Michele

I will always ask for a gear check from an experienced jumper, because I am NOT an experienced jumper. I'll do it for myself as I am getting geared up, but will always make sure someone who knows a ton more than me checks it, just in case I missed something. Never have so far, but that doesn't mean it won't... As for getting one in the plane, I usually can get one from an instructor or experienced jumper if I have bonked it somehow. But I don't think I am familiar enough with someone else's gear to give a valid and comprehensive one to them. Just looking at them and saying "well, it looks good" just isn't good enough, you know? It's their life - and I'd rather, for the time being, let them get their gear checks from soeone who konws whatinhell they're looking at rather than me. I will add this thought: whomever said "if you see it, say it", they are totally right. I spotted a free chest strap on someone, and pointed it out. He cheerfully chewed me out, telling me that of course he knew it was loose, he'd do it up at altitude (we were at about 2500 at the time), how stupid did I think he was? To which one of the instructors on the plane cheerfully told him to fuck off, she's only looking out for your safety, asshole, to which the first guy with the loose chest strap had the good sense to look ashamed, but didn't manage to mumble an apology, only a "fucking skygod" in the instructor's general direction..... I talked to the S&TA, and told him about it. Jack reassured me that if I see something like that, to always say it, and never assume that somone knows - they likely do, but maybe not. And how would I feel if something happened on that jump and I had noticed it and not said anything about it because I was intimidated? Ed White while gearing up for my very first jump, said something which I always follow: get on the plane the way youd survive getting off the plane. Emergencies are called emergencies for a reason. just my .02, late on a Sunday evening, after a long day at work, while you jumped in the blue.....and I watched, far away and longing, from the ground, in the air with my mind if not with my body.... Ciels and pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

the carpet.....

Hi, Lazerq Um, if someone has broken into my home, and I am there, you bet my life is in danger. I am not going to stop and say "Hello, Mr/Ms unknown stranger who just displayed violence by breaking into my home. What are you here for?". I'm gonna take out my gun and blow his ass away. I am in danger by the very fact that this person has broken into my home. Period. Furthermore, and taking this to the example Skyhawk set, if someone breaks into my home and my vicious guard dog is there, barking and growling, making his presence known, and there is a prominently displayed sign on my property which says I have this vicious dog, then the bad guy takes his chances. (course, I only have cats, but they can be mean, too, on occasion....!). I have an absolute right to protect my home and my property, and especially my life. And if I don't do it, who will? (Nothing against cops, but if I have the time to call y'all, I have the time to get out. I'll call you later.....) Now, in this specific case, I feel that not only did the jury screw up, the judge did, by allowing both a charge of involuntary manslaughter and 2nd degree murder to be decided upon together. CA law specifically states a jury to be instructed that in a case as this, when you have two charges for a crime, one of greater severity than the other, you cannot find the defendent guilty of both the greater and the lesser of the charge (here, involuntary manslaughter and 2nd degree murder). The jury should have been instructed to deliberate to conclusion the 2nd degree murder charge, and in the alternative (once a decision was reached, either not guilty, or hung), then to go to the lesser charge of invol. manslaughter. But if found guilty of the greater charge, to stop deliberating right there. Mark my words, that's where the appeal will come in on. Frankly, there is a lot of info we were not privy to regarding the dogs and their masters. There's lots of evidence (so I have heard) about an "altrenative lifestyle" with photos, etc. these were dangerous dogs. The evidence supports that. 2nd degree murder is not supported by the evidence I know of. It is my personal opinion that invol. manslaughter was the most it could support. But hey, what do I know? I only have an "A" license and no legal training. LOL... Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Fried Pickles. They are about the nastiest thing I have ever eaten. What a waste of a good pickle. Blech... Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Sangiro, You RAWK!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are an outstanding guy. (you, uh, wouldn't happen to be coming out to JFTC, would you? I really owe you beer, and at least a jump or two....) Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Excellent!!!!! Your cousin will be in my prayers. If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Something is really wrong. 4. If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

~Congratulations~ Right on - YOU RAWK! Some of the ladies here are collecting towards their jump fees (Hot Tamaly and Skybytch), and I am raising $$ too, so I can win some fun things (like maybe gear or flying lessons or whatever). If you want to support your local dz.com boobies, let the folks at JFTC know you're sending it in on behalf of "so-and-so". Again, right on, thanks, and, like I said to someone else,

