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FlyingFerret and Annonymous...may I share the poems at the memorial? ____________________________________________________________ I don't mind if you would like to share the poem. It brings me great comfort and I hope it brings others comfort, too.

Since you don't want anyone talking about it that wasn't there obviously you were, so what gives? Tell us what happened. No blame placed just the facts.

For all those who said anything negative/speculating about the jump, the planes involved, pilots, high-wing/low-wing non-pilot flying advice, or with whom the fault lies I only have one thing to say--stop making things worse! Every negative comment/thought/assumption/accusation on this site came from someone who was NOT there. If you don't know what you're talking about, quit feeding the fire. However, I'm sure that everyone involved and/or concerned appreciates all the positive wishes made from the others.

As of tomorrow it will be 9 weeks. I have one week to go then the Dr says I can jump all I want. 9 weeks ago I went to the doctor because I wasn't feeling good (I'll leave out the details)and ended up in the hospital scheduled for exploratory surgery...they couldn't see my appendix. 6 hours later I come out of surgery with alot less of my gut then I went in with (appendix was still there, but the rest of me was falling apart), my Mom was flying in from CA, and I had a very worried boyfriend at my bedside. It took me a few days to realize how close I came to meeting my maker. Anyway....its 7 days and counting. I'm happy to be here to make my next jump although it has been frustrating to be on the ground (especially the day my Boyfriend did the balloon jump and I drove the chase vehicle). I've also learned how many friends I have...they are all the ones who threatened to tie me down or sit on me if I even looked like I was going to gear up and head to a plane. Skydive Dallas is a wonderful DZ to call home. Stay safe and keep smiling! Susan

FRANKENOTTER!!!!!!! Can I get an Amen? Kriszilla

Wow, and you sounded like such a nice, non-catty girl whenever I would call up to order stuff. You know I'm just playing Lisa, hope you're able to get back in the air sooner but if not, have a cold one for me. Kris

Pammi, It was an awesome weekend, wasn't it? Tony, Larry, Charlie & I tried a CRW attempt on Friday but I didn't even get close. I did realize that I can't wait to order my staff Mirage next month because my Talon is too damn uncomfortable to be hanging in the harness for 10,000 feet. Brandon is an amazing freeflier. We were just going to try a no-pressure two-way last fall but on the ride up he told me to sit & go fast (like that's a problem for me, the human missile) and damned if he didn't swoop over in a head-down and throw a mind-meld on me. As for the para-sailing, it did rock, didn't it... If you could have only seen the look in your eyes when the slack got pulled out of the line and you got yanked skyward. But in your defense, you did land with a big-grin on your face. :) I had a killer solo on Saturday. I stuck my head down and on my sit I was able to back-loop, front-loop and cartwheel it. I think I just took care of the pesky style requirements for my next license even if it wasn't done on my belly, heh. Too bad you missed Tony's 1000th jump, Palmer's skydive and the great pie-war. There were many casualities but then again, there were many pastries... Hope to see you & Merrick out there this weekend.

It was a jump of many firsts but I like to call it, 'The Load That God Forgot': First jump at Quincy with my freshly-minted B-license First jump out of a CASA First two-way head-down that I really stuck First low-pull (in the saddle at ~1400 because I was trying to get away from the idiot above me) First off-airport landing. And when I mean off-airport, i mean off-airport... almost two miles off airport. So much for GPS. On the plus side, there was this little blonde hottie that landed next to me that I got to talk to on the long walk out of the cornfield as we searched for a road. All-in-all, not a bad jump... Kris

For all the sorrow that will be felt keep her dreams alive through her children. Losing one's Mother at any age is tragic, when young it hurts that much longer. Take time to help them remember not the tragedy but the joy their Mom brought to this world

You guys seemed to be having a pretty good time considering the weather and Michele's death. Two jumps were all I could manage and still look back at her spot...sorry. We are generally a wonderful bunch of people and I did try and hype all up on the plane but everyone was sorta out of it. Give us another try when things settle down. I'll even do a jumps with ya and see if I can totally mess with your heads.

