Michele

Karma is "payback" (you reap what you sow), and "paying it forward" is a forward action, thus creating (sowing) something for the future, imho. I think that just doing something for someone else, whether they know it's me doing it or not, is reward enough. And it doesn't take $$ to do it. It's as simple as holding a door for a mother with a stroller; letting another car merge ahead of you (what's the rush, anyway???), reaching something on the top shelf for someone at the market. It's stepping out of an "I" orientation to a "you" orientation that creates (sows) the action. It's lending an ear to someone, lending a shoulder to someone...it's sending a little note to say "Hi, thinking of you" or "You rawk; just wanted to tell you that!" It's nothing big, sometimes, which makes all the difference to the person you've helped, and the easing of their burden, in whole or in part, is what makes the difference. And doing it without thought of payback or remuneration or even thanks at times...that's when you know you've made the shift. When you've done something for someone and not allowed a way of payback... sending anonymous donations to charity; sticking a toy in the Toys For Tots bin...handing your spare change over to the bell ringer outside the store...man, that's the best feeling in the world. I have 2 journals I keep - the "Blessings" journal, and the Pay It Forward journal. Each night, I list five things in each. Did I do 5 things for others during the day? Can I count 5 things as blessings? If not, then I am focussing far too much on my sorrow and pain, on myself, and not outside of me, which is where the world is - outside. And if not, then I make a better effort at it during the next day. Just my .02... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I was on a load during AFF...it was windy, but not bad. We jumped, and I landed in a huge gust. Found out that as we left the plane, the pilot held the rest of the load (all students) because manifest had radioed that the winds had really picked up since we'd taken off. I recall being really concerned in the air...but I did land it going forward, and I did land it on my toes. One thing I do when I get to the dz is figure out who's there, who I'll "watch" today". I find a jumper who I know beyond doubt is a "safe" jumper - not someone who takes risks...John Brasher, Jan Meyer, whomever, and check to see what they're doing if the winds pick up. And I also have a rule: if AFF isn't going, I'm not going. If I have questions, I ask. And I watch. I also think that, even with my low numbers, if I see something wrong, I have a responsibility to say something. If someone's chest strap isn't routed right, the winds are too high, whatever, I make a point of saying something...I do think that ultimately, we are responsible for ourselves, but if it's a low number jumper, maybe he isn't aware of something, maybe he doesn't know. Maybe he hadn't thought about it. I dunno, maybe something. But if I say something, maybe he'll rethink it. Maybe not. But maybe. Just my .02 Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Packages. Unabashed call here for packages. Now, if the package was attached to someone who jumped, and who had money, I would be in heaven (that is, if the package's owner knew what to do with it...doesn't matter if he has no idea. No, it's not a pointer...no, it's not a dowser...). Sorry, boobies just don't interest me. I have a pair of my own, which get in my way sometimes. Usually not, though. They do make great front bumpers when I have a bad landing... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Aboslutely be prepared. Some things to consider: Maps: The route you think you'll use may not be a viable option. Toilet paper: self explanatory Medications: for you, any RX's and simple otc meds like neosporin and aspirin. Also don't forget regular bandaids. If you wear contacts, find an old pair of glasses (won't want to deal with saline etc.). Get the contacts out ASAP because of crud in the air getting into your eyes. Precaution: if you're really concerned about volcanos, make sure you have something which will allow you to breathe - a mask, covering, something like that. Other: Make sure you have an out-of-state communications point. Write that person's name and number down. Oftentimes it's easier to call out of state than it is to call instate. Also, if friends/realtives are in the evac area, make sure you get them the info so they can have a telephonic meeting point, and get updates as to where you are so as to be able to hook up again with them. A few notes from experience: Do NOT drive as fast as you can. Drive as safely as you can. In the '94 quake, which happened at 4:30ish am, lights were out. Consequently, we lost one officer who didn't see the freeway in front of him had collapsed. Further, there will be lots of people who are not in cars running around. Hitting one of them may seriously damage your only ability to escape, not to mention you've just hit a person. This also goes for animals (they get out at the most inconvenient times...). Do not drive the typical routes; every one else will be, and if everyone tried to get out of Dodge at the same time, you're stuck. Find rarely used (but serviceable) backroads, and take them (prepare first). Know how to get out in all directions - N, E, S, W. And lastly, a 