RhondaLea

I made my first jump on April 1, 1995. God is an iron. I should've twigged to the significance, but it didn't dawn on me until much later. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

"We" maybe. "You" never. You never post bad one-liners, Shannon. You're the only person I've ever seen take Skin to the mat, and that's sayin' somethin'. Don't ever stop. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

It's a wonder my tampon doesn't just fall right out. Y'know, there's nothing I like better than slinging some one-liners, but I'm just too tired tonight to bother...especially in light of my original post and my answer to the poll. I don't do anal sex very often, but I know how to do it right so I don't get hurt and I don't get sick. I do wonder, however, about the "few kids" thing. Maybe he has me confused with someone else, because I've had only one. That was 21 years and many hundreds of thousands of Kegels ago. (You can buy a Kegelmaster or some similar contraption, but IMO, there are better ways that kill two birds with one stone.) And the answer to the question "how else is he going to blow his load?" would probably be "in my mouth" or...wherever he happens to be at the time. As I think I may have mentioned, I love sexual humor. Sex can be very funny--it really runs the gamut on the emotional spectrum--and there's no reason not to use sexual humor to its best advantage. But I can't bring myself to find someone else's sexual proclivities unwholesome unless they represent an exercise of power and control disguised as sexual activity. That would cover such things as incest, rape (the real thing, not rape games in the context of bondage), and any other activity that involves something less than equal power in a relationship. Bestiality falls in the same category as child sexual abuse. Neither children nor animals have a choice, and that brings us right back to power and control. (Note: this does not include bondage, because both partners have equal power--although in reality, the sub probably has the actual edge, because it is s/he who can call a halt at will.) People do what they like, and that's cool, but I still remember being 15 years old and thinking the idea of a blow job was disgusting. An older and wiser friend told me I'd outgrow it, and sure enough, I did. Miraculous what a little maturity and education will do. As an aside, people aren't playthings, but their bodies should be. Somewhere along the line, though, some have gotten confused and reversed this idea. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

You are judging people based on sexual acts they have tried and liked because you don't like the idea of those acts. No one says you have to do anything you don't want to, but I have just as much right to think your mindset is prudish as you do to think mine is perverted. At least I know firsthand what it is that I'm talking about. 'Nuff said. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Because it doesn't necessarily turn everyone's crank. Some people miss out on a pleasurable experience because of taboos, but others try it (and even do it right) and decide it's not for them. We're all wired a little differently (hell, I can be wired differently from day to day) and what gets us off isn't always what gets someone else off. Part of the fun of a trusted relationship is that you can explore all of that stuff, but (at least in my mind) it ceases to be a trusted relationship when there's pressure to try/enjoy something and passing of judgment when you don't. Totally agreed... ...however, it's one thing to have a preference; it's quite another to be saying "ewww...ick..." about something one has never tried, eh? I'm still not recovered from all the driving I've done this weekend, so the rest of what I have to say keeps coming out wrong as I write it, and it'll have to wait until later. For now, I'll just say I can't imagine saying no to a lover unless the proposed act is dangerous or humiliating (but then, that would not be about sex, but about power and control), even if whatever it happens to be seems a little weird or simply isn't to my taste. Sex is all about giving pleasure...and if you open yourself to that totally, you'll get plenty back. I'll save the "just how old are we anyway" lecture for later. Sexual humor is great, but this seems more like children during the "potty words" phase than adult innuendo. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Use a condom. rl P.S. If you did it right, she wouldn't be sore. If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

You forgot the answer for girls that says: "As a steady diet, it can damage my body, but now and again, it's just part of the natural progression. No big deal." Edited to add: For lack of a better answer, I picked "It's alright sometimes." The problem is that aside from the dangers of prolapse (and worse things--a friend of mine ended up taking his gf to the emergency room one night because careful as he was, he hurt her anyway), some guys don't seem to understand the concept of cross-contamination, and women then end up with bladder infections as a result. And if you're clean enough to be having sex, you ought to be clean enough for a rim job. I wonder why some people are so picky that such polls as this are required. If you're not willing to do every possible sexual act with another person, why are you having sex with them at all? rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

And you certainly did that. The look on your face in that picture is priceless...but even better was your excitement to get back up to the top and make another jump. It was wonderful to see. Congratulations, Sarah.

You should be. If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I have. Will bring. Rent free. You can call me if you're really paranoid. 386-847-0186. Edited to add: I will be passing through Jacksonville in the middle of the night tonight...probably around 1 am. You can have 'em then if you want to meet me on 95. Otherwise, find me at the Holiday Inn. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I could've lived quite happily for the rest of my life without seeing that. Gak, it won't go away. The horror, the horror! rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Not to your face, anyway.

