Michele

If anyone was still laboring under the misconception that Iran only wants nuclear energy for energy rather than weapons, a fatwah was issued recently which states that Allah approves the use of nuclear weapons as a 'countermeasure' against those who might threaten Islam. This is a significant change in Shari'a law, which has long held that nuclear weapons were not acceptable to use. What is most fascinating/frightening is that the fatwah was issued by Mohsen Gharavian, a highly placed leader/follower of the ultra-conservative Ayatollah Mesbah-Yazdi. And he is the cleric most closely associated with...yep, you guessed it...Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The fatwah should lay to rest anyone's misperceptions that Iran only wants "energy" and also establishes their willingness to use nuclear weapons as a countermeasure -note not as a MAD thing, just a countermeasure - and they already have a delivery system capable of reaching Israel and are thought to have a longer range delivery system which could reach Europe. I wish this weren't the case, but it seems now that the Iranian government has "permission" to use nukes should they be able to get them, without worrying about Allah's getting mad at them, and in fact believe that Allah actually encourages them to use them to protect themselves. Consider not simply this threat from Iran...but add into the mix the potential terrorists and portable nuclear weapons. This fatwah is rather concerning. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I just had time to watch it all the way through. What it reminded me of was the pain, horror and loss that we all suffered on 9/11. And reminded me again that evil is real. The film, like others of it's ilk, left me sick at heart that some people would believe that this propaganda is real, and design something which deliberately panders to the fears that are inherent in some people, the paranoid part that shrieks with terror when something of this magnitude occurs. "It can't be real," because if it's real, then we have been victimized in a horrible and unexpected way. "It couldn't have happened that way" because to believe it happened that way is to understand that the holes in our security as a nation are huge, nearly unfillable, and absolutely frightening to contemplate. "It was an inside job" because outsiders couldn't have penetrated our borders to such a degree as to use our own commercial airlines on us as weapons. And so on. And if one watches the film carefully enough, one sees it's internal, inherent contradictions, deliberate fallacies, and the misrepresentation of that it portrays as "facts" - in whole or in part - that to an unsuspecting viewer would indicate something other than what really happened has been "uncovered." Do I believe that there are cover-ups and conspiracies? Certainly. Do I believe this is one of those events? Not in the least. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL...well, I really do need to jump before I can write...how about this; I will (hopefully) get to jump next weekend (this weekend's out...), and I'll write up a story about that jump... It really has been a while since I've written a jumpstory, hasn't it? Man.... (Lori, it's all right; lots of people misspell my name...but thanks for catching my back!) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Seth, darlin, I'm smooching you back...no hurting you here. LOL! What a surprise it is to see this here, though. I read through it, and felt everything all over again; the fear, the dry mouth, the pride...all of it came back. And I look back and see how very far I've come...not just in skydiving, but in the rest of my life. Because of PhillyKev's encourgement, I sent my first article into Parachutist. Even though it was rejected, it started something for me...and I've had several articles published there since then. My confidence in my world has increased; after all, if I can skydive, especially after the cutaway I had, there's not a whole lot I can't do. And so I've been doing it. I have been writing (professionally), and have reached out to so many people and helped them. I've pretty much left a job I love to follow a career I want. I've grown, in so many ways, and so far have I come... And this sport is what did it for me. There has been given a comfort in my skin that nothing else has ever given me; an ability to assess correctly a situation as problematic or not, and take whatever steps necessary to get it handled. A precision of thought in stressful situations which I wouldn't have trusted except for this event, and this particular skydive...and mostly, an ability to trust myself about myself and my life has blossomed. And the sense of family - that Chris spent hours on the phone with me the night before, to help someone address a fear that really could only be conquered alone...and he didn't even know me, had never met me, had no connection other than this site and my writing...simply blows me away. How amazing it is to remember all the emotions of that day, and to see how far my journey into the sky has changed my earthbound life. As I said before, Sangiro, three cheers and four beers. You rock, and I thank you for providing this place then, and this place now, for all of us to share, care, and learn from each other. No, Seth, I'm not angry. Not in the least. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My eyes are tired. I read that at first as being "you need some alcohol in your wife." Which immeditely struck me as odd, knowing his wife. LOL! Maybe I need some alcohol in my life. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Michael. Do you have PMS? LOL! Look, here's the deal. You send out lots and lots of love and support to people. You get it back. A perfect example of "Karma" or "doing unto others." You also stood up and backed your ethics with your paycheck. That is enormously admirable. Doing that - putting your money where your mouth is, in effect - sets up a reverberation that is heard worldwide...in subtle ways, and not so subtle ways. You're making a difference daily, in the lives of those around you, and in those lives who you'd only touch peripherially in your career. And God sings because of that. St. Michael, your namesake, is sitting back saying "yup, he's a fighter. Go MICHAEL!!" And St. Michael should know a fighter when he sees one, right? You're going to be just fine. How do I know? I just do... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Oh, you poor baby...I hope you've recovered by now...maybe someday I'll write more erotica and send you some. My interests are, at the moment, more in the photographic arena for now. Pity I can't get anyone to model for me; I've got a new lighting technique to improve on, and it's tough balancing a reflector on your toes while triggering the remote shutter release and staying under the lighting with the correct angle from the camera and all... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, Tyrion. I was under the impression that this was a new case, not the old one being rehashed. Maybe that's what the media meant to portray, or perhaps I just didn't hear it right when there was a squib earlier. But I've got to say I'm relieved it's not new news... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Link? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You know, somehow I believe that. Basically because lots of people would fall over with heart attacks and die. Can you imagine the "I AM" stating that out of the sky or whatever, voice booming from the netherscape, saying "HI. I GOT YOUR ATTENTION YET??" How freaky that would be for some people. Complete chaos for a while. And actually, iirc, that is predicted in the Bible to actually occur as one of the "end time" signs, I think. But back to the topic...I probably should read the article before I comment. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Michael, while I love you dearly, I am not going to pick anything for you. So from me, you'll simply have to settle with some enigma style prayer, which has already been done, and will continue to be so. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

During sex? I use "cock", or "pussy." During everyday conversation, or in heavy flirt mode? "Happy bits..." as in "oh, that tingled my happy bits." Or when I'm cramping, "my happy bits hurt...". When writing, it depends. If I'm writing erotica (formally or not), I will use those terms which I use during sex. If I'm writing in a more clinical manner about medical/hygiene issues, vagina/penis are the terms I use (and other parts which are located nearby; clitoris, anus, shaft, testes, et cetera). Language! What a great choice to communicate exactly what one wants to communicate in the manner appropriate to the situation. Although, for the life of me, I don't think I like the term "hatchet". Sounds rather violent for such a sensitive area, and I think it would likely prejudice me towards not dealing with someone intimately who used that or other violent terms. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Gabe is fearless. Micro, if he said it didn't hurt, it didn't. I remember the first time I ever met him; he was literally climbing the doorjamb with his toes and fingers. Gabe just rocks. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, BP. Oh well, see, there is help. You've just got to play with the rulebook they give you. Since an SSRI will take up to 6 weeks to work, go ahead and get it from your MD. Get onto the waiting list for counseling, and get that ball rolling, too. You beat it before, you can do it again. Brain chemistry can get really wonky and take some meds to get it back; talk therapy will help you learn new skills on coping with both Depression as well as life's little surprises which can instigate a brain chemistry imbalance. Because of my long term work in talk therapy, I haven't needed to see a psychiatrist in years. I have my regular GP give me my scrip, and when I go get a refill (generally once in 90 days or so), we talk and he checks in on me. I'm so very familiar with my illness that I can see an episode coming, and get in to either adjust the meds or get a "quickie" from the counselor on call...but my GP understands that cash is tight, and that I can't afford both meds (over $120 per month) as well as a counselor on a regular basis. Work within the system. Use the tools available to you. Start with your GP, and then add the counseling. Is this the best way? Hell no...but if it's the only way, do it. Depression is a cyclic illness; you are not a failure because you are having an episode. You are so far ahead of the game because you both see it, realize it, and are willing to get help...so I see this as a win. If a diabetic had an extreme blood sugar episode, would you really consider them a failure or simply accept that their illness has these things which go on, and there's ways to get it handled...I view depression the same way...no failure there...