Nightingale

I don't mind cooking... I just don't do it. Its just me and the kittycats at home, and they don't do people food much, so there isn't a whole lot of point in just cooking for one. now, baking, on the other hand... I LOVE to bake. Usually my karate school (or more recently, my AFF instructors) are gifted with something yummy. I'll keep a nibble or two for myself, but usually give the rest away.

Having jumped with the staff at both places, I can say neither DZ has "better" staff. What they do have is different atmosphere. Elsinore is very laid back. The people over there, instructors and jumpers alike, are more relaxed (although definitely not LAX about safety or anything like that!) If you have just gotten your A and are looking for people to jump with, I'd say Elsinore's the place. Perris is AWESOME, don't get me wrong. I still consider it my home DZ. The thing is, there are so many people there that are there to train with their teams and stuff like that that a lot of times they don't want to take the time to jump with a newbie. It also depends on how outgoing you are. Now me, I won't go talk to people. I'm really shy. So, at Perris, I didn't talk to anyone, until my instructors started introducing me around, sometime about level 5 or so. At Elsinore, I had people walking up saying "Hi, I don't know you!" and introducing themselves. I guess what I'm saying is that Perris is an awesome place to learn, or for experienced jumpers, or if you're bringing a group of people to jump with. Otherwise, I'd hit Elsinore. JMO.

A war hero to me is anyone who has the guts to stand up and fight and maybe die for the safety of those of us here at home. Just the act of going to fight is itself heroic.

are you in school? if so, did you consider ROTC? Its a good way to get some help paying for school, plus avoid most of the three month Officer Training School. Plus, officers get paid more. I have a few friends who went through AFROTC, and I almost did it myself. I had a broken bone that prevented me from going to their summer training at the academy. The AFOQT (Air Force Officer Qualifying Test) is very easy. I pretty much maxed it. They're still calling me! LOL. You have to be an officer if you want to fly.

hmm.... no cute skychicks in massachusetts??

I can tell you there's none out here at Perris or Elsinore. Female TIs aren't very common, even less so than female AFF Is.

sure... just tell them to do the AFF first jump course instead.

Looks like he's right: Texas penal code: § 9.41. Protection of One's Own Property (a) A person in lawful possession of land or tangible, movable property is justified in using force against another when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate the other's trespass on the land or unlawful interference with the property. (b) A person unlawfully dispossessed of land or tangible, movable property by another is justified in using force against the other when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to reenter the land or recover the property if the actor uses the force immediately or in fresh pursuit after the dispossession and: (1) the actor reasonably believes the other had no claim of right when he dispossessed the actor; or (2) the other accomplished the dispossession by using force, threat, or fraud against the actor. § 9.42. Deadly Force to Protect Property A person is justified in using deadly force against another to protect land or tangible, movable property: (1) if he would be justified in using force against the other under Section 9.41; and (2) when and to the degree he reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary: (A) to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during the nighttime, or criminal mischief during the nighttime; or (B) to prevent the other who is fleeing immediately after committing burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, or theft during the nighttime from escaping with the property; and (3) he reasonably believes that: (A) the land or property cannot be protected or recovered by any other means; or (B) the use of force other than deadly force to protect or recover the land or property would expose the actor or another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.

Showgirls was very controversial, simply because it was rated NC-17, and was showing in regular theaters, where minors were employed.

you evil, evil person... hehe that was cool. I am sending it to my dad.

Hmm... seems like a better course of action would be to challenge the racially exclusive scholarships in court. there have been several successes.

Dear I wish to confirm that I am resigning from my position as , effective on . This letter will serve as my notice of resignation. I have decided that it is time to move on and have accepted a position elsewhere. This was not an easy decision and took much consideration on my part. However, I am confident that my new role will help me to move towards the goals I have set for my career. Please be assured that I will do all I can to assist in the smooth transfer of my responsibilities before leaving. I wish both you and every good fortune and wish to thank you for the opportunities you have given me as part of your team. Sincerely,

Vegetables, conservatives, Orlando Bloom

funny, but Snopes says it didn't happen. http://www.snopes.com/military/lighthse.htm

I was replying to Skydyvr, not to your original post. What I love about this country is that I can strongly disagree with certain commanders-in-chief and certain laws, and they can't arrest me for voicing my opinion.

a love for your country and an issue with its current leadership are two entirely different things.

what gets my friend Jamie out of Jury duty every time: smile and say "I'm a law student! This is going to be fun! Our justice system in action!" and look psychotically excited, sitting there grinning like an idiot.

It is very true that having the means to defend yourself makes you more likely to do so. Proportionally, more martial artists get into fights than non-MAists, that's a fact. Its because we have the tools available to us to defend ourselves, and use them when necessary. If someone does not have those tools avalable, the tools are not there to be used, and people try to find an alternate way out of the situation, usually by screaming or cooperating and looking for an escape route. I've been in two fights. In both situations, had I a gun and the training, I'd have definitely used it, because I was in danger and it was clearly a self-defense situation. As it was, I used my martial arts, because those were the tools I had available. Its very simple, you use what you have.

Jeffrey, I ADORE cats... I have two of my own... wonder if my two and yours would get along?

now that comment made a bit more sense. your original comment sounded like you thought our troops were killing children because they simply didn't give a damn and didn't take the appropriate steps to prevent it.

after you're over this, ask your doc about the vaccine for bacterial meningitis. its a good idea for any college student to get.

ugh. the fish story is true. http://www.internext.com.br/urologia/Casosclinicos.htm possibly NSFW. its in spanish, but it shows the fish, and the um... pecker... here it is in English http://www.forceofmouth.com/blog/index.php?p=17&more=1&page=2

Angela- I do not support Bush's war. I want my friends home safe, and believe they never should have been sent there to begin with. I do, however, know that our troops over there are doing the best they can with the orders they're given, and they would not permit civilian casualties out of simple "carelessness" as you put it. They do care. And frankly, they obviously care a lot more about you than you do about them.

the trip you speak of sounds like an excellent experience. My parents' church goes down to Mexico to build houses, and so much preaching goes on that it makes the recipients of the "generosity" very uncomfortable. Its those kind of "missions" that I object to. If your motive is to assist rather than convert, I applaud your efforts.

Angela, I'm sorry, but I have to call foul here. I have friends and family over there fighting, and I can say that every single US soldier I've ever had the honor to meet would never allow women or children to come to harm over "carelessness." In all honesty, I've never met a group of young people who cared so much. I'm signing off for a while before I violate the "no personal attacks" rule, because I just about have steam coming out of my ears at the moment.