tigra

Yeah, tact definately doesn't work with some people or some situations.....

Unsolicited advice is a big part of the sport, good and bad. I've seen and heard both, and probably dished some out. There are newer jumpers out there who just try to absorb everything like a sponge, assume if you have more jumps than them that you must know more, and end up taking some bad advice from some yahoo "skygod" that get's them hurt (or dead). Then there's the ones who won't listen to ANYONE but the dzo or their favorite jump master. As far as they are concerned, everyone else is just an arrogant A-hole with an attitude who can't teach them anything. Then they do something stupid that gets them (or someone else) hurt (or dead), mostly because they just wouldn't listen to someone who knew better. But hopefully most of us can use a little common sense when it comes to giving OR receiving unsolicited advice. I mean, if you see something stupid or unsafe, speak up, but do so with some tact. And if someone takes the time to approach you about something, take a minute to listen and give the guy the benefit of the doubt that he's trying to help, even if you disagree with what he has to say. just my .02........... maura

That's not a guilty pleasure, that's just knowing how to relax!!

Let's see...... Flipping between Buffy and American Idol on Tuesday nights Reading bad romance novels on the beach Crispy tacos from burger king ('cuz there's no Jack in the Box in Chicago!) That's a start anyway...... maura

Ususally that's the way it goes at my dz. When the experienced guys sit out, I sit out. (and watch the "fun" as folks come in and try to control their canopies!) But I do remember one time a few years ago sitting out because I thought the winds were getting kind of squirrely, and the experienced guys thought I was being wimpy. Well, at least half the group was nursing minor to not so minor injuries AFTER the jump, including one broken heel, and a messed up shoulder! Most of the load landed out and one guy got dragged into a barbed wire fence! Not fun! Problem is, we've got this huge hangar for packing and dirt diving and they hadn't realized that the winds had changed since they hadn't been outside watching.

I'll be there in spirit, but Chicago is kind of far away! Hope its a great one!

I went to Europe in '85. Started with a 30 day Eurail card which I purchased in the states. Then I got a 60 day inter-rail, which I got over there. (Sorry to say I am having a brain fart right now, but I bought it in a very small European country because if I remember correctly you had to pay half price for train travel in the country you bought the pass.) It was great! We did a lot of overnight train rides to save on hotels, and stashed our backpacks in train station lockers. We also did the youth hostel thing more often than not, but I remember the hotels on Crete being redicoulously cheap! Ahh, the memories!

Wow, congrats! I'm closing this Friday! Kind of stressful, but all in all a good thing! maura

Funny, that topic just came up in the office, because someone noticed I was playing the Dixie Chics at a very low volume. When did listening to music become a political statement? There's a wierd vibe going on in this country right now. I firmly believe that questioning and even criticizing our government is good, and in fact PATRIOTIC. Isn't that part of what our country is based on?? Freedom of speech, freedom of expression? Someone here just said, "If people don't like it here, they should just leave." WTF is that?? If you don't like what you see happening with this government, maybe you should get a little more vocal and a little more involved and work for positive change. Its OUR country, right? By the People, For the People? end of rant...... I've tried really hard not to get drawn in..... maura

Thanks for some good news!! I'm so glad to hear your cousin is doing well. I hope he continues with his recovery. What an amazing gift! Maybe one day, that grieving family will take some comfort knowing that a piece of their lost family member will live on thanks to their generosity. Its worth saying again guys, make sure your family knows what your wishes are if something should happen to you! Signing the back of your license is not enough in most states! maura

I'm with you, Girl! Its been a bad week all around! Hope the nap helps a bit, anyway! It can't hurt, right? maura

My uncle sent my mom a remote control whoopie cushion before he died. He knew he was dying and wanted her to put in his coffin and set it off at some point during the wake. That was just part of his humor, but most of the people there would not have appreciated it! My mom brought it with her, but did not have the nerve to do it!

Hugs to you Michele, and peace to her. I feel your pain all to well.............. maura

If I'm not mistaken, Mountainman is a Spanish teacher and probably has lots of Spanish/English dictionaries, and he probably speaks pretty good Spanish too. A lot of skydiving terminology does not translate directly from English to Spanish or vice versa. He wasn't asking for a short cut on how to learn to speak Spanish! Are there any Latin American jumpers out there who can help?? maura

You know, I'd find this info useful too. We've had some latin packers at the dz- really great guys but their English is a little limited. It would be nice to be able to communicate a little better with them, and I'm always working on improving my Spanish! And there are always future boogies in Puerto Escondido and other latin american countries to consider! maura

Michele, You know I am here for you......... maura

I take it Mr. Kitty never made it home, huh? So sorry, Chuck Sadly, I feel your pain as well. maura

I named the cat I adopted from the dz Swoop. A friend took in a stray dog from near the dz and called her Runway. (It seems like locals sometimes use our dz as a dumping ground for unwanted pets, but luckily most seem to end up with a good home.)

I take Allegra without any problems or drowsiness. But what really keeps my allergies under control is a nasal inhaler- Flonase. For me, its been a wonder drug. I've been taking it, starting late spring/early summer through the fall for a couple of years. It takes about a week to get into my system, and then I don't need the antihistamines. I've tried Nasalcrom as well, but Flonase works better for me. Talk to your doctor, but any "non drowsy" antihistamine should be fine, and like others have said, just plain sudafed for mild congestion. maura

I'm so sorry This is never an easy thing to deal with, but take some comfort in knowing you gave him a good life and he was loved right up to the end. Hugs to you! maura

Michele, I'm a big fan of Zute Sute right now, but I think a Tony swoop suit would be good too. I think ANY suit that fits you properly would help, and having your own suit will help you fly more consistently. Whoo Hoo! New suit!!

Yup, I saw that one- kind of stupid! But did anyone see 24 this week? Keifer Sutherland jumps out of the cessna carrying the bomb, just 4 minutes before impact. Conveniently, George brought him a sport rig, helmut, goggles and a flare (since it was nighttime). Lucky he could gather all the stuff and sneak it onto the plane with such short notice, huh? Here's my question though....He jumps 4 minutes before impact, (crashing the plane and detonating the nuclear bomb in the desert.) Is there ANY way he could have landed far enough away from the blast zone? maura

Actually, a tib/fib is a kind of ankle break. If you want to get technical about it, you can't break your ankle, only the bones around it. Its all about the severity of the break(s), and every one is different, as you know. Betsy, If you can't run, or jump off a bench without pain, I would say wait a while, and keep up with the PT. You've invested a lot in your recovery so far, are you prepared to risk further injury and even more down time just because you are jonesing right now?? The fact that you raised the question seems to indicate you already know the answer. Besides, its still really cold in Illinois right now and the conditions will be much nicer in a month or two! Good luck with whatever you decide! maura by the way, I had a tri maelial (spelling?) tib/fib fracture almost 5 years ago, with a dislocation and 3 fractures. 7 screws, a plate and a pin. I had a cast for 6 weeks. I jumped again after 4 months, with my own canopy, but I also picked a day with perfect conditions. I was also jonesing and probably should have waited, but............

Chris, Man, I just gotta ask------- Do you ever jump in GOOD weather??? Glad you had fun, but it was too cold for me. (Not to mention the job thingie I have to go to during the week!) maura

He's a beautiful cat, Chuck. Hope he heals up well! maura