weekender

I’ve decided to take a holiday to Amsterdam 11 June for a few days. I have no plans after that and have another 4 days to myself. I would like to enjoy the countryside and get in some jumping. My research has shown me that the dropzone in Spa Belgium is rather large and open on weekdays. The area seems beautiful and I’ve never been there. Also, it is a relatively short drive to Maastricht which a Dutch friend recommended I visit. I’m correct that Spa is open during the week, right? I’m safe assuming its also a larger dropzone which will increase my chances of making acquaintances? Is the weather that time of June nice or good for jumping? I’ve been fortunate to have travelled to Europe in the past and love just driving around and stopping in small places to eat, shop and just walk around. Is the area near Spa well suited for this? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

if they raised their prices because of greater cost and people paid it. why would they ever lower them? the market sets the price. they offered tickets at a higher price and people paid it. That is the new market price. seems pretty simple to me. how the world works. nothing bad or good, just math. i dont understand how some of you think. not saying its wrong or bad, honestly. I dont want to make people mad at me. Its just not how my mind works. i see price discovery, math. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

I mentioned earlier my concern about equalizing in freefall and why I wont wear earplugs. This was based on my scuba experiences. After speaking with a Dr (NOT and ent, for full disclosure but a smart guy) my fears have been belayed a bit. There was a few errors in my science that I’ll share. In scuba there is an increase in pressure from the water. Earplugs do not work because the water can actually push them against your eardrum increasing a risk of injury. That is why they are unsafe, not as I thought because they block your ability to equalize. I am also embarrassed to admit I believed you equalized from your ear to the drum. This is not true as the video someone posted above explains. You equalize from your Eustachian Tube to your throat. If that is not blocked you can equalize. Earplugs should not have any effect during freefall. I’m not advising anyone to jump with them. Just explaining how my opinion has changed. Do NOT wear them scuba diving, though. You will be injured for the reason I mentioned above. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

Thanks for the link! I appreciate the quantitative info (and a good reason to practice my German -- geez, I'm rusty...). I think I'll look into getting some custom earplugs made, since I can't find generic ones that fit my tiny ear canals. Here's a nice video about how clearing one's ears works: http://video.about.com/pediatrics/Ear-Pressure.htm A thought experiment: If you can clear your ears while wearing earplugs on the ride to altitude, doesn't that demonstrate that equalizing the pressure in your ears is possible while wearing earplugs? The only difference between the pressure change on the ride to altitude and in freefall is the rate of change. For those who wear earplugs in the plane, can you clear your ears by yawning, swallowing, etc (i.e. by not using your hands to plug your nose)? Is it more difficult with the earplugs in than without them? If it's no more difficult to equalize pressure with the earplugs than without on the ride to altitude, shouldn't the same be true in freefall? If it is more difficult with ear plugs in, that would indicate probable problems in freefall. There is a big difference in the time to altitude and freefall time. Your increasing the pressure as you freefall rather quickly. Similar to scuba. If you get behind equalizing it gets more and more difficult. In scuba you are taught to stop and ascend a bit till you can clear. then continue down. NOT and option in freefall. Thats is my concern and why i wont jump with them in my ear. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

i wear the foam ones on the way up and take them out right before i jump. I've had my ears not clear without them. also, had some injuries scuba diving in the past. because of this i am to chicken to wear them on the jump. I wish someone would make a molded one that would vent while your falling. I'd pay up for them. If there out there and i missed them i'd love to see a link. something specifically tested by jumpers. ive had people tell me they would be fine but also didnt know if anyone has actually jumped with them. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

Life is to short to do something you no longer enjoy. good for you for having the guts to make the move. i think you will enjoy being a fun jumper. I taught scuba for years and got bored with it. i truly enjoy going with friends for a dive now. i found it to be two completely different things. i think you'll understand what i'm saying when you show up to the DZ and have no responsibilities except to enjoy yourself. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

