strength Van Halen - Best of POD Eminem - The Eminem Show Joe Satriani - Flying in a Blue Dream Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Well, today's plan is that I'll be in Stockton interviewing intern candidates on Thursday, so I may just head straight to Byron and set up camp. So, I'd be around Friday morning...and will be happy to funnel your 300, dude! (Oh, wait...I believe you have honors on this one still, so YOU can funnel ME if you want...or we can just put that off until a later jump and rock the skies on 300!) I'll let ya know if things change, otherwise I'll see ya Friday. Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

In order of preference: Icarus 330 Icarus 365 EZ-384 EZ-421 Must say, the Icarus canopies are almost like jumping my sport rig: they fly well, flare great, and have very light toggle pressure. The PD EZ-421 seems like you have to flare it Friday to land on Saturday, and the toggle pressure would wear me out in about 4 jumps. I've actually reached the point where I've loaded a 330 at about 1.4, and was amazed to find I could stand it up in no wind. Pretty cool. Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Hey, how about a shoutout to Lizzie, Bryan, and my son, Zac! Moms and I are proud of ya, boy! Guess we better start planning dives for Saturday, huh?! Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

as Chopchop effectively kills the thread! Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Awright Lizzie! D-qualified and ready for the beach load! Call Kath and manifest NOW! Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

My second wedding...June 10, 1989. 14 years and I'm more in love than ever, just wish I could go back and do it again! Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Peter...is Saturday Baby Day? Didn't hear how the turn went, lemme know, post or PM. Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Most likely to bail?! No way, baby...you guys need a fast base for the hybrid records, so Vinnie and I will be donning the "Hollister Night Jump" lingerie to make sure we keep it fast enough for the 12 stingers Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

MEEGGGIIIIEEEEE!!! WE LOVE YOU!!! Hope things are going good, we'll be thinkin' about you and wishing you were here on Saturday! BTW, I'm manifested, what about the rest of y'all? Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Awright Timmae! Happy Skyday! I just had my eighth a couple weeks ago, pretty cool! iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

*** Byron jumpers... Girlfalldown.. Friday afternoon - Sunday Boyfalldown.. Friday afternoon - Sunday Bigben Cornholio Lummy.. Friday - Sunday (hopefully) Skyesspot.. Friday - Sunday (hopefully) JSaxton Hookitt Chopchop.. Friday through Sunday.. Deuce.. Friday - Sunday skybaby jams TallGuy Hollister jumpers sfc.. crapflinger.. Titanium Legs.. LizzieB... Saturday and maybe Sunday.. Iceman (mfrese)..Friday through Sunday (maybe even Thursday afternoon) Sebazz?.. SkydiverXXL.. Swoopyswoop Pop.. 1/2 the boogie.. whatever that means... The Anvil...Friday Afternoon-Sunday.. Skypup.. KerMor.. SkyOCiel.. visiting jumpers.. vanillaskygirl ronnie rookie120.. Friday - Sunday Amazon.. Friday - Sunday (Washington) SLOfreefall MissMissy (Skydive Chicago) tattoojeff (Oregon) NoshitthereIwas.. Friday - Saturday Damn, I am looking forward to this! See y'all there! Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

I'd be happy to jump with you this weekend if I get a chance. I'm not as good as Simon (and I can't even DREAM about being as good as Tim) but I can stay with you, check out your body position, and give you a little feedback. Also, see if you can get Renaud or Phlip to go out with you, as the video will definitely help out in analyzing your flying. Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Definitely a rig. The rig will let you skydive, and aside from the usual skydiving dangers, has few complications. The boobs won't affect your skydiving, and may have complications ranging from impacted implants to annoying dorks talking to your tits instead of you. Besides, boobs aren't important...nipplesare VERY important! Iceman Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

8 years and 16 days, about 1550 jumps, and so many great memories...three really good ones: - the first really charging swoop on my old Stiletto - the Skyvan and Otter doing a flyby at about 50 feet at my first Byron Boogie - a two way tandem lurk with Timmy D. We docked on the student at the same instant, all three of us with huge grins. She was the most stoked person I've ever seen on a tandem

Love it...usually catch it after I've been out drinkin' and can't even remember the show names, but it is bizarre and hilarious. I still like Dexter's Lab and Samurai Jack better, though Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

Zac, son, I just want you to know that you can tell me anything, and I'm glad you finally came out. Your mom and I both knew what was going on, but I guess you had to find the right time to admit it to everyone, and leave that nasty old closet behind. And we're SO pleased you've managed to find a nice guy like Vinny to make you happy. We're SO PROUD! However, this lingerie thing is just wrong, and I'm not too sure about the jammies either... Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash