Beverly

Funny you say this. I was having this discussion with some fellow jumpers just the other day. It always seems that one wants more than the other. When one is moving on then the other is not etc. But there will always be a loser in this instance and you never really know who that is going to be. There will also be jealously and hurt. One moving on, a promise of something to come, not working out, more hurt, losing the friendship, more jealousy, feelings of guilt, moving on, back in the field, lies, (to avoid hurt of course), more hurt, more guilt, more tears. If it did not work out there was a reason. If it is too difficult it was not meant to be. Also, regret is a waste of time... (guess who just watched "under the tuscan sun" and yes I cried) Can't off any advise on this one, sorry. I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

Yeah, I would say it wa as close as you can come. There are the traditionals like Boerewors and boboeti, although being South African myself I don't eat either - yuk! nor pap. EEEUUU! So I would rather go for the calamari or fish myself. I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

Hope you had a wicked one mate! I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

humph!! 0:0:0 for the first time in ages. I am leaving for the red sea on a scuba trip and did not know how to scuba, so did open water over the weekend and advanced this weekend coming. No jumping for 2 weekends, I am going to be uncurrent!! I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

0:16:0 Still team training. -13 degrees in the plane. Cannot wait for Spain... I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

I am quite excited that our relationship has reverted to a birthday sms/text message and not a call on the wrong day. I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

0 : 18 : 0 Team training, so got a 3 day weekend in! Pretty good swoops too - loving the corssbraced canopies. Did loose helmet (second one in 2 weekends) this time on exit at 11k on first jump on Sat am. Did the entire skydive with eyes half shut and team mates guiding me into place. At least my sidebuddies were pretty good, I should always do them with my eyes closed!! Dedication I tell you! BTW, I have the best team mates in the world. Just thought I would put that out there! Awesome weekend!! I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

Oh Walt you should know better!! 18 Jumps of course. I don't really buy beer anymore! I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

Cool one Andy!! Managed 18 this weekend. Pretty cool all round. I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

US Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) - Christopher Cross Never heard of them but then again I was only Ickle. And U? I love that song: "If you get caught between the Moon and New york City, I know it's crazy, but it's true......the best that you can do, is fall in love..." Mine are: 17 Jan 75 UK: Down Down - Status Quo US: Mandy - Barry Manilow Cheesy... I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

I would teach you how to Juggle! I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

I loved it. Yes I was a fan of the book and loved the book and felt the movie was a direct depiction of the book. If you have read the story there are no surprises. It was a nice story and the art work was awesome. I loved the screen shots and the camera work was excellent. I thought Tom played a good role and the female lead is beautiful. I was worried that it would take some creative licence away from the book, but if this is what they did with Da Vinci Code, I cannot wait for Angels and Demons. Really guys, go see it with an open mind and see for the story. It was over hyped, but what major movie is not. I liked it and would get the DVD to see again. Oh, and I won a PSP for deciphering the code in the cinema house competition... So it was worth bunking a half day of work to go see!! I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

You would wonder what all the fuss is about. I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

Hey B, Revenge will be sweet but short lived. Think Karma and wheel turning. So I would not use them until provoked. Save them before the web stuff gets changed and use as a trump card only. hugs Bev I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

You might know a lot about HIV rates in southern Africa but you could use a refresher in population geography of the northern hemisphere. The USA does not have "billions of people." Sorry I stand corrected: Out of the 331 473 276 people (Give or take a few) that live in North America, only 1.2million are known to be infected. Stats are normally under read on HIV/AIDS as many people don't know their status. The point was in a smaller population of people (approx 60-70 million in SADC Africa), nearly one in every three people have HIV or AIDS. (24 million people that know their status as being positive. This excludes all the people that don't know) The Western world has done a good job in educating and managing the disease. These things will just make it better. Have you ever thought that if you know you are HIV positive and you have unprotected sex with some one and do not disclose your status you should be held liable for attempted murder. As you have just written them a death sentence. Just a thought - use it, don't use it. I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

