Michele

Nope. Nuh-unh, not me. And while 23 does sound like a lot when you have 2 jumps (at least it did to me), realistically, 23 is a spit in the ocean...especially compared to someone like SkymonkeyOne (who is an instructor, btw) (right, Chuck?). Right. What he said. It's all still "majic" to me, this thing we do. What I was simply trying to say was that the very idea of relaxing while plummenting toward the earth has just been a really hard concept for me. I find that if I think about it as "resting", rather than "relaxing", it helps me in getting the correct body position. Go figure. I can't relax in the air, but I can rest. (And really, I am not holding myself out as an expert, and shouldn't be thought of as one by anyone, at any time, about anything related to skydiving. I still haven't figured out to convey sarcasm very well yet....). Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hey, Jeji. So, yeah, I did the same thing. Used the excuse that I was too hung over and too tired to do my first solo. Both real, and true, at the time, and both really just excuses. The truth was I was scared. By the time I did do my solo, about 6 days later, I was so scared that I had a really tough time. You just have to get out, and fall straight down. Pull high if you want. But get out and get it over with. It was really hard for me, but I did it, and all went well, and now it's not so difficult. However, make sure you will sit it out if there are real, honest problems: winds too high, medical issues, whatever. Make your decisions at home: I will jump in such and thus conditions, and I will not jump in thus and such conditions. And then stick to them. Moderate them if you encounter something you haven't thought about, but stick to your overall game plan. Yeah, I know Murphy, too. Sometimes it's not out there - sometimes, it's inside. Go jump, Jeji, handle it. I know how you feel, and I know how you will feel. You'll be very proud of yourself when you get through it, I promise!! Let me know how it goes, o.k.? Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Like I have a ton of experience or something......(Lookit me, ma, no hands, no suspension wires, just me!!!!!)(#23 last week. Lots of experience, me...) Whenever I start to get out of control, or something unexpected happens (every jump I make), I have learned (the hard way) to just "rest" (aka "relax", but that's such a hard concept in the air) - stop everything, and sink. I have discovered that if you arch, the air will get you in the right place, but if you try too hard, you tense all the major muscle groups and it works against the air. See, I manage each jump to have to pratice that resting thing..... And have fun, damnit. FUN!!! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Don't think, though, that a student canopy won't have this. I had line twists so bad that I even though I started to get them untwisted, the slider never came down down, and the canopy most likely never opened fully. (the general opinion was I also had a line over and an unstowed brake from my description of the canopy and sequence of events once down). In the video, you can see the bag start to spin as it comes off my back, and a line (the brake?) fly out from the line groupings. In re: the red out, after a few (3 or 4) gnarly spins, my hands felt like overstuffed sausage, and my feet felt the same way. Thankfully, I had the extra altitude to make my student brain actually recognize the situation and cut away. I was back under a good canopy by just shy of 3K. I recall my jm telling me that he spotted me under canopy, spinning around, and he was wondering about it because a) he knew how tentative I am in the air, and couldn't imagine that I would want to spin like that, and b) student canopies just generally don't go into that flat of a spin (he called it a helicopter spin) (this is beyond me, I still don't understand what he meant). Know your procedures, know yourself, and pull if you have to. Glad you are o.k., Kris, and that Master D is still with us! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Yeah, he is a hottie....our leader, with style, class, and good looks...... Hummm. This skydiving thing just keeps getting better and better. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Sangiro. Hard "g", a noun, meaning mentor, teacher, leader, shepherd... Or so I have been informed (by someone other than him, just so you know.). And if it doesn't mean that, it should!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Yep. I took the first jump course, and pitched right on out with two jm's - one on each side. Never did a tandem; still haven't. (and gawd is that video hysterical! - I'm up there, sightseeing, and totally forgetting that I should do something other than check out the view...) Most people do a tandem, and then all 8 levels of AFF (although some places have 7 levels). All the requirements are the same; I think it is a matter of how the particular school decides to divide the skill requirements. For example, our level six was unstable to stable, and then track, while it is different at other schools. Some combine unstable with several other requirements, which would eliminate the need for an "extra" level. I really don't know. I can only tell you my experience (which is, btw, none...) Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Beer? I figure I am still using the beer credit from bringing 9 1/2 cases to my graduation!!!! The whole dz got toasted that night on me and Zclubber.... But you're right. I owe a few beers - but not as many as all that - isn't it no matter how many firsts on one jump, it's still a case of beer? How's a case of Sam Adams and a case of Bass sound? They're sitting right here.......... Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Isn't Canada's method a combination of either tandem and aff or static line and aff? I could have sworn that I read somewhere that Canada uses a three tandem, 5 aff system, but I have been known to be wrong.... Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

I get to the dz bright and early. After talking to Ed, I decide to go through the harness room, not to downsize today, and then do an unstressed solo for my first jump, before anything else. I manifest, get the SkyVan, and go pick up my rig from the packer. Sling it on, check the winds - none - and begin to get nervous. Yeah, there's the incredibly loud flying milk carton, and here I am, walking to it, and hopping on, like it's nothing. But it really is something. The vast blue beckons - cloudless, crisp. I can't wait to get into the sky again. Up, up, and away; you can tell the groove is just not there yet for a lot of us. Kind of looking around, waiting, you can feel the anticipation. I feel bad for the students - usually we laugh and joke and tease, but this milkcarton is so very loud that we are reduced to smiling through the tension. We get to altitude, and the first group goes. I watch, for the first time, several solos go in front of me. There's Lori, flipping, arching, - what a sight. To see from above, watching someone plummet, outlined, against the desert ground, bright blue suit unmistakable. It takes my breath away, and I want so much to be there. It is my turn. Just as I approach the hole in the floor that I am supposed to drop through, I feel a tug on my back - the green light has gone out. I sit back on the bench, now anticipating rather than being anxious. I want out!!! I look through the back of the plane, and there - stretched out, far beyond far, is the day. Mountaintops peek through the steel grey fog which clings to the ground out there, miles away, the tops showing but not the bases. I can see for hundreds of miles, I think. The haze mutes all the ground details - guazy, indistinct, almost misty. I see the lake from above, the little boats making little white streamers behind them. I am so very high up in the crystalline sky, so free, so ready to fly. The light is green, and I am out - flipping, twisting, moving in undetermined ways, released from the constraints of the earth for just a very few precious seconds. I am in the sky again, in the world again, and all the pain, terror, fear, of the last few weeks is left in the plane. Left behind, like a piece of clothing, like some shroud I have taken leave from. The sun is gentle morning gold, touching me, reminding me of the life we have, and the life to live. I am under canopy now, swirling, dancing, playing. I set up the approach, sad that this jump is ending, happy that it went wonderfully. I near the ground, and remind myself that I have to move my feet when I land. Which, upon touch-down, I promptly forget. Face plant. I lay there, and laugh - I have jumped from the sky, and I have safely landed. No matter that I am still belly-flying on the ground, no matter that I forgot the basic requirement of movement on the earth- using my feet...no matter. I love this thing everyone calls crazy. I love flying. I get all packed up, and this time I will be jumping with John. He is a wonderful man, who has made it a point to help me in all ways. He has introduced me to many people, has unknowingly comforted me in some of my more difficult moments. He has been stalwart in his support, and glorious in his friendship. And today, he has me sign his friend Chuck's log book, because I can - I have a license! We talk about our jump, and I ask him what we are going to do. What do you want to do, he says. This is the first time I have ever been asked what I want, and, surprised, I blurt out - tracking. I tell him my nightmare of not being good at tracking, and he instantly agrees. We talk, and the plan is simply to get out, get stable, and then do a really long track. Well, I can do that, I think, and we go get geared up. On the Twin Otter this time, and Jim Wallace is there with a student. She