smiles

Was having coffee in the sun on my deck this morning (it is spring!!) and noticed ladybugs on my plants. This- I know is a great sign, especially for my roses...makes me smile, all is well. I do not know much about them, and especially curious about their flight... was interesting to find out: - not all ladybugs are female (ha ha) Few insects are more beloved than the beetles belonging to the family Coccinellidae. It’s said that these species were long ago dedicated to the Virgin Mary and were called “Beetle of Our Lady.” - top flying speed is about fifteen miles per hour, ladybugs have two pairs of wings, but only the rear pair is used for flying. The fore wings are usually hard and when closed form a protective covering for the more fragile rear wings. Beetles are generally not strong fliers, as the forewings must be held wide open during flight, foiling the aerodynamics. They do not fly until the temperature is about 59 degrees Fahrenheit, then lady bugs become active. ('coleo-ptera' means, literally, 'sheath-wings'). - Ladybugs hibernate in cold weather and are cold blooded.....have six legs and they use their front legs to clean their head and it's antennae. - The wing covering (elytra) or flight wing cover..is red with black spots, the color of the elytra depends on the amount of food consumed during their larval stage. The more food they eat the more red pigment is present. - When the insect is disturbed, it can expel a smelly, yellowish liquid from the area where the leg joins the body. The insect uses the liquid to ward off predators because it tastes as bad as it smells. So, when we touch a ladybug it sometimes responds as if we were a predator and squirts us with the ladybug equivalent of mace. - Ladybugs are capable of consuming up to 50 to 60 aphids per day but will also eat a variety of other insects and larvae including scales, mealy bugs, leaf hoppers, mites, and various types of soft-bodied insects. They will feed on other pests, but are best known to eliminate the aphid population. - Ladybugs are one of the most active predators, searching from dawn to dusk for food Their hard shells deter predators from eating them. - Ladybugs also “play dead” when in danger because many predators won’t eat an insect that doesn’t move. They do not bite people or pets, do not infest stored food. They do not carry diseases or sting, nor can they breed indoors. - The familiar ladybug belongs to the animal kingdom's most successful order. “Ladybug, lady bug, fly away home Your house is on fire And your children will burn??” Nice sentiment to lay on those toddlers (should it read "children are gone?") Smiles

use an old toothbrush and toothpaste to give it a brush/ then rinse/ Smiles

awesome!! what was the temp?.... yup, seems like summer is here and we didn't have a winter!! (vancouver) Smiles

cool new Canadian website! Being Canadian and all was wondering where the closer look at skydiving in Ontario--was? only link for d.z.'s I could find is for Grand Bend, whatzup for drop zones in Ontario? Of course our CSPA needs positive and respectable support, at least a link to their website.... Forum for those running from cspa chat list? ...cspa chat refugees?? How about a forum for us all to thank -cspa volunteers?? Smiles

I had customer in Dec. in a rush to get advertising/logo/website/ ready for PIA. He was starting up his business renting c-182's...to d.z.'s and his research concluded a big demand for them????????? Smiles

Hey! I've been skydiving 15 years and taking insulin since I was 10. I take humilin n and r injection /every a.m. and live a very balanced life. Exercise/ diet/ ....checking blood sugars a pain but hell- I can control diabetes/ it doesn't control me. One thing I always have to pack is food & snacks! Everyone at the d.z. luvs me cause I always have something to eat. I used to fear that adrenaline pumping would lower blood sugars fast, and to this day always nibble on something before manifesting and carry glucose tabs in my jumpsuit pocket. Nice to know others jumping with diabetes- we should start a club! Smiles eustress. : a positive form of stress having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being.

1948, thats amazing- 55 yrs. Gotta check Skydive Burnaby out this year! My home d.z. is Horizon Aerosports/Abbotsford Para Centre Vancouver, B.C. Canada. I am imbarrased not to know history of my d.z. too well! I know Gerald Harper started skydiving in his native New Zealand in 1967. By coincidence his teacher would be the same person running a Matsqui skydiving centre when he arrived in Canada a few years later. Gerald worked at the site before taking it over in 1977- When I started jumping in 1987, Gerald & Debbie Harper were operators....so that makes the d.z. 26 yrs. old. Smiles

Well, I have to say a big "thanx!"....brettpobastad you explained many questions, I enjoyed reading your post also (are you a writter or something???????....) I also followed the big orange dot -and glad I did, nice site and poopsheet

