Michele

I will be there on Saturday. So will Landmissle, and FallnAngel (not to be confused with FallingAngel...I did that once with a pm. Oops...). I'm not registered for the boogie, though, because I can only make the one day. It'll be good to be at Perris. Been a while for me. I'm trying to talk Vinny The Anvil into showing up, too...we shall see. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Bazz, I jumped with you. You and I were the only ones who managed to do anything. Well, let me correct that. YOU were the only one who managed to do anything correctly, and did it while holding on to my flailing self! Then Deucy came on in, and that was good, too. That was a fun, fun jump. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

This probably shouldn't go here, because this is a very funny thread, and has made me laugh a great deal. But I want to share an observation I did of a tandem landing. Or, well... So there we are, Perris. The day is brutally hot (over 100 degrees), and there's a nice warm breeze. I decide I am not going to jump, because this is perfect for dust devils, and with my canopy control, I don't trust myself in the air with them. There hadn't been many yet, but still. A load goes up, and we start seeing canopies open. Such a wonderful sight, you know? But then I see 1-2-3-4-5-6 dust devils. Skydivers are struggling to bring their canopies down safely, fighting, laying on top of them, whatever they could do. All planes are slapped on hold, and people in the packing area are starting to weight things down. And then I see a huge, brightly colored canopy. Just sitting there. Flying, but not descending. Flying. And flying. And not descending. Tandem. You could see the passenger's legs hanging limply down. And they are still up there. The TM turns, flies, and gets dropped. Turns back, and tries to descend. Starts to try to sink it. Working it as hard as he can, with a dangling passenger in front of him. 25 minutes later, and the entire staff of the entire dz (school, gear shop, manifest) as well as all the jumpers are watching. He's still up there, playing dodge the dust devils. Most have receded, but new ones have sprung up. And he's there, alone in the sky. He's made it down to about 300-250 feet, and is starting to get set up. Catchers run out, scattered all over the landing area. They will be there for him. And several trucks have come out and are idling. And then, as I watch, thinking he's heading into final, he'll be all right...the canopy collapses. Folds upwards and together. He and his passenger are accelerating towards the earth, and he frantically yanks the toggles down. A collective gasp goes up, and I turn away...I am not going to watch two people die. And then cheers erupt. Somehow, he has been able to get the canopy reinflated, and is landing. Maybe about 3 or 5 seconds after the canopy begins flying again, he lands, with an obviously passed out passenger. Both land safely, the trucks rush out and bring water, and everyone is all right. The bystanders cheer and clap for the TM, who saved not just his life, but his tandem passenger's life as well. The tandem passenger came to, and left. The TM went up on the next load they let go. With another tandem. Just thought I'd share that story. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I saw the title of this thread, and thought: "I always knew Michael Jackson was from there!" and then I realized he turned his passport back in. Darn. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Interesting comment. Care to elaborate? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, darlin. I needed to read that. Hearing I need more surgery yesterday totally took the rug out from under me, and then, while my day was not as bad as Mailin's, I didn't have a very good one... So thanks for cheering me up and sharing that with everyone. I do appreciate it. Hugs to you! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

So. Like with any takeover, what happened to the deposed landowners? Was there a wholesale takeover from the ones who held land prior to the restoration? Who was given/granted land when the monarchy came back? Did the granting of land to the "new" monarchy supporters do anything significant (i.e, loyalty, allegience, et cetera?) And what happened to the former landowners? That's your start...the rest will bloom from there. I have all confidence in you, Beth! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Couple of questions for you to think about, and which may start those creative juices flowing... 1. What changed in/around 1660 that makes it an important year? (An odd year to start with if there's nothing significant/catalystic about it...) 2. What did it mean, 400 years ago, to own land? Higher prestige? More power? Who were the general land owners at that time? 300? 200? 100? Present? What sort of increase/decrease of social status/power did landowners/homeowners have? 3. Select a city, and run a history on it. London? Ipswich? Canterbury? 4. Where did the term "Landed Gentry" come from? How did that create status? What were some benefits of that status? I actually know nothing about the topic...so some of these questions may not be good nor helpful. But if you can ask yourself a series of questions, such as those above, then you may be able to outline the essay. Once outlined, you can easily fill it in, and be free to jump all weekend. Best of luck to you! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Adding my ~~~VIBES~~~ to the rest! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Tell ya what. I am nowhere near as good as you, but I will do a "For Chuteless" jump this weekend...and you can claim it all you want. Deal? Glad to hear you're home. As someone who has embarked on a medical saga myself, I understand your sentiments...if there's anything I can do, let me know. And before you ask, yes, you are in my prayers

Jack Off To Perris, this weekend, Perris. Bridge the Gap at Elsinore in June. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Let's try it this way.... "I have video of a certain DZ.COMmer cutting in front of some other skydivers while jumping out of a SkyVan during the Eloy Holiday boogie. Let me setup the scenario and then you vote about how you feel concerning this incident. While on jump run, the last group of of freefliers (a 2-way) are about to jump and a bunch of wing suit skydivers will then exit after this freefly group in one of their flocking dives. But for some reason, this jumper decided to cut in front of one of the two freefliers in what appears to be the desire to check his spot. What was this jumper doing? What was he thinking? How would he be reacting if the shoe was on the other foot? IMHO, this jumper had no business cutting in front of the freefly group, yet this is what he did and it ultimately resulting in this last freeflying group to land off because this jumper delayed their exit. What is so wrong with waiting for the group in front of you to exit before you check your spot. It's not like these freefliers were student skydivers needing help with their spot. The two freefliers are very experienced (in fact one of them has his AFF Instructor Rating). Either this jumper spaced out (in which case one wonders how often he spaces out while on a skydive) or this jumper thinks he's above everyone else and feels it's okay to cut in front of other groups in order to check his spot. So you tell me what you think? What I think is I edited out at least 7 "moderator"s and replaced them with "jumper". What I also think is: Did you or the other person talk with him? If so, what was the reaction? any solution we can learn from this? Why did this piss you off so much, as long as the correct exit order was followed? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I've seen your photo; that's an offer I would have to consider...but can't I just drive my own car? OTOH, while I don't have lots of room, you can always come down here - closer to a DZ, you know? Again, Keith, thanks. A good sheet there...not sure how soon I will use it, but good idea nonetheless. BTW, what do you teach? (Skydiving?) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That's cute, Dave. Thanks for that. And yes, happy Monday. . Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Great link. Keith. Thanks mucho. Some easily understood concepts. Now, to just do it. That's the goal this week - to set goals that are realistic and achievable. And Kallend, that may be how you work, but it isn't how I work. Thanks for the contribution..... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Quade, Wendy Wilkinsen (wmw999) works for NASA, but not the facility in Pasadena. Maybe a quick pm to her might help? She may know someone. In any event, good luck on getting the job! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That's the difficult part. Because of the depression, I have spent years (literally) with the goal of making it through the day. Didn't really even matter if I accomplished anything or not - just making it through the day was the accomplishment. The other side of this is that if I don't meet the goal I set (whether realistic or not), it is very easy for me to get into the self defeating habit of telling myself I suck, and not in the nicest possible way. I dunno how to not have that happen, though. So I suppose I need to just do it anyway. The other thing I am dealing with is - and this is really odd... - a significant fear of success. Why that would scare me I don't know, but it does. O.K. (edit: Vectorboy has a point...) Lawrocket, you are correct. Sometimes, things need to get prioritized. Often, I get unbalanced - too much focused on work, so no play time. Or too much play time, and work suffers. Family will always be first, though. No exception. Well, that's the overall goal. I just am dissatisfied with my life, so I need to make the changes. I am not sure the above will do it, but it's a start, at least. Maybe I need my ass kicked? One of the things which showed up last year during a seminar I took was that I could set goals, but had no plan as to how to acheive them. I am still not sure, but like Jim said, smaller things rather than the whole thing at once breeds confidence. (Kris said it too, but Jim said it first....LOL). Thanks for the ideas, all - especially Snowwhite. This will be interesting. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I'm pretty determined to change my life around. Not resolution kinda thing, but in business and in personal issues. And I know I have the determination and commitment to make it work. However. I am trying to set goals, but I am foundering. Does anyone have any successful goal setting strategies that have worked well for you? Would ya share them with me? And any pitfalls in goal setting, too, that I should look out for? Thanks - I do appreciate it. Things are gonna change. I just gotta figure out how to do it.

It's not safe. That being said, I think it is perceived as more risky than it is. I think there are two reasons for that perception. 1. The most common thought people have about parachuting is "well, what happens if the chute(s) doesn't open??" The end result of that, with very few exceptions, is that you die. That's a pretty severe outcome, and what people focus on. Worst case, you know? There is no concept of broken bones, just death. Whereas with an auto accident, you stand a very good chance of walking away from it. 2. When compared to driving, bathing, crossing the street, and so forth, that is something which is an accustomed part of our day. We shower, we drive, we go out into storms. It's something we address on a daily basis. We've been doing it all our lives, as our parents before us, and theirs before them. We are exposed to that since birth, and have an inherent comfortability about it. It doesn't mean the risk isn't there - it's just accepted and common. However, a cultural (global) belief is that we can't fly. We are used to water - even those who don't swim can wade. It is not foreign. Greek mythology talks about a guy (Icarus...I think) making wings with feathers and wax, and flying so high he neared the sun and his wings melted, plunging him to his death. It is a cautionary tale about not exceeding your parameters, and the sky - body flight - is thought to be outside those parameters. And indeed was until early this century. The Wright brothers changed those parameters. How many people can name the folks who invented scuba who are not scuba divers? I can't. I'm not a pilot, but I can name the inventors of the first working plane....see what I mean? Water, a totally foreign element, holding lots of the same risk, has been with us since forever. But flight - and body flight - has not been. I think, therefore, that as the automatic assumption is leave a plane in midflight and you will die (as taught to us culturally), is one which will take a very long time to leave the conversation. I find the "impossible to survive" ideology deeply entrenched in the human mind, and thus almost impossible to counteract. And it makes me have even more admiration for those who pioneer things, be it body flight or other leaps of imagination. Nothing has ever been accomplished without a dream first, and to those who dream, thanks! Maybe that's a tad more philosophical than you were expecting, but it's how I think about skydiving and about body flight.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, 47. It may garner you better responses if you filled in your profile completely. And I'd consider it more realistically if I knew you a bit better. While a weekend in San Diego would be really pleasant, especially at this time of year, I wouldn't take a chance with someone who hasn't posted a bit, and also who hadn't filled in their profile. Kinda too risky, you know? And also, JOTP boogie is next weekend, and I want to spend Saturday at Perris, if possible. Edit: Thanks for working on your profile, Todd! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I brought 9 1/2 cases to my graduation party....I had a lot of things to pay beer for! LOL...that was a party! Hey, Michele, well done. I am really tickled for you....kabooming isn't fun, but you learned. Next step, as soon as you get your A, go get canopy flight coaching from the Team Extreme guys. They're the best (literally), and I learned an amazing amount from them. Congratulations!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Vibes and lots of prayers to you, Bill...and a hug thrown in there, too. Feel better soon! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

#0, because the dog and girl have almost identical expressions. They are both smiling, yellow, happy and bright. Wayyyyyyy too cute. #4 is great, too, especially because I love that dog. And the child's expression is simply sweet and innocent. That's my opinion... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

D'oh! I tell ya, I didn't do much for New Year's Eve/Day, and I am still rather tired. You are correct, Paul. I must've misread the original post as 2001. Ciels- Michele edit because I am still tired, and that last sentence didn't make much sense. ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I started posting much later than your deadline...and even tho I really respect you, Bytch, I think I will answer. I got here just before the big blow - it still hadn't gotten too hectic like it is now. I do miss some of the people who used to post here but will not now - like DZbone, and a couple others I can't think of right now - because it's far too big to get to really know people. I miss his support, encouragement, and teasing. I still put incredibly personal stuff up here, but I do that for a few reasons. One, sometimes I just really need the support. Two, sometimes what I can say about something might help people understand different perspectives. Three, some people may be dealing with similar things, and will find support in something I say. But I have to say - sometimes, it feels like a big argument. And there are so many trolls now, lots of name calling and personal attacks and insults. It wasn't like that before. Newbies were accepted, and not ridiculed for helping others. And oldies were welcoming, and genuinely glad you were here. If you went off track, you were given help/advice, and brought back on track - but not by making fun and ridicule. There was less "I am special because", and more "hey, I'm scared of the door, what do I do now?" And there was not the overflow and peurile "boobies", are you a "hottie or nottie", "post your bum" going on. It was about skydiving, not body parts. It was about developing friendship within the community, not who got the most drunk and who slept with who. Yes, I know, there are other forums, and I use those, but sometimes, I miss what used to be. How has what I post changed? ~I'm not writing stories like I was, because they get thumped off the front page really fast; ~I use pm's a whole lot more than I used to; ~I am less willing to ask questions/offer opinions, because people call names, and say "you're dense" and whatnot. Just not willing to subject myself to that. So that's how what I post has changed... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~