debonair

I agree that it is not likely to happen. Also, I'm doubtful that the Israeli soldiers taken in the cross-border raid are even still alive. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

My opinion is that Hezbollah is using the local community around them as human shields. Every civilian who dies is an opportunity for Hezbollah to point fingers. I saw a report with Anderson Cooper this week showing how Hezbollah staged ambulance emergency calls as a publicity stunt. They are using multi tactics; attacking Israel literally but also in the media. The fact is, Israel gave early warning that they were going to try to seriously wound Hezbollah and would target the location sources of the incoming rockets. They dropped pamphlets and forewarned civilians to get out of those areas. I think it is a terrible tragedy that innocent lives are being lost on both sides of the border. I think its sickening that Hezbollah is orchestrating what's happening and knowingly substaining a war situation where their own countrymen, women and children are dying. I'm sure those deaths are written off as necessary losses and even seen as martyrdom. I imagine their leadership is gleefully rubbing their hands together as they watch like puppetmasters the havoc and destruction they are creating all around them. They are mixing it up over there and it seems they intend to play it out. To what end, who knows? AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Just FYI - According to the newspaper this morning, one of the women shot was a Christian woman who worked in Administration. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Interesting reading on new Iranian decision... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060729/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_foreign_words AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Loy Brydon... that name brings back memories ... Al Zilk... Jack Ady (still kicking as far as I know...) and others... of The Seattle Skydivers of Snohomish, WA AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I remember an all-white DC3 flying at Roche Harbor Boogie on San Juan Island, WA in the mid-80s. I think it was called Gypsy Rose. It was a beautiful sight. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Deb On Air Sounded good to me! AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I think my favorite might be the Boneless Chicken Ranch. The first time I saw that I almost cried. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

The early pioneers in skydiving were typically military or ex-military using military surplus gear. We owe a lot to those men and women who helped bring the sport to where it is today. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

It's also worthwhile to remember that in the late 30s and during WWII very few countries relaxed their rules to allow more Jews to escape from the Nazis. Some even reduced or eliminated their immigration quotas. Part of remembering the Holocaust is NOT FORGETTING all that happened, while Israel exists Jews know there is a place they can escape to, a place where the doors will remain open. Unfortunately, history does have a way of repeating itself. Who is to say what the future holds. I'm not a strong believer in fighting fire with fire. But then, I also believe in man's greater good. I'd be one of those disbelievers, thinking my government would place more value in my legal citizenship, years of service and national loyalty than my religion. That as a citizen, my rights would protect me. But... in Europe, during WWII I would have been herded on a train and most likely eliminated. Also don't forget Israel is the only real democracy in that entire region. If the United States were surrounded by unfriendly nations the way Israel is, I doubt we'd bow and say come on in. We'd be saying no, way! We'll do what it takes to protect our borders and the American people. Don't Tread on Me! I think it's the same thing - they feel a great peril and are fighting to protect themselves.

From conversations with jumpers who managed to exit the aircraft prior to the crash itself, it was almost a matter of chance who got out. Some jumpers near the door were thrown back inside towards the pilots and others who were late divers miraculously found themselves outside the plane. I had spent most of the summer watching as a near whuffo (I had made 1 jump earlier that year) and actually rode in a small jumpseat behind the pilots on a few loads. I wore an army surplus rig that I would have fallen out of if I had ever had to jump it. I didn't know any better and of course everyone was so confident and sure of the pilots and the aircraft. Lessons learned early. I didn't start seriously skydiving until a couple of years later. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

