tigra

Well, in Thailand, they pretty much treated all of you like rock stars, right? I'm just saying- convention and world record attempts don't mix. Just my opinion, of course!

I don't think the discipline required to participate in a record and the extra curricular activites at Convention exactly go hand in hand. The world record camps I've witnessed that Roger organized, the jumpers had to be ready for 7:00am calls, jumped until sunset (8ish or later) then debriefed for an hour or more. It was physically and emotionally demanding on the participants, the "ground" crew, and all the wives, husbands and significant others that were there to support the effort. WFFC is a 10 day party with some skydiving thrown in. Sure, you've got the location and the aircraft, but still, the 2 don't mix. And YES, I do know at least one world record was set at convention many years ago. But that was then, this is now. just my .02.........

Honestly, I don't know what many of my friends at the dz do for a living, including friends I might have dinner with or see socially during the off season. And there's plenty of people I jump with whose real names I don't know! I might know a first OR last name, or maybe just a nickname. I think that's pretty typical!

Nice! I also have a very close friend who has made one tandem. Not hooked, but at least she sees what I see about the people and the experience. Sure, it would have been nice to drag her in to my addiction, but out of all my whuffo friends, she's the only one who has made a jump, and that means the world to me!

He's REALLY old! Happy birthday John! Hope its great! maura

Yep, I used to tell them where I'd been, they'd verify that I stayed in the resort area, and that was that. Then they started pulling out a map and having me point to the area, and for a while that was OK. But then they started rejecting me! When I was in college, the Red Cross used to pick me up at my door, take me to the center to donate, FEED me- sandwiches, not just juice and cookies- then drive me home. They used to give me VIP treatment, and now they won't take my blood, go figure! Its a shame, since I'm healthy, willing to donate and have a rare blood type, but they need to do what they need to do.

Well, Im AB- and I used to donate blood and platelets regularly, but now they object to my annual vacations in Mexico. I guess there's an increased risk for hepatitis and malaria? I understand on one level, and yet, I really don't.

He bent her over the back of a chair, wrapped his hands around her neck and f*ed her til she was bleeding. Yeah, I can see how he wouldn't want that to get out.

Yeah, but her story is a little different. And he started off the police interview by blatantly lying.

Well, for one thing, the detectives repeatedly asked him if she gave consent and how he knew she gave consent, and his response was essentially she consented by her behaviour. Second, at some point he had to stop "pumping" (his word) and he admits it was before he was "finished", but he's sort of vague on the details. Also, from the minute the detectives approached him, he was most concerned with his "image". If the interview doesn't make him look/ sound like a rapist, it certainly doesn't make him look like a nice guy, a role model or someone who thinks highly of women. And face it, how dumb and arrogant was he to speak so openly with these detectives AFTER he knew there was a rape accusation out there? There's a reason his attorneys fought so hard to keep the text of this interview from being released. Then there's the fact that she was injured and bleeding and her blood was on his clothing. A healthy sexually active woman (who was not mensturating) does not bleed from consensual sex. At one point, I was pretty sure she wasn't telling the whole truth. The stories about different men's semen on her panties didn't exacty make her look good, and neither did the civil lawsuit. But as more of this type of information came out I changed my mind.

Freak or rapist? I personally find his statements to the police very disturbing, not in the least bit funny. I'm glad some of this is starting to come out now, since before the charges were dropped, most of the "leaks" to the media were pretty one sided against the accuser. His statements and the medical report on her injuries make it pretty clear why the DA felt the need to press this case. I think its a shame the charges were dropped before it went to trial.

Supposedly, the cover up makeup with a greenish coloring works well for covering up reddish blemishes.

I've got to agree with Erica. Seems like a lot of people are kind of picking on Jeth and saying "duh, skydiving IS dangerous!" I'm pretty sure Jeth knows that! Her "vent" was about the fact that her whuffo friends, family and coworkers are using her injury as an excuse to tell her one more time how dangerous skydiving is and how crazy she is to do it, without listening to her explanation of exactly how she got hurt or anything. To one extent or another, I think we've all been there!

Well, I met a woman who broke her ankle tripping over a sack of potatoes while she was cooking dinner for her family. Her lazy ass kids did not bother to put away the groceries. I met her while I was recovering from a broken ankle myself so we exchanged stories about how we got hurt. She actually had the nerve to tell me that I DESERVED to get hurt since I was crazy to skydive to begin with. I should have told her she deserved to break her leg because she raised such rotten kids!

