VanillaSkyGirl

Feel better, sweetie. Wish you weren't in pain. ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((SOFT HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Hahaha...I'm not on the DD list either. Imagine my surprise at hearing the messages...especially the beautiful singing! That was the absolute cutest thing ever! Thank you!

Even before you wrote that...I was mentally taking your advice. It sounded like you knew what you were talking about, and now...this last post of yours proves it. Btw, the close friends are one adult and not only two kids, but THREE 14 year olds are going on this trip. (I just found out today ~ a son, a cousin + a friend.) They are already in Big Bear now...all with proper gear.

Cool!!! Thank you. I just bought a copy.

Sweetie, if you are reading this thread for the first time and are worried about Eric Denney, then please read his post a couple of posts above yours. He seems to be doing much better, nowadays.

***The only reason i can make it every year is cause it's only 1.5ish hours away from my house. That's closer than I live to Perris or Elsinore. That's pretty awsome, Sunny girl!

I was wondering how the DZ.com drunk dial list began. It seems like there are so many people doing it. Before DZ.com, I doubt that anyone would think to call friends not present while drinking, so I was wondering if there was a funny story behind this "tradition"? Also, who were the first DZ.com DDers?

Justi's too cute!

See, I read that this morning and was confused. Learndontdie ~ You look great in your pic. Btw, which one are you? ***I like it when people post their faces as avatars.. so I know what they look like when I run in to them at a boogie or something. Chaoskitty ~ Hi Kristi! I love seeing people's faces, also, especially my friends. You always look beautiful in your pic, btw. Believe it or not, throughout my WHOLE LIFE until about 1.5 years ago, I used to almost NEVER let people snap pictures of me...not even my own boyfriend! I even used to argue with him or with my family about it. A few years ago, when my best friend died, despite her family having tons of pictures of her, after 10 years of being her closest friend...like a twin sister to her, I had very, very few pictures (only a handful or so) of her with me. It's because I was too shy to take pictures! I told myself that I would NEVER let that happen to my family and close friends, again. Then, I began to lurk, then post on DZ.com. Now, I've done the least private thing that I could possibly do...post my picture online! I'm not shy to post my pics, anymore. My friends made sure of that.

Your PJs are killing me! Btw, wth is on your feet??? CUTE pics...too funny!!!

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I still have the flu...had it REALLY bad for about 8 days (fever, bad congestion, the works), so I walked away from my computer in the middle of getting all these responses because I felt cold (raining non-stop outside) and crawled into bed. Then, I eventually fell asleep! Sorry! About this situation...my close friends are going to Big Bear (I think...I actually should know this since I was begged to come along on this trip...but I am sick and not up to it), and the one that really needs the goggles is the cousin, who is going as a guest of the son (only child...both turn 15 years old in Feb). The cousin arrived early last night without goggles. They drove immediately to the nearest store that would have them and I heard the cheapest ones were $70.00 (inlcuding tax). Trust me, they aren't TRYING to get "designer goggles" or anything, but the time thing is a factor. If they had time to shop around, it would have been fine, but right now...it's either borrow my goggles or buy some pricey ones there. Thanks ALL of you for your answers!

Mybe it's because I live in soCal, but I hear that they run at least $60 at the ski shops in L.A.

Lol...not really. I am just trying to help close friends who are leaving for a snowboarding trip in the morning and have no goggles. I have 1/2 dozen skydiving ones, most of which I never use because they are not a good fit on my face. If my goggles are ok to use when snowboarding, then I'd give them to my friends.

Can anyone tell me if any of the skydiving goggles are ok to snowboard with? If so, which ones? Thanks in advance!

I could so see Andi doing that! Good for her and for you, Mustard, with your "glory slot" swoop and for everyone who flew this formation. Well, many of us are extemely happy that you are a part of DZ.com. (Btw, yes, I've read your posts!)

Well, congratulations to you!!!

