debonair

Well, I usually like her show but as a skydiver I was pretty frustrated with the interview with Leonardo D.C. and the replay of his skydiving quote on Monday was like salt in the wounds. So.... I went up to Oprah.com and sent in a comment regarding the show. I'll let you know if I hear anything further. Comment text: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I regularly watch and love the Oprah Show but felt the recent tapes of Leonardo DiCaprio were very one sided about skydiving. I've been a skydiver for over 20 years and have made over 3000 jumps. Like most perceived high-risk sports, skydiving and skydivers must deal with negative sterotypes. There are business professionals, entrepeneurs, nurses, astronauts, doctors, lawyers, students, mothers and fathers and grandparents who skydive. Most of us are not crazy, do not have a death wish and love living life to the fullest. I'm sure if you'd like to do a follow-up story I could persuade a few of them to speak with your producers. Blue skies, and soft landings. Debra Henry ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I posted this in Bonfire but this is probably better suited to this forum. Regards, deb ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The show Extreme Make-over would like to work with the Ertl Organization and Barr Foundation to help an amputee who needs a new prothesis and would like to apply for an extreme makeover. I have worked with the Barr Foundation (http://www.oandp.com/barr) in the past and they do wonderful charitable work. Tony Barr was a skydiver in the 70's down in Florida. I can't provide references for the Extreme Makeover Show but you've probably seen their stuff on the TV. Information is as follows- -------------------------------------------------- The popular Television Show Extreme Makeovers has extended the deadline of their solicitation for an amputee until January 1, 2005 Please access the application thru the below web site. http://www.ertlreconstruction.com All candidates must be U.S. citizens and in good physical health. If selected, they will give you a life altering experience by changing your looks completely in an effort to transform your destiny and make your dreams come true. This is all accomplished through the skills of an “Extreme Team”, which includes the country’s finest plastic surgeons, eye surgeons and cosmetic dentists, along with a talented team of hair and make-up artists, stylists, personal trainers and top of the line prosthetics. ================

The show Extreme Make-over would like to work with the Ertl Organization and Barr Foundation to help an amputee who needs a new prothesis and would like to apply for an extreme makeover. I have worked with the Barr Foundation (www.oandp.com/barr) in the past and they do wonderful charitable work. Tony Barr was a skydiver in the 70's down in California. I can't provide references for the Extreme Makeover Show but you've probably seen their stuff on the TV. Information is as follows- -------------------------------------------------- The popular Television Show Extreme Makeovers has extended the deadline of their solicitation for an amputee until January 1, 2005 Please access the application thru the below web site. www.ertlreconstruction.com All candidates must be U.S. citizens and in good physical health. If selected, they will give you a life altering experience by changing your looks completely in an effort to transform your destiny and make your dreams come true. This is all accomplished through the skills of an “Extreme Team”, which includes the country’s finest plastic surgeons, eye surgeons and cosmetic dentists, along with a talented team of hair and make-up artists, stylists, personal trainers and top of the line prosthetics. ================ deb AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

If you are going to Eloy for the Xmas Boogie, track down Bryan Burke. He's a very active and imaginative participant of the burning man activities. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Twenty years ago it was pretty standard to give jump planes a BA or BB as they taxiied by for take off. I may be guilty of participating back then but now I leave it to the more upstanding citizens. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Okay. I'm posting about an old skydiving buddy from Issaquah, WA. I know he browsed these forums a couple of years ago but his email no longer works. If anyone else reads this and knows Vern Cole (last known to be living in California), please help us make the connection. My email is debonair@pobox.com. Thanks. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Vern Cole If you read this contact me at debonair@pobox.com. If anyone else reads this and knows Vern Cole (last known to be living in California), please help us make the connection. Thanks. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

The Pianist The Good Earth On the Beach The Color Purple Practical Magic In America Sophie's Choice Hidalgo Overboard Houseboat Meet me in St. Louis South Pacific From Here to Eternity French Kiss Laws of Attraction All of Me Any Audrey Hepburn movie Fried Green Tomatoes Serendipity Top Gun In no special order but all worthwhile. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I added a clause to my will that states that if I die in any manner related to skydiving that my family and representatives are not to sue or hold any skydiving facility or representative responsible. . AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

“There’s nothing like a severe storm to put a human being in their proper place,” said Prentice Howard, 59, stationed at Naval Station Pascagoula in Mississippi. “I want to experience the power of nature. It sounds dumb to some people, but that’s the way it is. Sort of like skydiving.” link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5960400/ AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

My peeve is when you buy a shirt and the sales person can't fold it to put it in the bag. You pick out a great looking top or pair of pants and when you get home they are in a wrinkled ball. Sheeez I HATE when that happens.... AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

A photo of Jim Lowe in serious contemplation at an early competition meet (late 60s, early 70s). Thanks Don for sharing. Deb [edited for grammar]

To the best of my knowledge, yes that's the same Jim Lowe. He was a pioneer in the early days of National Competition.

Anyone remember any Jimmy Lowe stories? He was a legend and a fixture at Issaquah Skydiving Center where I started jumping in the early 80's. A former national and world champion, he was an awesome jump pilot. He'd retired from jumping because of some serious back injuries. I always thought of Jim as invincible until he went in trying to re-gain control of a heliostallion in a dive. . AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Keep skydiving, you'll improve with every jump. Talk with your jumpmaster, a good body awareness drill is to click your heels together. Regardless, just keep jumping and have fun! AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I made my first jump in 1983. My jumpmaster told me "Watch how people act on the ground. It's a good indicator of how they'll be in the air." I've found that to be true on many occasions. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Hello all... a long-time skydiver friend of mine is trying to make a very unique jump as a tribute to his uncle who was killed in WWII. If you are interested in helping him out, please read on.... I'm attaching his original email so you can see the photo if you care to. Thanks. ================== This is a picture of my uncle, Danny Mangan. He died on June 23rd, 1944, when the B-17 he was piloting was shot down just outside the village of Outer, Belgium. It was his 29th mission for the 95th bomb group; in fact, he had just written home to say, “Just one more mom… …and I’ll be home.” But Danny, like so many others, didn’t make it home. When his plane, “To Hell or Glory” was hit with anti-aircraft flak and went into a dive, Danny ordered the crew to bail out, while he stayed at the controls and steered the mortally wounded plane clear of the city below. His options were clear: abandon the plane and live, or stay aboard and protect lives of others.. The people of Outer have never forgotten Danny’s sacrifice. This year, on June 20, 2004, the Belgian Government and the people of Outer will be honoring my uncle, and have asked me to parachute into the crash site of “To Hell or Glory” in the presence of the crew’s two surviving members. To be asked was an honor; to be able to close the circle for my uncle is a dream, an American dream. Will you help me realize this dream? My name is Rick Mangan, and in addition to being Danny’s nephew, I am a former member of the United States Parachute Team and a two-time National Parachuting Champion. In my 27 years in the sport, I have completed more than 15,000 parachute jumps accumulated more than 12 hours of total freefall time, and yet, I have never had an opportunity like this one. Until recently, I had no idea the people of Outer were planning this ceremony, and they had no idea of my background: consequently, the time needed to fundraise for this jump has been extremely limited. How You Can Help: You can help in one of two ways: with a small donation (send paypal donation to rickenbacker@verizon.net) or by forwarding this request to others who may be able to contribute. If I can reach 500 people in the next two weeks, and each can donate $10.00, I will be able to finance the aircraft, the equipment and the clearance I need to make this jump safely, and you will have contributed to the honoring of my uncle, and all that he, and those who made similar sacrifices, stood for. Thank You , Rick Mangan Later edited to remove attachment. Photo did not upload. ======================= AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

