VanillaSkyGirl

I do not think that breast feeding in public is problematic as long as a woman is being discreet and covering up her breasts. I witnessed a pretty, young woman (single mom), who began flirting with my brother at a restaurant, pull out her breasts for her daughter and begin feeding her one year old without covering up anything, smack in the middle of a conversation with my brother. This was just after dinner. My brother is a very classy guy, and I could tell that he was a little grossed out by this. Later, my brother and I commented on how strange that was as she brought up the breast feeding idea to her daughter, not the other way around. Also, her daughter seemed to be eating and drinking adult food just fine. It was just weird. No, breast feeding while completely exposing yourself completely is not the same as feeding your child from a bottle, unless you are feeding the child while topless. If I had a child, I doubt that I would be viewed as any less sexual as a woman and exposing my lactating breasts in public, which would probably be Pamela Anderson sized, would be completely inappropriate. Excessively exposed breasts is the only problem that men/women have with breastfeeding as it is otherwise a truly beautiful act.

Hi Nightingale~ I know that you can do it, Nightingale. You are just having the same mental/emotional feelings that we all have. That is the most difficult part of skydiving in the beginning. I was the opposite as I was very nervous (even terrified!) doing my AFFs (performance anxiety), and the first time that I felt extremely relaxed in the air was when I went to do my first solo as I had never done a tandem. It was recommended that I do my final AFF and first solo on the same day. Actually, I wasn't nervous doing my final AFF either, which I did on the same day, both were on a weekday and were my first and only times on a cessna as I thought that would make them more special. After that completely relaxed solo, I was nervous plenty of times, especially after my home DZ closed down, which was shortly afterwards. My first jump at Elsinore (jump 18), I requested an instructor to be in the air with me because I was very freaked out about my abilities after having had a scare at Perris where had I migrated to after my original non-USPA DZ had closed down. The Elsinore staff understood my insecurities when I explained them, but they also told me that I didn't need to spend my money on a coached jump when I could just jump a solo. I insisted on having a coach nearby as I thought that maybe I wasn't a good enough skydiver. I told my instructor that I wanted to just fall. It was a beautiful skydive where I was able to relax enough to find my smile, again. I do not regret it at all!!! It was about 3 pm, and I did my last two "A" license jumps with a HUGE smile on my face and NICE stand-up landings. I had my "A" license requirements finished that early evening on my 20th jump. My instructor complimented me and raised my confidence so much with his encouragement throughout the afternoon that I did four jumps that Saturday at Elsinore's Cinco de Mayo Boogie. (My first boogie at 20 jumps!) It was all downhill for my wallet from there! LOL! You can ask for an instructor to play with you in the air if you want to feel a little more secure, can't you? Then, jump a solo or two right after that. ~ Or ~ what if you ask for video, just to have someone along that you trust. I read somewhere that someone did this for her first solo, so as not to feel so alone. LOL! Good idea, huh? Also, do not feel obligated to jump your own pack job on your first solo. You have plenty of jumps where you can do that. You will be just fine with however you choose to jump. It is all good. There is no failure in skydiving if you can live to jump another day.

I am so very, very sorry, Jen. My condolences to you and to the rest of his loved ones. May you and your daughter feel the love and support that I am sending your way. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know that you will be strong for your daughter, but please do not hesitate to ask for help from loved ones if you need it. Know that if you ever need a friend, I will make myself available to you at any time. Much love to you and to your little girl, ROSA Peace to Randy and family...BSBD

LOL!!! You have been sadly mislead with that statement! That depends entirely on the body underneath. RW or freefly can both be HOT...

Feliz cumpleanos, Scott. Que tengas un dia muy lindo...vuela libre.

I may need to learn to go headdown to jump with you... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! I will be seeing you on the plane!

Welcome to our world....bwahahahaha!

I'm so happy for you, Ed!

Yes, it is like falling in love because I couldn't eat, sleep or think about anything else until I could have it or be around it again. I was and am consumed with a passion to know everything about it. With my first skydive, I felt that my heart had been profoundly touched and my eyes open for the first time. Everything seemed different...more real and alive. I felt better about myself after having experienced it, and the love just keeps getting deeper.

