Michele

Good luck, and safe delivery to the three of you! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Goooooooooooooo Lara!!!!!!!!!! When I have a few bucks, they'll head your way! And it was great to see you in the plane. You have the best smile! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Oh, man... "SM skydiver looking for skygoddess. Adequate figure, master rigger's license, and top-notch beer-hauler is mandatory. Emergency trauma medicine skills a plus. Must be able to handle a group of rowdy, over excited, sweaty men. Must be able to anticipate my needs, both in bed and at the dropzone. And must understand that my jumping needs come before any of her needs. All extra money will be spent on me, my equipment, and the newest safety gear, not sandals and manicures. Inexpensive romance is optional." Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have a pocket copy of Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet sitting on my desk. The section on Love reads: When love beckons to you follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield top him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste to your garden. For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so he is for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself. He threshes you to make you naked, He sifts you to free you from your husks. He grinds you to whiteness. He kneads you until you are pliant; And then he assigns you to his scared fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast. All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart. But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure, Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing floor, Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all your laughter, and weep, but not all your tears. Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is suffucient unto love. When you love you should not say "God is in my heart, but rather, "I am in the heart of God." And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. Love has no desire but to fulfil itself. But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings it's melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully; To wake at dawn with a winged heart and giive thanks for another day of loving; To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; To return home at eventide with gratitude; And then to sleep with a prayer for the belived in your hear, and a song of praise on your lips. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing that, Lori. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[lquote] haven't gotten to Level 6 yet, so for all I know, the "pushing from the plane" could be a figure of speech, or just meant to be plain humerous. Well, having been through it 2 years ago, they do "push" you from the plane. It's about learning to trust yourself to get stable, and really use the arch. And it's a great way to do it. Yes, it scared me. yes, afterwards it was fun. Truth is, it was more like a little gentle nudge to get you off balance out the door. As I've had many "off-balance" exits since then, it's good to know, as Wildblue says, that "trust the position" really works... Have fun!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Heya, Ickle! O.K., so I am not as afraid of water as you are. But I am not fond of it, either. And yes, throwing a canopy over your head is just "icing on the cake". BUT! (and it is a big but)... I made sure I watched others do it first. I made sure that there were people in both the deep and shallow end of the pool who would come get me if I got stuck. I talked myself into it, similar to talking myself into the air the first time and back into the air after my mal. There's nothing as neat as being able to say "I saw my fear. I walked up to it. I walked over it. Nyah! So there!!!" When the time comes you will be able to do it. I know this. You will be fine. And then, after you clamber out of the pool and sit there, shaking, you will be sooooooooo proud of yourself.

Anyone who knows the taste of the sky...that's who... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sis, sending ~~~~~~~~vibes~~~~~~~~~~~ your way! Remember what's important...not the car, that can be replaced...but you. You're important here, and take care of yourself and heal well. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Um, maybe not signing it "Killer" would help take the stalker edge off it . And Rebecca's right - don't apologize for being sentimental. It's alright to have feelings. Good luck - I hope this helps you. And I admire your courage for being able to address this as you have. Many men would not. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I actually took it without a towel, and in street clothes. Got really hot one day, water training was offered, I decided why not! Cooled me off, and I learned a bunch. Good deal! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Uhmmmmmmmmmm....well.....uh.... NO. But at least he's polite about it. OTOH, when you funnel something at like 6.3 and you're supposed to break at 5.5, you'd better be mouthing "sorry" as you bounce off folks' backs...ROFL!!!!!!!!!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I love mine. Even though I've had a long snivel or two. And a wonky off heading opening (gotta be that dratted body position!) that I almost cut from until it settled down. Sometimes, things just happen up there. As someone pointed out to me, you're taking 230 feet of fabric, sewing some cords on it, stuffing it into a tight little bag, and then throwing it out into the air at 120 mph or so. The fact that any of this opens at all is a miracle! LOL.... I would absolutely recommend the Spectre. I would, however, suggest that you demo one several times before you buy it. I love mine. Love it, love it, love it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I add my prayers and vibes to the rest. If you need to talk, please reach out. There are many people here who care, and who will listen. A burden shared is often lessened, my friend. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

The littlest guy was being held and loved when he left you. How special. How incredibly kind of you to adopt those three and try. Thanks, Kreg, for loving the least one home. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, ROO Thanks for the asskissing...ROFL...made my morning. (And good to see you around...) You don't see me disagreeing with you, even with regulation. I don't really know where I stand on that...and so don't advocate it nor discourage it. But I do know where I stand on education. You and I see this differently, I suppose. I jumped the Spectre 230 for about 30 jumps before I got my own Spectre 210 (that I've put about 30 additional jumps on). Does this mean I am NOT serious about learning canopy flight? 12 or so of those jumps were hopnpops learning about my canopy and me in flight. And I don't really know anything, yet. I can't land exactly where I want to every time, and I still make errors in landing. And yet, this is a canopy I've spent some time on, and have taken instruction under. I got to spend some time both on the ground and while landing with John LeBlanc in the early part of this month. And listening to him, and sitting in on 4 different seminars really showed me I have about a billion more things to learn about canopy flight in general before I add the factor of a smaller canopy. To really be a master of my canopy, I need to spend oodles more time under it. I can only speak my mind. And what others do with my stories and experience is their own decision. What someone chooses to save their own life with, over and over, is their choice. Their responsibility. But I also think there's nothing wrong in slowing down the progression, taking the time to learn something, really getting that instruction and experience, and then making the call. And I can't see (but maybe I'm blind...that's been said before) what the rush is. It's his bottom, and ultimately his life, that he is betting each time he (and all of us) jump. How he chooses to lay that bet is up to him. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I am so very proud of you, Chris. You've done it. And there's no looking back now. You've tasted the sky, and you're learning to fly. How amazing are you? And how amazing is this???????? YYYYYYYYIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Hugs to you, Chris. Ciels- Michele Edit. Oh, Jan? You're next.... ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Heya, Mocha... So, um, I exactly understand what you're saying and where you're coming from. Except I was far worse. My solution was to get canopy coaching. Coupla things to think about. ~Do you pull high and practice - really practice - your flare point? Do you know where it stalls? Can you stall it? When does it get "soft and mushy" (I call that the oatmeal moment...). ~How are your brake lines? New? Old? Have they shrunk any? ~Do you know where the pendulum effect is (it's called many different things, but that's the best for me - where you gently swing in front of your canopy like the pendulum on a grandfather clock)? ~Have you gone to people who are good - really good, not just kinda good - at straight in approaches, and asked them to watch you a time or two, and get some pointers from there? ~Why the heck are you ashamed for asking for help? Why be embarassed for getting pointers, advice, tips? There's nothing to be ashamed of for needing help...nothing at all. You can do this...if I can, you can. I am the most gigantic dork when it comes to landings, but I am learning how. And I am managing. Try to get some canopy coaching. It is invaluable, and for me, the reason I stayed jumping. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

The ones who tested stuff on them. Or maybe it was Michael Jackson, who sang a song to a rat once. That was the first clue...hey...maybe that's what's happened to Michael Jackson's nose... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

As I was unable to confirm it from outside information, I was looking for that here. Further, as I have zero information as to the cause of the accident, and wanted to post condolences, I posted it here. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Blurb on MSNBC...can't find confirmation yet. 4 die in skydiving crash. A cessna from a Pittsburgh skydiving center crashed, killing all aboard. FAA confirms plane was carrying 5 passengers, and was at Greenburgh Regional Airport. No immediate cause given for the crash. I cannot confirm from any linkable source...can anyone else? I so hope this is a false report. Blue skies and condolences to all. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

please check your pm's, Ed. And know you're loved. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

O.K., keep in mind I have exactly 3 sitfly jumps. None actually successful, ut three attempted (and wild fun...wild wild wild fun). The coaching I received was jeans on the bottom, and baggy/drag on the arms. I wore baggy long sleeve tee-s (tucked waaaaaaaaaaay far down), and wore comfy - although not baggy - jeans. There was someone else learning at the same time, and he actually taped his pant's cuffs down. I had no difficulty (again, noting lack of success) with the clothing. I had significant difficulty with flailing appendages, but also doubt that had anything to do with my clothing... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I used the metal handle when I had my cut-away (student gear). One of the things I recall, specifically, is having to run my left hand around for it. I was able to locate it without seeing it because of the distinct difference between metal and harness feel. I got my thumb through it, wrapped my fingers around my hand, and, in the proper order, handled my situation correctly. I haven't changed it out, and don't think I will. I don't see a need, at my level, to switch something that had worked for me. That being said... I also don't think there's any need to regulate one v. the other. It, as with anything, seems to be more personal choice. I choose one, someone else chooses another. (And just as a curiousity point, didn't our very own Sebazz get his softie knocked out recently? Or was it a metal ring? I can't recall and don't have the time to search it out.). Anyway, that's just this girl's opinion. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hrmmmmm.....right about where did you leave student status? Here's a thought. Let's pretend your canopy is your lover. Do you know everything to touch, in the right order, for the right amount of time, for the response *you* want from her, every time? Do you know each and every part of her that is sensitive, where to NOT touch, how hard to touch, when to touch that spot hard and then soft? Do you know when to touch, and when not to touch? Do you know the exact moment to "swoop" in on her? 'Cause you know she'll take care of you if you take care of her... Same deal with a canopy. If you don't know exactly how it will respond, each and every time you touch it, you are running a risk. And while a lover may be able to tell you "no, not there...here", the canopy will not...it will just do what you tell it, regardless of your feelings and concerns. How are your deployments? On heading every time? Have you ever screwed up and deployed really fast 'cause the planet was getting really big? How'd that go? How about realizing you're downwind, it's about 10 mph wind, and you have 100 feet to figure out what to do. What are you going to do? Or how about you and another jumper are heading towards each other - and you only have 150 feet of alti. 50 feet between you. What are you gonna do? How fast can you - not the canopy, but YOU - respond? How're your flat turns? How little altitude do you lose consistently on them? What do you do when there's someone who doesn't see you, it's 75 feet, and their projected path is across you - right in front, maybe 20 feet - what do you do? Yelling won't work - no time....so what do you do? (Yes, this happened to me last weekend. I chose wrong...and walked away because I was in a slow moving 210. Thank God.) And lastly, have you taken a canopy class? Stu, I want you around for a long time. The sky isn't going anywhere. They are not going to stop making canopies in the 135 - 120 range anytime soon. What's the rush? Honestly. I don't understand it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~