Michele

Hmmm....sounds kinda familiar.....backwards, but familiar.... Glad to hear about your cutaway and walkaway. Man, between all of you and Clay, I am glad I'm grounded for a while. Well, not really, but may as well find the silver lining to this cloud....!! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, since you have an alter ego here, have NWS01 on the cutaway, and then Chromeboy on the reserve. That way, when you feel like changing personalities and/or parachutes, all you have to do is read it and do it!

Sangiro, I suppose it's far too much to hope that this is the least posted-to forum here. Hopefully, however, it will be the most read, inasmuch as lots of learning can take place. You've stepped up yet again, HH, and for that - THANK YOU!!! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Wingspan envy? Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My entire addition to this thread (so far, who knows what will happen later...) is that there is a law already in place (passed many years ago)(and at least in CA, where the suit was brought and tried) which makes it illegal to force a child to say "under God" during the pledge (or even be forced say the pledge in the first place)...and if the child should choose to not say it, or be forbidden by the parent from saying it, there is NO action taken to make a child say it. It's an "opt out" kinda thing. Therefore, if there already is a law in place which addresses this issue, why the suit? Have any of you seen the man who brought the lawsuit? He is a Dr and a lawyer, divorced, non-custodial parent. He brought the suit originally in the wrong jurisdiction, and refiled in the correct one once he found out which jurisdiction his daughter's school was located in. Methinks there is more to this than meets the eye - although just what, I cannot say. Furthermore, this man tried to sue President Bush and the Federal Gubmint to remove the words "So help me God" from the swearing in ceremony at the Inaugural Address...and he is suing or has sued to remove the words "In God We Trust" from the currency (hmmm...I think that's the case. I could be wrong). I suspect there is far more to this man and the situation which meets the eye...but he is free to express himself as he sees fit. So'm I. And here's how I see it. He's an ass. He is trying to make any expression of a faith in a higher power - be it God, the Trees, or the Four Elements - illegal. Why should my expression be limited because he gets uncomfortable when he hears anything regarding God? The Constitution guarantees freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion, and protects me if I express myself as a religious person in the manner I choose. The Constitution does NOT guarantee that I will have a life free of uncomfortable things; free from hearing things I don't want to hear (freedom of speech guaranteeing I will hear things I don't want to hear, for example), and most certainly does not guarantee that it will protect me from struggles and hardships in a society which is often at odds and conflicting. The pursuit of happiness - PURSUIT, mind you - does not promise that I will actually achieve it. And if I don't achieve it, then either I have to work harder or give up. It is not incumbent upon the Government to make me a happy camper - just assure that I have the fair chance to work towards being one. What the Constitution does promise me is the opportunity to pursue a life free of religious persecution (within the confines of secular law - i.e. I don't get to make human sacrifices on the top of a pyramid in my backyard to make sure we get rain this year, etc...). I have a right to state my religious/spiritual/faith as I see fit, which may to include the words "Under God"....and you have the right to not say it, if you choose. But don't muffle me when I choose to say it. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Now, I could be utterly offbase. Totally wrong. Happened before, will happen again... However, that caveat being stated... Aren't devout muslim women forbidden to drive a car? Isn't that "against" their religion, too? I mean, it's been all over the news in one way or another for about 9 months or so, but isn't Islam very very clear as to what their female adherants are allowed and instructed to do? Seems to me that if she is ascribing to the particular tenant "I can't show my face to anyone other than my husband", then she is in the group of extreme adherants, and likely must also follow the other stringent things - such as not driving... If that is true, it brings up the question: why would she need a DL in the first place? But then again, I could be wrong. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I was unable to connect for some pissy reason. It gets me to the screen, but I can't see any users or coversations and when I type something and hit enter, it doesn't get onto the screen...just out into cyber land. Just a horrid end to a most horrid day...now I can't even talk to friends. I think I'm gonna go find a hole and crawl into it, and drink Single Barrel Jack until it all just stops. Or maybe expensive imported chocolate. Both.... Ciels and Pinks Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Um, doubt that would work in Burbank....

hi, Dave (good news about your knee, btw...) Well, I didn't go poking around the crow corpse, so I dunno if it was CO2, bb, or bullet. However, it does not negate the felonious cruelty to animals charge which the shooter could face, nor does it mitigate the "discharge of a firearm", as CA classifies pretty much any projectile thrower aside from a watergun as a "firearm", whether or not it actually is. Also, even if it was a CO2, it could really hurt a child, which would then be considered ADW, if it didn't kill him...and the alley is often used by the children attending the elementary school two blocks away. I will say I don't see any indication of it being a shotgun (no scattershot debris), and I doubt it was a 9 or anything like that. Most likely a bb gun, or, at worst, a .22 because of the lack of "shots fired" reports. So while it makes a difference, it doesn't make that much of a difference.... Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

So I run into a neighbor this afternoon in the alley behind our homes, and she and I got to talking. She pointed to a dead crow, and told me one of our neighbors shot it. She's not sure who, as it is a large apartment building (and truth told it may not be from that building...but likely is). I called the local PD, who told me there's nothing they can do because no-one is sure where it's coming from, although there have been two other complaints about "shots fired". They did make a call to Animal Control, though, and it seems AC will have more leeway to investigate than the PD do. Now, if I am walking along the alley, and get shot, is there nothing they can do (canvass the apartment building) because no-one saw it? No, of course they would talk to all the neighbors because it is a person, and not an animal. Great. It's not that I am partial to crows - they fly around and poop on things and are generally obnoxious. But hey, shooting into the alley? Could kill a kid or something. So some jackass is shooting crows next door to me, and no-one thinks this could be a problem? Anyone have any ideas how to handle this? I have thought that I will hit the computer at work tomorrow and get the apartment building owner's name, address and phone number, and send him a "cheerful" little note. Alternatively, I was thinking that I could simply get the apartment manager's number, and make a formal complaint. But anyone have any neat ideas (which wouldn't be traced back to me?) ? Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Actually, I didn't find the article all that negative to extreme sports people - but it did make plently of fun to the people who would never consider something extreme, but who would like the "image" of it nonetheless. The visual of the guy in the coffee shop talking about the Eco-Challenge was funny, and accurate; pointing out that there he is, in the safety of his life, convenient $5 a cup coffee shop open for business, and this guy could not survive the first day of the Eco Challenge, let alone 5 jumps from an airplane. The advertising sector using extremism to buy a product is nothing new - I have yet to ever get my laundry quite as clean as she does, or wear makeup quite as well as they do on Revlon. I have not managed to save time with that particular vaccuum, nor have I been able to "tighten, flatten and look great while never breaking a sweat". My teeth are not the whitest I was promised; and my window still streaks, no matter what product I use (and the plant does NOT reach for the clean window pane over the "other brand"... The fact that using "extremism" in sports to sell Gatorade, backpacks, soups, or toothpaste is nothing new. And the article makes an interesting point - "either shit, or get off the pot", as my Dad would say. Drinking Mountain Dew does NOT enable you to jump from a plane, but desire, hard work, and taking risks does. That, to me, was the point. But, as always, I reserve the right to be wrong. Often am, too! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Damn. It's real. Huh.

My thoughts and prayers and of course good positive vibes heading your way, Keith. You'll make it through. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hey, Lummy? You have a (ahem) boobie? Symmetry is important, they say.... Well, I guess it's for real. I talked to someone at the production company, and we will be talking again later today...who knows if it will actually go anywhere or do anything, but at least it's for real. (I can't help but get the giggles with this. So unexpected? unreal? unbelieveable? I am waiting for the Candid Camera guy....) hey, Mouth - where the heck've you been? Missed you tons! And Skybytch - yeah, I am now wishing hard that we had been able to get Standing Rib roast video'd...oh well...I am sure I can funnel something again...

Good job, Anne - glad you came out alright! Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Sharky I'd love to play with you....but my stupid Dr. thinks I should let my eyesocket bone heal a bit or something like that...he thinks weak bones there would be a danger or whatever...sigh...so I am grounded through the end of July, at least. But if I can get out to watch, I will be there. And maybe next year I'll even give it a go. Ciels and Pinks- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! These things are neat and great and wonderful and simply spectacular! Thank you for all your hard work, thank you thank you thank you. You really worked hard, and I wanted to be the first to tell you how very much I appreciate it, you, and these forums. And "thank you" just doesn't quite convey the thought. Hmmm.....how about "a whole keg of Beer for you!!!"...

Thanks, guys. Thinking that it had to be a joke or something, I ran a search for her this morning on the 'net. Sure 'nuff, she's for real, and has won awards for short films. Geesh.

I got this in my e-mail. Whatcha all think? I know, the forums are closed - but I had to post this. C'mon, me? The Airweenie couch potato and ESPN? If I can swing it, talk about good publicity for skydiving. Heeheeeeeeeee.....too funny.

Hey, Amber My prayers are with you both - and the best wishes for a full and speedy recovery! Ciels and Pinks- Michele Life is what you make it; always was, always will be. ~Grandma Moses~

Can I come watch? Won't be able to jump, and I don't think I'm quite up for Crew in any event, but can I come watch? Huh? I wanna see!!! CnP- Michele Life is what you make it; always was, always will be. ~Grandma Moses~

yes, well, maybe they took a piece of my brain during the surgery...or the headache was really bad, or my humor was so subtle that it subtled itself right out of existence....(gawd it hurts to wink...pulls the sutures around!) Ciels and Pinks- Michele Life is what you make it; always was, always will be. ~Grandma Moses~

Quade, sometimes good looks aren't gonna be enough to get out of the corner...and yes, SBS can be good looking, when he's not being a geek... Rhino, I think what's tripped your trigger was someone saying someone else will break something. That's not bad form, nor is it talking shit on people. It may have been said poorly, it may have been said between people who are not friends, but so what? If I EVER do something which will narrow my margin for whatever modicum of safety there is wehn throwing my ass from a plane, someone had best grab me and sit me down and explain to me that I am getting set to whack myself off the planet. Nice words or not, over beer or not, politely or yelling, I obviously need to hear it. And if I am not listening, please yell harder at me. Why? Because I am not a hotshot. I am not about ego. I am not about how many bones I can break and still fly. I am not about a tiny canopy. I am about enjoying the sky, the freedom, the intensity, the joy that jumping brings. I can't do that if I am seriously injured. I can't do that if I am in a body cast, crippled for life because I flew something far too hot, and no-one bothered to tell me...or if they did, I didn't bother to listen because my head was too full of hot air to hear them. Look, Rhino, while you may think it's bad form, I think it's necessary. I don't know alot about this sport - but I do know that not listening to folks may get me killed. What's the hurry? Won't there be any smaller canopies in a few years, when I am ready for them? Won't there be skydiving for me to enjoy later, and challenge in stages, as I become more capable and ready? Won't there still be people willing to fly with me while I drive the Volvo of canopies? Won't there be people who will like me and be my friend, regardless of the canopy I fly? What's wrong with knowing limits? What's wrong with understanding safety margins? What's wrong with thinking I am good, but not the best yet, and watching the best, waiting and working to be my very own best at that level, and then moving on to the next one? I don't get it. The sky's not going anywhere. What's the hurry? Ciels and Pinks- Michele Life is what you make it; always was, always will be. ~Grandma Moses~

((((((((((((((((HHHHHHHUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGSSSSS))))))))))))))))))))))) YAY for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Me is doing the Happy Snoopy dance) (me stopped doing the Happy Snoopy Dance because it hurt my head) (Me is wiggling in my seat for you!!!!!!) Three cheers: Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Beat that sunovabitch right on out! Yippppppeeeeee! Doesn't the sky help keep the spirits up? And the memories can help during recuperation...glad to know you are complete with the Chemo, and keeping on jumping. Ciels and Pinks- Michele Life is what you make it; always was, always will be. ~Grandma Moses~

The first several references to me are from articles I have written for dz.com - and one for a committee I served on at the Board of Realtors, and then it gets into something referencing someone named Ian Lesser, and goes on for 12,500 references. I still have that cyberstalker dude, though. Sigh. Oh well. I'm tame, I suppose. Ciels and Pinks- Michele Life is what you make it; always was, always will be. ~Grandma Moses~