Michele

All of the above zipping through the 'net, ether, ground, air, space...however they get there, they are on their way, Steve! Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Like Mama said, we are all famkily (I'll leave out the dysfunctional part...) And it's nothing you (or anyone else reading) wouldn't do for a fellow jumper and/or friend. Hope you're doing better. I know how hard it can be to persevere. But we're here, you're here, it's all good... Hugs, Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

So off to work I go, la li la, hey look, I'm on time for once, this is good. Sun is shining, gonna be a beautiful day... down the garden path (literally), out to the back...huh. Why is my garage unlocked? (Don't touch anything). Why is my 84 y/o neighbor's garage door open? (Don't touch anything)...she doesn't have a car, and doesn't use her garage...(don't touch anything)...her garage is full of cobwebs, nothing looks disturbed... OK., I'll open my garage and take a look see...how do I do that without touching anything? Oh well, I'll touch it... Yup, there's my Jetta. All the hubcaps, too. Broken wondows? Sunroof? Nope, intact car. CD there. Alarm not sounding, hasn't been triggered. It's still here. I wonder why? It's a stickshift...perhaps the jackass who popped the padlock can't drive a stickshift...or didn't know how to hotwire (or whatever) that particular model...phew. So the cops are on their way. Found the snipped padlock on the ground down the alleyway...Shit. Well, it could've been worse. But still. I think I've had enough problems lately. I could use a break, World, o.k.? Please? Pretty please? Sigh. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Hey, Chromie! All the warnings in the world would have not succeeded unless there were details, confirmed information and so forth prior to the actual events. The truth of how our system works is that there is a committee (bicameral as well as bipartisan), who gets briefings. All of these people had the same "warning"...and yet, all decided to do nothing about it (or, what I believe, they didn't have all the pieces of the puzzle). As stated in the Newsweek article, the warnings went way back...something on the order of 10 years or so. At the very least, the original bombing in 93 of the WTC was the alarm clock to us. We hit the snooze button, and went back to sleep....it is not one single person's blame, it is the entire system. Don't forget the INS who let the hijackers in, and approved them for extended visas after they had killed thousands of americans. And the local cops, who ticketed them, and let them go. I mean, if we are going to blame people, how about blaming everyone even peripherially involved in any part of the sequence? Honestly, what could have been done with the information, unless it was stated "on 9/11, Al Queda will get into XX numbers of planes, and fly them into selected targets, such as the WTC and the Pentagon, perhaps the Sears Tower, or the Transamerica building". There is nothing we could have reasonably done, at least publicly And even if we knew, specifically and exactly, what would be able to be done without people freaking out? How about preventing all Middle Eastern men from getting on airplanes - which is a consitutional violation...or maybe all American pilots would have to be re-vetted, to ascertain their political leanings - but what about those pilots from other countries? Could they have been questioned? And what about their constitutional rights? And how long would that take? See, all these things bring up problems which are in direct opposition to our Constitution, and our freedom as Americans. In addition to the Consitutional conflicts, you can't shut down commerce - closing the WTC, grounding planes, etc. without creating a huge financial impact on this country, and indeed the world; that would be unfeasible, even had they been able to know the particulars and specifics (which, might I remind all reading this, were not known). And had the government actually shut down NYC amd WA DC, and nothing happened, what then? Still further, if the hijackers had decided to continue their attack, and the targets had been evacuated, that target is no longer as attractive, and they would have gone to Disneyworld, or a nuclear plant, or Mt. Rushmore, or whatever. See, we are getting the alerts now, those nebulous, indistinct warnings that "something" may be coming, and we don't know what nor where it may come, and many people have problems with that. These are, likely, the same kind of warnings that were received in the decade before 9/11... People are complaining now about getting those warnings - they are not specific, they are fearmongering, etc. When Moussoui was arrested in August, the FBI tried to get a search warrant for his hard drive...which was denied, from what I understand (although I am not sure about that - I could be incorrect). The information found on that computer subsequent to 9/11 may have been enough to solidify some of the alerts, and