Michele

I can't remember a time when it was all full serve. And most places don't have any service people to pump our gas for us. We get that honor ourselves... Prices are bouncing around 1.80-1.89, for regular, between the 4 stations I pass on my way to the office (8 blocks from my house...). Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL...no reserve yet. No skydiving in that rig 'til the reserve gets handled. But why couldn't I do it in the rental rig? And just as an fyi...containers get really heavy when they're wet...and I can only imagine how heavy it would be with a water landing... Hey, Islandcool, I already brought beer - Corona, just for you...but we all went out instead. Or don't you remember? I got this package at work, and I was having a bad day, I opened it...and then took it into my brokers office and showed it off. He was impressed. I know he was, even if he didn't exactly say so... JP, I tell ya, I'm in love. And Jack, I am still in love with Barney... SKYDIVERS RAWK! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, I know. Problem is, I do believe my ex could benefit from both the samples and the product....should I forward them to him? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You, at least, have a house. An inference could be drawn that perhaps you had a need for a septic system. I, on the other hand, keep getting spam for those penis enlargers.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

A high alti sunset Clear and Pull with a bunch of DZ.commers...with the infamous landing from whence sprang my sig line... But the year is young yet....and the skies are blue...and I hear my name being shouted out ..."COME PLAY!!!"....I am certain that there will be many more memorable jumps... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

How tumultuous this last 10 days have been. How amazingly up and down and up again. How difficult it's been to decline the Racer generously given me by Jack and Lynn Ceman... But as much as I wanted to use Barney, or, as I said, "I wish that I was Barney's Girl", as much as I would've loved to dance through the skies and shown him the sights from this side of the continent, it was not to be. Despite talking to several riggers and gear manufacturors, despite working the numbers every which way, it was to be an unrequited love at first sight... The smallest reserve I am willing to get under is a 190-193. While the Smart reserve was a potential option, the CU IN packing has not been published that I could find. Trying to get an idea of it's actual field pack volume, I checked many different manufacturors, calling some, e-mailing others, and pm-ing still others. I tried as hard as I could, but couldn't find a reserve that came close to the size I need that would pack into the reserve tray. Still hoping against hope, I brought Barney with me to Elsinore on my birthday. I had Diablopilot (JP) from Action Air/Davis look Barney over, and see it actually on my body. He and I talked for a long while (it was raining, he was set up for demos and no-one was there, and I had questions...perfect!), and he said he'd go back on Monday to Action Air and research it further. He apparently called Jumpshack, and they confirmed what we already suspected; it was not sized to handle the reserve I need. He knew Barney's story, and knew how disappointed I would be, so, continuing the spirit of Jack and Lynn, following their incredible lead, showing the very same generosity, JP has shipped me a Javelin C-5, DOM 12/92, 17-18" MLW, reserve sized PD 193-218 and main tray will accommodate the 210. I was further able to work out a deal on a cypres, which is back from it's 8 year check with fresh batteries. The Jav arrived today, and the cypres should arrive tomorrow. Now all I lack is a reserve. And my rigger is waiting on standby for my call to assemble my - MY!!!!!! gear... And just to note that the deal JP and I struck was the same as with Barney, Jack and Lynn...when the time comes that I order my own brand new gear, that I continue the generosity and pay it forward...and I will do that gladly. I will do that with a glad and happy heart, and still marvel at the amazing hearts of skydivers, the spirit and generosity and human-ness this family of ours displays... And I am again brought to tears, realizing how blessed I am to call all of you family.... And again, I ask, how hard is it to express the fullness in my heart? How hard is it to say thank you to folks who've given me the sky - twice, now? How hard is it to articulate the difference that not just their gifts, but their display of heart and kindness, has made in my life, and in my perceptions? How hard is it? Impossible. Again and still, impossible... Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a container waiting to get a bath, and tears will course down my face as I try to understand how I got lucky enough for this blessing to have come my way twice... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Trust me, Lummy...I have mastered the art of self defense. I could handle my oreo deprevation issues with a pencil, a Lady Shaver by Bic, a hot frying pan, or even a look....and if those don't work, I can invent new and interesting ways to handle the problems. Take away my Oreos, and head's up, folks!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sinker, thanks for saying that. Your post was wonderful to read first thing in the morning, especially on a Monday...made me smile and feel good. (Well, except for that dratted raccoon...). There have been some rough times in my life, but some of the hardest were during high school. There has always been a feeling of not belonging, not fitting in, being very different, somehow. This thread has turned into very interesting reading, to be sure, and has made me really think about what would my motive be, what I would want from going (if anything), and if I would be happy with my choice. I really need to think on it some more. But all who've responded have given me things to think about, and new ideas to consider. And I do appreciate that greatly. Don't know what I will do...not yet, at least. But I'm sure I'll write it up if I decide to go...if for no other reason than to compare tux pix with Deucy! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