Actually, I'm not necessarily a "boogie" person, Jeffrey. Outside of Rantoul (which I will probably not go to this year), I have probably met MOST DZ.commers either when jumping at my home DZs (Perris and Elsinore), Eloy (Airspeed), Florida (went for tunnel), or when they came to Nationals in Perris. Before breaking my ankle, I jumped almost every weekend at either Perris or Elsinore. If I just jumped and never left those two DZs, I would still have met a HUGE amount of DZ.commers since so many of them travel here.

Yes, it's truly beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing it, AnotherGoodin. It has warmed my heart, and I will be sharing this story with others. Please let Chris know that many of us have been touched by him today.

That statement about how people must not have been skydiving for very long if they don't know some of us WAS a little silly... at least, using my name was! Even though I've traveled and jumped at many places for a newbie jumper, I'm still a VERY NEW jumper. Why associate me with old-timers? (Not referring to either Sunny or Amazon, but to real old-timers, like mjosparky)? Besides, I have met most DZ.commers only in passing, usually while doing a skills camp or jumping nearby or whatever; I haven't necessarily "jumped" with them. Since I'm new and learning, I mostly prefer to jump with people whom I can learn a lot from and not all of those people are DZ.commers. Actually, most are certainly not well-known in these circles at all, but well-known amongst skydivers. Sorry to dissapoint, but many of my skydiving friends, coaches and mentors, both in soCal and throughout the US, never post at all! P.S. Although, I admit that Skybytch and Sunny were the first and most obvious post whores, whom I noticed when I first logged on. I have yet to fly with either...or did I already do a 14 and 16-way with Lisa at Memorial Day Boogie? (Anyhoo, hoping very much to fly with Sunny soon! YEAH!) Edited: DZ.com is such a strange world!

Yup! Mullins was flying out here at Skydive Taft (2 hours north from LA) last winter. Also, 1.5 years ago, I went through AFF from a King Air in AAW (no longer open) in Taft where we jumped from 14,000' or more every load, but, personally, I have never been interested in altitude as much as quality of jump. Of course, the WFFC's 30,000' jumps are great for people who want to experience that kind of jump. I was and still am, however, impressed by Nightjump's dog Kara's amazing 30,000' jump! What a cool dog!

I TOTALLY agree with you. It's just not worth it to hold onto bitterness or resentment from past hurts. By not forgiving, you are only hurting yourself, the other person and anyone that gets caught in the ugliness between you two. When you can make amends, it's like a burden is lifted off your shoulders. You can set your fears and past pain free to leave forever. I truly believe that most people, in general, are loving and good deep down. If you treat someone with respect, then that person will most likely want to do the same back. Of course, this is not always true, but it does seem to work for the most part, I think. Most of us crave to love and to be loved. Many times, we cannot see that because the person is hurting inside and manifests the pain by hurting others. It can be very difficult to look past something like that. I don't usually feel able to deal with those types of situations. I'm a healthy person, and I love people who love me back. Yet, I do feel that it's best to forgive everyone for wrong-doings and not to hold on to pain. The only thing that I would add is that you should forgive, but never forget. What I mean is not to necessarily treat that person like an enemy, yet to keep in mind that people have flaws and may fall into old behavior. True trust is something that must be earned. It's best to be somewhat realistic in this world. Not everyone is looking out for your best interests...only you are. Don't give people the opportunity to need to be forgiven. Take action prior. Be true to yourself.

Checoleman and Avion ~ As most skydiver know, several DZs will go to 18,000 for a few extra dollars (with oxygen). Hollister and Monterey are a couple more DZs that quickly come to mind. Their usual altitude is 15000 and can go to 18000 if there are people interested. Other DZs, like Perris or Elsinore, will do it when doing bigger-ways. It's best to call around first or to inquire about altitude restrictions/possibilities when you go to a new DZ. Edited: You will also get extra altitude when at a boogie, of course...or when there is a "flash" or with special jumps.

Rebecca ~ I totally agree with Clay about YOU being super-sexy, and we've never even met, girl!

You are sooo sweet, Sunshine!!! I feel exactly the same way about myself not calling friends enough... (Shame on me for not calling!)

Woohoo!!! I get a hug double from Chris! Well, it will have to be a "cyber hug double"!