Michele

Nah, that was a normal gear check. From 8 different people. But it did make you smile in the end.... Driving was not an option....glad to hear you've confirmed flying. I'd suggest a book or two, and a nap. For several hours... hugs, girl.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

There are plans forthcoming for a memorial jump as well. As soon as they are finalized, I will get the post up. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

No. But, ah, well, I haven't seen the pictures, but, ah, well, there is a glaring pink protec in one of them which was submitted... You look so dratted good in pink! Well, I'm reading one right now. Does that count? You guys are all so great...PLFKing, what's somewhat scary is that if you do address it like that, it might actually just find me...we may be smack dab in the middle of a large city, but we behave more like a small town... I didn't get a chance to call USPA - was busy otherwise - but will find out about buying additional copies tomorrow. I'll let all of you know what comes of it. And now, it's time to go to bed in the middle of a gorgeous thunderstorm... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Prayers, my love, are constant and true. Much love to you, and see the moonpie. See the moonpie!! Now, sleep, love. Sleep heals. If you don't sleep soon, I shall be forced to come cook for you again...and feed you. You know I do that best. Love you. And you are loved deeply and more than you know by many many people. Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Make that 5 years in a row... Dude rawks. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

One of my favorite quotes from him was "if I had my life to live over again, I wouldn't have time"... What a wonderful man - blue skies, Bob...and thanks. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Exactly right, Squeak. And also remember...we have no baseline experience to compare skydiving to. We have nothing in our world which comes close to what we feel/sense/see while in freefall. Because of this, the learning curve is immense. Oftentimes, we focus on what our body is doing - arms right, legs level, arch solid. All of this is important, right? Right. But in the beginning, we are also trying to assess, identify, and adjust to the actual experience of being in the sky. With nothing at all to compare it to, our brains - and thus our emotions - are struggling to balance themselves, process new information and sensations, and "articulate it" to ourselves - make it something we understand. By the time we start driving, we have ridden in cars a lot. We have a "baseline" of what it's like to move horizontally over the ground. When we finally slip into the driver's seat, it is only a slight "sight picture" change. In skydiving, we have no baseline - and it is a gigantic difference from what we know. Some people make this adjustment easily. Some people don't. I didn't... Look. If you lay on your belly, and turn your wrist/arm, nothing happens. But when you get into the air, if you do the same thing, you get all out of whack. It's very simple - and very very hard. Once you've gotten the "baseline", as I call it, you will be far more comfortable in the air. When people say relax, it's true. That's what we all need to do. But easier said, imho, than done. But realizing that everything is very different up there, and that, in the beginning, it will all be most very odd - that will help. And the best piece of advice I was ever given was "when you're at the door, take one breath. Deep, and then let it out. It's like the reset button. One breath. Then open your eyes, and get out and fly". On recent videos, you can see me do this...and it does help. Enormously. And then smile. Even if it's fake. Smile. I looked at some of my aff vid, and there is the most fake, plastic, forced smile...more like a grimace, a rictus stretch; tightlipped, nothing flapping on my face at all, teeth clenched, eyes wide and gaze fixed....it's hysterical. At the time, though, it was not hysterical. It was HARD! And then it changed...and became real, easier, and, as a result, I became more relaxed. I am still not there all the way yet, but it's closer than it was... Hope this helps... And if you decide to take up knitting, I'll send you some patterns. I love knitting... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes....you are loved, Muj. Very much so. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Andrea - thanks! I will contact them tomorrow and see what we can work out - I would not want to deprive you of a good mag just because I got lucky, you know? I'll let you know. Sand. One single grain of sand. Blending into a beach...sand, which makes glass when it's heated enough. I wonder, I do live on the eastern edge of the "rim of fire", lots of volcanoes. Hrm. Which are active? What would be the warning signals of a volcanic eruption? How would I escape the lava flow and all the terrified people trying to leave? I should check my emergency supplies.... Grain of sand. Yeah. Sure.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Bridge The Gap, a newbie event held at Elsinore last month. And Kris? While you had no doubt...I had every doubt, detailed and specific, about me being able to play in that league...a real, honest to god glossy. I am still stunned. Grinning but stunned. Man. Ciels- michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I can't believe no-one's said it yet... BEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't tell anyone except a few folks because I wasn't sure they were going to run it. And know what? I still haven't seen the whole lay-out, so I am now anxiously awaiting my mag. Wowowowowie..... Does anyone know where I can buy an additional 3 copies? I know my family would want to get one...

That's what this community is about, QD. We are family, and we come together when we are called. Because of that, this website has become more than a "website". It truly is a place of refuge, of comfort, and of support in times of need. HH, you worked long and hard to bring this back up for us. And I appreciate what has been developed here more than ever because of the last few days' events. My heartfelt thanks. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Rob Tonnesen committed suicide sometime overnight last night. Jessica (our own Mujie) discovered him. There is no further confirmed information at this point. The details are extremely limited, and information will be posted as it becomes available and confirmed. I ask you now two things. ~Please do not contribute to the rumors. ~Please keep Rob, Mujie/Jessica, and Rob's family in your prayers. This has been an horrendous day, and they can use all the support you can muster - both now and in the coming weeks. Rob - you are away from yur pain now, and you fly with the angels. Spread your wings, my friend, and fly far, fly fast...fly free and joyous. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Clay, have you been bribing the shepard again? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Poor Chuck! How mean of your body to rebel at this time....and there is another guy who had some seriously rotten luck between his tandems and his AFF...Muenkel. he's been trying to get back into the air for at least a year...and now he's been sick again, right in the middle of it all...so no, you're not alone. But you know what? the sky will wait, and they aren't banning skydiving soon. Get better, get healthy, and then return to the skies. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Really? How cool are you????? Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy cool! That would be great!!!! I look forward to seeing it, Lew. You rawk!!!!!!!!! Thanks! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Would you guys do me a huge favor? I tried everything I could (sans prostitution, drug running and grand theft) to finagle the cash to go this year...and it just didn't happen. And even if it had, I wouldn't be able to because I'm still on those stupid goddamned motherf'ing meds which make me feel like an angry, tired bee...as likely to fall asleep as I am to gather pollen...so I am grounded til this stuff clears my system (and no, we still don't know what happened...)... So, please, a favor.... Can you guys do a jump for me? A "Michele Jump"? Everyone face west and wave or something...nothing huge, nothing extraordinary. Just don't forget me sitting here...wishing I was there...wanting to be there....and thinking about next year. I just don't want you guys to forget me. Please? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

36:38 ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

YAY MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good deal...now she understands. Congratulations! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

In the contract, does it say move XYZ from place A to place B? If it does, and they did not, then it can be construed as (grand?) theft. I think a call to the local PD is in order (the one where the crime took place - Chicago?), file a complaint, and go from there. Just my .02 - I know that technique worked for some clients of mine - move from street A to B in the same community, the stuff ended up in another city in the storage....one call from the police detective to the warehouse manager "resolved" it rather well and quite quickly. And a notice went out to all realtors in the area to not use the moving service again...(and no, it was not a company that I would have chosen). In the alternative, if you give us their name, we could make calls...and send e-mails...and the like. Little bit of payback, you know? (I can just imagine 5000 emails and phone calls at a very busy time of month at a very busy time of year...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Still sending ~~~~~~~VIBES~~~~~~~ Get well soon, Eric. We are all behind you! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sending hugs and vibes, you guys. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Check. Although I will only vote once per question... This will be very interesting.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Grimm, you need to post that as NOT SAFE FOR WORK.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That was hysterical! Thanks for posting! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~