(although I understand how it can feel that way...it really isn't. I promise you that. You're not a failure, and this episode is not a failure. It really is a win.) Don't suffer needlessly. Don't wait. Depression often gets far worse before it gets better, and you are entering a dangerous time. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out to someone when it gets really, really tough...I've made the offer to many people before, and some have taken me up on it; I'm here. I will listen. I totally understand the illness. And while I can't fix the issues you're facing, I can wholeheartedly support you in getting well. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Great topic. When I was younger, I did broadly catagorize and box people. I would relate to them from the egoistic position, as in the way I believed them to be. Through the years, I had tons of experiences that proved me wrong; the person who I thought would be thus-and-such, wasn't, or the person that I thought was this-and-that, was actually completely different. It took some time, and a long, hard look at me and my preconceptions, and I have moved past that mostly. The stereotyping we do on a personal level is similar to that done on a macro level, but as Krisanne said, there comes a time to re-evaluate and put aside those preconceptions, and just allow a person to be. Allowing a person to just be, with no expectation of X or Y, allows a person to show up exactly as they are. And that information needs to be examined, addressed, and a determination made if one will allow that person exactly as they are in one's life, and if so, how far. There are people who, once their true colors have been shown, are not on my "friends" list. And there are people who, once their true colors have been shown, are very, very close to me when I wouldn't have allowed them there years ago. There is judgment; of course there is. Nothing wrong with that at all, as long as it's based in honesty, understanding what one wants and needs in their life, accepting people as they are, and allowing them to be who they are. The choice to then continue in the relationship (however casual, male or female, friendship or deeper intimacy) becomes a real choice, and not one made from preconceived ideas of how a person should behave, or what a particular behavior means. I like making real choices... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sorry, Lisa Marie. Donuts only go to those who're right. Arthur said he thought it was a boat, and indeed it was. He gets a donut (or granola bar). Cesslon said it was research in SA, and indeed it was. He gets a donut. I said the photo was real, went "above and beyond" to explain why, and "prove" it. So I get a donut (which was the bet anyway). It's just the way it goes. There'll be another donut in the offing someday. I promise. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Cesslon gets a donut!!! Cesslon gets a donut!!! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Arthur, I'll get you a granola bar, but you owe me a donut...after all, the only point I conceded to you was the platform of the camera, not the reality of the shot...that's something I've held steady through the entire thing. Michael, that donut is just way too big. How about a real one in Illinois sometime this summer so I can get some lightening shots? LOL!!! Arthur, of course it would be focused out at infinity; there's no need for a tight DoF on this sort of shot...and would literally work against it. So I can see f11/f16 as possible, and that would also eliminate the blur. Well, we can put this issue to bed now, can't we? 'Cause that's where I'm heading. Great Olympics tonight; the Chinese pair who placed second showed heart, courage, and determination...China should be very very proud. (Maybe that will get this thread moved into SC...LOLOL!) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Michael, after doing much researching on this subject tonight (meh, nothing else to do...), I discover that I very likely owe a donut to both you and Arthur. The shot was taken from a boat anchored in Capetown, SA, and so my theory of it being an airborne shot is null. Next time I see both of you, I'll pay up. However, the shot was taken by the folks who do the research for the Great White Trust. I believe the copyright to the photo is held by Michael Scholl, the founder of the GWT. Furthermore, an explanation of the use of the kayak was that any motor used in a boat can interfere with the shark's behavior, and as that is what they are studying, they decided to use a kayak. They set a kayak in the water several times (or more...) which was empty, to find out what the shark's behavior might be. Once satisfied that the researchers could in fact understand and protect the kayaker, they put a manned kayak into the water, shut down their engines, and thus the stage was set. So the person in this thread who indicated it was done for research purposes was actually correct (and following that particular train of thought is what brought me to the information via many google searchs and much link reading...). There was an article which ran in the African Geographic (a national rather than international, african "version" of National Geographic) in September 2005, that this shot accompanied. I am sorry I can't link over the article; apparently you have to be a subscriber to access back issues from their on-line site. But the front page of the site offers this shot as a poster, and was part of the illustration of the article. After reading and researching and discovering far more about shark attack behavior than I had previously known (including the fact that GWs "spy-hop", lift their head above the surface to identify unknown, and will swim with their backs out of the water to see more, it's thought), I stand behind my assessment of the photo as being real. And yes, I'll agree wholeheartedly, it is scary. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

F22? Nah, you can get it with a bit faster...just have to work it a bit more. You may be right, it might be an anchored boat, and I'll give ya the donut anyway; but I still think that the flattening isn't absent but rather minimal without any apparent blur, and because of that, a longer lense might've been used than a 300. You should see some of the stuff I get with my old film 300 on my 20D, at f's much faster than 22. And I'm not skilled at all! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Lisa. Not doubting you, but I went over to Chris Fallows' web site, where I had been earlier, and this is a pretty good match for both darkness as well as shape. Chris Fallows Photographic website (Look through it, there are some seriously intense shots there). I'm certainly no expert, and don't really know a lot about them (other than get out of the water if one is near enough...LOL), but either way, if this isn't a GW, it's still a shark approaching a boat. As for the measurements, I'm not sure what that has to do with anything, really; perspective has a lot to do with photos, and because of that, if one is above and behind, the foreground object (i.e. the shark) will appear larger while the further object (i.e. the kayak and person) will appear smaller. Lastly, I can see how the ripples would be left if the shark is simply coming along slowly (for a shark); the ripple wouldn't be large, and would trail to the rear and not directly to the side with a much more violent lateral motion. If it were a small motion, then it would produce this small ripple. Again, all this is simply my opinion...not looking to argue with anyone at all... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Arthur, you're right about panning blur, but what if it were a, say, 800L? That would eliminate the need to be very low, and with slight crop, also eliminate the blur. I've taken shots from a Cessna over Monument Valley and they've not had a panning blur, and I was using my 75-300 (non L) glass. They were crisp and sharp...and I've seen planes fly 200-150 feet off the deck and not create a disturbance to their side; and not much in back. So it really could easily be a smaller plane without too much stretch. I've also seen a boat create disturbances, from their prow breaking through the water. I'll give you a donut anyway, but I think it's relatively inconclusive, the lack of rotor wash or disturbance from a lower flying plane, and from what I understand, the rotor spray we see comes from a hovering helo, and doesn't happen too much from one flying at 200-150 feet. I just don't think it was from a boat... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ripcord4, the one you're referring to has obvious signs of 'Shopping; some distortion, some footprints from lasso-ing, et cetera. As Lindercles says, there's none of that happening in this shot. LisaMarie, you brought up a good point. So I went and looked at some Great White shark photos to see about coloring. The white part is on their underside, not the top, sort of tu-toned, I'd guess, so I can see that this one's coloring is what I would expect if I were looking from the top down in midday light through water. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

From what I understand about Whites, your friend is right; they tend to come up from under. However, they also nose and "test" bite when they're not sure what the prey is. The shark may just be curious, and looking to see what looks like a seal from underneath, but doesn't have flippers nor smell like one. And like Speedy said, the water may be shallow, and the shark may not have 'depth' to work with. There have been attacks in relatively shallow water, so while the prefered method would be from beneath, it's apparent that there are other ways to attack. Icon, thanks for clarifying. I considered that, and re-looked at the shot. For the "fake" shark to be in the right place at the right time, there would have to be some sort of movement mechanism, wouldn't there? There are no pulleys visible, the kayak is still (paddles raised, no ripples from it), and yet the shark has some rippling off it's fins. There is movement in the shark while there isn't in the kayak; so how did the shark get there? And wouldn't there be currents which would pull/push a fake shark if it weren't attached to something? So I'm still hanging with the "real" theory... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sure, it could've. But the shark looks real enough to me (I'm no expert, though). Are you seeing something which leads you to think that? If so, what? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~