Iflyme

Congrats, Rhino! Marriage is good!

Between you and me, we'll cover every damn skydiving event that we aren't part of, be it good or not so good!!! Thanks for sharing, Jess! Skydivers in the media, unite! (or in this case, untie!)

funny .. I always imagine YOU as a babe! But Clay ...??? ewwwww

While I may live in another country -- I can't remember all the financial accounts I've opened since my 'tween years .. I do remember being Asst. Manager of a delivery restaurant when I was a teenager, and opening a bank accout at a nearby branch ... doesn't hurt to research your past financial records!

Dude, we have empty beer bottles laying around the dz that are older than you!

The people we got him from told us he was part German Sheppard, part Husky. Lots of people, upon seeing him for the first time, thought he was a Ridgeback though. To me he was just a big loveable mutt... I can honestly say that he was the friendliest dog in the world. To a fault sometimes! When we would be out for a walk in the fields and hills in our neighbourhood, or out on a beach, if Jackson was off the leash and he would see someone else -- even a longgggg way off in the distance, he would put his head down and run like the wind to play and visit. I remember one time in the woods this family was on a lower trail -- Jackson took off to greet them, but the 2 daughters started screaming like he was coming to eat them ... anyway, other that, he was well trained, and very well behaved. Anytime a siren could be heard in the neighbourhood, Jackson would start howling in harmony with it, so we would often mimic a siren, and all have a sing-a-long with him ... quite a frightening sight/sound for someone who didn't know our game!

Yeah ... I'd say (and of course, I'm no expert!!!) that BASE is a form of skydiving ... My analogy: Hockey is a form of skating ... not every skater plays hockey, but you can't play hockey without skating!

Yes ... it takes a big man to step up and do what Tonto did ... now THAT'S a quality many of us are lacking in... Here's a picture of my "sunshine boy" in his younger years.

I appreciate you posting that, Tonto. Thanks again to everyone who opened their hearts, and who made me feel better... you are a great bunch out there! My wife thinks I'm nuts for "sharing our personal tragedy" with a bunch of people I've never met -- but hey! I feel like I know many of you a bit better thru this thread!

***Is it possible this was an IAD jump (jumpmaster on the step of a C-182)***I don't think so either... the plane, with foward speed, would not be over the jumper, and the jumper would not be belly to earth that soon after leaving the plane. Good mystery!

Me too ... canopy -- freefall ... it's all good! But I'd still like to get a CRW rig ...

I have a high moral standard, but I ain't no saint!

Ok, ok ... I was simpy voting that Michele be nominated!

Pork her! ummm -- I mean bacon ...

Man, you gotta find a better library! Here, you can get this little card, and every time you want a book, they will let you "borrow" it

Ha! That can be true -- although certain dogs can be "demon-like", too ... not far from here, just before Christmas, a 14 year old girl was attacked by two mastiff-rottweiler cross dogs ... doctors said they had never seen anyone so disfigured by a dog attack -- she looked more like her face and head had been mauled by a cougar or a bear... she faces many more surgeries... I have had cats around me all my life ... sometimes many! A couple of years back, our "Belvedere" died of old age. We have had "Jasmine" and "Whiskers" for about 3 years now ... while my 2 girls love them, cats are often aloof, and are very independant, so it's just not the same as the relatiionship you have with a dog... While we will not get another dog soon (our lives are to busy to give a puppy the attention he/she needs right now, what with all the kids activities, and both my wife and I working), we will remain dog lovers, and enjoy the company of the other dogs in our neighbourhood who we know very well ... but sometime down the road...

Good for you for digging up and posting this policy, Narcimund ... I would have gone beserk if I was refused like Gravitymaster was! Unfortunately, the world has changed alot since 9/11, and this is just one more example. I hope you fight this one until you are satisfied with the outcome, Gravitymaster!

So suggesting I had Jackson "murdered" to end his pain and suffering wasn't being rude? Just what then was your intention in attacking me and my family during a time of saddness and grief?

I know -- you've worked on my rig!!!

Ha ha ... makes me think back to one of my brother's weddings ... at the stag party, it turns out one of the strippers was the wife of my brotherss friends ... the show was a bit stressful for the friend!!!

I vote for Michele ... she represents all of us so well ... our human fraility ... our respect for others despite differing views, and her courage for pushing her fear back, and learning to skydive. Way to go, Michele!

Yep ... that's pretty much my reality, too. Jessica, we will live vicariously thru you when you hit the road!

I would not say that I am afraid of heights -- I spent several hours a day for most of a week climbing around on top of my roof (2 story house) at the end of this summer, removing moss from the cedar shakes -- but sometimes I get a bit nervous close to the edge of something up much higher -- like the time we were at this mountain with a view point right at the edge ... freaky!

I can't offer any advice, as I have never smoked ciggys ...so I'll just pass along to you some wishes for good luck in your quest to quit!!! It IS the right choice...

I'll have to check with my buddy who lives in Singapore and see if he was there to jump or to watch! What a great event to see from neighbouring buildings or below!