Michele

I really can see both sides here. On one hand, we are watching something a reporter from a country that has significant ties to Iraq (said country's leadership having personal relationship with SH spanning several decades), who works for a publication which is less than favorable to the United States, and the tape is showing a significant attack on a Dutch chartered DHL. This attack came perilously close to being fatal. The tape shows Iraqis (assuming they are Iraqis) with a SAM and using it very effectively, the underlying message to the Iraqis/other insurgents being: We have good weapons, we know how to use them, and we will use them. Now, make sure you support us, we are hitting them where it hurts!!" It could be considered a "training tape" like some we have seen with AQ, as well, showing off weapons and accuracy. On the other hand, it can also be seen as something which is "traitorous", or in the very least, angri-fying. It demonstrates what our troops are up against, and what those who support our troops (the Dutch charter here, for example, or the Japanese electricians who were killed recently, or the Koreans who were killed recently, etc.) are up against. It can be seen as an act of aggression, in a sense, because the journalist does not identify where they got the tape, who they got the tape from, and how they found them in the first place. If they are withholding this information, it would seem as if they are encouraging/supporting the Iraqis who shot the SAM. That's both sides. Here's the middle. In some instances, there have been journalists who have crossed the line from indepentent reporting to becoming part of the story, either by withholding information, or by supplying it. The moral question needs to be asked which is "is independent information dispersal more important than human lives", and followed closely by "if I burn these sources, how can I get the information out there?" Both questions are difficult to answer. One would have to consider which side they favor, the value of the information (in this case, names, places, locations, etc.), and any other moral issues, as in "do I become part of the story, or simply report it?". Frankly, I think the french reporter offered no opinion, and thus maintained a fairly good impartial attitude (keeping in mind I don't know if there was anything written about the situation). I am saddened, however, that they seem to value the sale of the tape and the furtherance of their career more than the lives of the Dutch, or anyone else who becomes the target of the SAM shooters. Had it been me, I likely would not have been able to remain impartial, because death bothers me a lot, and I would have let someone know who gave me the tape, or how I came to have it, either by shooting it with the bad guys (and all the info as to where they came from, etc.), or by accepting it. But that's me, and I am not a professional reporter. I would have sincere difficulties standing by with information like that, especially if I came from a "neutral" country. That's just my assessment. I've had a bad day, and been wrong a whole lot. I may be wrong again.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Me too! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I got 1/2 way to the first gate once. Does that count? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

So glad you had no malignancy. And I love the word "grotesqueries." I shall file that and use it sometime! And, Jerry, thank you for that. Sometimes I've wondered what on earth has possessed me to write all this so very personal stuff up and post it...and then I get a note like this, and realize why.... Good to know you got it handled. And people, if you have an issue, go get it checked. Please. Many hgus to you, and tell your lady I say hello! And give her a big hug from me. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Kick ass, girlio. Good luck - not that you need it. Your skills will show, and your personality will shine. You will have the job, no doubt. But just because you asked... GOOD LUCK VIBES coming from Burbank!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, Sparky said it was my riser cover. It had been open most of the jump. This is the first time that happened, so I am going to check it out and make sure all is well with it. Startled me, you know? Ahem. Yes, I do know that. And beer will be brought the next time I am down there....I owe the Shark, because it was on that jump that the hour mark was passed. Someone tried to convince me it was a pieable offense, but no, I wasn't going for that. I think he just wants to pie me... Well, maybe not invented, but named, at least. LOL!! THANK YOU!!! I couldn't recall who it was - it wasn't Snoopy and the Red Baron incarnation...yes, I think it was UnderDog. I'm glad you're smiling...I still get the giggles from that image. Happy Monday to you, as well.... And Alana, yes, I am happy. I was at work with my brother, and he commented that it was good to see me relaxed - and "that skydiving seems to be in your blood! Good for you!!" How kewlio he saw and understood. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Rocky, you're such a sweetheart!! Jen, I will absolutely do everything I can to get into the sky with you. If nothing else, I will be there, cheering you on. Kai, Um, no. It looks like I've got at least one more surgery in January - we still haven't determined what is causing this incessent bleeding, and the Dr. may want to correct the double cervix thing. So unfortunately, no...still rather in the middle of everything, just "taking a break".... but sufficently recovered to play in the sky for the moment, and we will take January when January comes! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

It is very gloomy as I get into my car, and I wonder - will I even get to jump? Will I taste the sky, will I fly with friends today, or will it rain? But ahhhhhhh, with the Stones cranking "Satisfaction", I pull into the parking lot, and there are canopies in the sky, and an idling plane....it is clear! I walk into the office, and say hi to everyone, and check my account. There seems to be not only a chocolate fairy in my life, but a jump ticket fairy, too. They will not tell me this time who it was who put 2 jumps on my account, no matter how hard I beg and plead. And so I do not know, but thank my unknown giver with a heartsmile. As no-one has said word one to me about recurrency, I don't say anything myself. But I do go and find Shark, because even though no-one says anything, I feel like I should follow the rules. They are, after all, there for a reason. So Shark and I decide that our first jump will be something really mellow, maybe sidebody stuff, nothing new nor stressful. This will be a quiet check-out jump, just basic stuff. But I will be jumping.................me, jumping again, after everything which has gone on. Me, in the air. Me with a friend. Yesssssssssssssssssssssssss...... And I can't wait. I manifest us onto the first load I can, which is 30 minutes. That's about how long it takes for me to get ready, first jump of the day and all. I grab my gear, go over it with a fine toothed comb, turn on the cypres and watch it count down. I check mobility in the reserve cord, spin the three rings, clean my goggles and alti face, and clamber into my jumpsuit. The flying grape is here!! I put on my rig, and it feels so nice on my back...like a heavy friend. Everything tightened down, and Shark gives me a check. Yup, ready. Sitting in the plane, I am next to Clownburner. I am surrounded by friends and skyfamily, and I realize how much I miss the camaraderie and the energy vibrating throughout the small cabin of a twin otter. How much this unique union in the sky binds people together. I let out a whoop and holler, and everyone in the plane knows I'm here. I'm back!!! Up we climb, and the uppers are at 30 - must give a long time between jumpers in the door. Shark will be floating, I will be linked and diving...and as we approach the door, I take a deep breath. The clarity and sharpness of the air here 2 1/2 miles above the earth is biting and refreshing. I feel like I've been holding my breath for 2 months, waiting, anticipating the purity here. And here we go. I forget to leave my foot behind, and push a little bit harder than I should, rotating us about 70 degrees. Shark is in front of me, smiling, and I grin back. I check alti, and we are really fine. We release, and I go sailing off to the right. I stop the turn, and kind of hang there, not sure if I should turn back, or if Shark is coming. Ah, here he is. Grab grips again, and release. He backs off a bit, and I move forward, and now it's just proximity. Maintain that, grin like a fool at him, and now it's time to turn and track. Smooth, get big, arms back, legs down, and offfffff I go. I can feel the position, and know I've got a good one. And now it's time to deploy - clear, signal, reach, throw.... Open. In a bit of a turn, right front end cell closed. No issues, easy...toggles popped and pumped, and here I am again, in the sky over Elsinore, alone. Just me and the earth beneath. No-one there knows I'm here, and yet - I am part of a much bigger whole than I ever am on the ground. I can see forever, or at least 10 miles. And things snap back into perspective, this moment now is the only one which counts, this heartbeat, and now this one, and then this one. I shout with glee, with freedom, and thank God again that I can play in His playground. And I know the clouds are smiling. I approach the ground, and feel the air change. There is little wind at ground level, and I have misjudged it utterly. And as I come speeding over the ground, I forget everything I've ever learned, and flare at 25 feet. Oooops. And remember that I can't let go, I've got to ride it in this way, so I stop the flare 3/4 of the way, and feel the pendulum effect which means I've done a proper flare. But the ground is not 5 inches under my feet, it's more like 5 feet - or 7 feet, if I am to be brutally honest...and of course I forget how to PLF, and instead land feet/hands and knees/hips/belly/boobies but manage to keep my face out of the dirt. I skid for a bit, laughing. No significant pain, I know I'm fine, but that's simply because I am lucky and not because I'm skilled. And I've now invented the BLF - Boobie Landing Fall - where you use your boobs to stop your skid.... I gather up my gear, and get back into the packing tent. I am ecstatic, alive, on fire. I am twizzling. I can feel the hair on my arms twitching I am so hyperaware of what's around me. And I grab Sharkie and give him a huge hug. We debrief, and as I log this jump into my log book, I realize I've crossed the hour mark of freefall time. I am not sure why that surprised me - it was jump number 80, after all (yes, I've done a lot of HnPs), but for some reason it did in fact surprise me. And I grin. It's time to jump with MJOSparky. Again, we have a 30 minute call. This time, I will try diving out after him, just like the big kids do on more than a 4 way...I've not done the chasing thing in forever (honestly, I can't remember if I've ever done it...), so Sparky gives me some pointers. He will not be giving me a count, as soon as he leaves the plane I am to follow, get narrow and tight, and zoom down on him and get grips. If all goes well, we will break off, he will back loop, and I will chase him again. Sure, and this seems easy enough. HAH! Into the plane, it's a very light load, and the uppers are still cranking. Two freeflyers are going out before us, so we are going to give them a lot of time. The rest of the load are students and instructors, and I make sure they all know I am opening at 4.5, so as to not surprise them. The freeflyers go, and Sparky, in this great orange jumpsuit, gets into the door. I lay my hand on his arm, so as to know when he leaves, and we count. I count to 15, and I am waiting for him to leave. Waiting, waiting, waiting - HEY! WAIT FOR ME! Oh shit, he's gone, I'm still here, and out I leap. And of course I am tense and of course I present to the plane and of course I lose him way below me. So I turn in a circle, looking for the orange, and there it is. There he is, waiting. And I need to get down there somehow. As I fold my arms back, drop my head, and aim for him, I add sound effects in my head... "nearrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" like a cartoon character from my childhood, and I start laughing as I'm diving down....I get on a level with Sparky, flatten out, and drive towards him. And drive, because we are easily 50 yards away. It's not a full track, but kinda close. And then he gets really big really fast, and I wonder when he is going to slow down. When? Hey, you're close, hey, Sparky, no, don't crash, slow down.....and as he de-arches and as I arch as hard as I can, we miss each other. We turn to face each other, and he has a grin on his face. I know mine matches his, and we gently come close to each other. And take grips. And as we are approaching a cloud, which wasn't there before, he shakes his head - no more maneuvers. Just hold on. And we come out of the cloud, and it's time to track, and as we break and I turn, I feel something whack my neck and shoulder. Not sure what it is, I look, thinking maybe Sparky is trying to get my attention, but he's not there. Whacktickle comes again, and I realize something is off with my gear. I flatten into a track, poorly with my legs uneven, and stop. Try that again. So I do, but because something is whacking my neck, I am concerned, so I don't hold it long at all, and wave off and deploy a bit higher than I expected...and am in the saddle at 4.2. I watch Sparky fall away from me, and it is surreal, watching someone open and deploy 2k under me. Once I am sure he has a perfect canopy, I start to play. 360 this way, then 360 that. And now a 720, and this is bliss. I am here again, and this is all I dreamed of when I was healing...this freedom, this soaring, this pas de deux between me and the sky. This. And here I am again. And now it's time to enter my landing pattern, and I am very aware of the pink celled canopy about 350 feet below me. I move over him so as to be far enough away so he is clear, and I waggle my legs. He waggles back. We are both aware of each other, and there is no other canopy around. As I start my pre-downwind crosswind leg, he mirrors me, between me and the landing area. He is one of the freeflyers, I know he's a better canopy pilot than me, so I am watching him, wondering when he will cut across and head for the grass. Onto the downwind we parallel each other, and now, the crosswind. I am rather high, so I do a long wide turn, and an S turn. I see him in rear risers, and wonder if I've scared him and he's waiting for me. I am now over buildings, and I hate being here, because of the turbulence potential...but I will have to turn soon....and I know he is aware of me, and I have to turn now or I will get into trouble. So I turn, watching him, and see that he is turning with me. I don't get all the way turned, because I am a bit worried that he needs the clearance, so I angle a bit out and crosswind. And now it's time to flare, and I say wait, wait, wait, and flare at a better height, but still too high, and reach with my right arm and leg, and sort of land on my bottom and knee at the same time. Owie, but again, not bad. I gather my gear together, and Sparky comes walking over, and I hug him with all my stuff in my arms and laugh. And then he says "I was wondering if you were going to ever slow down up there...". We laugh, and I thank him for such a great jump, and then apologize for trying to run him over and thus kill him in the sky, and he shakes his head. "You're learning, we had fun, and it's all good. I had fun". To know that such an accomplished jumper had fun with me is pleasing in a way unexpected, and left me smiling big. We debrief, and my body is hurting and I am starting to cramp, so I decide to call it a day. It may have only been two jumps, but they were wonderful, with friends, and successful. I hunt around for the canopy flyer that I think I've cut off, both to apologize and to learn from, and when I finally find him, he reassures me that I did fine, he wasn't at all concerned about me, and that I never cut him off - he was just giving me, the novice, as much room as I wanted. He had never planned to land on the grass, and he was not put off his pattern. Whew, I think... What a great day!!! I'm still flying today, still reveling, knowing the sky waits for me to come back again. And I will be back at least once before any more surgery, to build memories to help sail me through my recovery.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heads up, guys, she's a hottie for sure. And a sweetheart, to boot! (Kris, I still owe you that cuppa...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Agreed. I have never had the strap come that far undone...only loosen slightly. Anything more than "typical" loosening would be a significant concern. Nope. Thank God. It was really ugly and somewhat painful. First jump back after a 64 day layoff, and I utterly misjudged absolutely everything on that landing....but! I got up and walked away, and I'm not lopsided, so all is well. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have never had a jump where the chest strap was where I put it when I got in the plane. It always loosens a bit (not much, just a bit), and goes from under the hills to over them...which is why, thinks me, it loosens. I don't think I have any issues with the fastener on my current harness because once I land, I have to work it to get it to come loose, but I will check everything and make sure it's clean and free of debris, especially since I invented the BLF yesterday (the Boobie Landing Fall). Thanks for the heads-up! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

0:2:1 Tee hee....story to follow, but I got in two jumps (still saying sorry to MJOSparky for trying to kill him...), and owe beer for passing the hour mark of freefall. Gawd, it was fun!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

YAYAYAYAY Jeff! Congrats to you, and welcome to the sky. This ain't no hobby kinda thing, is it?? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Today I was the looker. No less than 7 people went looking for the guy we watched cut and land off across a fairly busy street. I grabbed the cart and Nightingale, and off we went. I was through jumping for the day, and Nightingale was visiting. RippedCord and IslandCool went out in their car. The other three were from the dz staff. All's well that ends well, and while the freebag was not located, the jumper walked back (unaware that so many people were looking for him.) Needless to say, we didn't have radios, and we were not in contact with manifest...and we were out for about 20 minutes. Had he been hurt, we would have found him, and hopefully been able to get help to him quickly. I would've searched until he was found, because I would hope someone would do that to me...and I wasn't miffed that no-one told me; I knew that I had no radio and no cell, so semifor would've been it. As it was, Leif drove out to us and let us know the jumper was back. My dropzone had no issues letting me take a cart; and lots of the people looking were other jumpers who realized he hadn't come in yet...I am comfortable in knowing my dz, the staff as well as the jumpers, would drop whatever and come looking for me should I land off or have a cutaway and need assistence. And I am pretty certain that had the jumper not walked back, more people would've joined the search on top of the at least 7 who were already out there. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

HAH! I could never get past the "ohfuckohfuckohfuck" to call it anything. Skylord, well written, well experienced, and very well done!!! And with that, I am outta here for Elsinore to get back into the sky!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Tom I really don't know. I was a waivered jumper - and never thought to ask if whuffos could do it. If so, I think maybe my father could get a good laugh out of it....but I can't recall any whuffos doing it. ??? That's a good question! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Twould be fun to finally meet you in person, girl! I will be there, no doubt. Jumping? I hope so, depending on weather. There is no forcasted rain just yet, but who knows about the ceilings... Anyway, I would love to buy you a cuppa coffee and give you a big ol hug, girl, so make it out!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Same as a jump ticket. I went on one before I jumped there because I was alone, and scared I would not be able to see the DZ from the air. HAH! I had to wear gear and everything, and I almost changed my mind and jumped...but thought better of it. The pilot was really good, too, and showed me lots of things from the air I didn't notice on the ground - some outs wayyyyyy away in case of emergency, and other things like that. Do it...it's fun. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Know what? Sometimes it's fun to dress up and put on makeup and get the nails done. Sometimes, it's just really, really fun. Have a ball whatever you're up to! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

So here's the deal...on the way to the Christmas party, I went over a bump in the road, and after my car settled out, my body didn't...a little jiggling was happening. At the holiday party, I won a door prize - a 6 month unlimited membership to a local gym. While part of me was not a happy camper (other people got stuffed animals, TVs, wine baskets, or gioft certificates to Macys...I got the one to the gym...), I understood the benefit right away. I will be starting it in a few days. See, I'm chubby. I wasn't always chubby, but I'm not a small woman in any way, even at my leanest. I have all sorts of "excuses/reasons" why I'm chubby, but only one matters: I have the metabolism of a desert tortoise. Why do I think that? My thyroid tests always comes back "low normal", I can sleep anywhere for any length of time, and I eat once a day (usually around 7-8 pm). And my meal is NOT a buger, fries and milkshake, but rather usually something proportionate and healthy (i.e. a Lean Cuisine, salad with vinegar dressing); or maybe a turkey burger (low fat) or some chicken, rice and green beans. I may have a snack of an apple or something in the afternoon, but that is very rare...it's not like I don't have an appetite, and those who've gone to meals with me have seen me do the burger thing (or the enchilada thing), but I only go out about once a month...and it's been this way for years. Years. Anyway, I suppose my thought/question is this...how does one spike their metabolism naturally? Any thoughts? I suspect I've killed my metabolism, or scared it so badly it's in hiding. Any ideas to coax it back into life, and bring it to an appropriate level? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That is indeed scary. Truly scary. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Joel and Lewmonst get the photo credit...and thanks kindly! Hey, I'll be airborn on Saturday...will you be around? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

D'oh....!!! mslgkhpiuhsgnkjmnfjiop (that's me apologizing with both feet crammed securely in my mouth). Some days are better than others, I suppose.... Over all, I cannot say that this was one of my better days... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My bad, Rick. I replied to you because you were last. I wasn't very clear. I will go and handle that right now. I was meaning the original poster, not you. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have never been disrespected verbally by an officer, Statie or otherwise. I've always treated them with respect, and have been treated the same. And have been let off with just a warning more times than I can count. And that's not because I'm a girl...it's because I deal with them as humans, not perjoratively assuming they are assholes. I've had exactly ONE "negative" encounter (and it wasn't negative in the end). I was pulled over for speeding (I was) and was asked to exit the freeway. I did, and pulled over immediately, and turned the car off. Unfortunately, it was off the 10 onto Crenshaw, which is a very bad area (or was at that time...). Late on a Saturday night, in front of a liquor store, I'm the only female in sight. This is an old car, unreliable at best. Officer warns me, hops in his car, and leaves. And there I am, trying to start my car up again. Without getting into details, it was a scary few moments until my car caught, and I could get back onto the freeway. I called the officer's station, and spoke with one of the lead officers. I wasn't mad, per se, just concerned and wondering if the officer was aware of the potential problem he had created by not letting me leave first. The L/O had the other officer call me, and we had a great conversation. He hadn't realized what a bad situation it was, and was really very sorry. Turns out he was meeting another officer for "lunch" and was worried about being late. They are human beings. Good, bad, nice, mean. I have found, however, that if you treat people (any people!!!) with respect, generally it will go well. Anyone can be nice for 10 minutes. And like Texas said, this talk about "bad" cops getting shot up is pretty disgusting. I've known cops who've been shot - and killed. And they weren't "bad". We lost one here in my community recently - and it's been hard on us. Steve1, you may be a nice guy, but after reading that, I think the officer may have just been treating you the way you treated him. Thank your lucky stars you weren't cited. Ciels- Michele (edited to reflect the poster to whom my post is directed.) ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~