Some info: America has billions of people and about 1.2 million people infected. SADC (Very southern region of Africa including 4 countries) has around 60 million people and 25 million people infected. So I know a little about the disease. In South Africa, you get additional points on your medical insurance if you are tested annually. I get tested when I visit my GP for my annual Cholestrol, blood pressure and pap smear test. Having been sexually active or not over that year. Ignorance is the main cause of the disease spreading and the fact that people are unaware of their status is frightening. In Africa, we unfortunately have to deal with the stigma attached to a man's virility wrt using a condom as it is seen as manly to procreate. If a Zulu man does not bear children (Many) he is seen to be inadequate. They also have multiple wives and girlfriends. The most shocking part was the witchdoctors saying that if you sleep with a virgin it will cure you. So baby rapes became a daily occurence. But then again how is a nation supposed to learn safe sex when the ex-deputy president says that if you have unprotected sex, you can wash the aids away in the shower... I have seen work mates and people die of this disease. It is not pretty. Rather get tested, know your status and encourage others to do the same. It is for your own good and well being. I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

0:4:0 Some awesome team training on Sat and mothers day relative work on Sun. Congrats to all the milestones and wedding couples! We had a whole lot of nakedness at the DZ this weekend, congrats on the 100th guys! I love it that I drink the beer and not have to buy it so much anymore! But now have flu! climate changes I think...Summer to winter in 24 hours! I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

3 cats: Sony Megoo and Bella I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

The girl from National Treasure I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

I had the best fortune this past week of being given the opportunity to fly a Katana canopy. Coming from South Africa and being somewhat sheltered, I have not had the opportunity to see them in action on my home turf. Being a girl and somewhat of a ninny when it comes to canopies, I have not been very adventurous when it comes to flying and really working them. I don’t know too much about canopies, other than I like canopies that don’t clash with my hair and eyes, but this is my experience: I was given a demo to try for a few jumps on a recent trip to De Land. I did not really know what to expect out of the canopy. It was bigger than the current canopies I have been playing with, so I was not too concerned on my capabilities under the canopy. I did dedicated canopy flights to be able to play and experience the canopy to it’s fullest and get the most out of the experience. First off the opening. WOW! It was the softest opening I have experienced in a while. Even more so than the Pilot that I jump for wing suiting. Now everyone knows that the Pilot is renown for it’s long and smooth snivels, and this out did that. There was an initial hesitation from my side as thoughts of “this is taking too long” flashed in my head, but as I looked up and watched this beautiful canopy slowly unfold, I knew they were unfounded. Once the canopy was fully open, I collapsed the slider and un stowed the brakes. There was not a huge amount of slack, as I normally get with the canopies I fly, and I started to play with the canopy. The turns were responsive but recovered quickly. Something that would help in situations that require fast evasive action. Front riser pressure was awesome, something I have struggled with in the past being a 120 pound girl. I found that the turns both on risers and toggles were as effective as each other and the back risers evened the canopy out even faster than just waiting for the canopies own recovery. Now being the conservative canopy pilot I am, and having played with a few canopies in the past year, some of which have been Pilots, Hurricanes, Stiletto’s, Icarus FX and the Vision, I can safely say that this would be the most forgiving canopy of them all. The canopy has stunning flying characteristics, giving you all the “whoop!” you can ask for under canopy and in the sky, followed by a consistent, recovery arc and soft, tippy toe landing. Definitely making it a graceful landing and making sure you look good. There is enough flare left at the end of a reasonable swoop to give some lift at the end and safely plant you on the ground, without the hard shin and ankle splintering thud that normally accompanies most girl’s landings. Since I have taken a further interest in canopies and landings, I have been watching my fellow team mates and skydivers land in all wind conditions. This canopy can defiantly be used by anyone doing lots of work jumps, team jumps and camera. The consistently smooth openings (Even after horrific rushed pack jobs) is ideal for the skydivers doing many jumps in a day/weekend/week. The responsiveness of the canopy in flight and the smooth and soft landings definitely make for a canopy that will allow for many comfortable and safe skydives for years to come.

Pffft. That must have been nice *grumble*can't believe she blew us all off in LW*grumble* Love you too Ian. Will make more of an effort next time. I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

Back to Jeff's thread - Sounds like a reasonable set of criteria. I have a Tattoo. Sorry Jeff. I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

Damn, I wish I could be there to help! I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

Wiped that smile off your face yet Jeff? Was good to meet you on the weekend. I was lent one (107) this past week and I am loving the openings. Bev I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

Nice one Peej, Sorry I missed it. 0:10:0 Did some jumps at Palatka this weekend. Was really cool. The timezones were still messing me up a bit and had a mid pm slump! I think true friendship is under-rated Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa