moodyskydiver

Ok you officially SUCK! (in the nicest possible way ofcourse) b/c you've gotten to go already and I havent.I just have such a perfect picture in my head of a castle and in the distance,rolling green hills ending in cliffs at the sea... Dammit someone give me a plane ticket! Yeah I really wish I could but coming off of being a full time student,now looking for a job and my husband is a state employee so $ is pretty nonexistant around our place.Every time we try to save so I can take my hubby to Tombstone,AZ a pet gets sick or a car needs this that or the other.So if we cant even manage to go to different state then a dif. country is out. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Unfortunately I've never been out of the US but I'd REALLY love to.I want to go to Ireland soooooo bad. The history and people there just facinate me. Has anyone ever had a strong pull or feeling or bond like they just HAVE to go to a certain place, no matter what, even though they've never been there? Thats the way I feel about Ireland.(some people say that strong feeling is b/c you've been there in a past life but I dont know that I really believe that). Heh, I told my family that if I dont get to go to Ireland before I die,then cremate me and scatter my ashes over Ireland.Hell,I dont care if my ashes are sitting in an ashtray in a pub in Ireland as long as I get there one way or another! haha! Other than Ireland I'd like to go to Greece,Italy, Egypt,France (want to go to the Lovre real bad!) Switzerland and since my husband's family originated from Germany I'd like to go there b/c I'm a genealogy nut. As far as my favorite past vacation goes.My favorite would have to be Tombstone,AZ.I really enjoyed all the 'old west' history...Wyatt Earp,Doc Holiday and all that good stuff.It was fun reading some of the weird stuff written on the grave markers at BootHill.Drinking sasparilla(sp?...basically rootbeer) at the Big Nose Kate Saloon,which used to be the Grand Hotel and watching a gorgeous sunset.The coolest thing was going into the old Birdcage Theatre and seeing all the old artifacts.The BlackMoriah hearse, Doc Holiday's dentistry kit and tons of other stuff.Walking down the old boardwalks with bulletholes in them was cool,some were marked saying what gunfight the holes came from,even though they paved the streets the few months before we visited...WTF? who paves the streets of an 'old west' ghost town that derives most of its $ from tourism? They said it was b/c the shop keepers complained about the dust coming into their shops.Well hell, do like they did back then and get a damn broom!On our last day there it had rained the night before/earlier that morning and right as we were pulling up stakes to leave we saw the most beautiful and brilliant double rainbow arked over our campgrounds.It stayed for a good long time so we got some good pics of it.It just put a perfect ending on things as we left. As I was talking earlier about that strong pull to somewhere you'd never been...mine is to Ireland.Well my mom and dad's was to Tombstone.They felt like they were home there or like they'd been there before.My dad actually gave someone directions into Bisbee even though he'd never been there and the guy said all the directions ended up being right!Freaky if you ask me.It was a real interesting trip.My husband has always wanted to go there too,so I'm hope to get to take him sometime in the near future.

eh..it all ends up being about markings and bloodlines by then anyway.I was just pointing out that it *is* considered a breed and not just a color.So yeah,opinions vary.*shrug*

We own,breed and register Appaloosas and Paints.So,um..hate to say it,but your wrong there.Paints ARE considered a breed.They can be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, and the American Indian Horse Registry.There are obviously certain paint marking qualifications to be registered,but they ARE considered a separate breed and registered as such.The APHA is actually the 2nd largest horse registry in the USA. Just FYI.

Would your DZ maybe be willing to just split the $50 equally 16 ways so you dont have to screw with all this?I know that would only be $3-4 each by the time its all said and done but its better than trying to pick a favorite and maybe end up with hard feelings on behalf of your teammates. Or,if you just want to do this,make it simple: who was the FIRST one to say yes to the idea to go jump and was committed from the very beginning?Not someone who had to be talked into it or has been on the fence or anything.Or the one person who has been psyched from the beginning, stoked the whole time and bouncing off the walls non-stop talking about it. Those are the people I'd consider...the committed and the zealous.If not that,look at whos planning on getting video and narrow it down to one of them since they're paying extra for the video that the other guys just coming to jump arent paying.Help lighten that cost. Just my $.02

Lots of great things going on in this thread!I walked away awhile a it ran off in a blaze! Good points about farriers.Find a good one b/c this is the most important person that will ever be around your horse other than your vet.If not for him a horse can be lame or worse.If you dont have a healthy horse it doesnt matter if you have the best trainer in the country working with it b/c a sick/lame horse just isnt going to perform and train well,period. Always end training on a positive experiece.Very important b/c it builds trust and the bond between you and the horse.No matter what happened good or bad during riding/training you can groom them down as a 'good job' or as a cleaning of the slate and no matter how hard you were in training,you still think hes a good horse type thing.(kinda like getting a hug after your dad spanked you when you're young.)We always brush our horses down from top to bottom...mane, tail, hooves and all.Not only does it feel good,just like a massage would for you after a long workout at the gym,but it also gets off all that dried sweat that stays on their coat,especially everywhere your tack has touched them.Getting that stuff off will make them feel so much better b/c,while they are actually sweating they are cooling themselves through the sweat.But once it has dried and is just stuck in their coat it can make them hotter b/c although its a thin layer it does trap in some heat and in hotter climates like where I live in TX it makes a difference.Treats arent a bad thing either if done in moderation.Ours like the pepermint flavored ones. Auctions.Dont get your first horse from an auction.Try to find a reliable seller.Talking to your local farrier or even going up to your local feed store will probably help because those people know the ranching/horse community and whos buying/selling what.Also, there are horse trader magazines just like there are car trader magazines,pick one up. Alot of our horses are rescues.The ASPCA took them away from abusive owners and auction them off.We bought 2 horses that way.Let me tell ya,even the ASPCA lied at auction to get those horses gone.My horse,Toby,only a few months old at the time,had to stand with an IV in his neck for 3 days before we thought he was even going to live let alone survive being hauled back to our place.Not to mention he has a bad ankle b/c as a foal his mom stepped on it a broke it.It healed ok but the vet said he cant be ridden but short distances/light weights.The mare we bought (Shalamar) with him looked beautiful in all the pics we saw that were supposed to be 'current'.We didnt get to see her at the auction b/c she was still at the abusive woman's ranch b/c the shelter didnt have room for all of them.So when we won her and went to pick her up she was atleast 500lbs under weight,nothing but skin and bones.She was in a tiny pen with no food,no shade and no water and had been for several days. But we fattened them both up and they got their spirits back.The mare even foaled once before she passed away 4years after we bought her.(she was alot older than the auction said too...by almost double). Now Toby is our prize stud and boy is he flashy with that Arabian air to him. Even though that auction was bad news we dont regret rescuing Toby or Shalamar.We still continue to rescue horses.Every time my dad sees a neglected horse for sale he buys it and nurses it back to health.We've rescued horses from as far away as Canada...2 beautiful mare Paints.Over 3/4 of our 27horse herd is made up of rescues.Although they take alot more work than an average horse thats had training,its worth it.You have to overcome so much badhabit,maltreatment and mistrust.But when you do,that one little breakthrough:the one time they dont shy away,the one time they let you touch them,the one time they let you come up behind them without being jumpy,the one time they let you touch them with a rope out of love and for training and not to be beaten like their memory would like to believe...its the greatest feeling.Just earning those small steps can make you feel like you've won the Kentucky Derby.Like I said,its lots of hard,frustrating,tedious work and you cant just jump right into training with a rescue,so its not a good idea for a first purchase.But once people are much more experience,please! rescue those tha need our help.They 're just like a disabled child, they may not look as great as the flashy well-trained ones,but they have so much love and loyalty to give and they'll do anything for you once you take the time to work with them.We're trying to work with both actually.Once we build my parents log house and finish the new barn we're looking into opening an Equine Therapy Center for the disabled.

oops!my mistake.I misread what you wrote. Know what you mean about the old ways of breaking a horse's spirit.Its stupid.If you work nicely,comfortably and equally with the horse they will want to do what you ask them to.Never beat an animal in training..it completely negates all that you're trying to teach.Just like with a child..if you yell at them they arent going to listen to you.Whats the saying...The louder the voice the less someone listens? "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Hmm.I've never seen Anderson use 2X4s or whips at his clinics or on his shows.I know hes used a lunge line and different reining techniques though.We use all of Roberts' roundpen techniques as well as his passive trust type techniques...they're golden!I swear my dad can do anything with our horses just like Monty does.Its so cool to watch.I call him 'our very own horse whisperer'. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Happy Birthday John Lennon! Oct.9,1940-Dec.8,1980 He would have been 66 today. "A dream you dream alone is just a dream.A dream you dream together is reality"~John Lennon Steps are currently under way via petition to make Oct.9 John Lennon Day,a worldwide holiday for peace.Info below. http://www.johnlennonday.com/ "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

I second these and would like to add Clinton Anderson.Monty Roberts does super reliable techniques and very horse-friendly.Clinton Anderson's "Downunder Horsemanship" program is VERY rider and horse-friendly plus very easy to understand as its broken down very simple.I've been to both Robert's and Anderson's clinics in person and they are very educational and amazing to learn from. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Yeah,it can be BS. Luckily I have another law on my side to fix that problem.The Texas State Constitution says that any deeded land owner has the right to carry a firearm on his property AND the state has deemed a personal vehicle an extension of that property. My husband and I own a little 2 acre place just outside the city limits of Huntsville in a nice country area.Its bought and paid for,no mortgage,we have the deed.Thus we are deeded landowners. Its been tested too.My husband was coming back in from cleaning up the property,mowing and the like,and got stopped by a cop.He got pissy about the handgun sitting in the passenger seat since my hubby has no CHL.My hubby quotes the TX Constitution concerning his deeded landowner status and the cop called him a liar and confiscated the weapon.My hubby didnt argue and just said "ok no problem have a nice day".He came home,called the NRA (life members have the free legal you know) and they contacted the judge's office and cop shop.The next day the judge's office called with an apology,said all charges were dropped/fees waived,the cop in question had been reprimanded and that he could come pick up his firarm at any time he wished to do so. Its amazing how many LEOs dont know the very laws their supposed to be enforcing.Most know just enough to pass the academy and TCLEOSE and whatever their specific dept chooses to enforce (ie MIP,DUI and PI in most college towns.especially in mine).I'm not making a blanket statement about all LEOs...just alot of them seem to be learning less and less of the laws they are sworn to uphold and end up arresting or ticketing or whatever something thats legal under a law that they dont know b/c they dont take the time to learn them.Like the above example with my husband.My husband knew the law,the cop didnt,so he called him a liar and illegally seized his weapon. I already know I'm going to have problems w/the local PD and UPD here when I have my CHL b/c I cut across university campus to get to alot of places in town due to the fact the friggin campus is right in the middle of town.I already know they're going to say I cant carry on school property and try to ticket/arrest/confiscate whatever.So I called the local DA's office and asked him to explain part of the law to me.(I figured he'd be on the opposite table in court so why not get his opinion.Then if I go by that the case would be dismissed b/c we would be in agreement.ie no law broken.)So PC46.03 says "dont carry on school premisis". ok. BUT PC 46.035 says "premisis" is defined as a building or portion of a building and does NOT include public or private streets, walkways, parking garages, parkinglots, sidewalks, driveways, or other parking area. So going by that if I'm just cutting across campus I'm cool b/c I'm not "in a building or portion of a building".The DA agreed with me and said I could cut across campus all I wanted..no problem.So I'm wondering whats going to happen when a UPD pulls me over for sneezing or something (they are super corrupt) and this comes up. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Thanks! For renewals the statute is 45 days but not for us newbies. The statute for new apps says: GC 411.177 "The department shall no later than the 60th day after the date of the receipt by the director's designee of the completed application materials: (1)issue the license (2)notify the applicant in writing that the application was denied.... (3)notify applicant in writing that the dept. is unable to make a determination regarding the issuance or denial within the 60-day period and include an explaination of the reason and estimation of the amount of time the dept will need to make a determination. Failure of the dept to issue or deny a license of more than 30days after the dept is required to act (the 60days) constitutes denial." BUT, the FAQs in the back of the CHL handbook says "your app could take up to 180 days to process if the background check reveals potentially disqualifying info." WTF? the statute gives them by law no less than 90days if you include the 'unable to make a determination'period but the FAQs say 180?! Completely contradictory and in the same handbook no less.Oy!Luckily I'm not worried about the background check.The only thing they're gonna find is 3 old speeding tickets. BTW, I'm sure you knew this already since you're an avid gun enthusaist but just in case: You didnt have to pull your gun from your car b/c your CHL expired.As of 9-1-05 TX ammended PC 46.15.You can carry a loaded gun in your car,even w/o a CHL as long as you are "traveling".Its up to the prosecution to prove the definition of "traveling". Thanks again.