and I talk, and John and I talk. Jim asks John about a demo possibility, which makes me realize how fortunate I am that this man is asking me to jump with him. Jim and I talk, about nothing in particular, and then, as we approach jump run, it gets quiet in the plane. Then the sudden burst of energy as we get helmets and goggles, and the first few jumpers go off. We do a turn around, because the spot is bad. We're at the door, John climbing on the camera step. The count is mine, and I am out - arching, out again into the blue. Into the sky God has given us, and which we choose for our playground. Into the crisp air, sharp and clear, over all the dust and the dirt which await us on the ground. Out into the sun, reaching, floating, praying with my life and in my joy. Celebrating our freedom with each breath. I look down, and figure out which way is east. Look quickly at my alti, and it says 10.8, so we are fine. I am heading east without thinking about turning, without thinking about how to make my body fly. I lock my knees, flatten my legs, point my toes. I pull my belly in, and reach forward and the sweep back with my arms. I see John to my side, and he is smiling. I realize I am smiling, too. I remember to roll my shoulders forward and sort of cup my hands, and I feel this odd little tilt - like my legs are, for the first time, a bit lower than the rest of me. I am flying - cruising, slicing through the sky like an arrow. I am staying pretty straight, so I watch us move across the ground. We are really high up, but I can tell we are moving - I go from just west of the runway to where it looks like the road at the back of the triangle is just in front of us. I slow down, then stop. I check my alti, and it shows 8,000. I look down at the cars on the road, just small little shiny things, and I wonder if these people know that there are people flying around on top of them - do they really understand it? Can they get it? And I realize that I should probably pay attention to my skydive. I turn back to the west, so I can be facing the dz when I open. I look for John, and he is there, just off to my left. He thumbs up me, and I giggle. I am grinning as I wave off. he waggles his fingers at me, and I pull - and the canopy blooms above me, beautiful, bright, whole, and controllable. All good, I think, and then I dance again. I turn and turn, making my first 720. I surprise myself with my guts, because even though that scared me, it was fun to swing from under my canopy and to spin on purpose. I practice flat turns, and riding the brakes. I get to the point where I want to turn to start my downwind leg, and just let it cruise. I fly, canopy snapping, and look at my world from up here. What a difference 2500 feet makes. I look over to the mountains, see the day touching them, making shadows on the ground. I watch wispy clouds, sun filtering through them, beams of light peircing the veil of the haze. I see the beauty I am surrounded with, and store them the way a thirsty man drinks - in huge gulps; desperate, dribbling gulps - until I realize I should be paying attention to the ground and where I am. I turn into the wind, knowing it is pretty strong. I reach up, and pull the rear risers a bit, trying to flatten out my glide. Which doesn't work the way the book says it will, and I know I will be short. Oh well, at least the truck is working today! And this time, it is a gentle, 2 stage flare. I actually feel for the first time the leveling out of the ride, a bit less down and a bit more forward. I finish the flare, and to my surprise, I don't have to flare all the way before the canopy gently sets me down, tippy toed and sweet. I do my little happy dance, and then look up. The guys in the truck are laughing with me, because they know the glory skydiving is, and are happy to see me. John climbs in the truck, and we grin at each other. I told him how weird it was to see another person again in the sky with me, and he asks when did you see me? I said you were off to my left when I started to track, and he laughs. You shot out of there - you left me in your dust, he says. Great job. I grin; it felt great, so I am glad it was great. He says just practice that, and make it a body memory, and you'll never have a problem. Huge grin from me. I know it's silly to be pleased about tracking, but I really am proud that I did it well. I go and find Dave, who has asked if I wanted to jump with him. I decide that I can go again, although I should head home and get into my office for a few hours tonight. It'll wait, paper isn't going to disappear, and I need a day of joy right now. The sky is calling me, I can hear it over the noise of the plane. I hear it in my soul. We plan a hybrid dive. My only job is to hold on during the exit, and once stable, let go and arch really hard. He is going to try to pace me in a sit, and and then at the end, we are going to track. I like and trust Dave, I know this'll be fun. Then we manifest on the Van. I never had done a linked exit from the Van, I say, and he quickly rethinks the exit. We switch positions so I am holding onto him because I am scared to go off backward. We're out the door. I am tentative, and I forget to get my feet onto my butt. Dave and I are belly to belly, head to earth. I think we are going over, so I arch really hard. Really hard, and we level off. I am still arching as hard as I can, and I start sinking out on Dave, who has gotten a grip on me. He is not in front of me anymore - oh, ouch, thump, huge push, tumble, twisting, tumble, sun ground sun ground flatten out arch arch arch ARCH! shit my shoulders hurt and I am back to belly flying. I see Dave in a sit drop past me, and I arch harder, and then Dave is on his belly, and now I am zooming past him, so I try to slow down, hug the earth, but that doesn't help. I keep checking my alti, and trying to keep my eyes on him, but I lose him. I decide no tracking, because I can't find him, and maybe he'll find me, so I'll just stay put, and now it's wave off, look right, left, up, down, still can't see him. I pull, and the canopy opens, and then I see his red chute dancing below me so I breathe a sigh of relief because he is o.k., and playing in the sun. I tug on the front riser, and I am still too scared to hold it for long. I set up, and this time I gauge the winds properly. I 2-stage flare it again, this time really seeing the levelling off, and wait, wait, and finish the flare totally, and actually go up a few feet. Just like the big dogs, only not really. I tippy toe again, and let out a whoop! for I have danced and played, I have soared, I have flown, I am alive. I pack up - time to head home. Back into the real world, where no-one understands the joy and pride which come with jumping. Back to the real world of death and terror, but now I have a small peace - a quietness, an abiding joy again, which only jumping can give. I now have more memories to replace the horror of the last few days, new joy. I have proved to myself that there is still love, joy, freedom, in this world. It is still there, and I can count on finding it again and again, no matter what the future holds. I'll hold to the knowledge, to my experience, the memories, the solace, the beauty, and the comfort the sky brings me. It's funny how being in the sky can help me get my feet back on the ground. Ciel bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

What time does the camp start? This damn bombing got in the way of our first dance - will there be time first thing in the morning? "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hey, Heathmo: I haven't been jumping long enough to know what Memorial Day and the 4th is like. Only have 20 jumps, and the first was on May 6th.....second, June 9. 3rd and most memorable, 20th. So, those two dates are not known to me yet. Sorry..... Lisa- Yeah, it's memorized..... And I figure I'll get there about 7 - and wait in line. Or, sleep in line, actually. And if I can't get a packer, I'll only be able to make like 2 jumps, because of how slow I pack. Sigh. But to be back in the blue again. AAAAHHHHHHHHHH. Will you be there? (Say yes, damnit, say yes!!!! We have to meet someday!) Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Well, now I have to jump tomorrow. Even tho Perris will be busy as hell, because they're doing a 60-way camp. Even tho I should go to work, and earn a living. Even tho I am kinda still freaked about the situation we are in right now. Why? Why do I have to jump? Good thing you asked..... It starts with an "A"....and continues with some numbers. Looks kinda like this: A39259 I'm one of you guys now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ciel bleus for everyone!!! Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Glad to know you're o.k. !!! Ciel Bleu- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hi, all. Now, you're talking my language....as a realtor in the great Los Angeles area, I do this every day.... Mr. Greenspan, on Tuesday, did drop the rates by 50 basis points, or 1/2 a point. These rate drops affect ONLY the amount of interest that banks charge each other, and while they do have an indirect relationship, they do not immediately affect mortgage interest rates. There is not expected to be any movement for the next 14-30 days,m unless something untoward happens. the rates do affect t-bills, and other bank issues, but not mortgages. Rates are still low, actually quite low. There have been some minor fluctuations, but I stress very minor. You should, with a fico of 650+, be able to get a rate around 6 3/4 or 7. It also depends on the amount you intent to put as a down payment, or the amount you want to refinance. Panic selling is illegal, and should be reported to the National Association of Realtors, as it is something which is tracked, and something may be able to be done about it. If you need help, Carl, pm me and I'll figure out how I can help. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Congratulations, whhhhhhhhaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhoooooooooo! Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Having nearly burned my eyeballs out reading this thread, I didn't see any facts and figures brought from anywhere, but lots of argument, passionate and impassioned. So I went out and looked a little bit. As Emma said when she started this thread, this internet thing is a good thing.... So. What I found was: A little bit of history on Afghanistan (not claiming to be as accurate as the 5 page report which this is distilled from, but close) When the Talilban took power in 1996, they overthrew a tribal King. There is a faction which has waged war on the Taliban since then, considering the Taliban's rule to be far too harsh, and misinterpreting the Qu'ran. Their leader was shot and killed in a battle in Khabul about 10 days ago. This faction (and Lord forgive me but I can't recall their name) is known to be supported by about 25% of the population. The Taliban has control over about 45-50% of the population. That leaves about 25-30% who have not yet "chosen", or have chosen but will keep it quiet until some future time. Then there are the Ulema, the clerics, which are a binding body of 1,000 religious leaders. What they decide to do about something becomes actual law to them (and, as this is a religiously ruled country, to the rest of the country it becomes law, as well). Going back a little farther: In the late 1800's, the tribes joined together to fight a common enemy, the Biritsh. They roundly trounced the British troops (I think the number in country was 20,000, and 19,000 were killed). In the late 70's through the '80's, the country again abandoned the individual tribes and united, and fought the former Soviet Union and Speznaz (the USSR's "Special Forces"). The Afghani's were successful after they got the Stinger missle, and was able to have success over the Soviet Union (and quite directly impacted the stability of the USSR, and contributed heavily to the dissolution of the USSR). The entire population is estimated to be 26,813,057 as of July, 2001. The percentage of men, ages 16-64, is 60%+. The Taliban, upon urging from the UN, banned all farming of opium poppies in 1998 ("Being high interferes with the correct worship of Allah" one cleric stated). This cost an estimated $183 mm annually, with at least 10% going in taxes to the government. The US sent the Taliban an additional $43 mm as a bonus/incentive. The United States gave $113.2 million in aid to Afghanistan in the year 2000. We are the primary humanitarian aid provider to that country. I believe that just more than 1/2 of that amount (60+ million) was in food, and the rest was distributed in various manners, i.e. medicinals, cash, education materials, and so forth. Osama Bin Ladin was widely proclaimed to be under "house arrest"; however, in the recent crisis, it was indicated that they were not certain where he was, and there have been widespread reports that Osama Bin Ladin had in fact fled the country, and alternatively that he is in the hills of Dahka Valley. Just a few facts gleaned from the Wonderful Wacky Web. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. For it is you who will protect me, and if a price is to be paid, it is you who will pay it. It is you who will most certainly determine that I live freely. It is you who I count on to make sure that America stays free and open. America, a most wondrous place. Where someone, anyone, can dream a dream and make it happen. Where we can shop in markets, gather in the park, play in the street, without fear of reprisal. America, where we have founded the most incredible nation on the planet, made up of hard workers, genuine hearts, and pride. And you wear the uniform of our America. You wear it with pride, and I thank you. For you may not know again the freedoms which are so loved and cherished. You may not know again the love and the joy which is our nation. You may not know again the faith with which we live. And still, you rise to the occasion. You leave our cherished shores to protect us. Over and over, throughout the years, you have left behind all that is dear to you, so that I could have all that is dear to me. So thank you for my life, my liberty, and the chance to pursue my happiness. Thank you, my brothers and sisters, now, and from long ago. Thank you. And may God Bless and protect you, for you are the shining light which is our freedom. You are the heart which is our people. You are the embodiment of courage that built this grand country. And you are the pride of all who love our homeland. Thank you. God Bless you, yours, and those around you. Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Hugs and prayers to you, Sis. Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

