Michele

The Azores are part of Portugal, yes? And Lajes Field is on Terciera Island/Azores/Portugal, I think.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Already done, misskriss...bought 8 boxes from colleagues' children. And will, as always, take them to open houses and serve them to the folks who come in. And if I'm lucky, I'll even get a few, too! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

There is a time and a place...during dinner generally isn't it. But Dad always signs whenever he's asked; he'd just rather it be when he's coming or going, not with a mouthful of food. He gets a lot of stares, and sometimes they look at me as if to ask..."is that?" and I nod. Giving an autograph makes my Dad smile. He gets a huge kick out of it. 'Course, no-one's gonna name a dog after him, and he's not a rock star or anything. But being "recognized" makes his day. My Pop rawks. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Absolutely. I'm heading into my office now, too, and it is a gorgeous day. Hope everyone jumps safely! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I did, thanks for bringing it to my attention. The website is: http://www.highbutdryballoons.com Cool site. Now, if I can someday get the courage up to jump from one! Someday.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sometimes, I really like being me.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My wish list... Infinity with all the bells and whistles Spectre 210 Bright yellow Reserve Brand new Cypress I know, it's incomplete, and it's modest. But it's what I want. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL, didja tell them that's the real world???? And did they ever contact Jefferson? I have a Constitutional question I'd like to ask.... Have a great time, Kris. Smile lots and laugh loudly! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

CLicky link to incident article in english... http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=401225;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

There's an article in Incidents which gives a description...but yes, I think that's what Faber was saying. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I'll bet that it will be blue, shiney and bright. Little puffy groups of industrial haze. Bring a turtleneck, it's gonna be chilly, but it will be jumpable. And I want to hear all about it, Luna, because I have to work all weekend... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Blue skies to all involved. Blue skies and Godspeed... An english article is over in Incidents. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, you two... This thread is going sideways, right? So how about both of you stopping the issue. Both post to others, and not each other. This post asked for prayers and good vibes. Jraf, while prayer seems to not be your forte, vibes are. I've seen you send them out to lots of people...how about doing that this time? And Sinker, I understand your position too. How about you just letting it go for now, and spending the energy asking for your cousin's protection? I'll start.... ~~~~~~~Extra vibes for the cousin~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~Prayers sent for the cousin~~~~~~~~

Can't you delay it? I mean, serve but in a few months? That way, you can have your trip, and still do the service. I know you can delay it in CA...I've done it. How about where you are? Just a thought... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL....maybe it's just my mood, but I read that really, really wrong... Good to see you around, Slappie. Hope all is well, and you're back to stay, regardless of "log pull'n"... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! WWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOO to you! It is so amazing, this thing we do. Welcome to the sky, and have fun! Ciels- Micehle ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And that was my entire point in posting my situation. Phillykev, you and I are not going to see eye to eye on this (pun definitely intended...), and as such, I will step away from this conversation. Thanks for sharing your views. I think you've got it wrong, but that's just my own opinion. (And yes, FlyingFerret, it is weird to see it out here...but I brought it in, so any discomfort is my creation and my responsibility...) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Prayers and well wishes sent. Tell him to stay safe, and come home. ANd tell him "THANKS!!!", he is appreciated. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Good lady, Heather! And when I read this thread earlier, I was curious to see what the connection was, as well. If there's an action you can do, and it demonstrates how you feel, then I say go for it! As for me, my only subscription is to Parachutist, and if that comes up connected, I'll be very sad... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Um, Kev? I think you're missing the point. If I didn't have the cash money, I wouldn't have gotten treatment. My sole option was to max the credit cards, borrow rent from my father, and struggle horrendously. I couldn't buy insurance. I couldn't get any assistance from the government in whatever form it came from, and the charity hospitals were full. I got "assistance". From my father. From Visa, Discover, AMEX. None of which was a gift, and all which will be repaid. I am, btw, not angry that Jessica got the surgery. I am not angry that many illegal residents get assistence. It's simply just that, at the end of the day, when I asked for help, I was denied because I was NOT illegal, nor had any dependents, and I was the wrong ethnicity. I would have liked some help from my government. I didn't ask for it because it was convenient, or because it was there. I asked because I needed it. And I was denied. And because of the denial, I am suffering and will likely continue to be broke for a long time. What I don't understand, Kev, is your intimation that I don't deserve any assitance. Can you please articulate, simply and directly, why it's acceptable for me to be in the financial bind I was (and am) in, because the government wouldn't assist me when I needed it? As for struggling a "bit", I will be struggling for a while. I honestly hope that you do not ever find yourself in the situation I was in, Kev. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

O.K., Kev...you really want to know? Here's the breakdown. Income earned: $16,253.00 Medical expenses (after discount): $10,940 (+ a few I haven't paid yet) Monthy bills: Minimum $1,400 (annual total: $16,800) Professional dues and expenses: $2,100 annual, paid by March (including E&O insurance) Help from my family: $4,500 (as much as Dad could...he paid my rent). Therefore: Total income: $20,753 (gross) Total outgo: $29,840 And I haven't paid my taxes yet - don't forget, I'm an IC, and thus irrespective of income level, I owe Social Security tax, which is about 15% of my total income, which, this year, amounts to +/- $2,475. None. As a matter of fact, I am in debt to the tune of $11, 562... Feel better? And you all wondered why it was hard for me to jump last year! LOL!!!! As for recouping, this year's just begun. And I am working my tail off, and managing to make some slight dents into the debt load. But that really doesn't apply. I gotta say, Kev, your post really pissed me off. I know that wasn't intended, and you were using me to illustrate a point...but really, Kev...here's the info. Double check the math...it was a very difficult year for me. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My own personal story relates just a little bit... Most of you know there was a tumor found in my eye last year, which required significant surgery. What some of you don't know is that, as an independent contractor, I have no medical insurance. Because of the tumor, when I shopped around, I couldn't get any medical insurance which would cover the surgery ("pre-existing condition"). I went to the State, and was turned down. I went to the Feds, and was turned down. I went to the charity hospitals, and was turned down. Three of the reasons given was because of my "ethnicity" (I'm not a minority), my no-children status (if I had a child or two, I'd've been assisted), and I was not old enough for some benefits. Another reason given was because the charity hospital I contacted said that they had their "quota" for the quarter. ANother charity hospital I contacted told me sure, but it would have to wait until there was time, and did I know if it was cancer or not (which is one of the reasons the pressure was on to get the surgery done quickly - we didn't know, and couldn't tell without the surgery.) I had to have the surgery...and so I paid for it out of my pocket. I talked to the Dr. and the clinic (yes, it was a clinic and not a hospital), and because of my situation, I paid a discounted price. But I still paid a great deal. Because I was out of work for soooo long, my yearly income was significantly reduced. At one point, I contacted the financial aid folk for assistence, and the same issues applied...ethnicity, no children, and age. Just a few thoughts to consider when thinking about the larger picture... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

It's messed up irrespective of a person's position on God and the Pledge of Allegiance. A teacher is an authority figure, has care and control of children all day. They need to a be a refuge from bullying, not the bully. If the teacher is the bully, other children will follow their lead, and bully those kids, as well. Children will, for the most part, follow the example set. And for those teachers out there who support the child, no matter their personal position on politics, religion, or whatever, thank you....yes, QTPie, LewMonst and Lisa and all other teachers on these boards...I mean you! (edit: thanks, Dave...didn't know.) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

So what? Doesn't diminish the accomplishment one single wee bit, my friend. Be proud of that. 1400-1500 out of how many hundreds of thousands submissions? I mean, really! Give yourself the pat on the back you deserve, Stephen. And if you win $$, so much the better. And I repeat: YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, Cindi. I make typos all the time...and was thinking this was one. Just wanted to make sure you got the calls when they came! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~