I'd sure as hell take that bat away. 1.so he wont break anything else 2.punishment Then I'd spank his butt "because I wanted to" "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Well,the college I was last attending used the Bearcat as a mascot and they say that it is an animal more commonly known as a Kinkajou.Its a Rainforrest animal.Its black,long-tailed, tree-climbing animal that looks something like a cross between a bear,a lemur and a raccoon(Pic attached). They actually had one on campus for awhile but it didnt take to the TX climate well..go figure LOL!Damn I actually learned something in orientation. As for my high school: Corsicana High School, Corsicana,TX Go Tigers! "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Yeah I tried that.The squeaky wheel gets the grease and I have no problems being squeaky when I need to be.(my apt manager knows that for a fact!)The recording said they were having technical difficulties with their phones and to refer to the FAQs in the handbook or website which I already know say 60days. What I'm worried about is that they'll kick mine back b/c of my fingerprints.The woman doing my finger prints for the FBI card did good and they came out fine,but then she decided to teach some newboot how to fingerprint and used me as a teacher's aid.So my prints that he took for the state card came out dark,smudged and probably had more of his prints on it than mine. My friend who also has his CHL said his got kicked back for a reprint and his didnt look near as bad as mine.He's ex Army Intelligence and knows about all that stuff so its got me wondering and waiting to see if they are gonna kick mine back for a reprint...which means even more time til I get the license. *sigh* I'm just not a patient person. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Yeah but knowing how the state is, my license will show up in the mean time but it will still read "processing" on the website.I renewed my driver's license by mail this year, and on the same day I received my new license I also received a 2nd letter from the state reminding me it was time to renew my DL. So I'll still be clicking away on the website for any updates but its not going to stop me from running down to the PO.I swear I think the lower level people in state jobs do this kind of crap just to play with people because they're jobs are boring! "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Ok, so I've been very impatiently awaiting the arrival of my TX CHL. I took the class 8-5-2006 and took care of all the paperwork,fingerprints etc. and mailed it certified/return receipt the last part of Aug.I received the receipt back on 9-2-06.Ok,cool I know it made it to Austin since someone signed for it (Mr. Joe L Rodriguez). Since then I've been playing peek-a-boo at the mailbox every day.Hoping my nice little license is just sitting there in the box waiting for me, only to open the box time and again to find nothing but bills and crap advertisements.Its not that I'm some gun nut freak just itching to be licensed to carry.Its just kinda exciting like a kid just turned 16 waiting for their first driver's license to arrive in the mail or my mom compared it to waiting on her LVN and RN licenses. So yesterday I dont bother going to the PO to check.Why bother getting my hopes up since I know its not there?So My hubby checks it and theres an envelope from the TX Licensing Service...OMG! its here! So I feel through the envelope w/o opening and feel no little plastic card...oh no! I start thinking I've been rejected and this is the rejection letter.(I'm freaking out.)So I open the letter dated 10-2-06 and it says: "we have received your application and it is being processed.You can now check your application's progress via internet..yadda yadda yadda". Well no shit you've received my application! You received it a month ago when it was signed for and my receipt returned to proove it!You've had it a month and NOW you send me a letter saying "thanks,we got it" ?!?! Why didnt you just process it and send me my friggin' license instead of this stupid letter? And why in blue hell did you waste a tree just to tell me that? So I go online to check the stupid progress of the application and it just says "processing".Well no shit! Thats what you're supposed to have been doing this whole time.You cant give me any more info than 'processing'? It might as well say "its on so-and-so's desk collecting dust while we're all taking a coffee break so that the application process can take as long as humanly possible because this IS a state agency after all.So suck it up and take it up the tailpipe and we'll get to it when we finish our bagles and donuts." This is the biggest load of bureaucratic red-tape paperwork CRAP!!! My only consolation is that the state statute says they have 60days from receipt to respond with either a license or a rejection letter.Well it was received by 9-2-06 I know for a fact.And this letter is dated 10-2-06.So legally and technically I should have it by 11-2-06.Knowing my luck I'll get it 11-1-06. Ok so thats my rant of the day... "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Comtrex works great for me. Also vitamin C and Echinacea are good to boost the immune system.If you dont feel like taking lots of pills drink OJ for the vitamin C. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Amen! Sometimes I dont mind it so much but if I'm in a hurry or something I'm like "ok quit obsessing over my name and give me my shit, so I can get outta here".Because it always happens when I'm either in a hurry,trying to get out of a store or not in the mood to screw with it.Feel free to play with my name all ya want after I'm gone,but just let me leave already so I can get on with my life. Hell sometimes my husband and I have fun with our name.His voice mail answers to "please leave a message for Loco Cervesa after the tone", which freaks some people out who dont know him.Then I go by MoodyBeers alot,so it works out even though its annoying at times. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

My mom and dad went to school with an African American chick whos name was spelled Pajama but it was pronounced "Pay-ja-may". Then my mom was an RN working in Labor&Delivery at a hospital and another such young African American woman came in and had a little girl whom she wanted to name Tick (spelled and pronounced just like the bug,or the sound a clock makes).After much work on behalf of the staff and family they finally got her to change it slightly to Tickey. My married name isn't unfortunate, but its interesting enough that people always comment on it...my name is Amber Beers. It was fun at first but its gotten old quick.Some assholes dont believe me that it really is my name,like I'd make it up (why?do I look like a porn star to you?) and I have to show them my driver's license to proove it.People at pharmacies and such either ask me to spell my last name and I say "its just like the drink,ok?" or they say "is that B-E-A-R-S?" and I say "no that spells "bears",like teddy bears. Then theres the ever popular high school or college kid going "man you name is so cool!" Or those who drink Shiner Amber Bock or other Amber ales just really love my name because I've got the whole package right in my first and last name and then I get to hear about their love of beer.Or I've had several people say "you have a perfect skydiver's name!" Oy! Maybe I should go back to using my maiden name. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Thanks for all the good info.I (we) really appreciate it. I'll let you know when we go so I can meet you and thank you in person(buy you a beer atleast).Most likely it will be sometime next spring when we get him up in the air since he wants to set aside tax refund $ for it.But I've got about 2-3 other people including his mom who want to go as a group and make a day of it.Hopefully those people wont back out on me like most people like to do when you start getting a group together to do first tandems. It'll just be good to be hanging around a DZ again even though I cant jump with them.Jeez,its been 3 years since I've been to a DZ. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

Cool, thanks I'll do that.After we get some solid info from a doctor I'm still going to talk to Todd about it (because you KNOW I'm taking him the Aggieland.) "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

if you want them to work quicker,stick them under your tongue..goes right to the bloodstream (ever wonder why they make heart attack patients put nitro under their tongue? thats why..quick response.)Chewing them will make it a bit faster but its still being swallowed so not as fast.I'd be careful doing either w/o asking the doc first.But if the bottle says "time released" DO NOT crush.. people have died that way. Hope all is well soon.

yeah, thats not a bad muscle relaxant.I dont know of any others starting with S unless its a generic.Also depends if its for pain or inflamation.But chewing them? ew ew ew! I'm betting the shot was cortizone.Had a few of those myself.Or they could have used Synvisc which is much better than cortizone b/c its not a steroid.Synvisc worked wonders for my knees but you had to have more of them than cortizone...9 in the left and 5 in the right for me over a years time. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."

So after all of my talking about my past memories of jumping and how great that time in my life was my husband has gone from "its cool but its not something I'd ever want to do" to "I'd like to do a tandem when we get our tax refund $ in". Heres the deal, his lung spontaneously collapsed (Spontaneous Pneumothorax) in 1991.Luckily the doctors were able to get it fixed without any form of surgery.But after his release from the hospital his doctor told him to take it easy and gave him a list of "Do's and Don't".On that list,it said he could not ride in a non-pressurized airplane for atleast 5 years because the walls of his chest and his lungs had to have time to heal and regain strength.Well,his doctor has since passed away and he has a new doc who we havent talked to about this yet.Its been well over 5 years.Do you think he'd be safe doing a tandem? Note: I'm not asking for medical advice here in place of going to a professional.We are going to talk to his doc and the S&TA at the DZ.I just wanted a general opinion from those who understand the physical requirements of jumping first hand.With a general idea I'll be more able to answer my husband's questions and concerns. "...just an earthbound misfit, I."