VanillaSkyGirl

That's so sweet, JP, but I am not sure that I will be experienced enough by 2005 for a bigway like that. (You never know, though!) Also, I'd love to help the JFTC ladies in any way possible, but the ladies featured in the calendar are the ladies that have already been in past JFTC, like Mary, Lisa, Kate, etc. They are ladies whom we all admire. They will be beautiful models and amazing role models! Anyway, I have offered the calendar ladies my help in Perris several times...if they need/want any more help.

Wow!!! I'd love to, JP! I have only done one BM rodeo with Vectorboy. That was wild fun. Btw, I just wore jeans....and a borrowed rig on that jump. I wasn't expecting to jump that day...my rig was with my rigger. Congrats, O Recold Holder...I bow down to your greatness!!! Lmao...& loving ya, cutie! Give your lady a huge hug for me, too. I look forward to seeing you soon...

Happy Sky Birthday, Steve!

COOL!!! I'm looking forward to this! Betsy, who are the RW and FF LOs?

We'll see, Aubrey.

Wow, I first began to occasionally lurk this forum as a student about a year ago. I remember what a beautiful person that I thought Holly to be. When I read that she died, I was shocked and greatly saddened. I even cried at the loss of such a beautiful soul, and I had never met her, PMed her or even posted, yet. After reading how obviously moved everyone in this online community was by Holly's death, I began to frequent this site more and more. The bond of the skydivers online was such a beautiful thing to witness. (Shortly after Holly's death, I registered [April 24th], and my first post was May 2nd.) Holly was someone whom I wish that I had the chance to have met, but in a way, I feel like I knew who she was from her online personality. Even though I never knew Holly, I was truly touched by her shining soul as shown in her posts. Fly free, Holly...forever, you lovely angel.

Awesome Aubrey!!! I'm so incredibly happy for you. At the other end of the spectrum, I also understand the difficulties in not being the "average size" as a skydiver. Well, I guess that we can now finally jump together...bwahahahaha!!! If you can find a clown suit to wear...perhaps, I can wear a lead belt or two...lol! See ya on the plane and in the sky...

I think that I favor your first jumpsuit colors, but I think that either suit will look great!

How sweet for you to apologize. I also apologize to you, Freeflybella, if my post to you was harsh. I agree that we are on the same page, and that it was an honest misunderstanding.

I have NEVER said that Jan's posts were not valid. I agree that this calendar and the intended content seem to be constantly be changing, which is a good thing and quite normal when undertaking such a project. Obviously, as I have stated before, this discussion is a good thing. I never said anything negative about Jan, and I support what she has to say as a woman. I don't know why you would think otherwise. Then, you are agreeing with my original post because I wrote basically the same thing. First, I never said that my art work was for "art class"(Otis Parsons was 10 years ago)...I sometimes draw in galleries at night with fellow artists. Anyway, I have no idea why I have to rehash this. Sigh...in my prior post, I was explaining how nudity in art does not have to be sexual, as we all know if we have ever visited a museum or opened an art history book, etc. Also, sexual pictures can certainly be taken with a clothed subject. My point was that nudity alone does not have to be sexual. I also hope that the nudity in the JFTC calendar is handled in a non-sexual manner, but I have no idea what the calendar is about exatly at this point. I will have to read Michele, Mar, Jen's updates to find out. I trust that everyone involved in this calendar is thinking about all the issues that we have been covering online. You quoted me... You answered... Freeflybella, do not take what I wrote out of context. I also wrote after that You also wrote this. Ugh...thanks for pointing that out, but I figured that one out a long time ago, my dear. I also know that people are more inclined to listen and respect each other if issues are discussed without it getting personal or without people taking things that others have written personally. I am not pointing fingers at ANYONE, so please don't misquote me or take what I have written out of context. Freeflybella, after reading what you wrote, I think that you and I are on the same page more or less. Reread my post. I also think that it's ironic that you chose to dissect MY post, in particular, then rewrite basically some of the same things...except for the "mindfulness isn't weakness" quote. I agree with that, as well, though. Sorry, I have nothing more to disagree with you about.

I think that is a FABULOUS suggestion. I had the exact same thoughts. Perhaps the ladies working on the calendar have had this idea, as well. The cancer survivors could even be in black and white artistic shots. The cancer survivors could have the "This is me...here I am. I am still beautiful and ALIVE" attitude/look in there photos. Of course, Michele and the ladies have their own creative ideas. Personally, I have no problem with nudity in artistic photos. Nudity does not have to be sexual in nature. I have drawn completely nude people for many years now, and I love it. I have never once found it to sexual...quite the opposite, actually. Sexual pictures and sexuality can be just as easily shown with clothes on as seen in Maxim, etc. Yes, I do consider those mags to be "light porn", but I have NEVER considered any of my totally nude drawings to be pornographic in ANY way. The idea of showing nude, healthy breasts for a breast cancer calendar may be a little upseting to some people...in thought, but who knows what we will really feel when we see these pics. Maybe they will be beautiful nude shots of ladies' backs or legs or other body parts, maybe not. We don't know, yet. I strongly believe that everyone is entitled to their opinions. Since this calendar is representing women who skydive, many skydivers who are women seem to be worried that they/we may be misrepresented. I think that we should take a wait and see attitude. Some concerned posters may be trying to give suggestions or views of what may or may not be what they consider appropriate for this calendar, but, perhaps, when posting, some of these people are too abrasive. This is not a black mark against the co-chairs of the calendar or against the calendar in my eyes. Neither is it a negative thing to have some of these questions. Perhaps, we can all learn and grow from these discussions.

How horrible for you. I'm so sorry, my friend. ((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))) That is so upsetting to read. It's true what they say about attackers being someone that we know, although for me, my attackers have been strangers. I agree. It's sad that we must be on alert all the time. The strangest part is that growing up, my mother was always paranoid about me being hurt in this way. I wonder if somehow this had the opposite effect than she wanted. I ended up getting hurt, instead. I remember, my mother never even let me sleep over at friends' homes if she thought that the brothers or other males who may be there were even the slightest bit suspicious. She was so protective of me when I was younger. I hated being sheltered, but I understood her reasons. Now, as an adult woman, I am pretty private and usually quite protective of myself. For example, if go away to a boogie...I don't drink at all, unless I know that I am with good friends whom I can trust. I do occasionally have one drink per night at Perris or sometimes have jello shots at Elsinore during parties, but then I wait until I am sober and drive to a nearby hotel or (when at Elsinore) stay in the bunkhouse. Also, I only stay in the bunkhouse if I am alone in the room or if I can share the room with my close friend (Skyyhi and once Michele). When at home, I never get in an elevator with a man alone. I never go to my apartment or towards my apt. door if a male neighbor approaches me. I never walk around the apt. complex garage (we have six garage levels and the apt. complex is a huge skyrise with 4 towers...the garage can be quite dark) without constantly looking around to see who else is nearby. I refuse to be at my apartment alone when maintenance people come over. I make sure that they make appointments with me and explain things on the phone before coming over. I do not open the door to let them in when they want to come in because I have arranged for them to come over when I am not at home or when someone else is there with me. I feel like I am paranoid, but I am a single woman living alone. I have to be careful. Sometimes, though, no matter what you do, things happen. Edited: I hope that this post was not a downer...sorry. Kaylne, thank you for being brave enough to post your experience. My heart breaks knowing that you were hurt in this way. ((((((((((((((((((MORE HUGS))))))))))))))

She must have been celebrating that Law School acceptance, huh?

Yeah, that sucks for him, but...of all places, why the kitchen!?!

