peregrinerose

Completely off topic now, but... So explain late term abortion. Compare to a premature birth. A 6 month term baby can either survive birth and become a normal adult (especially with neonatal tech as it is now) or that same 6 month fetus can be aborted. The only difference is whether the mother wants it or not. That's not religion, that is science. Also, no infant is an independent, functional member of our species, it is extremely dependent upon the parents. So does that mean that infanticide should also be legal? I don't know where the line between life and non-life is. I do know that most of our senses are learned prior to birth due to pre-birth experiences (vision being the only exception since there is no in-utero visual stimuli). I know that fetuses do respond to external effects, music, etc. They can move from a very early gestational period. Some of the newer in-utero photos are truly amazing. In a few years, when science does determine one way or another when life begins, if it is far earlier than birth, do we just say 'oops, sorry' to all those infants that were aborted? I don't have all the answers, no one does. And that is the most important thing to understand when taking a stance on abortion, there are no absolutes from a scientific standpoint. We are making an ethical decision on limited information, so how can any decision like that truly be proved right/wrong? Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I've been reading on here for over a year. Just waiting for the guts and the money to do it myself Chad knows better than to try to give me any pointers. Primarily because it's not safe to do that. I work in health care, I know how instructions can get into a person's head and change completely from what the doc/instructor said, so I'd rather get help straight from the horses' mouths. He doesn't volunteer pointers, I don't ask for them. He's also an angel for never pushing me into doing this. Wasn't until after my first AFF he told me he really really really wanted me to get into skydiving! Not much to say about myself, spent most of my life working my ass off to put myself through college, then grad school, then working a million jobs to keep the student loan people at bay, didn't really start enjoying life until the last couple years. I have Peter Pan syndrome big time, have more pets than any one person probably should, and I'm a redneck tomboy. Guess that sums it up. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

You don't like Bush, don't vote for him. That's why we have an electoral system and not monarchy. He was voted in (barely), so that is what a majority of the electoral college wanted, a 'tyrant'. If that isn't what the population wants now, he won't be re-elected. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I said he was for abortion rights, not for abortion. I don't see this as being an oxymoron. I don't smoke, but have no problem with other people having the right to do so. I can't stand soap operas but have no desire to put forth a political bill suppressing soap operas from television viewing. There are a lot of things that you can dislike or be against but not be against robbing everyone else of that thing. I don't even like Kerry, and think he's a total flake, but can sort of understand this end of things. And the concept of abortion (from a medical stance) truly disgusts me. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

3 weeks ago, I did my first AFF jump and was big time hooked. Did a tandem a year ago, and loved it, but AFF is infinitely more fun. Husband has been jumping for 1.5 y, and now that he has his A and is done spending all his money on training, it's my turn. I love it! But the weather has been virtually non stop raining/cloudy/windy. Until tonight. I work 20 mins from the DZ, weather perfect, and my horseback riding lesson was cancelled anyway, so finally doing my jump! Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

There are many people who believe this regardless of religious beliefs, and people with religious beliefs who do not adhere to these things. Look at Kerry, Roman Catholic, but for abortion rights. A person's morality and belief system is individualized. Religion may influence it, but so what? You vote on the issues and which candidate leans more along the lines of what you believe is important. If you disagree with Bush's more stupid policies, don't vote for him. Both Bush and Kerry are religious, but obviously very different stances on issues. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I don't understand why morality is a problem. If there's actually a presidential candidtate who has some form of ethical code and stands by it, this is a good thing. Doesn't mean he expects everyone to agree with him, even he said in his own speech that we need to do more listening to each other. He's right. I'm as non Christian as many others on here, but I don't give a flying rat's ass what beliefs others have as long as there is a high code of behavior involved. Whether this is as part of a religion or not. I'm still undecided in this election, leaning toward Bush, but have to respect this coming from Kerry. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

No way in hell will I voluntarily go through that one. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

