Cloudi

USE YOUR ILLUSION.

I just realized that my reply to Brains may have come accross as rude and I certainly didn't mean it to be that way. I must have been a litttle grumpy when I saw this thread. No, Brains didn't say it was rude, just my "guilty" consciounce.

Ahem. FYI...demo does NOT = Rental Kim Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Greenies, can we have a sticky? That's awesome! We are grateful for your work in putting this together. Kim Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Oh come on, he's a natural, can't you tell? You just don't know his skills and are trying to hold him back. Jeesh. Can't you see he's the latest gift to skydiving? He knows what he's doing. He flies conservatively and has landed it once just fine, that's what really matters. He's not going to attempt high performance landings until he has about 50 jumps and really knows the canopy.* *If anyone doesn't understand why the above is total BS and WRONG, please feel free to peruse the incident reports and do a little research on canopy size and on the effects of wingloading. http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/wingload.pdf http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/choosing1.pdf http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/choosing2.pdf I really hope he gets the kind of instruction that comes from experienced professionals who care about his future and not instruction from hardware and hospital beds. You are good to be looking out for him. Kim Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Since when does a skydiver have a problem with getting video? Kim Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

I tried to take a picture of it but the camera broke...coincidence? Just kidding...I really should get a picture of it though. People have told me that they didn't like it the first time they saw it, but that it kind of "grows on you."

I'll have you know that my OD Green Vector III with neon blue/purple/white accents is absolutely beautiful and I'll order those colors again and again.

All the more reason to have canopy training more strictly regulated by a skydiving governing body before it becomes a whuffo governing body's agenda. Try as we might, we can't teach common sense, so restrictions on who can do what will help slow down those who think the "rules" do not apply to them. I think we are on the same page and I don't think anyone expects or even wants jump # limits put on any progression in our sport. I do believe that most of us want to see people "testing out" before they are clear to do certain things. Just like other requirements that must be met before certain licenses or ratings are granted. What's the big deal of showing that you are capable of doing something unless you aren't confident that you can do it? If you aren't confident that you can do it, why are you doing it? Canopy control isn't limited to the individual. It often has an impact (excuse the pun) on others as well. We must try to understand that our current way of regulating canopy progression is obviously not working since death and significant injury while operating perfectly functioning canopies has consistently been on the rise. The USPA is set up to and is expected to set the standards for safety in our sport. I don't think it's expecting too much for some proposed regulations that its members can vote on, do you? Kim Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

...but don't you* know that all you have to do is read a couple of news articles about a sensationalized mining accident (of which you know nothing about), offer your obviously superior advice, sit back smugly, and hope that those ridiculously ignorant miners will see your wisdom? Oh yes, don't neglect to mention the fact that you are analyzing the actions of an extremely talented and exceptional miner who was killed by impacting with an extremely talented and exceptional excavator when there are still no facts pointing to the cause of the incident. Clearly, reflective material on the miner's equipment could have prevented the high speed impact where decades of experience and training failed. Ooops. Was that too sarcastic? I guess they** will just have to deal with it. We love you Bill, we miss you Gus, and we have great respect for you both. Only those with too much time and too little common sense would point fingers in this situation. Accidents happen and what is important is that we stand together and love each other through this devastating accident and always. I guess ignorance really is bliss. Kim *mr2mk1g: in the off chance that you don't get the sarcasm, this isn't aimed at you...it's only an extension of what you were saying. **meaning anyone who passes judgment without the facts that are still eluding all of us--there are no answers yet and there may never be. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

I was embarrassed to tell you at the time, but the reason I fell was really because I was temporarily blinded by the unearthly glow radiating from your unconditionally immaculate hair. Kim Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

You're only saying that because it's true... Believe me, it's the other way around! I love this place & PD's customers are the best!! Kim Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

PM sent...