3 pointer is nothing to be alarmed at. There are lots of burps in volcanoes - look at: http://www.geophys.washington.edu/recenteqs/ to see your local seismicity. And then take a look at: http://www.scecdc.scec.org/recenteqs/. If you look south of the "crook" of the border of CA/NV, you'll see a "cluster" of yellow and blue squares. This is Mammoth mountain. It recently had a serious grouping (last year or the year before) of nearly 100 eq's up to a 4, and nothing came of it. 3 pointers are almost unfelt. Here in So Ca, it takes something on the order of a 4.3 (+/-) to alert the local emergency services, and a 4 is barely felt if more than 10 miles away. A 5 will make you sit up and take notice, and a 6 is something you're gonna want to watch yourself with. From a 6 upward, you will want to take protective action, but do not go running around outside. That can kill you faster than a quake will. Yes, they are scary. Yes, they are really noisy. Yes, they can be very dangerous. But the majority of quakes are 3.5 and under, and you aren't even really aware they happen. I've been through quite a few biggies, both here and up north, and managed to survive each one with less injury than a really bad landing skydiving. There are significant indicators that the USGS watches constantly, and very rarely will a volcano erupt without the USGS sending out an alert. Remember Mt. St. Helens? They didn't know when, but they knew it was likely to go...and took precautions. That was what, 20 years ago? The science has significantly increased, and the warnings are far more accurate now. Be far more concerned about eq's, where ever you live. The USGS has not been able to develop a system of precursor events/signals, and cannot be even inaccurately predicted. This isn't to say there aren't signals, but... And of course, now that I've said that, I'll say this: There is far more unknown than is known about eq's and volcanos. Always be prepared, and never be panicked. I'm no geologist, and certainly no seismologist, but like I said, I've seen my share. If anyone has any questions, please ask...be happy to help. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Duran Duran (I think...) Africa Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Taken from the New York Times Crossword Puzzle Dictionary, Breasts, my favorite selections are: Bazoom Brisket Mastia New word sentence: Skydiving is not for the pusillanimous. (O.K., that's not exactly a new word for me, but I did have to check the spelling...) Definition: lacking courage and resolution : marked by contemptible timidity (Webster's) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sounds interesting. I have pretty intense nightmares about once a week. About 2x a month they'll be so bad I'll wake crying and hyperventilating. Last night I dreamed my brother (whom I adore) was shooting heroin into his neck, and I was screaming "you can't, you're my brother, don't, you can't" and I woke up crying. Couldn't get back to sleep. they're always like that - but generally focus on my Pop dying (recent ones include him being shot in front of me, dying by drowning in front of me, stuff like that.) It can be tough. Lucid dreaming may be a way to deal with this. I've tried pretty much everything out there in terms of meds, and some make it worse, while the others just let me go to sleep better, but don't stop the nightmares. I'll look into getting the book, and see if there isn't something I can finally do about it. Thanks! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I dunno, but wouldn't one really good way to determine where some of the equipment turns up would be by tracking the Cypres serial numbers? They will need checks, right? Batteries exchanged? Prolly already been done, but maybe if someone sent the guys the Cypres place an e-mail alerting them, then they could be watching for them. Just a thought. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Barefoot, after doing 7 hours of chores... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Don't think so? 30 years later, this man is still remembered for his action and his commitment. He is still revered in some circles. His commitment to something was demonstrated by self-immolation, and at least two people see that...Happythoughts and I. It is a serious statement to his convictions, and his actions have served to stimulate conversation 30 years after he died. That's a serious reverberation, don't you think? I honestly doubt Spidermandude will be discussed next year, let alone 5, 10, 15, 30 years from now...but I'll bet children 10 years old today will see the monk's photo some day and discuss it. Hey - have a great day! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, MP (and all you wonderful 300-way'ers!) To quote someone's words...if you look directly below the reply box, there will be several buttons. Copy the quote you want to use, click the "quote" button, paste the copy you took, and then click "/quote " again. It should look like this... [ quote] So, how do include the part of the person's message that you are replying to?[ /quote] There are lots of helpful things under the "FAQ," which is located up on the top navigation bar on the right side. Hope this helps! And huge congratulations to everyone. I mean, really! You ALL RAWK!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

See, I was going to dash something off, a "good fucking story", with the characters of Bret and Violet, something about brawny chests and crushing strength, heat rising and blushing blonds, and then I realized...That's not the kind of story I tell! And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the keys to the Abyss, and holding in his hand a great chain..... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You were only pretending? Dewd! Um, we talked what, 35-45 minutes, and about 10 minutes was about real estate? LOL! Gee, the same thing happened with LadySkydiver, too....huh. Talked about the sky far more than business. I wonder if it's me, or a skydiver trait? LOL, likely me. About that freefly friendly gaff - that must've been when Antonio wanted to talk to me. My bad. Sorry. (I am not the best multitasker around.) Anyway, someone video this man. 'Twould be good to see it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Happy Birthday, Kreg...your weekend started rough...how'd it end? And I'd offer to spank you, but the Mistress of spankings has already done so...so I shall just wish you many happy returns. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I actually like showing houses either during or right after a rain storm. That way, you can see if the roof leaks. 'Course, I try to not show fixers when it's pouring out, because they usually require a roof...and in this storm, you'd get drenched in a heartbeat. Which reminds me...I have to go to the store tonight. And I have no galoshes. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yeah, no kidding. Burbank, too. Usually, as the day progresses, it gets warmer. Not so today. It's really really cold and windy and wet. And it's tied up traffic something awful. No showing houses today... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I think he does....Bryce? Hey, Bryce!!!!!!!!!! He bought a freefly friendly rig, so I'm guessing he does. But he mentioned something about sit-flailing...so I dunno. LOL, someone can pull him over to the dark side, I'm sure. After all, his "handle" here is "bwilling"... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

What in the world is he thinking? 'Cause if there's no video, it never happened..... Right? Thought so. So you're not a jumper. HAHAHA

I think what Moody's asking is: Should she get toggles with or without velcro? Opinions? Hazards? bennies? (That about right, Moody? ) I got velcro toggles. They're fine. I've never used anything else, tho, so I have nothing to compare it to. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

WHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOO! And just in case you actually think I did anything, remember it was your ass being slung around the sky, you took care of yourself, and you had the courage and fortitude to get back into the air. You RAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWKKKKKKKK, girlio! Me is way proud of you! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

How long did everyone give me? And is there still a bet going on, what with me taking the canopy class, or did that just make the odds better? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Um, you have a phone that doesn't wring? Well, that makes sense...most phones ring...and yours didn't ring because I didn't make it into the office today...and circumstances prevent me from calling from home. (But maybe we'd best take this to pm's....) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Whhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttttt? Hello, is this thing on? What part of being a friend did you NOT learn? You don't leave someone who's depressed and that you've stated you're worried is gonna do something self destructive alone. You don't abandon him right now because its "too tough". You're not a wimp, I don't think. But you don't come first right now - HE does. Sorry, but this has really upset me. If I were your friend, and you did this to me, it would make me feel totally vulnerable, alone, MORE depressed and more likely to do something stupid to make sure I was loved - namely, marrying someone who was not right for me. You're not being a real good friend here, imho. Friends stick with you when you're having a bad time - and they don't abandon you when it gets "tough". Dewd, rethink the whole situation. Phew. Sorry if that's harsh. It's only my opinion, do as you will. It's your life. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

It's also a brand of peanut butter..... Yes, that's what I had for lunch. PB and homemade strawberry jam. And yes, I grew the berries. Good stuff! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~