This is plain sick. First, wouldn't it also decrease endorphin effect of things like sex, skydiving, etc? So these would be unhappy zombiepeople. Second, vaccines have risk. If it was not required for school enrollment, I would refuse to have my future children immunized. Immunizations have been linked to a host of problems, and though the incidence is very very low, it does happen. Why incur even more unnecessary chances? I agree, self control is the real issue. And crappy parenting. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I can't imagine a more rewarding job than the one I have. I took a huge (25K/year) pay cut to switch to this office, but I'm glad I did. It's more rewarding, patients appreciative of what I do, far more medical care involved than before, and I can honestly say I've saved 3 lives in the last month alone. Plus helped many legally blind individuals learn to see again. I drive 1.5 h to get to work and back, but it's worth it. Plus my new job is 15 mins from the DZ :-) Only bad part is that I payed 125K in tuition alone to get my graduate degree, and am now paying most of my income to student loans. In 5 years I'll be a happy girl, but right now I'm kissing 2K a month goodbye. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Heck, I never met Icarus, but it's obvious how much you cared for her. I'd send you $10 toward the ash fund if you can find 14 more. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

If 15 people put in $10 each, it would be covered. The ash dive sounds like a good idea, fitting for a bird that obviously captured hearts there. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

No way would I try anything without running it by instructors. It has, however, over 2 wks since I got to jump last due to crappy weather so I haven't bothered going to the DZ to kill time sitting in the rain (I don't do inactivity well). Thank you for the tip and I will run it by an instructor next time I'm down there. Jen PS. I'd kill to be an 81 jump wonder as I have a whopping 2 jumps, one a tandem, and have been cursing at the weather ever since. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I could name a million reasons, but primarily teens tend to be hormonal and easily depressed. There's a way that I have found works with battling those bits of depression and I've shared it primarily with teens... Make mental bookmarks on those moments when death appears better than life. Wait a while, look back at the mentally bookmarked place and all the smiles that have happened since then that would have been missed out on. I had two friends that committed suicide at young ages, there are no words to describe the pain felt by survivors, and there is no complete healing. All you can do is listen and be there, it may not feel like much to you, but you are that ray of hope that will help your friend keep taking one step a a time forward. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

LOL!!!!! My staff here is looking at me funny when they walk by I'm cracking up so hard I can barely type. That's great :-) Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Well, you are in darn good company. My husband (skydivingchad) turns 31 and I turn 30 tomorrow

Give me a beer you can stand a fork in any day, something that will put hair on my chest. I love a good oatmeal stout the most, but hard to find sometimes. I grew up in Latrobe so am genetically pre programmed to have the occasional Rolling Rock as well. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

If 'chastity' is the reason to cover girlboobies, how about necks since that can be way more eroginous than boobies? Or lips since they can be kissed? I would think that the Biblical reference would be more geared toward those pieces parts which can directly cause pregnancy or become pregnant. I never heard of a boobal pregnancy Mental note to check back issues of the National Enquirer to confirm that though. To the poster who liked girl boobies better (sorry, can't remember who offhand. I'm old.) Even as a completely straight girl, I think for the most part girl boobies are more asthetically pleasing parts than boyboobies. Especially men who need bigger bras than I do! Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I never did quite get this, why is a manboobie okay to have all over the place but a girlboobie is not? Especially considering that some manboobs are bigger than some girlboobs. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I agree that this isn't really right. I'm not skinny, never will be, but also don't give a flying rat's ass if anyone else thinks so or not. Yes, I'd do a nekkid skydive in a heartbeat (once I'm farther along in training of course). If you don't like seeing my flabby ass and gravity stricken boobs, don't look! Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Oooh, my husband's birthday is in 2 days. I haven't gotten him a gift yet, lack of ideas. But no more!!! I'm going to do a web search, find one of these things, in hot pink, I think, and have it overnight shipped Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

My biggest fear is my own physiology. I can't look either red or silver, as both are right under my freaking way too ample boobs. I practiced by touch, but not sure if that's good enough or not, though I hope I never have to find out. Anyone have any suggestions on getting around that other than gaining xray vision or having a boobectomy? Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

I use simulators for family members of my low vision/legally blind patients. They are always intregued by doing it, but at the end, I always remind them that they have the ability to remove the simulator and see normally again, which is very different functionally and psychologically for those who are like that permanently. I love it that you are willing to discuss your blind eye and encourage others to try to walk in your shoes for a while. It teaches a lot to other people, far more than trying to hide it would do. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

Does he happen to have email? I'm a low vision doc, and would be curious to get in touch with him... sometimes my px need a couple stories to give them the hope they need to get back on track. Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

For the record, I did not let him win he seriously kicked my ass. Yes, he got congratulatory sex, LOTs of contratulatory sex. No, he has not yet given me a re-match, despite my constant begging. This is the first time in a year and a half that he has beaten me at ANY board game (scrabble, balderdash, trivial pursuit of several different types, monopoly, etc..) Jen Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda