Michele

If you're still really concerned after those great responses, try talking to a packer and seeing if you can watch them for a while. And maybe look into taking another packing class. Both of these will give you more confidence...and that's the name of this particular game, it seems. Then go out and do a high clear and pull, and see what happens. If you need to cut, then you have plenty of alti to work with, you know? You'll be o.k... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, guys. Sometime in the next two days, I will bring BK into the vet's and love her out. Hopefully I will stop crying over this decision by work tomorrow...I don't want to do this. I want to watch her suffer even less. Jack, you were right - there's less light in her eyes, and it's as if she is waiting...and I was dreading seeing that. But I do see it, as much as I don't want to. I do see it. Jan, Toby will have a playmate...although he might get more than he bargained for - she's called Bitch Kitty for a reason. Oh, but my heart is breaking. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, Wendy, it really does. Especially when I know friends are jumping. A point of clarification, if I might, from the greenies.... Is it still a personal attack if I agree with a previously expressed personal sentiment? For example, if I said, "yes, Thomas, you are a complete asshole", would that be a personal attack? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Flips. Those nasty lil yucky things. At least, the first few times I tried them. Now they're fun...here's what I do: 1. Stable Box/Mantis. 2. Knees together. 3. Knees to chest, straighten hands to knees; drop head back and look for the ground. Don't stop looking until you see it. 4. Once you actually see the ground, spread out again into an arch. If you tilt sideways, make sure your knees are together, and that your hands are touching your kneecaps. If you end up looking at the sky, you've done it half way! Next time, just don't unfold until you've spotted the ground. It goes quickly, at least for me. Good luck! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

It's time. As much as I don't want it to be, as much as I will miss her so very desperately...as much as I don't want it to be, it's time. God I hate saying this. It makes it so fucking real. It's time. Ciels- Michele

Hey, Jessica- What a glorious child! Man, you and Mr. Lowpullin are extremely blessed! Please give her a gentle hug from me, and thank you sooooooo much for posting them...and Casch, thanks for resizing them, too! hugs to you all- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I completely understood it. And I was completely with your story as you told it... How amazing it must be to be somewhere, totally alone. The quiet must be deafening, and the stillness heavy. The silence surrounds you...and somehow, it's alive, loud even, and it reaches for you, brings you into it's heart...and the stars shine and sing...the music is there when you listen with your soul. And then you trust - with everything you trust - and leap out, knowing the night will catch you... Yes, I understand, Mac. And while I've never BASEd, I thoroughly appreciate what you are communicating...Thank you!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

First you say to the Head Honcho And then you say... A sentiment I wholeheartedly concur with..... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ohhhhhhhhh, how wonderful for you....nothing more special then a brand new baby...she's a big girl....congratulations again! And thanks, Mama and 'Kid....I can't wait to see the pix of Summer... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Green Skirt...check Pony Tails.....check White Hair at back of head...check. I'll be there about 9 on Wednesday, if I can go at all....I have really long hair, am short and chubby, and will be in jeans and a turtleneck. If all else fails, look for the chick wearing rental gear, who is panicking as she loads up...that'd be me... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, everyone, both for the responses here as well as in pm's....I am not nearly ready for anything even remotely close to the ground, but I will start playing up high. Way up high. The reason for this is that I was in a bad wind spot, and had no real forward motion at all. Someone suggested that I use risers, which I am scared of, and someone else suggested that instead of flat turning onto final, to slightly carve it, so as to generate some speed to penetrate the wind. As I refuse to touch front risers under 1200 (where I enter my pattern) because of the potential issues with that, I wasn't sure what he was talking about - and he disappeared before I could get better clarification. So I came here - and again, you all have been marvelous in getting a newbie information which helps clarify it. At this point, I think that I still need to be very cautious with the wind...but sometimes things change while we're in the air, and it's good to start learning this high up so if there comes a time wherein it's needed, I will be a bit more confident, and not sit there hoping for the best. Which is, you see, not the best choice.... Thanks, guys! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Why yes, Sharky, recently, Wednesday has generally been my entire weekend. It's Saturday and Sunday all wrapped into one for me...sometimes I am slow on a Sat. or Sun., and then I can get out there...but it's not often... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I am terrible at how to reduce pix....but wanted to shout out at you - congratulations!!!! Summer is here! I sooooo want to see pix...will someone help her out? Great to hear from you - hope everything went o.k., and that you and little Summer Sky are doing well. How tall and how much did she weigh? I've been thinking about you, and keeping you and lowpullin in my prayers... hugs to you and your daughter, and one for lowpullin as well! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

JE, Someday I will take you up on that one, my friend....someday! 'Til then, I've got Elsinore, which has a most fantastic 2, 3 and 4 way camp going every weekend that has no charge, designed for newbies and lowtimers, and is decidedly most excellent. So maybe when I get there, I'll actually be good....or at least not as bad as now. LOL!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I haven't had the opportunity to read/see the interview - just pulled a 13 hour day - but I do remember several days ago a sound bite which was sad, when reflected on...it was something to the effect of "I know just as much as you do, I've only seen what's on tv...I know nothing more. I haven't heard from my government for several weeks. I have no idea what's going on"....what a horrid position to leave your ambassador to the UN in... I hope he can find his family, too. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yepppppers! I so second that one! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have. He has been more than willing to reach out to me...starting right after my cutaway, and through the last time I've seen him. He was never too busy to give me a hug, some encouragement, and the offer stands from him to grab him for a jump any time. He has answered questions, even when I didn't know he was in the middle of a training day. And trust me, it's not because I was "fresh meat" or "cute". I have never been asked on any jumps at Perris by you...and while you've always had a cheerful smile and some positive commentary, you have also never once asked me to participate on any load...and *I* would've paid for your ticket - I do that, you see, as a thank you... Just my personal, first hand observations...based solely on my own experience...which may or may not matter in the big picture, and may or may not apply to other newbies. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey! I should be out there sometime during the week - will you be there during the week, or weekends only? And if you are, and are willing to tolerate a "60 jump wonder" who's scared of clouds, then we should jump! If I'm not there during the week this week, I will, for sure, be there this weekend. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Cora, you're just goofy. You and Keith. Goof monsters! And Gia, I tell ya, I only rock when the ground is shaking....or perhaps when I'm, ahem, not wearing the right bra.... Gia, I have to work all weekend - besides, I hear rain is in the forcast, so no Elsinore for me. I *may* make it out on Wednesday, and if not, then next weekend for sure. And I've pm'd you back. Thanks for all the pms, folks...if I get told who we are able to send to, I will let you know so you can tell them. I was thinking about that last night - how odd for them to get this big package from the City Of Burbank, and not know how it came to be there. LOL!!!! So if I find out, I will tell you guys and you can pass the word. Deal? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL, Keith! I beg to differ...I rawk only during decent size quakes!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Bump... I've only got 4 so far...I need more, please!!!! Ciels- Miichele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

'Kay, so I live in a most excellent city. We have such a neighborhood here... One day last month, I went to the store. There was a girl scout troop selling cookies. They had a dry erase sign that said "Please Donate To Our Troops", so I asked about it. Turns out, buy a box of cookies, and the troop will send it over to them. Well, I bought a few boxes (a half dozen, actually), and left them there for the troops...as well as my card, and asked them if there was anyway we could "direct" them to a unit overseas. Seems they did that for Afghanistan's efforts, and would look into it and call me back...didn't hear from them, and frankly, forgot about it... Today I got a call...Burbank Parks and Rec has gotten involved, and is asking for names of friends and family who've been shipped overseas. They are gathering community donations for "care packages". Well, Burbank is pretty amazing, and the community response has been overwhelming. They figure that they have enough for 30 lb. boxes for 100 units once every 6 weeks or so for a year....things like razors, baby wipes, playing cards, gum, stationary, etc.... They called me today, and asked me for up to 6 names to put into the hat for a drawing for who gets the stuff. So I come here....please pm me with names, addresses, and unit kind (if possible - I guess there are some specific things one would need if they were one kind of unit, versus another), so my community can show support to our folk. (Especially looking for Lowpullin's info, because I know his wife just had a baby, and we haven't seen her since the due date...). I love living here....Burbank rawks!!!!! Thanks, everyone! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

A hook turn and a carving turn. Neither of them am I ready for - I still am very square in my pattern... But I was curious about the difference between the two, when would you use one v. the other, and what are the benefits and detriments to each other than turning low...)? Thanks, I appreciate the education! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My boss is both a blessing and a curse.

60...and please, please include some "new kids jumps"...low numbers in the group, low complications, low stress, feedback if possible from an experienced jumper. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~