Billvon spoke to me and suggested the same thing, but I told him that I have an unusual problem for a woman. I have large breasts (& wide shoulders for my size) and no hips (ok, fine, unusually small hips!). I have always had problems with my size/shape as it is not the way most women are shaped. Oh, yeah, people freaked when they realized that I had done a full day and night session in tunnel camp without any lead and no turning down the speed. (I didn't know that you could do that, at first...) I was having a hard time as I was working it to the fullest. Whew, the next few days were easier on me, once we put 10 lbs., and eventually 12-14 lbs on me for the remainder of the camp. Everyone with weight belts who jumped with me had much more lead than I did! LOLOLOLOL! They were wearing at least 18+ as opposed to my 10-14 lbs.! (Beginning rant) A somewhat substantial sized man with 3000 jumps (who kept reminding everyone within earshot of his jump numbers and 24 years in the sport...blah, blah, blah) was wearing a lead belt with about 18 lbs., flying dearched at the hips and getting pissy asking why I and the other ladies needed the air turned down for our turn. (It had nothing to do with him!) Why the hell didn't he just take off his weight belt!?! He claimed that in the real world of skydiving, the air cannot be turned up or down (Really Einstein?) ...and proceeded to tell my instructors also that they needed to dirt-dive more. (According to him, in the real world of skydiving, that is how it works...LOL! My jaw dropped as Neal Houston just smiled and said "OK.") Sorry, but I am in a bad mood. There is nothing worse than a skygod, except people that are average, but think that they are skygods and put down others whom they deem unworthy! (ending rant!) Once, though, the air in the tunnel was somehow freakishly low during a 3-way with 2 large guys and myself. Even I was dearching! I was trying not to laugh hysterically as I spotted my teammates' frightened "deer in the headlights" eyes as they struggled to stay off the net. Yeah, I've seen that look before...try the opposite of that and welcome to my world! LOL!~ Edited: typos

Congrats to your nephew, Gia!

I was already jumping mantis when it was taught to me by MJ (2-way camp) from about jump 32 onwards, but I loved tunnel camp.

I am 97 lbs. and can comfortably fly a Spectre 150. I have never worn a weight belt. I just began to use one in my tunnel camp and am going to be adding lead in freefall...probably about 10-14 lbs., for now. It seems that it will be like downsizing my canopy one size. Should I do hop'n'pops with the weight belt and slowly add lead? Should I just slowly add lead during jumps with others to see how much I need? I need more when I am very tired as my super arch suffers. Will it affect me a lot under canopy as I am so light? Ladies, small men and those in the know, please help. Thank you.

Kelli, I can't wait!!!

Kelli, I just returned from Florida and I am sooo amped about this climbing trip. Like I said before, I haven't really climbed in about 5 years or so. I miss climbing so much. I wasn't going to go to Eloy until the 31st, but now I am going to try to change my plans so that I can make this rockclimbing trip. Also, my BF (whom hasn't climbed for years due to a really bad non-climbing knee injury) may also come with me to this climbing trip if he can get out of work duties and flee to Arizona. He has offered to instruct the newbie climbers as he has instructed many others in this sport. He used to climb 5.12s. (It's funny, my BF and I are former climbers, but we have only climbed together twice! LOL!) I got into climbing by myself, so I have had to teach a BF to climb. I am certainly NO expert, but I will also help anyone that needs instruction. Skypup ~ I am not in shape anymore, but I would love to climb some 5.10s (and if I push it...maybe more) I climbed about 3 months ago after not having climbed for many years. Please bring all gear, so you, I and the others (whom used to climb or currently climb) can try out the slightly more challenging routes. Maybe we should stick to sporting routes for this trip, though. JT ~ PM me your # as my BF and I may be able to meet with you soon (Redrocks)! Mouth ~ You have the perfect body for climbing...small, strong and nimble! Trust me, even if you just come along to "watch", you will end up climbing a few routes! My prediction is that you could be a VERY good "natural" climber. Skymama ~ For your first time, wear something comfortable that breathes (hiking pants, tops, sports bras/tops, t-shirts, etc.) and be sure that you can really move all your limbs in any direction *(non-restrictive). NO GLOVES...yuck! You want to feel the rock... it may hurt, slash/cut or give you horrible blisters, though. (Please cut nails short.) Also, think layers! Call me if you have questions. I loooove that you are going!!! Everyone ~ Climbers are pretty laid back people. Like skydivers, they welcome newbies, and encourage people to try the sport. You'll love it!

