TriGirl

I've learned to focus my retail therapy -- for me, part of the therapy is in the search. I'll look at some of my favorite sites to get some ideas. Once I find that ONE thing that really speaks to me, I set it aside until the next day. If I still really want it the next day (especially if that is paired with a GREAT price for said item), then I'll buy it. I extend that feeling by going to my email and looking at the confirmation message for that item, so I know I'm still excited about that one item. Usually it's an article of clothing or an accessory. Once it arrives, I go out to eat or go meet friends, wearing that piece or using that accessory. My other form of positive therapy is cooking/baking. Now that the holidays are coming up, I'm looking forward to making a lot of breads for my friends and coworkers (pumpkin, apple, zucchini, banana) I make them in mini-loaf pans so I can mix several together in a gift basket. For me, creating something is just as theraputic as purchasing something! As for your buyer's remorse: perhaps sending it all back will make you feel even better, since you will have unloaded that added burden you've just taken on. Anyway, hope you feel better soon, Nat!!!

I did see that story. The new owner tracked down the seller, who said he was selling his elderly father's stuff to help pay for said father's care, and that they had been searching for those bonds for a long time as well. Looks like they'll be able to take care of Dad after all!

Anyone have contact info for whoever is organizing the scrambles? Details on the website don't answer all of my questions, such as: which scrambles format will be used? will the teams be created that morning, or are teams being put together during the skills camps? any chance to join one of those scrambles morning of? Thanks! T See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

You know, I was shocked when at one point in the video, one of the football players had an Alabama cap on. What about that poor kid from SAMOA?? See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Yeah, it started in the US. You were correct the first time. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

And, if you want to hear what the judges will be evaluating, contact Randy Connell at USPA. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

I caught a bit of a BASE jump one -- that looked good. Can't remember what it was advertising, since I just caught part of it. I was hoping this was that one. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Perhaps your coworkers are the type to get one on Christmas Eve, and get rid of it a week later? I could see getting away without watering in that scenario. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

A belated "thanks"! I was traveling during the long holiday weekend, but I figured someone would post for us!

With the backup being? Rucks aren't much fun, and I know plenty of people that decided they had walked far enough, including our old battalion CSM. (he only did 25 miles while most of us did the full 50) Next time they go, send him along. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Just based on what you wrote (I didn't open the news link on the arrest), it seems to me that he just thought wearing a uniform was a festive way to show appreciation. Sounds like an uninformed moron to me. If his wife was so embarrassed, why didn't she tell him he shouldn't wear the uniform? If this is the case, I voted for the long walk. Spend time with those who have earned the uniform, during a road march with gear, while listening to them recount their stories and their careers. The cure for ignorance is education. This seems like the appropriate lesson for this particular brand of ignorance. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

(bold and italics mine) This is the problem I have with the parts of "marriage" that are under the purview of the government. Actually, I don't have a problem with these benefits per se -- just that the government has yielded to the religious groups over who qualifies and who doesn't. And this sort of addresses David's comment about government being involved in our relationships. I can officially marry any (legally) eligible man I choose. He would receive medical coverage under the military's system. If I were living abroad and he still in the U.S., I'd get a stipend for his housing, and I'd receive an extra allowance called separation pay to offset the "burden" of being physically separated. I could also transfer my education benefits to him; and unless I stipulate otherwise, he would get all my death benefits, properties and insurance upon my death (not to mention parts of my military retirement, even if we divorced). No one would be allowed to question anything else about our relationship, as long as we were legally married (not even the religious groups, since its a hetero situation). He could be half my age or younger. We may never have a physical relationship. As long as I don't have a physical relationship with someone else, the military also can't say anything about the situation. No kids may be involved at all. Why can I opt to pass all these benefits on to any man I choose, but not have the exact same situation with a woman? It's the legal/civil issues (those portions of "marriage" that the government regulates) that are of concern to me, as they are absolutely unfair. These issues do affect my "day-to-day" relationships, as I can't help out a female friend in need the way I legally can help a male friend. And, if the religious groups oppose same-sex marriage because of the physical aspect, or the procreation factor, then why do they not protest just as strongly the 80-yr-old man who marries the 21-yr-old woman? Or the hetero couple who marries simply for the business plan I outlined above? They've made no move to restrict that. And if having two loving/nurturing parents in the household is better for the development of children, then I really don't understand why a same-sex couple that has exactly that relationship is somehow not as good as a dysfunctional hetero couple -- a situation these same groups seem not to care about (at least not enough to try to pass laws and amendments to prevent). Finally, I'd also like to point out that I equally don't care if one man marries three consenting adult women within their own church. Let them take each others' names, and live together, and raise each others' children as they choose, without fear of arrest. But I do understand that if the government ties public benefits to a legal partnership of a household, they do need to draw the line that is fair for everyone. So, I'm all for consenting adult couples, of any gender mix, entering into the business arrangement that affords all the rights and responsibilities that is currently called "marriage." But, it should be limited to one agreement per person (e.g., only the first marriage, until it's dissolved, is the one that counts under the legal provisions), IMHO. [climbs off soap box]

So, Jenn -- what's the latest? Are you back?

Well, on the bright side, the school closures in TX & OH should put a crimp in the meningitis rate for a while. As I said -- cooler heads. That course of action actually makes sense. Totally closing our borders? Not so much. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

That's all well and good when there is a significant time lapse between the time one is exposed until they are contagious, such as with ebola. What happens when that time lapse is significantly reduced or nearly eliminated? Or when time of exposure is unknown (e.g., transmitted via common insect), and death follows within a day of the first symptom presenting itself? Such as kids passing meningitis when they share sodas, or from other causal contact? That one kills SO much more quickly from the onset of the first symptoms. Yet where is the outrage and panic over the fatal exposure to all the victims of that disease? Wish we could all keep our heads a bit cooler. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

It's Ottawa. You can go to that one restaurant ... or the other one. There's a new tapas place called Corner 230. Haven't been there yet, so we'll see! I just came back from my Kroger run, so I have plenty of healthy snacks in the fridge for some nights I don't feel like eating out.

I saw your name on the plaque today! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Most gas stations in WA state are self serve, swiping the card at the pump, so it's not out of your hands. Wasn't there, though, a case of malicious readers being installed on pumps that hijacked card numbers? It's getting to be very creative, isn't it? One of the times I had card info stolen -- I was in Warsaw, and my card was "scanned" from nearby proximity (I didn't use that card the whole trip, but it was in my wallet. I'm told it was an issue there). Just after I got back to the States, I received an email that a physical card was used in New York State to purchase fuel. My number was hijacked, and a counterfeit card was manufactured, sold and used within about a week. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Do you feel comfortable doing video for more than jus 4-way? Some jumpers get together while at Nationals to put together 8-, 16- and 10-way speed teams. Sure, they are probably already there with at least one videographer, but you never know. As I'm sure you recall, the video flyer is just as important as the jumpers turning the points. If the judges can't see the point, it didn't happen! When you get there, ask the nice people at the registration/check-in table where you can post a notice about your availability and what events you feel comfortable supporting. You may not get a 4-way team for the whole event, but I'm sure teams at the very least will appreciate knowing how to contact a sub if needed. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

On the plus side, you're outnumbered by men in our sport by a margin of at least 3 to 1. Lot's of skydiver guys to choose from. On the downside . . .? They're all skydivers. The odds are good, but... :-D Exactly! (to both of you!) See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

First, I'll agree with the posters here who noted that the first red flag should have been the lack of hobbies and interests. I would think that someone like that just might be interested in checking out your hobby, so that she could finally have one, too! Now, as to your original question -- is it possible to date a whuffo? I wouldn't know. Since I started skydiving, the only whuffo who expressed any serious interest was a guy who pretty much only wanted to date my resume. (he liked the fact that he was dating someone with a cool job and cooler hobby -- not really that he liked ME). The other whuffos guys run the opposite direction, since they're afraid that I'll think they're pussies because they have no interest in jumping out of a plane. (or they really are pussies and don't want the truth to get out? I'm brainstorming here) If you think it's tough being a male skydiver trying to date whuffos, try looking at it from the female perspective! Hope you still had an awesome time at Summerfest. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Woo hoo, I won something!! I guess I can use those tunnel minutes if I get the chance to come up for the boogie next year. I'll be SO ready for scrambles! ...unless anyone wants to consider a trade? Thanks John. And I can't wait to hear how much you guys brought in this weekend! See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

John & V -- good luck with your event today, and all weekend! Hope you raise tons of $$ for the cause. Drawing is TOMORROW! Can't wait. Okay, to be realistic, I can't wait to just know that I didn't win anything again, so I can move on. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

Yes, moving internationally does suck. Lucky for me, when I do it, 1) I already have a job, and 2) my employer takes care of the logistics. Seriously -- I am in awe of people like you and N@ who decide to work/live in other countries, and just go for it. Intimidates the crap out of me! FWIW, I'll offer a secret to conducting those "early morning" video chats. "Forget" to turn on your video connection and begin the meeting with audio only. Once you've finished your coffee or otherwise freshened up, connect video and be pleasantly surprised that you got it to work. See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!

BASE jump! (B - body) See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump!