Michele

Not all dz's do that, but all credit card companies do. Sigh. Getcha coming and going....... Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

I won't jump when I have PMS. I can't finish a thought when I have PMS, and that would be a baaaaaad thing if I was at 4K and couldn't think..... Other than that, 3 deep breaths, on the ride to alti, counting to 8 on the exhale. Then a little "O.K., God, here I go...", and then 3 deep breaths right as I am about to land, and flare with the last exhale (schuuuuu....waaaaaa). Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

The horizon will still be there when you get your "A", Viking. Take your time, learn the turns, get your "A". It'll wait. "Love, your Mom" Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hi, Guys! Fab, first, I doubt it was your english - more likely it was my lack of coffee. Cloudy head and lack of coffee someetimes makes me misunderstand something. I went back and re-read it, and it was exactly clear after Merrick pointed it out. And thanks for clearing it up yourself. That, and you, are appreciated. She has asked me to make one final post on this thread for everyone: Also, and this is from me to you all, thank you for your help, and putting up with an akward situation, this posting from anonimity. If she could have posted, she would have. And rather than have her go with only my limited experience advice, this was the only situation we could come up with to get your input. Again, thanks, everyone - you helped her out, and taught me a thing or two in the process! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Morning, Merrick Thanks for clearing that up. Rereading his comment, that does sound like what he meant. Geesh, I need another cup of coffee! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Morning, all. Skreamer, you asked if the camera flier was pissed. Turns out he was told that it was going to happen. Se sent me this answer: "She worried about his safety, made sure he knew it was going to happen, just not mine!" And Fab, you asked: Just wondering...when she grabbed her to play..did she signal a waveoff to let her know that she should release her? Her response was: "Someone asked if I waved off as she was playing...YES! I waved off and tried to shake my wrists free of her grip." She also said that she shook her arms, and thought about hitting her, but worried about body position and if that was going to make her go lower. Personally, you and I think alike - if that had happened to me, the person would've been eating teeth, y'know? Fab, as to putting people in a bad light, I am not sure I understand that comment. I posted her problem so she could get some support from people other than me, because I am not as experienced as you guys. I know what I would have done, but I don't know what the "right thing" would have been. I told her that the DZO and/or ST&A needed to be told about that right away, but I am still very new in the sport, and my advice is not the most valid. As to talking behind her back, I am sorry you seem to feel that I would do that. Anyway, thanks for the responses - they seem to have helped her out. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hi, all. I received this in my pm's the other day. She is a poster on these boards (you all know her), and we have been corresponding regularly for the last several months. She sent this to me, and I thought I'd pass it on for your help, support and comments (she o.k.'d it). She has just under 100 jumps, and she jumps a Spectre with a slow opening pack style. She has just moved her decision altitude from 2500 to 2000, and is still very nervous about that. She asked me to post because she didn't want any bad publicity from her DZ. Her pm reads in part: Please give comments and advice. Thanks all. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hey, Broken Eagle- Hugs and good drugs to you! Hope you heal rapidly and totally! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

WWHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOO Thanks, Sangiro - you da man! And like Jab said, no matter what spped, this is such a great site. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

No, I didn't know. Thanks, Wingi, for the vote of not dumbness....... I'll choose among my many dumb moments, and be back to post later. There was the time I was arrested, or the time I decided to find my birth family (I was adopted), or the time I got drunk and decided to go hiking in the Angeles Crest forest...or, well, lots of dumb things.

Marrying my (now-ex) husband. Turns out he is gay. Not a great match, me being heterosexual and all. Plus, his lying and hitting me wasn't workable, either. Neither was his dating a cross-dressing, transexual-wanna-be....... Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Yo, Tonnnnnnnny. YO! 'Sup? Have any Dutch sandwiches lately? And how's that Great Dominican Sugar Embargo going? Heard any news? Hahahahahahaha...ahem....yes, well, right. See, now everyone who comes to LA will want to stay at the Hotel Michele, and have Chicken in Wine every day! ..... Actually, it was a blast having you around. You are a ton of fun, and the cats miss you. And thanks for the wine, Larissa - I still haven't opened it, but that'll be soon! Hey, Mouth - when you coming out again? and what menu would you like for your first night here? Might as well tell me now..... Hey, perhaps an LA based party, so I can make my famous artichoke dip.............. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hi, Zennie. I agree with you completely about your concern for the bomb scenario. I understand your reticence and hesitation about flying. I have thought about all the scenarios my fertile imagination can come up with. I have come to a different conclusion, though. To me, it's kind of like skydiving. I can still do everything right, but have a mal that I can do nothing about, and bounce. This sucks. And this is life. And I still jump. My choice comes down to what I am willing to risk. Am I willing to risk my life (which I do every time I step out of the front door) to live my life and to enjoy what I can enjoy? Yes. Or else I'd stay in my house and hide from the world - which wouldn't work, either, because I could get killed in an eq. Granted, we are talking about a totally contrived situation, rather than an earthquake. But philosophically I think it's the same. I am alive now, and someday I will not be. What's the old saying - the consequence of life is death? Yeah, I think I'd rather be alive, but if it's my time, it is my time, whether an earthquake, a truck on the street, an illness or a bomb in a commerical jet liner. To me, it's not about saying "fuck you" to the terrorists, or the thought that if I stop my life, the terrorists win. Rather, to me, it is if I stop living my life for whatever reason, if I choose "percieved safety" over life, then I lose. And I lose big. And fwiw, I really doubt that the assholes will attack that way again, at least not for a while. I think that the more likely scenario is a bio/chem attack, or even some car/truck bombs (ala McVeigh), that kind of thing. Just my .02, it's your decision, your life. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

ALERT!!!!!ALERT!!!!!ALERT!!!!!ALERT!!!!! NATIONAL ALERT ISSUED: HELL HAS FROZEN, GRAB YOUR ICE SKATES Stunning the nation with the news, at 10:00 p.m., October 29, 2001, Macauley and Michele agreed that "jumping out of a burning high rise building without lots of experience in skydiving is likely a very, very, very bad idea". Citing downdrafts, updrafts, idiots, and impenetrable windows, Mac stated his position clearly and without hesitation. Michele concurred with all his points, and, when asked to contribute her own opinion, she was, for once, rendered almost speechless, except to say "I can't believe it, but I agree with him. I really do." She had nothing further to add, leaving the podium shaking her head in disbelief. Mayor Guiliani stated: "if those two can agree, perhaps there's hope yet". Donald Rumsfeld, when asked, thought that "I never, in all my days, would have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes." Colin Powell, taking a break from his coalition building, mused "well, I thought that getting the coalition to agree on something would be impossible. We now have hope, and we shall persist onward with our endeavors, and shall not be defeated. Those two are an inspiration!". Bush could not be reached for comment. Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Better than any of my stories! Well done, Whit, and glad you didn't, um, make the news. I would love to have seen how it was covered, tho. hahahahahahaha. Well done, well written, and thanks! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Anne, Please - DON'T BE A FOOL - SEE A DOCTOR! It really may have been nothing, but wouldn't it be great to find that out? It could be many, many, many things, most not a problem. ALL a problem if they happen in the air. You are a smart, savvy lady, who has proved that you can take care of yourself. Do it again. Take care of yourself, get checked, and then jump happy. Know what I mean? ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hi, all. Rarely does something on the computer make me laugh so hard as this did. I really did spill my milk. click here: http://www.gotlaughs.com/funpages/bin2.cfm. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Are you converting your currency to the Australian dollar? The American dollar is about twice that of the AU dollar (I think). I have a friend here from Australia, and she was saying that for 300 AU she got 150 US. If that's right, then the 2200 AU would be 1100 US, which would be pretty good, I think (if you're in US dollars, that is). The US dollar is trading pretty strong against the EU, too, last I looked at the market (midweek). I don't however, know what the AU is against the EU. And it is too early for me to go find out. That's all the help I can offer. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hi, Frank I wasn't on your list (you're gonna get that a lot, I bet), but I am going to assume that since I don't remember pissing you off, I haven't (and if I have, please blame it on the beer, and accept my apologies). Your choice to stop posting here has been echoed by many. I wish you (and they) would re-choose. You bring to the table a valid point, and while I may not always agree, I always want to hear a different thought. If I wanted the same thoughts in my head that are in my friends, I never would have started jumping, you know? And thank you! from the bottom of my heart for your work in the media, and your attempts to bring the situation into clearer focus for your viewers. This is an amazing time, and the effects of the WTC are just now beginning to show themselves - in the stress, in the economy, in the burgeoning grace which I see around me. And we need to know that there is support for us, from all quarters - this is a global thing, and we need to view it as that. So thank you for your work - and please come back and post more. You're missed.

YAYAYAYAYAYAY for you! Knew you could do it, as did everyone else. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hi, Anne Wow. Wowowowowowow. Really relieved you're o.k. and figured out what the problem was. Get your gear back! You're just chalking them up, aren't you? Driving up that beer debt before winter...one right after the other. no more, o.k.? You've had your share. Really. No more. Skydiving is exciting enough all by it's self......() Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

DZBone might have a few good ones, and I know Larissa has one or two - but she's still in NY, though. I'll try to get in touch with them, and see if they can get anything to you. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Morning, Alphons- Worry not, I am not offended. I am not a small person, no tiny waif here, as those of you who have met me know. lol. "Responsive" to me is anything - anything - that moves faster than a sleepy catapillar. I am a real weenie under canopy, and scare myself easily. It took a long time for me to actually do a 360, y'know? Someday I will load over 1:1, but not yet. So swooping the 107 is still a distance off....... And Mouth, no diets allowed when you are eating my cooking - although it is not necessarily unhealthy, it is not necessarily skinny food, either. Great to hear you're coming out because I can't wait to meet you! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

What happened to Regina? I keep hearing allusions to her, but no one has stated anything that I can see? And I really must be referring to a different lake, because I described the one I saw. Or maybe I am colorblind....I left out that nasty green thingwhich is at the end of the dz, but described the one we fly over at about 1000 feet.....could that be it? And I loved your description of beer, Lara..... And no, Alphons, you may not ask what I am loading at! Well, you can ask, but I won't tell (except to say I am still under 1:1....by a bit, too....) And Mouth, why are you on the ground? And are you still coming out in December? I'll cook for you....... And HotTamaly, I was providing ground team support for Larissa, which is why I didn't go up earlier. But thanks for setting me up with Jackie - she's fun. MsDeva, I wanted to talk to you too, but I couldn't find you either. You weren't wearing a Curious George T-shirt..... WhiskyChick, when you are in freefall, and are buzzed by my invisible jet, watch out!!!! You'll only see the outline, that's how you'll know..... Yes, Sharkie, I still have a tik. so I guess I'll be back at Elsinore (yeah, sure, twist my arm, why don't ya....) Whew, I think that's all the questions - forgive me if I missed yours.... ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

And just how many polititians care about, or even know about, the number of deaths at a DZ in any length of time? Like Lisa said, there is a reason he knows. And, like Lisa said, he needs to be checking into other sports, as well. Otherwise, can we say "selective prosecution"? Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~