Michele

That's the best news I've heard all day! Rawk on, Drew!!! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I have 32 jumps right now. I'd be happy if I finished the year out at 62 and taking the canopy control class...but unless I get kissed by the cash God, or someone wants to donate some equipment to me, that's gonna be a squeeker for me. This year has been about seemingly singlehandedly supporting some silly eye surgeon (this last one was number 3 -and the most extensive and worst...oh well, it's over now, thank God!!!). Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, all... While I have not been all that good at landing (sometimes I forget to go towards the DZ while in the air...LOL), I had a really scary downwinder once. I wrote it up here, and it's called "They call it Hard Pan for a Reason": http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=33021;search_string=They%20call%20it%20hard%20pan%20for%20a%20reason;#33021 It's a long 'un (well, since when are my stories short? LOL!!!) so grab a cuppa coffee or a beer (if you're so inclined) and enjoy! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

See, I get so frustrated when I read a thread like this. On one hand, there are people who I respect greatly and admire for their skydiving skills and survivability, and who, if I am ever around them, listen carefully to their advice. I want to be like them, I want to jump like them, I want to be a sponge and soak up everything they say...whether in person or on these boards. On the other hand, I have had a cutaway. I know I will pull silver. And I won't jump without my cypres on. Yes, if I found out that my cypres was not on while I was on the plane, I would ride the plane down. Why? Because it is part of my gear check, and part of my routine to turn it on. If I've forgotten that, what else have I forgotten? And if it's malfunctioning, and I know I turned it on but now it's off, I am not going to jump on gear I don't know what's going on with it. Simply stated, I won't jump without my cypres on. Should that contribute to the "Airweenie" concept, so be it. If I fail someone's litmus test, or acid test, then I failed. Better here than in the air. If I don't earn the respect of the people who I respect because I actively choose to be as safe as I possibly can, taking into account all the circumstances, then so be it - I shall not be respected by them in turn. I won't walk the middle ground and placate those of you who I wish to be like; I will make myself happy, and modify the risks inherent in this sport as best I can, and then I shall make my paltry 3 jumps a month. And be happy doing so. Do I sound a tad defensive? Yes, I suppose I do. It's hard to take a postition like this because it goes against many respected people's position. I have less than 35 jumps. I don't know the first thing about this sport. So, is it hard? Yes. Will I do it? Yes. And will I jump wtih my cypres turned on, all the time? Yes. My ass, my choice. I am known as Airweenie. And as someone once told me, "wear that moniker with pride. Safety keeps you alive in this sport"... Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hmm, must have missed that thread.... As to books and authors, in no particular order: The entire DUNE series Illusions By Richard Bach The Celestine Prophecy anything by Stephen King, but especially the Gunslinger stuff and the Stand (uncut) Clancy (although he can get very long winded...) Kahlil Gibran I read so much that it's hard to single out one or even a grouping of them - depends on my mood, and what else is going on in my life. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Why, the other penny ends up in the same place that those single sox and hangers go... Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And now for my .02... I remember after my cutaway, Vinnie P. asked me: "Why didn't you wait until your cypres fired?". I responded "I didn't even recall I had one. I pulled silver. Wasn't I supposed to pull silver?"...and only once he looked at me really strangely did I realize he was joking. Well, the look and the comment "It would have been more paperwork if there was a cypres fire"...LOL...and it wasn't until the next day that I remembered the RSL, too....I was so intent on pulling and throwing, in the right order... I won't jump without one, armed and, to the best of my knowledge, functioning. Yes, I understand that there are situations in which a Cypres could exacerbate the problem. But I also know there are several circumstances wherein my life has a better chance if it fires...I think, on balance, that I am marginally safer with one than without one. It is a backup-last chance sort of thing, and I hope I can see the chain forming and break it before I ever need it. But if not, it's there, and I am more comfortable with it. Like I said, it's worth about .02.....and you can keep the change! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Aw, shit, Zennie. What to say? I am so sorry. Be good to yourself right now - I mean really good - treat yourself right, in all aspects. We're here for you, you know that. And of course all the good vibes I can muster are sailing from CA to you as we speak! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Godspeed and blue skies forever, Tim. And my sincerest condolences to Melissa and his girls... Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

3(weeks until the Dr. MAY let me jump):0:0..... Sigh. I am soooooo freaking jealous of all of you. Although the headaches being diminished (and soon to be gone altogether) is a fair trade-off.... I wanna!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!stompstompstomp!!! Ciels and Pinks Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

See, now, that was an interesting sight - dressed only in a bikini bottom, tennis shoes and sox.... LOL... Good job, all of you!!!!! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, Jenni I was worried about the very same things. And I still worry. But what you will find in the air far surpasses the normal concerns you have. I DID get lost on my first jump (I did AFF; never did a tandem) - but I also was able to find the dropzone in time to make it to the landing area. I was so stunned that I had done it that I didn't look around, and when I did, man, I was too scared to turn around...LOL, very funny now, but not too funny then. But the truth is I was able to make it back. I would suggest two things: a) you do this for yourself - not because someone tells you about it, but for you and your own experience; and b) do a tandem for the first time. If I have any regrets about jumping, it was NOT doing a tandem first. It takes the pressure off - there's an experienced jumper strapped to you, who wants to make it back down, too, and who is experienced in figuring out winds, handling problems, and whatnot. It does take the pressure off you - you are along for the ride, and so you can experience the whole thing. OH! and get video - because even if you don't get hooked into this incredible thing we do, you will always have proof of the moment you accomplished something millions of people dream about, but haven't the courage to try: flying your body through the bright blue...free...for a brief and endless moment you lived on the edge...outside the box, in a totally different world than you have ever known. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Blue skies and white puffies forever... My most sincere condolences to her family and friends. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

But - but - but I can't discuss different aspects of the sport yet; I don't know enough about different aspects to hold an intelligent conversation, and I don't even own my own gear. I don't even mean a seriously technical conversation. I'm still trying to figure out what uppers and lowers do to the spot...so I can't even talk about the basic aspects just yet... And I can't afford to make 5 jumps a week, every week. I'm happy and lucky if I can make 3 a month. And I don't even know what a skydiving mentality is... So, does that mean I am not a skydiver? Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL, you don't live in CA, do you? We are one of the hardest, most stringently regulated gun control states in the union. We even have magazine capacity regulations. "Gun control" doesn't work. Education works. Furthermore, there are rumors of stabbing which occurred at the scene, as well...but that is being hushed up - or is simply rumors, (I wasn't there, I dunno). If true, would you advocate kitchen knife regulations? I am not flaming you - I respect your opinion. I live here, though, and I sincerely don't believe that any additional gun control rules, regulations, and laws would have done a damned thing in this case. Nor in most cases where guns are used. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

So far, what has been reported is that at 11:33 am, a shooter came up to the El Al counter, and, without speaking, started shooting people. Undercover El Al as well as Airport security returned fire, and killed the shooter. The shooter's first victim (female) was killed, and at least 2 people have been transported to local hospitals, one of them female, the other unknown. There is some scatter-talk about a 2nd gunman still at large, but that is pretty unfounded - witness only, not from the police or El Al. The gunman did NOT breach the "sterile" area. The accessibility from the street to the ticket counter is literally within steps. No guns were taken through any scanners, etc. It could be compared to someone walking into a supermarket and starting to shoot, I suppose. I am hearing that Class B airspace may be closed around LAX. I am also hearing that Los Angeles and surrounding areas have been placed on Tactical Alert, as there is concern that this is a "diversion" of some sort. not that I think that, but it is something to consider. Also, Ontario airport and Burbank have not been affected, still handling all traffic...but I haven't heard a plane for a while, come to think of it...(and no, I am not Henny-Penny-ing...just "reporting"). Could be easily a domestic situation, or something else. No-one knows as of yet. LAPD did in fact describe it as "just a shooting"... Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, Rhino? You're an asshole. Yeah, personal attack, so what? Whatcha gonna do to me? You wouldn't know what a man was, let alone a Marine. Your attitude sucks, your behavior is atrocious, and you think you impress people with your paltry little salad bar and uniform? Get real. A real man wouldn't be responding in the manner you did. Only a threatened little boy, scared of his shadow, desperate for control because his life is lacking any. You are a child. I'm willing to bet a dollar that Nathan is a far better jumper than you will ever be. Why? Because he doesn't let his overinflated ego get in the way of his safety. Nor does he let his pride and "manhood" get in the way of canopy selection and use. Your concept of "backbone" is dictatorial and idiotic, not to mention dangerous to yourself and to others. You have a serious problem with listening to people who have far more experience than you - not just in skydiving but in life, as well. You have a serious problem with respect - both self and otherwise - and it shows. In your braggadocio you hide, not able nor willing to listen to your betters...and that is most people here. As for kissing ass, how is showing respect ass kissing? 'Tis far better to kiss a little ass and learn from other people than the route you're going. Most egocentric assholes like yourself express the same sentiments. Obviously you don't care. Furthermore, some of the people who don't "like" you don't like you for a hugely valid reason - your ego, your arrogance, your know-it-all behavior. Not because they are spineless jerks, let me tell you. I know some of these people, and they are some of the strongest people around. You, "sir", are the spineless jerk, which is why your ego is so fucking overlarge. Or are you compensating for something which is far smaller than your ego? Flying skills, perhaps??? You are doing well of making a fool of yourself, jackass. Nathan did nothing more than say what a lot of us are thinking. Let me tell you something: you ever show up near me, I won't share airtime with you - not even getting on the same plane as you. Jump karma. You are a dangerous idiot, an accident waiting to happen. You are a whining brat, unwilling and unable to listen to your betters - and, as stated, most are your betters. You dispense advice to people who are too new to know better, and I sincerely hope that the bones you may break are your own, and not someone who's read your bullshit and taken it seriously. You know nothing - nothing about being a man, a skydiver, or a father. As you have been asked to stay away from the forums, show a little respect for the person who runs this place, and go away - far away, never to show your trolling little wart-infested obsessive face around here again. And if you e-mail me or pm me, it will become public, immediately. "Understand??" Threatening both HH and Nathan is the wrong thing to do. Unimpressive, laughable, and beyond pity - you are an asshole.

I actually will be starting an advertising campaign with skydiving as it's core - should run about 5 months. This will make most of my jump expenses write-offs...my CPA is looking into whether or not I can buy gear and write it off....hee hee....of course, coming up with the capital to actually buy gear is a whole 'nother story...Dr's bills come first... Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I, for one, am very happy with it's size. It's large enough to penetrate, yet is still nice enough for me to play with as long as I want. It lets me try all sorts of things I never would with a smaller one (for fear of it's faster response time), and, at least for me, experimentation is the key. While occasionally I want a hard, fast one, mostly I am content to let it take it's time, with minimal input from me, as it gently takes me to the heavens. It is sturdy enough to take me through the most intense turbulence I have dared, and sets me back on my feet with care after the ride is over. It is not in a hurry for everything to be over, and takes a long time to package up after it's laying, exhausted, at my feet. And it is ready to go again as soon as I massage and manipulate it into the proper position, sweating and working and earning my ride... Yesh, size matters..... (oh, BTW, rhino? I appreciate all the advice you've given. I am learning all the things NOT to do...) Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Drew - hurry back, hale and hearty and healthy. Get well soon, and positive thoughts, vibes, and heartfelt prayers are with you. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Morning, JTVal Here's a link which may help you understand how much alcohol these guys may have consumed. Keep in mind that the table is for a 150 lb. man (which seems small to me, but that's what the table says), and can also vary depending upon other factors, including anything to eat while/just prior to dirnking, tolerance to alcohol, kind of alcohol, matabolic rate, etc. Also note that this is based on consumption per hour. http://web.umr.edu/~umrtechs/alc/BAC.html If what Dave says is correct, the BAC is .04, and these guys blew a lot higher - more than twice, if I am not mistaken. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Heal quickly, Andy....glad it was minor, rather than something hugely bad. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

3,678,023:0:1 3,678,024: times I looked at the sky thinking "I wanna be there!!!!".... 0: will change in a month (if I continue to heal adequately) 1:beer owed because I showed a guy one single home, and we wrote a full price offer on it (still waiting to hear about it, tho)....Damn, I'm good.... Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

(I dunno why I chose this morning to get into this particular conversation...) Look, there is a law in California which allows children to "opt out" of anything even superficially religious, such as the inclusion of the words "under God". Because of that law, many children do not utter those words. Why can't I if I choose? Why can't I pledge my allegience to my country, and state a belief that this nation is, indeed, one under God... What a powerful expression of solidarity and unity. I mean, think about it. One nation, as large as we are. One nation, as diverse as we are. One nation, as incredible as we are BECAUSE of the size and diversity...and to express it as "one nation under God" brings to the table the thought that everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, sex, creed, political leaning - we are all equal, all one, all together in this - under God...this speaks volumes to the fact that we are *ALL* given the rights stated in the Declaration of Independence and further ennumerated in teh Constitution. It doesn't state we are all equal under a political party - or only caucasians, or men, or little green people - it states clearly and emphatically that irrespective of your personal belief system - be it roman catholic, jew or athiest - you are as free and equal as me, and I am as free and equal as you, but we are united in this country, and we are united together. The phrase "under God" talks to that which is bigger than - more than - a political agenda, or a "religious" code, or a personal moral and ethical system which may or may not include theistic qualities. It elevates a person from being part of a particular crowd/idea to part of the whole...which is what this country is, essentially, founded on: each person has a value, and no value is better than another. Just my rambling thoughts this morning. Please save the flames, but I think most people haven't seen it this way, and I thought I'd share another perspective. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~