These are the people...

[skybytch 273]

Ah, Sesame Street. Remember that song - "these are the people in my neighborhood"? With the passing of another sky-birthday, I got a bit mushy and sentimental last night and extended that concept to the people who've been important to me and my skydiving career.

The list is really long, and probably kind of boring to anyone but me. Tough. Ya don't like it, ya don't gotta read it!


Tom Williams - It was all his fault. He did it first and encouraged me to do it the next weekend. We learned to skydive together and he was and always will be my favorite person to jump with. Someday I'll get him back in the air with me again.

Al Stephens - He taught me to skydive. He taught me to teach others to skydive. He taught me rigging. He taught me to trust my own knowledge and instincts. He gave me a love for the history of skydiving by sharing his stories, pictures and other memorabilia with me. He taught me that skydiving isn't safe. He taught me that it's important to forgive people even when I feel they've treated me badly, because you never know when they'll be taken away from you. He may have been an asshole, but he was our asshole. I miss him.

Gregg Powell - The world's greatest hugs and a heart as big as the sky. Gregg was so much fun to hang around with, and even more fun to jump with.

Dave "Bonz" Altieri - AFF instructor, rigger, former Golden Knight. His calm attitude did wonders to help make my first jump "from the top" an experience that I couldn't wait to do again.

Tom Place - Like a friend's way cool dad, he showed me that even someone 25+ years older than me could be as much fun to be around as anyone my own age.

Louise "Weezy" Robinson - The ultimate manifest bitch. She kept us all in line with humor and the occasional screaming fit. Wonder what ever happened to that re-entry shield?

Stephanie Parkhurst - The other skybitch from hell. The two of us drunk... downright scary! Praying to the wind goddesses out at the wind tee. The Hot Lips weekend that planted a seed in me that burst into full bloom as I chased my slot on the 2002 women's world record. I am forever grateful that she forgave me.

Steve Burrus - A brother I never fought with. He always encouraged me to fly my best, try new things and never give up. A bit cocky, but with a sensitive side that he didn't show to many people. I'm glad I got to see it.

Harry Kane - Sitting on the bench talking in front of the hangar that day knew I'd gained a very good friend. I'm glad I forgave him.

Shelly Miller - Integrity and quiet humor. Seeing her hold strong to her beliefs when those around her lived lives contrary to them made a deep impression on me.

Debbie Williams Stephens - Friendship, strength, support, love and a willing ear to complain into, even as she was dealing with her own hard times.

Lacey Robinson - "Leave me alone, I know what I'm doing." I suppose it was a bit strange to see a 12 year old packing parachutes, but I'd have jumped any of her pack jobs. And I'll never forget the water fights!

Paul Huston - Always there, always happy to spend a few minutes talking, always up for a skydive.

Josh Gwiadza - His quiet way of asserting himself and his integrity impressed me long before we became friends. I learned much about teaching from watching him teach others. His love of the sport was obvious in the way he worked. I miss spending time with him.

Shaun Felton - Energy, strength, love and a quiet spirituality that leaves me in awe. Working with him was joyous and fun. I am honored to be his friend and I so miss hanging out and talking with him. I'll get him back in the air with me one of these days too.

Dave Hughes - He gave me opportunities that I would not have had without his help, and he was fun to jump with too.

Kevin Clements - I have pictures and video he took of me and our friends, but precious few pictures of him. An incredible photographer with a great love for the sport and a dream that he was well on his way to achieving. I'll never forget you, Kev; every time I geek a camera I think of you.

Blue McGowan - She hired me for what has turned into the best job I've ever had. :-)

Kate Cooper - I can't even begin to list all that Kate has taught me and done for me. The best boss a skydiver could ask for. She tells great jump stories too!

Tony Domenico - The other best boss a skydiver could ask for. And he likes to play craps!

Jackie Dineen - One of the people I would like most to be like. Determined, goal oriented, tough, a damn good skydiver and she "cleans up good" too - the epitome of the phrase "girls kick ass!"

Linda Hardesty - Easily one of the best rw organizers for low timers (or people who want to work on their basic belly flying) that I've had the pleasure of jumping with. She emphasizes safety and learning on every jump, but more importantly she makes every jump fun.

Sangiro - He printed my words and gave me a "dz away from the dz" - the dropzone.com forums - and a whole new family - the people who post there regularly. How cool is it that when we finally met in person (after over three years of "knowing" each other), I felt like he was just an old friend I hadn't seen for a long time.

This list could go on and on and on... but I'll stop now.

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