perhaps take measures to prevent the attack. But again, what measures to take? And how about the confusion with the atc at the time? I mean, they are trained to deal with an emergency, but not 4 (and possibly more) hijackings at the same time, and to have them end as human guided bombs at effectively the same time - the confusion and panic must ahve been enormous. No, I don't think there was a damned thing which could have been done under the systems in place then. We need to find out what's broken, and fix it, but to place blame now in hindsight and in retrospect seems a tad political and over-reactionary - and keep in mind that there is an election coming up - something like 150 days away. There was lots of information, but none specific enough, to have prevented it... Just my .02, though. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Since your comment (above) is what triggered my question and that is exactly where I leave in the exit order, I asked a question about slow v. fast falling. I saw two people who I hold great respect for, and thought hey, maybe they understand and can explain to me what the thought process is. Begging your pardon, Staso. Sorry if I am repeating a topic which possibly had been, um, beaten to death. However, I had read that thread, and didn't understand it, and still am not sure about the answer. Ya know, I am getting the feeling my questions are not acceptable. Possibly because I am new or something. Next time, I shall make sure not to sully your thread with a question. Actually, next time, I shall think twice or perhaps three times before asking anything from anyone. As for my "regular" freefall time, I average about 135-140 on my belly, and I pull at 4.5 after leaving at 12,5. Have great jumps, Staso. If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Hi, guys. So, I have a question. If a slow faller gets out right in front of me, a light, floaty kinda guy, who takes, oh, say 57 seconds in freefall, and is opening at the same atlitude I am, and I give him easily 8 seconds (a slow 8 count) before I leave the plane, and I am a not so slow floaty kinda faller and have a regular freefall rate that allows me about 47 seconds in freefall, he and I will be opening at about the same time...(this actually happened yesterday - I was last out of the plane, and ended up pulling before the other guy did. And no, I didn't go low on my pull alti...there was really good horizontal separation, but it still spooked me a bit to see a canopy above me when I was last out). So why is it that slow fallers are out before the fast fallers? Thanks, guys. And that was not an obscure reference...at least to me. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Not at all sure about the rest of the country, but I figure Perris will be fine. Lots of tourists, inasmuch as the tandems can show; and one of the finest and busiest dz's in the country. Just my .02, though. I personally can't wait! Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

I drive through the murky morning, wipers sliding across my windshield, and I wonder what I am making the 84 mile drive for - it's raining, cold, and I am not sure I want to jump. Remembering that making the decision to jump while still at home is impossible, I continue on, belly twisting. I decide that if the clouds stay, and it continues to rain, then I will find someone to work on packing; if it clears, then I'll decide if I can jump today. But I am going to the DZ. I walk into the packing area, and I see Light Diver, and several of the 4-way team - Captain Stratton, Albatross, and Melanie. They go off to their team room to start training, and I wander out to the packing area, looking for someone to talk to. I am struck by a sense of loneliness, of not seeing anyone I know, of separation from the "good" jumpers - seperated by skill, experience, and this God-awful fear. They don't get scared...at least, not like I do. They can't. They're good. I get back to the school, and ask if anyone has the time to put me through the harness room. Vinnie Palmieri is in the back, packing a reserve, so I watch him for a few minutes, and we chat. Once he's done, he and I head to the harness room, and sit on the floor, and just talk. And talk, and talk, and talk. Then run the harness safety stuff, and talk some more. He hugs me, tells me I know what I am doing, whether I believe it or not, and that I just need to trust myself a little more, a little harder. The instructors get the call; it's cleared up, and there will be jumping today. Sigh. I do have to try, at least. I watch the first group land, and talk to one of the jumpers. He reports that it's quite hazy up there, and that it's choppy underneath. I talk to Lori, Albatross and Capt Stratton about how to handle the "haze" - what to do in it, what if my pull altitude comes while I am in it, how to get out of it if I go into it under canopy, and all the things I can think of. I am given the wise advice to check where the plane enters it on my altimeter, so I can have a good