craichead

For those of you in far-away places...here's a picture of the ring! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/07/17/gun.teddy.bear/index.html -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Yes yes! Pimp Daddy and his Ho! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Totally cute, Erica! You are such a Hinckley Hottie! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Eiley, I wish we could all give you big hugs right now! As Erica and Val said, we at Hinckley miss you and Paul so much. This past Sunday, I had a refresher packing course, and I kept thinking to myself, "But...but...Paul taught me a different way!" I guess it was my way of hanging on to my memories of Paul.

Eiley, I'm so glad that you were witness to the hawk-like speed and predatory nature that Andy exhibited pouncing on this (at the time) injured, well-medicated student...you should've warned me! I figured you had suspected something was happening between us from that one morning I manifested for Andy! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

"Correctly" congratulate us?! What the heck does THAT mean? Should we bring raincoats?! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Okay, finally...details. Last night we had a small dinner party on our rooftop with Andy's bosses. After they had all gone, we started cleaning up in the kitchen, and I dunno how it came up (lots of alcohol had just been consumed), but I made some crack about our never getting married because we were too poor. Andy played along and said that was true. He dumped all the ice out of the cooler into the sink, put it down, and went to the bathroom (or so I thought). I continued cleaning up, and he walked up behind me, put his head on my shoulder and said, "You're right. I don't think we're ever gonna get married...unless you put this on your finger" as he flashed a diamond ring in front of my face. Long pause as I stared at it, dumbstruck. I took it from him, turned to face him, and started hugging and kissing him madly. I stopped briefly, we looked into each other's eyes, held hands, and he said, "Will you marry me?" In a whisper, I said yes. Attempted to put the ring on my finger, but it's a size or two too small! So, I'm wearing the ring on my pinky until we can get it resized. Andy said that his mom had given it to him over Easter weekend (when I met his family for the first time). She figured that he would need it sooner or later.

Awww, shucks...thanks, you guys! Can't write much now...I have to go back to a meeting at work. Will provide details of the proposal later! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

I just wanted to make that clear... He's my fiancé! He proposed last night, gave me his grandmother's ring, and I accepted! (Personally, I just think he's after a green card. ) -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Well...okay, AndyMan and I DID discover Erica and her honey in the Otter when we decided on a whim to try it out. We quickly closed the door and ran away laughing our asses off. We contemplated waiting around the Otter for our turn, but we decided to go back to the fire and hung around until we spotted Erica and her man. Later in the night, we were idly chatting with Erica and her BF, who mentioned that the Otter was occupied by yet another couple, so all four of us went to the Otter to see if we could scare the crap out of them...it didn't turn out as we hoped since the guy was just outside the door taking a piss. I think I'm going to make a sign to hang on the Otter/Porter door to indicate when the aircraft is occupied during, er...non-skydiving use. -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Hmm, I think the Porter would be better since it has carpet... Right, Erica?!?! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

"Craic" is the Irish word for fun and good times, and it's pronounced "crack." Sooooo...naturally, I have become a "craichead." And no...I'm not Irish. Far from it, actually! I'm Thai. Well, technically Thai-American, cos I was born and raised in the US. Ah, forget it...I'm jest one of them slanty-eyed orientals! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

I wish I didn't have to work on Saturdays! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Well...even though Margaret Cho is Korean, I guess she could play me. But then again, all Asians look alike, so it don't matter wut oriental plays me... -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

After a nearly perfect AFF Level 3, I came into land, flared, and I dislocated my right shoulder! The latest theory is that I pushed down the toggles a little too hard and fast, and I hyperextended my arm, which led to a dislocation. (Didn't fall on an outstretched arm--they were both right there in front of me, close to my body!) But anyway, my very wonderful friend Heather drove me to the ER, and I got knocked out for 15 minutes while they popped my arm back in. We went back to the DZ so Heather could make the sunset load, and then I met AndyMan, who wasted no time in pouncing on this vulnerable, injured and drugged-up student. Classy! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Woohoo! Hi Heather! Glad to see you finally made it on to DZ.com. Now you must become a post-whore like the rest of us. (This is Piriya by the way...) -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Yeah, I have severely cut back on my fast food consumption after reading Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. He tells you nearly everything you don't want to know about the fast food industry and how it has affected our culture. Yech. -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

You're not going to be there tomorrow night?!?! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Quotewhat's "shhhh" about? don't tell AM? shouldn't he know - he will now... Hehe...nah, he knows. Actually, I think Eiley suggested it to him in an email! I just wanted to make the idea more titillating and see how fast the rumors spread (and change)! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

SHHHH!!! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Andy and I will be sure to visit you in Australia...it has always been on our (very long) wish list of places to go. Maybe we will do something similar to JS and KO...hmm. -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Thanks Trish! I can't wait until you get back into the air, too--I hope it will happen for you soon! Getting airtime does wonders for the soul... -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Thanks Erica! I dunno if the stand-up landing was (dumb) beginner's luck or actual skill, but it was cool nonetheless! I was coming in faster than my first jump because the winds had died down. The biggest difference--I think I've finally learned to look at the ground in front of me at an angle instead of straight down, so I flared at the perfect time! When my feet touched the ground, my right knee dropped, and I ALMOST went to the ground, but I decided, "No, dammit! I'm going to stand up on this landing!" and straightened up. Andy was giving me a hard time and said he wouldn't really count that as a stand-up landing, but I didn't slide in on my ass, I didn't biff in, and my knees never touched the ground. So what was it? A crouch landing? Ya know, I think that's one of the main reasons why I started dating Andy in the first place...if I hooked up with him, I could get free video! -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Awww, shucks... Thanks everybody, for the congrats and encouragement! Thanks especially to Andy for kicking my butt to get back in the air. Okay, okay...for the love and support, too. -P __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)