Michele

Somehow, those sound really good...so I'm adding my vibbily vubbily vobbily VIBES (and prayers) to the vides already coming. Remember what was said...HOPE! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have received the Time Traveler's Help request, the Christian Lover one, and many many others that I consider just simply odd... However, this is by far the worst I've gotten... Titled: "Your Credit Card Has Been Charged 234.65" Content: "Important notice We have just charged your credit card for money laundry service in amount of $234.65 (because you are either child pornography webmaster or deal with dirty money, which require us to layndry them and then send to your checking account). If you feel this transaction was made by our mistake, please press "No" and fill in the form below. Enter your credit card number here: Enter your credit card expiration date: " There really are times I wish I knew who to report stuff like this to... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Adding my vibes for today's surgery. Vibes and hugs to the both of you - let us know when you can how it went, and how she's doing. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Katie's coming home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Best news I've had in a long while!!!!!! Thanks, Katie girl, for all you did, and all you will do, and all you've done! (Michele is doing the snoopy happy dance for Katie) Hugs and ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Agreed in theory. Here, though, and in this particular, albeit I don't know the details at all...(I am making large SWAGS heree...)supposing that they are indeed naming the fuel manufacturer is nothing short of ridiculous. There was no issue with the fuel (that would have been apparent with the FAA invdestigation), or perhaps naming the farmer who allowed his cornfield to be used while growing crops too high or something. Then it simply becomes messy, and a deliberate attempt to throw whatever they can against the wall and see what sticks...in the process harming many who may not have even been remotely connected, let alone liable, in the suit...perhaps in an attempt to garner "go away money", perhaps in an honest search, from the litigants' perspective, for the truth. I maintain that if the litigants' position is truly and honestly to find out the truth, more will come from not suing than from suing. I don't know the details of the case, other than what has been detailed here on DZ.com...and while there are some very interesting allegations from all sides, there is not yet enough for me to draw any conclusion, and it is, in fact, not my place to do so. Just my .02...and thanks, as always, Jerry, for outlining a legal perspective. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That is a concern I had, as well. I think, however, that lawyers name everyone because then they can settle with them seperately. I suspect that the family really does want to understand why their loved one died so tragically. The lawyer probably cares, as well...but litigation can be costly, and since this is likely contingency based rather than fee based, the lawyer saw a chance to make some serious money. Unfortunately, a lawsuit does not create truth where truth is not addressed; and does not prevent things from happening again; it simply gets cash for the lawyer, and leaves the family still questioning the occurances and greiving afresh the loss of their loved one. It would be my suggestion that, should the family actually not want remuneration (profit is such a harsh word) and instead simply wants to understand what happened and prevent it from happening again, other issues need to be addressed, such as perhaps temporary fencing along the corn, so that there is a clear "no go zone", or something along those lines. I am sure that there is a way to assist the Rantoul folks in finding an agreeable, workable compromise, unless there really is a desire to fiscally punish people. Oftentimes, folks believe that a large compensatory award will make it hurt less. Time will make it hurt less. Money will not. I am deeply sorry for your loss, Gary, and for your family's loss. Please accept my condolences and be reassured that the nightmares will lessen in time, your loss will never go away but it will sting less, hurt less, pain you in your soul less. I promise you that. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

O.K. Since it was awarded on the 10th of this month, it's off the front page...but here are the stories from Fox dated 10/10/03 CNN dated 10/10/03. Mabye the BBC is a few days behind? I watched several interviews on MSNBC about Shirin Ebadi and her history on friday... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thank you all again. It's still so impactful for me to think about it, to think about setting Rob free, and watching the reunion between father and son. How amazing it was, how magnificent it was, how incredible it was...and it could not have been done without all the participants. And so again, thanks from the bottom of my heart for being there for the Tonnesens, for Rob, and for yourselves....many thanks. The DVD is almost complete, and when it is, I will make sure it comes up on the net, so those who were not able to be there physically can be there in spirit. I will be e-mailing Bob and ML a link to this thread. And BTW, if you look at the shots Lew put up, you will see what the son enjoyed the father did, as well. Mayhap we have created a monster....I've heard "rumors" that Bob has been asking about AFF, canopy sizes, and training...if so, Bob, please save your first licensed jump for me...'twould be an honor to be there with you at that time. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Many vibes, prayers, and hugs for both your Mom and you...and the rest of the family. It can't be easy for any of you, but you'll make it through, and your lives will be changed for the better. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I am.... "Princess Leia A strong-willed herald of causes against injustice, you passionately strive to right the wrongs around you. Somebody has to save us, kids!" LOL, I even have the hair to wrap in that style. And I think Harrison Ford is a hottie! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I'm not sure where this came from? If it was in the articles, I missed them. However, this was in the Fox article... "The union charges that the chains are trying to force hundreds of millions of dollars in health-care costs onto workers and limit the access of new employees to benefits despite still-solid earnings." I don't know who's right or wrong. I don't know what's fair or not. I do know that this is a contract dispute; the old contract expired in September, and there was no resolution met. I suspect that both sides need to do some compromising...but that doesn't mean I will cross the lines. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Because I didn't see where anyone laid out what the union was striking about, at least from the worker's point...I stopped by and asked them. These were/are not paid picketers...I know them from talking to them several times a week for several years...they were employees from the store. Here is what I was told... ~Vons is the targeted chain; workers from Albertsons and Ralphs were locked out. ~50% reduction in medical benefits, including all well baby, well woman, dental, vision. ~Two tiered pay scale (newer employees would start on a different, lower pay scale; not sure I don't agree with that, however. I do see the benefits and the drawbacks...) ~Pensions being taken away (not sure I understand that one completely, but that's what they said.) ~Raise freeze until 2005, and then only $.15 per hour They were kind enough to provide me a list of places I could shop should I need to, but I've got a Trader Joe's near me, and I've also got a Costco. I don't have a need to go there anytime soon, but unless someone can explain how it's a productive thing that healthcare benefits being reduced and pensions being taken away is actually good, I will not be crossing the line. And just as an aside...the parking lot of Vons where I spoke to the workers was pretty empty...they are receiving a great deal of support from the local community. Same with the Albertsons. I didn't drive past Ralph's, so haven't a clue. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I'll be going in to the office shortly...and have some things to go here at the house before I do go... But seeing as I didn't jump this weekend, perhaps a midweek escape from office and Drs is in order... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

What am I doing awake at 3:34 am? Doesn't matter; I'm awake, sleep has fled the building. As I slog out of bed, tired, hurting, I brew some coffee and think about the coming day - a day where closure will begin for many people, a day to say goodby and to start the new cycle, a day to celebrate a life all too short. And I am responsible for it going off well. What if I screw it up? What if I can't handle the last minute problems which started cropping up last night? What if I fail, at this most important moment, this most emotional time? If I fail, if I fuck it up, there will be significant consequences, people will not be able to begin to heal...but if I succeed, if this is successful, if I've made the right choices and thought about all the issues, then people will be able to begin to move forward. I pour a cup of coffee, shoot a pm over to Skybytch, and sit here, trying to chew all I've bitten off. Oh, how arrogant am I to think I could plan this, coordinate this, create this day into something bigger than life. Oh my God...what if I fail? And I understand why I am awake....I know and rely on those who I've asked to help me in this, and I know they will be fine...but what about me? What the hell do I know about ash dives, about memorial services for a skydiver? I've never even seen an ash dive, let alone planned one.... And then, it occurs to me...I've done my best, I will deal with whatever needs to be dealt with if I can stay flexible enough to decide things at the last moment, if I can have enough faith that it will go as it's needed to, even if it isn't what I had prepared for...the time comes for me to get into my car, and as I load up my gear, I look at the blue sky, and sense that this will be a day not soon forgotten, even if it goes all wonky. As soon as I get to the DZ, I realize it will be wonky. No-one from the group is there, but I have a few notes and things I need to get handled. I start the process, and Clownburner comes walking over, dressed well and looking confident. He