guess as to where the bottom of the haze is laying. I manifest for Gypsy 5, and then go find my corner, and sit. I try to breathe, relax, plan the dive...I decide I am pulling at 4.5, and that my dive plan is simply "down", nothing fancy, just down. Augh. Down. Pull my heart out of my throat, and double knot my shoes. Down. Damn. It's time to get geared, checked, and organized. Uppers are light at 15 from the south, and the landing area is doing it's typical light and variables (one windsock pointing nrth, and another south, and a few going their own way). I get 3 gear checks, and talk to Cai, who is a JM, and is taking an AFF2 up on my load. There is someone else pulling at 4.5, so we decide he's going first, then me. I climb onto the plane, plop my bottom down in the seat, and think, well, I can always ride down. But I want to try. I buckle the seat belt, and look across to Libby, and introduce myself. She and I chat a bit, and she asks me what am I concerned with? I explain it's the haze, and she nods. It can be different, says she, smiling. You'll be o.k..... And I keep thinking, well, I can ride down. I don't have to jump. I choose to jump. But I can ride the plane down. Who's the pilot? Jim? Yeah, I could ride this down. Um. O.K....and I lean over and ask Cai to spot for me. He says no problem. I can't even see the ground anymore, it's too hazy. The occasional peak at the ground, but I can't see anything I recognize. Jumprun. Shit, am I going to do this? What the fuck, why not? The first several groups go, and Cai gets up to spot. He waves the other jumper forward, and says "go ahead". I am shaking, but somehow manage to get my hand on the bar above the door, and count the other jumper out...then Cai pats my hand, shakes his head, and says, for you, we go around. I sit back down, and remind myself I can do this. I look up, adn there are 4 instructors and two students and me. And everyone is watching me. Remembering all of you guys here, and the advice given, I take a deep breath, and holler WWWWWWWWWWHHHHHAAAAAAAHHHHHHOOOOOOOOO at the top of my lungs. Everyone laughs, and Cai grins. One of the instructors asks which exit, and I say "I'm gonna climb out, breathe, and let go". She says, "well, o.k., but don't breathe too long - only two breaths, and then we push!" I laugh, and think yeah, I'll be happy if I remember to breathe at all... Jump run again. Gear checked, handles touched, helmet secure...stop shaking, hands, please stop shaking. Cai peeks out, and nods. "You go now"...I look out, and there's this wee little bitty break in the haze, with some guaze stretched across it. Cai points, and says "have fun. Go now"..and so I do, swinging myself out of the plane, feeling the wind, cold and exhilarating. I cast my eyes away from the propellers, and across the plane - into the distance, into the blue, into the sun...and, gathering everything I have inside, I let go and step off. I look for the plane, but it has disappeared already. Or I have turned already. But I am here, dancing over the haze; in the distance I see the peaks of them, miles and miles of jagged grey and white, shadows and light, and I know I am free. At least this time, I jumped. At least this time, I have conquered fear long enough to see the world from above the clouds. I check alti, and I have a long way to go before I have to open. I am only at 11... And now, I look again for that wee little break...not finding it, I turn slowly, looking for it beneath me. I cannot see it, I cannot see the ground, oh, fuck, I know it's there, but I can't see it. I guess I am going through it. Oh, wait, off to my left, a little space, a little guaze...I turn and track for that, but I do not make it. I enter into the haze, at about 5800...and I am suddenly encased in clammy cold space. I can neither see blue above me nor brown below me. I stare at my altimeter, thinking that there are students above me, I can't open high, I can't panic and throw, nothing's wrong, I'm just freaking out...hello, take a breath so I do, and it's like someone has taken a cold humidifier and turned it on full blast into my face...and I am so not happy, and so not prepared, so I stare at my alti and it is 5 now, and my nailpolish is the only spot of color I can see, and that startles me and now I am out and under it, and it's 4.5, and I check above me and I wave and pull and there is my canopy. I reach up and pop the toggles, and feel the canopy surge forward, free of it's bindings, free and flying. And I am free and flying, too. Canopy control check, o.k., all's well. I think I'll do another one, anyway. I am quite a ways from the DZ, and I start heading back that way, mindful that there are two students and 4 jm's above me. I look for canopies, and there, above me and straight in front but a long way away, I see someone hit line stretch as the jm's peel away...silhouetted against the steel grey underbelly of the haze, I see this splash of color, and the blackness of the figures...and I silently cheer, because I have a good canopy, he has a good canopy, and we both managed to jump...I look at my alti, and I am about 3000, and over the dz, so I play. 180 left, sashay, flat turns...it is bumpy up here, and once or twice I thump good and hard, and jerk my head back to look at my canopy. It's still there, I am still flying, it's alll good. I get to about 2000, and look down at the big plowed student circle, and see something swirling about, not terribly dusty, but moving in a circular pattern...is that a dust devil? Is that a fucking dust devil? Yessir, that's a dust devil. Oh, shit, run away... I hope the students follow me, or are on radio, that's a blaming dust devil, and it's looking kinda big...and hungry...and it's picking up dust from a damp ground, so it must be strong. Oh, dearie me... I turn and run 180 from it, looking for the other canopies. I can't see them, so I look back over my shoulder. I see a white piece of debris shooting up, and I am not 180 away from it anymore. I turn again, and look. It's following me. I swear, it's following me. Now what? I jig and check. It's jigged with me. I jog and check. Yup, there it is, but not quite so big as before. I think maybe it's dissapating. I check my alti, and I am waaaaaaaaay off my landing pattern now, and of course the windsocks are doing the whichever way dance, and so I decide to skirt the landing area, and watch the devil. It finally moves to another area or disappears, I am not sure which, but the white thing is way over there, and I am way over here. I try to figure out an abbreviated landing pattern - but still can't tell about the winds. So, it's a south to north pattern in those instances, right? I wrack my brain trying to remember, but it's time to commit to something, so I set it up that way. 400, time to turn into final. Aw shit, now there's winds, and I am picking up speed, running the edge of the runway, and NOT descending, just moving along really well. O.K., I am down wind. Think, think, decide. Take the downwind? Or flat turn? downwindflatturn...decide, decide...flat turn. I think if I have to, I'll cross wind it, but because I have practiced them not 5 minutes ago, and really checked alti loss, I know I can do a 180 flat turn with this canopy within 100 feet...so I bring both toggles to my shoulder, and pull the right one down gently, gently, gently....and now I am facing the wind, and I will landing right there, so wait, wait, breathe, flare half...all the way...and I am gently down on my feet, tippy toed and easy, one step forward, turn and collapse the canopy. Look for another dust devil, because I land right where I saw the other one start. All's good. I am down, but that was bizarre...I was lost in the air, and getting chased by a damned dust devil. I take a few minutes to get my head together, and walk back to the packing area. I drop my stuff off for Laura to pack, and walk back to my area, and sit down. I think about that, and feel pretty good, considering I broke the don't turn under 300 rule. A lesson learned from my downwinder (flat turns are your friend), and am proud that I have, in fact, been learning, and can apply what I have learned from my experience. It's nearing 2 o'clock, and I think o.k., I'll jump in a little bit. I do make another jump. It is similar, but not as hazy this time. I decide I want a little more canopy time, so am going to pull at 5. I am last off the plane, which is fine by me. I watch the guy ahead of me, but he never makes 45 degrees (as far as I can tell), but I give him a count of 10 anyway. And out I go. Reaching to the sun, I stretch my body out, and take in the sights that are only seen from the air. I see the encircling mountains, so like arms of earth hugging the sky. I see the patterns of the haze as they press against and behind the mountains, and marvel at the peace and beauty which is our playground. I relax, knowing that I know how to do this, and I begin to see the trust I have, to throw myself out of a plane, to know that if something happens, I can deal with it effectively. I see the gentling of the day, sun not as brilliant, tinging the clouds pink salmon at their very tips, and I grin. This is not something people can know without jumping. This freedom, this unique experience of being in the sky as the day runs long, seeing the sundance shadows on the world's floor. Pilots, I think, may have a sense of it, but they are encased in a steel shell, while I am free - touching the face of the sky, soaring through the crisp clean cold; there is a knowing, a certainty, of this life which I find in the sky, and only in the sky. And I - if only for a brief moment, I am free and magnificent; I am me, perfect and whole, satisfied and peaceful. I pull, and all is fine. I play with the gibbon moon, sliver of sliver sitting there, and fly with the wind. I watch to see the others land, and they are landing north to south, so I set up to follow them in. I am off, way off, because I don't know this pattern nor have any landmarks to gauge from, but I know I'll be fine. Far, but fine. I see the truck already coming out to pick some others off, and I realize I am going to land near the truck. I hope it stops moving. I near the ground, find the spot I will touch down in, and before I can think about it, my left arm is flaring, and my right is not....so I yank the right one down, but too late, I can feel the canopy pitch to my left, doing what I tell it to, but not meaning to tell it that, and I get ankles and knees together, still flying the canopy because I have not stopped yet, and monster plf - slide into second, spikes up, then rolllllllllllllll...and over to my feet in one motion, and up I go, and here I am and I am all bolluxed up in the lines, but fine except my bottom hurts a lot and I am standing there, shaking, because that scared me. I try to figure the lines out, to no avail, and I rub my bottom where I sat on the rock. But my heel hurts, too, and now one of the truck's passengers Dan (of Dan's Fault Skydiving) comes out to help me unravel myself, and he and his friend are asking me if I'm o.k., and I say sure. I guess it was a bigger scare to watch that then to do that, but I'm essentially fine. I think maybe I have another jump in me, but soon realize that not today, I have mentally stopped, and although I want to jump with Captain Stratton, I think I had better just stay on the ground now. He understands, and promises me that this isn't the only time he'll offer. Which is good, because I want to jumo with someone who is better than me, I want to learn, I want to be better at this than I am... I come home, mentally exhausted, emotionally exhausted, and now I am sore, and achy. I decide it was a good thing to stay down, and not do that last jump. It is a marvelous day, in many ways, and I think I am starting to understand myself and this fear better. Thanks, as always, for reading my adventures, and mostly, for being supportive and helpful. You do not know just how much it is appreciated. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Hi, all. Talked to jim about doing the canopy class, adn got his card. his contact information is: 909) 678-5266 909) 265-9580 (cell phone) teamicarusx@yahoo.com www.para-performance.com Hope this helps! Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

I'm not terribly sure the TM talked her into going. I think they just went! I wonder what her jump was like? Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

My deepest sympathies to him, his family, and to the jumper with him. Godspeed, blue skies, and big white puffies... Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Rawk on, SkyBytch! I am proud of you, and impressed with your accomplishments. You chased your dream, and pounded it out. Good job, and really well done! YYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY for you! Many hugs Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

You guys all are so great. Thanks for understanding - I still don't understand this, but it's getting clearer... I jumped twice today, and passed up on the opportunity to jump with CaptStrttn...who is a glorious doll...we will next time. I was tired, and had a bad 2nd landing (I did a beautiful PLF, but must have sat on a rock...my bottom hurts!), and so called it "done and done good" for the day. I will be posting about the jump tomorrow - simply too tired to write it out tonight (you know how talkative I get), but I think that in talking to you all here, to Vinnie this morning, and to CptnSttn after jumping, we may have figured out the problem...and may have devised a solution. I think my problem is I spend the entire freefall worrying about if the canopy will open, and once it does, I spend the rest of the time worrying about how I'm gonna land this thing, and where I'm gonna land this thing, and will I break me or someone else trying to land. So, canopy class (if I can financially swing it...hmmmm, who shouldn't I pay? LOL) and then, after surgery and recovery, 5-8 hop n pops to develop trust and confidence. What do you guys think? I am an exhausted but content lady tonight. I do love jumping. And to know that you have gone through similar things (those who have), makes me feel so less alone, and more like this is a "normal" experience - this questioning, this frustration, this pushme-pullyou kinda thing... OH! And Gianni, I didn't breed nor bake bread today, but I did breathe - just for you! I also held my breath going through the cl(industrial haze)ouds for the first time... I really appreciate your support, from my heart I appreciate it. Til tomorrow, my friends. And Thanks. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

So here I am, getting ready to go to bed, because I want to jump tomorrow...and then this stray thought flies through my head: "Michele, do you really want to jump"? Last jump was a month ago, and the jump before that was a month before that for my recurrency. Before that, it was October. Last jump, I had ludicrous line twists. Blew through my hard deck trying to clear them, made some bad decisions. Now, not only am I scared of this wonderful thing called jumping, but I am second guessing my ability to fly the canopy. I am scared I won't recognize a malfunction, or fight one too long if I think I can correct it, and leave myself no options but to land with a bad canopy. What about winds, those damned dust devils? The chatter in my head is running, all the what if's and what are you doings...and I can't believe I am still this frightened about jumping. I know how incredible it is in the air - the joy, the extreme clarity, the freedom...and the fear is back, too. I am so disappointed in myself, it makes me want to cry in frustration. I thought I had gotten the fear handled, or at least controlled. Not hardly. Does this happen to anyone else, or am I just living up to my nickname? Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Well, thank God it will be here in a year...that will give me time to save $$ so I can do the tunnel! ROFL...this skydiving shyte is expensive! Tell Pat and Melanie congratulations and thanks! 'Twill be an excellent addition to an already outstanding DZ! Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

I have seen your pix...I suspect you'd look good in just about anything, JT... Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

No. Jess is off tonight, so I thought I'd step in... Pterodactyl...Any of the various extinct flying reptiles of the family Pterodactylidae... (Nlatin Pterodactylus {reptile genus} : GK pteron {wing} +GK daktulos {finger}) Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Well, that was interesting. And fairly accurate... ********* [Openness] high (84 percentile) Yoda -- This wise, philosophical, and thoughtful Jedi master challenges the establishment, encouraging his pupils to unlearn what they have learned and see the world in novel, creative ways. High scorers tend to be original, creative, curious, complex; Low scorers tend to be conventional, down to earth, narrow interests, uncreative. ******** [Conscientious] high (64 percentile) Mon Mothma -- This is a senator of great integrity and responsibility whose talent for organization has streamlined the Alliances communications, decision-making, & accounting. High scorers tend to be reliable, well-organized, self-disciplined, careful; Low scorers tend to be disorganized, undependable, negligent. ********** [Extraversion] very high (93 percentile) Lando Calrissian -- An energetic, sociable man. He is adventure seeking, talkative, and socially skilled. High scorers tend to be sociable, friendly, fun loving, talkative; Low scorers tend to be introverted, reserved, inhibited, quiet. *********** [Agreeableness] neither high nor low (57 percentile) Darth vader/Anakin Skywalker -- This character truly belongs in the middle of the agreeableness dimension, representing both good and evil. On one hand a kind and warm, on the other hand, evil & ruthless. High scorers tend to be good natured, sympathetic, forgiving, courteous; Low scorers tend to be critical, rude, harsh, callous. [Neuroticism] neither high nor low (49 percentile) Chewbacca -- This wookie belongs in the middle of Neuroticism because on one hand he is a strong and fearless individual but on the other hand he is excitable and easily upset (as shown by his reaction before C-3P0 suggested R2-D2 "let the wookie win"). High scorers tend to be nervous, high-strung, insecure, worrying; Low scorers tend to be calm, relaxed, secure, hardy. ************* The one I actually disagree with is Chewie - I am pretty insecure and can get nervous about things, stay up worrying a lot about things which I can't do shit about; I figure I should have been much higher on that particular scale. Oh well....twas fun, and now I simply must go to work! Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Right now? A Ralph Lauren t-back sleep shirt.... In about 10 minutes when I go to the office? Jeans Tennies A lite blue sweater jockeys for her Still unknown: haven't decided which bra yet Hair up or down (depends on the sunroof open or shut...) Which perfume I have to stop wasting time and get my bottom into the office....sigh... Ciels and pinks- M If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

35%...which comports to the other tests regularly put up here. I am about as tame as they come....either that, or I am one of those serial killers that, once caught, the neighbors always say..."gee, she was such a nice person". "Her? She'd never hurt a fly"..... Time will tell..... Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Which is exactly why the President will be getting a letter to him detailing the entire situation, and letting him know a) I know about it and b) I am not walking away just because I have gotten satisfaction, and that there is a bigger issue to be addressed, and just what is he going to do about it?? I still say words are easy - I'll wait til everything happens as promised, and then see what I can do. Perhaps tilting at windmills, but I am idealistic...after all, I believe I can fly, right????

I lost my link to collapse....can anyone please feed my addiction?????? Link? I'm beggin here.....pleasepleasepleaseplease.... Ciels and pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Hi, all... Taking the info you gave to heart..... I called them this morning, and the first three people I spoke with had no idea who or what "compliance" was...not getting angry, just being firm and deliberate, I told the unit manager to put me on hold and go get someone who did... Three transfers later, I got the number of the vice president of customer service (well, his EA, in fact). I explained thoroughly and completely, names and all, the situation which had occurred...and she told me Mr. Wagner was unavailable, but she'd pass this on. I explained that although I had total faith that she would pass it on, I expected to hear from him within 3 hours from him, and left my numbers. Guess what? I did. After again going through the situation, and having him get it up on the computer, he wholeheartedly agreed that I was being screwed. "Well, yes", says me "and I am not enjoying this particular interlude". After he stopped laughing, he promised me I would be hearing from both a Fraud supervisor, as well as customer service. Upshot is...I had everything reversed by the end of the day, including all late, overlimit and other charges (and one for $19.74 which no-one could understand what it was for, so out it went) and the investigators in LA have called twice as well. Furthermore, my interest rate was lowered by 5 points, and I have several merchandise gift certificates coming to me. Lastly, I also got a few thousand airline miles thrown in for good measure...most importantly, the VP promised to look into why all these things were not done automatically, and what the hell happened in the first place. He and I have agreed that I can follow up with him as needed, and I have his direct line. Now, if all this comes true (still waiting to see the evidence on the credit report and the statement), then I shall be a more happy camper than before. And I still don' t think I am going to use their card unless the engine falls out of my beloved Jetta. Thanks for the guidance and help, guys. I knew I could count on you! Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Smoking in a hayloft is really rather dangerous! Ciels and pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Dear Muenkel I am so sorry to hear about your loss...it is always, always hard when someone passes away, and even harder when it's unexpected. I send you good thoughts, and big hugs. Is there a way to call and explain the situation to the school administration? Or perhaps, if that is unsuccessful, call and speak to the DZO, and/or the owner (sometimes, they are one and the same person)? I have found that talking to someone, and telling them the entire situation sometimes helps them bend the policy. You also have put it here; perhaps they read DZ.com (and if they don't, they should! LOL). Let them know it is not about changing your mind, it was simply that circumstances beyond your control have prevented you from completing it with them. IT was not "I've changed my mind, I wasted everyone's time...", it was circumstances which you had no way of knowing, and no way to prevent. Lastly, they skygods aren't telling you anything - think about it this way. What if you had been at the DZ, unable to be reached, not near a phone, and even if there was a phone there, no-one had the number. You wouldn't have gotten the call about your Uncle, and you may have missed being able to be with him as he passed. It's a temporary delay, Muenkel, no more, no less. You are already a skydiver. Now, you just need to get your body well, and then get out there and fly. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~