In Reply To ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Be advised, monkey head, that I have stolen your rodeo rider VanillaSkygirl for the duration, you cannot possess! After a radical wingsuit rodeo featuring the knife-edge maneuver, the russkies patented "cobra" maneuver . Spiraling head down and upside down flight all designed to test Rosa's ferocity and my susceptibility to G lock, she held on and just smiled wanting more. She lasted the whole flight which did include some controlled and stable flight eventually and wanted more, she is mine on ANY rodeo games of the event and we are starting our team training as of now. Suck it up, realize you have already lost. West coast distributor of "the pain" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Laugh and plot while you can oh follicley challenged one for I have yet another course of action that will devastate you and your rider to no ends. I shall not divulge my secret weapons as it will be a quick, clean and decisive blow that I and my rider shall deliver unto those who choose to oppose us I shall crush my enemies, see them driven in chains before me and hear the lamentations of their women. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My women never lament.... and in flight you will not be above me you will be B'low me! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OMG! LOL! Vectorboy, it was a total pleasure to ride with you...and what a wild ride that it was! Yeeeeeehawwwww!!! (Eventually, we became a gracefully flying unit, right?) Wow, I am not sure whether to be flattered or pissed off that I have been "stolen" as Lou's rodeo rider. Anyhoo, Glen or whomever I ride, I promise to never give up and to give my all to ride with you to a glorius triumph over all the others! Whether it means a rider jousting match or a hand-to-hand battle, victory shall be ours...ours I say!!! Bwahahahaha...bwahahahaha...bwahahahaha!!!!!

(Quote)~ Rosa: How are things in Simi Valley? I've got an ex-girlfriend living there on the eastern end, just north of the 118.. Concerned... (end quote) My best to your ex. Things have not been too good with the Simi Valley fire, although (personally) things looked and smelled more ominous last night. Last night as I was driving into the northwest part of the valley, I was gagging and chocking. We wore masks outside (even the CSUN students were wearing masks on the street). Currently, I am not sure of the exact status of those in Simi Valley. It is a possibility that your ex may have had to evacuate last night. My whole family (including my brother, who flew home from Canada last night) was at my parents' home helping them pack up until late last night. My folks left behind almost everything, but we still loaded up 8 cars with our most sentimental valuables, including every last photo/video, legal documents, original artifacts from Peru, sentimental collector's items and favorite paintings. (Yup, my 2 brothers and I use my parents' home as a storage area for our valuables since their home is quite large and secured.) My mother and grandmom stayed with one brother, and my dog stayed with the other. My father, who is an obstetrician/gynecologist, slept at the hospital, in case one of his patients went into labor over night. Today, after inquiring if I could drive in (no mandatory evacuation, yet), I stopped at my parents' home to pick up a box that I left behind (my bills!). Currently, there are helicopters surveying and spraying everywhere. Going west on the 118, the freeway is closed off at Tampa. I took back streets, and the helicopters are landing on some land quite close to my parent's and their neighbor's homes (sort-of the end of the street)...it's strange to watch. I am so grateful that the Fire Dept. is here protecting our loving homes. All you hear and see is helicopters flying back and forth...all night and all day... I have a good feeling that despite the struggles/threats, the Simi Valley fire will not reach my parent's homes. If it does, at least my family (and dog) is safe. Let us all hope and pray that ALL the fires will have better containment with no more fatalities. Thank you all whom have inquired about my family.

One of our neighbors has acres and acres and acres of animals (moving them all should be a spectacular event)...but I was primarily talking about the surrounding wildlife. On second thought, perhaps they fled when they smelled the fire a while ago.

I am actually on my way to load up my car and help them to evacuate. Last night the fire was just 3-5miles away. It may be too late at this point to do much, but I am moving my dog (to a friend's as I cannot have pets in my apt.), mom/grandmom and all the albums that I can carry. My daddy is working, so he can join us later.

I didn't want to post last night about this, but please keep my parents in your thoughts, everyone. They live just in a private community/road just off the 118 (Port Ranch exit) in Chatsworth. My mother just called and said that she can see that the fire is pretty close now. Their home is 2 acres, and the area surrounding them has been kept quite natural with much brush, gorgeous trees, etc. (utter paradise!!!) as is all their neighbors' property. My parents' home is mostly gorgeous mahogany wood and has english tudor styling, as do many of their neighbors. There is much wildlife, too...raccoons, squirrels, wild rabbits, coyotes, skunks, etc. My neighbors have llama, alpacas, ostriches, beautiful stallions, and more. I am not sure how they are dealing with getting all the animals out. A neighbor has a beautiful ranch enclosed in a huge lot. We do have a lake in the middle of all homes, but that it surrounded by all out greenery. Many of the wild animals may perish. I'm so sad.

Mark, first of all...WOW! That is amazing. I was going to ask someone about this as I didn't undertand it either. Is he taking breaks at all? How many hours is this? How is this affecting the skydiving for the day at Elsinore? Is there going to be a lot of media, etc., too? Anyway, I hope to see be there to witness his success! Edited: Wow! 25 hours!!!

LOL! Welcome to the skies!

I am glad to know that everyone is safe with the evacuation, and that you were able to save your gear/equipment. I have had the pleasure of jumping at your beautiful DZ and hope to be able to do so again in the future. My hope is that your DZ is somehow spared by the flames. Take care and please keep us posted. You are in our thoughts and prayers.