is my clergyman, and he will have a bit to say at the memorial service. Relieved that at least one person is here, I start to think about the 20 skydivers and 30 family members and friends who will be coming soon. I hope everyone's alarm clock works well...and then I spot Sparky, bright orange jumpsuit under a bright orange huge canopy. "Linus's Great Pumpkin has arrived", I think, and know that will be alright too. He is organizing the missing man star, and he's done this a bazillion times...he'll know what to do. Between he and Clown, I am starting to think we have a slight chance that this will happen - even if it's only a bit of what I had planned, at least something will happen. And then I see SonnyChiba, who will be organizing the freeflying campfire. I follow him into his team room, and begin to deal with the first propblem of the day. He tells me that those who we had thought would be on the jump are not able to, they have another commitment...and so here I am, a wonderful freeflyer in front of me. I look at him and say "flexi-fucking-bility....we'll work it out. Can you ask around and see if anyone wants to do this?" "Sure," he says, "I'll get it handled". And on to the next thing...the star does not have video. And then we haven't a lot of flockers. And JP is going to be flying Rob's canopy (where is the canopy, anyway??? Who has it??) and to combine a wingsuit, a new canopy and video is far too risky. We decide that I'll try to find a wingsuit video, but we'll go without if we have to...but I need to find a video flyer for the star. Lief is doing the video of the memorial, and I ask him if he's willing to do the star if I pay his slot. He readily agrees, and so with a lid on the skydiving part, I go to the office to get caught up on that side of things. I hustle into Betsy's office, and see the package of Rob's ashes. My stomach jolts a bit at that, and again I realize the seriousness of this event. I make sure Betsy has the bags and I give her the flour she asked me for. She didn't tell me how much to bring, so I brought 10 pounds of it. She laughs at me, but I don't care. It's more than enough, and that means no-one has to run to the store for more. Mr. Tonnesen is there, with his wife, watching the tandem video. I poke my head in, and say "Hi, I'm Michele." I am immediately enfolded into Mr. Tonnesen's arms, and he is weeping. I have promised him a big hug, and we stand there together for about 30 seconds. I brush his cheek with a kiss, tasting his tears, letting my tears fall too....and I again know the import of what I have tried to do. MaryLou is a tiny person, and as I hug her tightly, I reach for Bob again....and then break the hug, and tell them to watch the bearded Bill Booth and then we can talk. I leave the office feeling oddly happy - I've finally met the family I've been talking to for a while, and I see in Bob's eyes the loss and the gentleness, the depth of his grief, and the barely supressed anticipation of releasing Rob into the blue late summer sky...and I know it will be all right, whatever happens...that Bob will find closure and peace in this day. And then I run around some more, up to manifest, over to the school, who's handling the tandem, Cajones!!!! Yes, perfect, who's got video? Stan. Good deal...who's got the ash bags? Oh, manifest is paging me...what? Sure, I'll find out a name for you. Who am I looking for? I don't know him. Well, I'll find him....get the name, run back to manifest, and get the easle set up and the boquet out and the pictorial of Rob up and, as noon creeps ever closer, I start to realize this will come together.... And as I catch a breather at the picnic benches, a group of three freeflyers who I've seen around come over to me. Almost timidly, as if I would bite or something, they ask if they can be on the campfire. Sure, I say, I think that would be great. You all have video? Go see Leon, and he'll square you away...and then another jumper comes over and asks if she could be involved, and I ask her if she would be willing to go on the star...and then another freeflyer, sure, and another jumper for the campfire...and we now have three who will flock, but no video. It's all good. I run back to manifest, and ask them to start the memorial. I forget to get them to turn off the music, and have to bolt back up to manifest and make sure that happens. And as I round the corner, I see them, 50-60 people, standing in silence, with the plane taxiing in the background. I see Bob there, and Marylou, and my heart aches for their loss. Their son is dead. Their friend is dead. And I know that I can help them now. As Clownburner speaks, strong voiced and clear, the group quiets except for the sniffling and the occasional hicupping sob. And overlaid on this, crystal clear, a child's laugher is heard. Bob speaks, a family friend speaks, and then I open my big mouth and say something too. James closes the memorial part, and I kinda brief the whole group together as to timelines, and then gather the skydivers together and "brief" them. And think "how odd. These folks have thousands of jumps, are highly skilled, are very talented, and I'm briefing them. How very very very strange"...and then I go over how the bag works that Mujie will be carrying, talk to Leon about it, and reassure them it will all be fine. I get everyone manifested, and go chat a bit with Bob. I try to figure out if he's nervous or scared. He had expressed some fear of heights to me a while ago, and when he committed to doing the jump, he had just sort of blurted it out. I wanted him to have every opportunity to not feel like he must go through with it if he couldn't, but he reassured me that he was fine, and, in fact, looking forward to experiencing what his son loved so dearly and had made his life. And then I go back to manifest, and find we've been bumped to a new load. It won't change the timing, though...but I've got to find 18 skydivers and let them know...and then back into the school with Bob, where I'm showing him how the bag works, and he and Cajones are working out the plan. And Bob asks me if I'm going to be there with him, but I tell him no, that's above my skill level...and then Bob realizes I'm not jumping; he wants me to jump, he says, to participate in this. I explain I've got 78 jumps, and that really accomplished folks wanted to honor Rob. My part was on the ground, and it will be alright. That's where I can make the contribution. And I hug him again.... And now, it's time. Bob gets suited up, and I gather the family and friends out by the grass. It's really hot, so we retreat under the tent. And then the questions come. How high do they leave the plane? How big is the parachute? Why is that guy's chute so small? What happens in the door? Did he fall on purpose? And on and on, and I answer as best as I can. I explain about the drogue, and the size of the chute, and the equpiment...and the whole time I am trying to keep an eye on the sky because the plane is up and we can't miss this...and everyone has their cameras and their binoculars, and there I am, unaided. Clownburner is with me, and he asks me if I've had any water, and I realize I haven't had anything since coffee, but I can't leave right then. I promise him as soon as we were done, I'd get some...and I get the group assembled on the concrete and we start playing "spot the plane." And planes were spotted, but not the Otter...and then I hear it, quietly, faintly droning...and it sounds like it's on jump run. And as we are frantically looking, Clown slides a cold water bottle into my hand. We finally spot the plane as it turns onto jumprun, and Tony, the ramp guy, comes over and says "we have jumpers away"...and we can see spots falling out...and then, oh so small and distant, I see a red speck and know that's Cajones' pants...and point it out to everyone...and everyone sees them. And suddenly, there's a white explosion, a brilliant white against the endless shimmering blue, 500 feet long, now 1,000...and a second puff of white, and the group gasps...and tears fall. Rob has begun his last jump, his last freefall...and he needs no canopy, no assistance, nothing. He is joy, now, dancing there in the sky; he is free and pure again. And while camera shutters click and sobs are heard, I again hear the child's laugh...and spot the opening of the canopy, red white and blue, and it's whole, good...and now Bob is dancing with his son, playing with his child, near his boy like never before, entwined with Rob's spirit, in Rob's playground, and bringing Rob back home. And as they turn onto final, the crowd waves and hollers at Bob, and Bob waves with both hands back. He had had a wonderful jump - Bob was glowing, shining, brilliant. And I run out to where the canopy has landed, and watch Cajones hold Bob, and then it's my turn for the hug and Bob cries in my arms. I stand there, rocking a grown man, in the middle of the landing strip, and feel his love pouring out into the world, carrying his grief away, carrying his guilt away, freeing Bob again. And Bob whispers "thank you, Michele. I was able to hold my son all the way until I set him free again.." And as we walk back, I see the rest of the jumpers loading for their flight, for their tribute, and I know it will be perfect. It could all crumble now, and it would still be perfect. Bob had one last moment with his son. While we wait for the plane to get to altitude, we are playing "spot the plane" again. There is a bright white trio of somethings off off to the east, and I dismiss it out of hand as jets. Very tight formation, and very strange manouvers, over-under-over, lead plane switching frequently. But they are jets...couldn't be anything else. One of the binocular wearing guys picks them up, and they are not jets...he swears they are some big birds. I don't believe him....so he hands me the binoculars...and they are not jets. "Oh my God," I say, "those look like geese....long necks, black tipped wings...geese???? Geese here? Now??? Flying north???" but yes, that is what they are....and Marylou looks at me, tears flowing, and says "do you often see geese here, Michele?" and I answer honestly "I have never seen geese here...and those look like Canadian geese..." and Marylou breathes out "this is no coincidence...we've just released Rob, and a trio of geese are flying through him." I know that her healing has begun, as well...and I am thankful for that. But now it's jumprun...we find the plane and we see Sparky leave...the smoke cannister is burning bright pink/red, splashed against the blue. The formation builds, and then we see the freeflyers come out in what looks like a black line...Mujie is somewhere up there, with Rob again for the last time, setting her love free, sending him into the heavens...and then the flockers leave. We can't see them, but I know they are there. And when the star reaches 6, 000, Sparky turns and leaves, streaking across the sky, trailing smoke, blazing through the day...and about 3 seconds after Sparky starts tracking, there is another blinding white splash...Rob is in the sky again, with his friends, touching them, loving them, celebrating with them, thanking them for their friendship and their joy. The first splash has not yet disintegrated, and this one merges with it and becomes a white spot in the sky, joining heaven with earth, family with friends; completing the circle, bringing healing. As the jumpers start landing, we can see in the distance a green canopy...it's Rob's canopy, carrying JP back. And as JP dances under Rob's canopy, the group becomes silent again, watching the solitary figure alone in the sky, coming home, joining again his family. JP brings off a gorgeous swoop, and the group applaudes mightly the celebration of Rob's friends. As the jumpers come in, they hug, kiss or shake Bob's hand, and whisper their thanks to Marylou. As JP approaches, Bob and I urge Marylou forward. JP hands Rob's canopy to Marylou, and tells her thank you. Marylou was not expecting that gesture, and I can see how touched she was by JP's grace and humility and appreciation. And I am so very moved by what these jumpers did for Rob and for Rob's family. I am beyond thrilled at how well they were able to make this so very tangible and real and joyous for the Tonnesens, despite their loss and agony. We mingle after that. Mujie has set up the catered luncheon, and I run around gathering video and getting it to Lief. I make sure everyone on the jump has something to eat, and sit with Rob's family for a bit. My body is hurting, the bleeding has started again and even though I have brought gear, I decide I will not jump today. So I spend time reminiscing with the family, listening to the stories, laughing about Bob's jump. One by one, the friends begin to leave, and soon we are just immediate family left. I get to see all the raw footage, and give Lief the music I had decided on. George Winston's versions of "Where Are You Now" and "Pachelbel's Kanon". He edits everything together, and shows the family what he's gotten accomplished so far. People from all over the DZ are watching this, people who did not participate, and even they are moved beyond expectation. Lief has created a beautiful montage of the day's events, and I ask Bob if it would be alright for me to get a copy of it and somehow get it onto the 'net for Rob's friends who were not able to attend...and he agrees. And now it's time to go home. The sun is setting, the day's been a success, and I am beyond exhausted. Sparky and I go to grab dinner, and as we begin to unwind over burgers and rootbeer, the emotions hit me like a ton of bricks. I realize I haven't been able to cry yet for Rob, or for his family...and today I did, finally. The healing has begun for me, as well. And as I drive home through the early night, I see the full moon, hugging the foothills, glowing yellow-white and soft. I turn up the stereo to George Winston's Pachelbel, and find the quiet spot in my soul...and say goodbye to Rob, and thank him for letting me help his family through the first and worst part...and tell Rob "I learned more about love today than I knew yesterday". I wave at the moon, and drive on home. Many and heartfelt thanks to those who made this happen... James "Clownburner" Mancini, official Clergy and leader of the Memorial Tandem Ash Dive Ed "Cajones" Bob Tonnesen Stan on video Missing Man Star: Michael "MJOSparky" Owens Lisa "SkyAngel" Parks CB Thomspon Mark "Shark" Guinto Catherine Celli Christi Lief on video Campfire Ash Release Leon "SonnyChiba" Tosen Jessica "Mujie96" Miller (love you, girl!) Bobby Wortley Bart "Bartman" Brian The Jeans Man Joel Flocking JP "Diablopilot" Funari "Grashopper" Adam "EncinoAdam" Cole John Hamilton, Betsy Burkey, Kat the Manifest chick (who rocks!!!), and all the rest of those at Elsinore who let us take over planes and landing areas. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Bob and Marylou, thank you for trusting me with Rob's last jump. Love you all. Blessed be... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

No jumps... But one most miraculous and amazing farewell to a friend with ash dives and a memorial service. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Not only will I go elsewhere, I suspected the strike was coming sooner rather than later, and managed to get fairly well stocked on things I'd need...so there won't be a need to go elsewhere (at least anytime soon...). I'd rather go without than cross a picket line. The problem is with me that with the exception of one single market about 25 minutes away, all the rest are Vons, Pavillions (Von's with an attitude), Albertson's, and Ralph's. But it's all good - I'll support those who are on strike - and not cross the line. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

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

All I can say is WOW. It went off well...and Bob T's dive was absolutely glorious. Our very own Cajones was the TM, and I am in utter awe of him for handling it all with incredible tact, diplomacy, and a joy that was lovely to behold. I am far too tired to write anything coherent; I woke up stressed at 3:45 am, so I'm ruinning on about 4 hours' sleep...but I promise I will have the story up soon, and the video, once complete, will bring you into Rob's memorial in a way that is absolutely unbelieveable. Lief, the gentleman who is editing it all together, is a freakin' magician, and an unknown talent (not unknown for long, however). Thank you all for participating...thank you, thank you, thank you. It was intense, incredible, and glorious. How very emtional and rough and amazing to set Rob free again into the skies he loved so dearly, surrounded by people who loved him just as dearly. What an amazing honor to have been part of this. Thank you all so very much. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Congratulations, you two! Here's wishing many happy years together for the two of you! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

One last bump-er-oo.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Bumpity bump bump..... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You all know I'm not a Catholic...matter of fact, I was raised with a Jewish father and an Episcopal mother. My father now practices Siddartha Yoga as well as still participates in High Holy Days within the Jewish faith, and my mother is a heathen. LOL! Actually, she has a strong faith, but is not religious. And some of you know my brother is a born again, youth ministering kinda guy. I've done my own studies, and made sure I was exposed to a great deal of different religions and different parts of the same religions. And it's been very eye-opening. I find the Catholic Church to be no less harmful than some other ideological institutions, and they have some very interesting positions on some things. Do I agree with them? not necessarily. Do I agree with the vilification of it? No. Like with anything, it has good parts, wonderful parts, and bad parts. It has a rich history - regardless of your position of it being "right" or "wrong". Some of the saints have some really intruiging stories...if you really think about it, there have been saints from all walks of life, all parts of the theology, and all aspects of the world. How interesting is that?? While the Church has seen and done some dark things, there is no religion that has not. Is there corruption in the Church? Sure. There was corruption in lots of churches, though, not simply the Catholic one. Take Jim Baker. Or whatever that other guy's name was that God spoke to him over breakfast. There are a few Rabbis that promulgate horrible behavior; and there are many more examples of bad things along those lines. But like Vinny said, there is also a great deal of good the Church has done - as lots of churches have. my experience with the Church has been really nice and good. I have read a great deal, not believed what was told to me by one part or another, but researched and thought about and came to my own conclusions. It does sadden me that there is commentary that, if you swapped the words "catholic" with the word "jew", would be considered anti semite; or "towel-head" would then be considered anti-islam. And this is from some people who've railed loudly against others here on these boards for being anti-something or other. It just shows me that we all have our prejudices, we all have our personal bigotries...and reminds me to not cast stones if I choose to live in a glass house... Just my .02 late at night... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You're not crazy. At 78 jumps, I still want to pull at 4,500...so folks I jump with tend to be willing to break at 5,500, so we can track. I have gone "low", and pulled at 4,000, but I was anxious. I've done as large as an 8way, and everyone on that dive respected my desire to pull at that level. If someone looks at me a little oddly, I explain that I am still really learning canopy stuff, and need the extra time to work riser turns, flat turns, and flare points. And if they have any issue with it, I explain I will jump with them someday, but not yet, and "take the blame" for the jump not happening. It's my ass, I want the extra time, and I still need that margin of safety that pulling higher allows me. Everyone on the load knows where I'm pulling, as well as the pilot. It's just my needs at this point. It's all good...but don't feel pressured into pulling lower than you like to. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, it's a great thought. I didn't think of that at all...lemme see what I can do, and see if we can't get his log book for that. Thanks, Chuck! And I've recently heard that we are a wee bit short of flockers...if anyone is willing to commit to doing that and celebrating this BMI's life, please get in touch with me or with Diablopilot. It would be very cool to see his friends flock on his behalf. And as I've never done something like this, let alone seen an ash dive, I can only say I really hope this goes off well. Thanks in advance to those who will be there to celebrate Rob's life, and to console his father... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, I'll be at Elsinore on Saturday...maybe not jumping, but there. If you get out early, come on by! I'll be there through sunset... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~