Hey- it is going back 15 years to recall my training, and reading your post brought back memories!! Of course my training was static line after a tandem jump and I was wearing army boots that didn't fit well, huge helmet that covered my eyes when I looked up at the plane on exit, and landing under a round canopy. Looking back- one thing I do recall is I had so many experienced jumpers that took me up for 2-ways (did not pay for their jumps) There was a huge family of skydivers all trying to help me out in many different ways. Everyone learns different...I remember getting told over and over by instructor- "you are not feeling the air when you launch"...I'd go home screaming in the car "you are not feeling the air"....???? like what the hell was I doing then?? I resented some- who to this day I respect to the highest-- no one took me quietly to the side and explained about the first few seconds of awareness taking time to develop, ....one day I landed remembering every second of my jump! One experience jumper told me one day that the "exit" was the best part of the jump....??? I thought he was crazy until the day I left the aircraft not having to think about my body position- and "felt the air" as some would say!! I presented my body and was flying...then I became aware of launching together with others...or "flying my slot"....and enjoying the "exit." The greatest thing about this sport is being able to "give" it back. New jumpers at a d.z. is what makes the place alive. All those that took part in teaching me to fly gave back- and to this day the real joy, the most exuberance that is felt- is doing the same. The kind of things you say to yourself are an important indication of the way you feel. Some are too aggressive, some suppress the normal amount needed. You may lack confidence, or have too much. Recognize you are new to this, but you have excellent basis to build apon. You have the ability to clear away the baggage that gets in the way- if you keep the spectator part of you in the stands, and behaving as an encouraging, supportive fan rather than an agent provocatuer. Find a mentor with whom you have a good rapport, they will take you under their wing and guide you. Also, try to get video of your dives- excellent to take home after debrief for a learning tool. It sounds to me your awareness is excellent!! You recall everything so well...with freefall time, you will one day soon be writing here about the dive you made that was the best, better than you ever dreamed it could be. Smiles

One jump I was diving out and saw my reflection in a cloud- it had a rainbow encircled around it??? Never happened again- and never "shared" as thought I might have been seeing things--*note to self..you've blown it now!! Dare I ask if anyone has experienced this?........ Anyway pasted below is a story about the colors of a rainbow.. Smiles Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel: all claimed that they were the best, the most important, the most useful, the favorite. Green said "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees, leaves - without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority." Blue interrupted: "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing." Yellow chuckled: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun." Orange started next to blow her trumpet: "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and pawpaws. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you." Red could stand it no longer. He shouted out: "I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy." Purple rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do notquestion me - they listen and obey." Finally, Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others. "You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace." And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening - thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort. In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me." Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. The rain continued: "From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. "The rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow." and so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

hey, congrats craichead- you must be extatic!! thanx for the pics, I've never been in a wind tunnel. You sure will use that experience now on your AFF! Smiles

ahh- explain if you will- how on large formations with Roger Ponce, (for example) you see on every load he has the ability to track like a banshee on crack with its ass on fire (in his bare feet, no booties) not only trackin farther, faster.....but also opening highest??? Smiles

?? I've logged 1000+ jumps (mostly RW) and still have yet to use booties. Could you let me in on exactly what I am missing?? Smiles

I have never figured out why- I don't like beer- (same with any carbonated drink)...just cannot get it down. No kidding takes me all night to drink a beer. Know a few other skydivers that don't drink. Honestly I could drink everyone under the table at any d.z. as type 1 diabetes, drinking just raises my blood sugars- I never get drunk - just have to inject more insulin all night...(so it ain't pleasurable to drink.) I do get to watch others---and learn many things about how alcohol can make or break a persons character. Try not to loose respect for everyone because it is hard to have buddies you do not respect. Thank god for my safety meetings Smiles

"all of my life"- foo fighters- Break out the crown royal, to best hard rock performance/best hard rock song at the grammy's. You have to check out the video "one by one" http://www.foofighters.com/media/index.php "done, I'm done and I'm on to the next one..." David Grohl rawks..(gotta luv his vocals) also, scorching all-star workup of The Clash's "London Calling"...was awesome. Tribute to the late Joe Strummer (1952-2002) http://www.strummersite.com Bruce Springsteen/Elvis Costello/little Steve VanZandt/David Grohl/ assisted by No Doubt bassist-Tony Kanal (I am impressed!) & Pete Thomas. one hell of a great performance... Smiles

Thanx AndyMan- (excellent link also) Smiles Smiles

name them tunes.... #1 puddle of mud - out of my head #2 eminem - loose yourself #3 queen - bohemian rhapsody #4 you got me floating - jimmy hendrix #5 system of a down - aerials #6 u2 - electrical storm #7 bruce springsteen - land of hope and dreams Smiles

eminem-loose yourself...winner for #2 Smiles

...winner for #3 Smiles

after a war- Smiles

it's 230 a.m. and a few of us are still alive!! the sushi & sukiyaki rocked! We went over board on the saki....mmmm good now-but ain't making coffee in that pot for some time......... wanna play name them tunes?? #1 I'm so high, I'm never low I'll hold the sky, never letting go #2 Look...if you had...one shot...or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted...one moment Would you capture it...or just let it slip? (yo) #3 Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, No escape from reality #4 well you got me floatin' round and round-always up you never let me down/ now you got me floatin' across and through-you make me float right on up to you #5 Aerials, in the sky, When you lose small mind, You free your life. Aerials, so up high, When you free your eyes, Eternal prize. Aerials, in the sky, When you lose small mind, You free your life. Aerials, so up high, When you free your eyes, Eternal prize. #6 You're in my mind all of the time I know that's not enough if the sky can crack there must be some way back to love and only love #7 This train Carries saints and sinners This train Carries losers and winners This Train Carries whores and gamblers This Train Carries lost souls This Train Dreams will not be thwarted This Train Faith will be rewarded This Train Hear the steel wheels singin' This Train Bells of freedom ringin' This Train Carries broken-hearted This Train Thieves and sweet souls departed This Train Carries fools and kings This Train All aboard This Train Dreams will not be thwarted This Train Faith will be rewarded This Train Hear the steel wheels singin' This Train Bells of freedom ringin' o.k. I'm now ready for bbed...thanx. Smiles

have packed over 1000 of my own- gotta luv it!... Smiles