Michele

Darn. I was hoping it was a cypres fund where you wrote an essay about why you need a cypres, and if they chose you, they'd give you one. I was already planning the outline.... Drat and darn. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

What's the AAD fund? (yes, I am too lazy to look it up....) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Agreed....to a point. Do you think we've gotten all the facts on some of the incidents? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL, yeah. Uh, damn. I didn't really think about that. LOL..... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Katie, that's a great idea....and they are reasonably priced. Thanks! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Nope, didn't know it could be done. Explain, please? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUU-EEEEEEEEEEEE. A new word. Well, not really new, but new to my vocabulary. Well, not new to my vocabulary, but new to using it as much as I have recenty. So, you all thought I was gonna get to go play in the sky today, right? Yeah, me too..... NOT. And for once, it wasn't because of Airweenie. Ended up leaving my house a little bit later than usual. Didn't oversleep or anything, just got to handling some things which needed attention. And when I got to the DZ, the gear I rent was out. It's the only set-up which will handle my main. It's gone....some dude was playing with it instead of me. Bastard. Not really. But I thought about mugging him...but where'd I run to? The plane. I mean, what were they gonna do? Throw me out of it? Yeah, like that wouldn't have been the plan...sigh...beating up on some poor Brit (there were like 60 of them there) just because he was using "my" gear just isn't acceptable, I know, but man, I so wanted to steal it from him at lunch... After talking to instructors and trying on the student gear which would've handled my main, I decided to not rent it. I was decidedly uncomfortable with it, as the hackey was much lower than I was used to when I arched, and even with the adjustments that could be made, it was still not right. I mean, it's good gear, but not right for me now. And the chest strap would barely close over my front bumpers. Just not comfortable in it. So I stayed on the ground. Stuck, mired in the "no gear" mud. So for an entire gorgeous morning, I watched some friends zip around the sky...I did get a golf cart ride when Grasshopper went out to retreive some outlanders. Ended up with this teeny British girl on my lap. Grasshopper tried to gain us all a little freefall time with his cart driving, but no soap even then. But his driving was fun. Kinda. I talked to the folks in the gear shop, and man, I simply can't afford my own gear. Even with discounts and owning my own main, it's over 3k, tax and shipping included. Because my body is oddly shaped (o.k., chubby...), the things I've been considering 2nd hand just don't fit. Too long in the spine, too wide in the shoulders, and so on. Even without the cypres (which I'd consider), the gear which would fit me is something like 2K...I am not out of debt yet, but managed to stop the creation of it and get some of last year's debt paid down, but still....I can't lob that chunk onto my shoulders just yet. Geesh, I am sooooooooooooooooooooo frustrated. And my birthday is May 3, and I wanted to jump with whomever would be at Elsinore and I had several people committed to come do their first tandems, but now, that means, to ensure I get gear, I'd have to get up at 3:30 am, to leave by 5:00 am to get there first at 6:30, an entire hour before the store opens, just so I can rent it. It's Cinco De Mayo boogie, $12 jumps (I think someone said), but that doesn't help me any! Even all the cute brits didn't help, nor the hugs I got from Clownburner, Grasshopper, Jason and others. Blech. 180 mile round trip. For naught... FFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! O.K., counting my blessings here....I got out of the house, and was away from work for the day. That counts for something, at least.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Prayers on the way... Speedy, full and fast revovery! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Kev, I'll help with the tree and plaque design...I sometimes do that stuff for work, so may be able to get our "connections" to do it close to cost. I agree with PhillyKev that we need to put it seperate from the tree, so as not to damage the growth of it. Lemme know, I'll be happy to help however I can. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yup, that's the priority. I agree. As for #3, there may be some time to get the excess funds together, and we can do it when it's time. Parachutist is first - and should there not be enough $$, I'm sure all you'd need to do is ask... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And don't forget about the tree and plaque, if we are doing that. That will add some $$ to the total needed... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

How wonderful are you? I think if you could make it whenever you could, that would be so appreciated. As to what to say, just let them know you miss her and are sorry for their (and your) loss. If someone asks you if you knew her, you knew her here, right? You knew her love of the sky, her love of the freedom that is jumping, and you knew her smile...in my opinion, you knew her. I honestly don't think it matters, really, if you hadn't met her in the flesh...you've met her heart and spirit, you are grieving, and you are willing to support her family and friends. Thanks, Flieg... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

However... If you can start the day by waking those around you, if you are manipulative and whine when you stretch...if you complain consistently and insist that folks pay attention to you when you want to talk but ignore them when they do; If you are demanding without regard to loved ones' needs; if you don't overlook things when you're ignored; if you send your dinner back repeatedly because it isn't perfect; if you conquer tension by "spreading the joy" around you; if everything is solved by a nap in the sun... Then you are, decidedly, a cat. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Bump... I can't afford tickets - I've checked, and it just isn't feasible right now for me. Is there anyone who would be willing to meet Kevin there, and show support for the family? I know you would be welcome, and I know it would be appreciated. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

"Public Service Announcement". Sometimes they run at normal hours, but mostly they run at like 3 am. His PSA has something to do with the military but I'm not sure what. He's also in the middle of a play, and has a movie scheduled to start filming either the end of next week or the beginning of the week after that. And he just finished another tv show, but I don't know which one. Cidels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Sky! You're pretty kewlio yourself. Looking forward to actually getting together and jumping with you someday, you know? LOL!!! Someday! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Absolutely! I have something I need to do....and you're just the man to do it! (O.K., it's not yet 6 am, not even a whole cuppa coffe yet, so that came out wrong...!) Dad's doing better. Lots of pain, but he's doing alright. I've sent on all the hugs and well wishes, and he appreciates them! And I appreciate them, too... Sleepy Ciels- ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yep, I can do that... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Go, Lenny! Jump with my girl! Give her a hug and tell her it's for me, so when I see her next week, I can claim it! Jack, will do. Not that I want to share power hugs (I believe you have great hugs, and am anxiously awaiting getting one for myself...), but I'll share it with Pop... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Mujie...will you be there tomorrow? It would be most excellent to finally claim my hug from you, honey...and jump! And BigBen, are you there, too? And Chuck - Yeah, I think so, too...except he keeps trying to get me to watch the Lakers instead of jump... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My answer: I took one at jump #40, to learn to land safely, and to really learn how to handle my canopy during regular (not high performance) flight. I also took it to downsize safely. While I still don't land well, I am crashing far less often, and when I do, it is more controlled. My course consisted of a several hour ground school, and 5 jumps, one from altitude, with a coach next to me going through things with me. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I've been curious, and in light of recent full canopy injuries and fatalities, I thought I'd post the poll. It's serious, folks, and I really am curious as to the numbers it will produce. In addition to the poll, if you'd take a minute and answer the questions below, I'd appreciate it. ~If you have taken a class, how thorough was it, and when did you take it? ~If you haven't, please articulate why not. Too expensive? Not available? Not encouraged? ~If you plan on it, why do you plan on it? ~If you did with a specific goal in mind (i.e., learning to swoop), did you learn that goal? ~If you teach a canopy control class, please give me a general breakdown of who comes and at what skill level they are, and what their goal is. Thanks, guys. I appreciate it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks for the notes; I appreciate it... The nap didn't help...sigh... I would wring the neck of the guy who tackled Pop...but I don't think they'll tell me who, and where, he is...sigh. Just off the phone with him. He'll be o.k., but still... I think I will go jumping. The rain's stopped for the moment, so hopefully Elsinore will be clear and "dry" enough for me...tomorrow I will play in the sky. That will help! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

JT, happy birthday to you, darlin'. Many, many, many more, all with lots of beer and jumping! (before the beer, of course...). Big ol' hug to you! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Last Tuesday, I lose my Kitty of 17 years. Last Saturday Holly died. There is an unusual amount of injuries in a short amount of time (I don't care what the stats say - it *is* a lot, and it is a short time span...) And then, this morning, I get a call from the studio where my father is filming a PSA...he's been taken to the hospital. Diagnosis? Grumpy old man with 4 broken ribs. Seems the director asked for more energy from the teenager my Dad was working with, and Dad got "tackled" instead of "pushed"...he's 80, for crying out loud, who'd tackle an 80 year old man??? Now Dad is high as a kite on painpills, and grumpy as hell... And then there're bright blue skies and perfect puffy clouds....but now it's raining. Oh phooey...FUUUUUUU-----EEEEEEEEEEEE. I'm going to take a nap. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~