It's exactly what I was afraid you meant. In my opinion, anyone who thinks s/he needs an AAD has no business jumping. Anyone who does not sincerely believe that s/he will pull before the AAD fires shouldn't even be near a dropzone. It's that simple. If you think you're not in danger on every single jump, think again, because you're dead wrong. And if you really believe that the perception of danger is not what draws many, if not most, people to skydiving, check with any dz about the increase in tandem/AFF reservations after a fatality or serious accident is reported in the news. Skydiving is dangerous, and while it is possible to minimize risk, the fatality reports say that even some of the very best and very safest skydivers still die, ownership of an AAD notwithstanding. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

How many languges do you speak? Methinks you've been reading too much legalese to understand almost fluent English. I may not agree with him, but he is easy enough to understand. I didn't see that his comments bore any relation to the post about which he was commenting. I do, however, see you coming to work one morning and finding the preamble to the constitution written on your windows in ivory soap. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Nothing in his; everything in yours. He didn't write anything wrong. Nothing you said made any sense to me. There was nothing wrong with what he wrote. I didn't say who you should listen to. I just find it ironic that someone with so few years in the sport is already referring to others as "newbies." If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I agree. This BASE WIKI thing is new, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it. I'm thinking next time I will write my post here. Then, when the thread has died down, I can collect all the information from everybody and throw it over to the WIKI (if it's useful). Well, I disagree with both of you. If Jaap can't link to the WIKI, then are the rest of us also supposed to discontinue using links for the purpose of providing information? Or is this a special rule that only applies to Jaap, Faber? (If it is, then please feel free to continue busting his ass.) I mean, I appreciate the effort it takes to click the mouse and all (not to mention the precious seconds wasted it takes for page to load)...never mind...I'm too tired tonight for high-quality sarcasm. Next time, hit him harder. rl P.S. Don't take the lack of smileys to heart. Unfortunately, there are none available on this board that signify , or (That last, Faber, is a damn spanking, which you have surely earned recently.) If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I really can't imagine what he wrote that would cause you to respond this way. What do you want him to say? That he's going to rely on the AAD to get his canopy out for him? I'm also not sure that someone with only three years in the sport should be referring to anyone else as a newbie, either. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

"Harsh" and "self-assuming" judgment may also save the student for future participation in a more appropriate activity. I'll grant you that there are "problem" students who have gone on to become world champions, but there are many more who have broken themselves on their stubborn refusal to recognize that skydiving is not for them. Most instructors today will work very hard to help a student succeed, and with the advent of a windtunnel near every major dz, the advice to take up bowling has turned into (in many cases) "go spend some time in the tunnel." But for some, neither drive nor tunnel time is enough. And it is totally irresponsible to encourage someone to continue in a potentially life-threatening activity to which they are obviously unsuited. Not everyone can play a musical instrument, paint a portrait, perform a gymnastics routine, although they may be able to learn all the underlying theory of all three given adequate instruction. Skydiving is no different. And it is much better to say to someone with no potential that their efforts are better turned elsewhere than to allow them to continue. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Nope. That's my job, and you can't have it. Your job is to sit around, allow everyone to buy you beer, and be an icon of the sport for the benefit of newly-minted base jumpers. I'm so very glad you said yes, Nick. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Re Avery's question: Nick, I've already made a commitment for the other side of my bed, but I got a postcard from Bill two days ago, and he says he's feeling better and he will be there. I'm sure he'd be happy to share if you promise not to snore. I'm picking him up Thursday evening in Charleston, so if you need a ride then, I've got it covered. Don't say no, Nick. (Well, you can say no to sleeping with Bill--and at the rate people are responding to Russel's wonderful and brilliant idea, you'll have a room all to yourself--but don't say no to all these people who love you and want to see you there.) rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I'm in. What Tree said. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I call your attention to a skydiving incident that occurred at Quincy in 1997. Dead Mike was most assuredly dead when the ambulance left, driving slowly without sirens or lights. When he came back to life the lights and sirens came on. Except in the case of decapitation, you just can't know for sure, so the first thing you do is call for help, and then you do what you can until help arrives. Most issues are not black and white; this is one of the few that is. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

What's the current 10-day forecast? rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

Shhhhh... It's a secret. No one in the world will know that tall buildings exist unless someone posts about it here. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

I guess this means I have to renew after all. Okay, Nick. I think you would do a much better job than has been done in long time, so I will send USPA money for the privilege of telling them so. But I've got to say...you're the second person today whom I've talked to about taking on a task that seems totally thankless, with little opportunity for reward. And I'm not sure the membership deserves you. rl If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb