tigra

Justin, Keep in mind John's a featherweight when considering swoop chords. And talk to people at your dz, maybe see if someone has the channel type with the spandex wing. It is a superior design and much easier to adjust! maura

Yes for the inside grippers, and go for the fatter grippers as well. Makes it easier for other people to dock on you! Remember, the grippers may be on your suit, but they aren't for you! As for the swoops, the continuous cord with an inside channel with spandex wing are the best option. I've had both types and will never go back to the "tie in" style. The continuous cord makes the swoops much easier to adjust, and they adjust symetrically. And yes, have someone else measure, preferably a dealer or if you are especially lucky, the person making your suit!! maura

Yeah, damn Michele! This is the third post of yours this week that got me! (Of course, Animal Planet last night almost made me cry too!-- guess its the season or something.....) I'm sorry for you loss. Sounds like she was a wonderful friend! Hopefully she's looking down somewhere on us and smiling at you beautiful tribute..... hugs and blue ones....... maura

Did this have anything to do with the fact that she's now your ex??

Thanks Gawain! (I think.......) I'll try and think of this post while I am working Friday! (Closing home purchases and refinances so that John Q Public can realize the dream of home ownership!) maura

Michele, I've had a pissy day, but really, its just a bad day and I was tired and crabby when I read your post. Thank You -- for putting things in a better perspective! Its nice to know there are a few Arturos in the world!! I hope things get better for you! maura

Hey Deuce, I'm glad you are OK!

We know a couple at the dz- she refers to him as her bitch, and she is his wench. Works for them!

Personally, I prefer "partner" to "significant other." "Significant Other" sounds cold to me. Using the term "friend" usually offends the "friend" you are introducing, "special friend" is cheesy, boyfriend/girlfriend works to a point, but indicates a more casual relationship (like you are just dating...) Totally with you on "lover". "Main Squeeze" only works in certain company. I think I'm back to "partner", or as someone else suggested, not using a label at all. I've been engaged for 2 years, not even close to setting a date, but "fiancee" works for me. He pisses me off when he ocassionally refers to me as his "wife"! maura

Quade, My vet starts treating cats like "geriatrics" when they are around 8. All cats are different and some are just meant to live longer than others. I sorry you lost yours at what is still a relatively young age! 16 IS old, but not all that unusual. I guess it just depends....... I think the "mutt kitties" are heartier than the pure breds, and pampered housecats also have a better shot at longevity than their alley cat cousins. But heart disease and cancer can get all of them, just like us! I have an 8 year old cat with a heart condition. He takes medicine, and you would never know he was sick, especially when you see him practicing wrestling moves on his little "sister"! But at some point, he'll start showing signs of heart failure and I know I'll have to let him go sooner than I want to! I'm hoping for at least a few more years, though! maura

My sister and I both have unusual names, (Deirdre and Maura) and while we were growing up, everyone got them wrong. It was frustrating, and there were days when I definately wanted to change mine and start going by my middle name. To this day, people get my name wrong, but now it doesn't bother me- I just answer to anything close and usually don't bother to correct anyone. Its just like Laura but with an "M". Still, most people don't get it. Funny because pretty much everyone can pronounce Laura, right? Sort of like Danna, which is pretty obvious to me. (sorry PhillyKev!) Anyway, I'd just go with what she wants. Its not like she's asking to pierce her naval, get a tattoo, or join the hells angels, right?? its a small enough concession to show you respect her and trust her judgement. Don't be surprised if she goes back to Danna in a few years, though!! When she's a little older, she might just appreciate a pretty and unique name. By the way, your youngest looks like Trouble with a capital T! I can tell from the picture that she's your wild child! And please, take this with a grain of salt, because I am not a mom. I do have 3 teenage nieces, though, and my favorite (if I'm allowed to have a favorite) is the "wild child" of the bunch! maura

Quade, 16 is a bit on the old side for a cat, but really, they can live til they are 20 or so, especially with "mamas" like Michele! Michele, I'm glad everything went well. If she doesn't want to eat the first couple of days, try chicken stock or gravy (the kind you get in a jar). That worked for Gizmo when he had some extractions, and nothing else did! Just make sure she eats a little, and drinks plenty if water. maura

Hey Michele, Swoop, Gizmo, Milo and Tamika ae all sending good vibes right now. I know how you feel. My babies mean a lot to me too! maura

I've got 2. The one I usually jump now is my newest- a Wings with a Spectre 150. My first rig is a Javelin with a Sabre 150, but I really didn't jump it much this year at all, only when my "SO" grabbed my Wings to do a back to back when he was training for nationals. The Wings is a lot more comfortable, and I prefer the spectre to the sabre, but still I can't bear the thought of selling my first rig! Oh, and both have a cypres, and I've never noticed much difference as far as where my handles are. maura

I've met someone like that. It was a few years ago, and it was so obvious he was BSing about all his skydives. At first, before I realized he was lying, I tried to ask him where he jumped, who he knew, (cuz he said it was at my home dz....), stuff like that. But his answers were way off-maybe not as bad as talking about 30 minute skydives or base jumps, but still at the end of the conversation, I doubted that he had even done a tandem. And, yes, he knew I was a jumper and he still kept BSing me. It was kind of funny in a pathetic way. (But I don't think I would have let someone that dillusional put holes in my body!) Damn, Lolie, yer brave! maura

I strongly believe that EVERY child born in this country should have an opportunity for a higher education, regardless of where they live, who their parents are, or how much money they have. Sadly, that is really not the case in this country. Public schools are for the most part funded through property taxes, so children living in affluent areas automatically have better schools and more opportunities. A college education will not guaranty you a good job or a bright future, and not everyone is meant to go to college. But in a perfect world, everyone would at least have the option. Just my .02.......... maura

Lolie, Sadly, most of the guys I know at the dz are broke all the time and have a hard enough time coming up with their own jump tickets. Sorry! maura

Yeah, what he said....... I also find it "disturbing" that someone would hand you a rig and a main and expect you to hook it up by yourself at your level. In this sport, being too intimidated to ask for help can get you killed. And the fact is, most of us are nice enough people who are totally willing to help out whenever and wherever we can. If that is not the case at your dz, it might be time to find a new one. But give people a chance, suck it up and ask for help! Please! maura

Its a lot of fun. They really do try to balance the experience level on the teams to keep it fair, plus give the new graduates a chance to jump with some of the guys who have been around for awhile. Lolie, come join us this spring!! maura

I think the "safer" skydivers are the ones who are willing to learn new things.

Try webshots. They have a collection of skydiving phots on there. I thinks its under sports or extreme sports.

I've got a few. A cow pasture comes to mind- that was NOT pretty! It was kind of windy, the uppers were honking, we were first out and I was trying to spot. (Something I suck at!) I left before the green light because it seemed like the pilot was going sooo far from the dz.... Of course I knew pretty early on we were screwed, and I was looking for a field to land in, and there I am heading for this cow pasture, with cows and a fence, and I kind of freaked and turned to avoid the fence and just sort of plf'd/ slid in. Talk about a shitty landing!!! YUK!!! I started drinking early that day- as soon as I got jumpsuit in the washer!!!! But the funniest happened to a friend of mine. He was still pretty new to the sport but licensed. He was on a business trip in Vegas. He decided he wanted to jump and went to the dz there (not sure which one.....) and rented gear. He was used to our student gear, (javelins with a rip cord at the time), and I guess on the gear he rented, the rip cord was higher up or something?? Anyway, he made his jump and when it was time to deploy, he could not find his handle, so he went for the reserve. He landed on his ass, on a cactus!! I just wish someone had video!!!

I think the people that say that are the ones who never made an effort at belly flying once they got off student status. And these same people probably would not perform well if they started belly flying now. Both disciplines have value, and both require you to hone certain skills. Most of the really good experienced freeflyers have good belly flying skills as well- (Rook Nelson and Olav Zipser to name 2), and they will also tell you that it is better to learn basics like approaching and docking from a slower more controlled position (like on your belly!) before you try to do it at 150 plus mph on your head. That said, I think freeflying gives you great body awareness which can only help you when you are belly flying. You can get away with some sloppy body positions when you are belly flying, especially f you are not on a competition team. 4 way is a totally different animal, though. The more 4 way jumps you do, with your team, the better you will all get. If you quit 4 way for 400 jumps to pursue any other discipline and then start again, I think in many ways it would be like starting over. I've never done serious 4 way, so that's just my opinion....... maura Just my thoughts...........

I used to donate regularly- whole blood and platelets. Now LifeSource has a problem with my annual vacations in Mexico. (Malaria risk, even though I have stayed in resort areas and have never gotten sick there) Its a shame they have to be so careful with donors, because I am healthy, willing and have a rare blood type. So many eligible donors are not willing to donate for any number of reasons........ Tiffany, Since you are so small, please be careful. Donating might affect you more than other people. Do make sure you eat a healthy meal before and at least a snack afterwards, plus plenty of fluids, preferably water and juice, NOT margaritas! Good luck to you and your husband! maura