Welcome to the world of skydiving. Almost every non jumper you meet will tell you to your face that you are nuts to do it. Your injury just validates their point of view (in their minds!) You will also here every "cute didn't open" horrror story known to man, which generally happened to someone's neighbor's cousin's friend's son. Enjoy! And I hope you're healing up OK!

I don't remember what my dues were, but it was nowhere close to that! I worked my way through school and there is no way I could have afforded that!

Well, I did join one in college and I'm not and wasn't then a typical "sorority girl". The thing is, my closest friends were NOT a part of the sorority. Plus, I became heavily involved in the theatre department my freshman year, ended up majoring in it, and my involvement in the theatre took up most of my free time straight through graduation. The one plus to being in a sorority was that I had something to do outside the theatre department sometimes. So, it gave my college experience some balance, I guess. One the other hand, I didn't really have the time to put into sorority activities between my classes, my job (in the theatre department) and my involvement in the shows that were going on. That caused some problems since the sorority had some expectations. And future connections and lifelong bonds of sisterhood? Nope! And so much of what they have you do is just plain cheesy! Still, I don't think it would hurt to go to a few of the "rush" parties and see for yourself if you like the people or if its something you see yourself doing! Good luck and whatever you do, make the most of your time at school! maura

Rebecca, I can't remember what that is called, but I used to have one. (My cat hacked hairballs all over it, and I finally got rid of it- the window perch, not my cat!) Any of the bigger pet stores should have them or try the catalogs like Foster Smith.

OK, I thought of another one. Hot and Sour Soup from the Pine Yard in Evanston. (One of the best Chinese restaurants in the Chicago Area, IMO) I love all their food, but the Hot and Sour Soup is hands down the best I've ever had!

Taco John's Potato Oles! Can't get them around here, but I remember them from college. Sort of like the mini tator tots Burger Kings sells on their breakfast menu (also tasty) but seasoned. And I'm a sucker for a Jack in the Box taco, which I can't get anywhere near Chicago! Burger King was selling smething similar for a while, but not anymore! Here's something I remember from my childhood. We lived outside Lousiville Kentucky for a few years and there was a place in Louisville called Ollie's Trolley. They sold Ollie Burgers- seasoned, spicy hamburgers. I remember them being sooooo good! And Derby pie! Yum! Is there anyone from Kentucky that remember's Ollie Burgers? This thread is making me hungry! (Oh, and when I was nowhere near a White Castle, I used to crave them! Now that I can get them any time I want, I think they're kind of gross!)

About 11 years ago (yes, I'm old!) I had a job interview and they actually expected me to take a typing test! I looked at the woman who was conducting the first part of the interview (a recruiter, and I was NOT applying for a clerical position) and said, "You want me to do what?" I was shocked. Of course, being over 30 I had to take a typing class in high school and hauled an electric typewriter to college. My typing sucked back then and it still sucks! We still keep a working typewriter in the office to make the occasional correction on a legal document, but I try my best not to use it! I find it easier to handwrite most corrections instead of trying to line up, cross out and type over!

I know in the post 9/11 world that the high profile buildings in the city will have increased security, and that's fine. But this is pointless since they really don't DO anything! What these buildings need to be doing (including the one I work in) is practice evacuation drills! Has your train been stopping every morning? I don't take the train every day, but I did notice that it stopped today. Maybe there is some new threat they are checking out. I've definitely noticed increased police and security presence from time to time on public transportation and Metra since 9/11.

I don't know, but this morning my Metra train stopped for about 5 minutes just before Halsted Street- the last stop before Union Station. I didn't notice anyone boarding the train, though. Here's another weird security story. I enrolled in a class at the Cervantes Insitute which is located in the Hancock Building. They stop everyone at the lobby and issue a visitors pass, then someone else has to push the button on the elevator so you can get to your floor. BUT, no one checks ID or looks in your bag or anything, so really what's the point?

I've read almost all of his novels, and the only one I really disliked (but eventually finished) was Gerald's Game. That one to me was gratuitously (is that even a word?) creepy and gross! About the only character I identified with was the stray dog! I do love the DT series, but I can sense the end is near and maybe he's rushed these last few just to finish! (but then we bitch when we have to wait 5 years between installments too!) His work may never be considered great classic literature and he may never go down in history as a GREAT writer, but he writes compelling characters and tells good stories. (And LOTS of them!)

You either like him or you don't but Cliff Notes?? No way! Hope you are kidding!