First my guns, now my double stuffs... This could present serious difficulties for me. Serious. Like really bad. Dewd... Ceils- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I always thought that was the epitome of duplicity...I can't carry a gun in her state, despite being a single female, working odd hours, and dealing with strange men...yet she, who's every move is protected, can, does, and will admit it if confronted...and there is no difference between her and I, really. None. Yet she would take my protection away, and keep hers. Of course, I haven't thought she was anything but belly button lint since the Night Stalker case she screwed up badly when she was Mayor of SF... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Curious. I wonder if she'll turn her gun in.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, Kev. The way I read it, it means that there are locations/franchises for "sale", perhaps meaning demo studies have been done and SkyVenture believes there will be a profitable market there for them, but that there have been no takers yet. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yup, it surely does. This I know!!! I'll let you know as soon as I'm sure... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That's when I plan on it anyway, Hopper...and I hope everyone else can, as well!! (and yes, I am trying to get the photos handled by then, as well...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

So, ah....TB? What happened????? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Cora, I am so sorry... No. Most emphatically no, you did not fail. Quinn saw your smile, heard you whoop and hoot. When Quinn saw that, how could there ever be a question? You never failed. You could not - and Quinn knows. And Quinn is smiling back at you right now. And he will be with you on your 100th...just look to the sky, and you'll see his smile again. Quinn, thanks for teaching my friend to fly. Thank you for sharing your love of the sky with someone who needed that sharing. Thank you for teaching and encouraging and connecting with the soul of a newbie... Blue skies, Quinn. Big, puffy, gleaming white clouds, and perfect flights. Take your place among the Angels and soar with eagles in pride; for you have touched the lives of many, and changed their hearts for good. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Actually, JP Funari will be at the Memorial Day, so you can give his ass a squeeze on Gina's behalf then. After all, we are having a smackfest on his patoot....and then on Labor day, we can **ALL** grab your bottom! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I'll call when I know for sure...which may be as late as Thursday evening. Anyone else coming? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

0:0:0 Sigh... One mean 'Coon still living in my walls, though. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I'm looking to get out on Friday, hopefully...maybe not, but that's the current plan. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I just received my high School reunion invitation. August 2 And I hated High school. So do I go and hate it like I hated the 10 year reunion? Hang with the same folks who I hated many years ago and who hadn't changed in the least, still clicque-ish and attitudinal? The jocks and cheerleaders will congregate, reliving moments they shone - 20 years ago... The Actors' Club will gather, rehashing any small success they had in high school plays, and waxing rhapsodic, misquoting Shakespeare... The Stoners will be there, hanging out, drinking at the bar, complaining and still full of teenage angst - at 39... The Brains will be sitting at a table, discussing the latest in engineering and chemistry, showing off their degrees, hoping that they've outdone each other... The JROTC will be standing there, trying to wear their old uniforms, bursting their buttons and surreptitiously shining their shoes in the bathroom... The Future Librarians will have brought the latest books in their purses and briefcases, and discuss plot development and character realization, and what makes a filing system effective... And will I stand there, wondering what happened, how the years have fled by, how the past is still so present, and seeing who's lost their hair and who's lost their figure; who's gained a family or lost one, who's puffing the truth and who's honest...and be just as isolated as I was in high school. I'll be there, a drink in my hand, chubby and middle aged, and wonder where my life went, and where it's going. Retrospective and introspective, seeing the years etched on my former schoolmate's faces, knowing I wear the same marks... It calls for semi formal attire - maybe a tie dye shirt, and a rig with a bow on it??? Or do I cave in and buy a fancy dress, knowing I'll wear it once and tuck it away in plastic afterwards? Tennies shoes, or heels that make my feet hurt? Do I or not? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Jan, you're more than welcome to fly down and have a drink with me...I'll make one 'specially for you!! Katie: Drink. A lot. And then call someone to come help me out...or buy stock in Glade Air Freshener.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Oh, Jan, I am so trying. If I thought that wearing a clownsuit and standing on my hands in the middle of the boulevard would help, I am just about ready to do that... Help..... ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Coffee with (lots of) Bailey's and Frangelico. Will be having at least one more. Or maybe like 5 more... Need the alcohol, caffeine and sugar. Can't sleep, raccoons will eat me... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Who eats breakfast????? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~