"I'm debating what to put on my new Bug's license plates. Its a beatiful red Turbo bug convertible and it just is calling for a cool license plate. " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have the same exact model. I was debating between LDYINRD and SNUGAZA and went with SNUGAZA. We can have 7 characters on our license in WA State. Enjoy it! I am! (My other car has the license YNOTJMP) . AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I just came across a quote that I thought worth sharing. It is from the book Final Gifts by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley. Life is eternal, and love is immortal, and death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. ROSSITER WORTHINGTON RAYMOND 1840-1918 As a skydiver the reference to the horizon seems appropriate. Blue skies Raff. . AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Matt - I am in a training program for hospice volunteers. Everything I've read to date, and everything I've been told says the most important thing you can do is be a comforting presence and let the patient know they are not alone. I am certain that Raff knew you were there and was aware of your love and caring. Even though you wish you could have done more, you did something very special -you gave of yourself. Sidebar - I first met Raff back in the late 80s in Pitt Meadows, BC Canada. The GK 8 way team came up every summer to put on a skills camp. All the guys were generous with their time, their patience, humor and support. I have always appreciated the opportunity to be a part of that time and place. I can see his quick smile and clear blue eyes even now. They were serene even then. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

By establishing a nation given them by the Balfour declaration in 1920 (IIRC), but only after they were killed by the millions because of delays and reluctance from The League of Nations, which, when it fell, phoenixed up as the UN, and finally gave the Jews a place of refuge, a homeland...that, had it been done at the time it was proposed, 6,000,000 people would not have lost their lives; they would've had a place to go (remember that boat loads of Jews trying to flee Hitler were denied refuge on many countries' part....). And responded to liberation? Like they were slaves, or indentured, or something? They were free people, horribly oppressed throughout the centuries, but they were free. Their "liberation" came at the cost of 6 million lives...and thousands more in the battle to establish their own country. Too bad that they have to fight for their existance. They should just lay down and die, right? Remember the phrase "never again"? What do you think it applies to?? Geesh. Man, read up on your history - not just the 80's and 90's. Understand the cultural/political/religious issues involved...or at least phrase things so you don't come across as rabidly anti-semitical as you do. (and no, I'm not sure "semitical" is a word...but you know what I mean.) Ciels- Michele To say nothing of the fact that it was a barren, undeveloped, undesirable piece of desert that is now a fertile, green and successful independent state. No wonder the Palestinians want it, the hard work to develop it has been done by someone else. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

Last year I wrote Jean a letter asking about how to purchase copies and never received a response. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I have YNOTJMP in WA State. Other ideas N2JUMPN GOT2JMP LIV2JMP RUAJMPR DOUJMP2 IJMPDOU JMP2LIV Dxxxxxx (your D number here) JUSTJMP IBAJMPR JUMPME AIRHEAD D8AJMPR IFALL4U FALL4ME AIRDALE CHUTEME I could go on... AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

I don't think any DZ runs this way any longer. Remember we're talking the mid-80s when safety meetings had nothing to do with safety. My understanding is that Coolidge is well run and all that's left of those "old" days are the "no shit" stories. Re the content of my original post - it wasn't my cup of tea but it was the way it was. The jumpers at Coolidge during that period chose to be there and knew how things would go if they went in. Many there DID pride themselves on being different than the mainstream jumper population. I apologize if what I wrote offended anyone. PS> Please tell Mahoney that Deb from Seattle sends a hug. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers

A couple of weeks ago I was listening to public radio's This American Life and a feature called Conventions. There was an amazing story of love at first sight that has stuck with me not just for the certainty that these two people experienced love at first sight but also because of the unbelievable tragedy of the woman's untimely death. If you have the time I recommend checking it out - http://207.70.82.73/pages/descriptions/97/74.html Click on the RealPlayer icon then skip ahead to about 37:44 on the timer to hear the specific story I'm referencing. Here is the eulogy written for Cynthia Horner. http://www.eff.org/%7ebarlow/cynthia.html Do I believe it will happen to me? Doubtful. Do I believe it happened to these two individuals? Undoubtedly. AZChallenger JFTC99/02 GOFAST300 STILLUV4WAY "It's nothing 1000 jumps won't cure..." - Jeff Gorlick, Seattle Sky Divers