Thank you, Paige. I don't know why this happened or almost happened more than once. I agree with Bill about not putting ourselves in certain situations, which is why the first time doesn't make sense. I have never gotten drunk with strangers or put myself in strange situations. It's funny, but it seems that women that walk around half naked, drunk and alone at night don't get hurt. It's people trying to be safe that seem to stick out to them as a challenge. Well, I blame myself for trying to walk back to my hotel in Orlando from the tunnel by myself at night. Acutally, other females, including Eliana, did the same thing at all hours. We were all in different hotels. I was the one attacked, though. Hmmm...I do have long hair...lol. I was carrying something heavy in a plastic bag that I could swing...I had my keys in my other hand. I was alert and kept looking around and walking swiftly. I covered my body with a heavy coat and tried to look strong. Let's face it, I still must have done many things wrong...I could question myself and my actions forever. I am trying to let it go and learn from it. I will never walk to my car or anywhere alone at night, again. Oh Paige, you are a sweetheart, and I admire you for posting this here. I admire you for your strength and for caring enough to bring this to our attention. Love ya lots! Scott, please don't be offended. This thread is not anti-men, it's anti-rapists. Think about how you would feel if this happened to a woman that you loved.

I almost forgot, if you can make noise...do it! When my attacker's choke hold lessened on my neck, I screamed as loudly as I could. People on the busy main street heard my screams for help. They saw this man assaulting me, stopped the car and leaped out to help. Do not stop screaming for assistance until you are safe. Be as loud as humanly possible... Thanks, Paige, for this post. ((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))

I was brutally raped several years ago when I was young and innocent. Even back then, I was always very careful about where I went and with whom. I took self-defense classes when I was as young as 13 and was cautioned about rape and attackers throughout my teens. It saddens me that despite my efforts to protect myself, this could have happened to me. Recently, I was almost raped again in Orlando, as many of you know. It is pretty devastating to know that this could have happened, yet again. I still feel stupid for walking back to my hotel from the tunnel by myself, even though everyone (men and women) told me that they all did it all the time by themselves at all hours. I didn't want for anyone to think that I was a prima donna, so I walked back by myself. When this man attacked me, he was choking me from behind and groping me, while restraining both my arms. He was easily twice my weight...a bear of a man. I tried everything that I could to get free. I used my whole body, my legs, my good sense of balance, anything that I could. I truly believe that the fact that I didn't give up was why I got away from him. My advice to women is that if you find yourself in this situation...already in the process of the beginning of a rape or attack of some sort, please do not give up. No matter how long that it goes on (my struggle went on for a VERY long time); please keep fighting for your life. Fight the attacker until the very end. It could mean the difference between life and death/or rape.

Mel, I've sent you an e-mail about getting tunnel time on the weekend of May 1-2. That sounds great, so count me in. :)

I'm so happy for you, Kris. Congratulations, girl!!! You deserve it! Also, I'm glad that you are sticking around in beautiful Southern California. I'd miss ya if you left us, sweetie! YAYAYAYAY!!! Kris is staying...

OMG....finally, our first jump is near...WAHOOOOOOO!!!! I was beginning to think that it would never happen. It was really bumming me out. Btw, when the time comes for our first jump together, we MUST get it on film. I'm sure that will not be a problem for us to find a willing camera man. That IS sooo sweet. What a HUGE compliment, Michele!!! How nice that he sees you this way...as do many, many people. I'm glad that you know that from his and many other's comments. It made you smile to write it down...and it made me smile to read it. That's why!

Congratulations to you two!!! Even though I only know you two from your posts, I am so very, very happy for you both. You seem like wonderful people...truly deserving of love and happiness. Personally, I think that it is just beautiful that you two have been friends for so long and are now getting married. That is the way that it should be. May you both have happiness and much love always.

ROFL...what a sweet-talker. Cool! Good to hear that you had a nice weekend, Michele. Now, I'll put on my 15 lbs. of lead, and you put that baggy, blue suit and come jump with meeeee...lol!!!

COOL!!!! Btw, Orlando's tunnel was where I lost my tunnel virginity, too. Congrats Lisa!

We love you, Lisa. Happy Birthday, my beautiful friend!

Hi Melanie!