Michele

And that was my sole and only point.... I hope you get some sleep soon! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, Jeanne. I am getting really tired of this, too. I think you are more than smart enough, more than wise enough, and more than literate enough to express yourself without personal attacks, and without the anger which more than just one or two have perceived. You are very passionate about this subject - and that is, honestly, a good thing. But calling names, and CAPITALIZING things really simply detract from your message. If you read the rest of my post, you will see that I think that namecalling and black and white commentary don't do a whole lot of anything except raise tempers. I contend that if you - or anyone - come off with personal attacks, perceived as angry (or disdainful), or as hate filled, the message - valuable as it may be - gets lost. As for trying to silence you, no, that is not my intent. My intent was/is simply to get you to see that namecalling, vituperative anger and hate filled spume does no good - coming from anyone at any time. I was not calling for your silence. I was saying that namecalling is beneath you. I will also not be silenced, Jeanne. I will not be bullied into silence, I will not be intimidated into not speaking my mind. I doubt that is your intent, but I wanted you to know that it does indeed go both ways. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Every once in a while, Bill, you just floor me. As you didn't identify who you were quoting, I ran a really quick search....the statement that you used above comes from this paragraph... ~~~"Our armed forces, the professionals, are going to learn that they can do it. They've wondered too. They are also going to learn how to do their jobs better, because they're really going to have to do the job. They are not going to feel when they return that they got all dressed up and the party was canceled. They're going to know they put on 50 pounds of gear and then slogged through a sandstorm to take town after town. And no one is going to wonder if there was grade inflation in the medal giving.~~~" from this link....Here, said article you selectively excerpted from doesn't sound like your "byte bite" above at all...did you even read the whole article that you were quoting? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Wow. Jeanne, that was uncalled for. Really. That is seriously a horrible thing to say. You make some interesting points about racism in this post, but I can't take you seriously when you say things like that. When everything goes black and white, and everything is right and wrong, there is NO room to learn, or to exchange ideas. There is no room for perspective, or personal experience, or expression of self. What is not being heard here is that each side has their points. I personally find the connection between Howard Dean and the racist comments purportedly made at a fundraiser to be a significant problem, and I don't care what party he is in...but if you look at some of the things posted recently, such as the resurgence (by one man) of the Balck Panther party, and no outcry is made...or the post belittling Mumia, you start to see that it's endemic to all areas, parties, and genders in this country. It does not respect party lines - one party is no better than another. Both use the fear issues; both rile the constituency. Kudos to those who do not run a race based campaign, nor have a race based administration... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I generally don't like donuts much. Every once in a while, a cream filled chocolate one is good, but mostly I just don't like them. Maybe you should consider moving....(hint, hint...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And that shows, often. Done. Also blocked your other name, too. I will read your posts, should they merit my attention. Things on swooping, for example, do not, because I am no where near ready for that. You demonstrated to me a lack of integrity, and that tinges your postings for me at this point. Maybe it's my loss...but I've got wonderful teachers, who teach me well, and they will always take precedent over something I read over the 'net. I don't want to know who they were. But did you have permission to use them? What conclusion? That you did something in bad form? Or that I question your integrity because of it? That's my determination for my life, and I saw fit to post what I did. Deal with it, or not. Your choice. I don't really care what you think of me, my post, or my opinion of your integrity. I would like an answer to the question of if you had permission. Seeing as how you are challenging others' integrity on this thread and all... Happy holidays! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I'm not really sure about that, Vinny. Even after the killing of his child, he kept making the weapons, and was "perilously close" to having a nuke, right? Who would continue to do that if they were on a "different" path? I think the admission regarding Lockerbie was a direct result after seeing the 9/11 fallout, and knowing they were on the "axis of evil" list. It can be proved, you see, that they were "against us", and wanted to change that out. Wouldn't you? And I think the handing over of the WMD and disclosure of the nuke was a direct result of the war in Iraq. When he saw that exactly NO arab nation assisted Hussein, he began to understand totally what President Bush's speech meant - really meant. As in dead people, as in we are on our way. And there is a different option which is rather slim but an interesting one to consider. What if Libya gave Saddam the o.k. to hide Saddam's weapons WMD, in Libya, and then, when Hussein was caught, realized there was no way out, and needed to get rid of them? (I know, it's wild, but something I was thinking about earlier) How would he do it without admiting culpability and/or duplicity? Here, have my weapons, have a good day...don't send inspectors in, please.... Dunno...but it is without doubt a damned good thing. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Vibes and healing prayers sent to you and yours... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ron, I think it's in terribly bad form to post the pm's received. I know now that I cannot trust you to keep anything sent to you in a pm private, and I have now added you to my blocked pm list. Which is, in truth, a pity, because I believe I could learn something from you. But if you lack the integrity to keep things private, than I cannot trust you. And no, I did not send any of those pm's, but firmly believe they should be edited out of your post. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Like Lou said, do the right thing. You know what it is, and I support you in doing it. Matter of fact, I support you so much, that I'll send some peanut butter, ritz crackers, and raman to you. Deal? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My definition is simple: If I can stand up afterwards, it's a "stand up" landing. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I had plans to bring my Mom out with me to Elsinore/Perris, but I don't feel really well, and my Mom has a cold. And, it's supposed to be cloudy and maybe even rainy. So the curent recipe for holiday cheer is NOT 90 miles one way driving in the cold... Next time, maybe? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have a question. There is a 3000 jump number person, who has said "thing X". There is a 2500 jump number person, who has said "thing Y". I look at both positions - both have validity, but are directly opposed to each other. Because the 2500 jump number person knows me, understands my thought process, and knows my abilities, his "thing Y" makes more sense. But the 3000 jump number person gets all bent outta shape, and yells to the world "someone" is not being safe, gets exasperated and frustrated and thinks he is being ignored. So, what does one do then??? (My former instructor, who is also my rigger, has already given me my answer...I am just curious as to what the general opinion would be here?) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, Kris. We spoke about this yesterday, didn't we? We talked about fear, and what it is - nothing but an emotion which can be surmounted. We talked about the door, and that it's only 2 inches deep...2 inches keeps you from your dream. We talked about saying, "yes, fear, I know you're here, but I am in charge, and I'm going to play in the sky." We talked about going solo, and how big the sky gets, and how small we get. And we talked about the exhilaration and the joy you find in the sky; the freedom, the accomplishment, the amazement that you know is waiting beyond those two inches... Who runs this show? YOU do, not your fear. Who runs your life? YOU do, not your fear. Who makes your decisions? YOU do, not your fear. Do that which you know you need to do to stay safe...and then let the rest go. Let the rest just leave, like the tide rushing out...and go play under a bright sun, dance in a blue sky, and find yourself again on the ground. Sweetheart, face it. Fight, flight or flow, honey; flow with it. and then call me when you're done - I'll be waiting to hear the exhilaration in your voice. Hugs to you. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

500 mg makes me hallucinate. And no beer consumed, either. Ceils- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I did read the second link. I found it fairly biased, though, and went with the first basically because the position on civil unions was better described therein, and easier to read. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, quade. From the first link: "Indeed, of the nine candidates running for the Democratic nomination, six say they do not support gay marriage -- Lieberman, Kerry, Gephardt, retired Gen. Wesley Clark of Arkansas, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and the front-runner, former Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont. Only three are on record supporting full marriage rights for same-sex couples -- Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton of New York and former Sen. Carole Moseley Braun of Illinois. All three are considered long shots for the nomination." So, it would seem that most candidates are against GL marriages, whereas they *may* support civil unions, and would leave it to the state to make that particular decision. That's interesting. The only three who are for full marriage rights for same sex couples do not have a chance in hell of winning the primaries, let alone the election. Thanks for the clarification. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Curious as to the other candidates' position on gay marriage? Anyone know? Leiberman is against it, according to an interveiw I just heard...but anywhere does it state who has been for/against it? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You're farther away from me, but whatever...as long as you get what you need and want. Good on you, too, because I know how much you wanted the change. Well done, Jessicakes. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Didn't Clark get an endorsement from Madonna today? Seems I heard that on the news. Something about getting introduced to her by Michael Moore...Um, yeah. O.K., then. (I have not confirmed that yet, but still...) Back to topic. I agree with Deucy's post and position. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Give them a really nice thank you card. Appreciate their kindness, and let them know they brightened your holiday. Wish them the best holiday season, and a great new year. Drop it into their box or on their desk, and voila! They have something that makes them feel good, and it xost you about $8 to buy a nice pack of thank you cards. That's what I do, if I can remember. Speaking of which...I need to get the cards out and have them come with me to the office. LOL!!! Thanks for the reminder, Jay! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Dearest Ray of Sunshine.... Know what? You still love the sport - you just don't like parts of it. The greedy DZ owners you mentioned don't bother me too much...there's nothing for them to be greedy about...and those actively trying to kill you? I don't deal with them, either. As a matter of fact, I am one of those who unknowingly try to kill others in mid-air. LOL, just sk Sparky. Look, you started jumping for a reason, right? Identify that reason, and then replicate the situation you found it in in the first place. If you jumped for the sheer joy of shooting your body through the air, take some time and do that again. If you did it because you love turning a bazillion points with your buddies on a 4way, then do that. If you did it because you are the most excellent freeflyer - or could be, someday - and want to go play on your head, then do that. Whatever it is, go find it again. Once it's found, then you can decide if you are burned out on jumping altogether, or maybe just the teaching of it. And also take some time for yourself - no jumping!, nothing like that. Go on a weekend getaway - no calls, nothing. Just you and your sweetheart, if possible, and see what the "other half" does. If you like it, do more of it. Finding the balance is tough...but, little ray of sunshine, you can do it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I know you will, Kris. I have confidence in you, and in your instructors. Everything will be fine. Just lots of pain to get through until then, you know? Sigh...I'll catch you up after dinner in a pm. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I've had that experience twice. The first time was during AFF. The alti worked fine, but I got into a spin, and the excess fabric on the left arm flapped over and covered the alti. I tried to spot my JM's and videographers' altis, but was spinning too fast to see them. I waved off and dumped - somewhere around 7,500 feet. I was pissed, but happy to handle the situation appropriately. Once under canopy, I flew away from jump run - so far I ended up landing out. I failed the level, but was congratulated on handling a situation appropriately, including leaving jumprun. The second time, chronicled here was on my first solo. Now, after some 70 jumps, I probably would ride it a bit, or track off jump run. I would also pull high, because I'd rather be high than low. As I jump a snivelly spectre, and have a cypres, I really don't want to compound the issue by getting into cypres firing range and then having to handle 2 out. Kris, at the moment, you really need to follow your instructors. Always err on the side of safety. And because you are new, those safety margins are there for a reason. (Totally OT, but Kris, I know I owe you a pm...it's been a rough weekend for me...sorry, love). Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You might be Story on the news this morning indicated he had several papers with names of folks on them. Well, as things would have it, the named folks were rounded up in Bagdhad and arrested, and may have been part of the insurgency. Now, how much can we trust this? Dunno... it is a given that there are a lot of unhappy Iraqis who are carrying out some of the attacks. And frankly, I suspect there will be a spike for the next few weeks on attacks on our troops, but after that, I think it will slow down, and start to level out. But it was an interesting blurb nonetheless. And I heard it on MSNBC, should anyone want to know. But I also haven't been able to find any corroboration of it (granted, I didn't look yet, either!). In any event, the head bad guy is gone, and this will free up a whole lot of intel and info that will be very important to restoring peace - and rebuilding a country that has a wonderful culture and great history. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~