SpecialKaye

Think of it this way..."to panic is to stop thinking." These were wise words that I was given by the late, Jimmy Godwin, God Bless him and his wisdom. Jimmy gave me these words when I "panicked" at his DZ in Umatilla, FL. I couldn't remember where the power lines were and landed in Farmer McNasty's field next door. Jimmy didn't chastise me, but treated me with compassion as a new jumper and offered his wisdom...I have tried to follow his example over the years and pass on to the new kids having problems. Hope this helps you deal with you "panic" problem. Blue skies, Kaye...Easterpig13

I saw it last Memorial Day weekend here in Tampa, while still on crutches and hurting like hell, and got the base rush from them...it made me feel so much better. It is great cinematography!!! I do believe I'll be looking for the purchase. SpecialKaye...Easterpig13...theee girl pig!

and, of course the Easter Pigs got plenty of camera time! Oh, and part of the cover...how cool! SpecialKaye...Easter Pig 13

Good one, Jason! Maybe Fred can use this to do something about the bureacrats that seem to think it okay the idea of allowing rapellers and hang-gliders to use the parks while arresting basejumpers for using the parks in the way we enjoy. It kinda pissed me off when I supported Fayette County in 2001, just 5 weeks after 9-11, and here they are allowing the rapellers to use the bridge...to include blocking traffic while a ZIP line was run from side to side. There was no reason why the jumpers that supported the community couldn't have used the catwalk, same as the rapellers were being allowed. Guess they can't continue to deny the existence any longer! Thanks Jason! Kaye

Yes Avery, you are a weirdo...oh, that's right, I am too! Aren't we all weird in some way? We don't all have to think we're cool. And Avery, you going to get porked this year, finally?...just to be really weird! Special Kaye...the girl pig!

This is very sad news. My sincerest condolences go out to Slim's family and close friends. I met Slim at Bridge Day 1998 when we both were in the Fayetteville community newspaper. It was my first base jump and I was in the paper, which he thought was pretty cool...all these years later, I still have the paper...guess I'll cherish it all the more. I'm very sorry to hear this. Kaye...Easterpig13

Hey Fattie! I had my ACL & meniscus done in 2000. Accident date: 2/19 and returned to the sky 7/28...and didn't miss Bridge Day...always a priority! Do your rehab, wear your brace and jump a big, fat canopy for a while...softer landings! To date, no problems, fully recovered and feel great after waiting until I was released by my doc. Good luck in your recovery and don't be discouraged...take the time to heal to 100% and you'll be glad for it later! Blue skies, Kaye

Ray, I've got a Cruiselite 215 and have no problems with my flare, whatsoever! I've gotten some really sweet landings on it and with recovering from injuries, it's my first choice to jump, period. My doctor has released me back to the air, however, no terminal openings, so I'll do accuracy. I've also heard so many people bash the older Sabres...never had any hard openings on that, either. Kaye

Seems they come out further and further every year. Jason, why can't we restrict them a little more? Their lines are a real safety concern for both the rapellers and us, jumpers. When I jumped the first year (98), unless you had a full 180 (which I did that year), it wasn't a real concern. Since then, they keep putting out more and more lines, getting closer to the center. I've seen jumpers hit their lines and damage canopies. I've been fortunate and been right on my risers to get away from them and that was only 98. All my other jumps have been nice on-heading openings. Kaye...thee girl pig...Easterpig13

I have two of the old style dytters and never have had any problems with either. However, they only have one setting, I have one set at break off and one set at hard deck to be open...one is in each ear. I had to build and install a second pocket for my frap hat which wasn't a problem. The one I got free from a friend of mine right off AFF and the second I bought for $25 bucks from a skydiver that was hungry....got several pieces of my gear that way and haggled until I got the deal I thought was acceptable. I've had both for 8 years now and only changed batteries...they may be old style, but both were the right price and have proven themselves for being long lasting. Kaye

and a bottle to the rigger!

I have a Sabre 170 that I had thought about selling. I saw a post on rec. (before DZ.com) of someone looking for a Sabre 170, so I responded to him privately and asked him experience level, weight, blah, blah, blah. He responds back with his experience...40 jumps, 210 without gear...so I send him this nice e-mail back and let him know "I regret I cannot sell you this in good conscience..." He blasts me because I couldn't live with myself if he had that canopy with his experience and killed himself. I would feel unbelievably responsible. You're doing the right thing, however, we all know that if it's what he has his heart set on, he'll get it. You won't be responsible for his breaking himself or worse, killing himself. His ego is out of control. Blue skies, Kaye

Because this sport requires money to go places and have fun, I work as a Paralegal...hey, really, I do all the work and the attorneys get all the money, what can I say. I also have my rigger's ticket for the pocket cash. And, I built my own base rig before I got my ticket...hehehe! Jumped it for almost the 2nd time at BD 2003...got my ticket on October 13...love that number! Should have had the ticket 3 years ago, waited in spite of my mentor...guess I spited myself in reality. Hopefully I'll be doing the Master's ticket next year. Special Kaye...alias Easterpig1

Yep, this used to be linked on the baseboard...I haven't gone on and looked for it lately because I have it printed and in my binder for reference. It's a great tool and the practice is invaluable. C-ya K

When I am gearing up for a base jump I fly the canopy I will be jumping for the base jump all the way down to putting a non-collapsible pilot chute on my canopy. It's going to give you more of a real life view of how the canopy will fly on the base jump. The drag from the non-collapsible pilot chute is what you will experience on your base jump, as you will be jumping a non-collapsible on the base jump. Also, you will be practicing landing in deep brakes, full flight and then flare, riser landings and this I do all under my F-111, large 7 cell canopies. I got a real lesson when I had to land on a basejump with risers and had never really practiced this before...it was a real fear for me and then it happened...better to be prepared then have to rely on instincts on a basejump when everything is happening in hypermode and slow motion all at once. If you are just getting started in base, there are some canopy skills tasks that you can find on the baseboard (baselogic) that are quite helpful. I would recommend you view them and maybe try them out. Also, if you are just getting started, do you have someone with experience that is helping you along or are you just interested and going about this haphazardly? C-Ya Kaye Easterpig13@aol.com

Jason, It'll be really hard to put our pig ears on a helmet...LOL I believe it should be personal choice. If this were a building or cliff I could understand making them mandatory, however, for Bridge Day allow the jumper to make their own decision. Or, mandatory helmets for things such as the diving board like last year is a good implementation. We all know that BASE is an extremely personal choice. C-Ya EasterPig13

The brace is made by Generation II and is a great thing. One of my base friends has on with the pad and uses it on his base jumps. The brace I got was about three months ahead of his and they didn't offer it when mine was ordered. The brace is around $2200 or more. It's made from a titanium alloy and for those of us with a prior ACL injury/surgery who choose not to reinjure, it's a great thing. I have the old style and wear it whenever I jump (skydive or base) religiously. I just can't seem to justify the money to pay myself...I got my brace through insurance after my surgery and only paid $100 co-pay. It's been on the market now for about 4 years. Good call Matt...will we see you this year at B-Day? Missed you last year. Later, Special Kaye Easter Pig13