I'll explain a bit. I dont feel a strong sense of duty is fullfilled by it. I am a veteran and longtime vol firefigher. i serve and served my community. Someone else can do jury duty for me. i find it horribly boring and tedious. I find the municiple employees rude and disrespectful. Its a hassle to get there and park, check in and then wait to be called. I cannot use a computer and find myself bored with whatever book or mag's i brought. also, i might be getting paid but i enjoy my job. Its easy to get too and people are intelligent and polite. I could go on but hopefully that will help you get a sense why someone might hate it. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

i hate it with a passion and my job pays me. Just seems like a waste of my time. I work hard to get thrown out. i start out pretty mild but am not afraid to say something extremely politically incorrect if need be. Usually start with the classic, "I can tell just by looking at a guy if he did it" it gets more racist if that doesnt work. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

Could not agree more. It's not a gospel song so dont sing it like it is. my own pet peeve- when hot singers get chubby and look like Snookie when singing the National Anthem "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

i worked for a big investment bank. interviewed 13 times and had multiple dinners and drinks before being offered. i worked for a child company so wrongly assumed it would be easy because technically i was transfering to the parent. funny thing was when i started work they told me i was lucky. many interview 25 times. i will say this. everyone who worked there was nice and likeable. i guess with that many interviews its hard to fake not being a jerk. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

Charging is a creeping trend. More and more municipalities are charging for some services. NYC announced a charge for vehicle extradition this year for example. Many forest fire services, including some federal, have charged for years if they deem negligence. We are all going to read more of this as budgets gets tighter and tighter. The skydiving community needs to work to make the public see our accidents as just that. Comparable to a motorcycle accident and not a child lighting matches in the woods. The perception by municipalities that an accident in skydiving is a negligent act can be costly to us. With that said, skydiving takes a lot of personal responsibility. I now see this as one more thing I must mitigate. Am I insured to cover a 10 grand rescue? If not, can I afford this? Is this added economic expense worth it to me? Is it fair to my family? I couple more things I need to factor into my hobby. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

Third party insurance for a USPA member? Little help please. Their website is non specific and just says "third party insurance" is required. I've searched here and could not find a clear answer to this. My email to them was rejected, not sure why but happened 2x. I'm a USPA member. Can someone please explain to me how it works at Empuriabrava as a USPA member. I assume i need more coverage, can it be bought when i arrive there? If not, what options are suggested? I'll be there the weekend of the above event and would like to jump. thanks in advance for your responses. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

i understand your point and appreciate you delivering it with a smile. hey at least im not a lawyer! (thats me directing the conversation about ethics away from my profession) "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

I see it completely different. Bill R no longer has a relationship with the current DZ. See's an opportunity to profit using his knowledge and experience from running a successful DZ and his former partnership in Deland. Seem's like a normal business cycle to me. Before I'm attacked, a little why i see no biggie here. My experience is in banking. top bankers leave all the time to start their own banks to compete with former partners they disagree with. Same with funds. top fund managers and traders do the same after dissagreements. To me this is a very normal occurrence. I see no victim or villains here. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

None that matter had to be done. and yes im being humorous Hijack- Hey Chris this is roger. you were nice enough to jump with me in June when i visited London. Hope all is well with you. Taking your advice and going to Spain next summer with the Mrs. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

i have spoken to the dealer and manufacturer and just wanted to hear from users. thanks everyone who has replied and thanks going forward to any one who would like to add any more experiences. appreciate it. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

I'm curious to hear peoples opinion on how it is to pack a 170 into a vector3 v348 with a standard fit reserve. does anyone have this setup or pack it and will share their thoughts? A Sabre2 170 even better. I'm looking for thoughts from people who have experience packing this setup, thanks. "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

Posted it here because its not about wind tunnel techniques and more of a general topic Looks like NYC area might be getting a wind tunnel after all. Of course this project has been going on forever and being a life long NJ resident i'm skeptical all of things involving gov't and/or contractors. hah from a local paper- "Christie also called for closing or selling the state-owned -- and financially struggling -- Meadowlands Racetrack, selling the underutilized Izod Center, which has lost its main tenants, the NBA's Nets and NHL's Devils, and giving state financial aid to finish the stalled Xanadu shopping-entertainment complex in the Meadowlands." "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante

Will the A3 carry a rig? or is just for your other gear? i would like a good bag that fits a rig, jumpsuit and small accesories. thanks "The point is, I'm weird, but I never felt weird." John Frusciante