See, that's exactly what I thought....some poor, deprived skydiver just had to get their fix, and popped the door........pitched out......did a hopnpop... ciels- Michele Just a thought.... "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

So, yesterday, I had reason to be in a glass elevator (I needed altitude, could have used the interior one, but no....). On the ride down, I looked, judged height, waited, waited, checked the horizon (My feet were level with the outside security guard's head - right height), and FLARED down (in slow motion) to a perfect landing in the lobby in a suit and heels. Sigh. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Awright, kids. 'Fess up: Who did it?? http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAEX54ISRC.html Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

I cannot help hearing the Hindenberg announcer scream memories into my head: "The humanity! Oh, the humanity". I echo the cry that rips through my heart, tumbling in my mind. That cry courses thought the canyons of my life. I murmur it to myself, as if believing that if I can say that enough, perhaps, just perhaps, humanity will reenter the picture. It isn't working, but I keep trying. I feel as if I had cut away, and I'm looking for my silver handle, reaching desperately, and I cannot find it. Oh, I cry into my mind, oh, the humanity! I think about the events of this week, the trauma, the horror, the insanity of it all. I think my generation has been lucky, that the bill due for freedom had not come due 'til now. I consider the price every generation has paid, and I had never thought that there may come a time when I would be asked the same that was asked of my father: to pay with my blood, to pay with my sacrifice. If ever I had thought about it in the past, I believed that the debt owed had been paid, and that the sacrifices of my parents, and of generations before them, had finalized the amount owed. But I am wrong. It is our turn, our turn, our debt and our turn. Oh, the loss. The humanity lost, now and in the future. I sit outside on the porch, watching the day pass, a great lassitude, a horrendous fatigue, invades me. I watch the sky, once a comforting sight, still beautiful blue and summer warm, and listen closely. I immediately turn skywards to find the plane overhead, once I hear the drone of the engine. It used to be background noise; it is now a potential source of danger. I sit on the lawn, looking at my flowers, wondering if they will still bring me the same pleasure, the same peace, as before. They haven't yet, but that is not their fault. I listen to the sounds on the street, the murmuring of the cars that pass my home. I hear a new sound - and any new sound is suspect to me. My frightened soul cries "danger", and I try to walk confidently to the street to see if I can see this thing which makes the new sound. I spot a truck, with flags flying from its tailgate and antennae, and I hear the sound - the sound is coming from the flags whipping in the speed created wind. I hear that sound almost constantly now, and it begins to replace the lack of airplane noise. It is a comforting sound which fills the black night with the knowledge that the unity, the fellowship, the nation joining under a symbol of our freedom. It is a sound, which pushes back the fright, brings a peace to me. Perhaps, I think, I am being silly, because of the comfort in a simple sound, a simple display. No mind, I'll be silly. It helps a bit today. It helps. I buy 100 flags, and set them on every desk in my office, so that in the morning, people will know, people will hear, and people will be comforted. I crave jumping, skydiving, celebrating my life. I want so much to jump into the sun's rays again, to rejoice in my life by dancing through the blueness and follow the path the sun places before me. I want to validate all life by doing this. I want so much to resume my new passion, and then I hear we will send paratroopers into battle. They will not feel the joy I know, they will not experience the freedom. And I want to experience that true challenge, that freedom, that joy, that indescribable ecstasy of chasing death from my life, from my mind. And I will wait. I will dream of it, jumping through the night, jumping to the serenity that is there, 2 ½ miles in the sky. I will dream of it, and I will wait to make it so. I listen very carefully to the stories of the dying this week. And I'm surprised with the realization they all ended the same way. To a soul, they all ended the same way. I know now that there will be no profound statement I will utter at my death, no statement of wisdom from over the years. I now know what I will say to my father and mother as they die, and I now know what is said at the moment I see that cloaked, hooded figure approaching me. I know now that I will only say "I love you". And that is all that needs be said. Story after story, tale after tale, told over and over, the single message in it, regardless of the plane or the building, cell phone or land line, ear to ear was simply and no more than "I love you". No proclamations of hatred, no blurtings of anger. The people said that they loved. They loved, and they wanted one last chance to tell that they loved. And so when it is my turn, I will say I loved. That will be all. And that will be enough. And until it is my turn, I will say I love more, and mean it more. I love. Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