It would seem that I have a, well, cyber stalker. Found out from a friend that there is this guy who has been posting for the last 5 or 6 years about me. He lives here in CA, and is, shall we say, certifiable. According to this guy, I am a great business woman (true), am secretly married to him (not true), has described me (accurate mostly), and knows that I am a realtor, work in Burbank, and that my father has been on his favorite t.v. show. He has described how we met at Temple (I have not been to his temple, nor do I attend a Temple of my own.) He has not mentioned skydiving (proves to me I don't know him. LOL). He has my full name and the correct spelling for my entire name (including middle name, which is not something which I have out there). Some of his posts talk about his therapist and psychiatrist recommending Paxil and Thorazine and various other medications. Other posts talk about me and him and our travels to Paris and London and Hawaii (have been to London and Paris, not Hawaii, and I did not travel with him). Still others describe an idyllic home life, where he takes care of the kids while I usher in World Peace at the United Nations (I don't have a problem talking in public, and have visited the UN on the public tour, but that's about it). He has me solving all the world's problems, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. WIsh I could, but haven't, at least as of yet. Now, for the life of me, I do not know this guy. I have never met him to my knowledge, and don't frequent the palces he mentions (San Onofre and Diablo Nuclear plant, for one, Frenzy Cafe another). I have to admit, I have been more than a little shaken by this; I own a weapon, and it has come out of it's drawer. I called the FBI, but they are not interested (nor am I sure I want them involved - what can they do, after all?). The local pd does not have an internet crime unit. So, now what? I am more than a little discombobulated and disconcerted. Any advice? Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

rhino, please take this the right way. I am not sure you know what you want yet (beyond what you are asking here, I mean). I can't put my fingr on it exactly, but there is something conflicting in what you're saying (no! I don't mean you're not telling the truth!). Just something (idon'tknowwhat)(icantsaywhatitis) that seems at odds with you - pushme/pull you kinda thing. I would venture to guess that when you know - really, in your heart know- you will also know what to do. I will also ask you what a very close person asked me: would you allow your best friend to be treated this way? You'll be alright - and so will she - whether it's together or not. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

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

Yes, it is. My father is a 19 year cancer survivor, and has been in and out of remission countless (well, like 12 [so I counted...] times. He is fine. Which is good, because I am not quite done with him yet....lol... It is mostly curable, if caught early enough. It is preventable, but we sometimes don't have the know-how yet... And Marc, you WILL be fine. And we will jump. At the Jump For The Cause boogie (you all knew that was coming...hint, hint, hint..). And that, my friend, will be a celebratory day! 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 o.k.? I mean, really.....maybe seeing a dr in the morinng wouldn't hurt. And yes, you may be having a hard time right now, but it will get better. Hang in there. 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, everyone! GroundZero, aka Chris, and Precision Aerodynamics sent me my gift certificate made out to "Michelle Lesser-Jump For The Cause" in the amount of $100. Tucked behind the gift certificate in the envelope, was a personal check in an identical amount, made out to Jump For The Cause! I will be sending this in immediately! How amazing is that!!!!!!!!??????!!!!!!!!!! You are as good as your word, Chris. I can't say thank you enough. (And I'll make sure you get a pink ribbon, too....

Just what my poor self-esteem needed! It didn't give me an answer, one way or another. Sorta like your shrink forgetting your name (which happened, 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~

Because "whining men can't sing" doesn't sound quite as nice..... If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

I wrote something that day. Posted it here, and until now, haven't gone back to re-read it. Here it is: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=forumtalkback&Number=42886&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=Prayer and a Candle&Match=Entire Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=42886 I remember thinking the sky is so blue - that's our sky...... If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

If he said "I really do love you", and had the body language, met your eyes, etc., would that change how he treats you? If he said "I'll change the way I treat you", would you believe him? If he said "let's get married", would you say yes? Are you giving him "one last chance"? How many last chances have you given him already? (When will it be time for your chance? Your happiness? Your life?) Why are you not trusting yourself with this decision, hard and painful as it is? Why are you not listening to yourself? You already know the truth. This is your life we're talking about. You trust yourself enough to jump out of planes, why not trust yourself to jump out of the relationship? You are worth the love a good man gives. Trust in yourself to find it. And Sky, it is not with him. I guess what I am getting at is you're setting yourself up for a problem. If he has already treated you that poorly, (and he has - you deserve far better than that) it will not - NOT - get better. You have seen true colors, and you're asking him to change them. It isn't going to happen, Sky. The first time I saw my ex's temper (as the coffee table went flying past my ear), I should have trusted myself that it was not going to get better. Instead, after years of bruises, finally it took 4 broken ribs and a trip through the plate glass window to convince me. It does not get better. To use your analogy, you look up and see a ball of crap over your head. You know it is not going to open. Do you wait to see what happens? Invite it to drinks to discuss the reason it won't open? Discuss the reason that one line wanted to be in the wrong place that day? Discuss why the slider pulled a no-show today, as you spin wildly out of control....Or do you look, reach, grab and pull as if your life depends on it, because it does? I gave my ex "one more chance", too, many times. He made all the promises, did all the right things, and I believed him. My ex truly believed what he said to me. It just wasn't the truth, and actions do speak louder than words. But I heard the words I wanted to hear, and saw a little of the "action" I wanted to see. But is was not sustainable. It did not work. It wasn't his "color", so to speak. Sky, do it now, let him go, and come back to yoruself, for yourself, and with yourself. Are you waiting for "proof"? It's in the pudding, as they say. And the pudding has already been made. I know it's hard. And it is not going to be easier later. Believe in yourself, and trust yourself. And if that is too hard right now, trust someone who has been there (lots on this board), and make the change. You deserve happiness. Why settle for less? Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Where's the photos from the Fruit and nutz Record grab? Did I miss them? And yes, Viking, those are gorgeous pix.....

Do not to do that after a martini or two, and then a Royale Kir (I do love those - champagne and cassis).....you don't get ground rush, you just get dizzy, everything moves in weird directions and then you trip over the cat!! 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 actually understood that!!!!!!!!!! Whhhhhhhhhheeeeeee!!!!!!!! The rest of it is still a mystery, though...sigh... (hey, Skymedic, how you doooowin?) Ciels and Pinks- Michele ROFLMAO! If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~

Well, now, that's an interesting idea.... My company's colors are colbalt blue and white - I have been thinking about appraoching the company for the $$ to custom purcahse a rig, and get the company name on it....seeing as I am a slowpoke in the air and am not flying anything near a pocket rocket, it might be good advertising because I am up there so long...and if I hire a photographer (hey, Viking?), and get some cool pix, then I could mount an advertising campaign that most people would not forget..........but I'll bet my company would say, well, "NOT A CHANCE" as they laugh hysterically.... But thanks for the idea! 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, since you asked... I have been out to the dz 16 times. At 168 miles round trip, that's a whopping 2688 miles I put on the old Jetta.....each one lost in thought, dreaming of the sky..... And, as an independent contractor, I am 1099'd, so have to watch my taxes very carefully (I'm a realtor). I have been trying to figure a way to write this off....can anyone come up with a good advertising campaign????????? LOL, but it's true, I could write it off as long as it is business related.....well, so says my CPA. (Can you imagine the audit that might bring on?????) 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, Skystorm - you have gotten great advice from the folks here. I wish I knew "then" what I know now.... Without going into morbid detail, don't let your need for love be your weak spot. It should be your strong point. It was my weak spot, so someone treated me like shit for many years before deciding to leave (said decision made from a hospital bed, btw)... Yes, it is hard alone. But no harder than constant reinforcement that you are no good, not worth the time and consideration, not valued enough. How can you learn to value yourself with that kind of information being constantly sent to you? You can't. Get him out. Do as they say - without violence. Get his stuff into a truck for him, and then change the locks. And then cry - long, hard. Greive for yourself, for the relationship, for him. And then, get on with the business of finding out who you are, what makes you tick. Find out what you want in a man, and in a relationship. Discover who you are by yourself - you'll be surprised as to what you learn. I learned I had the courage to skydive. And if I could jump out of a plane, for chrimeny's sake, I could do just about anything, you know? And from there, learned I could write. And learned what I had to say was sometimes valued, and sometimes devalued, but it was always worth me saying it. You are worth the world. Find that out about yourself - you will find that out about yourself - and then find the man you want to share your wonderful world with. Women can be happy and complete without men, without relationships, without abuse. Find that out (hint: you already have), and you will find the relationship you should and deserve to have - loving, respectful, joyous, and free. It will contribute to you and not take from you. I am still looking for that relationship, but very content to be who I am all by myself right now. You are fine, Skystorm. You are worth the love and respect. You are totally excellent and kewl. Now just discover what the rest of us already know. And to judge by the numbers of responses and the tone, you can always come here for reassurance. 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, SilentJ I have been there; I quit on level 5, quit after my down wind landing, I have not been passed to the next level several times, for several reasons...but I never really "quit"...For me, fear has been an intense battle, and so has my determination to get back out there and try again. This has been the single most intense thing I have ever done in my entire life - not physically (although it is that, too), but mentally and emotionally. And the rewards have been incredible. So my thought is I am very unclear as to why you are considering quitting. Is it because you are scared? Financially unable at the moment? Just really enjoy the atmosphere of a dz but not the actual jump? Pressure from family/friends to not do it? Until you can isolate and identify the reason you are considering quitting, all I can say is listen to your heart - not your mind, not your friends, not your wallet, but your heart - and make the determination based on that. If you quit, you are still welcome at the dz; if you quit, you will have a fatter wallet; if you quit, your family and friends will be 'happy". But will you be "happy"? And if the answer is a true - YES - then let it be. Stop jumping. But if you are unsure, or if the answer is - NO - then identify what is going on, and solve the puzzle, and then commit 120%, and complete the program you choose. Just my thoughts. Ciels and Pinks- Michele If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away... ~enya~