I, too, have a poem to share. This was given to me when I lost my cousin almost two years ago. He died in a plane crash unrelated to skydiving. However, he was an awesome skydiver and unknown to him, he gave me the courage to be the skydiver I am today. This poem gives me comfort when I think about him and I only hope it provides comfort to some of you, too. LIFT UP YOUR HEART Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free. I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work or to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. I've found that peace at the close of the day. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembering joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss all these things I too shall miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I have savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me for now, my friends, I am truly free. Author Unknown

Ditto Almon see you soon, David

What a horrible tragedy in San Marcos last weekend. I spent a day jumping with Michelle at Skydive Texas a few weeks ago. She was not only a delightful person to be around, she was clearly an accomplished skydiver. I also found some of the postings regarding this matter a bit disheartening and self serving. Skydivers routinely take responsibility for their own safety, sign the waiver, and trust the professionals around them to keep their head in the game. For anyone to claim that the FAA has already done an investigation, determined that no one is at fault, and that this is simply an accident is absurd. I've always believed that 99% of what other people refer to as an "accident" is actually an error in judgment. This tragedy was no accident, regardless of how the FAA defines it. Any experienced skydiver knows the dangers associated with losing track of other people in the air. If two airplanes flying in formation lost track of each other, we're all fortunate that there was only one fatality. It is not my intention to add to the grief of the pilot flying the trail plane. He had a difficult assignment, and had much more to keep track of than just the other airplane. At the same time, if we stick our head in the sand and pretend that this was just an unavoidable, no-fault accident, we are domed to repeat it. Does anyone know who Michelle's children will be living with? Is there anything that we can do to help them out? I realize it may be premature to ask these questions, but I hope somebody in a position to know will post that information here, or hang onto my email address for when that information is available. Dave AirDave001@Yahoo.com

It will be the NTSB who decides not the FAA. I can't understand how you can say no one was to blame. It was wrong in the first place to have a low wing AC behind and above a high winger. That made it a lock that the pilots could not see each other if the King crept up on the otter. Bad planning from the start. The other mistake is to have a King Air that flies sloppy at 95 knots behind an Otter that can fly slow as hell. Let the King set the pace is the only thing that makes sense.

I left the DZ around 1400, and from the information I'd received through sources other than the DZO, the FAA investigator was enroute to the DZ. It is entirely possible that he arrived, took statements from both pilots (who were still there when I left) gave the DZ an unofficial opinion of how the ruling would go, and then left. Of course the FAA will label it an ACCIDENT, based on the damage that occured to life and airframe. Having been there, and on the load, it was nobody's fault. Remember, it's never ONE big thing that causes a problem, it's a bunch of little things.

My heart goes out to Michelle's family and friends. Know that even those who did not know her will miss her. BSBD

Please explain if the otter was that close how Michele was supposed to avoid it?

on occasion i dabble a bit into the realm of poetry and have one that i am thinking about entering in a contest.. i wanted to see if you all think it sucks or is worth doing.. be honest, as i'll check to see what ya'll think :) here it goes: We sit in the plane, all huddled together We've prayed all week long, for this beautiful weather. The sky is all blue, no clouds are in sight and we all hope that the winds remain light. The moment arrives, it is our time to soar. My heart becomes heave as I scoot to the door. A lot of excitement, a little bit scared, there is no time to think, "am I really prepared?" Finally the leap into magical flight, and suddenly i know; everything is alright. I perform some manuevers, while having some fun then check the altimeter, my freefall is done. I pull out my ripcord, my chute opens wide. There is nothing that compares with this magnificent ride. Time for me to land, so I chose my spot, Then I flare! flare! flare! and land on the dot. On top of the world; that's where I am sitting. It never occurred to me; that idea of quitting. Some people may ask, "why do you do it?" I cannot explain; they have never been through it. Others drift through life, just barely alive, While my life is the best, because I chose to skydive. That's it, any comments or suggestions are appreciated.. Thanks Austin

Hotload...thank you so much for the information. Those of us here in and around Atlanta are in shock. Information has been sporadic so many people have been left wondering exactly what happened and why. When we got word at Skydive Atlanta yesterday (Sun) there were many tears and broken hearts. Michele has touched so many lives and imparted to each her love for skydiving that it didn't take long for someone to conclude that she died doing what she loved...skydiving. If anyone has any idea who the camera guy is that did all he could for Michele, please thank him for all of us here who could only feel our loss. I know that in doing so it could have also cost him his life...THANK YOU. I'm sure everyone in Texas was shaken by this tragic accident...Thanks to everyone who befriended Michele on her recent move and accepted her as a talented skydiver and hopefully a new friend. A Memorial Dive is being planned by her home DZ, Skydive Atlanta, on Saturday, June 2. Those who knew Michele are encouraged to contact the DZ 1-800-276-DIVE and join in the tribute.

Phastasphuck, we at Lexington, Tx will have a balloon at our dropzone (Austin Skydive Center) one weekend hopefully this coming month early June. A guy I jump with, his mom is bringing her balloon from Baton Rouge. I've heard she will take us to 12'000ft!!! Marcus

simple two way

there is Skydive Texas, in Decatur, and Skydive Dallas, in Whitewright. Both aren't far from where you'll be, but Skydive Texas is probably closer. I have jumped at both and they are both cool. Skydive Dallas is my home DZ though, I am partial to it. Bigger planes, more jumps, etc. etc. There's a cafe and bunkrooms, etc. Check out the website. Sis

*thinks to self: goddess... throw... over...* So, Mistress Freaksis, if I were to analyze the depths of your 'sistah-ness' you could prove that you were the one true DZ-deity? I can live with that, but only because you're a red-head. Kris [William Shatner Voice] Must. Stop. Accepting Women. As My. Personal Saviors. [/William Shatner Voice]

Emma, Lovely response. It is wonderful to discuss a delicate topic with you in such a rational and benevolent manner. Others tend to get a bit defensive when opinions don't equal theirs'. Very nice counterpoints, may I say. I hope that you did not view my post as a direct attack on your thoughts. I certainly respect your opinion, however different it may be from mine. Although, it did serve to decrease my threshold regarding the prevailing sentiments that are expressed towards the non-skydiving community on this site, as well as around my dropzone. My rebuttal would consist of just a few thoughts. If you can't seem to talk to your friends about anything at all, then maybe the problem is not that of skydiving. It seems as though the rift has been formed when your friends decided to pursue the more domestic avenue of life. As Zennie so eloquently stated previously, "different strokes, ya know?" To which I couldn't agree more. I also agree with you completely in that I have no interest in the words baby, family car, lawncare, or any other parts of speech indicitive of the nuclear family. Possibly a more distant relationship with these specific friends would be beneficial to you both. As for whuffos pigeon-holing skydivers, it absolutely does happen. However, these are the people who are generally ignorant in nature, and with whom I choose not to associate. I think one of the differences in our perspectives is that I have maintained a relative balance between skydiving and the other areas of my life. This is presumptuous on my part, having no knowledge of your lifestyle. I may have completely missed the mark, but it is food for thought, and nothing more. This way, my friends still view me as the person they've always known, with only a slight modification to my weekend activities. I have also found it helpful to keep responses regarding skydiving very brief. I try to let my friends continue inquiring until they are content. For example, if someone asks me how skydiving was that weekend, I usually tell them it was fun. They will usually ask how many times I jumped or something general, to which I respond accordingly. At this point, they either become more intrigued, or move on to the next topic. However, I find the less descriptive I am, the more inquisitive they become. Which is fine by me as I do enjoy educating people about our beloved pasttime. That may very well be another potential difference between us. I 'talk' to my skydiving friends about skydiving, while I try to 'educate' my other friends about skydiving. But only when they present the topic. It seems to work better that way. Well, for whatever it is worth, those are some of my thoughts on our topic. It was very nice talking with you, Emma, and I look forward to reading your insightful reply. -Anonymous 'Bob' (Is that better?)

yep....dump the chump....before long he'll get pissed off with DZ chat and he'll go watch football or something else just as mindnumbing