Michele

The magical disappearing one? If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Hiya, HH! I just thought I'd let you know how much all your work here on DZ.com is appreciated! I swear, this is simply the best, kewlest, most neato site out there. And you have great moderators, too! Thanks for all you do, HH. You da man! Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Clay, what happened to "I only have 130 jumps so don't know shit"? Which is it? A coach or "a danger to everyone around me"? () As to being sexy, I'll be the judge of that! Lummy, let me know, and as long as I can still see, I'll cook for you! ECVZZ, So, if I leave at like 3 a.m. in the morning (HHHHHAAAAAAHahahahaaaa....), I could be there for lunch tomorrow...but I don't do dishes. That's what the dishwasher is for....

As to moving in, you'd have a lot of chores to do...

ECVZZ,

Hmmmmmmmm..... I am single, and a good cook, so about three times a week I do the "grab whatever and eat" thing, but generally it's something I have already cooked, frozen in single servings so I just need to microwave - such as split pea and ham soup, stew, roast and all the fixin's, Salsa Chicken, all in the freezer for those nights I am not interested in cooking... But sometimes I make a Roast Chicken and stuffing, Chicken in Wine, or Beef Stroganoff, or Lasagne, steak and garlic mashed potatoes, or, if I'm feeling really ambitious, broiled chicken breast marinated in tequila and lime, or perhaps salmon with asparagus spears in a garlic cream sauce, over bowtie pasta, or whatever. I usually get a salad going with a balsamic vinagrette dressing, or some other veggie, like an artichoke or zuchini, so it's balanced. Pop open a good bottle of wine, and voila, a good meal... On those rare occasions wherein I have several hours with nothing to do, I bake up some bread, and, using the homemade jam I also make (I've currently got raspberry jam, strawberry jam, apricot jam, and plum jelly), it's jam and bread...or a hunk of cheese with fresh, oven-warm bread, and a cold glass of milk also is good... ...A bowl of cereal is good, too... 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 paid for all my firsts at my grad party - 9 1/2 cases....I figure the "Beer call" has been paid forward for a while...

You've done that before, didn't you! LLOOOOLLLL, right in the Bombshelter....too bad the cameras weren't looking.... Thanks, everyone! I was woken up this morning by my 3 year old nephew singing happy birthday to me on the phone, with his Mommy's coaching, and then my neice (17 months old) babbling something as well, and then saying bye-bye as she threw the phone at her brother...as my nephew yells at his sister "me posed tell Noni I love me, gimme now!" Screaming, and now Kayla's crying, and my sister-in-law is laughing and so'm I..ah, my life! And, I get to see my family tonight for a birthday dinner (no, not too much drinking; my nephew'd try to keep up with me, which would mean my immediate death at the hands of my sister-in-law...) And now, I have all these birthday wishes from you guys, and a few pm's which made my day! How most excellent! Happy jumps and fluffy clouds to all of you this weekend - I can't jump, cause I gotta work, but maybe next weekend, which will also be just after my anniversary of my first jump- May 6th, 2001..... Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Tomorrow, Lisa, you silly! (I can't believe you did that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Just wait until the fifth, when it's your birthday! (Thanks, Bytch!) 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, David. Interesting question. I'll try to answer it as honestly as I can. I had divorced a very abusive and controlling husband. Five months after the divorce was final, and nearly a full year after he had hurt me for the last time, I was still not capable of handling anything other than my business. I was significantly depressed, medicated for depression and a severe sleeping disorder (I couldn't sleep - I'd get about 4 hours a night, nightmare ridden), and suicidal. I couldn't picture myself living this way for the rest of my life, and I was getting so tired of fighting with myself. I would come home, and wonder "what next"...I had a hard time deciding what to wear, what to eat - no-one was telling me what to do, and because I had had that for so long, I had kinda frozen in place. For example, it took me 4 months to decide to tint my hair, and then, when I went in, I asked the hairdresser to make it so subtle that no one would notice. She complied, so I was royally pissed when no-one noticed. My life was not making any kind of sense, let alone progression. I didn't trust myself to make decisions, let alone try anything new. I was not healing, but rather, stuck in a place I liken to hell. One day, I sat there, at my office, watching a pile of paper, and very angry at myself for not being able to break free of the emotional hold he had on me, and my apparent inability to change my life into something I wanted, which worked, was successful. I decided I needed to do something which would make me trust myself and my decisions again. It was white-water rafting, bungy cord jumping, or skydiving. White-water rafting was more of a team thing, so nope, didn't fit the bill. I figured that bungy cord jumping was more dangerous, so I opted to try AFF level one - a tandem wouldn't work, because it was about saving myself, saving my life, choosing to live; I had to do it myself, for myself, by myself. I was going to go just once, just to prove to myself I could trust myself with my life and with decisions. I called and booked the jump right away, not discussing it with anyone, just doing it. I told my family I was going to do it, and they didn't believe me. You see, I am terrified of heights, petrified of planes (of all sizes), and don't particularly care for falling. So they didn't believe me. But they came anyway..... And I was terrified. Petrified. Abject horror engulfed me on the plane ride up. I never thought about dying - I didn't think at all, really. Just switched over to automatic and got into the door. Ready, set, out - and this incredible grin broke out. It wouldn't have mattered if I had died that jump - I had been able to get out into the air....I had moved past the fear, the frozen-ness; I was catapulted into my future with that one single movement - from safety and security and someone else making all the decisions, into thinking, and doing, and making choices for myself - all as I crossed the threshold of the door, and into the air. Long story short, I blew the entire dive - I got every signal in the book which I utterly ignored. The only thing I got right was because my videographer was signalling me to PRCT, which, once I figured out what he wanted me to do, I tried with my left hand. Total brain fade. BUT: I pulled for myself, got a good canopy over my head, shrieked in joy and amazement, and then stared between my feet at the hawks dancing below me... it was surreal, other-worldly, unexpectedly delicious, freeing. Even though I got lost in the air, I finally found the airport and landed (again, breaking every rule in the book - crossing the runway at about 400 feet, turning at about 250 feet, not actually getting into the wind...) but I was down, and it was amazing. I was so high, and so proud of myself - if I could get out of a plane at 12,500 feet, and fly, damnit, fly, there was not a thing on this earth I couldn't do, if I chose to. Nothing left to fear, and everything left to experience. I left the DZ that day, never intending to do it again - it was enough that I did it once. I kept dreaming of it, staring at the stills, in awe that I could have done it...and telling everyone about it. It occurred to me that I should do it again, and the rest, as they say, was history. I had serious door fear, a cut away, and challenges galore, but I managed to get through AFF and here I am, a licensed jumper. And when my ex called at Christmas, I basically was able to tell him I had moved on, was not interested in ever hearing from him again, and to leave me alone (as Tom Petty would say: "Don't come around here no more...."). I have had no trouble trusting myself on decisions since. I mean, I flew, right? How hard can anything else ever be? It has changed my life, given me a freedom I have never had, ever, and a courage and confidence about my abilities that could not have ever come without flying. It has separated me from who I was, and brought me to a place where I can be, and do, anything I want. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Brandon, to me, you sound just like a spoiled child. Your obvious sense of entitlement is very apparent here, and frankly, it disgusts me. They didn't deny it. You did know it. Period. You made the choice to not wait. You got too eager to get into the air with matching outfits, you even posted all over these boards the design, the final product on your living room coffee table, and quite clearly demonstrated your joy at your new equipment. You knew you could have waited. You didn't. Deal with it, and stop stamping your verbal feet and throwing a temper tantrum. Take a little responsibility here, o.k.? Your first post on this thread states: What do you think that someone should assume from what you wrote here? That you were, um, pleased and content with the service Icarus provided? When you say you "won't recommend then to ANYONE", should one believe that you are a satisfied customer? Nope, that is not what you intended us to believe when you put up the post. Backpeddling, and trying to avoid responsibility doesn't wash with me, nor (judging by the responses) with other folks posting on this thread. You were impugning the integrity of Icarus. It is very clear. And it is very wrong. Your post is the"fucked up bullshit, if I have ever seen any" (your words). Considering this is a pubic website, and considering you slammed the fuck out of Icarus, even though you knew the truth was different, I would sincerely think you owe them an apology. Get a grip, Brandon. Get a grip, and get over it. If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Hi, Gale Stop hitting yourself (verbally too!). You made a mistake; o.k., so you made a mistake (and you walked away). You have to stay on the ground for a while. Ok, stay on the ground for a while. OK, so you may have to repeat some of what you've learned. O.K., so repeat it. It's not permanent, and you can dream of coming home to the sky. So, dream! Like Clay said, 50% of your ligaments are fine. You've got good doctors, and you are healing. All good to me! And yes, I understand how it feels. The longing, the yearning, the learning curve abruptly chopped off. No biggie. You'll be back in the sky, playing with clouds, soaring through the sun in no time. Hang tight, we're with 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~

Goodspeed, Chris, and sincere and deepfelt condolences to his family and friends. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

What in hell does meat have to do with sexism? I'm a woman. I am not an Ecofeminist - whatever that actually means...I don't care if you eat meat or not, but I like it. I do not feel subjugated in any way when I eat a steak, or a burger. Hey, I was even chewing on a peice of beef jerky whilst reading this thread. Advertising can be sexist. You never see a guy discussing what kind of laundry soap to use, or what brand of soap is better for the face, etc. But I don't see it as anything but advertising - which is simply a tool designed to part me with what little money I have, using whatever wiles the advertising company can come up with. And just what is an ecofeminist? An Eco-logy Feminist? Or an Eco-nomy feminist (as in people will pay for anything as long as it has a label?) JMHO Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Congratulations, you two! And she is adorable! Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Cool. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Makes no difference to me how long a person has jumped, or how many jumps they have - the moment a person becomes complacent and stops asking questions, no matter how "newbie" or whatever the questions are, that is the moment that they create danger for themselves, and for others. Gear changes, DZ changes, and your style change. If you're not asking questions, you aren't keeping up with your safety and managing the risks in an appropriate manner. If you say, well, I don't need to ask questions, you probably DO need to ask questions. When you "know it all", that's when danger lurks. Keep asking questions, and getting information, regardless of your time in the sport. BUT: that is just my opinion, and I am one of those "really conservative" jumpers. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Chris, you are already part of the family! Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Morning, Emma... As you replied to my post, I thought I should make clear I did not say all Catholic preists are pedophiles..... Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Thanks, Aggie Dave. That is, indeed, a powerful story. 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're right, you did. It's just that the temptation of sex with children will not be modified nor ameliorted by sex within a marriage, or even outside a marriage, with another consenting adult. Normal sex will not reduce the "temptation" of a pedophile, Skyhawk, and so that allowing marriage is not the answer. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Sometimes, clear and pull is the only option. I am sorry you are having to deal with this. I have experienced betrayal in my life, bad betrayal, and understand what you are dealing with. It will eventually change over time, and perhaps you will gain the trust back, but it will never be the same with you and he again. Nor should it. Hang in, and find new people to learn about, and be friends with. Eventually, it will be o.k. 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're gonna get flack from pretty much every segment of your community. I get it from all angles, all directions.............. You will discover yourself in a whole new way, and you will relate to the world differently (and better, I believe). You will learn many things about yourself, and what you are capable of. How could that be wrong, selfish, detrimental? Like Jimbo said: "permission granted". Now go fly! And come back and tell us all about it!!!!!!!!!! Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Pedophilia is NOT about normal sex, or convenient sex, or sex between consenting adults. It is about sex with children under 12 (I think that's the age). Therefore, making marriage and "normal" sex acceptable in church doctrine for the clergy is not the answer. It has been posited that pedophilia has no "cure" - and that no treatment is currently available to correct that warped sexual drive. The answer, in my opinion, is criminal investigations of allegations by an independent investigative body (such as the local constabulary), and prosecution as necessary and warranted, with the full rights of our constitution in place and applied. Not the immediate dismissal upon allegation with no proof of the priest's wrongdoing, nor the transferring or "retreats with counselling" which is the common practice currently (or was. I suppose it's changed). The Catholic church needs to take some serious steps to rectify it's traditional methods of dealing wtih crises of this nature...as do numerous other religous organizations which conceal the crimes of their clergy. 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 never had the ideal date. But I dream it all the time.... A soft summer night at 6 p.m., he brings me a bouquet of flowers and after tending to them, we get in his car, and drive to the coast. After a sweet drive through the Malibu canyons, we stop for dinner on the coast, and while waiting for our table, we have drinks on the patio and watch the sun set. We have a decadent dinner, full of all those things I normally don't eat (cause I can't afford them...), we leave the restaurant and go down to the water line, hold hands, and walk in the sand, with the occasional wave splashing us. The conversation is easy, and we are both able to make the other one laugh and relax. As it gets colder, we head back to my home, where we go inside, and, after lots of cuddling and intense teasing, we share my four poster bed til the morning.... And then we get up, and go jumping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A girl can dream, you know? Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~