Michele

Oh, man, Katie. I am so sorry to hear this. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for all you did for your father, and all you will do for those in need in NO and the other areas. A heart as big as yours is indeed special... Much love to you. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

The Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, William H. Rehnquist, died today of thyroid cancer. He was 80 years old. He leaves a huge legacy, whether or not you agree with his rulings and positions. God Speed, Mr. Rehnquist. God Speed and blue skies. Bush now has a second seat to fill. I wonder who it will be. There will be enormous changes in the coming year. It shall be rather interesting to watch. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Everything. I jumped anyway. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sorry. Gotta totally disagree. I knew about the storm, and I live in Los Angeles. I knew it had wind gusts to over 200 mph. I knew it had sustained winds of over 170 mph. I knew the storm surge was going to be 25 feet high in some places. They were told to evacuate. Mandatory. Which means, leave now. And it wasn't because of the television, or radio. People here were discussing it. It wouldn't even directly affect us, and we were talking about it. I recall posting here on a thread about it to someone who'd thought she might stay. Thankfully, with enough pressure from the boards and other folks, she (who couldn't afford to leave) took herself, her SO, the animals, and her rigs and got out. She is alive. This was BEFORE the storm hit. I knew, living here in EQ land, enough about this storm to add my voice to the pressure. And if I knew, I know that hundreds of thousands - millions - knew. People knew. Most evacuated. Some stayed. Some people may not have been able to leave; some because they actually couldn't figure out a way; some because of a misguided sense that the government is magical; some because they are opportunists and realized if they could survive the storm, there would a chance to take whatever they wanted from abandoned houses and stores. So people knew. I was thinking, if something of that magnitude (or even lesser) was heading my way, there's very little I would worry about, and I'd find the way to get out with my gear, my cats, and enough food/water for 7 days...plus extra, if I could, so I could help those who'd not prepared, or couldn't carry enough for them. And I'd take my gun. The single, solitary reason I would stay is because my father refused to evacuate, and I had somehow broken both arms and couldn't manhandle him into the car. Then I'd stay, because that's my father. But that is the only way. They knew. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

LOL, yeah, no avatar. I broke my 20D trying to get a good shot of myself. Sigh... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Calm yourself, quade...you're starting to resemble your avatar! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Katee, ignore Eaglenrider. He's stirring shit because he can; his time here at DZ.com has been fraught with banning, most recently a 1-month term. He is a troll, in the purest sense of the word. He is nothing more than an abusive, arrogant, egotistical twit, and most likely paranoid to a significant degree as well. What matters is not him. What matters is that you are willing to walk into a place where most are trying to get away from. What matters is your courage and your heart and your willingness and desire to give a hand to those in dire circumstances. What matters are the lives you will touch, the hands you will hold, the love you will give. That's what matters. I for one send my heart with you; I wish I could go, but I'm on another "mission" at the moment, and can't. But remember that while you are there alone, you are not really alone. You take at least my heart with you - and I am sure you are taking multitude others - and we will be supporting you and helping you from elsewhere. Count on that, and know that, all right? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, you got half of it right... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Cool beans. Somehow, I didn't think it was, but I just wanted to make sure that I was as clear as I could be. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

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

I agree with him, too. I'm just already at bare bones, so to make a donation, I can't jump. As much as I want to, I will forgo it right now, and instead of writing a check to pay for jumps, I'll write one to the Red Cross. That's my choice...some people will make other ones, and more power to them. It's all good. My post was not meant to denegrate those who choose to jump this weekend...but instead to just state my intentions. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Right now, I can't do both...so I'll donate instead. I was only planning on 2 jumps, so not much, but all I can do. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Sending prayers, vibes, and lots of love to you and your family, Katie. I'm so sorry to hear this. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

IIRC, the looting which occurred both after the '94 quake (and it was a lot of looting) as well as the looting in the King riots was prosecuted. Many, many of these "thugs" are known to the local constabulary, and with all the media footage, their faces are clear. As happened in LA both times, once things settled down, many were arrested and changed with theft. Some explained (and had the evidence to back it up - the media footage) that they were getting batteries, diapers, water, formula, and basic necessities. They were released and records scrubbed, while those carting off computers and tvs, jewlery and clothing were sentenced to the maximum allowed by law. I suspect the same thing will happen in NO. No shooting necessary. (BTW, BillV, I didn't see your response about the captions. Any word on getting a link so I am completely clear as to their originations? I googled and didn't find; perhaps they hadn't been cached yet...thanks!) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I just can't believe the devastation that has occurred, and is still occurring. I hope everyone is reunited with their loved ones and friends as fast as possible. Everyone affected by Katrina is in my prayers and thoughts. There's just nothing else to say, really. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Christina, I am relieved to hear it. It doesn't matter about the material stuff; you can replace it over time...what matters is that you, Al, the cats and the rigs are safe. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Oh, man, what an adorable child he is. You are indeed a very lucky, blessed Grandpa. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Fly free now, Vickie. Fly high, fast and free, through endless summer perfect blues, and rest on white puffies. Sing in the sunshine, then, and sail on the winds... To her family and friends, I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Know that she loved the sky, and that she loved you...and she's never gone. You need only look as far as your heart to see her smile and feel her hugs again. She is not out there anymore, but she is within you, and there shall she live forever. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Christina... You need to leave now. The Red Cross is opening shelters, and they will take care of you (food, bed). It's a catagory 5 hurricane with 170 mph winds, and a 25 foot storm surge in some areas. They are expecting a catastrophic loss of life from this one...that's more than 4 people. Take what is important to you, what is irreplaceable, the animals, and Al...and get moving. Don't take the chance. It's not worth it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Not at all, when you consider that apparently, the US is importing it's national past time...thus making the middle east safe for little league and what not. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Dear God: Thank you. Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Dunno....but one could think that "free land" (i.e. the Gaza Strip) might be recompense... I think that the Israeli government is paying the $300K....so shouldn't the Palestinian government pay the repatriation? I really don't know the answer. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Seems you might be right.... http://www.tefah.com/MyPages/SelectMoreProperties.asp?city=Jerusalem&choice=Sale&idcity=1&selectneigh= Land is in short supply, and to leave a home, and resettle in an area, can be expensive. I don't see $300,000 to be anything other than replacing an existing home, paying off the previous loan, and moving costs. And in some cases, it isn't even close to what the land was worth. It certainly isn't a payoff. We have the same system here in the US; if the US government takes away a piece of property here, fair market value is paid to the existing owner. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Prayers sent, and will continue to be sent. May those who have passed away have long, summer blue days forever, and those who are fighting for life be successful in that fight, and have the same blue skies. Blessed be. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Bozo is one of the few people on this planet I'd trust my life to...and have. There are a handful of others, some of who post here...and some who do not. Of course he speaks from his experience; that's a given. You speak from your own experience, too...but to negate his comments simply because you don't know the depth and breadth of his experience is kind of ironic, imho. He knows far more about this sport than either you or I do; when he talks about things in a serious way, I shut up and listen... It's a pity, the way the young cock-ups disrespect the older, much more experienced people in this sport. Do I agree with everything they say? No...but I'll look to find a reason why they're saying it, rather than just dismiss it out of hand. But then again, maybe that's a sign of maturity. IMO, of course... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~