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nice reply!! Congratulations on getting your 'A' Your tattoo is gorgeous, nice taste, design & much to be proud of. If you play around with a stamp or cut yourself out a pin pattern there is much that can be added to your design if you please. It is a beauty just as it is also. Only suggestion I have is back tats with streched horizonal diamond shape..fit nice. Hard to describe- attached my back tat and a few designs with pins...2 or 3 are more horizontal shape. SMiles

I have no reason to believe vegans are misunderstood- this will be a tough project as firstly vegans are uneducated, not misunderstood. Simply, diet should be based on genetic requirements -- to complement one's individual chemical make-up. Hey, there is no secret to healthy eating---the answer lies not in the type of diet itself, but frequently the avoidance of what is generally conceived as being junk food - which can be part of an omnivorous and vegetarian lifestyle. At the same time, someone's diet should be based on genetic requirements -- to complement one's individual chemical make-up, but should not be based on dogmas or agendas. --One of the misconceptions perpetuated by some sources is that eating meat promotes cardiovascular disease, while vegetarian diets prevent it. We all know that the body cannot exist without cholesterol, and that dietary cholesterol has little or no effect on serum cholesterol, so that leaves oxidation of fat and simple sugars (once converted in the liver) as contributing factors with atherosclerosis. However, this effect is not meat, nor vegan / vegetarian-specific, and neither are antioxidants, which can be animal and/or vegetarian-based. --Contrary to vegan-based reviews or commentaries, people following a strict vegetarian diet are not healthier than their omnivorous counterparts. In fact, on average, they suffer from as many, or more medical complaints as compared to non-vegetarian individuals, who include meat or eggs in their diet. --There is absolutely no question that the average person does best health-wise by consuming a mixed diet that is as fresh, and hopefully as unprocessed as possible. --There are only animal, but no vegetarian sources of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 liver stores in adults may last for several years before becoming depleted as a result of switching to a strict vegan or vegetarian diet, however Vitamin B12 deficiency in vegetarian children is much more serious since symptoms do not always become obvious or acute until some damage has resulted. So while it is recommended to supplement extra amounts of Vitamin B12 with vegetarian adults, it is mandatory with vegetarian children. Both, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B6 (along with folic acid and others) are also able to lower homocysteine levels which tend to be on the high side with many vegetarians, so these vitamins will have a favorably affect on a vegetarian's cardiovascular system also. The decision to supplement additional iron (particularly with vegetarian women), or protein whereby low protein and/or iron frequently also suggest low sodium levels. Using normal amounts of table salt generally resolves that situation in the average individual, however in low aldosterone types, where using salt alone won't bring up sodium levels, supplementing choline or even licorice may have to be considered. When iron levels test below normal, then manganese supplementation is frequently indicated as well, being the associated mineral of iron, which may help with low blood sugar / hypoglycemic symptoms, or low estrogenic-types of PMS. This tends to develop when high potassium intake - being more prevalent with vegetarianism - gradually depletes manganese levels in the body. Why do vegetarian diets worsen cholesterol or triglyceride profiles in some people? A high potassium / manganese ratio is generally also responsible for total cholesterol levels to rise following the switch to a vegetarian lifestyle, while lower sodium can be the cause for the LDL fraction to go up. Likewise, a rise in zinc is common when switching to vegetarianism, being partly supported by a decrease in iron (high zinc / iron ratio), which may result in raised total triglyceride levels. ...........................and on and on. SMiles

---i never got married but have been in a relationship for 26 years. Raised 2 sons and never felt trapped, lost my soul...or thought of it all as a fucking lie. People do change..we separated for 7 yrs. in those 26 and ended up back together. Also he works out of town in logging camps- falling, so our relationship has always been 20-30 days apart- 10 days together and winter time usually 2 months together. We never became "enmeshed" or entangled- stayed as 2 separate people. Still might get married which would be: I get a nice ring, passed to me in freefall. My 20 yr old son was just listening to "Puddle of Mud"..... in a trapp trip I can't grip never thought I'd be the one who'd slip then I started to realize I was living one big lie She fucking hates me trust she fucking hates me la la la love I tried to hard and she tore my feelings like I had none and ripped them away............ SMiles p.s. how old are you?

try a google search for: risk factor in extreme sports- I have an article on my hd on "risk"... will copy & paste it here for you- unsure if this is any help. The danger and unpredictability that threaten your life on the slope can save you from the evils of stress back in cubicle land. And in case you don't take stress as seriously as a high-speed face-plant into the side of a mountain, know this: It kills. A 2003 study in the medical journal found that men with the highest stress levels had twice the risk of a fatal stroke compared with the slackers who said they were stress-free. So, Get stoked? Or get stroked? The value of adrenaline-charged sports like downhill mountain biking isn't in stress reduction, by the way. It's in stress production. Researchers at Texas A&M University found that adventure sports such as rock climbing and white-water canoeing call up more cortisol and epinephrine--more commonly known as adrenaline--than public speaking, the acknowledged champion of redline stress reactions. And in this case, that's a good thing. That's because activities that are physically and mentally stressful help your body react better to stress in everyday life--if they meet three qualifications: They're dangerous, involving the risk of death. They're unpredictable, requiring your brain to adjust to changing conditions. And they're social, increasing the pressure to perform well, whether it's for teammates or spectators. (Or cheerleaders!) The scientists' other key finding: The fittest guys--based on treadmill-test performance--had lower levels of cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine (an indicator of physical stress) than the least fit guys, both before and after performing the most challenging sports. So highly fit men handle stress better than not-so-fit guys, especially in new situations that pose some sort of risk. (For instance, that new corporate initiative the CEO just appointed you to lead.) Put the science of stress-busting to practical use and you can change your life. Your charge: Seek out the thrill of new adventure sports, add adrenaline to your old favorites, and redefine the meaning of "fit" to include your harried, hassled mind. Lester Keller, a longtime coach and sports-psychology coordinator for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, says that not everyone has the mental makeup to excel in dangerous pursuits. "It takes a certain kind of person," Keller said. He notes that most of us hit a natural ceiling that limits our appetite for extreme risk and, as a result, our ability to perform well in dangerous conditions. But others have a much higher tolerance, if not craving, for risk. For example, Keller points to Daron Rahlves, a top U.S. downhill ski racer who spends the summer off-season racing in motocross competitions. "He enjoys the challenge and the risk," Keller said. "The high element of risk makes you feel alive, tests what you are made of and how far you can take yourself," Rahlves said in a previous interview with U.S. Ski Team staff. "I'm not looking for danger. I'm in it for the challenge, my heart thumping as I finish, the feeling of being alive," he said. "I definitely get scared on some of the courses. It just makes me fight more. … The hairier the course the better. That's when I do best." The fear that drives many people away from the risks of extreme sports may be the same ingredient that keeps others coming back for more. When Risk Becomes Real Cook noted that as her expertise grew, so did the stakes. In a sport where skiers perform acrobatic tricks from the height of a five-story building, the consequences of a mistake can be serious. "As I started doing harder tricks, I was drawn to the fear factor," she said. "There are definitely moments when you're up there doing a new trick and it seems like the stupidest thing in the world. But overcoming that [fear] is just the coolest feeling in the world. Doing something that you know most people wouldn't do is part of it." Cook was forced to give up her spot on the 2002 U.S. Olympic ski team when risk became reality—she broke both feet during a training jump shortly before the games. After two and a half years of surgeries and recovery, Cook recently made her first practice jumps into the splash pool at the training facility in Utah Olympic Park. She has set her sights on competing the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. How did the injury Cook experienced change her outlook on risk? "As an inured athlete coming back, generally … my reaction is to stop and reduce the risk a bit," she said. "I've had to change my mentality a little bit now." "I'm moving up to a jump that was natural before the injury, but now there is a fear of pain, injury, and even the fear of not being able to do it like I could before," she said. "Your body does remember how to do these things. But your mind sometimes gets in the way a bit." Redefining Risk Shane Murphy, a sports psychologist and professor at Western Connecticut State University, has worked with Olympians and other athletes. He says he is struck by the way they redefine risk according to their skills, experience, and environment. "I've worked with groups climbing Everest, including one group without oxygen. To me that just seems like the height of risk. But [the climbers] took every precaution they could think of," he said. "To them it was the next step in an activity that they've done for years. They weren't going out there to get hurt." Murphy said the perspective of extreme athletes is very different from our own. "We look at a risky situation and know that if we were in [that situation] we would be out of control," he said. "But from the [athletes'] perspective, they have a lot of control, and there are a lot of things that they do to minimize risk." The Zone Another key aspect of risk perception may be something referred to as "the flow" or "the zone." It is a state in which many athletes describe becoming absorbed in pursuits that focus the mind completely on the present. I know for myself that skydiving induces "flow" There is no sense of the self, but what is called a "merging on action and awareness" My action and reaction have become so well practiced as to be automatic in flight....I get a huge sense of ecstasy associated with the intense moments of "flow" when I am skydiving. "Something that makes you begin climbing, perhaps, is that your adrenaline flows and you become very concentrated on what you're doing," Read said. "After it's over there's exhilaration. You wouldn't have that same feeling if the risk hadn't been there." People of different skill levels experience "flow" at different times. As a result, some may always be driven to adventures that others consider extreme. SMiles

