Michele

Uh, NOT! I mean, you're sick right now, you've got this really odd looking thing going on and everyone says it''s "normal"...G'head and fuss a bit, you've got reason to. And take care of yourself, too...I feel bad for you. Sorry, Katie. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Not Safe while Drinking Coffee, either...Damn, now I gotta clean the monitor. That was funny. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, Mark... Thanks for the laugh. I've read it before, but never during when one of my cats needed medication. Takes on a whole new meaning, you know? Finally, something to smile about on this whole thing! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Wow, Pammi! That one was way nicer! I watched this one a lot, too, freezing it to see certain things. Again, keep in mind I have NOT a clue what I'm talking about, but I spotted a few things. 1. Are you sure your brake lines are o.k? It looks a little bit like you're either not in full flight at the start of the vid, or maybe the lines are a little short. It almost looks like the flare at the bottom is not "full", whatever the heck I mean by that. I suppose I mean the angle that you're getting at the bottom of your flare doesn't change as much as I recall some others at my DZ get...but I am not sure why, or if this is even a good/bad thing. It does plane out gently, though, so I could be all wet. 2. I noticed that in this vid, as you're touching down, you're "getting out of the chair", and not sitting back at all. Your upper body is forward, your legs are a little forward, and this allows you to move once you've touched down. Your body is ready to distribute the movement forward rather than downward. 3. I noticed you're still not even on your flare - not based on your hands' position, but based on the position of the canopy at about 4 feet up...it kinda turns towards the vid (or right) just a little, and corrects as you touch down. It's really slight, subtle, almost, but I think you're still flaring more with your right hand than your left. This was a bit of the same issue from before. In this vid, where the videographer was standing was to the right of you, and as you pass him, and he follows, the canopy turns towards him in a very gentle turn, which continues until you actually touch down and step it out. 4. You stiff-legged it a touch on first contact, reaching a little bit with your right leg. This time your left was out in front, and you were able to transfer the momentum forward. But the reaching is still there, although far less than the first vid. 5. Flare height was really nice. Forward speed was almost gone, and it was a really smooth and gentle flare. This landing is far better than the other one - there are some really excellent aspects to it: body position, flare height and timing, and smoothness of flare. You're ready to move when you touch down, legs separated slightly and a nice right/left weight transfer. Well done! Thanks for sharing it. It's great to have the comparison, and you can really see the difference in the two landings. I appreciate the opportunity to watch both, as I've learned a lot. Like I said, I am not any kind of canopy expert. Not even a little bit. I hope it helps, Pammi. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Gawd, I so very much hope so. I would hate to think she sees me as something evil and mean, especially at this point in her life. I want her comforted and loved and secure and happy... You are not kidding. I interviewed him and his staff before I brought BK in for the first time. He and I have become friends; he sees how much this one little life means to me, and has taken lots of extra steps. And I make sure he knows how much I appreciate it. With my next closing, I am sending over a few pizzas and some soda for a lunch for the office. I got the new meds, and opened a capsule and mixed it into her regular wet food...made sure it was well mixed, and then took her and the dish into the bathroom. Left her there, and came back a little later. It's mostly gone...she's eaten it. No more wrestling and trauma for her, thank god...now hopefully it works like it should. And hopefully this is the origination of the illness, too. But even if it helps her feel better in the mean time, I think it's worth it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

See? Gear does make you a good jumper. I knew it! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Mr Hixxxxxxxx.... Here's an interesting discussion of how/why IC's are used... http://www.erhpc.com/businessrpts/contractor-employee.htm IRS 20 question test: http://www.prounlimited.com/20guide.html (I'll be adding links as I find them pertinent to your situation, but I still suggest you talk to an attorney.) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Check with a lawyer, my friend. Do you get paid with a 1099? Pay your own social security tax? Any other kind of tax? These are all indicators of if you are or are not an IC. By the way, being an IC does not exclude WC in some situations if it happens during required work. All of my collegues are IC, and one sprained his ankle because of a pothole in the parking lot. He was covered by WC. And we fit all the criteria for coverage on WC. Get it checked out by folks who'd know. I am not recommending litigation, but know exactly what your status is, both via IC and the state's WC fund. As for you, Wendy, you and your group have been under enormous pressure and stress because of the loss of Columbia - shit will fly around, and it will manifest oddly. Take a break when you need to, and know that hugs are sent and pissy moods are acceptable to feel. Godiva chocolate is a most excellent remedy, as is talking it out and "venting". Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, and welcome to the sky. Frustration is not uncommon...you will experience it many times. It's o.k., it means that you want to do better, and that you will do better in the future. No-one is perfect right off the bat, and know what? Neither are JM's. They will take the steps to protect you as they see fit - that's their job; and your job is to learn from whatever you can, absorb it all, and then perform wonderfully on your next jump. Get video for all your jumps. Review it with your JM's, and have them teach you even more. Point out what you did right...and see what they say. And above all, trust them. Even if you don't like what they say, they've had a few more jumps than you, are used to being in the air, and can see things that you can't. If you can explain yourself, like the alti checks, then do so, and see what they say. You will be fine. But my question really is: Did you have any fun??? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Prayers, and heartfelt sympathy to her. It's got to be hard, not to be able to say goodbye to him at the wake. Please remind her that he lives in her heart and memory, and will never be farther away than a smile and a heartbeat. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Oh, Jess, I simply adore you. Thanks for keeping my hope springing eternal and all that. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL! You must have me confused with someone else. Although I will jump with you again in a heartbeat, Deucy. And maybe I could get a copy of the tape this time, too! Good news about the rig - someday, I will have my own gear...and then - then, I will be a good jumper. That's how it works, right? You get your own gear and magically you're a good jumper? Please tell me that's what'll happen...otherwise, there is no hope for me. Hang tight, Deuce. It only sucks for a while, and then the weekend comes, when you can experience gravity sucking...and all will be right with the world. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I could point you in the right direction...I have a client who thinks their sole mission in life is to drive me politely crazy. Or maybe you could talk to the buyer's agent I'm currently dealing with. Or hell, I dunno, I could look up my ex's number and you two could mix it up. Except he might make a pass at you... Hey, just trying to help here. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, like a little motor. When I crawl into bed, not more than 5 minutes later she's up next to my head, settling in for the evening. She'll move around, get all set, and then the purring starts - and doesn't stop. And when I'm at the computer, she's nearby in one of several favored spots. If I leave the room, she comes to find me shortly thereafter. She's still purring and cuddling. Even reaching for my hand to nudge me into stroking her. Thanks, Jess. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Called the vet and told him the horror of the last few days' attempts. He agreed that this was not acceptable, and called the pharmacist. Irving the pharmacist and I talked for a while, and determined that 40 milligrams in capsule form, to be broken down and added to her food, would be the next thing to try. It's being messengered to me tomorrow...at no cost. I have the best vet in the area - he is leaving town for a week, but has informed his staff (who are all wonderful as well) that should I call, I am not to go to his replacement, but to take a message and they are to call him and he'd call me back so we could talk personally. I've not had great experience with vets; it is wonderful to have stumbled into his office. BK's eyes are not dilated equally today. I wonder just how much I'm trying to buy time for her, or is it for me... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

