happythoughts

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content

    17,920

  • Joined

  • Last visited

    Never

  • Feedback

    0%

Everything posted by happythoughts

  1. happythoughts
    I know people who got married at a later age. They had their own stuff and made the decision to keep their finances separate. That was a responsible move that protects their children. A prenup, a will, a living will, and a financial plan. Adult responsibilities. People don't leave their home unlocked, why leave their other finances unprotected. So, they put everything in writing. Then, they put an equal amount in a joint account to cover monthly living expenses. They could spend whatever they wanted on their kids/grandkids.
  2. happythoughts
    I've been bit by more than a few horses, but donkey are easy to get along with. The neighbors of a friend kept donkeys for "donkey softball" games. (You play the game from the back of donkeys for charity events) Donkeys will throw you, but horses will throw you, bite you, or scrape you off.
  3. happythoughts
    When I was young, I hunted. Sometimes, you had to kill a wounded animal without a gun. The first time you do that, it changes you. I knew someone with cancer. Last year of their life on chemo 3 days a week. The other 3 days, throwing up. Last 6 months in a bed. Too much pain to move. This person never drank or did drugs their entire life. The last month of their life was a haze on pain killers. The last 3 days on morphine. When even close to awake, the pain would bring them back to agony. If the morphine was increased, they wouldn't wake up. True story. If given the choice, I would have given them a peaceful sleep that they would not have woken up from.
  4. happythoughts
    When the spaceship went through "turbulence" and everything bounced around, it was a cinematic moment.
  5. happythoughts
    Read my post above. When you get on jump run, you pass the blanket(s) to the front of the plane. They are put on the floor. I have done this repeatedly and never had an issue with them blowing anywhere. Realistically, that is the way it worked. Even in Florida, in March, it gets cold on the part of the ride from 14K to 20K. With thermals on, your teeth chatter.
  6. happythoughts
    There used to be a XXX version of Cinderella. Think of the Prince's Ball, or the Good Fairy, in their new interpretations... Cinderella returned from the ball to find the GF stealing her tv set.
  7. happythoughts
    Someone once told me that people got married when they were ready to get married by selecting from those available at that time. By being ready, that can mean - - has a job - or is out of college finally People in college, or not yet comfortably financially stable, are still interested in sex. So, they don't get married, but they still live together. They have birth control, they have fun, they don't get permanently involved with someone who may be just attractive. Seems like the options have changed since 1920. Women, especially, have more control over their reproduction, so they have a different view on the fun part.
  8. happythoughts
    WSJ The article blames some of it on the economy, but that is a fairly recent change. The decrease has been going on since 1960. Perhaps the Pill has reduced the problems of sex. People can have sex without pregnancy. A few years ago, someone wrote that the average male in Italy was still living with his parents and most didn't marry before 29. So, at some point, it happens, but not as early as it used to. There is of a stigma to living together in the early years.
  9. happythoughts
    Depends on if you are going for the pond. Swoopers definitely use European Swallows.
  10. happythoughts
    I suspect that the program has always had Dem approval, given Pelosi's early approval of the program. They did some political posturing for a while before it became known that their ranking Dem leader was on board. So, if O extends the policy, it isn't a surprise. When it was a Bush policy, it was objectionable, so posters objected to it. Once Pelosi's involvement was known, no noise. Now O has approved the extention... chirp... chirp. Pavlov's politicians aren't supposed to bark now.
  11. happythoughts
    If someone can transition back without corking, that would make it easier for me. My main issue is losing sight of that third person. If they are 500 ft below, I am concerned that people can't find them and track over them. When we had 4 people doing verticals underneath us, the freeflyers were very experienced and discussed a careful breakoff plan with us. I have concerns for new jumpers who may not track effectively or be aware of other jumpers yet. The two choices seem to be - transition to flat and track with the group, or leave early and have a clear tracking plan.
  12. happythoughts
    Hell no! I'd rather taunt some peace loving Muslim extremists. Kum Bay Yah . . . Give'm a big ol' hug . . . Don't sing, that will interrupt the peaceful sound of crickets chirping... When it was a Bush policy, there was an uproar. In 2007, when Obama made a public speech against it, there was an uproar. In 2008, when Obama said he wouldn't prosecute any illegal wiretaps... crickets... In 2009, when he said he would extend the policy... crickets... In 2010, Obama is expanding the policy... crickets...