I grabbed some DVDs on sale recently and discovered Natalie Merchant in a different way. COME TOGETHER This is a DVD of the live broadcast tribute concert dedicated to the music and vision of John Lennon. NY 2001- Various artists performed songs written by John Lennon: Natalie Merchant chose the song “Nowhere Man” to perform---which I enjoyed immensely. So- I went back to purchase Natalie Merchant live in NY DVD (1999) with the 5.1 channel sound delivering a realistic concert environment and capturing the instrumentals and more importantly, Merchant's voice & natural performance, ...just stunning. - last week I caught her performance on David Letterman as she sang "Sally Ann" off her new cd "The house carpenter's daughter" which I hope will also be sold DVD. This took me to her website in search of her latest release: http://www.nataliemerchant.com under audio- you can listen to a clip of "Sally Ann" Also watch live performance of "I'm not going to beg" filmed in Paris 2002 and Motherland tour video and listen to songs like "Break your heart"..."Wonder"..."Jealousy"..."Just can't last"... Couldn't find "Build a Levee"...another of my favorites. Natalie Merchant is the most naturally gifted female musician. She has a reliance on ballads--she's great with them, but knowing how equally great she is with uptempo fare (like 'Jealousy') I am now looking forward to seeing her in concert live-some of the songs will take on a different life of their own. Fantastic potent melodies and spine tingling lyrics. I've listened to her live in concert on a system that is capable of reaching the deep and powerful depths of the bass, the dynamics of the rhythms and the clarity of Natalie's voice, and appreciate her more than I ever did. "Natalie Merchant is a mysterious and unique singer. If Natalie is one thing, it's definitely a natural beauty. She is a woman completely free of pretension, who refuses to buy into the mainstream notions of what a female artist should look like. She is revered for her ability to succeed on talent, creative introspection and confidence, not on appearance." Natalie Merchant brought the music of her album, "Motherland," to Honolulu for a one-nighter at the Sheraton Waikiki. 2002 Asked what she was doing after the show, she said, "Playing Scrabble with Erik and going skydiving in the morning!" SMiles

I have a Mini DV camcorder (Sony). When time comes to burn my movies on my DVD burner, i am losing the quality. The frames aren' t perfect. I am using MPEG-2 to burn. I have tried the steady shot on my camcorder, but the same problem occurs. I am using FireWire to transfer with Neo-DVD from mediostream software. I’m not familiar with other software but I’ve heard that there is also loss of quality in other consumer-grade video editing programs. I think the problem relates to the MPEG 2 encoder: they are not all created equal. There are video editing programs (like Final Cut Pro) that are said to deliver 'nearly’ perfect results, but then again I am finding I get satisfactory results now with the program I am currently using as it affords a higher bit rate. When movies are encoded onto a DVD, the technician continuously varies the bit rate according to the action to minimize artifacts and improve video quality. The higher the bit rate, the better the quality, but the downside is that the disc gets filled up more quickly. The solution I've found is fixing a reasonably high one (like 6Mbps) and living with the shorter playback time. My video editing program has this capability, so I select that option and consider using multiple discs for very long productions. SMiles

Whose rights are being managed? DRM is the euphemism currently being used by the content industry to refer to what was once called "copy protection." It was a dumb idea then, and it's no wiser now. At one time, floppy disks were unreliable enough that making a back up copy was a really good idea. Much has been written about DRM- DRM doesn't work- the fundamental idea behind DRM is you give everyone an identically locked box and hope to keep the key to yourself. Too many have the expertise to unlock the box, and a willingness to share. DRM is morally wrong- given that purchasers basically own the contents of your "box", trying to lock them out seems a trifle high-handed. DRM degrades useful technologies. Even in our 999-channel world, most of these shows are never broadcast in Canada. They are readily available on DVD, through sources such as amazon.co.uk. British DVDs are coded for "region 2" while Canada is "region 1". You can legally buy U.K. DVDs and are legally entitled to play them- but your DVD player won't let you. If you download the same video content from the internet, it will be stripped of coding. It is only if you buy the DVD legally that you'll be prevented from viewing it. Jon Lech Johansen was hounded through Norwegian courts for 4 yrs., finally proving his own innocence after having created software to play his DVDs on his Linux based computer. It is not yet illegal to bypass DRM in Canada, as it is under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in the U.S. But neither is it illegal for manufacturers to use technological means to rob you of your traditional rights under copyright law. The pendulum could swing either way. Don't miss the simultaneously hilarious and informative presentation by Cory Doctorow: Microsoft Research DRM talk Cory Doctorow (cory@eff.org), June 17, 2004 http://junk.haughey.com/doctorow-drm-ms.html I also found a link to a good petition in Canada: http://www.digital-copyright.ca/petition/ Copyright is supposed to be a careful balance between the rights of creators and the rights of the public. Many are probably unaware that everything they write is automatically protected by copyright. They probably don't know how long copyright lasts for. They probably don't know what the limits are on the rights granted to the holder of a copyright. That has meant that whenever the Government has asked for opinions on changes to the Copyright Act, most of the advice they have received has come from people and organizations that hold valuable copyrights. They understandably would prefer to have these copyrights last longer, have broader scope and fewer exceptions. SMiles

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I love right wing Jarome Iginla. Canada rules the world thanks to DDT line- Doan/Thorton/Draper. Ryan Smyth is choice at peeling off the defender and darting to the net- Smyth is relentless and it is so good to see when someone loves to play that much. (Wayne Gretsky used to be best ever for making optimum use of the space behind the net.) And what can one say about Brodeur, Niedermayer, Sakic or..............Mario Lemieux????????? To put it all in the right perspective: National crisis The thought of a whole winter without hockey is enough to make a grown man scream. by Mike Martin Thank God the summer Olympics are over. Canadians are really nice well-meaning people but (in case anyone) forgot we are really a winter country. We are good at swatting mosquitoes and burning meat but not many other summer activities. Some of us who grew up with cottages are not too bad at water sports so we manage to sneak a few medals from that arena. But other than new sports that not are not popular yet, like synchronized diving and men's artistic athletics, we usually don't stand a chance against countries that have a summer that lasts more than a month. What Canadians are good at is anything where the water is frozen or very chilled - like drinking rye and coke on the rocks, or beer that must be just above zero degrees Celsius. What we are even better at is curling, which we dominate, and hockey, which we used to rule and eternally hope to again. Ah, hockey - our national sport (even if lacrosse got that designation earlier in our foolish youth). Canadians live and breathe hockey. We rejoice at our successes and we kick the water cooler at our near-misses. Hockey is more than a sport to this nation of winter-dwelling madniks. It is our past, our present, and our future. Many believe that hockey is the only reason that we haven't killed each before this. Canada without hockey is like only having two seasons: winter and black fly. A Canadian winter without hockey would be like not having block heaters in Whitehorse, or just about anywhere else in Canada east of the Rockies. By any definition, Canada without hockey in the winter would be greater than a tragedy: it would be a disaster, a state of emergency. You may think I am overreacting, but if mowing the Governor General's lawn can be declared essential, then so can hockey No hockey on Saturday night will make a ghost town out of Sudbury and Sydney, NS, and Sidney, BC (even worse than they are now). If we don't have hockey on Saturday nights, the CBC might make us watch Canada, a Great Civilization over and over again. CTV will show reruns of Canadian Idol with that young guy with the big chin who sings "When Irish Eyes are Smiling." What exactly will we do on Saturday night? Don't answer that question. Ten million sets of eyes just looked over at their mates and ten million heads shook no. Before it's too late, we must demand drastic action to alleviate this dreadful state of affairs. For the love of Canada, please somebody do something before October 15! Don't leave me all alone with Stompin' Tom to cry my way through a long Canadian winter without hockey. I don't think I can make it to Spring. SMiles

today: 1.never loved a girl -Aerosmith-Honkin on Bobo 2.nothing else matters -Metallica some days can't get this tune outa my head- not that it is my favorite, but so catchy.... video killed the radio star -The Buggles-Age of Plastic 3.Ramble on -Led Zeppelin II SMiles

quickly reboot your Win XP- Normally I would click start, click Shut Down and then select Restart. Alternatively, I have created a shortcut on my desktop. When I want to restart, all I do is double click the icon I created and named "reboot." To create the shortcut, right click your desktop, point to New, and click Shortcut. Type in the following: shutdown -r -t 00 Click Next. Type in a name for the shortcut and click Finish. SMiles

I do believe my ribs are meant to fly... How about yours?? SMiles

thanx, you made me feel better Squeak Give me a break ladies..... don't you all make me the only fool for playing.., its just a bra. I am going to start a thread for "show your skydivin ribs" SMiles

Debbie Harper (photographer) has taken so many tandem exit photo's this season- she perfectly captures passengers face.....but none so far have been sh!t scared.......... attached (photo by: Debbie Harper) too bad have to be under 60kb!! SMiles

You beautiful bras?? I am not presently wearing a beautiful bra- just a plain ordinary daily bra.......... Wish you'd asked to see beauty ribs....skydiving ribs....... SMiles

ya, I used a typewriter in school- never got higher than 20 wpm. My brother bought me a beauty with spellchecker and eraser tape and only used it for a month before purchasing my first PC. I have it stored in my carport somewhere?? I learned to type over 60 wpm using Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 9 Software......wow.........loved the games and enjoyed taking lessons way better than in school. One of the games is car racing with bugs splating on your window every mistake made...the faster you type the faster you race your car I now keyboard faster than I can think. SMiles

birth order: brother sister me all 1 yr. apart, Mom raised us on her own- (mother was oldest daughter- Grandma had 18 kids back on the farm.) Now- there was a huge family with loads of sibling rivalry To this day my mother carries on with the rivalry between 7 sisters/ 10 brothers. My brother was my hero, (Mr. responsibility from the get go) my sister was a slow learner which caused much frustration. She was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Kathy was treated differently of course and got majority of attention as she was disabled. I continued to care for the sweetheart until her death last year. (Hep C- cirrohosis of the liver) Sibling rivalry?....nope. Insecurity- yup SMiles

Vancouver, British Columbia Canada certified organic. Island Harvest Bud- pic attached http://www.medicalmarihuana.ca/product.html Da Kine Smoke and Beverage Shop- VANCOUVER (CP) - A Vancouver cafe operator who offers marijuana on her menu says people need a crime-free method of getting the weed and she's going public to raise awareness on the issue. Has been selling marijuanna for over 4 months at Da Kine Smoke and Beverage Shop on Commercial Drive, Vancouver. (Just now been busted, in courts) http://cannabisculture.com/articles/3995.html Apply for legal Medical Marihuana http://www.medicalmarihuana.ca/applyinfo.html Medical marihuana links page http://www.medicalmarihuana.ca/links.html http://www.bcmarijuanaparty.ca/ Northern Light Bud in B.C. is primo. SMiles

What do Canadians think of our Prime Minister, Paul Martin???? I am so tired of his face! Every time I see him on the news or pictures of him in print- he has the same expression- his hands are always cupping his face- the thin upper lip without a smile- but mostly the stare in his eyes is so cold....... Tried to draw a cartoon....attached. SMiles

ahhh, nothing beats watching the movies at a huge colossal theater-- I have yet to purchase the DVD and looking forward to the surround sound at least. My favorite character is attached----"my precious.." Reading the Hobbit, it was up to your imagination to visualize...(along with elp of a toke or two) Thought I would be disappointed watching the movies but forget that....Gollum was shockinglyso so , I fell in love with him...seeing him on the screen, ....more than my imagination could begin to- reading the story. ?????????hell no SMiles

When I started my training for skydiving my 2 boys were young..........I dreamt I was in freefall with one son tucked tightly under each of my arms---woke up before finishing that dream. (figure I dreamt it because I was feeling guilty about my responsibility as their mother) The only other dream I've had related to skydiving was waking up in freefall.............., at 1,000 ft. = pulled my reserve and landed safely. SMiles

1. hire a dietitian/cook/private nurse/doctor, personal trainer/coach for daily exercise. 2. pay off debts, renovate my home. 3. plan&pay for holidays with my complete family, yearly 4. order myself 2 new sets of gear, -travel to different d.z.'s in my new winnebago- advertise jumps at every d.z. I travel to--out of their aircraft for 1/2 going price- and throw in organizer, camera & packing for free- as long as I am on the load. 5. build a comfy kitchen for young children in my community to eat meals weekly for free. SMiles

Knee reconstruction for ACL??? But why?? We do have 4 ligaments in each knee- I get along just fine....with only 3 in one knee-- The ACL snapped completely off bone. The meniscus tears had to be repaired initially- then rehabilitation with therapy to make sure meniscus didn't tear any more causing knee to lock..., took almost 1 year, geeeeezes swelling/inflamation & pain... takes so long to heal but that is nature telling you "do not use it" Ice/ elevation/ absolutely no use of knee in any way until swelling goes down. Use of crutches and a cane and braces until remaining ligaments are strong enough to support knee and be very patient--follow therapy exercises... as in the long run you will have 99.9% of full use. Why reconstruct?????????---thought only proffesional hockey/football players/skaters went for that sort of repair. SMiles

eh? I have 6.1 surround sound with quality polk audio speakers- and won't be needing more-thanx..........geez my room ain't big enough SMiles