During the summer of 1983 there was a lodestar flying jumpers out of Arlington, WA airport. In August it went into a death spiral and took 9 jumpers and 2 pilots with it. The local skydiving community was never a large one and that was a horrific blow. We all lost friends that summer. http://www.airdisaster.com/reports/ntsb/AAR84-06.pdf . AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Well.. there was this toga party in 2001... AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I just received an incredible song/powerpoint slide show entitled "If I Die Before You Wake." It's beautiful, a tribute to our armed forces and I wanted to share it but it's 2mb in size. Is there someone who'd want to host it so a link can be posted to it? AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I live in WA state. I've purchased several times from Boyles Furniture in NC. I went out locally, found what I wanted and then ordered through Boyles. Many times they waive shipping costs and there are no sales taxes on out of state purchases. Except for the wait (8-12 weeks) everything is great about it. FYI - its not too unusual for some furniture to require a 6-8 week wait anyway. Deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Congrats on being heads up with only 100+ jumps. In 1987 a good friend with 86 jumps exited 4th from a cessna and had a premature container opening resulting in a horseshoe malfunction. I watched as he dove down and flared out and saw the lines begin to wrap around his neck. He cleared his neck but panicked and fired his reserve without throwing out his pilot chute. Not surprisingly the reserve entangled with his floating bag and lines and never opened. I fell with him as long as I could before having to open myself. I then watched him fall alone the rest of the way. It was over 2900 jumps ago for me and it is still the worse memory I have in skydiving. In my mind I can see it like it was yesterday. Best wishes, Deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Passing along information for those interested - Alvin Lee Carroll (a.k.a. Agent Orange) July 20, 1949 - May 1, 2005, (55) Passed away due to complications from the end stage cancer he had been fighting for several years. Al's immediate family, two sisters, Linda and Barbara, a brother Brad, and two children, Jennifer and Trevor invite anyone who knew Al to attend an informal service/skydiving memorial at the house of Bruce and Miriam Lo, on Saturday, May 14th outside of Arlington, WA (directions below). An estate sale of sorts will be set up outside of the house; memorabilia of Al's life skydiving and otherwise will be put up for sale, all proceeds will help the Carroll family to square off any remaining debt. Al Carroll lead a rich and full life, and would like to remembered as a friend, mentor, lover, and outdoorsman, who loved to play the part of Merlin; magic tricks, wisdom and a great deal of support for anyone he called friend. Please join us to remember a man full of life and stories and raise a drink and tell a story of your own. Thank you, Trevor Lee Carroll Son & Student Driving directions to Bruce and Miriam's house 11632 120th Drive NE, Lake Stevens FROM I-5 (North or South): - Take the HWY 2 Exit (Hewitt Ave Trestle) East. - Get into the left lane and take the exit for HWY 204 to Lake Stevens. - At the 2nd light (Frontier Village), turn left onto HWY 9 North. - Proceed 5 miles, then turn right (East) on 84th ST NE (also called Getchell Road). - Go 2 miles and turn left on 123rd Ave NE. At the end of the road (about 2 miles), you'll come to a T-intersection. - Turn right and you will be at the entrance gate to Frontier Air Park. - Gate code is *1245 - Continue through the gate about 1/2 mile to the runway. - Turn left before runway (120th Street) - Continue to second left - turn at the second left (120th Drive) - Continue to end of road into our driveway

Just heard that Al Carroll a long-time skydiver, rigger and pilot from Washington State died earlier today. Al was well known in the NW skydiving community for his hugs, his smiles and his keen sense of humor. He had been battling cancer for some time and had outlived doctor's predictions by at least a year. Referred to as Agent "O" because he had a love for the color orange, Al fought a good battle to the end. He will be missed. . AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

As I understand it, her husband has power of attorney. As I understand it, the only reason he had to go to court for the right to cease artificial support is because her parents took it to court to prevent him from exercising the power of attorney. No parent wants to lose a child so I understand their despair at this decision. It's made critically clear from this example that we all should make our wishes known AND document them appropriately. There are no winners in this battle but perhaps eventually all those involved will find their own peace within. I think it is sad, sad, sad. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I bought a copy of QB Basic last fall on buy.com it had the best price online. You can try using shopzilla.com and seeing what comes up for storefronts and prices. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Whuffo Landing Steady Landing The Up and Down Air and Ale Leaps and Liqour AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

In NY you have to wait 3 years and have a hearing for a judge to make the final decision. My brother died, there were witnesses but they were unable to recover his body. His widow had to wait 3 years before a judge listened to the witness testimony and said okay you can have a death certificate. Meanwhile his wife with 3 kids under 10 at the time could not sell a car, their house, get SSI or insurance to get through. Fortunately family helped her through it. It was bad enough to deal with the death but to be kept hanging in limbo like that was pretty awful. I think in the case of special events such as 9-11 or the Tsunami exceptions can be made but it is still pretty hard when there is no physical closure. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Took a look at her and Grace came to my mind. She looks graceful and she's alive through your grace. . AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

If you are okay with it - post a mailing address. I don't have a creeper to send you but I'm sure I could come up with a skydive vid. Maybe you can connect via the forum with other skydivers serving over there and you can form your own lending library! Wth blue sky wishes and prayers for your safety, AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I can't comment on Kabbalah but my Jewish Grandmother Janie Sable (may she rest in peace) believed a small piece of red thread would be helpful in warding off the evil eye. She would take a small amount of thread and tie it to her bra strap. It wasn't important to have it be seen, just to know it was there. If someone she knew was having a round of bad luck she would ask, and then suggest that maybe it wouldn't hurt to try a small piece of red string for a few days. If your luck was bad enough, why not give it a try.