So. Did this genius show up at the Dublin Boogie? Has he tried to jump anywhere else? Or did he, maybe, just maybe decide he should take up golf? I would love to hear a happy ending to this story. Something like: He wakes up from his delusional state to be greeted by relieved family and friends. Everyone has a good laugh over his temporary insanity and vows to never let him near peyote again. The End. I can dream, dammit!! Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Literally: Make sure your chest strap is threaded through the buckle properly and then stow the excess (ask your instructor to show you how if you aren't sure). Figuratively: Don't ever get complacent. Do your gear checks before you don it, after, and in the plane before the door opens. If you notice that someone else's gear doesn't look quite right, point it out (but don't touch!). Worst case scenerio is they will explain how their gear is different and that is how it should look (you will learn something). Best case scenerio is they might not have been as diligent during their gear check, missed something, and you may have just saved their life (you will both learn something). Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Hardy, har, har, har...

I PROMISE. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Can someone please explain to me when parachutes stopped being "life saving devices" and became "ego inflating devices"??!! When did the emphasis go from how well someone can control their parachute while squeezing every ounce of performance out of it, to rushing through the downsizing process to see how fast they can aim themselves at the ground/trees/people/? Why, in such an unforgiving sport as skydiving, are so many people willing to "walk" before they've even learned to "crawl"? What's the hurry? Who's rushing them? Some people truly do need to be saved from themselves because they simply can't see common sense that glows like a neon sign to everyone else. I'm all for learning as much as you can before progressing to another level (some would call this conservative, but I call it common sense). I'm also all for those who are "naturals," who pick up on things quicker than most others, and who progress more quickly than others (which means not limiting progression to jump numbers). To each their own how far they want to go in the sport and how quickly they want to do it, but it does become EVERYONE'S business when people continually pound themselves in under functioning canopies that they simply couldn't handle in a less than perfect situation. What's the difference between gaining the skills to complete certain tasks to the satisfaction of an instructor to be signed off for each license and being signed off in canopy progression? They are only asking you to show your skills before you move onto more complicated maneuvers. What is so "freedom restricting" about that? There are so many things to enjoy in our sport. It's a shame to see so many otherwise intelligent people taking shortcuts with their lives. And let's not forget anyone who has the misfortune of becoming one of those "obstacles" this "hot shot" hasn't learned how to avoid as he/she rushed through their progression (hence the reason it becomes an issue to everyone who skydives, not just the one who has a divet waiting for them with their name on it). Of course, all the training, education, and experience in the world can't always save us from the "shit happens" factor, but what's wrong with preparing ourselves to respond appropriately to it? Sometimes shit happens and if you are prepared for it, you might just live through it. That's my rant... It was long. Not directed at anyone. Just an opinion from someone with 200+ jumps who looks forward to sticking around for at least 10,000 more. Nothing more, nothing less. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

LOL! Perfect! Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Thanks! I am still only a queen in training with hopes of one day deserving the title, though. I haven't heard from Mr. Birthday lately, but maybe he'll send me some pics soon. I feel so used! I hear he's keeping quite busy playing with his new toys, loving life, and generally keeping out of trouble. Staying out of trouble...and they said he couldn't do it! I think he has some help with that one too... Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

Fortunately for me, I have better "coordination" at work than at gearing up! Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

You obviously know Jari! Yep, we sure do miss him in DeLand. My work life has become so orderly and normal since he's left. Happy Birthday HMFIC!! Happy Birthday to you too Tonto!! You ROCK!! Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

You won't be disappointed and that's a promise! I'm a "spoiled" DeLand local who finally took Scott's essential skills course last week after 3 years of milking him for his generous, free advice. He genuinely enjoys sharing his knowledge and he is excellent at communicating it in a way you can easily understand. My landings have been pretty consistent (3 years of picking his brain certainly hasn't hurt!), especially over the last year, but I hadn't really achieved the level of confidence with my canopy that I wanted and thought I should have by now. Wow!! I learned so much in his course, did things I thought I could never do, and have plenty of skills to practice under canopy for a long time to come. I have a much greater understanding of really flying my canopy and I have more confidence in myself as a canopy pilot. The course fee and the cost of getting here is worth every penny! I hope I'll get to meet you while you're in DeLand! Have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions! Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.

You would think you boys have never gone "commando" before...

Yep, it is a "loaner" from that horrible wingsuit company that is only in it for the money... You know the one. They won't do anything for anyone unless it makes them a profit... I even heard that the boss told the former sales manager, "You suck!"!! Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason.