VanillaSkyGirl

This thread reminds me of the quote, "No good deed goes unpunished." If you are concerned with the JFTC and TFTC not making enough fundraising money, then continue to make clear suggestions as to how to make the events more successful for the next time around. Eveyone's views should be heard regarding something like this. However, if you are concerned with what the ladies' fundraising event money is being used for, then just ask the ladies. I highly doubt that the people involved in these events have less than honorable intentions with their fundraising. For the record, I definitely admire the people, who put together both JFTC and TFTC. I know how much time and money is devoted to putting together large events like this, since my own family heads a non-profit charity organization. People who devote a large portion of their private/personal time to this kind of thing usually do so because it's for the good of many less fortunate than themselves. It's definitely a labor of love, trust me. Also, if people feel good about helping others, there is nothing wrong with that. In my eyes, there are worse things to worry about, than how selfless someone is when donating or fundraising. What matters is that this cancer research might actually help others someday.

Bill, I REALLY admired the fact that you and Amy participated in so many events with pick-up teams. I thought that you guys had so much fun, worked hard with what you had and truly took advantage of Nationals being in Perris. It was great to see you and Amy competing. Thanks for sharing your story with us!

That's a GREAT picture!

I like what you wrote. While I do believe that what this person named Erik did was wrong and hurtful to many, I am saddened to know that he did this due to a mental illness. His illness doesn't excuse his behavior. I hope that his theft victims were able to recover their possessions/money. These people are entitled to feel betrayal, hurt and anger over what this person did to them. I don't know anything about Kleptomania, mental illness or Erik, but I do feel much sympathy for him from one human being to another. This must be a very painful time for him. After all, we all have our ups and downs. Some people's ups and downs are more extreme than others. Still, EVERYONE OF US has done something in our lives of which we are ashamed. We have all, at some point, hurt people who we love. We have all had times when we have felt that the whole world was against us. While he may have brought this upon himself, we don't have to be so cruel when talking of him. People call him a fuckin weirdo. How many of us on here have ever been called that by someone else? I know that I have definitely been called a weirdo or worse. After reading about how people think that he was weird, I assume that this guy has probably never or rarely fit in most places. Skydiving may have made Erik finally feel like he actually had a place in this world. The thought that he might never be able to have acceptance again in his community is probably what made him break down. It definitely sounds like he hit rock bottom. It's so sad that someone could do this to himself and his life, and it's sad that he had to betray others' trust in the process. The fact that this grown man was crying like a baby when caught seems to indicate that he did feel shame for his actions. Who knows? Erik's blatant stealing in Rantoul in front of so many people/friends may have been a cry for help. Still, if we look at things from a different perspective, this rock bottom episode in his life could be the best thing that has ever happened to him. It may drive him to realize the depths of his illness and enable him to begin to get the proper help that he needs and to remain on his medication. Who knows how long this kind of thing would have gone on unaccounted for if he had not been caught? On still another note, it may help to enlighten some of us to find out more about his mental illness and perhaps to be less quick to judge others. I do hope that Erik realizes that there are some people, like Lara and others, that do care about his well-being. His rehabilitation will probably be a very long and difficult process, but the only way left for him to go is up, right? All that some of us can do to help someone like Erik is to send him hope, that he will be able to turn his life around. That is my wish for him.

Hey everyone! I've received an e-mail from a friend wanting Tunnel Mafia initiations at the Chick's Rock boogie. I would love to do any of the ladies' tunnel initiations. Perhaps we can put together an all-girl tunnel mixer, either Friday or Sunday night, with both 4-way sessions and freeflying, too. Ladies and/or men, please post or PM, if you want to be included in a CR tunnel session. We could always do the tunnel flying sessions with some of the lovely Elsinore coaches (Erin, Mel, Marie, etc?), whenever they are available that weekend. I most often schedule through the Elsinore Gravity ladies directly because the Elsinore gang always put together some really fun tunnel mixers! Also, I believe that Melanie (Curtis) and other Mafia sisters will be available for Pink Mafia sky initiation jumps, during the boogie. I can run around and take Mafia pics for our two sister websites. Mel ~ I am working on a Barbie helmet, so my girl won't be beheaded, again. We will talk more soon.

Anne, thanks for sharing your husband's ball sweat with us. (Btw, that has to be a first, right? )

Write them each a beautiful letter on nice stationary, thanking them for everything that they've done for you. You can also make a personalized album or scrapbook with pictures of yourself with them. Paint a picture, write a song (if you play an instrument), make a wonderful going-away dinner, etc. If you don't like those options, you can always buy the girl scented candles or chocolate. You can buy the wine glasses for the father and nice, big beer mugs and specialized or imported beer for the couple. Last options for presents would be to send something special/unique from Germany.

Mr. Bolas, Nicky just told me that he has a speedo. You have a g-string, right? You two will get along well, I think.

Shouldn't that be BYOB? Well, kinda, but after a while, one gets bored just playing with Bs. That must be why you're taking the ass grabber.

Hello Nicky.

You're bringing Dom, aren't you?

Wow, what wonderful news! Congratulations, Billy!

Evelyn, I told Gia a while ago to look out for you at the Byron Boogie. I didn't need to do that, though. You know that Gia is a wonderful, nurturing person. She will watch over you, as will other friends of yours, like Frenchy and Dom. Also, Deuce really is a sweetheart of a man. Please don't worry, ok? You have many friends that will be there. Have fun, Evelyn!

Good idea, Lisa. I'll definitely try.

Yes, I do want to play. If I'm back in the sky next year, I will make it out there to see you, ok? Warm hugs back, sweetie. Miss you, Lisa.

Oh, that's a great suggestion. Hi Lisa.

Exactly what I was thinking! Hahaha Nicky...

Yes, they are GREAT! I won't be there, though. Have fun, girlie.

We love you, too, Chris. Here's to your Tommy, to my Quyen and to all the rest of our greatly loved and missed friends, who have crossed over to the other side. They are so deeply loved now and forever. They will never be forgotten.

I heard about this from a little (tunnel rat) friend of mine a very long time ago, but I didn't tell anyone, not even you, that I had heard about your plans. I knew that it was a secret. Darnit, I'm going to miss you and miss flying with you in the tunnel, Dom.

Lmao...yeah, you must have some wild monkey birthday sex, Katie! Wishing the happiest of birthdays to Chuckie!

Yes, Chris is indeed a Hugslut (tm), and so am I. Loving *HUGS* to FlyingTed, and I hope that you feel better very soon, my dear.

Sorry that I wasn't around to help, McBeth and SwedishBeth. You know that I'd have helped you both, if I had only known that my bitch slapping was required. Perhaps I should end every evening with a cyber-Nicky , just in case. Of course, either of you could always pick up my slack, if necessary.

My glove didn't break. My glove was stuck and came half-off my hand, restricting it, and I lost my toggle in the process. I had never worn gloves before that day, due to improper glove fit issues. I decided to try to wear some new, small gloves, during my canopy class because I thought it would be safe to try them for the first time during my canopy control class. I think that my right glove became a bit loose without me noticing, when I threw my PC. My gloves obviously did not fit, although I had thought that these gloves did fit. (My hands are unusually small, and I had never found gloves that fit and stayed on.) You can think, that I rushed to downsize due to dissecting one of my posts, but that would be an extremely laughable statement for anyone who actually knows me, including my canopy instructors, to hear about me. I was not then and am not ever going to be in a rush to downsize. What I posted to Lisamarie was after countless rethinking for over a year about my injury and wondering if it could have been prevented in any way. That is my personal thought about it. Actually, I have often been told quite the opposite. I had been told that I should be on a smaller (when I was on the 150) canopy more times than I can count by coaches at various DZs, experienced jumpers, etc. Learning on the 260-300 mains as a student were not my fault because those were the only student mains that small DZ had to offer its students. We were on ripcords, as well. Anyway, despite being told, that I should be on a smaller canopy than my 150, I stayed on it for 100 jumps because I was trying to be cautious and not downsize, until I was physically and mentally ready. Now, I am being told that I was downsizing too quickly by you, Ron. I understand why you might think that, but you truly know virtually nothing about what I think about downsizing and/or how careful I have tried to be about downsizing. I included a sentence in my post on how I feel about my accident now, when looking back, but I don't know if anyone can truly make that judgement call now about what is best. I tend to blame myself and be overly critical, so I am second guessing myself. I honestly only shared my post because I wanted to try to help Lisamarie or anyone else in this situation. I don't want anyone to have to be hurt or to second-guess themselves. Still, if I have truly made a mistake in my downsizing progression, then I have paid for it already. Ron, try putting yourself in someone else's shoes and realize that we are all learning and trying to do what is best. Still, we are all only human, and we all make mistakes. All that we can do is try our best.