UPDATE: From Perris VAlley Skydiving Page: "Here's what we know so far regarding skydiving operations and FAA/DOT clearance for VFR operations. On Friday, Sept 14th, the Department of Transportation released this statement, "Secretary Mineta (Sec of Dept of Trans) said he is hopeful that the remaining general aviation flights, those operating under Visual Flight Rules, can resume flying later this weekend." The FAA and our own local Flight Services Office have NOT released aircraft for VFR operations (Visual Flight Rules, the standard operating mode for skydiving aircraft). What the FAA has done is to release aircraft for IFR operations (Instrument Flight Rules). This means filing a flight plan with the FAA prior to takeoff and then continuing with that flight plan until arriving at the destination airport. Several skydiving operations (4 that we know of) asked for and received clearance for IFR operation. Within one or two flights they were then contacted by the FAA and told to cease IFR operation. We had also applied for IFR clearance through our local air traffic control centers (March ARB and SoCal), but that was not granted to us. Therefore, as far as we can determine, no skydiving operation is being allowed in the country right now. Also, the FAA and DOT have not given out ANY timetable for restoring VFR operations. In a news release last night (9/15/01 - 5:04 PM ET) the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) released this statement, "In a special meeting on Saturday with senior FAA Air Traffic representatives and DOD officials, AOPA’s staff discussed plans for reopening airspace to VFR traffic to the National Airspace System. Although the timing is uncertain for the return of VFR operations, the FAA is bringing the system back incrementally. AOPA is working towards a resumption that will provide access for the maximum number of aircraft, recognizing the overriding concerns for national security." What all of this means is that we still can't skydive and that we still don't know when we will be allowed to skydive. Once again we have both pilots and ground crews standing by, ready to fly as soon as we get the word. We are checking all available information sources hourly and are posting any changes here as we get them. Please note that the time at the top of this page is being changed every time we check our sources so that you know we are keeping it up-to-date. Also, please use the "Refresh" button on your web browser to insure that you are getting our most current updates. Due to the way some web browsers operate, you may need to do that to see current information. The Flyboyz wanted me to thank everyone for their support during the last few days. In spite of our lack of skydiving many people traveled great distances to show their support and to party with their friends. Fritz and Eli appreciate that. The Boyz intend to reschedule their Film Festival and we will post that information here as soon as we get it and it will also be posted on www.Flyboyz.com. Please continue to join us in support of those that lost loved ones in this tragic event, those that are desperately trying to rescue any survivors, and our government as it attempts to formulate a response to the bombings of Tuesday." Ciels- Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~

Thanks, guys. This has been a horrendous thing which has happened. Please be gentle with each other for a while. We are all wounded, we are all hurting, we all share in the loss. We will all share in the future, as well. And that future - well, none of us knows what it will bring. I know I will need my friends here on these boards. It is not a matter of cliques, nor a matter of opinions. We will need each other's support in the coming times, and I will be the first to support you, rather than tear you down. We must build each other up, create a place where it is safe to say "I am afraid", "I am hurt", without worrying someone will take you apart for doing so. I AM afraid. I AM hurt. Please let that place be these boards. I need your support, and I want to support you. We are all affected by what has happened, American or not, popular or not, truthful or not. Whatever or not. We are all affected. Each one of us. Even those who say they're not. Blue skies, now, tomorrow, and forever - Michele "What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~