MSNBC, CNN, FOX, local channels. Several different radio stations (local and national, including NPR), many different web sites, and newspapers (my office gets 4 dailies...and I read as much of them as I can). Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Chuck, Mr. Kitty's total certainty that you would take care of him, and that he would find comfort with you, is NOT misplaced. Animals know, and are an incredible indicator of the human spirit. You are well and truly loved by him, and you deserve it, as he is well and truly loved by you. Hugs to you, and lots of vibes to Mr. Kitty. Health and happiness to him, rapid and full recovery as well. And for you? The same. Let me know what I can do - anything, Chuck. I understand. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

ROFL....I guess occasionally is all she can manage. He can outrun a few cops, so I suspect he's good to go a little more often than occasionally. And of course he could outrun them - they were laughing too hard to breathe, let alone run. But you know, good for them! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I used the table because it was there. Perhaps the floor is better... As for tuna flavored, I will ask...still waiting on the phone call from them to let me know what I can do. We had another go at it this morning...now my sofa smells like medicinal bubblegum. And now she's hiding. Sigh.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Perhaps. I'll check the link when I have time. Edited to add: This is the kind of information I was looking for in the thread before. While I haven't had a lot of time to read it, it seems interesting, and I have bookmarked it for further perusal. However, my question to you is why didn't you give this link before on the other thread? I can already give you that there are some inaccurate claims in that website, but it's interesting to read other country's perspectives. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

'Scuse me? I don't think I named you, nor did I intend to name you. As stated, I appreciate all those who answered honestly without whacking another group of people around. I shall continue to ask questions, and will take whatever answers are offered. And I shall continue to assess the situation based on the information provided. And I shall continue to make up my own mind. Should you not like the question, or any debate which may or may not follow, don't answer my questions, o.k.? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, guys...I'm not so good with the bundling thing yet...but I managed to get 4 of her claws clipped, even though I didn't want to. My nose is fine...and even if it wasn't, it doesn't matter. Maura, you hit it on the head with that. She's old, cranky, arthritic, and I so can't stand to put her through that. It's too much. O.K., that's a good description. What I have been doing is nestling her under me, on the dining table, and very similar body position. She fights so hard she chokes herself, and then of course I let her go. She gets it all over her coat, and gets utterly filthy, which necessitates a clean-up with washcloth and warm water, which she can't stand as well. I've got a call into the vet asking him to either give me pills or something that can mix with food. I took a deep whiff of the meds, and it smells like bubblegum. While that's fine for me, I can totally understand why a cat wouldn't want to consume it, and why she fights so hard. There's got to be a better way. I just gotta find it. Even if it's more expensive, I gotta find it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Russ... Wow, thanks. I do appreciate it greatly. I will re-read that several times to make sure I've got the points you were trying to get across before I respond indepth. Yes. In this context, I would really like to hear honest thoughts from people about this issue, as I don't understand it at all. Perhaps I am naive, or something...but I just don't get the rampant namecalling by anyone when the issues are not about that - they go far deeper and are far more heavily rooted in the soil. I believe that the namecalling is more like the feeder roots, widespread, shallow, and serving a purpose. I am just not exactly sure what purpose. I don't care about popularity. I try to get as much information from different sources on something like this, and then make up my own mind. But, being Irish, once my mind is made up, I tend to stick to it. LOL, it's nothing to me. You haven't read my "stories" yet, have you? I can ramble on forever before getting to a wee small point. At least you've managed to convey a great deal of information in a fairly reasonable length...not something I'm terribly good at. Like I said, I'll take the time to read and think about your points before I address them, or ask questions about them. And I really do appreciate your taking the time to express yourself with respect and courtesy. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Good on ya, Wendy! You'll have a ball. I'm sure HH can give you a tip or two, as well as the other Londoners on this site can help. Have a fantastic time. Wish I could swing it, but not quite yet... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That happens with my other two. BK is a frantic neurotic cat. She's named Bitch Kitty for a reason. And how am I supposed to wrap her if she's not holding still and being a good little kitty? She squirms and wigs out and displays her claws and paws the air...yowling and cursing my name in kitty talk all the while. LOL... Ciels- Michele She's taking a nap and I'm getting my dinner ready, so I'll try again in a little bit. At least my nose isn't bleeding. ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~