Michele

After this long, you'd think I'd stay away from this thread altogether...sigh... As far as I am aware, and I can only speak for (a poor understanding of the laws in) CA...there is a waiting period that a person must go through, to be cleared by the government to actually purchase a gun. As with most things, when this is enforced, it works. When it is not enforced, then it lets the cracks open for people to fall through. I would also like to hear your version of criminal. Do you mean someone already convicted of felonious behavior? How about a violent misdemeanor? Or a plea bargain agreement which reduces a violent misdemeanor to an infraction? Should they have served time? Or is it just simply a charge was made against them, but nothing ever came of it? But wouldn't that be a problem in and unto itself? I mean, people say things all the time. I think that prevention because someone says something is far more dangerous, inasmuch as it infringes on someone's right to free speech, and the proprietor's right to free trade given the example you present. If, however, someone has a history of violent behavior, convicted of such, and it's in the record, that will be found during the waiting period (again, given that the searches are done...). And that period is already in place here. Not being a legal eagle, or even a sparrow for that matter...there are already laws in place (again, here in CA) which call for enhancement of a sentence if a gun is used. If the law is in place, but not enforced, then what would the benefit be for enacting additional laws, which in turn will not be enforced? I can't see one. If the laws are uniformly enacted, and holes found, then additional measures may be in order. But I think that enforcing the laws we have is a good beginning. Agreed. It is a parental responsibility to educate their child about firearms. I'm not against safety measures that cut down on collateral damage. What I am against is measures which cut down on my personal right to self protection. The question seems to be largely one of "balance". How do I balance my right to self protection with another's rights? If I am restricted in taking those measures I see fit to protect myself, then my rights are being infringed upon. The statistics were quoted somewhere above about the number of times guns were used to protect oneself. I think those are very important to consider when talking about this issue. Each life has value. Including mine. Including yours. I hope I missed the sarcasm here, but you didn't put a little winky face in it, so I am concerned that you are not sarcastic. If I missed it, then I apologize.... That being said, please don't include me in your broad comment "the rest of us"....I am saddened to see that you believe your rights are more important than mine. They are not. They are equal. I am also saddened to think that you believe segregation of part of the population because they believe one thing and you believe another is an answer to this question. Segregation is never an answer. Considering the broad and oftentimes emotional commentary I see here, no wonder our legislators have a hard time finding the middle road...we can't seem to find it here. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I took the test. They won't send me the score, tho. "Someone is already using that email address". I guess I took it before, and am too stupid to remember doing it! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Jaco Yeah, what he said (hey, Justin, you're not getting me into trouble, are ya? LOL) (Michele's translation...Thanks and other things). Hey...you weren't being rude. I'm the one who is language deficient. Welcome aboard...and will someone take it upon themselves to teach me Afrikaans? LOL! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Which is why I didn't go that direction. Heck, if my company was paying for it, I'd go with him in a heartbeat. Shoot, it would be an excellent campaign for my company, but that just ain't gonna happen. It will be coming out of my shallow pocket, which is, unfortunately, the problem. I don't want a "Hollywood" thing either, just something which shows me grinning and my co t-shirt name...and a shot under canopy (if possible)...some great captions I could put out there...no fancy camera angles, nothing specific, just smiling like I generally do in the air. Ah well, I thought it would be worth a try. Sorry, all.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL, I should'a realized....my bad...sorry to get your hopes up only to dash them.... I want to get some pix for an advertising campaign I'm starting in January...me, the sky, the company t-shirt, etc.....and figured I'd come here first. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, all. I need a photographer who does stills in the Perris/Elsinore area for something I am thinking about doing . If anyone would be interested, please pm me... Thanks! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yeah, what he said! Thanks, HH! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, 'Blade... I can't answer in afrikaans (i suspect it's afrikaans, but I am not sure...), and I have no experience about FLA whatsoever, but HI anyway! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

It's possible.....I may be there.....I may not be there....it's 10 days away! I don't know what I'm supposed to do this afternoon..... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I am a newbie, and as such haven't been able to experience all the options of training and ratings and whatnot. That being said.... CANOPY CLASS! We do AFF/ISP (whatever) to learn how to be safe in the air, and I think that canopy instruction is vital to the continuance of the safety aspect - I mean, more people get hurt because of errors in landing skills, I think, than in errors in RW/FF....and canopy class is faaaaaaaaar more than "you're flaring early/late"...it's also about how to actually fly the canopy, and understand why it does what it does under certain circumstances. For some, canopy flying is intuitive...for me, it was counterintuitive... Just my .02, though. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Still in "maybe" land.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I voted... and yes I read the question correctly (and only one cuppa coffee too!). But I'm not going to indicate which way I voted, because I am mixed about the whole issue. There are pro's and con's on both sides, you know? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Matt, no, I don't think a photo is a good idea. I mean, really. Just not a good idea. At all. Nope, hun, sorry.... ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I get this pix of me trying to eat cereal or something. Oh, that's sooooo not possible. Um, this wouldn't involve sausage, would it....???? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Whew! I was worried there for a minute...they're sneaky, they are, those gubmint brainwave mind controlling hijackers. Oh, and for what it's worth, on those days when it gets really noisy in your head, using your Winnie-The-Pooh watch's secret wave-deflector and decoder will help you get back in control. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, Stormy, you have succeeded with me. See?

Kes, I was just thinking the same thing....but I don't think you can change them, can you? At least, you couldn't before....dunno about now.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Oh yeah, Stormy, oh yeah! I didn't bother with the other one, but that hockey one.....oh yeah! Thanks for the smile! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That doesn't work by itself. You have to also wear big pink fuzzy slippers, too! I can't believe no-one told you about the slippers! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Dewd, if I can get there, I'll make sure I have it. I will mention, though, that I will not jump topless....my bumpers still need the protection on landing... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Good deal, Rhino. I am happy for you!!

Whachoo talkin' about, wingi? I really am trying to figure it out, see how I can get there, even if only for two days or whatever. And yes, I'll jump with you (you heard it here first. man, I must be getting mroe confident or something! LOL). Heck, I even jumped with 6 people - at once - before....well, o.k., it never stayed together past the first 1/3 of a second, but I have done it....and *I* stayed stable while everyone else either left because of helmets coming loose, or just peeling off... Ciels- M ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hmmmmm. See, I hadn't thought of that. I do believe I may have to check it out. Thanks, Bill! I do transcription easily, type something like 90 - 100 wpm, and so forth, so it may be a possibility. And not only are there lots of courts around, there are services which need court reporters - depositions, some arbitration, etc. That could work. Hmmmmmmmmm...... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, I would say it's good to know he's "safe and sound". But he's with a bunch of skydivers, so nig noggery is inevitable....I will say it's good to know he's not in an accident somewhere. That, friends and neighbors, would suck. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I am self employed (well, at least I receive a 1099, rather than a W2), and seriously reconsidering it. With no college degree, and no means to get one (except from those spam places), and no marketable skills other than typing, it is hard to get more than a sectretarial position. I am looking for part time work somewhere, which will provide a little financial stability and at the same time allow me to pursue what I do now, as well. I do love what I do...it's just I don't have a client base to work from. Jess, I would love to do something like that. I'm good with deadlines, too...we need to talk. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~