  13. happythoughts
    Preserving their existing authority? Well, that is change we can believe in. "lawfully authorized" If there were ever any illegal wiretaps, then they would be pursued to the full extent of the... oh, wait. That was so last-year when O granted them immunity. It is funny that the quote says "preserving existing..." when the internet news is in flames about the fact that it is actually an expansion. Not that it matters. It they don't prosecute the illegal wiretaps, how can anything be a concern? Where do you expands authority for there? "This will give you more power." "We do anything we want now."
  14. happythoughts
    A similar instance has to do with hair. I saw a woman at the circus swinging while suspended by her hair. Opinions vary, but a single human hair will hold 50-100g. So, total weight of person / 60 would give the number of hairs that would suspend them. With plastics bags, the failure rate due to tears would be a factor. The weight would not be evenly distributed, but instead, it would focus on the attachment points. Also, the weight of the lines would be important. A 150 lb person being supported by 300 bags would only need 1/2 lb per bag (before considering line weight and percent of bag failures). So figure that each bag should support 1 lb. Really interesting.
  15. happythoughts
    There has been some recent news about extending the school year. Some referred to school for the entire year. I am against the idea because - If the program isn't working, keeping kids there longer is not going to help. The model should be changed to something that works. Many people talk about the technical school path in other countries. Not computers, but electronics, engineering, and mechanical. At some point, kids need time off from the pressure of school and tests. Overwork and stress are killing American adults, giving a 10 yo a stress illness is not an improvement.
  16. happythoughts
    I've been on hybrids in the 15+ range. Breakoff was planned like you mentioned. The 4 people doing standups left early. Two doing sit stayed longer. Today, I got into a discussion on smaller stuff. Lots of new people doing 2-flat, 1 chest strap hanger or 4-flat, 2 hangers. The 2/1 groups don't seem to be planning a good breakoff and it concerns me. Wondered what others were doing.
  17. happythoughts
    How do you handle it ? The bellyflyers are going to break off and track at assigned altitudes. My question relates to the hangers who are in a sit or stand. How can the bellyflyers keep track of where the hangers are ? "They are down there somewhere..."
  18. happythoughts
    Mmm....a witch and a redhead!
  19. happythoughts
    Life is tough enough without additional trials. It is better to learn from the problems of others. It takes effort and time to overcome bad personal situations. That time is better spent moving forward from where you are.
  20. happythoughts
    I read a few of the Baldacci novels at the suggestion of a woman I know. (He writes very strong, complex female characters.) They appeal because he is not afraid to let something happen to the main characters. Tonight, Christopher Walken is in an old movie, Dogs of War. The movie flavor of a Frederick Forsythe's novel. It reminded me of a more recent novel The Afghan. Great reading, but also very educational.
  21. happythoughts
    On social issues, you're really good at making it sound complicated. We are all equal under the law. No more, not less. Either you are not in the US, or you are not good with current events. Lindsay Lohan did another 15 minutes in jail this week, after being sentenced to 30 days for defying the order of a judge. I have never thought that the law applies equally for the rich and poor.
  22. happythoughts
    From her Match.com profile: "Adventurous, likes to skydive, very social, careful planner, good follow-thru skills..."
  23. happythoughts
    Today, I've seen the comment, "If she had to kill someone, it is more fair to kill the guy". A little more than tired of that. That shows as much logic as the feature characters in this drama.
  24. happythoughts
    The article says that she had access to the other girls rig while she was kicked out of the bedroom... opportunity. Perhaps her decision-making skills had an overall theme here. Primary decision, she was sleeping with a guy she knew to be promiscuous. She signed up for that. To be angry about it later? Next, the decision to kill someone ? This sounds like a perverse country song where someone gets their car set on fire for cheating. This is the sad endgame of the chorus, "Violence is ok if someone hurts your feelings".
  25. happythoughts
    The new digital cameras are smaller than the old VHS cameras. I know quite a few people who used to fly video, but ended up with vicious recurring headaches from bad openings.